WASHINGTON, March 8 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release on March 6, 2024: SAN DIEGO -- A superseding indictment was partially unsealed in the Southern District of California March 5 charging alleged drug trafficker Benjamin Madrigal-Birrueta, 22, with murdering two people to prevent them from testifying in drug trafficking cases in federal court in San Diego. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcem  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release: A man has been sentenced to more than ten years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine in the Chicago area and obstructing justice by perjuring himself at trial. JORGE DIAZ conspired in 2016 with two individuals in Mexico to traffic multiple kilograms of cocaine. Diaz gave money to couriers to purchase the drugs in California and deliver them to Diaz. In a D  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Hawaii - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 6.1 percent in Hawa  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Idaho - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 6.5 percent in Idaho  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Nevada - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 9.0 percent in Neva  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Oregon - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 8.0 percent in Oreg  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Washington - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 8.1 percent in   more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization, Alaska - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 8.8 percent in Alaska  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization, Arizona - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 7.3 percent in Arizo  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization, California - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 9.3 percent in Ca  more

SAN DIEGO, California, March 7 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: On March 3, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) Border Patrol agents were conducting operations in the Puebla Tree area of the Otay Mountains, approximately five miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. BORTAC was actively monitoring this area - where there is a paved road winding through the mountains - because of recent reports of armed ro  more

SACRAMENTO, California, March 8 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on March 6, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with CalRecycle Director Rachel Machi Wagoner, today announced that five managers of Recycling Services Alliance, Inc. (RSA), who together carried out a recycling fraud scheme in Sacramento County, have been ordered to pay a total of $140.5 million total criminal restitution and administrative fines for the purpose of replenish  more

SACRAMENTO, California, March 8 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on March 7, 2024: Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he took action to accelerate a housing project in downtown Los Angeles that, if ultimately approved, is expected to deliver more than 1,500 new homes, office space and retail all centrally located near transit and jobs. The 10-building project is anticipated to pump $2 billion into the California economy and create up to 10,000 union  more

SACRAMENTO, California, March 8 -- The California Department of Public Health issued the following news release on March 7, 2024: Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched the Take on Alzheimer's campaign, an education and awareness campaign aimed toward all Californians to promote healthy brains, knowledge about the difference between aging and dementia, and improve conversations with loved ones and health care providers. "With more people living longer lives, the numb  more

CAMP PENDLETON, California, March 8 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: More than 4,000 service members and civilians from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, as well as members from United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France and Japan, participated in Project Convergence Capstone Four at Camp Pendleton and Fort Irwin in February and March. The Department of the Air Force's role in the Army-led experiment was to provide a multi-service synchronized  more

CAMP PENDLETON, California, March 8 -- Space Base Delta I issued the following news release: More than 4,000 service members and civilians from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, as well as members from United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France and Japan, participated in Project Convergence Capstone Four at Camp Pendleton and Fort Irwin in February and March. The Department of the Air Force's role in the Army-led experiment was to provide a multi-service sync  more

EDWARDS AFB, California, March 8 -- The U.S. Air Force's Edwards Air Force Base issued the following news: By Giancarlo Casem, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs The 412th Test Wing conducted an active shooter exercise at Edwards Air Force Base today. The purpose of the exercise was to enhance base readiness and response capabilities in the event of a critical incident. "Training of this nature is essential for maintaining our preparedness and ensuring the safety of our community," said Lt. Col.   more

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, March 8 -- The FBI issued the following news release on March 7, 2024: Tennessee residents lost more than $160 million to Internet scammers last year, according to a new report released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The report highlights critical vulnerabilities and underscores the imperative for heightened cybersecurity measures in the Volunteer State. In 2023, Tennessee ranked 31st in the country, with residents lodging a total of 8,484 complaints with the FBI  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco issued the following Beige Book on March 6, 2024: * * * Summary of Economic Activity Economic activity in the Twelfth District was up slightly during the January to mid-February reporting period. Employment levels rose slightly, and labor was more available. Prices and wages both increased overall but at slower rates. Retail sales were stable, while activity in the services sectors grew modestly. Demand for manufactured  more

PORTLAND, Oregon, March 7 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco issued the following remarks on March 6, 2024, by President and CEO Mary C. Daly at the National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference: * * * Home Truths: Changing the Conversation on Housing * * * Remarks as prepared for delivery. Good morning. Thank you, Laura for that kind introduction. And thank you to all of you in the audience who do such important work for families, communities, and the economy. I  more

PENSACOLA, Florida, March 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida issued the following news release: Philip Beck, 47, Florence Beck, 46, and Joshua Martinez, 27, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, were found guilty by a federal jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The guilty verdict, returned after a four-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District  more

OAKLAND, California, March 8 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on March 6, 2024: In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today highlighted ongoing efforts to protect California consumers and urged Californians to report misconduct or violations of state consumer protection laws to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) at oag.ca.gov/report. Complaints submitted by the public provide DOJ with importan  more

WASHINGTON, March 8 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release on March 7, 2024: BALTIMORE -- An investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Washington division, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General National Capital Region, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Baltimore field division, the Anne Arundel County Pol  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 8 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 7, 2024: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 Attorneys General in sending a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) addressing the recent increase in Facebook and Instagram platform account takeovers by scammers. Account takeovers are when bad actors break into a user's account and change passwords, effectively hijacking the account and b  more

LANSING, Michigan, March 8 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 attorneys general in sending a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) addressing the recent rise of Facebook and Instagram account takeovers by scammers and frauds. When bad actors break into a user's account and change passwords, effectively hijacking the account and blocking out the rightful owner, it is an account   more

PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland, March 8 -- The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command issued the following news release: Capt. Duane Whitmer relieved Capt. Holly Shoger as the Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office (PMA-273) program manager during a change of command ceremony in California, Maryland, on Thursday, March 7. PMA-273 develops and oversees diverse and carrier-capable naval flight training systems for student pilots and undergraduate military flight officers to acquire mission  more

FRESNO, California, March 7 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release: The Bureau of Reclamation today announces a teleconference negotiation session for a repayment contract with the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority on the repayment of extraordinary maintenance work for the Jones Pumping Plant Excitation Cabinet and Control Panel Refurbishment Project. Funding for the project was made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure  more

WASHINGTON, March 8 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following news release on March 7, 2024: The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Skechers U.S.A. Inc., a footwear company based in California, agreed to settle charges for failing to disclose payments for the benefit of its executives and their immediate family members. Skechers agreed to pay a $1.25 million civil penalty to settle the SEC's charges. According to the SEC's order, from 2019 through 2022  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for March 8, 2024: * * * SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN 10:45 a.m. Secretary Blinken meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Department of State. (POOLED CAMERA SPRAY AT TOP) 4:30 p.m. Secretary Blinken hosts an International Women's Day Reception at the Department of State. (OPEN PRESS COVERAGE FOR REMARKS) Final access time for video cameras, stills, and writers is 3:50 p.m. at the 23rd stre  more

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, California, March 8 -- The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command issued the following news: By Scott Wakefield, 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs There's a lot to think about when it comes to nuclear deterrence. Most people think about the vast number of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles we have secured in silos around the country. Other's may think about the various options we have in our bomber and submarine delivery systems. However, at Vandenberg Space Force   more

TRAVIS AFB, California, March 8 -- The U.S. Air Force's Travis Air Force Base (60th Air Mobility Wing) issued the following news: By Tech. Sgt. Savannah L. Waters, 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs "To fully bloom, you have to fully prune," said retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley, life coach. "You're in [one of] the most stressful jobs in America. Why would you be exceptional in your affiliation with the Air Force, and be average in your own life?" Brinkley, along   more

SANTA ANA, California, March 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California issued the following news release: A former executive at an Orange County commercial real estate agency was sentenced today to 33 months in federal prison for embezzling more than $2.7 million from his employer by submitting fictitious invoices for services that were never performed or for greatly inflated amounts. Varun Aggarwal, 42, of Irvine, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cor  more

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March 8 -- Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes issued the following news: Attorney General Reyes joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general in sending a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) addressing the recent rise of Facebook and Instagram platform account takeovers by scammers and fraudsters. Account takeovers are when bad actors break into a user's account and change passwords, effectively hijacking the account and blocking out the rightful owner. Attorney  more

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia issued the following news release: A California man made his initial appearance in Alexandria today to face charges for a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $10 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act loans. According to court documents, Craig David Davis, 50, of Marina Del Rey, allegedly submitted fake tax documents and business records to three banks to obtain two   more