JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, April 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Air Force Security Forces Center is continuing its efforts to arm Defenders with the technology and equipment they need to better protect people and resources across the Department of the Air Force. With a mission of training, equipping and managing program execution for the Air Force security forces enterprise across the globe, the center is w  more

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, April 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska issued the following news release: A Texas man was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and three years' supervised release for trafficking more than 21 kilograms of the drug known as Spice from Texas to Alaska. "Spice" is a generic term for synthetic cannabinoids, which are mind-altering chemicals that are formed by dissolving psychotropic drugs in acetone and spraying them on dried plant material  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 19 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division issued the following news release: Three men have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme to traffic and "cook" custom meth orders in the McAllen area, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Alfredo Duarte, 32, Fullerton, California, and Mexican citizens Abraham Pena-Quintero, 39, and Fra  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 19 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division issued the following news release: A 26-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced for drug charges and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Lauro Gonzalez Jr. pleaded guilty April 24, 2023. Chief U.S. District Judg  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, April 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Defense Department strives to support readiness, resilience, people and the environment in everything it does, said the assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment, who spoke on April 17 about environmental issues in advance of the upcoming Earth Day observance on Monday, April 22. Visiting Earth Day exhibits at the  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: The Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) today approved a $51 million direct loan to small business Packwell, Inc. to support the construction of a packaging and warehousing facility in Houston, Texas. This is the third transaction approved under the Make More in America initiative. The transaction is estimated to support approxim  more

WASHINGTON, April 19 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: The Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) today approved a $51 million direct loan to small business Packwell, Inc. to support the construction of a packaging and warehousing facility in Houston, Texas. This is the third transaction approved under the Make More in America initiative. The transaction is estimated to support approximately 320 jobs in H  more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, April 19 -- The Indiana House Democrats issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: Today, April 17, robotics teams from Harrison High School, McCutcheon High School and West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School are competing in the 2024 FIRST World Championship in robotics. FIRST Robotics is a nonprofit international youth organization that invites teams of high school students - of all skill levels - to compete. The three teams traveled to Houston, Texas for the champ  more

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 19 -- The Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird today joined a 15-state coalition in a letter to Bank of America, demanding that it stop shutting down bank accounts for those it disagrees with. Bank of America, the nation's second largest bank, has denied services to gun manufacturers, fossil fuel producers, and contractors for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The bank also volun  more

WASHINGTON, April 19 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: The Justice Department announced that 11 U.S. Attorneys' Offices have now established a carjacking task force to focus efforts and resources on this important public safety threat. "The Justice Department has no higher priority than keeping our communities safe. We do so by targeting the most significant drivers of violent crime and by acting as a force multiplier for our state and local law enforcement p  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: McALLEN, Texas - Three men have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme to traffic and "cook" custom meth orders in the McAllen area, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Alfredo Duarte, 32, Fullerton, California, and Mexican citizens A  more

GULFPORT, Mississippi, April 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: An Edinburg, Texas man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for conspiring to possess with intent distribute cocaine. Jose Humberto Gandara, 52, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Gulfport. According to Court documents and evidence presented at trial, in 2016, Jose Humberto Gandara was stopped in Gulfport while driving a 201  more

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, April 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: The last of the eight defendants indicted following a joint law enforcement operation in Carlsbad last year pleaded guilty to federal drug offenses in federal court yesterday. Jesus Alonso Cerezo-Espidio, 51, of Carlsbad, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 5 grams and more of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute 50  more

WASHINGTON, April 19 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 57079) involving Paragon Energy Solutions, Fort Worth, Texas: * * * Rep Org: Paragon Energy Solutions Region: 2 City: Fort Worth State: TX Agreement: N NRC Notified By: Richard Knott HQ OPS Officer: Bill Gott Notification Date: 04/16/2024 Notification Time: 23:29 [ET] Event Date: 02/15/2024 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 04/17/2024 Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR  more

WASHINGTON, April 19 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for April 12, 2024: * * * SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN 8:00 a.m. Secretary Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan meet with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, and Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Ano at the Department of State. (POOLED CAMERA SPRAY AT TOP) Th  more

WASHINGTON, April 19 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for April 15, 2024: * * * SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN 8:30 a.m. Secretary Blinken meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Washington, D.C. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) 9:45 a.m. Secretary Blinken and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim co-chair a U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee meeting at the Department of State. (CAMERA SPRAY AT TOP) Preset time for video cameras is 9:15  more

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19 -- The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is now accepting applications for the Seaport and Rail Yard Areas Emissions Reduction Program (SPRY). An estimated $20 million in grants are available to upgrade or replace older drayage trucks and equipment operating at eligible seaports and rail yards. Grant applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve  more

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19 -- The Texas Education Agency issued the following document from Commissioner Mike Morath on April 18, 2024: * * * Subject: Guidelines for Multihazard Emergency Operations for Individuals with Disabilities or Impairments Category: Information Next Steps: Incorporate guidelines into existing multihazard emergency operations plan Overview The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is committed to supporting local educational agencies (LEAs) in their efforts to improve the safet  more

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19 -- The Texas Education Agency issued the following document from Commissioner Mike Morath on April 18, 2024: * * * Subject: Highest Ranking Graduate Category: Tuition Waiver Next Steps: Share with principal and/or lead counselor In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), Sec.54.301, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides an opportunity for each public and accredited non-public high school in Texas to identify a student to award a "Highest Ranking Graduate" cer  more

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19 -- The Texas Education Agency issued the following document from Commissioner Mike Morath on April 18, 2024: * * * Subject: Process for Certification of 2024-2025 Indirect Cost Rates for Independent School Districts (ISDs) Only Category: Funding Implications and Pending Deadline Next Steps: SDs to certify ICRPs by 5/17/2024 to receive indirect cost rates for use with 2024-2025 Grant Applications This letter is to inform independent school districts (ISDs) that the Te  more

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today announced seven Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling $2,103,320 have been awarded to seven schools in the Gulf Coast area by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The JET grants will support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by helping the schools purchase and install equipment to initially train more than 1,500 students for hi  more

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter directing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to create a task force to address healthcare workforce shortages in order to meet the demands of our growing state and provide students with the tools they need to succeed. "The State of Texas has invested millions in job training grants to help prepare students for high-demand careers, such a  more

BEAUMONT, Texas, April 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas posted the following news release on April 18, 2024: The Justice Department established the formation of carjacking task forces in 11 targeted districts across the United States, including the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. "The Justice Department has no higher priority than keeping our communities safe. We do so by targeting the most significant drivers of violen  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 33-year-old San Juan resident has been ordered to federal prison for attempting to exit the country with three dozen AK-47 and AR-15 rifles and other weapons and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Jessica Alvarado pleaded guilty Jan. 25 to smuggling goods from the United States. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Alvarado to   more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: Two men have been sentenced for their roles in a cocaine smuggling operation, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Argelio Chavero, 51, Alton, and Agustin Romero Jr., 41, U.S. citizen residing in Mexico, pleaded guilty April 24, 2023, and Dec. 19, 2022, respectively, to importing 12 kilograms of cocaine from Mexico. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has   more

TAMPA, Florida, April 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Richard Aldo Melendez (36, Wauchula) to 14 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking ring. Melendez entered a guilty plea on August 28, 2023. According to court documents, Melendez conspired with Ellen Jean Bivens (25, Zolfo Springs) and Abdon Rivera, Jr. (33, Lake Wales) to dis  more

BETHESDA, Maryland, April 19 (TNSres) -- The Uniformed Services University issued the following research news: * * * Scientists, including alumni and faculty from the Uniformed Services University, have unveiled a groundbreaking treatment using a humanized monoclonal antibody, hu1F5, effectively protecting nonhuman primates against the lethal Nipah virus, marking a significant advancement towards potential clinical use. * * * By Ian Neligh A team of scientists that includes a Uniformed Serv  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, April 19 -- The University System of Georgia issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Sonny Perdue today named USG's Chief Operating Officer Teresa MacCartney as interim president of Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), upon the departure of President Neal Weaver this May. Weaver announced he would be stepping down May 10 after nearly seven years. He was named president of Stephen F. Austin University in Texas   more

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 19 -- Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes issued the following news: Attorney General Sean D. Reyes co-led a letter with the State of Indiana to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address its policy of providing blanket authorizations for investment companies under Section 203(a)(2) of the Federal Power Act (FPA). The letter from several attorneys general focuses on the legal and ethical responsibilities and duties of asset managers of investment comp  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: McALLEN, Texas - A 26-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced for drug charges and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Lauro Gonzalez Jr. pleaded guilty April 24  more

SEATTLE, Washington, April 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington issued the following news release on April 18, 2024: U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced today that the Western District of Washington is one of seven districts that are adding a carjacking task force to focus efforts and resources on this important public safety threat. "Our task force harnesses the resources of the FBI, ATF, the Seattle Police and Kent Police Departments. Prosecutors w  more

WEST POINT, New York, April 18 -- The Military Academy issued the following news release: The U.S. Military Academy will host the 57th Sandhurst Military Skills Competition on April 26 and 27. Hosted by West Point since 1967, teams will compete in a rigorous 36-hour course to test warrior spirit, cohesion, and dedication to mission accomplishment. At the end of the competition, one team will be named the Sandhurst champion. The winning team will be chosen based on their collective performance   more