CHICAGO, Illinois, May 31 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release on May 30, 2024: A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a Mexican resident on drug charges for allegedly illegally importing the drug Pentobarbital into the United States from Mexico for use in committing suicide. A superseding indictment returned Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges DANIEL GONZALEZ-MUNGUIA, also known as "Alejandro Vasquez," 4  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, May 31 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: By Mila Cisneros, AFIMSC Public Affairs The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is leading a $100 million construction project for a water treatment plant and pump station to establish a long-term, sustainable water supply from the Snake River to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The project, critical to strengthening the Mountain Home mission, will provide a resilient  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 30 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Air Force selected 1,366 active duty majors for promotion to lieutenant colonel during recent CY24A central selection boards (LAF-A/C/F/I/N/X, NC and MSC). Lieutenant Colonel (P0524A) selection statistics: LAF-Air Operations and Special Warfare: 547 selected out of 1,145 considered. LAF-Combat Support: 280 selected out of 472 considered. LAF-F  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, May 31 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: The Air Force selected 1,366 active-duty majors for promotion to lieutenant colonel during recent CY24A central selection boards (LAF-A/C/F/I/N/X, NC and MSC). Lieutenant Colonel (P0524A) selection statistics: - LAF-Air Operations and Special Warfare: 547 selected out of 1,145 considered. - LAF-Combat Support: 280 selected out of 472 considered. - LAF-Force Modernization: 123 selected out of 276   more

DALLAS, Texas, May 31 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA's Clean School Bus Rebate Program to fund over 3,400 new clean school buses in approximately 530 districts across the nation * * * The Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, funded by President Biden's Investing in America agenda. EPA selected the Quitman school district to  more

WEST POINT, New York, May 31 -- The U.S. Military Academy issued the following news: By Eric S. Bartelt, West Point Public Affairs Specialist Through the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic (SCPME), MX400 is the superintendent's capstone course for all U.S. Military Academy Firsties with an emphasis on an officer's duty to provide moral leadership. The course challenges cadets to become commissioned leaders of character who demonstrate virtue, honor, patriotism and subordination t  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: EAGLE PASS, Texas--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry this weekend seized more than $214,000 in cocaine in a single enforcement action. "Securing the passenger environment is a critical mission for CBP and this cocaine seizure underscores the need for our officers to stay ever-vigilant and aware of th  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: LAREDO, Texas--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge seized more than $370,000 in cocaine in a single enforcement action. "Our officers in the passenger vehicle environment continue to exercise great vigilance and their determination and effective use of technology and canines helped zero-in on this cocaine  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued the following news brief on May 29, 2024: * * * Dirty Al's at Pelican Station worked minors longer, later than allowed * * * Employer name: Dirty Al's 2 Inc., operating as Dirty Al's at Pelican Station Investigation sites: 201B S. Garcia St., Port Isabel, TX 78578 Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found Dirty Al's 2 Inc., operator of Dirty Al's at Pelican Station in   more

WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news on May 30, 2024: By Matthew Olay, DOD News The Army has inaugurated a new modular metal parts facility in Mesquite, Texas, the Pentagon announced today. Among an assortment of production capabilities, the Universal Artillery Projectile Lines facility will increase the Army's ability to produce 155 mm munitions, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters during a briefing. "The Army is spending m  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Energy issued the following news on May 29, 2024: As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $12.1 million to three states and 14 local governments for the next round of formula grants through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. These projects, funded by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help advance state and local governments' effo  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release on May 29, 2024: The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against 15 employers in 10 states this week, alleging the companies failed to comply with mandatory federal reporting requirements. The EEOC sued 15 employers for repeatedly failing to submit mandatory EEO-1 Component 1 data reports in prior years, including for reporting years 2021 and 2022. Federal law requires  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 31 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: As Col. Lauren Courchaine bids farewell to her role within the 37th Training Wing, it's a moment for reflection and celebration. She envisioned a dynamic and resilient organization that fostered a culture of inclusiveness and respect; was innovative and committed to professional development; and was high performing in every aspect of the mission. The commander shar  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration issued the following warning letter to Safari Stem Cell LLC: * * * To: Steven D. Garner, Owner, Safari Stem Cell, LLC, 2402 Marina Bay Drive, Unit E, League City, TX 77573, United States, docgarner@safarivet.com Dear Dr. Garner, The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an inspection of your firm, Safari Stem Cell, LLC (hereafter "Safari"), located at 2402 Marina Bay Driv  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas issued the following Beige Book on May 29, 2024: * * * Summary of Economic Activity Economic activity in the Eleventh District was flat to up slightly over the reporting period. Some growth was seen in the manufacturing, banking and energy sectors, while activity in nonfinancial services was flat, and declines were seen in retail sales. Home sales remained solid. Employment levels held mostly steady overall, and price and wage   more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: * * * Botnet Infected Over 19M IP Addresses to Enable Billions of Dollars in Pandemic and Unemployment Fraud, and Access to Child Exploitation Materials * * * A court-authorized international law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Justice Department disrupted a botnet used to commit cyber attacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations. As part of this o  more

WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on May 30, 2024: A Texas man pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and a Texas women pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud both in connection with a wide-ranging scheme to defraud the IRS. In all, seven defendants have now pleaded guilty to this scheme that sought over $111 million in fraudulent tax refunds. Accordi  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: Spinal device manufacturer Innovasis Inc. and senior executives Brent Felix and Garth Felix agreed to pay a total of $12 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to spine surgeons to induce their use of Innovasis's spinal devices. Brent Felix is the founder, President and Chairman of the Board of Innovasis, which is headquartered in Utah. Garth Felix served i  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on May 29, 2024: The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas unsealed a grand jury indictment today charging a Texas man with federal dogfighting violations. Jesus Allen Stephens, of Waskom, Texas, made his initial appearance in court today. He is charged with participating in a major dogfighting event in November 2021 in Waskom, possessing fighting dogs and fighting dogs in an April 2021 dog f  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following weekly report entitled "Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims" for week ending May 30, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 219,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 215,000 to 216,000. The 4-week moving average was 222,500,   more

WASHINGTON, May 31 -- The National Endowment for the Arts issued the following news release: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance, is pleased to announce the 2024 Creative Forces(R) Community Engagement grant recipients. Forty-one organizations are recommended for awards totaling $769,136. These community-based arts projects will address the distinct experiences, challenges, and strengths of military-connected individuals through the arts. The  more

TULSA, Oklahoma, May 30 -- The city of Tulsa issued the following news: As the 103rd anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre approaches, the City of Tulsa is continuing its search for victims and relatives from the Massacre. Intermountain Forensics, the laboratory assisting the City with DNA analysis for the Investigation, is making significant progress. Through family stories and DNA comparison thanks to assistance from the public, both from people who have submitted information online a  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 30 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Commander regrets to announce the death of Maj. Justin Hosford, assigned to the Sixteenth Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, who passed away on May 20, 2024. To settle the estate of the deceased, Lt. Col. David Salas, assigned to the Sixteenth Air Force, has been appointed as Summary Courts Officer, or SCO. Any persons having a claim f  more

WASHINGTON, May 29 (TNSrep) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: Here are excerpts: * * * Fast Facts Customs and Border Protection may hold noncitizens in short-term custody in facilities along the southwest border. CBP is to collect their personal property, store it, and return it when they're released. CBP has guidance for handling personal property, but some of it is unclear, resulting in field locations interpreting it differently. For example, some locat  more

AUSTIN, Texas, May 31 (TNSres) -- The Texas Education Agency issued the following document from Commissioner Mike Morath on May 30, 2024: * * * Subject: Mandatory Safe and Supportive School Program Data Reporting Category: Information Next Steps: Share with staff responsible for reporting Safe and Supportive School Program team data * * * Overview The window to report mandatory Safe and Supportive School Program (SSSP) data in accordance with Texas Education Code, Section 37.115(k) is app  more

AUSTIN, Texas, May 31 -- The Texas Education Agency issued the following document from Commissioner Mike Morath on May 30, 2024: * * * Subject: Senate Bill 1882 Texas Partnerships Applications, Cycle 8 and 9 Category: SB 1882 Partnerships Next Steps: Share with district and campus administrators Overview Senate Bill (SB) 1882, passed by the 85th Legislature in 2017, provides an opportunity for school districts to access potential financial and/or accountability benefits by entering into a   more

AUSTIN, Texas, May 31 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following proclamation on May 30, 2024: WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, as amended on Thursday, May 2, 2024, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Monday, May 20, 2024, and Sunday, May 26, 2024, certifying that the severe storms and flooding that began on April 26, 2024, and included heavy rainfall, flash flooding, river flooding, large hail  more

AUSTIN, Texas, May 31 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on May 30, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today championed Texas' booming economy and the unique business opportunities in the state that allow businesses--large and small--to thrive during a fireside chat at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Summit in Houston. "People and businesses continue to move to Texas because we offer freedom and opportunities that you can't get anywhere else," said Governor Abbott. "Tha  more

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, May 31 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release: A Dallas man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 84 months in prison for conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens. According to court documents, Sedrick Zelitis Smith, 47, was a member of a human smuggling organization, coordinating transport of migrants who arrived in Laredo from Mexico, serving as the go-between for organization leadership   more

MCALLEN, Texas, May 31 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 37-year-old resident of Sacramento, California, has been sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to import narcotics through the Rio Grande Valley for further distribution into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Shaun Michael Simmons pleaded guilty Oct. 11, 2023. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Simmons to serve 135 m  more