WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSres) -- The Federal Judicial Center issued the following news: Federal and state courts reported a combined 13 percent decrease in authorized wiretaps in 2023, compared with 2022, according to the Judiciary's 2023 Wiretap Report (https://www.uscourts.gov/statistics-reports/wiretap-report-2023). Arrests in cases involving electronic surveillance increased, while convictions decreased. The report covers wire, oral, and electronic intercepts that were concluded between Jan  more

HURLBURT FIELD, Florida, June 29 -- The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command issued the following news: By Lucelia Ball, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs Air Commandos throughout Air Force Special Operations Command will bid farewell to Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind on July 2nd, as he prepares to depart AFSOC to serve as the Superintendent, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. When he assumed command in December 2022, one of his first actions was to  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 28 -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following news release: Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with a 20-state coalition of state attorneys general, is strongly urging the United States Senate to pass the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, or the ICC Act. The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis, deters the International Criminal Court from further efforts to assert unlawful authority. Attorney Gen  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 29 -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution today announced the shutdown of a fentanyl trafficking ring. The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 64 individuals involved in the trafficking organization and Attorney General Moody's Statewide Prosecutors are charging nine of the defendants with felony counts of Ra  more

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Federal Labor Relations Authority issued the following news release on June 26, 2024: Today, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) announces the appointment of Brent S. Hudspeth as the Regional Director of the FLRA's Atlanta Regional Office. In this position, Mr. Hudspeth will be responsible for the investigation and resolution of unfair labor practice charges and representation petitions filed under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (the S  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 29 -- The Florida Department of Financial Services issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment of D. Ryan West to the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) Board of Directors. FIGA is a nonprofit corporation created by the Florida Legislature in 1970 and services pending claims by or against Florida policyholders of member insurance companies that become insolvent and  more

CRYSTAL CITY, Virginia, June 29 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following remarks on June 28, 2024, by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti: * * * Good afternoon everyone, and thank you for the very warm welcome. Adm. Chatfield, thank you for your kind introduction. It is really wonderful to be back here at another JWL Symposium (Joint Women's Leadership Symposium), and I am honored to have a chance to speak with you all today. What an amazing day! Today--anytime I can escape the Pentag  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 29 -- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued the following news release: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Internal Investigations Section is undergoing assessment to retain accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The assessment, which is required every three years, will review the OIG's compliance with approximately 49 standards. A team of assessors   more

WASHINGTON, June 27 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: The U.S. Department of Commerce announces the appointment of 22 new and returning members to six of the regional fishery management councils. Appointments to the Pacific and North Pacific fishery management councils will be announced later this summer. The Secretary of Commerce made appointments for open council seats from the governors' lists of nominees. Council members represent diverse gro  more

WASHINGTON, June 29 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced more than $123 million for airfield, safety and other improvement projects at 235 airports in 35 states and the District of Columbia. "The Biden-Harris Administration continues to make our aviation system safer, more accessible, and more resilient through ini  more

STEVENSON, Washington, June 28 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve issued the following remarks on June 27, 2024, by Governor Michelle W. Bowman at the Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington Bankers Associations 2024 Annual Convention on economy, monetary policy and bank regulation: * * * I would like to thank the Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington Bankers Associations for the invitation to join you this morning./1 It's a pleasure to be here in Washington State to speak with your members. Direct   more

LONDON, England, June 28 -- The Federal Reserve issued the following speech on June 26, 2024, by Governor Michelle W. Bowman at an International Swaps and Derivatives Association board of directors event: * * * The Consequences of Bank Capital Reform * * * I would like to thank the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) for the invitation to speak to you today./1 I appreciate the opportunity to engage with you on matters that affect the swaps and derivatives industry, specifi  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 28 -- The Florida Auditor General released the following operational audit (No. 2024-203) on June 25, 2024, involving Escambia County Board of County Commissioners Use of Tourist Development Taxes, Prior Audit Follow-Up. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In our operational audit report No. 2023-112 of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and Clerk of the Circuit Court, we noted three findings related to the BCC's use of tourist development tax rev  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 28 -- Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, issued the following news release on June 26, 2024: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Christine Miller to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. Christine Miller Miller is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the United Food Bank and Services of Plant City, Inc. Miller earned her bachelor'  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 28 -- Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, issued the following news release on June 26, 2024: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the following bills: HB 799 - Easements Affecting Real Property Owned by the Same Owner CS/CS/HB 1063 - Chiropractic Medicine SB 674 - United States-produced Iron and Steel in Public Works Projects To view the transmittal letters, click here (https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/House-Transmittal-6-26-24.pdf) and here (https://www  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 28 -- Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, issued the following news release on June 26, 2024: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the following bills: CS/HB 133 - Professional Licensing Requirements for Barbers and Cosmetologists CS/CS/HB 473 - Cybersecurity Incident Liability CS/CS/SB 165 - Sampling of beach Waters and Public Bathing Spaces SB 1078 - Public Records To view the veto letters, click here (https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Veto-Letter_HB-13  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 29 -- The Florida State Senate posted the following statement on June 28, 2024, from State Sen. Lauren Book: * * * Last night, Governor DeSantis signed HB 91/SB 84, designating A1A as Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway. Senator Lauren Book, sponsor of this legislation, provided the following statement: "Jimmy Buffett's name is synonymous with Florida and the iconic road known as 1A, and I am so proud to honor his legacy through the iconic Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.   more

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, June 29 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Sedrick Williams, Jr. (24, Jacksonville) pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Williams faces a minimum mandatory term of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on Dec  more

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, June 29 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces today the return of an indictment charging Alan O. Abidogun with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and three counts of filing false tax returns. If convicted, Abidogun faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the drug offense and up to 3 years' impriso  more

ORLANDO, Florida, June 29 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Patrick Hugh Mitchell (56, Orlando) guilty of possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Mitchell faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 25, 20  more

PENSACOLA, Florida, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Paul J. Freeman, 68, of Niceville, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with unauthorized possession and transmission of classified national defense information. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today after Freeman made his initial appearance in federal court  more

MIAMI, Florida, June 28 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Today, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe announced criminal charges against thirty-eight defendants in connection with alleged health care fraud schemes prosecuted in the Southern District of Florida. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Justice Department's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. The charges stem from   more

TAMPA, Florida, June 29 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Kenneth Bernard Graham (67, Lakeland) on an indictment charging him with distributing fentanyl resulting in death. If convicted, Graham faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. According to the indictment, on September 10, 2022, Graham distributed a substance contain  more

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, June 29 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Trillian Mitchell (Jacksonville, 19) today pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a machine gun. Mitchell faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on January 7, 2024, officers from the Jacksonville S  more

OCALA, Florida, June 29 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Clarence Christofer Ward, a/k/a Khaled Yaqud Mansur-El, on an indictment charging him with one count of wire fraud, ten counts of money laundering, and one count of making a false claim to the Internal Revenue Service. If convicted, Ward faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire   more

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Hector Villarreal (36, Pasadena, TX) with possession with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. If convicted, Villarreal faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Villarreal that the United   more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 29 -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following weekly briefing (Vol. 6, Issue 25): This week, our Office of Statewide Prosecution announced the arrest of six fraudsters for stealing nearly $250,000 from Florida seniors through grandparent scams. The defendants contacted seniors posing as lawyers or legal representatives of one of the victim's grandchildren. The fraudsters told the targets that the grandchildren needed bail money after being arrested  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, June 29 -- Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R-Virginia, issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced additional key board appointments. BOARD APPOINTMENTS EDUCATION BOARD OF VISITORS OF CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY * LTC. Kevin J. Callanan MA, CFRE, of Stephens City, Principal, CES, LLC * Jennifer Dunn of Yorktown, Vice President of Communications, Newport News Shipbuilding * Keith Windle of Midlothian, Senior Vice President of Admi  more

KISSIMMEE, Florida, June 29 -- The Florida Department of Transportation issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: * * * I-4 Auxiliary Lanes to be Further Accelerated and Provide Congestion Relief Even Sooner * * * In case you missed it this week, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced congestion relief will be felt by Floridians and tourists along the Interstate 4 (I-4) corridor by the end of 2025 as a result of innovation and additional  more

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The National Academy of Engineering issued the following news release: Seventy-six highly accomplished, early-career engineers have been selected to participate in the 2024 The Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, a signature activity of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Engineers who are performing exceptional research and technical work in a variety of disciplines will come together to share new techniques and approaches across fields, facili  more

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Today, U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett announced criminal charges against six defendants in connection with schemes to defraud health care benefit programs and misuse of controlled substances in the Western District of Kentucky. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Justice Department's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement  more

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, June 28 -- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following news: President Biden's unlawful LNG ban has now hit Ukraine in the middle of its war with Russia. Ukraine struck a major LNG deal with Virginia-based Venture Global, which has multiple facilities in Louisiana. This deal with Venture Global's Plaquemines facility would allow Ukraine to purchase up to two million metric tons of gas each year to power the country, and bring millions of dollars of rev  more

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Theresa A. Kordish, D.O. has admitted in a plea agreement to costing Medicare over $794,000, by using a telehealth application to improperly approve orders for medical braces and genetic testing. The charges filed in this case are part of the U.S. Justice Dep  more

JACKSON, Mississippi, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Today, United States Attorney Todd Gee announced criminal charges against a defendant in connection with an alleged conspiracy to defraud the United States. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. The charges stem from a scheme to pay kickbacks to a mark  more

BILLINGS, Montana, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, for the District of Montana, announced criminal charges against a Whitefish physician in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and other government health program. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Justice Department's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. The charges stem   more

MOODY AFB, Georgia, June 29 -- The U.S. Air Force Moody Air Force Base (23rd Air Wing) issued the following news: By 2nd Lt. Benjamin Williams and Senior Airman Whitney Gillespie, 23rd Wing Public Affairs The 347th Rescue Group provided rescue capability in support of NASA and the first Crewed Flight Test of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner that launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, June 5, 2024. This is part of a regularly occurring rotation of rescue forces to support space  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, June 29 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: A Georgia chiropractor who owned or operated multiple durable medical equipment (DME) companies and a cancer genetic testing (CGx) company admitted her role in a health care fraud and illegal kickback conspiracy, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced today. Tefylon Cameron, 57, of Powder Springs, Georgia, pleaded guilty on June 20, 20  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Today, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Selliniger, District of New Jersey, announced criminal charges against 13 defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and private health insurers. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. "It d  more

BROOKLYN, New York, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Today, United States Attorney Breon Peace announced criminal charges against nine defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. Merrick B. Garland, United States Attorney General; Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Nicole M. Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney   more

NEW YORK, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI"); and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department ("NYPD"), announced today the arrest of CALEB ECCLES-GONSALVES in connection w  more

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, June 29 -- Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education issued the following news on June 28, 2024: At their meeting yesterday, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education elected former State Representative Dennis Casey of Morrison as chair of the board; attorney Courtney Warmington of Edmond, vice chair; retired Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven W. Taylor of McAlester, secretary; and telecommunications chief executive officer Dustin Hilliary, assistant se  more

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, June 29 -- Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Oklahoma, issued the following statement on June 28, 2024: * * * Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement celebrating NorSun's decision to invest in Oklahoma. "Oklahoma is the most business friendly state in the nation, and companies from around the world are taking notice," said Gov. Stitt. "I'm thrilled that Oklahomans will benefit from hundreds of new jobs in the Tulsa area and a $620 million capital investment. Our busin  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, June 24 -- The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the following regional interest news roundup: * * * Below is a summary of local interest stories that have recently been highlighted on the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' In the Field Blog. Please feel free to use any of this content or photos in your publications or contact us if you have any additional questions. * * * The fight for a fallen giant: Bringing b  more

ORLANDO, Florida, June 28 -- The Florida State Senate issued the following news release: Following the Governor's veto of HB 133, Senator Linda Stewart (D - Orlando) expressed her deep disappointment over the veto of the bill aimed at providing much-needed assistance to non-violent offenders. The bill on licensure for barbers and cosmetology specialists, unanimously supported by the legislature (31-0 Senate and 114-0 House), would have prevented the Florida Board of Cosmetology from using histo  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Today, United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis announced criminal charges against four defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Justice Department's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. The charges stem from schemes to bill Medicare for medically unnec  more

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: Today, U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III announced criminal charges against six defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Worker's Compensation Program, Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation ("DOL-DEEOIC"). The charges filed in federal court are part of the Ju  more

HOUSTON, Texas, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: Several local residents and others are now charged in six separate cases in the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) with varying counts related to the Justice Department's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. "The enforcement actions, including one against a Houston-area lab that is alleged to have fraudulently  more

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued the following news release: The Suwannee alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis), often considered the dinosaur of the turtle world, is on the decline. That's why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing it as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) with a 4(d) rule that tailors protections to support its conservation needs. The Service decided not to designat  more

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, June 28 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Marshals Service issued the following news release: The U.S. Marshals Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) and Puerto Rico Violent Offender Task Force (PRVOTF) partnered with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate, locate and apprehend organized crime/gang members wanted for violent crimes within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and surrounding areas during an operation conducted  more

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: The Justice Department today announced the 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action, which resulted in criminal charges against 193 defendants, including 76 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals in 32 federal districts across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health ca  more

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: United States Attorney Will Thompson announced criminal charges today against a Logan County physician and a Kentucky registered nurse in connection with separate alleged controlled substance abuse schemes. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Justice Department's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. "I  more

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, June 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: The Justice Department today announced the 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action, which resulted in criminal charges against 193 defendants, including 76 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals in 32 federal districts across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care f  more