WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living issued the following news: ACL has awarded Elder Justice Innovation Grants (EJIGs) to the highest courts in five states and territories to enhance protections for the rights of older adults and adults with disabilities who are under, or at risk of, guardianship or conservatorship. The grants, which total over $1.8 million for the first of three project years, seek to address the fairness  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service issued the following article on Sept. 12, 2024: * * * Highlights: * Between 2012 and 2020, 43 percent of solar farms and 56 percent of wind turbines in rural areas were installed on land that was in cropland prior to development. * The distribution of solar and wind farms varies regionally. In the Midwest, 70 percent of solar farms and 94 percent of wind turbines were sited on cropland. In the West, most s  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration issued the following news release: "Americans are dealing with the impacts of more and more extreme weather caused by climate change--affecting their lives and our infrastructure," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "With these funds, the Biden-Harris Administration is helping communities rebuild key transportation links and make them more resilient for the future." FHWA's Emergency Rel  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- Gov. Maura Healey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release on Sept. 13, 2024: Today, Governor Maura Healey appointed Worcester City Manager Eric Batista to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Board of Directors. Last year, the Governor appointed four members to the Board. "City Manager Eric Batista is a dedicated public servant whose deep experience in municipal government, understanding of the connection between transportation and qua  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- The Massachusetts Department of Transportation issued the following news release on Sept. 13, 2024: Today, Governor Maura Healey appointed Worcester City Manager Eric Batista to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Board of Directors. Last year, the Governor appointed four members to the Board. "City Manager Eric Batista is a dedicated public servant whose deep experience in municipal government, understanding of the connection between transportat  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- Gov. Maura Healey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release on Sept. 13, 2024: Today, Governor Maura Healey signed legislation that renames the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility. Governor Healey filed this bill last year to reflect the administration's goal of expanding the agency's reach and ushering in a new, more inclusive model for disability career services and independent living. The legislation also removes outdated terms   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued the following news brief on Sept. 12, 2024: * * * Date of action: August 1, 2024 Type of action: Opinion affirming summary judgment Employer: F.W. Webb Co., Bedford, MA Background: After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, the department's Office of the Solicitor filed suit in July 2020 against F.W. Webb Co., a wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, cooling and ot  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release: * * * Texas AG Directed State Officers to Invade Homes and Seize Property of Latino Candidates and Organizers Despite Presenting No Evidence of Voter Fraud * * * Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a civil rights investigation into the recent raids by the Texas attorney gener  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation issued the following news release: * * * DCR, Center for Coastal Studies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Boston Harbor Now form Public-Private Partnership to Lead Cleanup of Marine Debris at Five Harbor Islands * * * In a landmark environmental restoration initiative, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Center for Coastal Studies (CC  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on Sept. 13, 2024: A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for his role in a nationwide large-scale cocaine trafficking conspiracy and for distribution of large quantities of fentanyl. Francis Jose Perez-Baez, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervis  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on Sept. 13, 2024: A Brockton man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to firearm, cocaine, fentanyl and conspiracy offenses. Antonio Denziah Fernandes, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegally receiving a firearm while under indictment, two counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one cou  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on Sept. 13, 2024: A Virginia man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute controlled substances and launder drug proceeds with co-conspirators in Massachusetts and Virginia. Kenneth J. Owen, 24, of Charlotte Court House, Va., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute MDMA and buprenorphine and two cou  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release: A Carlisle man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of multiple companies he owns and controls. Durgaprasad Rao, 65, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering. In May 2024, Rao was arrested and charge by criminal complai  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on Sept. 13, 2024: A member of a nationwide drug trafficking ring was sentenced today in federal court in Boston. During the investigation over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition were seized. An illegal marijuana grow operation with hundred  more

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Sept. 12 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: Newport, R.I. Leadership how we are influenced, how we influence others and how to be successful at leading was the focus of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport's Women's Equality Day celebration held on Aug. 29. U.S. Navy Cmdr. Abaigeal Hillyard, deputy director of the Human Resources Center of Excellence at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island, spoke in ho  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14 -- The Boston Planning and Development Agency issued the following news on Sept. 12, 2024: The Planning Department this month recommended approval of the redevelopment of public land in Roxbury and seven new development projects to the BPDA Board. All were approved. The newly approved development projects represent approximately 1.5 million square feet (SF). The new projects will create 378 residential units, including 59 units that are designated income-restrict  more