Thursday - November 21, 2024
Federal Tipoffs Involving Louisiana Newsletter for Sunday October 06, 2024 ( 21 items )  

Department of Labor Completes Restructuring of OSHA Regional Offices, Adds New Birmingham Region to Improve Operations
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the following news release on Oct. 1, 2024: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has completed changes to restructure its regional operations and create a new region in Birmingham, Alabama. OSHA's intent with the new Birmingham Region is to make workplaces safer and healthier by giving workers a voice and promoting equitable quality service with commitm  more

Department of Labor Completes Restructuring of OSHA Regional Offices, Creates Birmingham Region to Improve Operations, Address Growth
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the following news release: ATLANTA - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has completed changes to restructure its regional operations and created a new region to better protect workers and educate employers as businesses expand and workforces grow in communities in several southeastern states. Among the changes is the creation of a new region based i  more

Department of Labor Restructures OSHA Regional Offices, Creates Birmingham Region to Improve Operations in Arkansas, Louisiana
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the following news release: DALLAS - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has completed changes to restructure its regional operations and created a new region to better protect workers and educate employers as businesses expand and workforces grow in communities in several southeastern states. Among the changes is the creation of a new region based in  more

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Assumption Parish
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: BATON ROUGE, La. FEMA and the State of Louisiana will open a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Napoleonville on Thursday, Oct. 3, to provide one-on-one help to Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Francine. Center location: Assumption Parish Assumption High School, North Building 4880 Hwy 308 Napoleonville, LA 70390 Additional DRCs are open at the fol  more

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in St. James Parish
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: BATON ROUGE, La. FEMA and the State of Louisiana will open a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Convent on Wednesday, Oct. 2, to provide one-on-one help to Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Francine. Center location: St. James Parish Convent Community Center 5775 Hwy 44 Convent, LA 70723 Additional DRCs are open at the following locations: Ascensio  more

EEOC Sues Minden Seafood for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: MINDEN, La. Minden Seafood, LLC, a seafood restaurant in Minden, Louisiana, violated federal law when it failed to stop a male worker from repeatedly sexually harassing a female employee and refused to rehire her after she quit, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed today. According to the lawsuit, the female employee was a cashier at the restauran  more

FEMA Clean and Sanitize Assistance Available in Louisiana After Hurricane Francine
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: BATON ROUGE, La. If your home was damaged during Hurricane Francine but you can still live in it safely, you may qualify for up to $300 from FEMA and the State of Louisiana to help with cleanup. This assistance is for eligible homeowners and renters whose homes were damaged by the Sept. 11 hurricane. You may qualify if: You live in a parish designated for Indiv  more

FEMA's Continued Commitment to Hurricane Francine Survivors Includes New Disaster Recovery Center in Jefferson Parish
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: BATON ROUGE, La. FEMA continues to support Louisiana residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine. Since Sept. 11, FEMA and the State of Louisiana have put more than $44 million in the hands of Louisiana survivors to assist with their recovery from the hurricane. To build on this commitment, a new Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in Kenner on Saturd  more

Geological Survey: Chloride Concentrations in Groundwater From the Western Part of the Southern Hills Regional Aquifer System, Louisiana, 2021-22
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center issued the following report (No. 2024-5057) on Sept. 5, 2024, entitled "Chloride Concentrations in Groundwater from the Western Part of the Southern Hills Regional Aquifer System, Louisiana, 2021-22". The report was written by M.A. Lindaman. * * * Groundwater is heavily used for public supply and industrial uses in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, area. Lowered water leve  more

Justice Dept. Announces Significant Milestone in Policing Reform Efforts for the City of New Orleans and New Orleans Police Department
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Sept. 27, 2024: The Justice Department announced today that it, together with the City of New Orleans (the City), has jointly moved for the City to enter into a two-year "sustainment period" according to the terms of a negotiated plan, bringing the consent decree concerning the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) closer to successful resolution. The joint motion and proposed plan, which must be approve  more

La. U.S. Attorney: Carencro Man Sentenced to More Than 38 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Narcotics
LAFAYETTE, Louisiana, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana issued the following news release: United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Oliver J. Martin, 40, of Carencro, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 465 months (38 years, 9 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for related firearms crimes. Law enfo  more

La. U.S. Attorney: Former Army Reservist Guilty of Conspiring to Steal Government Funds
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Oct. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release on Sept. 29, 2024: U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that former United States Army reservist CODY FRANCIS ("FRANCIS"), pled guilty on September 26, 2024 to conspiracy to commit theft of government funds. FRANCIS stole $11,378.27 from the United States Department of the Army, by claiming reimbursement for performing military funeral honors ceremoni  more

La. U.S. Attorney: Former Jail Nurse Indicted on Federal Charges for Fraud, Drug Distribution, and Perjury
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release: United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TONYA DENISE BROWN ("BROWN"), age 48, of Tangipahoa Parish, a licensed practical nurse, has been charged on September 26, 2024 in a nine-count indictment. The indictment charges BROWN with four counts of wire fraud, with each count alleging a different scheme. In one alleged scheme, BROWN obtained money w  more

La. U.S. Attorney: Gretna Man Sentenced for Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts Violations
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release: FELIX MACKEY ("MACKEY"), age [not provided by source], a Gretna, Louisiana resident, was sentenced on September 25, 2024, by United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine hydrochloride, and cocaine base, in violation of Title 21, Un  more

La. U.S. Attorney: New Orleans Couple Sentenced for Federal Controlled Substances and Federal Gun Control Acts Violations
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release: JAVAN ROBINSON a/k/a "Diddy" ("ROBINSON"), age 61, and MICHELE COLEMAN ("COLEMAN"), age 57, both of New Orleans, were sentenced on October 1, 2024, by United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, dist  more

La. U.S. Attorney: New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Oct. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release: United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TALYA SMITH ("SMITH"), age 29, of New Orleans, was indicted on September 26, 2024 for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts. SMITH is charged in Count 1 of the indictment with Possession with Intent to Distribute Tapentadol and Marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United St  more

La. U.S. Attorney: New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug Charges
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release on Oct. 2, 2024: U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DANIEL SMITH ("SMITH"), age 55, of New Orleans, pled guilty on September 26, 2024 to Conspiracy to Distribute, and Possession with Intent to Distribute, a quantity of Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), 846, Possession of Firearms in Furthe  more

Labor Dept.: Louisiana Farm Ordered to Pay $12K in Civil Penalties, Debarred From H-2A Program Participation for Threatening Farmworkers, Denying Them Water
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued the following news release: * * * Department of Labor investigation found Rivet & Sons' owner cursed, fired shots * * * ROSEDALE, LA - The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a court order assessing the operator of a Rosedale farm $12,000 in civil money penalties and preventing the Louisiana employers from applying for H-2A certification to bring foreign workers to the U.S. to fill temporary or seasonal agricu  more

National Park Service Awards Nearly $200,000 to Preserve the Delta Region's History and Culture
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service issued the following news release on Oct. 3, 2024: ATLANTA - The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA), today announced the award of $186,756 in Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative (LMDI) grants. This year's awards will support 11 projects advancing preservation of the Delta Region's culture and history across 7 states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, L  more

Proving Credibility: 91st Missile Wing Completes Simulated Test Launch
BARKSDALE AFB, Louisiana, Oct. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command issued the following news: By Senior Airman Alexander Nottingham, 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The 91st Missile Wing successfully performed its biennial Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman (SELM) test, the first phase of testing for the Minuteman III, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, on September 17th and 18th, 2024. "This year's SELM, named OPERATION GIANT PACE 24-2M, was conduc  more

Under Pressure
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Oct. 1 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Hurricane Francine quickly approached the Louisiana and Mississippi coastline as a category 3 Hurricane, leaving Columbus Air Force Base leadership with less than 24 hours to make the decision to evacuate over 200 aircraft or shelter in place. Tech Sgt. Jason Fant, 14th Operations Support Squadron weather flight chief, rubbed his eyes after hours of studying storm tracking data for H  more