Thursday - November 21, 2024
*Virginia Editor Tipoffs Newsletter for Friday November 15, 2024 ( 39 items )  

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Releases Public Communication From American College of Radiology
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Sept. 6, 2024, from the American College of Radiology, Reston, Virginia. Here are excerpts: * * * To: Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1809-P P.O. Box 80010 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Re: CMS-1809-P: Medicare and Medicaid P  more

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Releases Public Communication From Civitas Networks for Health
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Sept. 9, 2024, from Civitas Networks for Health: * * * To: The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services ATTN: CMS-1807-P PO Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21224-1816 RE: CMS-1807-P; Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies unde  more

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Releases Public Communication From Focused Ultrasound Foundation
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Sept. 6, 2024, from the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Charlottesville, Virginia: * * * To: Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 445-G 200 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20201 Re: CMS-1809-P-- Medicar  more

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Releases Public Communication From Innovation Health Services
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication on Sept. 10, 2024, from Terry D. Bauch, chief safety officer at Innovation Health Services: * * * Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: RE: CMS-1809-P: Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems * * * I am a cardiologist with Innovation Health Services, a healthcare practic  more

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Releases Public Communication From Kidney Care Council
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Sept. 9, 2024, from the Kidney Care Council, Reston, Virginia: * * * To: The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244 RE: CMS-1807-P: CY 2025 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and C  more

CFPB Orders Global Tel Link to Pay $3 Million for Illegally Freezing and Draining Payments Accounts for People Who Are Incarcerated
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued the following news release: Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took action against Global Tel Link Corporation (GTL) for illegally taking millions of dollars from more than a half million accounts and blocking money transfers to consumers who are incarcerated, which the consumers relied on for goods such as food, medicine, and clothing. The CFPB is ordering GTL and its subsidiaries to stop their illegal p  more

Common Cause Statement on Matt Gaetz's Nomination as Attorney General
NEW YORK, Nov. 14 -- Common Cause - New York issued the following statement on Nov. 13, 2024, by President and CEO Virginia Kase Solomon: * * * The nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as Attorney General represents a serious threat to the fair and equal enforcement of the law in our nation. Gaetz is wholly unqualified for the post in addition to being an election denier and far-right extremist. This move is both shocking and alarming. Matt Gaetz's record proves he has no place in any positi  more

Connolly Calls on Speaker Johnson to Release Matt Gaetz Ethics Committee Report
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- Rep. Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, D-Virginia, issued the following news: Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, called on Speaker Mike Johnson to release the Ethics Committee report on its investigation into Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Gaetz, who was nominated to be Attorney General by President-elect Donald Trump, resigned from Congress just days before the Ethics Committee was reportedly set to rel  more

Connolly Joins More than 80 Lawmakers in Bicameral Push Urging Biden Administration to Sanction Members of the Netanyahu Government, Others for Actions to Incite Violence, Expand Settlements in the West Bank
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- Rep. Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, D-Virginia, issued the following news: Today, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) joined Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with Representative Sean Casten (IL-06), and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), in announcing their efforts to press the Biden Administration to hold members of the Netanyahu Government specifically Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itama  more

Disaster Recovery Centers in Galax, Pembroke and Tazewell, Va. are Permanently Closing on Nov. 16
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: BRISTOL, Va. The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Galax, Pembroke (Giles County), and Tazewell (Tazewell County) will be permanently closing at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. Disaster survivors can visit any DRC to receive assistance. To find the DRC close to you, visit FEMA.gov/drc or text DRC and a ZIP code to 43362. [GRAPHIC] Survivors do not have to visi  more

DOT Releases Public Communication From National Air Carrier Association
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation has released the following public communication dated Nov. 7, 2024, from the National Air Carrier Association, Arlington, Virginia. Here are excerpts: * * * BEFORE THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. In the matter of: Family Seating in Air Transportation Docket No. DOT-OST-2024-0091 * * * COMMENTS OF THE NATIONAL AIR CARRIER ASSOCIATION The National Air Carrier Association ("NACA"),  more

DOT Releases Public Communication From Travel Technology Association
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation has released the following public communication dated Nov. 7, 2024, from the Travel Technology Association, Arlington, Virginia: * * * BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, DC Family Seating in Air Transportation Docket DOT-OST-2024-0091 * * * COMMENTS OF THE TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION The Travel Technology Association ("Travel Tech") respectfully submits these comments in response to the Department's Notice o  more

Dulles CBP Officers Intercept Chocolate-Concealed Cocaine in a Courier Shipment from Guatemala
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: STERLING, Va. Cocao and Coca may sound similar, but what Customs and Border Protection officers at Washington Dulles International Airport found inside packages of hot chocolate was a poisonous powder instead of the advertised chocolatey confection. CBP officers discovered over 28 pounds of cocaine while inspecting hot chocolate base from Guatemala. CBP officers d  more

EPA Releases Public Communication From Commission Shift
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the following public communication dated Nov. 6, 2024, from Commission Shift. Here are excerpts: * * * To: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 Attention: Brandon Maples, MC: WDDG 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75270 Maples.Brandon@epa.gov RE: Commission Shift's Comments on Three (3) Proposed Class VI Permits for Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, LLC Injection Wells near Penwell, Ector County, TX Docket   more

FAA Releases Public Communication From Air Line Pilots Association International
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration has released the following public communication dated Nov. 12, 2024, from the Air Line Pilots Association International, McLean, Virginia: * * * To: U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Operations, M-30 West Building Ground Floor Room W12-140 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Docket No. FAA-2024-2144; Project Identifier AD-2024-00424-T. Airworthiness Directives: Boeing   more

FAA Releases Public Communication From Auterion Group
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration has released the following public communication dated Nov. 11, 2024, from Scott Henry, chief financial officer at Auterion Group Inc., Arlington, Virginia: * * * To: Federal Aviation Administration Docket Operations, M-30 U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor Washington, DC 20590-0001 Re: Auterion Comment Supporting Sustainable Skylin  more

Federal Highway Administration Releases Public Communication From National Association of State Energy Officials
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has released the following public communication dated Nov. 8, 2024, from the National Association of State Energy Officials, Arlington, Virginia: * * * To: The Honorable Kristin White Acting Administrator, Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 Washington, DC 20590 RE: Docket No. FHWA-2024-0028 Request for  more

Federal Highway Administration Releases Public Communication From National Tank Truck Carriers
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has released the following public communication dated Nov. 7, 2024, from the National Tank Truck Carriers Inc., Arlington, Virginia: * * * To: Acting Administrator Kristin White Federal Highway Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: Notice of Request for Information (RFI) on Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Charging Technologies and Infrastructure Needs (Docket FHWA-2024-0  more

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Releases Public Communication From National Tank Truck Carriers
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has released the following public communication dated Nov. 7, 2024, from the National Tank Truck Carriers Inc., Arlington, Virginia: * * * To: Associate Administrator for Policy Larry Minor Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Exemption Application: Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Opera  more

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Barkin Issues Remarks at Baltimore Together Summit
RICHMOND, Virginia, Nov. 13 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond issued the following remarks on Nov. 12, 2024, by President Tom Barkin at the Baltimore Together Summit: * * * I thought I'd use my time to share how I see the economy today and where we may be headed. I caution you these are my thoughts alone and not necessarily those of anyone else on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) or in the Federal Reserve System. I want to start by calling out the strength of the overall data. T  more

Following Damning Revelations, Rep. Buchanan & 54 Members Demand Answers From FEMA
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, issued the following news release on Nov. 14, 2024: Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan led a letter co-signed by 54 House colleagues demanding answers and accountability from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following stunning revelations that an agency supervisor instructed staff to avoid providing storm assistance to homes displaying campaign signs for President-elect Trump. According to reports from sources inside FEMA, at le  more

Force Design in Action: How Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity is Contributing to the Corps' Strategic Modernization
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command issued the following news: By Johannes Schmidt, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication Marine Corps Systems Command Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - Since 2018, the National Defense Strategy (NDS) has emphasized the shift from counterinsurgency operations in the Middle East to preparing for large-scale conflicts against near-peer competitors across various regions and theaters of opera  more

Four Department of Defense Education Activity Europe Schools Recognized as AVID Schoolwide Sites of Distinction
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Education Activity issued the following news release: Sembach, Germany -- Four schools in the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Europe have earned the AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction recognition, a prestigious honor highlighting the schools' commitment to implementing AVID instructional best practices across all content areas and grade levels. The schools recognized are Vilseck High School, Kaiserslautern Middl  more

General Officer Announcements
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nominations: Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert C. Fulford for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. European Command. Fulford is currently serving as commanding general, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Adam L. Chalkley for appoi  more

General Officer Announcements
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nominations: Air Force Brig. Gen. Barbra S. Buls for appointment to the grade of major general. Buls is currently serving as commander, Air National Guard Readiness Center, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Boyack for appointment to the grade of major general. Boyack  more

Homeland Security IG: Paragon Systems Agrees to Pay $52M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Concerning Fraudulently Obtained Small Business Contracts and Kickbacks
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: Athena Services International, LLC and its Owner Also Agree to Pay More Than $1.6 Million to Resolve Related Allegations. Herndon, Virginia-based contractor Paragon Systems Inc. (Paragon) has agreed to pay to the United States $52 million to settle allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing purported small businesses that it contr  more

House Passes Amata-Cosponsored Social Security Fairness Act
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (Rep.) -- Del. Aumua Amata Radewagen, R-American Samoa, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is welcoming House passage this week of the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, which she cosponsored. The bill would eliminate two provisions of the Social Security Act that unfairly reduce benefits for more than 2 million Americans who have had public service careers, such as police officers, firefighters, educators and government employ  more

Justice Dept.: U.S. Government Employee Charged With Two Counts of Unlawfully Transmitting National Defense Information
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Nov. 14, 2024: A U.S. government employee working overseas was charged with unlawfully transmitting two highly sensitive classified documents last month. According to court documents, Asif William Rahman, 34, held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance as part of his role working for the U.S. government. According to an indictment filed in the Eastern District of Virgin  more

NAVSEA Recognizes 2024 Department of Navy Acquisition Excellence Award Winners
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- The Naval Sea Systems Command issued the following news: Acquisition professionals from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) enterprise received seven awards for outstanding acquisition practices in the 2024 Department of the Navy Acquisition Excellence Awards. The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN RDA), The Honorable Mr. Nickolas Guertin, recognized the winners in a ceremony at the Pentagon on Nov. 8. The Acquisition Exce  more

President Biden Announces Nominees on Nov. 14, 2024
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The White House issued the following news release on Nov. 14, 2024: Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve as key leaders in his administration: * Carol Kellermann, Nominee to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting * Loida Lewis, Nominee to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Additionally, President Biden announced his intent to no  more

Rep. Good Bill Seeks to Develop America Workforce
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Bob Good, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: Congressman Bob Good (VA-05) introduced the Developing America's Workforce Act. This legislation would reinstate Trump Administration apprenticeship policies to develop skilled workers for employers to bolster the American economy without piling on more college debt. "Colleges and universities are failing our students, saddling them with thousands of dollars in student loan debt and sending them into the workf  more

Six Tribes Sign Historic Preservation Agreements With National Park Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service issued the following news release: The National Park Service (NPS) signed six Tribal Historic Preservation agreements with Tribes across the country in the 2024 fiscal year that ended September 30, transferring to Tribes certain historic preservation responsibilities that would otherwise be the responsibility of the state in which a Tribe is located. The NPS has the responsibility under the National Historic Pres  more

Special Warfare Training Wing hosts cadets from 42 detachments for Air Force Special Warfare themed competition
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Special Warfare Training Wing hosted 113 cadets from 42 detachments across the United States for an Air Force Special Warfare themed immersion and competition November 1-2, 2024. The Invitational gave an opportunity for AFROTC cadets to participate in AFSPECWAR-themed challenges and teambuilding events, designed to foster leadership, camaraderie   more

Special Warfare Training Wing hosts cadets from 42 detachments for Air Force Special Warfare themed competition
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Nov. 14 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The Special Warfare Training Wing hosted 113 cadets from 42 detachments across the United States for an Air Force Special Warfare themed immersion and competition November 1-2, 2024. The Invitational gave an opportunity for AFROTC cadets to participate in AFSPECWAR-themed challenges and teambuilding events, designed to foster leadership, camaraderie and increase awareness of AFSPECW  more

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility Jefferson Lab: 'Inside the Box' Look at Excited Hadrons Could Help Solve Mystery of Particle X(3872)
NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia, Nov. 13 -- The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility Jefferson Lab issued the following news release: * * * Lattice QCD method suggests a simpler spectrum of exotic "XYZ" hadrons * * * An elusive particle that first formed in the hot, dense maelstrom of the early universe has puzzled physicists for decades. Following its surprise discovery in 2003, scientists began observing a slew of other strange objects tied to the millionths of a second after the Big Bang  more

U.S., Polish Air Forces Partner for Bilateral Training During Agile Bison 2024
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, Nov. 15 -- The U.S. Air Forces in Europe issued the following news: By Capt. Jacob Murray, 86 AW/PA KOSZALIN, Poland -- U.S. and Polish air forces recently concluded exercise Agile Bison 2024 in September, a long-planned, bilateral training event designed to enhance interoperability, maintain joint readiness, and strengthen rapid response capabilities. The exercise, held in Poland, featured scenarios designed to enhance the U.S. and Polish air forces' ability to wor  more

Va. U.S. Attorney: Maryland Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison After Selling Over 15,000 Pills
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Nov. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia issued the following news release: A Maryland man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents, on Oct. 12, 2023, Fairfax County Police (FCPD) conducted a controlled buy of 200 counterfeit pressed pills containing fentanyl, xylazine, and para-fluorofentanyl from Jahrulle Terrence Whyte, 29, of Glen Bu  more

Warner Pushes for Bipartisan Bill to Get Immediate Relief for Small Businesses Impacted by Helene
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for a bipartisan bill that would allow the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to continue paying out disaster assistance loans to small businesses. On Oct. 15, SBA announced that they had run out of funding in their disaster loan program shortly after Hurricane Helene devastated small businesses across the Southeast, leaving tens of  more

White House Announces Nominations, Withdrawals Sent to Senate on Nov. 14, 2024
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- The White House issued the following news release on Nov. 14, 2024: * * * NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Carol Kellermann, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2030, vice Kathy K. Im, term expired. Adam Jeffrey White, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2030, vice Janice Miriam Hellreic  more