WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following document from Economics Daily: * * * Unemployment rates were higher in November 2024 than a year earlier in 308 of the 389 metropolitan areas, lower in 60 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas. A total of 65 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 6 areas had rates of at least 8.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in November was 4.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up fro  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the following news release: Biden-Harris Administration Advances Agricultural Exports in Support of the U.S. Economy Fact Sheet Jobs and economic growth. About 20 percent of all U.S. agricultural production is exported around the world, providing a significant share of producers' cash receipts. U.S. food and agricultural exports support more than 1 million jobs and generate more than $200 billion in additional economic activity ea  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the following news release: The Department of the Interior today announced a $514 million investment as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda that will bring clean, reliable drinking water to communities across the West through five water storage and conveyance projects. "President Biden's Investing in America agenda has allowed us to begin work on long overdue water storage projects, providing clean, reliable dr  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release: The Department of the Interior today announced a $514 million investment as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda that will bring clean, reliable drinking water to communities across the West through five water storage and conveyance projects. "President Biden's Investing in America agenda has allowed us to begin work on long overdue water storage projects, provid  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Ok. Good afternoon, everyone. Apologies for being a bit delayed today, but appreciate you being flexible with our schedule. So, just a few things at the top and then happy to take your questions. Tomorrow Secretary Austin will host the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The UDCG, first convened by Secretary Austin in April 2022, has  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following transcript of xxx: DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Ok. Good afternoon, everyone. Apologies for being a bit delayed today, but appreciate you being flexible with our schedule. So, just a few things at the top and then happy to take your questions. Tomorrow Secretary Austin will host the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The UDCG, first convened by Secretary Austin in A  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: The Defense Department today announced it will work to provide additional firefighting personnel and capabilities to California as that state's Los Angeles County region continues to be ravaged by a series of out-of-control wildfires that broke out yesterday. The order to provide the personnel and capabilities came at the direction of President Joe Biden, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told members   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: WASHINGTON -- As multiple, devastating fires continue to threaten Southern California, FEMA and federal partners are leaning in to support the state-led response. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will be on the ground today to assess damage, speak to survivors and meet with community officials. On Wednesday, President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declarati  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: Good morning, everyone. And welcome back to Ramstein. It's good to see everyone. And I'm honored that you could join us for the 25th gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. I know that you've seen the American flags flying at half-mast today. That's a tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter, who will be honored today in our nation's capital. And I hope that we will all carry forward his deep devotion to  more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Jan. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release: United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Diego Castillo-Pedraza, 35, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joseph F. Leeson Jr. to 240 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in trafficking methamphetamine between July 2019 and March 2021. In July 2019, FBI  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The White House issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2025: Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on January 7, 2025, and continuing. The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County. Assistance can inc  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of California to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and straight-line winds from Jan. 7, 2025, and continuing. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County. Assistance can include grants for temporary hous  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: SALT LAKE CITY U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations Salt Lake City officers removed Iker Daniel Castillo Sarabia, 22, a citizen of Mexico wanted by law enforcement authorities in Mexico for domestic violence and harmful injuries, to Mexico Jan. 7. Castillo was removed from McFarland, California, and transported via San D  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following transcript of xxx: PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you very much for being here today. It is my pleasure to introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III. The secretary will deliver opening remarks and then we'll have time to take a few questions. Please note that I will moderate those questions and call on journalists. Secretary Austin, over to you, sir. SECRETARY O  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the following news release: USDA APHIS Shares Fifteen New States Joining the NMTS and Critical Updates on HPAI Vaccines Across Species Jan. 08, 2025 Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that 15 additional states have enrolled in the National Milk Testing Strategy, bringing the total number of states to 28 in roughly one month since the program launched. The  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Education issued the following news release: The (Department) today announced the winners of the first-ever Postsecondary Success Recognition Program (PSRP). Launched in April 2024 by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, the program celebrates institutions of higher education that are enrolling underserved student populations, facilitating successful student transfers and completions, and equipping graduates for careers that lead to economic   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The White House issued the following statement on Jan. 8, 2025, by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre: * * * After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ah  more