WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is removing a regulation that required the agency to publish a schedule of offshore renewable energy lease sales every two years. This administrative change, published as a direct final rule, eliminates a section of the Code of Federal Regulations that the department has determined is not required by law. According to the agency, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the statute that gov  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given its assent to Iowa's State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning regional haze, marking a key step in the ongoing effort to protect atmospheric clarity. This approval covers the program's second period of execution, which extends until the close of 2028. The core objective of this initiative is to meet the requirements set forth by the Clean Air Act and the EPA's Regional Haze Rule. These mandates compel states to p  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued updates to the payment structure for inpatient rehabilitation facilities, impacting how these centers receive funds for patient care in the upcoming fiscal year. The adjustments aim to refine the system and reduce administrative tasks for providers, ensuring continued access to vital rehabilitation services. The changes pertain to the Medicare Program's Inpatient   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued its yearly update concerning payment rates for inpatient psychiatric services. This adjustment impacts psychiatric hospitals and specialized psychiatric units within acute care or critical access hospitals that provide care under Medicare. The modifications are set to take effect for patient discharges occurring between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Thi  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced updated physical inspection standards for the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program. The changes, outlined in a notice, serve as a complementary document to the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) rule, which established a revised method for evaluating housing quality. HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) has provided imple  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of State is implementing adjustments to a long-standing immigrant visa initiative, aiming to bolster its integrity and counter deceptive practices. These modifications center on enhancing the verification process for individuals seeking to participate in the program. A primary alteration requires applicants to furnish valid, unexpired passport particulars, including a scan of their biographic and signature page, when submitting their electronic   more