DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: By Chris Ward According to a recent Better Business Bureau study, service members are more susceptible to fraud than average consumers. In fact, scammers using the name "Exchange Inc." have been attempting to fool Soldiers and Airmen into thinking they are working with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service to broker the sale of used cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and boat engines. "For year  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Sabrina Fine Imagine having a second to make a life or death decision. For that reason, the 12th Operations Support Squadron's Aircrew Flight Equipment and Survival Course impacts aviation safety throughout the Air Force. With approximately 1,200 students certified or recertified every year, the program teaches pilots how to properly egress from T-1A, T-6A an  more

FORT HOOD, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command issued the following news: By Daniel P. Elkins Leaders from the 418th Contracting Support Brigade cased their organizational colors during a ceremony Aug. 12 at Fort Hood, Texas, in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan in the coming weeks. Col. Joel Greer, the brigade commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Barrett Taylor cased the colors in a ceremony officiated by Brig. Gen. Christine Beeler, commanding general for the Mission and  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following statement by Administrator Andrew Wheeler on the use of M-44 devices to control wild animals that prey on livestock and other animals: "I am announcing a withdrawal of EPA's interim registration review decision on sodium cyanide, the compound used in M-44 devices to control wild predators. This issue warrants further analysis and additional discussions by EPA with the registrants of this predacide. USDA is the prima  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The U.S. Air Force Personnel Center issued the following news: Air Force officials have selected 14,235 senior Airmen for promotion to staff sergeant out of 29,179 eligible for a selection rate of 48.79 percent. The 19E5/staff sergeant promotion list will be available on the Air Force's Personnel Center website Enlisted Promotions page, the Air Force Portal and myPers on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 8 a.m. CDT. Airmen will also be able to access thei  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Air Force officials have selected 14,235 senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant out of 29,179 eligible for a selection rate of 48.79%. The 19E5/staff sergeant promotion list will be available on the Air Force's Personnel Center website Enlisted Promotions page, the Air Force Portal and myPers on Aug. 22, at 8 a.m. CDT. Airmen will also be able to access their score notices on the virtual Mi  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: By Charlotte Schuster Building resilient installations was the theme of an Air Force Civil Engineer Center workshop that brought together environmental, public affairs and other base professionals August 13 to 15 in San Antonio. More than 400 military and civilians were on-hand at the 2019 Air Force Environmental Workshop to focus on the role of environmental restora  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center issued the following news: By Armando Perez The City of San Antonio and the Air Force broke ground Aug. 7 to launch a $175 million San Antonio Water System sewer pipeline project to improve service for more than 500,000 people, including Airmen and civilians working and living on JBSA-Lackland. Mark Correll, deputy assistance secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety, and Infrastructure, and B  more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: For the eighth consecutive year, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has been named a "Better for Veterans" Military Friendly(R) Employer by Viqtory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine. The Exchange ranked in the Top 10 for the third year in a row in the Retail Consumer Goods and Government/Non-Profit category and received a Gold distinction, which is given to employers setting an example   more

FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 12 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Fort Worth District issued the following news release: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials at Somerville Lake announce today that Service Gates 1 & 2 that had been removed for maintenance and repairs are being re-installed and should be returned to service in the next couple of days. Once the gates are re-installed lake operators will have the capability to make full releases which will return the lake to conservation pool faste  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command issued the following news: By Ryan Mattox Members of the 902nd Contracting Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, are providing operational contract support from June 6 to August 15 to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces training as part of the Talisman Sabre/Hamel 19 exercise in Australia. The exercises are bilateral training activities designed to strengthen the partnership between  more

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Air Force Beale Air Force Base (9th Reconnaissance Wing) issued the following news: By Tristan D. Viglianco The 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and its expeditionary counterparts' crew chiefs are responsible for launching every U-2 Dragon Lady sortie across the globe. Before all of this, they must complete U-2 crew chief training at the 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 21. The detachment, which is attached to the 372nd TRS, Sheppard Ai  more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following news release: * * * - Area prices rise 0.6 percent in June and July; up 2.3 percent over the year * * * The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington rose 0.6 percent in June and July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Stanley W. Suchman noted  more

HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 12 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release: * * * - Partnership Grant Program Funds to Offset Operational Costs * * * Comerica Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) presented $17,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds to PowHer Play Inc., which empowers women through motivational conferences, scholarships and grants. Representatives from the banks joined t  more

MAGNOLIA, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release: * * * - Frost Bank and FHLB Dallas Awarded $750K to Expansion Project * * * U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, R-TX, joined Frost Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) representatives Monday on a tour of the Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas in Magnolia, Texas. The Adult and Teen Challenge provides recovery housing and pro  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command issued the following news: By Ryan Mattox Members of the 902nd Contracting Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, are providing operational contract support from June 6 to August 15 to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces training as part of the Talisman Sabre/Hamel 19 exercise in Australia. The exercises are bilateral training activities designed to strengthen the partnership between the Un  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Fort Worth District announce today the availability of the 2019/2020 hunting guide. The hunting guide is available at https://www.swf.usace.army.mil/Portals/47/docs/About/Lakes%20and%20Recreations/SWF_2019-2020_Hunting_Guide.pdf and should be reviewed prior to hunting on Corps of Engineer land. Some new hunting areas have been added this year and each lake to be  more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 12 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas issued the following news release: The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has promoted Steve Purser to assistant vice president with responsibility for the Retail Payments Office's check architecture group. Purser previously served as IT director. He began his career at the Dallas Fed in 1989 as a programmer in the checks department. Purser has been involved with a number of Federal Reserve System efforts; he was co-inventor for eight   more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 16 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas issued the following news release: Texas added 36,000 jobs in July, according to seasonally adjusted and benchmarked payroll employment numbers released today by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The state added a revised 41,500 jobs in June. Year-to-date annualized job growth stands at 2.8 percent compared to annual growth of 2.3 percent in 2018. Incorporating July job growth of 3.4 percent and a slight increase in the leading in  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Pawel Puczko The first enlisted Marines to be assigned as sensor operators for the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System, or UAS, graduated from the Air Force course at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Aug. 9. Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua Cuddy and Lance Cpl. Tyler Rodriguez, assigned to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 22, stood together with their class of 2  more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * - Funds include $1.15 million to Arkansas group * * * Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced seven Gulf of Mexico Division cooperative agreements totaling more than $7.5 million to fund projects that improve water quality, habitat, and environmental education in the Gulf of Mexico watershed. The awards include $1.15 million to Winrock International, a non-profit dev  more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $2,023,115 to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to support the state's water pollution control program. The grant will help prevent, reduce and eliminate water pollution through monitoring, standard setting, enforcement and compliance activities. "This funding will build on the good work our partners at the Oklahoma Depa  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: Federal assistance to help individuals and families with basic needs resulting from the recent flooding in South Texas now tops $10 million, about a month after the July 17, 2019, disaster declaration. The $10.3 million, approved through FEMA's Individuals and Households Program, includes $8.9 million in Housing Assistance to help pay rent for those whose   more

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded over $2.7 million to Orange County through the Texas Division of Emergency Management to fund a project to acquire and demolish 20 structures impacted by flooding from Hurricane Harvey that may be at risk from future flood events. Acquiring and demolishing these properties will provide an effective  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $1 million to the Port Aransas Independent School District for repairs to its athletic fields following Hurricane Harvey. The school district's softball field, tennis courts and running track were damaged from the high winds, storm surge and wind-blown debris. Paneling, a dugout roof, tu  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: By Ethan Sherwood Goodfellow hosted and presented to members of The National Air and Space Intelligence Center how we support NASIC's mission in an Air Education and Training Command environment. NASIC is the Department of Defense's primary source for foreign air and space threat analysis. They are also the Air Force's service intelligence center, the nation's air and space intellig  more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Air Force (82nd Training Wing) issued the following news: By John Ingle The 38th Annual Hotter'N Hell Hundred is set to blaze through North Texas on Aug. 24, 2019, including a portion that sends thousands of riders through Sheppard AFB. Hosting riders of all shapes and sizes and cycles of all makes and models during the country's largest one-day ride means there will be a few changes to traffic patterns and entry and exit to the base from 6   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The concept of innovation and its role in helping produce Airmen who more lethal and ready to execute the mission in the multi-domain operational environment is the focus of the latest episode of "Developing Mach-21 Airmen" Air Education and Training Command's professional development podcast series, released Aug 14. In the episode, Lt. Col. Eric Frahm, director o  more

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Air Force (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Benjamin N. Valmoja Air Education and Training Command's newest commander, Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, and Chief Master Sgt. Julie Gudgel, AETC command chief, learned more about the people and missions of Team XL during a three-day immersion here Aug. 13-15, 2019. "Laughlin's ability to focus on cultivating combat-ready Airmen plays a critical role in sustaining our Air Force," Webb  more

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Air Force (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Benjamin N. Valmoja Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), and Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, the Command Chief Master Sergeant of AETC, visit with members of the 47th Flying Training Wing's senior leadership during an immersion tour Aug. 14, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. Webb assumed command of AETC on July 26 and visits Lau  more

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Air Force (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Theresia Anderson The Texas Animal Health Commission recently reported that since June 2019, there have been 18 animals that tested positive for anthrax in five Texas counties, one of them in Val Verde County. Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by a spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus anthracis) that occurs naturally in certain species of animals in the southwest part of T  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- NASA issued the following news release: As NASA continues the final stage of testing for its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) platform, the agency is inviting media to Corpus Christi, Texas, on Thursday, Aug. 15, to learn more about what it takes to fly drones safely in urban areas. This test will focus on drone operations at altitudes between 200 and 400 feet within a dense city environment. Along with larger populations, city landscapes present unique  more

HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 16 -- NASA's Johnson Space Center issued the following news release: An uncrewed Russian Soyuz spacecraft is set to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 11:38 p.m. EDT (8:38 a.m. Aug. 22 Baikonur time) on a test flight to validate the spacecraft's compatibility with a revamped Soyuz booster rocket. The booster will be used to transport crews to the International Space Station beginning in spring 2020. Live coverage of the launch, dock  more

HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 14 -- NASA's Johnson Space Center issued the following news release: Experts from NASA will preview an upcoming spacewalk with two American astronauts outside the International Space Station to complete the outfitting of docking ports during a briefing at 2 p.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 16, at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Live coverage of the briefing will air on NASA Television and the agency's website. Media wishing to participate in the briefing in person must  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Ethan Sherwood Goodfellow hosted and presented to members of The National Air and Space Intelligence Center how we support NASIC's mission in an Air Education and Training Command environment. NASIC is the Department of Defense's primary source for foreign air and space threat analysis. They are also the Air Force's service intelligence center, the nation's air and   more

TEMPLE, Texas, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Texas office issued the following news release: * * * - UT-Rio Grande Valley Project Selected to Advance NRCS' Soil Science Capacity * * * The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced $1.9 million in funding for 15 Soil Science Collaborative Research projects focused on soil science and soil survey research. The information gained from   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 54196) involving Mistras Group IMC, Beaumont, Texas: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DRIVE CABLE ON RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA SOURCE FAILED The following was received via e-mail from the Texas Department of State Health Services: "On August 2, 2019, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) that a radiography crew working at a field  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 54194) involving Oilpatch NDT, Houston, Texas: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE The following was received via e-mail from the Texas Department of State Health Services: "On August 2, 2019, the Agency was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) that a radiography crew was unable to retract a 56 Curie iridium - 192 source into a INC R100 exposure device. The   more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The U.S. Air Force (82nd Training Wing) issued the following news: By Madeleine E. Remillard A fine line exists between sustaining wind energy development and securing safe operating areas used for military installations, but it's a balance that can be reached, a Texas A&M University Natural Resources Institute official said here Aug. 8. Representatives from Sheppard AFB, other military installations and area wind energy companies met for an afternoo  more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 14 -- The U.S. Air Force (82nd Training Wing) issued the following news: By John Ingle The 82nd Training Wing Faculty Development Flight is jumping on board the technology train to teach new technical training instructors an old technique in a tried-and-true, yet innovative way - simulation. Airmen learn during professional military education such as Airman Leadership School and the NCO academy how to counsel young Airmen on everything from dress and appea  more

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command issued the following news: By Mercedes Porter Airmen, family members and friends came out to support the 7th Bomb Wing as they competed in the seventh Air Force Global Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 14. The challenge is designed to showcase the world's premier bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile force, recognize outstanding Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and teams, and imp  more

STUTTGART, Germany, Aug. 9 -- U.S. Army Europe issued the following news release: Soldiers assigned to the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, a U.S. Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) task force, will begin redeployment to Fort Hood, Texas, Friday from Romania where they have been supporting NATO Ballistic Missile Defense since April. While deployed, the THAAD integrated into the existing NATO BMD architecture for a period of scheduled   more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Erin Nealy Cox, issued the following news release: The U.S. Attorney's Office is seeking more than $17 million in money judgments against the seven defendants convicted in the Forest Park Medical Center bribery trial in April, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. Each defendant played a role in the $200 million kickback scheme, designed to induce doctors to steer lucrative pati  more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Erin Nealy Cox, issued the following news release: A father/son duo who submitted more than $27 million in fraudulent hearing aid claims to insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas was sentenced yesterday to eight and seven years in federal prison, respectively, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. Terry Lynn Anderson, 69, and Rocky Freeland Anderson, 38, of Dallas, were con  more

MCALLEN, Texas, Aug. 12 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Ryan K. Patrick, issued the following news release: A 47-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of importing cocaine into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Victor Manuel Valencia Rascon served in the Mexican military as a medical doctor for 23 years. He pleaded guilty June 3, 2019. Today, U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa ordered Rasco  more

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, John F. Bash, issued the following news release: In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 38-year-old former Central Texas Detention Facility - G.E.O. employee Jewel Roberto Jefferson to 40 months in federal prison for attempting to provide contraband to inmates inside the federal detention facility, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will G  more

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Ryan K. Patrick, issued the following news release: Three Dallas men are now in prison for possession with intent to distribute nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Ricardo Coria, 40, pleaded guilty Jan. 4, 2019, admitting he knowingly conspired with Juan Angel Zambrano, 46, to possess the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Cesareo Soto-Martinez, 59,   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Aug. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Sabrina Fine When the Randolph Youth Chapel asked the 902nd Security Forces Squadron for a canine demonstration, they were surprised by the response. The first ever Junior Battle of the Badges was born Aug. 2 at Heritage Park at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. "All we wanted was a little something for the kids during summer and Staff Sgt. (Christopher) Phill  more

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Benjamin N. Valmoja Air Education and Training Command's newest commander, Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, and Chief Master Sgt. Julie Gudgel, AETC command chief, learned more about the people and missions of Team XL during a three-day immersion here Aug. 13-15, 2019. "Laughlin's ability to focus on cultivating combat-ready Airmen plays a critical role in sustaining our Air Force  more

WIESBADEN, Germany, Aug. 16 -- U.S. Army Europe issued the following news release: Soldiers with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, are slated to deploy to Europe in mid-October in support of Atlantic Resolve. The incoming armored rotation is based out of Fort Hood, Texas, and the aviation rotation is based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. They are the fifth iteration of Atlantic Resolve heel-to-toe rotations. They wi  more

FORT HOOD, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command issued the following news: By Daniel P. Elkins Leaders from the 418th Contracting Support Brigade cased their organizational colors during a ceremony Aug. 12 at Fort Hood, Texas, in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan in the coming weeks. Col. Joel Greer, the brigade commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Barrett Taylor cased the colors in a ceremony officiated by Brig. Gen. Christine Beeler, commanding general for the Miss  more

DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service issued the following news release: Children's nutritional needs do not take a summer break. This summer, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) partnered with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and Baylor University's Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) to help keep Texas children in several low-income rural areas fed during the summer through a summer meals demonstrati  more