WASHINGTON, March 23 -- The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council announced that it expects to award up to two grants for Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration. The estimated total program funding available was cited as $26,880,000. The categories of funding activity are a) environment and b) natural resources. The funding is open to: State governments. Additional Information on Eligibility: Eligible applicants are limited to members of the Council, or their administrative agents. Council membe  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 26 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas issued the following news release: * * * - Many firms can't cover operating costs at current prices and almost none can profitably drill new wells * * * Energy sector activity declined significantly in the first quarter, according to executives responding to the Dallas Fed Energy Survey. The business activity index--the survey's broadest measure of conditions facing Eleventh District energy firms--plunged from -4.2 in the fourth   more

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force Laughlin Air Force Base (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: Red River Valley Association Award was presented for the first time at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, to 2nd Lt. Joshua Radjenovich a student pilot in Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 20-08, Feb. 28, 2020. After a highly competitive 52-week class in SUPT, the instructor pilots voted which of the graduates they would most want as a wingman,  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Airman 1st Class Salvatore Morrone, a religious affairs Airman stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, was awarded the Richard C. Schneider Airman of the Year award by the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps Feb. 13. The award recognizes a distinguished Airman for leadership, performance, significant self-improvement and base or community involvement. A  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: Air Force officials recently announced the postponement of the 2020 Defender Challenge, originally scheduled for May 11-15 in San Antonio. "Air Force Defender Challenge 2020 is postponed to comply with health risk mitigation associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic," said Brig. Gen. Roy Collins, Air Force director of security forces. He added, "Details  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 23 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: The Air Force Master Sergeant (20E7) promotion board, originally set to convene at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph March 23, is rescheduled to ensure personal health and safety concerns associated with the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, can be maintained. The 20E7 board is now scheduled to convene the first week of June, with a public promotion release projected for the end of July. The de  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Air Force officials are announcing the first restriction of movement or ROM trainee in the Air Force's basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has tested positive for COVID-19. The trainee reported to BMT March 18 and was immediately put into the ROM location, along with about 40 other new trainees. Once the trainee showed symptoms, the trainee was isol  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: With the evolving COVID-19 situation, privatized housing project owners assured the Air Force that emergency and urgent workorders should and will continue to be addressed while routine maintenance has been temporarily suspended for many privatized projects. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is coordinating with project owners for specific plans on minimiz  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center issued the following news: With the evolving COVID-19 situation, privatized housing project owners have assured the Air Force that emergency and urgent workorders should and will continue to be addressed while routine maintenance has been temporarily suspended for many privatized projects. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is coordinating with each project owner for their specific plan on minimizing   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 23 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Applications are now available for the Air Force Youth Programs' residential aviation camp and residential space camp, offered to Department of Defense dependents with valid identification. Applications are due April 6. The Air Force Teen Aviation Camp will be held from June 15-21, at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado. Space Camp will offer two sessions at the U.S. Space and Rocket Cen  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is enlisting the help of military shoppers in its fight to protect warfighters, families and installation communities from the global spread of COVID-19. In an effort to help keep point-of-sale areas as sanitary as possible, Exchanges worldwide will now ask customers to make purchases using a bank-issued credit or debit card, MILITARY STAR(R) card or  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on the employment in the Houston area for January 2020: Total nonfarm employment in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area stood at 3,162,500 in January 2020, up 63,400 or 2.0 percent, from one year earlier, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. During the same period, the national job count increased 1.5  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Brooke Army Medical Center is implementing additional health protection measures to minimize foot traffic throughout the organization and help to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, enabling BAMC to better preserve the health and well-being of patients and staff. Effective March 18, all Department of Nutrition Retail Food Services, to include the DFAC and al  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The U.S. Census Bureau issued the following news release on March 25: Six of the 10 counties with the largest population gains this decade were in Texas -- Harris, Tarrant, Bexar, Dallas, Collin, and Travis -- according to the U.S. Census Bureau's July 1, 2019, population estimates released today. The statistics provide population estimates and components of change for the nation's 384 metropolitan statistical areas, 542 micropolitan statistical areas and 3,142 counties.  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following remarks on March 24 by Commissioner Dawn D. Stump before the CFTC Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory committee: The mission of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is to promote the integrity, RESILIENCE, and vibrancy of the U.S. derivatives markets through sound regulation. Today, I want to focus on resilience - not just as it relates to regulating the derivatives markets but, more generally  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board issued the following news release: The US Chemical Safety Board is releasing an updated animation detailing the tragic events which occurred 15 years ago at the BP America Refinery in Texas City, TX, when a massive hydrocarbon release and ensuing explosion and fire killed 15 and injured 180 others. The massive explosion was a landmark investigation for the CSB and revealed safety gaps at refineries across the country. CLICK HERE to view an  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol issued the following news: Eighteen Civil Air Patrol airplanes and 62 CAP members supported the Mississippi Army National Guard in a Texas-based exercise designed to prepare Guard members for an upcoming deployment.Acting in its capacity as the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, CAP worked with the Guard to certify operators who will soon be deployed to Washington, D.C., in support of air defense efforts. The exercise, called Falcon   more

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: A military member has tested positive for COVID-19 at Dyess AFB, Texas. To mitigate and manage the risks associated with COVID-19, Team Dyess implemented proactive measures to reduce the spread of the virus among our base population and to ensure continuation of our no-fail mission. Because of this development, the installation commander has temporarily closed various Medical Group facilit  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Like many communities throughout the United States, Joint Base San Antonio is feeling the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic. The installation's Health Protection Condition has been increased to level C and its number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. JBSA community members and citizens all over the U.S. are using commonsense measures such as washing   more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency issued the following news release on March 23: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that Army Maj. Harvey H. Storms, 34, of McAllen, Texas, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for July 29, 2019. In late 1950, Storms was a member of Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which was part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reporte  more

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: She lies on an unfamiliar bed in silence. "Something is wrong," said Chief Master Sgt. Latreva Schoultz, 489th Bomb Group superintendent. "Where is the doctor?" The silence brought catastrophic news as the doctor and nurses poured into the room. Latreva could never prepare herself for the word that finally broke the silence. "Stillborn." "That two-syllable word was the most painful thing   more

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: Airmen from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas and Little Rock AFB, Arkansas participated in multiple Bomber Agile Combat Employment Exercises recently. The goal is to improve Dyess AFB's aptitude to deploy B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft personnel and equipment to unfamiliar locations worldwide and on short notice in support of combatant commander objectives. Most recently in support of those objectiv  more

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command issued the following news: Airmen from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas and Little Rock AFB, Arkansas participated in multiple Bomber Agile Combat Employment Exercises recently. The goal is to improve Dyess AFB's aptitude to deploy B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft personnel and equipment to unfamiliar locations worldwide and on short notice in support of combatant commander objectives. Most recently in support of those ob  more

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: In response to the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19, and in conjunction with public health actions taken by the Air Force, the installation commander has declared a Public Health Emergency on Dyess AFB and will raise its Health Protection Condition level to Charlie on March 26. There are currently zero confirmed COVID-19 cases on Dyess AFB or in the Abilene community. In accordance  more

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: In order to help minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 on Dyess AFB, and in conjunction with public health actions taken by the state of Texas and our local community partners, the installation commander has raised the Health Protection Condition level to Bravo. There are currently no confirmed COVID-19 cases on Dyess AFB or in the Abilene community. HPCON Bravo defines the moderate dise  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release on March 26: * * * - Facilitates Approximately $125 Million in "Made in the U.S.A." Exports * * * The Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) today unanimously approved the guarantee of a working capital guarantee loan facility (loan facility) from JP Morgan Chase Co. to Zeeco, Inc.(link is external) Headquartered in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and with U.S. facilities in  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: The COVID-19 pandemic is a dynamic and rapidly evolving situation. The 37th Training Wing wants to make sure our internal family and external community all have access to factual and up-to-date information. This frequently-asked-questions acts as a resource for anyone who has questions or concerns about themselves or a loved one that is part of the 37th Training Wing, including Basic Military Train  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available for the state of Texas to supplement the state, tribes and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020, and continuing. The President's action makes federal funding available for Crisis Counseling for affected i  more

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama, March 26 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news release: The U.S. Army selected two performers executing under Other Transaction Authority for Prototype agreements for the design and testing of the Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft Competitive Prototypes to continue into phase two of the program. The two vendors selected are Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas) and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (Stratford, Connecticut). The Army requires an aircraf  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: The Goodfellow AFB commander has declared a Public Health Emergency and limited movement for military personnel March 24. The base has been in Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Bravo since March 19. The installation command team and the public health emergency officer will coordinate activities and share information with state and local officials responsible for public health and   more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: The 17th Medical Group activated a drive-in pharmacy and restricted the Ross Clinic to active duty members and patients seeing providers for the foreseeable future on Goodfellow Air Force Base here, March 23. "From now on, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are limiting patient interaction in the lobby," said Capt. Adam Remme, 17th MDG pharmacy element chief. "We have created a make-shi  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: U.S. Air Force Col. Lauren Byrd, 17th Medical Group commander, has made the decision to reprioritize medical resources to ensure the greatest access for the active duty population on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 24, 2020. "Beginning Monday, 30 March 2020, in-house care at the 17th MDG will be restricted to active duty and active duty family members only," explained Byrd.   more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: Leadership for the 17th Training Wing hosted a virtual Town Hall on March 17 to address COVID-19 concerns affecting the Goodfellow community. There is nothing more important than the health and welfare of the Goodfellow and local community. Wing leadership is working with base subject matter experts and community partners of San Angelo and surrounding areas to synchronize efforts. Go  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: On March 24, 2020, Col. Andres Nazario, 17th Training Wing commander, declared a Public Health Emergency and limited movement for military personnel. With the speed at which COVID-19 is spreading, this order was put in place to preserve the security, health, safety, and welfare of all Goodfellow members and their families. This change can be seen in a tiered approach for approving   more

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory issued the following news release on March 26: Seated in the ballroom of the Westin Riverwalk Hotel in downtown San Antonio, a crowd of 300 people eagerly awaited the start of Idaho National Laboratory's Resilience Week 2019 Symposium. On a humid Tuesday morning in early November, attendees from across academia, industry and government gathered in Texas to present their latest research, collaborate with co  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: A shiny new piece of life-saving equipment sits in an engine bay at Fire Station 5 on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston waiting for a chance to see action. The 30-foot "tool box on wheels" has four tons of carrying capacity, four air tanks for refilling bottles used for breathing air, a 15-foot light mast that can provide 6,000 watts of light, and a   more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: A federal court permanently enjoined Smart Ajayi, d/b/a Harplett Marketing LLC., Topps Tax Services and Smart Tax Services, and JoAnn Villarreal, both of Grand Prairie, Texas, from owning or operating a tax return preparation business and preparing tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced. Ajayi and Villarreal consented to the relief. The complaint against Ajayi and Villarreal, which was f  more

SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, March 26 -- The Department of Justice has issued a notice, published in the Federal Register on March 26, entitled: "Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act". The notice was issued by Thomas Carroll, Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division. * * * On March 20, 2020, the Department of Justice lodged a proposed First Partial Consent De  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: For the 668 projected new U.S. Air Force recruits arriving here this week, basic military training is beginning with a 14-day restriction of movement (ROM) as the service actively conducts mitigation procedures to slow down the spread of COVID-19. During the ROM, trainees will prepare for full scale training and complete administrative tasks and limited training   more

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: As the situation regarding COVID-19 evolves and the possibility for exposure to the virus heightens, Laughlin leadership declares a Public Health Emergency in conjunction with a Health Protection Condition to Charlie, March 25. "This declaration is about our number one priority: protecting Team XL and the incredible city of Del Rio," said Col Lee Gentile, 47th Flying Training W  more

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Air Force (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: Col. Lee Gentile, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, signed a Women's History Month proclamation, here on March 4, 2020. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as "Women's History Month." These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command issued the following news: The Mission and Installation Contracting Command Headquarters Contracting Operations Directorate hosted a Virtual Contracting Enterprise Paperless Contract File course March 10-12 for Army acquisition personnel at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Ninety-six representatives from the Army Sustainment Command, Installation Management Command, Training and   more

COLUMBIA, Missouri, March 25 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Missouri office issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest more than $250,000 this fiscal year in Missouri, through the Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership to Restore Glades and Woodlands in the Central Ozarks. The funds will be available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to forest landowners in 10 counties in so  more

TEMPLE, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Texas office issued the following news release on March 23: * * * - USDA Service Centers Open for Business by Phone Appointment Only * * * U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Centers are encouraging visitors to take proactive protective measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. USDA Service Centers in Texas will continue to be open for business by phone appointment only and fi  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 54586) involving Texas Department of Health Services, Van Horn: The following was received from the State of Texas via email: "On March 17, 2020, the Texas of Department of State Health (Agency) was notified that on March 16, 2020, one of the licensee's radiography crews was performing work at a temporary job site near Van Horn, Texas, when a piece of pipe fell onto the guide tube and they we  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 54585) involving Texas Department of State Health Services, Houston: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - PATIENT UNDERDOSE The following was received from the State of Texas via email: "On March 13, 2020, [the Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the Houston Methodist Hospital of a medical event. The patient was to receive 18.4 Gy of therapeutic dose from a Novoste Beta-Cath syste  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The White House issued the following news release on March 25: Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Texas and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020, and continuing. The President's action makes Federal funding available for Crisis Counseling for affected individuals in all areas in t  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The San Antonio Military Health System is making several precautionary adjustments to services to help mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and ensure healthcare professionals and resources are poised to support an increased need for acute patient care. Patients should expect to see the following changes: * Temporary suspense of in-person routine care * Delayed el  more

SCHRIEVER AFB, Colorado, March 25 -- The U.S. Air Force's 50th Space Wing issued the following news: The 50th Space Wing hosted its first ever Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training March 11 - 16 in the Schriever Air Force Base Auditorium. The wing is the first in the United States Space Force and second in the Department of the Air Force certified to host the training. Jessica Ditson, 50th SW violence prevention integrator, training host. Earned her credentials, Ditson through a week-l  more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Air Force (82nd Training Wing) issued the following news: Efforts are being made around Sheppard AFB to limit and prevent the spread of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, on base and in our surrounding communities. As is such, several agencies are modifying or suspending their hours and services during this unprecedented time. The following list will be updated and published at the end of each day as needed as new information is sent to the 82nd Trai  more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (82nd Training Wing) issued the following news: Public Health officials here notified Sheppard AFB leadership of the installation's first confirmed case of Coronavirus, or COVID-19. The first case is travel related and involves a member of the 80th Flying Training Wing, home to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program. It is the ninth confirmed case in Wichita County, where Sheppard is located. Col. Kenyon Bell, Sheppard AFB  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Social media is flooded with stories from around the world about the lack of health care resources due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. One way to help alleviate the strain on healthcare facilities and professionals is to slow the spread of the disease, or flatten the curve. Flattening the curve means using protective practices to slow the rate of COVID-1  more

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency - Texas Field Office issued the following news release: * * * - FSA Services Available by Phone Appointment Only * * * USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are open in Texas by phone appointment only until further notice, and FSA staff are available to continue helping agricultural producers with program signups, loan servicing and other important actions. Additionally, FSA is relaxing the  more

SHERMAN, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Joseph D. Brown, issued the following news release: On March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared the outbreak of COVID-19 (the coronavirus) in the United States to be a national emergency. Unfortunately, criminals and scammers are trying to take advantage of the crisis for their own profit. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas through its United States Attorney, Joseph D. Brown, has  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Erin Nealy Cox, issued the following news release: A Big Spring restauranteur has pleaded guilty to employing undocumented immigrants, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. Voum Chhuon, 45, owner of Texas Cajun in Big Spring, Texas, pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens and unlawful employment of illegal aliens before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Parker on March 19. Accordi  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute issued the following news release: Animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) are mourning the loss of two rare species--a cheetah and an Eld's deer. The 10-year-old cheetah, a female named Miti, was humanely euthanized March 11 for renal failure. Hoofstock keepers discovered Rhudy, a 4-month-old Eld's deer, deceased in his enclosure after he ran into a barrier and broke his neck. Miti arriv  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release: Animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) are mourning the loss of two rare species--a cheetah and an Eld's deer. The 10-year-old cheetah, a female named Miti, was humanely euthanized March 11 for renal failure. Hoofstock keepers discovered Rhudy, a 4-month-old Eld's deer, deceased in his enclosure after he ran into a barrier and broke his neck. Miti arrived at SCBI in 2013 f  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Air Force officials announced, March 25, a trainee in the Air Force's basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has tested positive for COVID-19. The trainee, who is the first COVID-19-positive trainee at BMT, reported to BMT March 18, and as a precaution, had been placed in a restriction of movement, or ROM, status with 40 other new trainees. Once the trainee showed symptoms, the trainee  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Air Force officials announced that the Weighted Airman Promotion System testing is postponed through May 11 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Installation commanders have the authority to determine testing center availability to maintain health and safety. As a result of some centers not being available for testing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, current WAPS testing is postponed through May 11  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Personnel Center issued the following news: Air Force officials announced that Weighted Airman Promotion System testing is postponed through May 11 to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19). Installation commanders have the authority to determine testing center availability to maintain health and safety. As a result of some centers not being available for testing due the COVID-19 outbreak, current W  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: With the evolving COVID-19 situation, privatized housing project owners have assured the Air Force that emergency and urgent work orders should and will continue to be addressed while routine maintenance has been temporarily suspended for many privatized projects. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is coordinating with each project owner for their specific plan on minimizing social interaction an  more

HOUSTON, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District (USACE Galveston) switched the flow of water at Addicks Dam to new outlet control structures, constructed as part of a $75 million contract awarded to Granite Construction Company to improve and modernize Addicks and Barker Dams. USACE Galveston had already cut over to new outlet control structures at Barker Dam on February 14. The new structures ha  more

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization agree that the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, commonly known as COVID-19, may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. We all have been coached to use social distancing, which is a physical prevention measure to keep people from interac  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news release: As more people are exposed to COVID-19, the U.S. Army is preparing to provide medical support and hospital capacity to help states and other national agencies to contain the virus and protect the nation. Moving on the orders of Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, the Army recently issued deployment orders to the 531st Hospital from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the 627th Hospital from Fort Carson, Colorado, and the 9th Hospit  more

HOUSTON, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Ryan K. Patrick, issued the following news release: On March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared the outbreak of COVID-19 (the coronavirus) in the United States to be a national emergency. Unfortunately, criminals and scammers are trying to take advantage of the crisis for their own profit. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas through its United States Attorney, Ryan Patrick, has   more