WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: This year, U.S. Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo honored 15 Idahoans with the 2024 Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veterans Service Award. Senator Crapo created the award in 2002 to recognize Idaho veterans and volunteers for their outstanding service to our country and its veterans. Since the award's creation 22 years ago, over 400 Spirit of Freedom Awards have been bestowed. "It is an honor to recognize this year's Spi  more

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: In a significant achievement for AFROTC Detachment 755 at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, seven cadets are the recipients of $20,000 each in scholarship awards to pursue their private pilot license through the AFROTC "You Can Certify" program. An additional four cadets have each received $5,000 scholarships as part of the AFROTC "You Can Fly" program, marking the largest   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: By Joe Bela, AFIMSC Public Affairs The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is using a board game and data-driven outcomes to prepare installation and mission support Airmen to successfully conduct agile combat employment operations in contested environments. Kingfish ACE, the Department of the Air Force table-top strategy game, is the centerpiece of lea  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: As the Air Force Medical Service continues its transformation to meet the evolving needs of Airmen and Guardians, U.S. Air Force and Space Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. John J. DeGoes outlined his vision for implementing four AFMS strategic imperatives to ensure their health and medical readiness. DeGoes, who became the Air Force's 25th surgeon gene  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The time it takes to bring on a new civilian employee within the Defense Department's cyber workforce has dropped below 80 days, which bodes well for the department's effort to better develop its cyber workforce. "We have 79 days average time-to-hire in our civilian workforce," said Mark Gorak, principal director for resources and analysis within th  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release: The Bureau of Land Management today announced the launch of five new public-private partnership agreements designed to place wild horses and burros into private care. These partnerships could receive up to nearly $25 million in funding over five years and help place approximately 11,000 additional wild horses and burros over and above the BLM's existing adoption program. Tog  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, issued the following news release: On Veterans Day, Congressman Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Rules Committee, honored five Veterans with the 26th Congressional District Veteran Commendation at the Highland Village Business Association's 'Salute Our Veterans' Luncheon. Chairman Burgess also spoke at the Denton County Veterans Day Ceremony on the Denton Square. "Our veterans are not merely heroes in uniform; they are the livi  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: PHARR, Texas--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Pharr International Bridge intercepted $31,169,000 in methamphetamine concealed within a shipment manifested as serrano peppers. "Our CBP officers continue to remain vigilant and intercepted this massive methamphetamine load, preventing it from reaching American stre  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: BISMARCK, N.D. In November 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) adopted a final rule requiring state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highway system and set declining targets. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: In September, North Dakota won a preliminary injunction against the U.S. Department of the Interior to block the Biden administration venting and flaring rule in North Dakota v. U.S. Department of the Interior. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) venting and flaring rule establishes a new royalty on flared gas, institutes monthly limits on allowable flaring, and adds new application requirements for ope  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined a bicameral group of colleagues in filing a second amicus brief requesting an Appeals Court uphold a District Court decision vacating a rule that would require local entities to regulate greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from cars and trucks. In November 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) adopted a final rule requiring state departments of transportation and metro  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: NOAA Fisheries scientists have traveled to South Florida multiple times a year for 15 years to study smalltooth sawfish. During these expeditions, the team spends several days capturing, tagging, and releasing sawfish to study their relative abundance, habitat use, and life history. This endangered species, once found from Texas to North Carolina, is now almost solely found in Florida waters.   more

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, Nov. 12 -- The Commander of the Hawaii Navy Region issued the following news: From Kyler Hood, Commander Navy Region Hawaii JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - When Information Systems Technician 1st Class (IT1) Maria Edwards, 41, got a stage three breast cancer diagnosis in 2022, her life was upended. The process for medical retirement from the Navy began while she underwent chemotherapy. Then another complication came up: her mother who came to Hawaii to care for E  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Nov. 12, 2024: * * * Transaction Threatens to Negatively Affect Care for Vulnerable Patients and Harm Home Health and Hospice Nurses Critical to Providing that Care * * * The Justice Department, together with the Attorneys General of Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today to block UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UnitedHealth)'s proposed $3.3 billion acquisi  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release: In November 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) adopted a final rule requiring state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highway system and set declining targets. U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcom  more

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Nov. 11 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Today, across towns and cities nationwide, Americans are pausing to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day, a national holiday observed every November 11, recognizes the sacrifices and service of millions who have worn the military uniform, many of whom faced grave dangers and challenges while protecting the nation. For retired U.S. A  more

HONOLULU, Hawaii, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Pacific Air Forces issued the following news: By John Reeves, Pacific IAMD Center EL PASO, Texas -- The Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center hosted its second annual Multilateral Subject Matter Expert Exchange and Defense Design Workshop on 21 thru 26, October 2024, at Fort Bliss located in El Paso, Texas. This groundbreaking event, supported by the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Pacific Air Forces, 32nd AAMDC, and the 11th Air De  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule to implement a natural gas tax against American energy producers: Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11): "President Biden's promise to end fossil fuels hurt the hardworking energy producers of my district, who have worked diligently to increase production while reducing emissions. The Bid  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued a recent message to the force that emphasized the Defense Department's commitment to a professional, orderly and calm transition to the next commander in chief, the Pentagon announced today. In that message sent out Nov. 6, "Secretary Austin reiterated that the U.S. military will stand ready to carry o  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Commander regrets to announce the death of Air Force Staff Sgt. Wendy J. Valdez Mesa, assigned to the 93rd Intelligence Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, who passed away on Nov. 7, 2024. To settle the estate of the deceased, 1st Lt. Tyler Davis, also assigned to the 93rd Intelligence Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, has been ap  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 13 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Nov. 12, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today congratulated the Texas restaurants selected for the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Texas featuring 15 one-MICHELIN-Star establishments and two MICHELIN Green Star eateries. The full selection totals 117 restaurants spanning 26 cuisine types located in the greater Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio areas, including Bib Gourmand restaurants, recognizing   more

DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas issued the following news release on Nov. 12, 2024: A Dallas real estate developer who bribed two city officials pleaded guilty today, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Sherman Roberts, 70, who previously helmed City Wide Community Development Corporation, was indicted in December 2020 and pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit bribery. According to co  more