WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) led a coalition of 18 U.S. Senators to send an oversight letter to U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell demanding answers over recent reports that a FEMA employee advised disaster assistance teams in Florida responding to Hurricane Milton to avoid homes that had yard signs supporting President-Elect Donald Trump.   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Ted Budd (R-NC) wrote a letter with 16 of their Republican colleagues demanding answers from U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell regarding recent reports that a FEMA employee advised disaster assistance teams in Florida responding to Hurricane Milton to avoid homes that had yard signs supporting President-  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Aug. 28, 2024, from Christopher Mings, physician assistant at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne, Florida: * * * To: Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure CMS - Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 Re Comment: CY 2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment   more

DORAL, Florida, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Southern Command issued the following news release: SAN DIEGO -- The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) offloaded more than 29,000 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $335.8 million, Tuesday in San Diego. The offload is a result of eleven separate suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions or events off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America in September and October. "I would put this crew on any   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Florida, issued the following news release: La representante Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) anuncio con orgullo su intencion de unirse al Caucus DOGE (siglas en ingles de Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency). Liderado por el representante Aaron Bean (R-FL), el grupo se centrara en el trabajo de coordinacion con el nuevo Departamento de Eficiencia Gubernamental para implementar una legislacion que reduzca el despilfarro, el fraude y el abuso. "  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and a former member of the Ethics Committee, today introduced a privileged resolution to require the Ethics Committee to preserve and release its findings from an investigation of former Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida. Gaetz has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be Attorney General of the United States. Since Ap  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Education has released the following public communication dated Nov. 12, 2024, from the Florida Department of Education: * * * To: The Honorable Miguel Cardona Secretary, U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202 Re: ED-2024-SCC-0111, Agency Information Collection Activities, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins V) * * * Secretary Cardona: The Florida Department of Education (FDOE)  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: NEW YORK U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations officers in New York City arrested Andres Fernando Arroyave Ramirez, a 36-year-old Colombian citizen, Nov. 15. He had been previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine by the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida. ERO   more

HURLBURT FIELD, Florida, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Jasmyne Bridgers-Matos, 355th Wing McGREGOR RANGE, N.M. -- The 11th Air Task Force conducted its first field training exercise at McGregor Range, New Mexico, Nov. 4-19, 2024. As the Air Force shifts toward a more agile, team-oriented force structure, the exercise united Airmen from Davis-Monthan and Holloman Air Force Base to test and refine new concepts for combat  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service has released the following public communication dated Nov. 12, 2024, from Healthy Gulf, New Orleans, Louisiana: * * * To: Public Comments Processing Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2024-0130 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service MS: PRB/3W 5275 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 RE: Support for Endangered Species Act protection for Alabama hickorynut and Obovaria cf. unicolor * * * Dear Sir or Madam: Please accept th  more

MIAMI, Florida, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release: A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida returned a superseding indictment yesterday charging nine individuals for conspiring to launder U.S. currency into cryptocurrency on behalf of drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia and for the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business. These recent charges are the result of a law enforcement   more

TAMPA, Florida, Nov. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced five Bradenton residents to federal prison terms for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Clemente Betancourt (29) was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months, Estevan Betancourt (20), Adonis Bonilla (29), and Omar Mejia (29) were each sentenced to 10 years  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nominations: Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Christopher D. Alexander for appointment to the grade of rear admiral. Alexander is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine, San Diego, California. Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Bradley J. Andros for appointment to the grade of rear admiral. Andros is currentl  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Nov. 21 -- The Florida Chamber of Commerce issued the following news: * * * Featuring Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky, CFO Jimmy Patronis, Citizens Property Insurance President & CEO Tim Cerio, and More * * * The Florida Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Insurance Summit from December 3-5, 2024, at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek. Bringing together a distinguished lineup of industry leaders, lawmakers, regulators, and insurance professionals,  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia issued the following news release: Heleonel Gonzalez has pleaded guilty to bank fraud for orchestrating a $6 million scheme to defraud Peach State Federal Credit Union. "Gonzalez devised a lucrative scheme cloaked in fraud and deception to steal loan proceeds from Peach State Federal Credit Union for his personal gain," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "This office will continue to work closel  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, issued the following news release: The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency." During the hearing, members emphasized FEMA's responsibility to use taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively. They questioned FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about the agency's ongoing efforts to deliver assistance t  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pennsylvania, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement: * * * Following a bipartisan tour of hurricane damage in Florida and Georgia, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson released the following statement: "Traveling to the Southeast, I was able to see firsthand the devastating impact of the recent hurricanes. Hurricanes Milton and Helene hit our agricultural sector especially hard, highligh  more

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Education Activity issued the following news release: FORT CAMPBELL, KY -- Hugh McKinnon, Fort Campbell Community Superintendent, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jamie Romero as the new principal of Fort Campbell High School. Romero brings a wealth of experience and a proven history of educational leadership to this role. Romero began his educational career in 2006 with Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida, wher  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following document from Economics Daily: * * * The surveying and mapping (except geophysical) services industry encompasses cartographic, topographic, ownership-related, and other surveying and mapping work. Why not recognize Geography Awareness Week with a map of employment concentrations for this industry? Alaska had the highest concentration of surveying and mapping (except geophysical) ser  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: PEMBROKE PINES, Florida Jeffrey J. Dinise has been appointed as the new Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Miami Sector. Chief Dinise officially entered on duty in this capacity on November 17, 2024. Chief Dinise most recently served as Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Operations at USBP Headquarters in overseeing border security operations for 20 U  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released the following public communication dated Nov. 10, 2024, from the City of Altamonte Springs, Florida: * * * To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: Docket No. NHTSA-2024-0067 HOLON U.S. Inc. - Receipt of Petition for Temporary Exemption From Various Requirements of the Federal Mot  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Nov. 9, 2024, from Whistleblowers of America, Pensacola, Florida: * * * Whistleblowers of America (WoA) is a 501C3 founded in 2017 dedicated to supporting whistleblower's mental health as they cope with retaliation and the fallout from reporting what should be protected disclosures. We appreciate this opportunity to comment and share some of ou  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-New York, issued the following news release: Today, Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) delivered the following opening statement, as prepared, for the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Hearing on "Oversight of Homeland Security and Investigations": "Mr. Chairman, today, the immigration subcommittee is conducting an oversight hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services. I am all for the Com  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. Mark Alford, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: On the heels of the deadly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) joined a bipartisan group of representatives in a letter urging Congress to include $21.6 million for America's National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) task forces to replace aging and obsolete rescue equipment that could put future rescue efforts, the public, and first responders at risk. US&R task forces are always on c  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2024: Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) today announced the members selected by the House Republican Conference to serve on the Republican Policy Committee for the 119th Congress. Region 1: Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) Region 2: Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-09) Region 3: Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12) Region 4: Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03) Region 5: Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03) Region 6: Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-0  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) proudly announced her intention to join the Congressional Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus. Led by Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), the Caucus will focus on the work of coordinating with the incoming Department of Government Efficiency to implement legislation to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. "The American people deserve a federal government that treats   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Thom Tillis, Ted Budd and 16 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell expressing concern over recent reports that a FEMA employee advised disaster assistance teams in Florida responding to Hurricane Milton to avoid homes that had yard signs supporting President-Elect Donald Trump. The employ  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2024: U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Benjamin J. Cheeks, nominated to be a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California; and Serena Raquel Murillo, nominated to be a U.S. Distric  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2024: U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, co-chaired a full Committee hearing on the President's disaster relief supplemental funding request for communities affected by recent natural disasters, including Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Today's hearing featured two panels of witnesses: U.S. Senators Thom Tilli  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The South Florida Water Management District issued a 241-page report in February 2024 entitled "Lake Okeechobee Storage Reservoir Section 203 Study." Here is the executive summary: This Final Feasibility Study (FS) is being prepared to document the effects of implementing an aboveground storage reservoir north of Lake Okeechobee, also known as the Lake Okeechobee Component A Storage Reservoir (LOCAR, Project, or Section 203 Study). The South Florida Water Management Di  more

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: CAMP SHELBY JOINT FORCES TRAINING CENTER, Miss. The 412th Theater Engineer Command (TEC), headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, held its November battle assembly at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center from November 14th to 17th. This four-day event, known as a "super battle assembly," maximized training opportunities by bringing together leaders, staff, and Soldiers to enhan  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia issued the following news release: A Florida man was found guilty of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder stemming from his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. James Brett IV, 50, of Clearwat  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2024: The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced a $14 million investment to support food safety research, outreach and workforce training. The investment will fund research and efforts to strengthen the safety of our nation's food supply. "Ensuring that all Amer  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, issued the following news release: Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) urged colleagues to speed disaster recovery resources to families, small business owners and local communities following President Biden's disaster supplemental funding proposal. Rep. Castor testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee about the devastating back-to-back hurricanes, the coordinated response and the next steps for FEMA and the  more