RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The 58th Special Operations Wing gave a bittersweet send-off to HH-60G tail number 92-26468 today, the last HH-60G in the 58 SOW fleet. The departure marked the final step in the program's transition to the HH-60W Jolly Green II, which first arrived at Kirtland Air Force Base in December 2020. The event also culminates an 18-year aircraft re-capitalization effort for the 58 SOW that b more PR

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Lt. Constancia Nzang Abaga of Equatorial Guinea's National Gendarmerie traveled more than 7,000 miles to the Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for a journey that would test her skills mentally and physically. Ultimately, this endeavor positioned her as a trailblazer for her country. In mid-October, nearly 100 intern more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Lt. Constancia Nzang Abaga of Equatorial Guinea's National Gendarmerie traveled more than 7,000 miles to the Inter-American Air Forces Academy for a journey that would test her skills mentally and physically. Ultimately, this endeavor positioned her as a trailblazer for her country. In mid-October, nearly 100 international military students from countries across Latin America and th more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced that it would drop a much-criticized plan to shift McAllen mail processing operations to San Antonio: "As the holiday season begins, this is great news for San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. The proposal to move McAllen's mail processing to San Antonio would have created new  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: LAREDO, Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Program announces that its Laredo Field Office opened on Nov. 1, 2024, the seventh such office in the nation and a vital Southwest Border-based link for facilitating lawful trade while ensuring trusted traders take effective measures to secure the supply chain. "We more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: HIDALGO, Texas--In back to back enforcement actions over a 48-hour period, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry intercepted more than $3 million in cocaine and heroin in two separate enforcement actions in the passenger vehicle and cargo environments. "Drug trafficking organization more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: HIDALGO, Texas--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted 26 weapons and 43 magazines during an outbound examination of a commercial bus. "Our CBP officers continue to maintain strict vigilance in both the inbound and outbound environments. Their inspections experience, attention to detai more PR

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: By Jean Graves FORT JOHNSON, La. --Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital welcomed two certified registered nurse anesthetists to the team, improving access to care through increased surgical services at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Johnson, Louisiana. Maj. Molly Black, chief of surgical services for BJACH, said a CRNA is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia including pre, intra and p more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11861) on Nov. 29, 2024, by acting section research manager Ashley J. Lawson. Here are excerpts: * * * DOE's Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Removal Programs Federally funded research and development (R&D) on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon removal is supported primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This In Focus summarizes recent authorization more PR

FREDERICK, Maryland, Dec. 4 (TNSres) -- The National Institutes of Health's National Laboratory for Cancer Research issued the following news: By Frank Blanchard The benefits of controlling a patient's diabetes are well established. But the consequences of unregulated diabetes on survival rates for lung cancer have been widely debated. Now, a retrospective study of people with lung cancer who are diabetic shows they can survive longer if their blood sugar levels are carefully controlled. Thi more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The 42nd Air Base Wing named U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexandra Edwards, 42nd Medical Group commander support staff noncommissioned officer in charge, "Crusader of the Month" at the end of November, for her exceptional service and leadership in support of the 42nd MDG. The wing's Crusader of the Month highlight recognizes outstanding members who contribute significant efforts towar more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued the following news release on Dec. 2, 2024: * * * Sod farm operator, landscaping retailer made improper deductions, misapplied exemption * * * TULSA, OK - The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment and injunction to recover $72,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for 20 workers whose Oklahoma employer misapplied the agriculture exemption to retail workers and did not pay overtime to employ more PR

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued the following news: Washington, D.C. -- Dr. William LaPlante, under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, announced the winners of the 2024 Defense Acquisition Awards on Dec. 2, 2024. The five annual awards, representing 23 separate categories, recognize individual and team accomplishments that have advanced the National Defense Strategy and supported the Secretary of Defense's prioritie more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: As the author of the Dream Act, Durbin highlights his 157th Dreamer story on the Senate floor Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor highlighting the urgent need for Congress to pass legal protections fornoncitizens who were brought to the United States as children, known as Dreamers, especially as President-elect Donald Trump campaig more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: BOSTON U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston removed Julio Cesar Hernandez Funez, 41, to Honduras Nov. 18. Hernandez, who's also known as Rodas and Flores Najera, unlawfully entered the United States multiple times. Authorities removed him to Honduras in 2006, 2013, 2014 and twice in 2015, once in 2016, and once th more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: BOSTON U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston removed Julio Cesar Hernandez Funez, 41, to Honduras Nov. 18. Hernandez, who's also known as Rodas and Flores Najera, unlawfully entered the United States multiple times. Authorities removed him to Honduras in 2006, 2013, 2014 and twice in 2015, once in 2016, and once th more PR

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Have you visited your primary care provider lately? If so, you may have noticed additional screening questions added to your check-in. This is the result of a 59th Medical Wing initiative to identify and address food insecurity in our patient population. A 2023 RAND study found that 25.8% of military families struggle with food insecurity, likely mad more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Have you visited your primary care provider lately? If so, you may have noticed additional screening questions added to your check-in. This is the result of a 59th Medical Wing initiative to identify and address food insecurity in our patient population. A 2023 RAND study found that 25.8% of military families struggle with food insecurity, likely made worse by a post-pandemic econom more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Twenty-four teachers from 11 schools around Southwest Oklahoma experienced the 97th Air Mobility Wing's mission firsthand during a KC-135 Stratotanker flight at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Nov. 21, 2024. The visit started with a wing mission brief from Col. Jeff Marshall, 97th AMW commander. "This was an awesome opportunity to give back to our local community and showcase our mi more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (TNSres) -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release: Today, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its second estimate for economic growth in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024. The report found that real U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the third quarter. Chairman Arrington's Statement on GDP Growth: House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) released more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (TNSres) -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release: Today, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, rose by 2.3 percent over the last year for the month of October. Chairman Arrington's Statement on the PCE Report: House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) issued the followin more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Rules Committee joined Dallas Morning News for a legacy piece interview on his 22-year tenure in Congress. Congressman Burgess highlighted the work he has done for the 26th Congressional district, how his medical expertise influenced legislation introduced in Congress, and what is in store for the future of Texas and the United States. Doctor-turn more PR

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Dec. 2 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The 502nd Force Support Squadron invites the Joint Base San Antonio community to the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremonies to kick off the holiday season. These family-friendly events are a long-standing JBSA tradition that serve to inspire and unite the community during the festive season. These cherished events bring the community together in the  more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 2 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The 502nd Force Support Squadron invites the Joint Base San Antonio community to the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremonies to kick off the holiday season. These family-friendly events are a long-standing JBSA tradition that serve to inspire and unite the community during the festive season. These cherished events bring the community together in the spirit of joy and celebration as  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: An indictment was unsealed yesterday in Nashville, Tennessee, charging nine members of a multi-state money laundering organization responsible for laundering millions of dollars derived from internet fraud, including business email compromise schemes. The nine defendants were arrested in a takedown coordinated across three jurisdictions. According to court documents, Samson A. Omoniyi, 43 of Houston; Misha more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: A chapter of Air Force history will close on Dec. 3 as the 58 Special Operations Wing hosts a retirement ceremony for the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, marking the end of its distinguished service in training aviators in combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations. The Pave Hawk, a workhorse for personnel recovery missions, has been a key asset for decades, supporting operations world more PR

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 4 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release: * * * New generator, fuel tank will help keep fire department operational during severe weather, power outages * * * LEE COUNTY, Texas - The Blue Volunteer Fire Department soon will purchase a new emergency generator and propane fuel tank that will help the department continue to provide essential services even during severe weather or blackouts, thanks to a $17,710 grant from the Lower Colorado Ri more PR

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 4 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release: * * * Updated fencing, storage unit will help upgrade ballfields at Veterans Park * * * GIDDINGS, Texas - Lee County Little League soon will replace outdated fencing and install a much-needed storage shed at Veterans Park, thanks to a $20,080 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Giddings. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $6,340 in matching fu more PR

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 4 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release: * * * New roof will keep popular meeting site accessible for community events * * * GIDDINGS, Texas - The American Legion York Post 276 soon will replace the hail-damaged roof on the American Legion Hall, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Giddings. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $12,302 in matching funds from the legi more PR

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 4 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release: * * * Grant to La Grange Education Support Program Foundation will improve conditions at popular site for youth activities * * * LA GRANGE, Texas - The La Grange Education Support Program Foundation soon will renovate the restrooms in the 1938 Hermes Gym, thanks to a $23,684 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of La Grange. The Community Development Partnership Program grant more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: One of this afternoon's I/ITSEC Focus Events will examine concepts surrounding learning engineering during a session titled Implementing Learning Engineering in Military Environments: An Operational & Tactical Perspective. Sharing their perspectives on this topic are panelists Lindsey Fredman, Director, Air Force Career Development Academy, ADC/2AF/AFCDA; Benjamin Goldberg, PhD, Seni more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 4:24-cv-04729; S.D. Tex., filed Dec. 3, 2024) involving Maurizio Chiriva-Internati: * * * The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed settled charges against Maurizio Chiriva-Internati, the former CEO of Houston-based biotherapeutics company, Kiromic BioPharma, Inc., for failing to disclose material information about Kiromic's two cancer fighting drug candidates before, during, and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) delivered his final speech as a United States Senator on the U.S. Senate floor. A video of Senator Manchin's floor speech can be found here. Senator Manchin's remarks as prepared are available below: My friends and colleagues, Today, I rise with a full heart and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It has been the honor of my life to represent West Virginia and  more PR

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Mission and Installation Contracting Command hosted three training courses in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 as part of their MICC University training initiative conducted at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. By Spring of 2025, responsibility for two of the three courses will transition to MICC's higher command, the Army Contra more PR

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Dec. 3 -- Defense Health Agency issued the following news: By TRICARE Communications Jan. 1, 2025, marks the start of health care delivery under TRICARE's new regional contracts. There will be changes to the TRICARE regions in the U.S. as part of the new contracts. While there will still be two TRICARE regions, six states currently in the East Region (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin) will move to the West Region. There are also some zip codes i more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the enforcement of FinCEN's burdensome and potentially unconstitutional reporting requirement as required by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) ahead of the January 1, 2025, deadline. "As a former entrepreneur and small business owner, I fought against the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following statement: * * * AUSTIN - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement on the announcement that Mark Swidan, a Houston resident, was released from Chinese prison: "After 12 long years of unjust imprisonment, Houstonian Mark Swidan is finally free," said Sen. Cornyn. "Mark has suffered unimaginable conditions and treatment after being wrongfully detained at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, which more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news on Dec. 2, 2024: Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed President Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, after repeated claims from his administration to the contrary. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn's remarks are below, and video can be found here (https://youtu.be/r2f4xjB7OZI?si=e636Zuw8OQUygX5Z&t=840). "This is blatant corruption, and an abuse of the office, and a blatant example by Presiden more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news on Dec. 3, 2024: Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) praised President Trump's energy and environment nominees and discussed the importance of unleashing Texas' energy sector to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy nationwide. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn's remarks are below, and video can be found here (https://youtu.be/GjAwG6E86N8). "It should be no surprise to the Biden administration that Texan more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, urged Congress to provide emergency economic assistance to agricultural producers facing market losses. "It's clear the pain our farm families are living through," Boozman said in remarks on the Senate floor. "For s more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 2, 2024: * * * Letter urges DOJ probe, details how Europeans are seeking to hamstring US AI development * * * U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) recently sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate whether foreign organizations had failed t more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release: * * * As the author of the Dream Act, Durbin highlights his 147th Dreamer story on the Senate floor * * * U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor highlighting the urgent need for Congress to pass legal protections fornoncitizens who were brought to the United States as children, known  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The Senate Judiciary Committee released the following testimony by Doug Kantor, general counsel of the National Association of Convenience Stores, from a Nov. 19, 2024, hearing entitled "Breaking the Visa-Mastercard Duopoly: Bringing Competition and Lower Fees to the Credit Card System": * * * Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to testify on the swipe fees that are imposed by the credit card industry on merchants and the Credit Card Competition Act of 2023, a more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The Senate Judiciary Committee released the following testimony by Doug Kantor, general counsel of the National Association of Convenience Stores, from a Nov. 19, 2024, hearing entitled "Breaking the Visa-Mastercard Duopoly: Bringing Competition and Lower Fees to the Credit Card System": * * * (Continued from Part 1 of 3) Another study was released by the Hispanic Leadership Fund in 2022. That study found that because of swipe fees:81 1) "Lower income Americans are losi more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 3, 2024: * * * The TAKE IT DOWN Act criminalizes the publication of fake explicit images and requires websites to remove them * * * U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) bipartisan legislation, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, today passed the Senate unanimously and now moves to the House for consideration. The more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Jim Risch (R-ID) today introduced the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions (CLEAR) Path Act, which would mitigate foreign influence on U.S. policymaking by prohibiting former government employees from lobbying on behalf of countries of concern: "When it comes to influencing U.S. policymaking, our adversaries will stop at nothing to get what more PR

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 3 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Dec. 2, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today administered the oath of office for the 14th Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Freeman F. Martin at DPS Headquarters in Austin. "Freeman Martin brings an extraordinary wealth of experience to this position," said Governor Abbott. "Beginning as a trooper to becoming a Texas Ranger to eventually becoming the Senior Deputy Director of the Texas Departmen more PR

MCALLEN, Texas, Dec. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A self-admitted member of the Westside gang has been sentenced for possessing destructive devices and utilizing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Jamez Aaron Sandoval, 26, of San Juan, pleaded guilty on Sept. 19. U.S. Chief District Judge Randy Crane has now imposed a total sentence of 120 months in th more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following program update: To: State, Territory, and Tribal Agricultural Regulatory Officials On November 18, 2024, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) expanded the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens; Mexfly) quarantine in Donna, Hidalgo County, Texas. Expansion of the Donna quarantine is in response to the confirmed d more PR