News Tipoffs - California Editors
5 areas where NSF funding is enhancing undergraduate STEM participation at Hispanic-serving institutions
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 (TNSres) -- The National Science Foundation issued the following news release:
In the U.S., just over 21% of the undergraduate student body identified as Hispanic in 2021. Nearly 63% of those students were enrolled at Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).* Despite representing only a small portion of the nation's public and private institutions of higher education, HSIs produce key STEM research. These institutions have made great strides in advancing STEM education for the
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Biden-Harris Administration Launches NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence with Expected $250 Million Investment
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce issued the following news release:
Includes an anticipated $11.5 million for the first workforce development awardees to address critical U.S. job and skill gaps across semiconductor research, design, manufacturing, and production
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the launch of the National Semiconductor Technology Center's (NSTC) Workforce Center of Excellence (WCoE), making a decisive step toward solving one of the most p
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Biden-Harris Administration Marks Major Progress for Colorado River System Health, Signs Five New Water Conservation Agreements
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the following news release:
The Department of the Interior today marked major progress for the short and long-term health of the Colorado River System. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton joined leaders from the Imperial Irrigation District (California), Bard Water District (California), Metropolitan Water District (California) and Gila River Indian Community (Arizona) to sign five
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Calif. Gov, Newsom Announces Appointments
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 26 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 25, 2024:
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:
Fidencio Guzman, of Imperial, has been appointed Warden at Centinela State Prison, where he has served as Acting Warden since 2023, was Chief Deputy Warden from 2021 to 2023 and was Correctional Administrator from 2018 to 2021. Guzman held several positions at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison from 2009 to 2018
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Calif. Gov. Newsom Issues Legislative Update
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 26 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 25, 2024:
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:
* AB 1785 by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) - California Public Records Act.
* AB 1864 by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) - Pesticides: agricultural use near schoolsites: notification and reporting.
* AB 1868 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) - Property taxatio
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Calif. Gov. Newsom Signs Legislation to Restrict Polluting Oil & Gas Operations Near Schools, Daycares, Across Communities
INGLEWOOD, California, Sept. 26 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 25, 2024:
Governor Gavin Newsom today signed three bills into law allowing communities to restrict oil drilling and help the state address polluting idle wells. The legislation will help protect public health, the environment, and empower local communities to set greater protections around oil and gas activities in their neighborhoods.
"The health of our communities always comes first
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Calif. PUC Issues Decision Granting Compensation Involving Utility Reform Network
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Sept. 26 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following decision granting compensation (Case No. 24-09-019) on Sept. 25, 2024.
Here are excerpts:
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BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Consider Regulating Telecommunications Services Used by Incarcerated People.
DECISION GRANTING COMPENSATION TO THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK FOR SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO DECISION (D.) 21-08-037 AND
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Calif. PUC Issues Order Correcting Error in Decision Involving Net Energy Metering Tariffs
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Sept. 26 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following order correcting error in decision (Case No. 24-09-026) on Sept. 25, 2024:
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BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Revisit Net Energy Metering Tariffs Pursuant to Decision 16-01-044, and to Address Other Issues Related to Net Energy Metering.
ORDER CORRECTING ERROR IN DECISION 24-07-036
It has come to the Commission's attenti
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Calif. U.S. Attorney: San Diego Man Receives First Conviction in Nation for Illegally Importing Harmful Greenhouse Gases Into the United States
SAN DIEGO, California, Sept. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California issued the following news release:
Michael Hart of San Diego pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting he conspired to illegally import potent greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) into the United States from Mexico and sell them for a profit in violation of regulations intended to slow climate change. In addition to greenhouse gases, Hart admitted to conspiring to ill
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Calif. U.S. Attorney: Virginia-Based Defense Contractor to Pay $2.25 Million Fine for Bribery Conspiracy
SAN DIEGO, California, Sept. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California issued the following news release:
Cambridge International Systems, Inc., a defense contractor headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, was sentenced in federal court today to pay a criminal fine of $2,250,000 after admitting that it participated in a scheme to bribe a public official at Naval Information Warfare Center in exchange for winning and maintaining hundreds of millions of dollars i
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Calif. Water Resources Dept.: State Helps Local Communities Prepare for Flood Emergencies With Latest Round of Funding
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 26 -- The California Department of Water Resources issued the following news release:
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is awarding $1.4 million in funding for nine emergency response agencies across the state to increase their ability to respond to flood events. This funding will help put resources in the hands of local first responders tasked with protecting our communities.
California continues to adapt to an increase in extreme weather, with swings from
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DEA-Seattle: Combined Federal and State Investigation in Idaho Leads to Arrests in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Justice Department's Drug Enforcement Administration's Seattle Division issued the following news release:
A large-scale Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation has resulted in the federal indictments of ten Magic Valley defendants on drug trafficking charges. An additional ten defendants have been charged in Idaho state courts for their actions connected to the conspiracy.
"DEA stands with our partners in the Idaho State Police
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Department of Labor Awards More Than $7.4 Million to Continue Disaster Recovery After California's Severe Winter Storms in 2023
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration issued the following news release on Sept. 23, 2024:
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Funding supports disaster-relief employment, workforce training
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The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $7.4 million to support continued disaster-relief employment and workforce training for California residents affected by severe winter storms that occurred in late 2022 and early 2023.
On April 13, 2023,
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Department of Labor Files Suit to Recover Unpaid Overtime Wages, Damages for More Than 180 Shortchanged Coway USA Workers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued the following news release:
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Investigation found employees paid by piece-rate were not compensated for all hours worked
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LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging that Coway USA Inc., a Los Angeles-based company that sells, leases and services household appliances, failed to pay overtime wages earned by more
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EPA's GreenChill Program Recognizes Top Supermarket Industry Partners for Outstanding Practices in Protecting the Climate and Ozone Layer
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
BALTIMORE - Today, Sept. 25, in a ceremony at the FMI - The Food Industry Association's Energy and Store Development Conference, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Program recognized nine supermarket and commercial refrigeration leaders - eight food retail companies and one advanced refrigeration system manufacturer - for exceptional achievements to reduce the impacts of commercial
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ERO Boston arrests Mexican national charged with child sexual abuse material crime in Massachusetts
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release:
BOSTON Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston apprehended an unlawfully present 40-year-old Mexican citizen charged with disorderly conduct, child pornography, and photographing, videotaping or electronically surveilling a partially nude or nude person. Officers with ERO Boston arrested Abraham Malpica Sept. 13 in Roxbury.
"Abraham Malpica will have his d
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FEC: Statistical Summary of 18-Month Campaign Activity of 2023-2024 Election Cycle
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following news release on Sept. 25, 2024:
Presidential candidates collected $815.1 million and disbursed $586.4 million, Congressional candidates collected $2.5 billion and disbursed $1.8 billion, political parties received $1.4 billion and spent $1 billion, and political action committees (PACs) raised $7.3 billion and spent $6 billion, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission that cover
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Fla. U.S. Attorney: Alva Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun Offenses
FORT MYERS, Florida, Sept. 26 -- 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 Richardson Bien Aime (35, Alva) to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine and possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Bien Aime pleaded guilty on June 11, 2024. Earlier this year, his wife, Christi Bien Aime (31, Alva) was s
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Fla. U.S. Attorney: Six Block Gang Member Faces Minimum of Ten Years in Federal Prison for Armed Drug Trafficking
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, Sept. 26 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release:
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Al'Donta Easterling (26, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Easterling faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life,
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FTC Announces Crackdown on Deceptive AI Claims and Schemes
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against multiple companies that have relied on artificial intelligence as a way to supercharge deceptive or unfair conduct that harms consumers, as part of its new law enforcement sweep called Operation AI Comply.
The cases being announced today include actions against a company promoting an AI tool that enabled its customers to create fake reviews, a company cl
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Habu Brats Return to Beale AFB After 50 Years
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California, Sept. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Beale Air Force Base (9th Reconnaissance Wing) issued the following news:
By Staff Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez, 9th Reconnaissance Wing
Fifty years after the Wheatland Union High School (WUHS) Class of 1974 graduated, 25 alumni known as the "Habu Brats," returned to Beale Air Force Base, where many of their parents supported the legendary SR-71 Blackbird program.
The "Habu Brats,"-- a nod to the SR-71 Blackbird nickname inspired by the
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HPC4Manufacturing Workshop Gathers Innovators for Collaborative Discussions
LIVERMORE, California, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory issued the following news:
The High Performance Computing for Manufacturing (HPC4Manufacturing) program held an informative and productive workshop at the University of California Livermore Collaboration Center (UCLCC) Aug. 20-22, bringing together private industry, Department of Energy (DOE) offices, national laboratories and HPC cloud providers.
The event attracted more than 60 attendees
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Idaho U.S. Attorney: Combined Federal and State Investigation Leads to Arrests in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho issued the following new release:
A large-scale Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation has resulted in the federal indictments of ten Magic Valley defendants on drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. An additional ten defendants have been charged in Idaho state courts for their actions connected to the conspiracy.
"This investigation is the result of
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Ill. U.S. Attorney: Champaign, Illinois, Woman Sentenced to 324 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
URBANA, Illinois, Sept. 26 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois issued the following news release:
A Champaign, Illinois, woman, Malaia A. Turner, 36, was sentenced on September 23, 2024, to 324 months in prison, to be followed by eight years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.
At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Turner was a leader in a consp
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Inaugural Acquisitions Insight Capability Board Summit Highlights Expertise, Mission Status, Future Goals
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Defense Contract Management Agency issued the following news:
By DCMA Enterprise Analytics & Modernization
FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. - The Acquisitions Insight Capability Board hosted its inaugural summit, at Defense Contract Management Agency headquarters, here, Aug. 13-15.
The virtual AICB summit hoped to advance integrated enterprise analytics strategies. More than 200 agency members participated in the event, which served as a focal point for sharing expertise, ref
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Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Manganese Cathodes Could Boost Lithium-Ion Batteries
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory issued the following news on Sept. 25, 2024:
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Manganese is earth-abundant and cheap. A new process could help make it a contender to replace nickel and cobalt in batteries.
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By Lauren Biron
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are growing in adoption, used in devices like smartphones and laptops, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. But supplies of nickel and cobalt commo
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Litigation: SEC Charges Crypto Companies TrustToken, TrueCoin With Defrauding Investors Regarding Stablecoin Investment Program
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 3:24-cv-06684; N.D. Cal. filed Sept. 24, 2024) involving TrueCoin LLC and TrustToken Inc.:
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On September 24, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced settled charges against TrueCoin LLC and TrustToken Inc. for their fraudulent and unregistered sales of investment contracts involving TrueUSD ("TUSD"), a purported stablecoin.
According to the SEC's complaint, filed in
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Mass. A.G. Campbell Co-Leads Multistate Coalition Supporting Federal Gun Trafficking Regulations
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 26 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release on Sept. 25, 2024:
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22 Attorneys General Sign On to Amicus Brief in Support of ATF Rule That Seeks to Curb Gun Trafficking By Requiring Licensing and Background Checks
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Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today announced that she, along with New York Attorney General Letitia James, have co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in support of a Bureau of Alcohol,
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Mich. U.S. Attorney: Ra Medical Systems & Physicians Pay Over $8 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations of Illegal Kickbacks
DETROIT, Michigan, Sept. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan issued the following news release:
United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today a series of three civil settlements, totaling over $8 million, related to, among other allegations, kickbacks that medical device company Ra Medical Systems, Inc. (Ra Medical), paid to various physicians across the country related to Ra Medical's DABRA laser.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agen
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N.Y. A.G. James Takes Action to Support Federal Regulations on Gun Trafficking
ALBANY, New York, Sept. 26 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release on Sept. 25, 2024:
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AG James and 21 AGs File Amicus Brief in Support of ATF Rule That Seeks to Curb Gun Trafficking
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New York Attorney General Letitia James and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell today co-led a multistate coalition of 22 attorneys general in support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' (ATF) rule that helps prevent illegal gun
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NASA Helps Build New Federal Sea Level Rise Website
PASADENA, California, Sept. 25 (TNSres) -- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news on Sept. 24, 2024:
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Designed to be user-friendly, the resource contains the latest sea level data, explainers, and other information from several U.S. agencies.
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The U.S. Interagency Task Force on Sea Level Change launched the U.S. Sea Level Change website on Monday, Sept. 23. Designed to help communities prepare for rising seas, the site features the latest science on changing sea
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New Big Ideas Lab Podcast Episode Details History of LLNL Supercomputing
LIVERMORE, California, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory issued the following news:
Since Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) infancy, supercomputing has played an integral role in propelling mission-oriented scientific discovery. From the UNIVAC 1 to the exascale-class El Capitan, these computing wonders have gotten light-years more technologically advanced, efficient and incredibly powerful.
Since the Lab's earliest days, LLNL has
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Ocean Rainforest Farms Seaweed in Southern California
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news:
It's hard to grasp the scale of giant kelp unless you've seen it. It's, well, giant. It grows longer than 150 feet from top to bottom, forming swaying forests teeming with underwater life. But you probably have seen giant kelp, just at the store. Not only as food, but also in cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. And the market for seaweed keeps growing. Enter Ocean Rainforest, a seaweed company wit
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Our 2024 IN FISH Students Share Insights
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news:
In its fourth year, the Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship (IN FISH) Program partners NOAA scientists with academic and private non-profit researchers to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. This year's class of 33 IN FISH students hail from 20 states, U.S. territories, and countries. They're enrolled in 29 different colleges and universities in 20 states and U.S. territories. Project top
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Principal Deputy Associate A.G. Mizer Delivers Remarks at 2024 Hate Crimes Grantee Conference
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, Sept. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following remarks by Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer at the 2024 Hate Crimes Grantee Conference:
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Thank you, Liz Ryan, for that introduction and thank you also to Director Karhlton Moore and the Bureau of Justice Assistance for putting together this week's conference. This inaugural conference has brought together grantees of the Justice Department's hate crime grants, which includes l
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S.D. U.S. Attorney: California Woman Sentenced for Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
PIERRE, South Dakota, Sept. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota issued the following news release:
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced an Antioch, California, woman convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Jennifer Walsh, age 44, was sentenced on September 23, 2024, to eight years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised
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SEC Charges Crypto Companies TrustToken and TrueCoin With Defrauding Investors Regarding Stablecoin Investment Program
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following news release on Sept. 24, 2024:
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Companies also charged with unregistered offer and sale of securities
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced settled charges against TrueCoin LLC and TrustToken Inc. for their fraudulent and unregistered sales of investment contracts involving TrueUSD (TUSD), a purported stablecoin.
According to the SEC's complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for
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SEC Charges Former CEO of Tech Startup SKAEL With $30 Million Fraud
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following news release on Sept. 24, 2024:
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced fraud charges against Baba Nadimpalli, the co-founder and former CEO of SKAEL Inc., a San Francisco-based private technology company that developed business automation software.
According to the SEC's complaint, from January 2021 through February 2022, Nadimpalli raised more than $30 million from investors by falsely claiming
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Tenn. Economic Dept.: Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter Announce Harrow, Inc. Expansion in Davidson County
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 26 -- The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development issued the following news:
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Leading U.S. ophthalmic pharmaceutical company will create nearly 150 new jobs in Nashville
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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, and Mark L. Baum, Chief Executive Officer of Harrow, Inc. (Nasdaq: HROW), announced today that Harrow is expanding its corporate headquarters in Nashville.
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Tsu-Jae King Liu Nominated to Be Next National Academy of Engineering President
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The National Academy of Engineering issued the following news release:
The Council of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has endorsed the NAE 2025 Nominating Committee's[1] recommendation of Tsu-Jae King Liu, dean and Roy W. Carlson Professor of Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, to stand as the sole candidate for the NAE presidency. NAE members will vote in March 2025 to elect a new NAE president to a six-year term beginning July 1. If elected
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Wis. U.S. Attorney: Leader of Eau Claire Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 10 Years
MADISON, Wisconsin, Sept. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin issued the following news release:
Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Hector A. Jimenez-Sosa, 40, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 4 years of supervised release. Jim
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