Announcements RSS Feed

Last Updated: May 16, 2008 - 7:35:44 PM

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Announcements
FinCEN Launches New Website
Emphasizing its commitment to providing quality feedback and useful information to both the users and providers of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) information, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today launched a redesigned and enhanced website. Informational content has been extensively reorganized and supplemented to provide a more user-friendly, informative, and educational communications tool. The launch of the new website by FinCEN Director James H. Freis, Jr. coincided with the semi-annual plenary meeting of the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group.
May 16, 2008 - 7:27:32 PM

Things You Should Know
Is it Safe to Swim at the Beach?
How can you be sure it's safe to swim at the beach? By using the Nowcast Web site.
May 16, 2008 - 7:09:54 PM

Announcements
Show Your Postal Carrier Some Love, National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18-24
Dog owners across America are being asked to show their letter carriers some love by making sure their pets are in separate rooms with closed doors before accepting mail from a carrier at their front doors. Last year, more than 3,000 city and rural carriers were attacked by dogs across the United States -including 103 city and rural carriers from the Houston metro area alone.

 

Announcements
Love and Weddings Are in the Air: U.S. Postal Service to Release New Wedding Stamps
Love and marriage. They go together like, well, you know the rhyme. But you may not know the U.S. Postal Service will release three new love and wedding-themed stamps on June 10. In denominations of 42 and 59 cents, these new stamps add both elegance and whimsy to cherished correspondence.
May 16, 2008 - 6:48:33 PM

Small Business Announcements
SEC Broadens Opportunities for Small Business Financing
The Securities and Exchange Commission today broadened small business financing opportunities by adopting a rule amendment under the Investment Company Act to increase the availability of capital to certain smaller companies that may not have ready access to the public capital markets or other forms of conventional financing.
May 16, 2008 - 3:18:41 AM

Announcements
So You’re in the Market for a Car?
If you’ve heard about those great government auto auctions, but you’ve never known where to find one, wonder no more.
May 15, 2008 - 9:49:50 AM

Announcements
Memorial Day Camping Availability
It's not too late to make reservations for camping to celebrate the Memorial Day!  Get out there and have your own adventure at one of our 278 State Parks.  See below for parks with sites available for one or more nights between May 23 and May 26, 2008.
May 15, 2008 - 9:23:15 AM

Government & Nonprofit Reports
Wireless Phone Study: 63 Million U.S. Adults Mostly or Only Use Wireless Phones
Preliminary results from the July-December 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) indicate that nearly one out of every six American homes (15.8%) had only wireless telephones during the second half of 2007.
May 14, 2008 - 7:30:05 AM

Insurance Related Press Releases
China, Myanmar Events Are Deadliest Disasters in Years
The devastating earthquake that hit southwestern China yesterday registered a 7.9 on the Richter magnitude scale, stronger than the 7.5 magnitude quake which struck the country in July 1976, killing tens of thousands of people. In the chart below the Insurance Information Institute has compiled the 10 deadliest world catastrophes between 1970 and 2007, according to Swiss Re.

May 14, 2008 - 7:18:50 AM

Announcements
Nearly Half of Americans Unprepared for Disaster, New Survey Reveals
As the nation continues to brace for hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and floods that accompany the spring and summer disaster season, a new survey shows that nearly half of U.S. consumers are insufficiently prepared - in terms of their insurance coverage - to deal with potential losses, according to new research by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
May 13, 2008 - 7:53:59 PM

Announcements
California Anti-Smoking TV Commercials Contest: Winning Commercial to Debut during "American Idol"
With this contest, we invited Californians to add their talents to the state's long history of effective anti-tobacco television ads that helped reduce smoking in our state by more than 30 percent," said Horton.  "All Californians should be proud of the creativity, commitment and enthusiasm reflected in the Be A Reel Hero entries. "
May 13, 2008 - 9:04:50 AM

Announcements
Frank Sinatra Postal Stamp and CD Announced by US Postal Service
Today, the Postal Service is proud to deliver its own special tribute to the Chairman of the Board,’” said Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman Alan Kessler. "On Frank's 80th birthday, the City of New York turned the Empire State Building blue. Starting today, we’re going to try to do New York City one better -- by turning America’s mail a beautiful shade of blue. One hundred twenty million portraits of ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ will carry our cards, letters and packages to their destinations all around the world."
May 13, 2008 - 8:34:35 AM

Announcements
Stamps Increasing by One Cent to 42¢ on May 12
WASHINGTON, DC—The price for a one-ounce First-Class stamp will increase from 41 to 42 cents on May 12.
May 12, 2008 - 9:50:03 AM

Announcements
Most Popular Baby Names for 2007 Announced

Elvis Rises to Number 676

Announcements
Fake Nike Shoes Seized by CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport continue to seize millions of dollars worth of counterfeit Nike footwear
May 8, 2008 - 1:40:46 PM

Announcements
For Sexual Harassment : Specialty Restaurants to Pay $625,000 For Sexual Harassment, Retaliation
EEOC Says Restaurant Chain Punished Female Employees Who Complained
May 8, 2008 - 7:48:50 AM

Announcements
Conectiv and Subcontractors To Pay $1.65 Million To Black Workers Who Were Racially Harassed
EEOC Settles Suit Involving Hangman’s Nooses, KKK Graffiti and Slurs at Construction Site
May 6, 2008 - 8:00:08 PM

Announcements
$1,000,000,000 Tax on U.S. Exports to Colombia
Yesterday at 8:51 p.m., the Colombia Tariff Ticker rolled to a staggering $1 billion. The ticker tracks the estimated tariffs imposed on American-made goods entering Colombia since the signing of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement 531 days ago. The Agreement would remove tariffs on U.S. exports to Colombia if approved by Congress. Every single second that goes by without a vote on the Agreement .
May 6, 2008 - 7:56:25 PM

Census Bureau Announcements
Update: Monthly Child Support Averaged $425 in 2005
Monthly child support payments averaged $425 in 2005, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.    Across the nation, nearly 8 million people provided $43 billion in monetary support to people living in other households in 2005.
May 6, 2008 - 12:17:45 PM

Community Alerts
Frightened of Food: Living with Food Allergies

Food allergies cause about 30,000 severe allergic reactions and 150 deaths every year in the United States. They affect nearly 4% of adults and about 7% of children under 4 years old. Several studies show that food allergies are becoming more common.

Announcements
Cyclone Aftermath: USAID Assists Burmese People in Cyclone Aftermath
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are providing an initial $250,000 for emergency relief assistance to help those who have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Nargis. USAID has also pre-positioned emergency response experts nearby and is prepared to deploy a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to assist the people of Burma.
May 6, 2008 - 10:48:08 AM

Travel Warnings
Burma Travel Warning Issued to American Citizens
This Travel Warning is being issued to inform American citizens of the destruction caused to Burma by Cyclone Nargis from May 2-3, 2008.  The Department of State has authorized the departure from Burma of non-emergency American citizen employees of U.S. Embassy Rangoon and eligible family members.  American citizens in cyclone-affected areas should strongly consider departing Burma on commercially available flights.  American citizens outside of Burma should defer non-essential travel to Burma at this time.
May 6, 2008 - 10:41:32 AM

Community Alerts
Lowes Recalls 84,000 Children’s Storage Bins due to Lead Hazard
Surface paint on the storage bins could contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
May 4, 2008 - 7:34:47 PM

Health News | Health Resources
Yoga Week 2008: Celebrate NIH Yoga May 19–23, 2008
This 5-day series of events will highlight the science and practice of yoga. Participants will not only learn about yoga but also experience it first-hand through stretching and practice. NIH grantees as well as other local and international speakers will explore yoga practice for health.
May 2, 2008 - 10:22:41 AM

Real Estate Related News
Money Laundering Methods and Trends in Residential Real Estate Industry: FICEN Warns
Laundering money through residential real estate involves turning the proceeds of crime into the use or ownership of real property assets. For example, a criminal may use illicit funds to outright purchase or to make monthly rental payments on real property.
May 2, 2008 - 9:04:21 AM