U.S. Government News

FinCEN Launches New Website

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:27:32 PST

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.

Is it Safe to Swim at the Beach?

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:09:54 PST

How can you be sure it's safe to swim at the beach? By using the Nowcast Web site.

Show Your Postal Carrier Some Love, National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18-24

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:59:59 PST

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.

Love and Weddings Are in the Air: U.S. Postal Service to Release New Wedding Stamps

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:48:33 PST

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.

SEC Broadens Opportunities for Small Business Financing

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:18:41 PST

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.

So You’re in the Market for a Car?

Thu, 15 May 2008 09:49:50 PST

If you’ve heard about those great government auto auctions, but you’ve never known where to find one, wonder no more.

Memorial Day Camping Availability

Thu, 15 May 2008 09:23:15 PST

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.

Wireless Phone Study: 63 Million U.S. Adults Mostly or Only Use Wireless Phones

Wed, 14 May 2008 07:30:05 PST

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.

China, Myanmar Events Are Deadliest Disasters in Years

Wed, 14 May 2008 07:18:50 PST

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.

Nearly Half of Americans Unprepared for Disaster, New Survey Reveals

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:53:59 PST

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).

California Anti-Smoking TV Commercials Contest: Winning Commercial to Debut during "American Idol"

Tue, 13 May 2008 09:04:50 PST

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. "

Frank Sinatra Postal Stamp and CD Announced by US Postal Service

Tue, 13 May 2008 08:34:35 PST

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."

Stamps Increasing by One Cent to 42¢ on May 12

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:50:03 PST

WASHINGTON, DC—The price for a one-ounce First-Class stamp will increase from 41 to 42 cents on May 12.

Most Popular Baby Names for 2007 Announced

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:26:08 PST

Elvis Rises to Number 676

Fake Nike Shoes Seized by CBP

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:40:46 PST

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport continue to seize millions of dollars worth of counterfeit Nike footwear

For Sexual Harassment : Specialty Restaurants to Pay $625,000 For Sexual Harassment, Retaliation

Thu, 08 May 2008 07:48:50 PST

EEOC Says Restaurant Chain Punished Female Employees Who Complained

Conectiv and Subcontractors To Pay $1.65 Million To Black Workers Who Were Racially Harassed

Tue, 06 May 2008 20:00:08 PST

EEOC Settles Suit Involving Hangman’s Nooses, KKK Graffiti and Slurs at Construction Site

$1,000,000,000 Tax on U.S. Exports to Colombia

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:56:25 PST

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 .

Update: Monthly Child Support Averaged $425 in 2005

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:17:45 PST

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.

Frightened of Food: Living with Food Allergies

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:53:26 PST

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.