News
DHS: High risk of foreign and domestic terrorism remains for U.S. headed into 2024
In its freshly released 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that a high risk of foreign and domestic terrorism remains largely unchanged, alongside predatory economic practices and misinformation campaigns. “Sharing information with... Read More »
House advances Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act
The Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act (H.R. 3389) passed the last of its hurdles in the House this week, advancing out of the chamber on a bipartisan vote and raising the potential that firefighters may soon gain increased assets for wildfire emergencies. Originally introduced by U.S.... Read More »
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility wins Best Project Award from ENR Midwest
A first-of-its-kind-facility in the United States – the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) – received a best project award from Engineering News-Record (ENR) Midwest this week. That award, centered... Read More »
DARPA seeks technologies to maintain commercial drones operations when connectivity fails
With the launch of the Rapid Experimental Missionized Autonomy (REMA) program this week, within the next 18 months DARPA intends to create ways for commercial drones to work autonomously on predefined tasks after connection with their operators is lost. “REMA is focused on creating autonomous... Read More »
Department of Defense solidifies agreements with Albemarle, Talon Nickel to expand domestic lithium mining and nickel production
The U.S. Department of Defense announced two new agreements this week meant to shore up domestic manufacturing and mining operations for critical metals: lithium and nickel. For lithium, that resulted in a $90 million agreement with Albemarle Corporation to support the expansion of domestic... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Tillis, Hickenlooper press Biden administration to reduce threats from artificial intelligence
Worried about the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to disrupt cyber infrastructure and compromise critical data, U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) recently wrote to Acting National Cyber Director (ONCD) Kemba Walden seeking information and action. Foremost,... Read More »
DARPA selects Boeing to develop counter-hypersonic capabilities, evaluate Glide Breaker program
As part of a four-year effort under DARPA’s Glide Breaker program, Boeing will develop and test technologies for a hypersonic interceptor prototype. “Hypersonic vehicles are among the most dangerous and rapidly evolving threats facing national security,” said Gil Griffin, executive... Read More »
Sens. Tillis, Brown seek to reauthorize Marshals’ Fugitive Safe Surrender Program
U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Fugitive Safe Reauthorization Act last week to renew the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, which allows U.S. Marshals to work with local faith organizations and get those with warrants to turn themselves into law enforcement.... Read More »
Suez Rajan Limited fined nearly $2.5M, surrenders Iranian oil after violating sanctions
A recent guilty plea in U.S. court from Suez Rajan Limited marked the criminal resolution of a case that involved millions of dollars, more than 980,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It marked the first time a company was accused of and... Read More »
Russian nationals indicted over Trickbot malware, Conti ransomware schemes
Charges against Russian nationals in three federal jurisdictions were unsealed last week, revealing indictments for cybercrimes committed through Trickbot malware and Conti ransomware in recent years. “The Justice Department has taken action against individuals we allege developed and deployed... Read More »
Inspector General report claims CBP risked officer safety through international mail management failures
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) failed to properly resolve and monitor issues at International Mail Facilities (IMF), leading to wasted dollars and risks to both officers and its larger mission, according to a newly released report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG). CBP... Read More »
DHS awards $20M in grants to 34 organizations in targeted violence, terrorism prevention effort
Through the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded 34 grants amounting to $20 million this week, providing significant financial aid to local communities’ security. “As the recent racially-motivated shooting in... Read More »
Passport backlog at State Department called out by House Foreign Affairs Republicans
Concerned about a growing backlog for passport processing at the U.S. State Department and bad actors smelling opportunity for fraud, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and U.S. Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY) this week urged action. In a letter to the department, they... Read More »
U.S., Puerto Rican authorities seize 860 pounds of cocaine from smugglers near Puerto Rico
Thanks to joint work by Marine Interdiction Agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) and Puerto Rico Police Department FURA agents, a boat carrying 860 pounds of cocaine was seized over the weekend. On Saturday, September 2, FURA alerted a patrolling... Read More »
Republican lawmakers oppose SEC cybersecurity rules
A group of Republican lawmakers sent a letter this week to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler criticizing the agency’s new cybersecurity rules for public companies. The rule, which took effect Sept. 5, requires publicly traded companies to notify the SEC of a... Read More »
Senate bill proposes new training curriculum for law enforcement focused on de-escalation
U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) recently introduced the Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-Escalation Act (S.4847), which would require the Department of Justice to create a new training curriculum. This curriculum would, as the name implies, be... Read More »
Federal Operation Without a Trace helped 2023 southbound firearm seizures to date surpass all of 2022
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week that its Operation Without a Trace had helped seize more firearms headed out the U.S. Southwest border by the end of July than were halted throughout all of FY 2022. The operation was a coordinated enforcement effort between DHS... Read More »
U.S. Army awards $797M armored multi-purpose vehicle production contract to BAE Systems
With a $797 million contract from the U.S. Army newly in hand, BAE Systems will continue production of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) in the days ahead, entering into full-rate production. As of this month, that made the AMPV the first newly-designed and built tracked vehicle to... Read More »
Reps. Green, Pfluger seek answers from Biden administration on Iran threats
U.S. Reps. Mark Green, MD (R-TN) and August Pfluger (R-TX) are requesting that the Biden administration provide more information on threats made by Iran against U.S. officials and individuals. Specifically, the lawmakers are requesting a briefing on the ongoing threats against former national... Read More »
U.S Treasury sanctions Russia-based individuals for part in North Korea WMD scheme
The United States is part of a collation that sanctioned two individuals and one entity for their involvement in generating revenue for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North Korea, and its unlawful development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic... Read More »
Marines complete training in Nevada to conduct U.S. Embassy reinforcement, evacuation missions
Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit completed training in Reno, Nevada, Aug. 24 to conduct U.S. Embassy reinforcement and noncombatant evacuation operation missions. The training was supported by the U.S. Department of State advisors at U.S. Army National Guard Base... Read More »
Public Health Emergency declared in Florida in response to Hurricane Idalia
After Hurricane Idalia struck Florida as a Category 3 storm, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) in the state and authorized deployment of emergency response personnel. Approximately 68 medical and disaster... Read More »
Republicans allege Chinese funding influence in American K-12 schools
A total of 18 Republican senators wrote to United States Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona this week with an unusual demand: an investigation into school funding owing to supposed Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence. The letter followed a report from the conservative Parents... Read More »
DHS awards more than $14.9M through Small Business Innovation Research Program for new technologies
A total of 15 businesses will benefit from a new award of $14,994,521 doled out by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program this week, as the government pushes for supportive new technologies. Specifically, DHS seeks... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Wenstrup blasts COVID-19 relief while decrying theft by criminals
In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland this week, U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), chairman of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, derided COVID-19 programs as rife with waste, fraud, and abuse – and demanded to know how $280 billion of it was taken by... Read More »
Biden administration selects recipients for nearly $3B in climate resilience funding
As a means to build resilience to climate change and extreme weather, the Biden administration announced recipients this week for nearly $3 billion. Choices were made through two competitive grant programs, and include both $1.8 billion through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and... Read More »
U.S. military awards BAE Systems $190M contract modification to deliver more Bradley Fighting Vehicles
Under a modified contract between the U.S. Army and BAE Systems, more than $190 million was awarded to the company to modernize and equip Armored Brigade Combat Teams with continued rollout of the Bradley A4. The award covers more than 70 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, as well as Fire Support Team... Read More »
Rep. Barr introduces bill to enforce supervision of scientific and technological agreements between U.S. and China
Through introduction of the Science and Technology Agreement Enhanced Congressional Notification Act (H.R. 5245) last week, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) proposed new risk assessments, human rights considerations and enforced monitoring of any scientific and technological partnership agreements... Read More »
Coast Guard, National Science Foundation embark on mission in Arctic Ocean
On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard announced its Cutter Healy crew and a number of scientists from the National Science Foundation would take on a mission in the Arctic Ocean. The mission will take the cutter west from Kodiak, Alaska where the crew and researchers will service the Nansen and... Read More »
FirstNet Authority Board approves $451M budget and enhancement package for 2024
In order to fund operations throughout Fiscal Year 2024 and pursue network upgrades, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board last week approved a $451 million budget package. This included $95 million for an operating budget, $95 million for reserves and $261 million for... Read More »
U.S. Navy awards Lockheed’s Sikorsky $2.7B contract to build 35 helicopters
The U.S. Navy has awarded Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, a $2.7 billion contract to build 35 additional CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. It’s the largest procurement for the aircraft to date, and will see deliveries begin in 2026, divided into three parts. Under the arrangement,... Read More »
Feds conduct Human Trafficking Awareness Training in Florida
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) on Aug. 23 conducted Human Trafficking Awareness Training for state, local and Tribal law enforcement. The training, which took place in Homestead, Florida, provided law enforcement with in-depth information on what human trafficking is and the... Read More »
DHS, FEMA release new resources for communities amid heat crisis
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released new resources for local community leaders this week to help in the face of extreme, record-breaking heat battering at least 17 states so far. “As extreme heat, worsened by the... Read More »
DOJ awards millions to support American Indians, Alaska Native crime victims
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday it had awarded nearly $70 million to provide support to American Indian and Alaska Native victims of crimes across the country. The 212 grants from the Department’s Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside (TVSSA) program would help to enhance... Read More »