Seven individuals across two states were charged in an indictment unsealed for their alleged participation in a scheme to obtain approximately $16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Amir Aqeel, 52, and Pardeep Basra, 51, both of […]
Category: National News
FBI releases 2019 Hate Crime Statistics
The FBI released Hate Crime Statistics, 2019, the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s latest compilation about bias-motivated incidents throughout the nation. The 2019 data, submitted by 15,588 law enforcement agencies, provide information about the offenses, victims, offenders, and locations of hate crimes. Law enforcement agencies submitted incident reports involving 7,314 criminal incidents and 8,559 related […]
President Trump signs Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
President Trump, at the White House, signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. The bill, which unanimously passed the Senate on Tuesday, provides additional coronavirus relief funding for small businesses, agriculture producers, and hospitals and health care providers. “More help is on the way for Missouri small businesses and the health care […]
Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive automatic Economic Impact Payments
The Internal Revenue Service, working in partnership with the Treasury Department and the Social Security Administration, announced today that recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will automatically receive automatic Economic Impact Payments. SSI recipients will receive a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment with no further action needed on their part. The IRS projects the payments for […]
Treasury, IRS unveil online application to help with Economic Impact Payments
Working with the Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled the new Get My Payment with features to let taxpayers check on their Economic Impact Payment date and update direct deposit information. With an initial round of more than 80 million Economic Impact Payments starting to hit bank accounts over the weekend and throughout […]
Midwest Trotting Horse Sale near Seymour, Iowa takes place despite social distancing guidelines
Several hundred people attended the Midwest Trotting Horse Sale near Seymour, Iowa on Thursday despite social distancing guidelines. The show was to be held on March 18th but was postponed due to state guidelines prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people. The Wayne County Health Department set up checkpoints to pre-screen attendees before going on […]
FBI seeking individual who may have information regarding the identity of a child sexual assault victim
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking the public’s assistance with obtaining identifying information regarding an unknown female who may have critical information pertaining to the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation. Photographs and an informational poster depicting the unknown individual, known only as Jane Doe 37, are being […]
Preparations underway for National FFA Convention
In a few weeks, the city of Indianapolis will transform into a sea of blue jackets when the National FFA Convention & Expo kicks off for the 92nd time. This time-honored tradition will be held in the Circle City on October 30- November 2, 2019. More than 67,000 FFA members from across the U.S., representing […]
Net neutrality battle reignites in Washington D.C.
The battle over net neutrality is heating up again – as supporters in Congress have just introduced a bill to reinstate Obama-era consumer protections that were lost after the Federal Communications Commission repealed them in 2017. The “Save the Internet Act” would bring back rules that prevent Internet Service Providers from slowing down or blocking […]
‘Where’s My Refund?’ remains easiest way to check tax refund status
The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that the easiest way to check on a tax refund is “Where’s My Refund?,” an online tool available at IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go app. The fastest way to get a refund is to use IRS e-file and direct deposit. The Tax Time Guide, a resource to help taxpayers […]
Despite government shutdown, IRS confirms tax filing season to begin January 28
Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that it will process tax returns beginning January 28, 2019, and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled. “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds notwithstanding the government shutdown. I appreciate the hard work of the employees and their commitment to the taxpayers […]
USDA provides additional food options to SNAP participants impacted by Hurricane Florence
The U.S. Department of Agriculture yesterday approved a waiver that will allow participants in the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in North Carolina to buy hot foods with their benefits through October 31, 2018. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue emphasized the importance of the waiver, noting that many North Carolina residents evacuated to shelters cannot […]
Nestlé Purina commits $1 million to Ducks Unlimited in Iowa to help boost water quality
Ducks Unlimited and Nestlé Purina PetCare Company have partnered to protect and improve 1,600 acres of wetland and grasslands across Iowa over the next three years through Ducks Unlimited’s Living Lakes Initiative, promoting healthy soil, healthy crops, and healthy wildlife habitat. Purina, which operates three pet food manufacturing facilities in Iowa (in Clinton, Fort Dodge […]
Vaping companies targeted for alleged deceptive marketing
The Food & Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission announced that they had jointly sent thirteen warning letters to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of flavored vapor products, alleging violations of both the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act. The recipients of the letters include NEwhere Inc. (One Mad Hit […]
U.S. Postal Service to increase stamp price to 50 cents
There will soon be a 50-cent stamp to mail a letter. The United States Postal Service has been authorized to enact price changes—effective January 21st, 2018. The new rate includes a one-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail, Forever stamp, from 49 cents to 50 cents. Postcard stamps and metered letters also have […]
NAACP seeks to have Star Spangled Banner removed as national anthem
(Fox News) – California’s NAACP is pushing for state lawmakers to support a campaign to remove “The Star Spangled Banner” as the country’s national anthem. The group says the song, which has been a point of controversy in the NFL, is “one of the most racist, pro-slavery, anti-black songs in the American lexicon,” The Sacramento Bee […]
3 Amish children die when truck crashes into buggy in Michigan
(UPI)-Three Amish children died Sunday when a truck crashed into a horse-drawn buggy they were riding in, Michigan State Police said. Two girls, ages 7 and 9, and a 12-year-old boy were riding in the buggy with six other people in Evergreen Township, located in central Michigan, about 60 miles north of Lansing, when a […]
FBI seeking help in stopping child predator
The FBI is seeking the public’s help to stop a child predator. The unidentified woman being sought—known only as Jane Doe 39—can be seen in a video with a child who is being sexually exploited. The video was obtained during an FBI investigation and forwarded to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), […]
Bank robbery and arrest reported in Creston, Iowa
The Creston (Iowa) Police Department is reporting the robbery of the Iowa State Savings Bank, located at 504 West Taylor Street in Creston, and the subsequent arrest of the man believed to have committed the illegal act. At 1:25 on Thursday afternoon, a male subject went through the drive-thru at the bank and went on to […]