United States Government News RSS Feed

Last Updated: Aug 29, 2008 - 9:38:42 AM

Announcements
The U.S. Passport Card Is Now In Production!
We began production of the U.S. Passport Card on July 14.  To date, we have received and adjudicated well over 350,000 applications for the U.S. Passport Card. Customers who submitted an application for the U.S. Passport Card prior to production, will receive their Passport Card between now and early September.
Aug 29, 2008 - 9:36:59 AM

Credit and Money Management
Home Equity Lines of Credit: ETS Issuance Guidance
The Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) issued guidance today to OTS-regulated financial institutions about managing programs offering home equity lines of credit, a revolving form of credit in which the borrower’s home serves as collateral.
Aug 29, 2008 - 9:32:01 AM

Announcements
Simplicity Bassinets Recall: Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging retailers across the country to protect the health and safety of babies by stopping sale and recalling nearly 900,000 dangerous Simplicity bassinets. Yesterday, CPSC warned parents, caregivers and consumers to immediately stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., due to a serious safety risk.
Aug 29, 2008 - 8:16:09 AM

Announcements
Ryan White Program Clients Are From Minority Communities, Report Find
A key Federal program in the fight against AIDS serves many of the poorest people with HIV/AIDS in America, according to a report released today during the 2008 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Conference in Washington, D.C.
Aug 29, 2008 - 7:25:43 AM

IRS Tax Tips
Tax Scams - The Last Thing You Need
Life is complex enough without con artists trying to separate you from your hard earned dollars.  It can be very costly if you become a victim of a scam that trades on the image or the mission of the IRS.  Everyone should be vigilant in protecting personal, financial and tax information.
Aug 29, 2008 - 7:20:02 AM

Cyber Alert
FBI Alert: Hit Man E-Mail Scam Persists
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its partner, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), continue to receive thousands of reports concerning the hit man e-mail scheme. The e-mail content has evolved since late 2006; however, the messages remain similar in nature, claiming the sender has been hired to kill the recipient.
Aug 29, 2008 - 7:16:30 AM

DOL | Federal OSHA | Cal-OSHA Related Information
Cal/OSHA Targets Areas for Compliance with Heat Illness Prevention Rules as Temperatures Soar
With triple-digit heat consuming much of California this week, Cal/OSHA investigators are targeting Fresno, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Santa Clara counties for heat illness prevention inspections of outdoor workplaces.
Aug 29, 2008 - 7:14:21 AM

Insurance Related Press Releases
Heading Off to College with an Empty Wallet?
Heading off to college during the worst economic times in 30 years means students will be forced to learn some very tough lessons about living on a budget. Now more than ever, students must avoid the temptation to use their credit cards to make up for the lack of cash in their wallets, says the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.)

Aug 29, 2008 - 7:12:03 AM

Credit and Money Management
Nixon warns college students to avoid temptation of easy credit when classes resume
Attorney General Jay Nixon is reminding college students and their parents that when they hit the college campus soon, they'll be greeted by a marketing machine offering credit cards, payday loans , check cashing and other seemingly easy ways to put cash in their pockets.
Aug 25, 2008 - 7:17:14 AM

FEMA Announcements
President Declares Major Disaster for Florida
The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Florida to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Tropical Storm Fay beginning on August 18, 2008, and continuing.
Aug 25, 2008 - 7:12:33 AM

IRS Tax Tips
Economic Stimulus Payment: It's Not Too Late to Claim Your Economic Stimulus Payment
It is not too late to file a return to claim your economic stimulus payment.
Aug 25, 2008 - 7:09:08 AM

Announcements
IRS Tax Tip: Selling Your Home
During summer months, many people sell their home and move to a new location.  Many of those individuals will make a profit on the sale and still will not have to pay a single dime of additional income tax to the IRS.  
Aug 25, 2008 - 7:04:13 AM

Insurance Related Press Releases
Renting a Car for Labor Day Weekend?
With so many people planning to travel over Labor Day weekend, there are likely to be long lines at rental car companies across the country. Properly insuring a rental car can be confusing, frustrating and downright daunting. Unfortunately, many consumers don’t even think about car rental insurance until they get to the counter, which can result in costly mistakes, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Aug 25, 2008 - 6:54:29 AM

Cyber Alert
Money Making Secrets Misled Consumers: FTC Settles Charges
Two brothers have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they misled consumers with false earnings claims for work-at-home schemes involving free government grants, mystery shopping, online surveys, and data entry. Under the proposed settlement, they are banned from marketing work-at-home opportunities in the future.
Aug 25, 2008 - 6:32:28 AM

Housing and Mortgage News
Webinar Recording -- Online, Instructor-Led Training Session
This letter announces the availability of Federal Student Aid's (FSA) recording of the Direct Loan Program Overview training session. This overview is for school financial aid administrators and their staff. The training is intended to provide introductory level information to staff new to the Direct Loan Program, as well as, for those who may be interested in learning more about the program
Aug 21, 2008 - 9:50:00 PM

Travel Warnings
New Passport Card Production
The U.S. Department of State has begun production of the new U.S. Passport Card, a convenient, wallet-sized document to be used for re-entry into the U.S. at land border crossings and sea ports of entry when arriving from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda
Aug 21, 2008 - 9:35:29 PM

CDC Health Advisory Notices & Announcements
Most U. S. Measles Cases Reported since 1996
More measles cases have been reported in the United States since Jan. 1, 2008 than during the same period in any year since 1996, according to a report released today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Aug 21, 2008 - 9:33:23 PM

Housing and Mortgage News
Home Equity Loans: Tips for Trying to Fix a Clogged or "Frozen" Home Equity Line
For years, homeowners have turned to home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) as a way to borrow against their home's value to pay for college tuition, home improvements, medical bills and other major expenses. (A home's equity is the market value minus what is owed on the mortgage. If you owe $100,000 on your mortgage but your home is worth $250,000, your equity is $150,000.)
Aug 21, 2008 - 7:55:28 AM

Announcements
What Happens If a Bank Fails?
Here's important information about what the FDIC pays and when if an FDIC-insured bank or savings institution is closed by its federal or state government regulator.
Aug 21, 2008 - 3:34:07 AM

Health News | Health Resources
18 California Hospitals Receive $25,000 Fines.

SACRAMENTO –The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that eighteen California hospitals have been assessed administrative penalties of $25,000 per incident from the state of California after a determination that the facilities’ noncompliance with requirements of licensure has caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.