U.S. Government News

The U.S. Passport Card Is Now In Production!

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:36:59 PST

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.

Home Equity Lines of Credit: ETS Issuance Guidance

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:32:01 PST

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.

Simplicity Bassinets Recall: Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:16:09 PST

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.

Ryan White Program Clients Are From Minority Communities, Report Find

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:25:43 PST

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.

Tax Scams - The Last Thing You Need

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:20:02 PST

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.

FBI Alert: Hit Man E-Mail Scam Persists

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:16:30 PST

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.

Cal/OSHA Targets Areas for Compliance with Heat Illness Prevention Rules as Temperatures Soar

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:14:21 PST

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.

Heading Off to College with an Empty Wallet?

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:12:03 PST

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.)

Nixon warns college students to avoid temptation of easy credit when classes resume

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:17:14 PST

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.

President Declares Major Disaster for Florida

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:12:33 PST

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.

Economic Stimulus Payment: It's Not Too Late to Claim Your Economic Stimulus Payment

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:09:08 PST

It is not too late to file a return to claim your economic stimulus payment.

IRS Tax Tip: Selling Your Home

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:04:13 PST

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.

Renting a Car for Labor Day Weekend?

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:54:29 PST

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.).

Money Making Secrets Misled Consumers: FTC Settles Charges

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:32:28 PST

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.

Webinar Recording -- Online, Instructor-Led Training Session

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:50:00 PST

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

New Passport Card Production

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:35:29 PST

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

Most U. S. Measles Cases Reported since 1996

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:33:23 PST

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.

Home Equity Loans: Tips for Trying to Fix a Clogged or "Frozen" Home Equity Line

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:55:28 PST

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.)

What Happens If a Bank Fails?

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:34:07 PST

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.

18 California Hospitals Receive $25,000 Fines.

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:31:21 PST

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.