Thursday, May 12, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
President Obama 'set a record again for censoring government files or outright denying access'
Obama Under Fire Over Transparency as Congress Advances FOIA Reform
Snippet of Article: "...Despite claiming to run the “most transparent” administration in history, President Barack Obama “set a record again for censoring government files or outright denying access to them last year under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act,” according to the Associated Press...."
Source: www.insidesources.comFriday, April 29, 2016
Special Supplement for Federal Employees Under FERS
Special Supplement for Federal Employees Under FERS
Snippet of Article: "...Now, one common misconception is that the Special Supplement is actually paid out by Social Security. In reality it’s actually paid out by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and receiving the Special Supplement does not reduce what you would draw from Social Security or force you to file for Social Security at age 62. How is the Special Supplement calculated?..."
Source: www.fedsmith.comThursday, April 28, 2016
FBI arrests brother of San Bernardino terrorist and 2 others after searches
FBI arrests brother of San Bernardino terrorist and 2 others after searches
Snippet of Article: "...Federal agents arrested three people, including the older brother of San Bernardino gunman Syed Rizwan Farook, while conducting searches in Corona and Ontario on Thursday morning, a law enforcement official told the Los Angeles Times..."
Source: www.latimes.comWednesday, April 27, 2016
Federal Reserve statement of April 27, 2016
Federal Reserve statement of April 27, 2016
Snippet of Article: "...growth in economic activity appears to have slowed. Growth in household spending has moderated...the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 1/4 to 1/2 percent..."
Source: www.usatoday.comThursday, April 21, 2016
U.S. charges woman for exporting underwater drone technology to China
U.S. charges woman for exporting underwater drone technology to China
Snippet of Article: "...Florida woman was charged for conspiring to illegally export technology used in underwater drones to a Chinese state-owned entity..."
Source: www.reuters.comMonday, April 18, 2016
Saudis warn of economic reprisals if Congress passes 9/11 bill
Saudis warn of economic reprisals if Congress passes 9/11 bill
Snippet of Article: "...The Obama administration has, in turn, applied heavy pressure on Congress to block the bill. Top officials from the State Department and Pentagon warned Senate Armed Services Committee staffers last month that the bill could bring economic risks to the U.S..."
Source: www.cnn.comSunday, April 10, 2016
Federal Agencies 'Chomping at the Bit' to Use Panama Papers to Catch Criminals
Feds 'Chomping at the Bit' to Use Panama Papers to Catch Criminals
Snippet of Article: "...The official, who is familiar with ongoing discussions about the document trove, said agents from every three-letter agency are lining up to crunch the data to bolster existing cases and build new ones against organized crime syndicates, drug cartels, foreign corrupt and kleptocratic regimes and even suspected Hezbollah terror cells in Latin America and possibly the U.S. That includes the FBI, the IRS and other Treasury agents, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ..."
Source: www.nbcnews.comThursday, April 7, 2016
Retirement Planner: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
Retirement Planner: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
Snippet of Article: "...A pension based on earnings not covered by Social Security can affect the amount of your Social Security benefit. We do not know whether you are eligible for such a pension, so the benefit estimates you have received may not have been adjusted for such a possibility.
Our Windfall Elimination Provision factsheet explains whether you might be affected.
How WEP Can Affect Your Benefit
If you think your pension will affect your Social Security benefit, you can
Look at our WEP chart to see..."
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
This is not justice: Coal King Gets 1 Year and $250,000 Fine For Deaths of 29
Coal King Don Blankenship Gets 1 Year in Prison After Deadly Mine Disaster
Snippet of Article: "...Blankenship was sentenced today to one year in prison, plus one year’s supervised release and a $250,000 fine -– the maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge, according to ABC News’ local affiliate WCHS. Prosecutors had bemoaned such a short maximum sentence for what they called “monstrous” wrongdoing..."
Source: abcnews.go.comWednesday, March 23, 2016
Postal Service Inspector General report sees trouble ahead for 2016 political mailings
USPS Inspector General report sees trouble ahead for 2016 political mailings
Snippet of Article: "... some mailers are so upset with how slow the mail has become that they are questioning the value of political mail. The inspector general noted that its surveys have found issues with the flow of mail as a result of plant consolidations, and that those problems are raising issues with the people who would be using the mail in the fall elections..."
Source: www.linns.comFriday, March 18, 2016
FBI: Calif. college stabbing suspect had Islamic State propaganda
FBI: Calif. college stabbing suspect had Islamic State propaganda
Snippet of Article: "...A California college student who stabbed a classmate and attacked three more people last fall acted on his own but may have collected information on terrorists via social media, the FBI office in Sacramento, Calif., said Thursday. Faisal Mohammad..."
Source: www.usatoday.comThursday, March 17, 2016
CDC director: Opiate painkillers physicians prescribe 'are just as addictive as heroin'
Opioids are bad medicine for chronic pain, say new federal guidelines
Snippet of Article: "...The appeal accompanied the release of new guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that strongly discourage doctors from prescribing opiates — such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin — for back problems, migraines, arthritis and other chronic conditions, a routine practice over the last decade and a half..."
Source: www.latimes.comMore Reading:
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Huff to USPS: ‘Stop this Reckless Consolidation’
Huff to USPS: ‘Stop this Reckless Consolidation’
Snippet of Article: "... Huffman called USPS’ consolidation plan “reckless,” saying the proposed legislation would add a much-needed level of oversight and make sure future consolidation plans “are based on data and the unique priorities of our local communities. Specifically, according to a release from Huffman’s office, the Stop Postal Closures Act of 2016 would..."
Source: www.northcoastjournal.comWednesday, March 2, 2016
F.B.I. Error Locked San Bernardino Attacker’s iPhone
F.B.I. Error Locked San Bernardino Attacker’s iPhone
Snippet of Article: "...F.B.I. personnel apparently believed that by resetting the iCloud password, they could get access to information stored on the iPhone. Instead, the change had the opposite effect — locking them out and eliminating other means of getting in. The iPhone used by Syed Rizwan Farook..."
Source: www.nytimes.comFriday, February 26, 2016
2017 Federal Employee Pay Raise Update: 5.3% Catch-up?
Federal Employees to Receive 5.3% Catch-up Under House Bill
Snippet of Article: "...Rep. Connolly's bill, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act, would provide employees with a 3.9% across-the-board increase plus a 1.4% locality adjustment. President Obama has proposed a combined 1.6% raise for federal employees next year..."
Source: www.prnewswire.comSunday, February 21, 2016
Koch brothers to spend some $900 million to cut Social Security, Medicare, federal aid to education, and environmental programs through campaign donations/money says Sanders
Charles Koch agrees ...
Snippet of Article: "...'The Koch brothers – second-wealthiest family and extreme right-wing family – they also have one vote, but they are going to spend some $900 million in this campaign to try to elect candidates who will cut Social Security, Medicare, federal aid to education, and environmental programs,' Sanders said to students at George Mason University in November..."
Source: www.csmonitor.comSaturday, February 13, 2016
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79
Snippet of Article: "...One of history's most vehement proponents of the originalist interpretation of the Constitution, Scalia believed the Constitution should be interpreted as it was when it was written, according to the intent of those who wrote and ratified it. Original Intent is a school of constitutional thought held by political and legal conservatives. Scalia spoke out against "judicial activism" when judges take the values of contemporary society into consideration..."
Source: www.waff.comSunday, February 7, 2016
Bernie Sanders gains after suspicions about the results were immediately apparent at 14 precincts
Clinton’s margin of victory in Iowa narrows after state Democratic party revises results
Snippet of Article: "...Rania Batrice, a spokeswoman for Sanders’s Iowa campaign, said the 14 precincts included only those in which suspicions about the results were immediately apparent. “There are definitely other discrepancies that haven’t been addressed,” Batrice said..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.comFriday, February 5, 2016
Secret Service agents: Hillary is a nightmare to work with
Opinion
Secret Service agents: Hillary is a nightmare to work with
Snippet of Article: "...That exchange is one among many that active and retired Secret Service agents shared with Ronald Kessler, author of “The First Family Detail,” a compelling look at the intrepid personnel who shield America’s presidents and their families — and those whom they guard..."
Source: nypost.comThursday, February 4, 2016
2017 Federal Pay Raise for Federal Employees
Obama plans 1.6% pay raise for federal employees next year
Snippet of Article: "... President Obama will include an average 1.6 percent pay raise for federal employees in his fiscal 2017 budget proposal. This year, the average raise is 1.3 percent, not including locality pay..."
Source: www.sj-r.comThursday, January 28, 2016
Murder at Malheur: The Shot Heard Around the World
Murder at Malheur: The Shot Heard Around the World
Snippet of Article: "...We have seen this movie before. Federal officials abuse their authority and their heinous acts result in the deaths of people who did not deserve to die..."
Source: www.thecommonsenseshow.comTuesday, January 26, 2016
No shooting evidence found after sweep of Naval Medical Center San Diego
No gunshots found after sweep of Naval Medical Center San Diego
Snippet of Article: "...Authorities "have not located any casualties or evidence of a shooting having taken place," Navy Region Southwest spokesman Scott Sutherland told Navy Times. "They are conducting a secondary, more thorough floor-by-floor sweep now." Personnel remain sheltered in place, he said..."
Source: www.navytimes.comShooting at San Diego's Naval Medical Center
Shooting reported at San Diego's Naval Medical Center
Snippet of Article: "...reported hearing three gunshots in the basement of the center's Building 26, a combination gym and barracks building, at about 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET), Navy spokesman Kevin Dixon said. A spokesman for the center, Mike Alvarez, said the incident is being treated as an active shooter situation ..."
Source: www.cnn.comThursday, January 21, 2016
2016 'Wage and Salary' Pay Schedules
2016 'Wage and Salary' Pay Schedules
Snippet of Article: "...Wage and Salary, GS Pay Tables, AF SPECIAL SCHEDULES , Latest NAF Wage Schedules, ..."
Source: www.cpms.osd.milWednesday, January 20, 2016
America says 'Yes' to guns, while politicians refuse listen
FBI official: 'Perfect storm' imperiling gun background checks
Snippet of Article: "...In each of the last six months, the number of background checks has risen steadily, according to FBI records, ending with December's record with more than a half-million over the previous monthly high..."
Source: www.cnbc.comTuesday, January 19, 2016
BERNIE SANDERS: Let me give you an idea of how corrupt this system is
Bernie Sanders to Hillary: Goldman Sachs Gave You Over $600,000 In Speaking Fees In One Year
Snippet of Article: "...The leader of Goldman Sachs is a billionaire who comes to Congress and tells us we should cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Secretary Clinton, and you're not the only one, I don't mean to just point the finger at you, you've received over $600,000 in speaking fees from Goldman Sachs..."
Source: www.realclearpolitics.comSaturday, January 9, 2016
DEA wasted more more than $850,000 on freely available information
DEA 'substantially wasted government funds' when they paid Amtrak worker more than $850,000 for passenger information they could have had for free
Snippet of Article: "...The Justice Department's Office of Inspector General has ruled that the DEA 'substantially wasted government funds' by paying an Amtrak employee more than $850,000 for information that was available for free. An Amtrak secretary, who was not publicly identified except as a 'secretary to a train and engine crew,' was paid a total of $854,460..."
Source: www.dailymail.co.ukTuesday, January 5, 2016
The Food and Drug Administration approved 45 drugs with never-before-sold ingredients in 2015
First-Of-a-Kind Drug Approvals Continued Rise in 2015
Snippet of Article: "...likely to fuel the ongoing debate over rising prescription drug prices. That issue has become a top concern for consumers, a subject of congressional scrutiny and even an issue on the presidential campaign trail..."
Source: www.nytimes.comMonday, January 4, 2016
A grim 2016 start for TSP 'C' Fund participants
U.S. stocks plunge in first morning of 2016 trading
Snippet of Article: "...The Dow dropped 343 points, or 2 percent, to 17,082 at 9:35 a.m. ET. The S&P 500 shed 1.8 percent, or 37 points to 2,006 and the Nasdaq fell 2.2 percent, or 111 points to 4,896..."
Source: www.cbsnews.comSunday, January 3, 2016
Armed militia, takes over federal building in Oregon in support of ranchers 'controlled burn' on leased land
Armed militia, Bundy brothers take over federal building in rural Oregon
Snippet of Article: "...An armed militia took over a building at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon late Saturday and vows to occupy the outpost for years to protest the federal government’s treatment of a pair of ranchers facing prison time... attempting to reduce the growth of invasive plant species and ward off potential wildfires. The pair was sentenced to five years in prison..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.comWednesday, December 30, 2015
NASA under orders to build a deep-space habitat by 2018
NASA under orders to build a deep-space habitat by 2018
Snippet of Article: "...Congress has instructed NASA to step up the development of a “habitation module” that can take astronauts on deep space missions..."
Source: www.extremetech.comIt ought to be a crime when crowds riot in malls
Article Title: It ought to be a crime when crowds riot in malls
Snippet of Article: "...It ought to be a crime when large crowds riot in malls. It is as great a crime that riots can take place in a mall putting shoppers at risk of violence ...and not one person be arrested. That is as ridiculous as it is unacceptable...."
Source: It Ought to Be...Thursday, December 24, 2015
U.S. plans raids to deport illegals who surged across border
Article Title: U.S. plans raids to deport families who surged across border
Snippet of Article: "...The ICE operation would target only adults and children who have already been ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.comTuesday, December 22, 2015
What is ALEC?
Article Title: What is ALEC?
Snippet of Article: "...It’s an anti-union, anti-worker organization that seeks to cut the pensions and health care benefits of public-sector workers and dismantle collective bargaining rights. In secretive meetings, representatives of corporations and state legislators vote as equals to endorse “model bills” that would diminish workers’ rights and benefit corporations, the group notes. “ALEC is a pay-to-play operation,” the organization says. “Corporations buy a seat and a vote on ‘task forces’ to advance their legislative wish lists.”..."
Source: www.apwu.orgMonday, December 21, 2015
FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft Registration Supposed to Go Online Today (Dec. 21)
Article Title: FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft Registration Begins Dec. 21
Snippet of Article: "...December 21–The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry is expected to go live during the day on December 21. Please check the agency’s home page at www.faa.gov for updates..."
Source: www.faa.govThursday, December 17, 2015
Secret Service officer shot to death in Washington
Article Title: Secret Service officer shot to death in Washington
Snippet of Article: "...A Secret Service officer assigned to the White House was fatally shot in the Southwest section of Washington, D.C., on Tuesday afternoon..."
Source: www.politico.comWednesday, December 16, 2015
Fed funds rate hike to be announced today
Article Title: Fed rate decision: what to watch for
Snippet of Article: "...The 10 officials setting US monetary policy are forecast to raise the range for the Fed funds rate — the interest banks charge each other overnight to lend reserves kept at the Fed — by a quarter percentage point from 0-0.25 per cent to 0.25-0.5 per cent..."
Source: www.ft.comTuesday, December 15, 2015
Who says Social Security is going broke? Illegals to be rewarded with Social Security
Article Title: Memo: Illegals To Receive Social Security, Credit For Time Worked Illegally
Snippet of Article: "...Therefore, illegal immigrants who have previously paid into the Social Security system — while using a fraudulent Social Security number, for instance — will be eligible for benefits derived from that system. Those benefits include retirement, disability and survivor payments..."
Source: dailycaller.comMonday, December 14, 2015
If you own a drone, you must register it with the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry
Article Title: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Registration
Drone Registry |
- Review the UAS Registration FAQs to learn more about the program.
- Read the Aircraft Registration Records System of Records Notice (MS Word).
- Read the Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft Interim Final Rule (PDF).
Register before January 20, 2016 and your $5 registration fee will be refunded!..."
Source: www.faa.gov