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CDC Awards New Funds to Stop Drug Overdoses, Deaths

(STL.News) - As the drug overdose crisis evolves and becomes more complex, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing $301 million in new Overdose Data to Action funds to states and jurisdictions. Funded programs will yield information crucial to a better understanding of why, and among whom, overdoses and deaths are taking place. CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will rapidly use that information to enhance prevention and response efforts across the country. The CDC and HHS efforts are part of an all-of-government effort to end America’s complex and evolving overdose epidemic. While this epidemic is far from over, there are encouraging signs of progress. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the hard work of so many Americans in loc...

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FEMA Local Hires Supporting Disaster Recovery Efforts in Oregon

SALEM, OR (STL.News) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) team working with the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to help communities recover from winter and spring storms has expanded its staff to include 11 new employees from the Salem and Eugene areas. “These FEMA jobs are a win for everyone. Oregonians interested in emergency management get on-the-job training while earning a salary, and FEMA gets valuable local knowledge and a unique perspective on their operations in our state,” said OEM Director Andrew Phelps. “Moreover, Oregon benefits by expanding its base of trained emergency management professionals.” OEM and FEMA are working to assist eligible local and tribal governments as well as certain private nonprofit organizations in Coos, Curry, Douglas, Grant,...

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NSA and UH M?noa: Partnering to Produce the Talent and Tools for Tomorrow

FT. MEADE, MD (STL.News) - Inside the University of Hawai'i at Ma?noa’s (UH Ma?noa) Laboratory for Advanced Visualization & Applications (LAVA), a graduate student is collaborating with the National Security Agency (NSA) to develop a futuristic tool that may one day help protect the Nation. Over the past 12 years, NSA and UH Ma?noa have partnered to work on hard mission problems and educate the workforce of the future both in language and cybersecurity. “We view our relationship with UH Ma?noa as critical to developing the talent necessary to address the national security challenges of the future,” said Captain Kurtis A. Mole, Commander of NSA in Hawai'i. “In addition to helping military and civilian employees improve their language skills, UH Ma?noa is collaborating with us on cutt...

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North Carolina Governor Cooper urges people to be prepared, listen to local officials

Raleigh, NC (STL.News) - As local governments begin to issue evacuation orders, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper today advised people to pay attention to local evacuation instructions related to Hurricane Dorian and reminded others that time to get ready for the storm is running out. “I urge you to closely follow the forecast and listen to your local officials,” said Governor Cooper. “If they order an evacuation please follow their instructions.” To assist in the evacuation, Governor Cooper signed an executive order waiving fees for using ferries to evacuate and transport supplies. The Governor also announced that he has requested a federal disaster declaration from President Trump, which will allow federal disaster assistance if it is needed after the storm passes. Governor Cooper ...

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FPL’s restoration workforce has restored nearly 70,000 outages as a result of Hurricane Dorian’s outer bands of severe weather

- Tropical storm-force winds and the potential for storm surge and flooding expected to continue affecting customers in FPL's service area - FPL urges customers to remain vigilant and prepare for an increased potential for power outages today and tomorrow as the storm slowly moves north along the coast - FPL thanks customers for their patience; crews will continue restoring power as long as it is safe - Customers should continue to heed safety precautions; avoid downed power lines and standing water; download the FPL app for updates JUNO BEACH, FL (STL.News) - Florida Power & Light Company has already restored nearly 70,000 outages as of 4:00 p.m., as Hurricane Dorian's outer bands affect Florida's east coast. Most of the outages have been the result of trees and vegetation falling on...

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IAEA Advises Bangladesh on Potential Use of Nuclear Technique to Fight Dengue Mosquitoes

Vienna, Austria (STL.News) - Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have helped Bangladesh assess the current dengue outbreak in the country and draw up a plan to test a nuclear technique to suppress the mosquitoes spreading the disease. At the request of the Government, the IAEA and WHO experts recently visited the capital Dhaka and met officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Science and Technology to discuss the possibility of using of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). The SIT is a type of insect birth control that uses radiation to sterilize male insects. These are released in large numbers to mate with wild females, which then do not produce any offspring, reducing the target insect po...

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U.S. Minority Chamber of Commerce announces that over 10,000 minority companies are ready to assist in the disaster recovery

- U.S. MCC Planning for disaster programs, is a unique resource available for members and partners to gain access for contracts, emergency funding and technical assistance - The Chamber works with members and partners to improve the efficiency in response, preparedness and business support in disasters caused by Hurricane Dorian - The Chamber announces the conference "Doing Business with the Federal Government and the State of Florida" in the recovery effort, breaking down information and coordination barriers between sectors - The Chamber announces its first recovery conference "How to do Business with FEMA, the State of Florida and municipalities" this coming Thursday September 5 from 9 am 12 noon at the World Trade Center by the Chamber located in West Kendall. MIAMI, FL (STL.News) - Th...

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Statement from Acting US Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella on Labor Day 2019

WASHINGTON, DC (STL.News) – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella released the following statement regarding Labor Day: “Today, we mark the 125th Anniversary of Labor Day, a Federal holiday that was created out of appreciation and respect for the work done by the men and women of this country. “I am fond of President Theodore Roosevelt’s quote during a Labor Day celebration, he said, ‘Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.’ “A record 157 million Americans are working. America has the lowest unemployment rate going into a Labor Day since 1969 at 3.7%, which continues the rate at or below 4% for 17 months in a row. There are 7.3 million open jobs in the U.S. and there have been more open jobs than job seekers for 16 st...

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Court winds-up companies involved in fraudulent investment scheme

Four connected companies wound up after they were found to fraudulently secure close to $600,000 from overseas investors UK (STL.News) - North London-based Carlton Church Ltd, Standard Fidelity Ltd, Cathay Dupont Ltd, and International Finance & Consulting Ltd were all wound up on 13 August 2019 by Judge Briggs in the High Court of Justice, following an investigation by the Insolvency Service. The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator. At the hearing to consider the petition to wind up the companies, the court heard that the four companies claimed to trade as IT consultants, software developers, promoters of humanitarian projects in Asia and providers of business outsourcing services in order to secure funds from overseas investors. Following confidential investigations...

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President Donald J. Trump Signs Emergency Declaration for Georgia

WASHINGTON DC (STL.News) - FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Georgia to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Dorian beginning on Aug. 29 and continuing. The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretio...

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Federal Aid Programs for The State Of Georgia

Washington DC (STL.News) FEMA released the following information: Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Donald J. Trump’s emergency disaster declaration issued for the state of Georgia. Assistance for the State, Tribal and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required: FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide assistance for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance under the Publ...

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Hurricane Dorian And The Islands Of The Bahamas

NASSAU, Bahamas (STL.News) - The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (BMOTA) continues to track the progress of Hurricane Dorian which has been downgraded to an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane as it continues tracking west over Grand Bahama Island in the Northwestern Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian made landfall at around noon yesterday, Sunday, September 1, over Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco where it has severely damaged parts of the island's chain. Grand Bahama Island continues to experience catastrophic winds and storm surge as Hurricane Dorian inches westward at about one mile per hour. Severe and widespread flooding in parts of the Northwest and Central Bahamas has been reported. The Bahamian capital of Nassau, as well as neighboring Paradise Island, remain open but are e...

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North Carolina Governor Cooper orders emergency measures for storm readiness, urges residents to prepare now for Dorian

Raleigh, NC (STL.News) - By Executive Order today, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper lifted restrictions on transportation to ensure critical needs like fuel, medicine and water can get to those affected by Hurricane Dorian if it hits North Carolina. The Order also lifts restrictions on equipment needed to repair utilities and remove debris so those tools are easier to mobilize after the storm. The new directive adds to Governor Cooper’s order, issued on Friday, to help North Carolina farmers harvest and transport crops quickly in advance of the storm. The State of Emergency orders also triggers the state’s anti-price gouging law. The latest forecast track for Hurricane Dorian shows the Carolinas could be in the path of heavy rain and wind next week. Today Governor Cooper urged North C...

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Canadian Armed Forces conclude peacekeeping mission in Mali

Ottawa (STL.News) – Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces - After more than a year of operations in Mali, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) air task force (ATF) deployed in Gao completed its mission today. An important aspect of Canada’s multi-faceted support included providing critical aeromedical evacuation, logistic and transport capabilities as part of Operation PRESENCE-Mali. In July 2018, Canada deployed an ATF composed of 250 CAF members and eight helicopters to Gao, northern Mali as part of MINUSMA, which were essential to the conduct of UN operations in remote and vulnerable areas of the country. Since then, the women and men deployed under Operation PRESENCE-Mali conducted 11 aeromedical evacuations and more than 100 transport missions. Upon ceasing transport avi...

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FAA Update on Boeing 737 MAX

Joint Authorities Technical Review (JATR) Panel to Deliver Findings in Coming Weeks Washington DC (STL.News) - The FAA released the following statement: The Joint Authorities Technical Review (JATR) panel is taking additional time to finish documenting its work. We expect the group to submit its observations, findings, and recommendations in the coming weeks. Chaired by former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Christopher A. Hart, the JATR is comprised of technical safety experts from nine civil aviation authorities worldwide, as well as the FAA and NASA. The team received extensive overviews and engaged in subsequent discussions about the design, certification, regulations, compliance, training, and Organization Designation Authorization activities associated with the 737 M...

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Webster Bank Donates $30,000 to Support Disaster Recovery Efforts

Directing outreach to customers and employees in hurricane-affected areas WATERBURY, CT (STL.News) - Webster Bank Friday announced it will donate $30,000 to the American Red Cross to support disaster recovery efforts for communities that may be affected by Hurricane Dorian, which is expected to hit the southeastern area of the United States in the coming days. "Our thoughts are with the communities in Florida, and throughout the southeastern United States, as they prepare for Hurricane Dorian," said Harriet Munrett Wolfe, executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. "Webster has a long history of supporting the communities we serve, especially in times of disaster; it's indicative of our core values. We're also fortunate to have our American Red Cross partners at t...

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Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board lets players know it’s on their side

(STL.News) - Pennsylvania has become the latest state to launch online gambling, giving players the opportunity to take a chance in the comfort of their own home, switching the felt top for the laptop. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has therefore launched a process that allows players, who feel they’ve been treated unfairly, to raise a complaint via the same (online medium). In a press release issued early in August this year, the PGCB informed members of the public that they have an online channel through which to raise concerns and make complaints, should they feel that their treatment by an online gambling provider has been lacking. In it they state: “The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (“PGCB”) is reminding the public of the availability of online forms that would allow con...

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California Governor Newsom Statement on Death of Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Cammon

SACRAMENTO, CA (STL.News) - California Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement regarding the death of Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Cammon: “Jennifer and I were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Deputy Carlos Cammon, after a six-year-long struggle. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, friends and colleagues during this painful time.” Deputy Cammon, 35, never regained consciousness after collapsing during SWAT team tryouts at the Orange County Sheriff’s training facility in Tustin on July 18, 2013. Prior to the incident, he served six years with the agency. In 2010, Deputy Cammon received the Medal of Courage after he and three other off-duty deputies subdued a man with a knife who was assaulting a woman at a restaurant in Orange. Deput...