Friday, December 31, 2021

District of Columbia January 1st-6th Forecast

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening, then a chance of rain after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

New Years Day

Rain likely, mainly in the morning. Highs in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Saturday Night

Rain. Lows in the upper 50s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.

Sunday

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Trucking Moves America Forward Shares Stories of the Industry's Charitable Works during the 2021 Holiday Season


The Trucking Industry Gives Back during Second Year of Pandemic


WASHINGTONDec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), the industry-wide education and image movement, is helping tell the story of how the trucking industry has given back to communities through charitable giving and acts this year. Trucking companies and organizations submitted their stories of charitable works to TMAF after an industry-wide call for submissions through email and social media. 

Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF and Vice President of Government Affairs and Sales at MTS, said, "Over the past year, our industry and nation have

American Diabetes Association Welcomes 2022 Principal Officers and New Members to National Board of Directors

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) welcomes the 2022 Principal Officers and Board of Directors. The 13-member board is comprised of forward-thinking, innovative medical, scientific, education and executive business professionals, who will strategically lead and focus efforts to ensure the ADA continues to uphold the mission upon which it was founded.

"We are so excited to announce our 2022 Board of Directors, including

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

WIRES Announces 2022 Leadership Team

Will Sauer, Federal Regulatory Affairs Director, Duke Energy Named WIRES President


WASHINGTONDec. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WIRES, the international trade association that promotes investment in all aspects of the high voltage grid, announced today its 2022 leadership team, with Will Sauer, Managing Director, Federal Regulatory Affairs at Duke Energy, elected as the new WIRES President.

The 2022 slate of WIRES officers includes:

  • President: Will Sauer, Managing Director, Federal Regulatory Affairs, Duke Energy
  • Vice President: Amanda Conner, Vice President, FERC and RTO Strategy and Policy, American Electric Power
  • Secretary: Jodi MoskowitzDeputy General Counsel & RTO Strategy Officer, PSEG
  • Treasurer: Amanda Rumsey, Manager, PJM and Federal Regulatory Policy, PPL Electric Utilities

"This past year was marked by a whirlwind of activity as the Biden

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Matte Black Smart Kitchen Faucet – Touch Sensor/Pull-Down Swivel Sprayer Launch

With consumers across the US turning to the convenience of online shopping as the holiday season approaches, a Sheridan, WY-based household retail brand announces an updated range of furniture, beauty products, kitchenware, and seasonally-themed gift ideas for its growing customer base.


Sheridan, United States, Dec. 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emersware LLC’s latest launch collates high-quality products from suppliers across the globe, offering innovation and state-of-the-art design through its range of practical and stylish domestic devices, gadgets, and accessories.

More details can be found at https://emersware.com

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Statement from President Joe Biden on Unemployment Insurance Claims

Today, we received further evidence that our jobs recovery is one of the strongest ever. The average number of Americans filing for unemployment over the last four weeks is now at its lowest level since 1969. When I took office, over 18 million were receiving unemployment benefits, today only 2 million are. We’ve added nearly six million jobs this year – the most of any first year president in history. That’s good news for the millions of families who are back to work and will have a happier holiday season this year. 


Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, and our successful vaccination program, Americans are back at work at a record-setting pace. And families have more money in their pockets: Americans on average have about $100 more in their pockets each month than they did last year, after accounting for inflation.


Even as we’ve built a historic jobs and economic recovery, addressing rising prices, supply chain challenges, and COVID-19 are my top priorities. We need to continue to take concrete actions to address elevated prices and to lower costs for American families – including by lowering prescription drug costs, health care costs, childcare costs, and housing costs with the Build Back Better plan. And, we need to do everything we can to get as many Americans vaccinated and boosted as possible.

Protecting Against Malicious Cyber Activity before the Holidays

TO: Corporate Executives and Business Leaders

FROM: Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology and Chris Inglis, National Cyber Director

SUBJECT: Protecting Against Malicious Cyber Activity before the Holidays

DATE: December 16, 2021

The holidays are an opportunity to spend time with our loved ones and enjoy some well-earned rest. Unfortunately, malicious cyber actors are not taking a holiday – and they can ruin ours if we’re not prepared and protected. Historically we have seen breaches around national holidays because criminals know that security operations centers are often short-staffed, delaying the discovery of intrusions. Beyond the holidays, though, we’ve experienced numerous recent events that highlight the strategic risks we all face because of the fragility of digital infrastructure and the ever- present threat of those who would use it for malicious purposes.

There are specific steps that you, as

FACT SHEET: The Biden-⁠Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan

Vice President Kamala Harris to Announce Action Plan that Accelerates Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments to Replace All Lead Pipes in Next Decade

All Americans deserve to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and live in healthy homes. However, lead in drinking water pipes, faucets, paint, and walls threatens the health and well-being of American families and children across the country. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and countless experts agree that there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood.

Yet, up to 10 million American households connect to water through lead pipes and service lines. Children, toddlers, and teenagers in 400,000 schools and child care facilities are at risk of exposure to lead in their water. And 24 million housing units have significant lead-based paint hazards. Because of inequitable infrastructure development and disinvestment, low-

FACT SHEET: The Biden-⁠Harris Administration Trucking Action Plan to Strengthen America’s Trucking Workforce

Trucking plays a critical role in the U.S. supply chain and economy. America’s truck drivers have been on the frontlines of this pandemic, delivering goods to every corner of this country. Seventy-two percent of goods in America are shipped by truck, and in most communities, trucks are the only form of delivery. A strong, stable, and safe trucking workforce that offers good-paying jobs to millions of truck drivers is a critical lifeblood of our economy. But outdated infrastructure, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a historic volume of goods moving through our economy have strained capacity across the supply chain, including in trucking.

The pandemic exacerbated

Monday, December 13, 2021

Rosetta Stone and HIAS Extend Partnership Providing Free Language Learning Lessons to Refugees During Global Resettlement Efforts


Rosetta Stone will continue to provide its platform free of charge to HIAS and the organization's refugee clients to support the social and economic integration of displaced persons


SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosetta Stone, the world's leading language learning brand, and HIAS, the international Jewish humanitarian organization, have extended their partnership to provide HIAS' refugee clients with free language

FACT SHEET: The Biden-⁠Harris Electric Vehicle Charging Action Plan

Vice President Kamala Harris to Announce Action Plan that Fast Tracks Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments

President Biden has united automakers and autoworkers to drive American leadership forward on clean cars, and he set an ambitious target of 50% of electric vehicle (EV) sale shares in the U.S. by 2030. Now, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will supercharge America’s efforts to lead the electric future, Building a Better America where we can strengthen domestic supply chains, outcompete the world, and make electric cars cheaper for working families.

President Biden, American families,

Vice President Kamala Harris Announces New Commitments as Part of the Call to Action for the Private Sector to Deepen Investment in Central America, Now Totaling Over $1.2 Billion

 CARE International, Cargill, Grupo Mariposa, Parkdale Mills, PepsiCo, JDE Peet’s, and PriceSmart announce commitments to support economic development in northern Central America, as part of a conference convened by the State Department, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Partnership for Central America to support investment in the region.

As part of her role addressing the root causes of migration from Central America, Vice President Kamala Harris announced seven new commitments as part of the Call to Action she launched on May 27 for businesses and social enterprises to make new, significant commitments to sustainably address the root causes of migration by promoting economic opportunity. Commitments announced today include those from: CARE International, Cargill, Grupo Mariposa, Parkdale Mills, PepsiCo, JDE Peet’s, and PriceSmart.

In addition, Mastercard, Microsoft, and

FACT SHEET: Putting the Public First: Improving Customer Experience and Service Delivery for the American People

The Federal Government interacts with millions of people each day and provides vital services during some of the most critical moments in people’s lives. Whether searching for vaccine safety information, claiming retirement benefits, receiving health insurance, passing through a security checkpoint, or checking the status of a farm loan application, Americans expect Government services to be responsive to their needs. But too often, people have to navigate a tangled web of Government websites, offices, and phone numbers to access the services they depend on. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring an effective, equitable, and accountable Government that meets the needs of its people.

Today, the President is taking decisive

Friday, December 10, 2021

Joint Statement on the Export Controls and Human Rights Initiative

The following is the text of a joint statement signed by the governments of Australia, Denmark, Norway, and the United States


Begin Text:


We, Australia, Denmark, Norway, and the United States, recognize that advanced technologies are a vital part of global economic growth and communication, helping people become more interconnected, share knowledge, and advance freedom, democracy, and opportunity. Legitimate trade in these technologies, and responsible use, is essential for the well-being of our future generations. At the same time, authoritarian governments increasingly are using surveillance tools and other related technologies in connection with serious human rights abuses, both within their countries and across international borders, including in acts of transnational repression to censor political opposition and track dissidents. Such use risks defeating the benefits that advanced technologies may bring to the world’s nations and peoples.


Over the coming year of action, we commit to working to establish a voluntary, nonbinding written code of conduct around which like-minded states could politically pledge, to use export control tools to prevent the proliferation of software and other technologies used to enable serious human rights abuses. In addition, we will use the year of action to consult with industry and academia in our efforts.


End Text

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

HGTV’S 'WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS 2021' SET TO AIR ON SUNDAY, DEC. 12, AT 6 PM ET/PT

Genevieve Gorder To Host Annual Special Featuring Over 78,750 Twinkling Lights


New York [Dec. 6, 2021] HGTV’s annual special White House Christmas 2021 will spotlight the iconic home’s brilliant holiday displays, including 78,750 dazzling lights, more than 10,000 ornaments, 6,000 feet of ribbon and 41 Christmas trees, when it premieres Sunday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. ET/PT. During the special, which also will be available to stream on discovery+First Lady Jill Biden will lead host Genevieve Gorder on a room by room tour of the White House as staff and volunteers bring the holiday spirit to life. And, as they stop in each room, including the Blue Room, the Green Room and the East Room, Dr. Biden will discuss the details behind the preparations and the meaning of this year’s

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Plans for $11 Billion to End Malnutrition at Global Nutrition Summit

“By investing in locally-designed and led nutrition programs, applying the evidence of what works, and adapting quickly, we can prevent child malnutrition, even in the time of COVID, and build a healthier world for everyone.” 


  USAID Administrator Samantha Power

2021 Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit


At the 2021 Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit, U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power announced on behalf of the White House that

Monday, December 6, 2021

Bezos Earth Fund Announces $443 Million in Grants to Advance Environmental Justice, Conserve and Restore Nature, and Improve Monitoring and Accountability

WASHINGTONDec. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bezos Earth Fund announced it awarded 44 grants totaling $443 million to organizations focused on climate justice, nature conservation and restoration, and tracking critical climate goals. The grants include $130 million to advance the Justice40 initiative in the U.S.; $261 million to further the 30x30 initiative to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, with a focus on the Congo Basin and Tropical Andes; and $51 million to support land restoration in the U.S. and Africa. These grants are part of the Bezos Earth Fund's $10 billion commitment to fight climate change, protect and restore nature, and advance environmental justice and economic opportunity.

"The goal of the Bezos Earth Fund is to support change agents who are

NASA Selects Companies to Develop Commercial Destinations in Space

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has signed agreements with three U.S. companies to develop designs of space stations and other commercial destinations in space. The agreements are part of the agency's efforts to enable a robust, American-led commercial economy in low-Earth orbit.

The total estimated award amount for all three funded Space Act Agreements is $415.6 million. The companies that received awards are:

  • Blue Origin of Kent, Washington, for $130 million
  • Nanoracks LLC, of Houston for $160 million
  • Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation of Dulles, Virginia, for $125.6 million

NASA seeks to maintain an uninterrupted U.S. presence in low-Earth orbit by

AN EXTRAORDINARY GROUP OF RENOWNED ARTISTS SALUTES THIS YEAR’S HONOREES IN “THE 44th ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS,” WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22 ON CBS

 

2021 Kennedy Center honorees

Standing, left to right: Lorne Michaels, Bette Midler

Sitting, left to right: Justino Díaz, Joni Mitchell, Berry Gordy

Following are honoree, presenter, performer and production credits for THE 44th ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, an entertainment special to be broadcast Wednesday, Dec. 22 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

WELCOME:

David Letterman

Emmy® Award-winning television host, comedian, writer and producer and 2012 Kennedy Center honoree

 

 

HONOREE:

Joni Mitchell

 

GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and GRAMMY Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and painter

 

 

FILM NARRATOR:

Graham Nash

Guidehouse Adds 2 UK-based Partners to Global Life Sciences Practice

Karla Stricker Anderson and Dr. Srikanth Rajagopal, Bring Expertise in Strategy and Operations, M&A, Digital Transformation, and Operating Model Design



WASHINGTONDec. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidehouse, a leading global provider of consulting to public sector and commercial clients, has named Karla Stricker Anderson and Dr. Srikanth "Doc" Rajagopal new partners in its Health segment, expanding the company's global Life Sciences practice. 

Based in Guidehouse's London office, Anderson and Dr. Rajagopal bring

NASA Seeks Next Flight Directors for Human Spaceflight Missions

WASHINGTONDec. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lee esta nota de prensa en español aquí.

NASA is looking for leaders for one of the best jobs on Earth for human spaceflight – including missions to the Moon – the position of flight director in mission

Friday, December 3, 2021

FDA Expands Authorization of Two Monoclonal Antibodies for Treatment and Post-Exposure Prevention of COVID-19 to Younger Pediatric Patients, Including Newborns

SILVER SPRING, Md.Dec. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised the emergency use authorization (EUA) of bamlanivimab and etesevimab (previously authorized for pediatric patients 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms, or about 88 pounds), to additionally authorize bamlanivimab and etesivimab administered together for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in all younger pediatric patients, including newborns, who have a positive

Thursday, December 2, 2021

President Biden Announces New Actions to Protect Americans Against the Delta and Omicron Variants as We Battle COVID-⁠19 this Winter

New Actions Aim to Get Americans Boosted for Even Greater Protection Against the Delta and Omicron Variants, Keep Schools and Businesses Open, and Help Quickly Respond to Surges if Needed During the Colder Months


Today, President Biden will announce new actions to combat COVID-19 as the United States heads into the winter months and with the emergence of a new variant, Omicron.


The United States has come far in its fight against the virus and is more

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Reforms to Increase Equity and Level the Playing Field for Underserved Small Business Owners

The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, buying everything from software and building construction to financial and asset management—making its procurement a powerful tool to advance equity and build wealth in underserved communities. Despite this, less than 10 percent of federal agencies’ total eligible contracting dollars typically go to small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), a category under federal law for which Black-owned, Latino-owned, and other minority-owned businesses are presumed to qualify. Moreover, while women own roughly 20 percent of all small businesses economy-wide, less than 5 percent of federal contracting dollars go to women-owned small businesses.


Increasing federal spending with underserved businesses not only helps more

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Wondrium to Launch Educational Series and Companion Documentary Inspired by Bill Gates' Best-selling Book How To Avoid A Climate Disaster

CHANTILLY, Va.Dec. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wondrium, the leading streaming provider of dynamic learning content, today announced that it will be the home to an educational series and companion documentary inspired by Bill Gatesbest-selling book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. Wondrium will produce and distribute the titles globally to its members in 2022.

The 10-episode educational series will focus on the innovators who are