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Gunjan Aggarwal - Criminal Judgment and Sentencing

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California entered judgment in criminal case 4:23-cr-00428 against Gunjan Aggarwal. The defendant was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison followed by 2 years supervised release, with a $100 special assessment. A writ of garnishment was issued to collect restitution.

Presidential Determination on Coal Supply Chains and Baseload Power Generation Under DPA Section 303

President Trump issued a determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act finding that coal supply chains and baseload power generation capacity are essential to national defense. The determination covers coal mining, rail and barge logistics, export and domestic terminals, generating unit availability, on-site stockpiles, and associated reliability updates. A Section 303(a)(7) waiver was invoked to bypass standard DPA procedural requirements. The Secretary of Energy is authorized to make purchases, commitments, and financial instruments to expand domestic coal supply chain capacity.

Presidential Determination on Grid Infrastructure Critical Technology Under Defense Production Act

The President has issued a determination pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act finding that grid infrastructure—including transformers, high-voltage transmission components, substations, power electronics, conductors, and associated supply chains—is an industrial resource and critical technology item essential to national defense. The determination cites limited domestic production capacity, extended procurement timelines, foreign supply dependence, and insufficient capital investment as justification for Presidential action. The Secretary of Energy is authorized to make purchases, commitments, and provide financial support to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities for grid infrastructure and is directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register.

Presidential Determination on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Under Defense Production Act Section 303

President Trump issued a Presidential Determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act designating domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity—including exploration, pipelines, storage, and marine terminals—as industrial resources essential to national defense. The determination cites constrained financing, permitting bottlenecks, long lead times, and supply chain limitations as reasons industry cannot provide these capabilities timely without federal action. The Secretary of Energy is authorized to make purchases, commitments, and provide financial support to expand domestic petroleum capability, with Section 303(a)(1)-(a)(6) requirements waived under the Section 303(a)(7) national defense waiver authority.

Presidential Determination on Energy Infrastructure Under Defense Production Act

President Trump issued a Presidential Determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, finding that development, manufacturing, and deployment of large-scale energy and energy-related infrastructure are industrial resources and critical technology items essential to national defense. The determination finds that domestic industry cannot reasonably provide these capabilities due to financing risks, regulatory delays, and market barriers. The President waived the standard requirements of Section 303(a)(1)-(a)(6) to enable expedited federal action to expand domestic energy infrastructure capability.

Natural Gas and LNG Capacity Presidential Determination Under Defense Production Act

The President has determined, pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act, that natural gas and LNG capacity including pipelines, processing plants, underground storage, LNG liquefaction, export facilities, and critical distribution infrastructure constitute industrial resources essential to national defense. The determination finds that US industry cannot provide these capabilities in a timely manner due to financing constraints, long-lead equipment schedules, permitting delays, and infrastructure bottlenecks. The President has waived the standard requirements of Section 303(a)(1)-(a)(6) to expedite expansion of domestic natural gas and LNG capability.

Pollock Fishing Closure, Statistical Area 610, Gulf of Alaska

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska effective April 17, 2026 through September 1, 2026. The action establishes a directed fishing allowance of 3,959 metric tons (mt) and sets aside 150 mt as incidental catch. The closure prevents exceeding the 2026 A season allowance of the 4,109 mt total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in this statistical area.

DOE Stays Fossil Fuel Restrictions for Federal Buildings Until September 1, 2026

The Department of Energy is further staying the compliance date for the Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations (CER) provisions in 10 CFR part 433, subpart B, and 10 CFR part 435, subpart B until September 1, 2026. This stay extends the prior delay published May 5, 2025, while DOE reviews implementation guidance for consistency with current Administration energy policies. Federal agencies are not required to comply with the energy performance standards during this extended stay period.

Security Zone, Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers, Pittsburgh, PA

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone on navigable waters near the confluence of the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers in Pittsburgh, PA, effective April 23 through April 25, 2026, to protect public safety during the NFL Draft. The zone covers specific river segments: Ohio River Mile Marker 0 to 0.5, Allegheny River Mile Marker 0 to 0.6, and Monongahela River Mile Marker 0 to 0.3. Entry into the zone is prohibited without authorization from the Captain of the Port, Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh.

Final Rule Removes Outdated 15 CFR Part 1300 Export Technology Reporting Regulation

The Department of Commerce removes 15 CFR Part 1300 (Subtitle B, Chapter XIII) from the Code of Federal Regulations, eliminating an obsolete export technology reporting requirement. The regulation was originally promulgated by the defunct East-West Foreign Trade Board in 1975 under section 411 of the Trade Act of 1974, whose statutory authority was repealed in 1998 and 1999. The rule is effective April 17, 2026.

Annual Update to Fee Schedule for Use of Government Lands by Hydropower Licensees

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued its annual update to the fee schedule in 18 CFR Part 11, Appendix A, establishing per-acre rental fees for hydropower licensees occupying government lands for Fiscal Year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The updated schedule lists fees by county across all U.S. states, with fees ranging from $1.95/acre/year (Alaska Aleutian Islands) to $97.83/acre/year (Arkansas Benton). The rule is effective April 21, 2026 and applies to all hydropower licensees operating on federal lands under Part I of the Federal Power Act.

Advisory Bulletin ADB-2026-05 on Preventing Excavation Damage to Pipelines

PHMSA issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2026-05 to owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, emphasizing excavation damage prevention during National Safe Digging Month. The bulletin cites data showing over 875 excavation-related pipeline incidents since 2005, resulting in 40 fatalities, 166 serious injuries, and approximately $322 million in property damage, and recommends adoption of CGA Best Practices for locator accuracy and rapid strike response.

Workforce Information Grants to States Information Collection OMB Review

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has submitted a Paperwork Reduction Act information collection request to OMB for the Workforce Information Grants to States (WIGS) program. The collection supports WIOA requirements, including state economic analyses, workforce information studies, and annual performance reports. OMB invites public comments on or before May 20, 2026.

CCBHC-Expansion Grant Program Evaluation Information Collection

SAMHSA has published a 30-day notice and request for public comment on a proposed new information collection for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC)-Expansion Grant Program Evaluation. The collection involves 298 respondents submitting de-identified Electronic Health Record data twice over an 8-hour response period each, totaling 4,768 burden hours at an estimated cost of $281,645.76. Comments are due June 22, 2026.

Pacific Fishery Management Council Sacramento River Fall Chinook Workgroup Online Meeting May

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Ad-hoc Sacramento River Fall Chinook Workgroup will hold an online meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time. The primary purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the 2026 peer review meeting on methods to evaluate a revised spawner abundance at maximum sustainable yield (S MSY) for Sacramento River fall Chinook. Public attendance is permitted, though formal action will be restricted to listed agenda items.

DOL Modifies Eight Privacy Act Systems With Treasury Disclosure and Breach Routine Uses

The Department of Labor is modifying eight Privacy Act Systems of Records to add two categories of routine uses. First, in compliance with Executive Order 14249 and OMB Memorandum M-25-32, DOL is adding a routine use permitting disclosure of records to the Department of the Treasury for review through the Do Not Pay Working System to identify, prevent, or recoup improper payments. Second, DOL is adding two model routine uses from OMB Memorandum M-17-12 to permit disclosure in response to a breach of personally identifiable information.

Proposed Data Collection Under Paperwork Reduction Act

The CDC published a Federal Register notice announcing a proposed data collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act and requesting public comment. The notice solicits recommendations on the proposed collection. The comment period runs for 62 days, closing on June 22, 2026. The notice applies to all parties subject to CDC information collection requests under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

OSHA DOE Addendum: Regulatory Authority Transfer at Nuclear Sites

OSHA published a notice of an addendum to the 1992 interagency MOU between DOL and DOE, confirming the transfer of occupational safety and health regulatory authority for specific parcels of DOE-owned land leased to private entities for energy projects. DOE will not exercise statutory authority over occupational safety at the identified Project Parcels. The transfer takes effect April 17, 2026. Private-sector employers at the Idaho National Laboratory site fall under federal OSHA jurisdiction; employers at Hanford (Washington), Nevada National Security Site, and Savannah River (South Carolina) fall under their respective OSHA-approved State Plans.

FMCSA Seeks Comments on CMV Driver Schedule Crash Risk Study, Comments Close May 20, 2026

FMCSA announces a new Information Collection Request under the Paperwork Reduction Act to collect data on commercial motor vehicle driver schedules, crash records, and inspection violations. The study aims to examine fatigue-related factors and their correlation with crash risk. Motor carriers participating as respondents will provide data through electronic integrations with telematics systems.

Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Ransomware Conspiracy

The DOJ announced that Angelo Martino, 41, of Land O'Lakes, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit ransomware attacks and extortion against U.S. companies. Martino, a former ransomware negotiator at a cyber incident response company, provided BlackCat/ALPHV ransomware actors with confidential victim information including insurance policy limits and internal negotiation positions without authorization. He also conspired with Ryan Goldberg of Georgia and Kevin Martin of Texas to deploy BlackCat ransomware between April and November 2023, extorting approximately $1.2 million in Bitcoin from one victim. Law enforcement seized $10 million in assets from Martino.

Justice Department Files Clean Water Act Complaint Against DC Water for Potomac Interceptor Failure

The Department of Justice, on behalf of EPA, filed a civil complaint in federal court against the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) and the District of Columbia for Clean Water Act violations stemming from the January 19, 2026 collapse of the Potomac Interceptor, which discharged more than 200 million gallons of raw, untreated sewage into the Potomac River. The complaint alleges DC Water failed to properly operate and maintain its sewer system in a manner that keeps untreated sewage out of waterways and areas with risk of human contact. The complaint seeks financial penalties, sewer assessment and rehabilitation projects, pollutant mitigation work, and an order requiring DC Water to develop an Enhanced Operations and Maintenance Plan for all its sewer lines.

Benjamin Sandoval Diaz v. Todd Blanche - Immigration Petition Denied

The Fourth Circuit denied Benjamin Sandoval Diaz's petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision, affirming the denial of his application for cancellation of removal. The court upheld the finding that Diaz failed to establish good moral character because he testified under oath to felony cocaine offenses under North Carolina law, despite the charges being later dismissed. The court rejected Diaz's argument that the Immigration Judge failed to properly apply BIA precedent in Matter of K.

Richardson et al v. Berkeley Unified School District et al - Civil Rights Removal

The Northern District of California posted a civil rights removal action filed by Berkeley Police Department on April 20, 2026. The case was removed from Alameda County Superior Court (case number 26CV174248) to federal court. The filing carries a $405 fee under receipt number ACANDC-21889039.

NH DOJ Discloses Officer Name in Northfield Shooting Death

The New Hampshire Department of Justice has disclosed the identity of Officer Nikolas Ballentine of the Northfield Police Department as the officer who discharged his firearm during a shooting on April 6, 2026 in Northfield, New Hampshire, resulting in the death of Megan Whiting (age 27). The officer has approximately two years of law enforcement experience. The investigation into the circumstances of the shooting remains ongoing, and a determination regarding whether the use of deadly force was justified will be released upon completion.

DENV4 NS1 Antibody Patent US12606611B2 Granted to US Dept Health

The USPTO granted Patent No. US12606611B2 to the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services, covering antibodies that specifically bind to Dengue virus serotype 4 (DENV4) non-structural protein 1 (NS1). The patent includes 16 claims and names Elizabeth Anne Hunsperger and Tesfaye Gelanew Taye as inventors.

Ohio Raccoon Rabies Vaccination Program Spring 2026

The Ohio Department of Health has announced the 2026 spring oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaign for wild raccoons, conducted in partnership with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services. Baits containing the ONRAB vaccine will be distributed across nine northeastern Ohio counties from April 18 to May 13, 2026, via aircraft, helicopter, and ground vehicles.

Former Army Member Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Two Minors While Stationed in Germany

A federal jury in the Northern District of Georgia convicted Adam Schlueter, 37, of Atlanta, of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Schlueter, a former Army member stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany from 2009-2013, physically, emotionally, and sexually abused two minor victims during that period. Sentencing is scheduled for July 9, with a mandatory minimum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment.

ICE Requests Texas Not Release Illegal Alien Charged with Sledgehammer Murder of Co-Worker

ICE announced it lodged an arrest detainer request for Josue Abraham Chirino-Leonice, a 19-year-old Venezuelan national apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in November 2023 and released into the interior by the prior administration. Local law enforcement arrested Chirino-Leonice on April 12 in Pasadena, Texas, after he was found driving the victim's vehicle. He is charged with murdering co-worker Juan Antonio Salinas Leija with a sledgehammer in the Northgate Crossing community.

FY25-26 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants - Northeast Corridor (up to $4.75B)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has posted a discretionary grant opportunity under the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Partnership-NEC), offering up to $4.75 billion in total program funding for eligible projects on the Northeast Corridor. Eligible applicants include state governments, Amtrak, interstate compacts, public agencies, political subdivisions, and federally recognized Indian tribes. Applications close May 5, 2026.

FY2027 National Security Markup, House Appropriations Subcommittee

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs will hold a markup session on the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill on April 23, 2026 at 8:00 AM ET in Room H-140 of the Capitol. The markup is a committee-level amendment and voting session on the FY27 appropriations bill covering defense, diplomatic, and related national security programs.

Chad Wosmek Employment Appeal - Unemployment Benefits Ineligibility

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a unemployment-law judge's decision that Chad Wosmek was ineligible for unemployment benefits because he was discharged for employment misconduct. The court held that substantial evidence supported the finding that Wosmek engaged in a pattern of bullying and intimidating behavior, using his physical stature to intimidate coworkers and third parties. The city discharged Wosmek on March 19, 2025, and the court deferred to the ULJ's credibility determinations in upholding the misconduct finding.

RTM v Bonne Terre Limited - Data Protection Appeal

The UK Court of Appeal (Civil Division) dismissed an appeal by RTM against Bonne Terre Limited and Hestview Limited, with the Information Commissioner intervening. The matter originated in the High Court's Media and Communications List before Mrs Justice Collins Rice. The judgment, delivered on 21 April 2026 by Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Lewison, and Lord Justice Warby, resolves a data protection dispute. The court affirmed the first-instance ruling, rejecting RTM's grounds of appeal.

EO 14395 Establishes Task Force, Intensifies Healthcare Fraud Enforcement

Executive Order 14395 establishes a White House Task Force chaired by the Vice President to eliminate fraud across federally funded benefit programs. The interagency body, including DOJ, HHS, Treasury, and other departments, must within 30 days identify fraud-susceptible transactions, within 60 days develop minimum anti-fraud requirements, and within 90 days submit implementation plans. For healthcare providers billing Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal programs, the Order signals heightened pre-payment review, enhanced eligibility verification, and coordinated federal-state data sharing that may increase both enforcement activity and qui tam litigation.

U.S. Bank Trust v. Barbier - Appeal Dismissal Order

The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals approved a stipulation dismissing appeal No. CAAP-23-0000518 with prejudice. Plaintiff-Appellee U.S. Bank Trust, N.A. and Defendant-Appellant John James Barbier stipulated to dismissal, bearing their own attorneys' fees and costs on appeal. The Department of Taxation-State of Hawaii also appeared as a defendant-appellee.

Governor Hochul Announces Record-Low Gun Violence Through Q1 2026

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that gun violence has declined 65% through the first quarter of 2026 across 28 police departments participating in the state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, compared to the same period in 2021. Shooting incidents with injury dropped from 229 to 81, individuals shot declined 66% (from 262 to 88), and gun deaths fell 74% (from 28 to 11). Buffalo Police Department reported historic 20-year lows across all three metrics, while five departments reported zero shooting incidents during the quarter.

IBM Pays $17M for Discriminatory DEI Practices

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) agreed to pay $17,077,043 to resolve DOJ allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with anti-discrimination requirements in its federal contracts. The government alleged that IBM discriminated against employees and applicants based on race, color, national origin, or sex through tying bonus compensation to demographic targets, altering interview criteria through diverse interview slates, setting demographic goals for business units, and restricting access to certain training programs based on protected characteristics.

Federal Crackdown on Healthcare Fraud Waste and Abuse Intensifies

Congress and the Trump Administration have launched a coordinated crackdown on healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse. Key actions include an interagency federal task force, a six-month nationwide moratorium on Medicare enrollment for certain DMEPOS suppliers, and CMS deferral of approximately $259.5 million in federal Medicaid matching funds to Minnesota, with a warning that over $1 billion could be withheld if program integrity vulnerabilities are not remediated. CMS has also launched a CRUSH RFI seeking public input on expanding and strengthening fraud, waste, and abuse prevention efforts across federal healthcare programs.

DOJ's 2026 Corporate Enforcement Policy: Healthcare Self-Disclosure

Clark Hill analysis of DOJ's March 2026 Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy, outlining how it intersects with existing healthcare disclosure frameworks including the 60-Day Overpayment Rule, CMS Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol, and OIG Self-Disclosure Protocol. The article describes four distinct disclosure pathways healthcare organizations must navigate and notes that disclosure timing is critical to preserve declination or penalty-reduction benefits.

DOL Proposes Fiduciary Safe Harbor for 401(k) Alternative Investments

Carlton Fields summarizes the DOL's March 30, 2026 proposed regulation creating a process-based safe harbor for plan fiduciaries selecting designated investment alternatives in 401(k) plans. The proposal introduces six safe harbor factors—performance, fees, liquidity, valuation, performance benchmarks, and complexity—that fiduciaries must consider when selecting investment options, including alternative assets. The rule responds to Executive Order 14330 and aims to reduce litigation risk and regulatory uncertainty for fiduciaries offering alternative investments in retirement plans.

Emma Douglas Appointed New Chair of The Pensions Regulator

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced the appointment of Emma Douglas as the new Chair of The Pensions Regulator (TPR). Douglas brings over 25 years of experience in investment management and pensions, having served as Wealth Policy Director at Aviva and Chair of Pensions UK. Her five-year term begins on 1 July 2026, when current Interim Chair Kirstin Baker steps down.

Adult Skills Fund Devolved Grant Determination Letters 2026 to 2027

The Department for Work and Pensions has issued grant determination letters to 13 Strategic Authorities in England confirming Adult Skills Fund (ASF) and Free Courses for Jobs funding for the 2026 to 2027 financial year (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027). The letters cover ASF grant payments, Skills Bootcamps payments, and Free Courses for Jobs funding, all transferred under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003.