Rescission of Commercial Fishing Restrictions in Atlantic Marine National Monument

NMFS has issued a final rule rescinding 50 CFR 600.725(x), which had prohibited commercial fishing in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. This action aligns U.S. fishing regulations with the February 6, 2026 Presidential Proclamation 'Unleashing Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic.' The rule takes effect April 3, 2026.

Texas Parks Wildlife Marine Mammal Take Authorization Proposed Rule Correction

NMFS issued a correction notice to a proposed rule regarding Texas Parks Wildlife Department's application for marine mammal incidental take authorization. The correction updates the ADDRESSES section with the correct docket link (NOAA-NMFS-2025-0801) replacing an incorrect link. Comments on this proposed rule must be received by April 17, 2026.

Gulf South Pipeline Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement

FERC published a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Gulf South Pipeline Project in Mississippi, assessing the environmental effects of proposed pipeline construction and compressor station modifications. The draft EIS evaluates new 8.1-mile and 102.9-mile pipeline segments, four new compressor stations totaling over 109,000 hp, and related infrastructure. Public comments are due by May 25, 2026.

Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report Filings

FERC received multiple natural gas pipeline rate filings including Southwest Gas Corporation's amended Statement of Operating Conditions under § 284.123(g) effective April 1, 2026, and rate filings from eleven other pipeline companies. The Southwest Gas filing has a protest deadline of June 1, 2026, while other filings have comment deadlines of April 13, 2026.

Electric Corporate and Generator Filings - FERC Notice

FERC issued a notice of electric corporate filings, exempt wholesale generator certifications, and rate filings received on April 6, 2026. The notice covers 3 corporate filings under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act, 4 exempt wholesale generator self-certifications (including SR Quincy Valley, Hornet Solar, USS Hampden Solar, and USS Tallgrass Solar), and multiple rate filings by entities including Rosewater Wind Farm, West Deptford Energy, and various power companies. Comment deadlines range from April 20 to May 29, 2026.

Magic Dam Hydroelectric Project License Application

FERC issued a notice that Big Wood Canal Company filed a new major license application for the Magic Dam Hydroelectric Project (P-3407-088) located on the Big Wood River in Blaine and Camas Counties, Idaho. The project consists of a dam, 3,740-acre reservoir, and three generating units with combined capacity of 9.0 megawatts. The deadline for filing motions to intervene and protests is June 1, 2026.

ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Murderers, Pedophiles, and Drug Traffickers

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced arrests of criminal illegal aliens during Easter weekend 2026. ICE officers apprehended individuals including murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers in operations across multiple jurisdictions. The announcement highlights continued enforcement against non-citizens with serious criminal convictions.

ICE Requests Detention of Criminal Alien Facing Attempted Murder Charges

ICE announced it lodged an arrest detainer requesting Suffolk County, New York, not release Ruben Guanipa Ramirez, a Venezuelan national, without notifying ICE. The 26-year-old individual faces attempted murder charges for a stabbing at Gilgo Beach and was indicted on March 31, 2026.

Houston Operation Seizes 12,000 Counterfeit Sports Items Worth $1.95M

HSI Houston, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Houston Police Department seized 12,000 suspected counterfeit sports items with an estimated MSRP of $1.95 million during an April 2 operation targeting a Southwest Houston business. The enforcement was part of Operation Team Player, a nationwide multiagency initiative coordinated through the IPR Center to combat counterfeit merchandise sales. Last year, over 276,392 counterfeit sports items valued at $33.4 million MSRP were seized nationwide.

Darren Brown v. State of Tennessee - Coram Nobis Appeal

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the summary denial of Darren Brown's petition for writ of error coram nobis. Brown sought relief from his 2006 first-degree murder conviction (life sentence) claiming the prosecution failed to disclose exculpatory evidence. The court rejected his equitable tolling arguments and affirmed the coram nobis court's determination that the petition was time-barred and the evidence was not newly discovered.