NCUA Ninth Round Deregulation Proposals - Field of Membership Eligibility

The National Credit Union Administration announced its ninth round of deregulation proposals under the ongoing Deregulation Project. The proposal targets 12 CFR 701, Appendix B concerning credit union chartering and field of membership eligibility. NCUA seeks to remove the automatic disqualification of associational groups that require purchase of a product or service as a condition of membership, replacing it with a more holistic evaluation approach.

AML/CFT Program Requirements - Joint Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The FDIC, OCC, and NCUA have issued a joint notice of proposed rulemaking to amend AML/CFT program requirements for supervised banks and credit unions. The proposed amendments would align agency regulations with FinCEN requirements and the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, introducing risk-based program requirements, US-based designated AML/CFT officer requirements, and a new FinCEN consultation framework for supervisory and enforcement actions.

U.S. Embassy Philippines Public Diplomacy Section Annual Program Statement 2026

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Public Diplomacy Section announced grant funding opportunities ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for public diplomacy programs. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society/NGOs, educational institutions, and individuals. Applications close July 31, 2026.

2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026) Grant Opportunity

The U.S. Department of State's Embassy in Tashkent announced an open competition for the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026), offering grants of $5,000 to $35,000 to alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. The program aims to strengthen U.S.-Uzbekistan economic ties by funding projects in Business, Energy and Trade, STEM/AI/Innovation, or Education/Culture/Sports/Tourism themes, with a deadline of May 6, 2026.

Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator Notice of Funding Opportunity ($1–3M)

The U.S. Department of Energy Golden Field Office issued Notice of Funding Opportunity DE-TA1-0003589/DE-TA2-0003589/DE-TA3-0003589 soliciting applications for the Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) Accelerator program, with individual Topic Area deadlines and award amounts of $1–3 million per project. The NOFO covers three topic areas: recovery of critical materials from industrial and consumer scrap (Topic 1), semiconductor material processing for gallium, GaN, germanium, and silicon carbide (Topic 2), and direct lithium extraction technologies (Topic 3).

PDS Lome Alumni Engagement Innovation Funds Grant Opportunity

The U.S. Mission to Togo has posted a grant opportunity under the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) program, offering $5,000 to $35,000 to teams of alumni from U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The program supports projects advancing U.S. foreign policy priorities in Togo, including entrepreneurship, energy independence, and countering unlawful migration. Applications close on May 7, 2026.

Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 El Salvador

The U.S. Department of State's Embassy in El Salvador announced the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), providing $5,000 to $35,000 for alumni-led projects. Applications close May 8, 2026. Eligible projects must support U.S. policy goals in El Salvador, including security, economic prosperity, education, and community development, and align with the Freedom 250 initiative marking 250 years of U.S. independence.

Antoine Edwards, Sr. v. Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections - Supervisory Writ Denied

The Louisiana Court of Appeal denied Antoine Edwards, Sr.'s supervisory writ application challenging the March 13, 2026 dismissal of his action against the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The court held that the dismissal constituted a final appealable judgment under La. R.S. 15:1177(A)(10), and clarified that appeals must be taken by filing a motion for appeal in the district court within the delays specified in La. Code Civ. P. art. 2087.

Mathew Lepetich v. Malena Badon Lepetich - Custody Modification

The Louisiana Court of Appeal denied a writ application challenging a temporary custody modification ordered by the 25th Judicial District Court. The appellate court upheld the trial court's decision granting temporary sole custody to one parent with supervised visitation ordered for the other parent based on concerns about erratic behavior and substance abuse allegations. This case involves standard family law custody proceedings with no precedential value beyond the parties.

State of Louisiana v. Damon Z. McFarland Jr. — Affirmed Denial of Motion to Suppress Evidence

The Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, affirmed the Criminal District Court for Orleans Parish's denial of defendant Damon Z. McFarland Jr.'s Motion to Suppress Physical Evidence Seized. The defendant, charged with unlawful firearm possession while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance under La. R.S. 14:95(E), challenged the search and seizure underlying his arrest. The appellate court found no abuse of discretion by the trial court and affirmed the denial, clearing the procedural path for the defendant's prior plea agreement to stand.