Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
SEOUL, South Korea — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited South Korea on July 11, 2025, where he joined senior U.S., Japanese and South Korean military and government officials to underscore the criticality of trilateral military cooperation for addressing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: US State of California Governor
Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on the court’s decision in Vasquez Perdomo, et al. v. Noem to temporarily stop federal immigration agents from unlawful suspicionless stops in California:
Justice prevailed today — the court’s decision puts a temporary stop to federal immigration officials violating people’s rights and racial profiling.
Stephen Miller’s immigration agenda is one of chaos, cruelty and fear. Instead of targeting the most dangerous people, federal officials have been arbitrarily detaining Americans and hardworking people, ripping families apart, and disappearing people into cruel detention to meet outrageous arrest quotas without regard to due process and constitutional rights that protect all of us from cruelty and injustice. That should stop now.
California stands with the law, and the foundation upon which our founding fathers built this country. I call on the Trump administration to do the same.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
DARWIN, Australia — U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) are taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, Australia’s largest bilateral military exercise, to enhance interoperability and strengthen ties with the Australian Defence Force and U.S. Army joint forces across the Northern Territory (NT) this month.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
MANILA, Philippines — Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and the 37th Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco, concluded the 11th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium with a closing ceremony in Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
SUVA, Fiji (July 11, 2025) – Forward-deployed U.S. Navy submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) departed Fiji following a scheduled port visit on July 11, 2025. Frank Cable is underway supporting 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, operating with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was reported out of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). During the committee’s markup process, Sen. Tuberville fought to get key conservative wins included in the bill, which will strengthen our military, protect taxpayers, and make sure Alabama continues leading the way in defense.
“Since being elected to the U.S. Senate, I’ve been fighting to get woke politics out of the military. Under Joe Biden, the Pentagon became ground zero for Democrats’ craziest ideas. Thankfully, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are working to purge the Pentagon of woke policies and restore focus on lethality and readiness. I’m proud to have secured key conservative wins in this year’s NDAA, which will support the great work the Trump administration is already doing. My amendments eliminate DEI at the Pentagon, make sure men can’t compete in women’s sports at service academies, prohibit military resources from being used to censor conservative outlets, and ban sex change procedures from taking place in taxpayer-funded military facilities.
I am also proud of the wins I was able to secure for the great state of Alabama. In addition to providing a 3.8% pay raise for our troops, this year’s NDAA will make housing more affordable and safer for our military families. The bill supports Alabama’s defense industrial base by directing the DOD to fully support the development of all quantum computing technologies. It also makes key investments in surface ship sustainment and readiness that will boost Alabama shipbuilding. Importantly, the NDAA provides funding for the Golden Dome, which Alabama will play a critical role in building and supporting. As the state’s senior senator, I’ve been fighting every day to get Alabama’s military installations and defense contractors the resources and support they deserve. This year’s NDAA will ensure Alabama continues punching well above our weight.”
BACKGROUND:
As Alabama’s representative on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Tuberville is proud to have secured the below wins in this year’s NDAA:
Conservative Wins:
Alabama Wins:
Read more about FY2026 NDAA here.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
Source: US State of California
Friday, July 11, 2025
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today celebrated a decision by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California granting a temporary restraining order blocking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from engaging in unconstitutional and unlawful stops of Los Angeles residents during immigration sweeps.
“The Trump Administration is using federal immigration agents as a tool to instill fear and division in Los Angeles communities. In doing so, it is damaging community trust with law enforcement, disrupting Angelenos’ daily lives, and impeding public safety,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The troubling use of masks, unmarked vehicles, and plainclothes to cover up immigration agents’ identities – and their own refusal to identify themselves when asked – has made it difficult to distinguish these agents from criminals. Their sweeping stops of Angelenos, based not on any evidence of wrongdoing but instead on racial profiling, is flagrantly unconstitutional. Los Angeles cannot be expected to live like this, with many residents afraid to leave their homes and their civil rights under fire. Today, a court agreed, ordering immigration agents to end their unconstitutional stops in the Los Angeles area. As California Attorney General, I will continue to fight to hold this President and his administration accountable to the law and to protect and defend California communities and their civil rights.”
Attorney General Bonta led a multistate coalition in filing an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs in Vasquez Perdomo et al. v Noem et al. last week. Attorney General Bonta has also sued the Trump Administration over the President’s illegal order to federalize the California National Guard and redirect hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles.
A copy of the court’s decision is available here.
# # #
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), alongside U.S. allies and partners, launched Resolute Force Pacific 2025 (REFORPAC), the largest contingency response exercise ever conducted by the U.S. Air Force in the Indo-Pacific region, July 10, 2025.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Published: July 11, 2025
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran, secured meaningful provisions in in the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to build upon the historic military recruiting success happening under President Trump.
“For me, choosing to serve our country opened the door for the American Dream, allowed me to afford college, and paved the way for a life of service,” said Ernst. “After years of slumping numbers under Biden, we have seen a resurgence under President Trump, but we cannot allow this to be a temporary victory. While patriotism plays an undeniable role in recruiting, boosting outreach efforts to young people and sharing the benefits of service will ensure that the momentum we have seen under President Trump continues, so our armed forces remain the most lethal fighting force the world has ever seen.”
The provisions secured in the NDAA come directly from Ernst’s SERVE Act to:
Increase military recruiter access in high schools, so students can know the benefits of service;
Expand opportunities for students to get involved in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC);
Designate JROTC as a part of the military; and
Create a “National Week of Military Recruitment” to further promote the benefits of service.
Background:
After missing key recruiting goals under President Biden, there has been a dramatic turnaround under President Trump. The Army hit its recruiting goal four months early, the Navy hit its goal three months early, and the Air Force and Space Force also exceeded annual recruiting goals three months early.
Source: United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/11/2025 09:00 PM EDT
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News Release |
U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District |
07/11/2025 08:33 PM EDT
Source: United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/11/2025 09:00 PM EDT
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News Release |
U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District |
07/11/2025 08:33 PM EDT
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, issued a subpoena to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel for records relating to the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt of President Donald Trump in Butler, PA.
“One year following the assassination attempt of President Trump, the American people still do not have answers to all of their questions about the breakdown of security at the Butler campaign rally and detailed information about the would-be assassin, Thomas Crooks. I had expected the FBI to be more forthcoming with the public and provide my office with the records we have been seeking for months. I am issuing the subpoena to help prompt transparency and I look forward to Director Patel’s full cooperation,” Sen. Johnson stated.
The subpoena requires the FBI to provide, in part:
Following the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt, Sen. Johnson immediately began investigating the security failures surrounding the Butler campaign rally. On July 14, 2024, Sen. Johnson wrote to the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security requesting records about Crooks and the security of the event. On July 21, 2024 and July 23, 2024, he released preliminary findings and provided the public updated timelines on July 30, 2024 and on Aug. 29, 2024 regarding law enforcement’s awareness of Crooks.
On Sept. 25, 2024, Sens. Johnson, Rand Paul, Gary Peters, and Richard Blumenthal released an interim report detailing the security failures at the Butler campaign rally and outstanding requests connected to the assassination attempt.
The deadline for Sen. Johnson’s subpoena is Aug. 1, 2025. The full text of the subpoena can be found here.
Source: US State of California
An Iranian national and U.S. lawful permanent resident has been arrested on a four-count federal indictment charging him with unlawfully exporting electronics used in railway signaling and telecommunications systems from the United States to Iran, in violation the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).
Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, 66, a resident of Santa Monica and Tehran, Iran, was arrested Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.
Ostovari is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and three counts of violating the IEEPA.
According to the indictment unsealed today, Ostovari is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering company – identified in the indictment as “Company A” – that supplied signaling and communications systems to Iran and its government, including on projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. From at least May 2018 to July 2025, Ostovari and his co-conspirators obtained and shipped sophisticated computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronics and electronic components to Company A in Iran. Many of these items were controlled under federal regulations, and their export to Iran without a license was prohibited.
To perpetrate his illegal export scheme, Ostovari used two front companies he controlled in the UAE – MH-SYS FZCO and Match Systech FZE – as conduits. Ostovari directed co-conspirators at these front companies to acquire the electronics and electronic components for Company A. Ostovari and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from electronics suppliers in the United States and elsewhere that the goods were destined for Iran, falsely stating that MH-SYS and Match Systech in the UAE were the end users when in fact the true end user was Company A in Iran. Ostovari then directed his co-conspirators to arrange to ship the goods from the UAE to Company A in Iran.
After he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in May 2020, Ostovari continued to export, sell, and supply electronics and electrical components to Company A in Iran.
As alleged, Ostovari knew of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, mentioning them in emails to co-conspirators and directing one co-conspirator to provide false information to a federal export control officer regarding the end use of U.S.-origin goods they had shipped to Company A in Iran.
The IEEPA and the ITSR impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States including, among others, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR, among other things, prohibit the export, re-export, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
At no time did Ostovari, his companies, or his co-conspirators apply for or obtain authorization from OFAC to export, sell or supply goods and technologies from the United States to Iran.
If convicted, Ostovari faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Lachman and Colin S. Scott for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorney Kathryn DeMarco of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: US State of California
An Iranian national and U.S. lawful permanent resident has been arrested on a four-count federal indictment charging him with unlawfully exporting electronics used in railway signaling and telecommunications systems from the United States to Iran, in violation the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).
Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, 66, a resident of Santa Monica and Tehran, Iran, was arrested Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.
Ostovari is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and three counts of violating the IEEPA.
According to the indictment unsealed today, Ostovari is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering company – identified in the indictment as “Company A” – that supplied signaling and communications systems to Iran and its government, including on projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. From at least May 2018 to July 2025, Ostovari and his co-conspirators obtained and shipped sophisticated computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronics and electronic components to Company A in Iran. Many of these items were controlled under federal regulations, and their export to Iran without a license was prohibited.
To perpetrate his illegal export scheme, Ostovari used two front companies he controlled in the UAE – MH-SYS FZCO and Match Systech FZE – as conduits. Ostovari directed co-conspirators at these front companies to acquire the electronics and electronic components for Company A. Ostovari and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from electronics suppliers in the United States and elsewhere that the goods were destined for Iran, falsely stating that MH-SYS and Match Systech in the UAE were the end users when in fact the true end user was Company A in Iran. Ostovari then directed his co-conspirators to arrange to ship the goods from the UAE to Company A in Iran.
After he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in May 2020, Ostovari continued to export, sell, and supply electronics and electrical components to Company A in Iran.
As alleged, Ostovari knew of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, mentioning them in emails to co-conspirators and directing one co-conspirator to provide false information to a federal export control officer regarding the end use of U.S.-origin goods they had shipped to Company A in Iran.
The IEEPA and the ITSR impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States including, among others, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR, among other things, prohibit the export, re-export, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
At no time did Ostovari, his companies, or his co-conspirators apply for or obtain authorization from OFAC to export, sell or supply goods and technologies from the United States to Iran.
If convicted, Ostovari faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Lachman and Colin S. Scott for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorney Kathryn DeMarco of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: US State of California
An Iranian national and U.S. lawful permanent resident has been arrested on a four-count federal indictment charging him with unlawfully exporting electronics used in railway signaling and telecommunications systems from the United States to Iran, in violation the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).
Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, 66, a resident of Santa Monica and Tehran, Iran, was arrested Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.
Ostovari is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and three counts of violating the IEEPA.
According to the indictment unsealed today, Ostovari is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering company – identified in the indictment as “Company A” – that supplied signaling and communications systems to Iran and its government, including on projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. From at least May 2018 to July 2025, Ostovari and his co-conspirators obtained and shipped sophisticated computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronics and electronic components to Company A in Iran. Many of these items were controlled under federal regulations, and their export to Iran without a license was prohibited.
To perpetrate his illegal export scheme, Ostovari used two front companies he controlled in the UAE – MH-SYS FZCO and Match Systech FZE – as conduits. Ostovari directed co-conspirators at these front companies to acquire the electronics and electronic components for Company A. Ostovari and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from electronics suppliers in the United States and elsewhere that the goods were destined for Iran, falsely stating that MH-SYS and Match Systech in the UAE were the end users when in fact the true end user was Company A in Iran. Ostovari then directed his co-conspirators to arrange to ship the goods from the UAE to Company A in Iran.
After he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in May 2020, Ostovari continued to export, sell, and supply electronics and electrical components to Company A in Iran.
As alleged, Ostovari knew of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, mentioning them in emails to co-conspirators and directing one co-conspirator to provide false information to a federal export control officer regarding the end use of U.S.-origin goods they had shipped to Company A in Iran.
The IEEPA and the ITSR impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States including, among others, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR, among other things, prohibit the export, re-export, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
At no time did Ostovari, his companies, or his co-conspirators apply for or obtain authorization from OFAC to export, sell or supply goods and technologies from the United States to Iran.
If convicted, Ostovari faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Lachman and Colin S. Scott for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorney Kathryn DeMarco of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo., July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Bancshares, Inc. (OTCQX: FBSI) (“Company”), the holding company for Stockmens Bank (“Bank”), today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025.
For the second quarter of 2025, the Company reported after-tax net income of $1,824,000 or $0.75 per share-diluted compared to $1,630,000 or $0.67 per share-diluted for the same period in 2024. Net income for the second quarter of 2025 represents an after-tax return on average assets of 1.36% and an after-tax return on equity of 11.82%. These earnings ratios repeated their recent trend of outperformance despite an atypical $7.5 million increase in asset size due to an arbitrage play and strategic stockpiling of capital reserves.
Since June 30, 2024, the Company experienced growth in all major balance sheet categories aside from investment securities with consolidated total assets increasing $27.3 million to $544.1 million, cash & cash equivalents increasing $13.0 million to $55.8 million, and net loans receivable increasing $15.9 million to $445.3 million. Total deposits increased $13.4 million to $468.3 million, and stockholders’ equity increased $6.3 million to $62.3 million.
Through the second quarter of 2025, the Company has made significant efforts to fortify its balance sheet. Liquidity remains robust with excess cash being deployed into high-quality loan assets, earning asset yields rose, costs of funds has been kept in check, asset quality improved from already impressive levels, and capital ratios developed to a level that affords the Company the flexibility to pursue growth opportunities as they arise.
The Bank meets all regulatory requirements for “well-capitalized” status.
About the Company
First Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Stockmens Bank, a FDIC-insured commercial bank chartered by the State of Colorado that conducts business from its home office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and eight full-service Missouri offices in Mountain Grove, Marshfield, Ava, Kissee Mills, Gainesville, Crane, Hartville and Springfield, and full-service offices in Bartley, Nebraska and Akron, Colorado.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Stockmens Bank, may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements” in its reports to shareholders, and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, expectations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such statements address the following subjects: future operating results; customer growth and retention; loan and other product demand; earnings growth and expectations; new products and services; credit quality and adequacy of reserves; results of examinations by our bank regulators, technology, and our employees. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company’s financial performance to differ materially from the expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; inflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations; the timely development and acceptance of new products and services of the Company and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users; the impact of changes in financial services’ laws and regulations; technological changes; acquisitions; changes in consumer spending and savings habits; and the success of the Company at managing and collecting assets of borrowers in default and managing the risks of the foregoing.
The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any intent or obligation, to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
Contact: Robert M. Alexander, Chairman and CEO – (719) 955-2800
| First Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial Highlights | |||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating Data: | |||||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 8,407 | $ | 8,013 | $ | 16,371 | $ | 16,154 | |||||||||
| Total interest expense | 2,411 | 2,689 | 4,721 | 5,486 | |||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 5,996 | 5,324 | 11,650 | 10,668 | |||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 61 | 141 | 239 | 343 | |||||||||||||
| Net interest income after provision for credit losses | 5,935 | 5,183 | 11,411 | 10,325 | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on sale of investments | – | – | – | – | |||||||||||||
| Non-interest income | 474 | 410 | 835 | 786 | |||||||||||||
| Non-interest expense | 4,014 | 3,434 | 7,597 | 6,757 | |||||||||||||
| Income before taxes | 2,395 | 2,159 | 4,649 | 4,354 | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 571 | 529 | 1,133 | 1,071 | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,824 | $ | 1,630 | $ | 3,516 | $ | 3,283 | |||||||||
| Earnings per share | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 1.46 | $ | 1.35 | |||||||||
| At | At | At | |||||||||||||||
| June 30, | December 31, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| Financial Condition Data: | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 55,758 | $ | 68,570 | $ | 42,769 | |||||||||||
| (excludes CDs) | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment securities | 13,421 | 13,066 | 12,966 | ||||||||||||||
| (includes CDs) | |||||||||||||||||
| Loans receivable, net | 445,372 | 423,657 | 429,444 | ||||||||||||||
| Goodwill and intangibles | 1,443 | 1,515 | 1,586 | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 544,072 | 537,885 | 516,784 | ||||||||||||||
| Deposits | 468,345 | 472,596 | 454,992 | ||||||||||||||
| Repurchase agreements | 1,102 | 1,084 | 1,601 | ||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 7,500 | – | – | ||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 62,336 | 59,562 | 56,037 | ||||||||||||||
| Book value per share | $ | 25.68 | $ | 24.53 | $ | 23.08 | |||||||||||
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
WASHINGTON, DC – As a member of the Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped advance the annual National Defense Authorization Act out of committee. Peters successfully authored and secured provisions in the bipartisan bill to strengthen U.S. national security, invest in Michigan’s military facilities and robust defense sector, support our nation’s long-term strategic efforts to combat aggression by adversaries like China and Russia, fund initiatives to clean up PFAS contamination, and give our servicemembers a pay raise. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
“Across Michigan, our servicemembers, defense manufacturers, and top-notch military installations play an essential role in keeping our nation safe and secure,” said Senator Peters. “I was proud to secure investments in this bill to bolster those defense assets and capabilities, while supporting statewide economic growth. This bill also helps us meet the rising threats posed by our adversaries like China and Russia to protect both folks at home and our troops serving around the world.”
The National Defense Authorization Act sets annual policy for the Department of Defense (DOD) and has been signed into law for more than 60 consecutive years.
Peters led or supported the following provisions, including authorizing more than $18 million in funding for Michigan’s military facilities:
Investing in Michigan’s Military Facilities
$9 million for Runway Improvement at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: This funding would allow for runway improvements at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to prepare for basing of future missions, including the KC-46 Tankers and F-15EX fighter jets that were announced for Selfridge following years of persistent work and advocacy by Peters.
$5.2 million to Construct Two New Taxiways at Selfridge: This funding would support the construction of two new taxiways at Selfridge to prepare for basing of future missions including Selfridge’s two missions. This includes $2.8 million for the construction of Taxiway Alpha and $2.4 million for the construction of Taxiway Bravo.
$4.4 million for Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex: This funding would kickstart the Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex (ADWTC) critical for military training exercises like Northern Strike. The ADWTC provides a state-of-the-art facility where servicemembers can plan, lead, and execute realistic training. The ADWTC is critical for growing military training exercises like Northern Strike and ensuring this critical exercise remains the premier training exercise in the country.
Permanent Funding for Northern Strike: Peters secured report language urging permanent funding for the annual Northern Strike Exercise, which is the largest all-domain reserve forces exercise. Northern Strike provides a realistic training environment and robust training experiences for units and leaders to strengthen joint all-domain warfighting – and helps keep Michigan central to our national defense operations.
Bolstering Collaborative Combat Aircraft Production: Senator Peters secured language in the bill that directs the Air Force to move forward with initial full-scale production of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Peters has pushed forand secured language to support the development and integration of CCAs, including during a hearing last year with the former Secretary of Defense and a recent hearing with the current U.S. Air Force Secretary. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters has also secured language to help position Selfridge Air National Guard Base as a potential location for CCA fielding. He led a provision included in recent government funding legislation requiring a report regarding basing criteria of CCAs. This report will include an evaluation of whether existing Air National Guard bases with legacy fighter missions, such as Selfridge, may be appropriate locations for the basing of CCAs.
Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center at Selfridge: Peters led a provision in the bill underscoring the growing threat of cyberattacks on both manned and unmanned military vehicles and platforms, as well as critical infrastructure that interacts with advanced vehicles. The provision recognizes the work of the Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in Warren, Michigan to identify cyber vulnerabilities to secure joint ground vehicle platforms and prevent cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The bill encourages vehicle cybersecurity at places like GVSC who is working to establish its Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center, which will also be located in Michigan at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. In addition to supporting our Armed Forces and servicemembers, the Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center will support Michigan’s auto industry and help establish Southeast Michigan as a hub for all auto-cyber activity in the country. Peters has continuously used his role on the Armed Services Committee to support the GVSC, and recently warned DOD officials about the consequences of potential cuts at the GVSC.
Emergency Response Authority Act: Peters successfully secured an amendment to give states more flexibility in deploying Army Guard and Reserve (AGR) personnel with specialized skills for emergency response. This proposal would allow AGR forces to respond to state declared emergencies, such as floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, for a total of 14 days per person. This provision empowers states to respond to major disasters more quickly and effectively.
Supporting Our Servicemembers and Their Families
Pay Raise for Servicemembers: This bill includes pay raises of 3.8 percent for military servicemembers.
Addressing PFAS Contamination
Improving Transparency of PFAS Cleanup & Remediation Efforts: Peters successfully included a provision that requires DOD to submit annual reports detailing site-specific funding, progress, and barriers for all interim PFAS remediation and cleanup efforts. This includes timelines, performance metrics, and the status of the actions. Peters’ provision also requires DOD to create a public online dashboard within one year to display updated PFAS cleanup data, funding, timelines, and community points of contact. Peters has worked with communities across Michigan for years on PFAS remediation efforts. Peters convened the first-ever hearing on PFAS contamination in the Senate, and convened a field summit in Grand Rapids in November 2018 to shine a light on how local, state and federal governments are coordinating responses to address PFAS contamination. He has also passed numerous bills into law to help address PFAS contamination and protect Michiganders. Michigan is home to a number of military installations where PFAS contamination has been detected, including Camp Grayling and the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda.
Ensuring Access to Clean Drinking Water for Communities Affected by PFAS Contamination: The bill contains a Peters led initiative to direct DOD to provide bottled water to communities with private drinking water wells with high levels of PFAS contamination as a result of DOD activities.
Supporting Michigan’s Defense Sector
Bolstering Infantry Squad Vehicle Production: The bill also authorized $34.4 million to maintain continued production and fielding of General Motors (GM) Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). GM Defense conducts its testing, research, and development of projects at the Milford Proving Ground in Oakland County, where two of its key programs of record were conceived, and employs over 50,000 people in Michigan.
Supporting Munition Production in Grayling: The bill includes $31.9 million to support production of the Army’s Individual Assault Munitions (IAM), which will soon be made at a new production facility being constructed in Grayling, Michigan. This new facility is expected to employ 70 people in 2025 and expand to an estimated 100 employees by 2027.
Boosting Made in Michigan Ground Vehicle Production: The bill authorizes robust funding for the Army to produce new, modernized Strykers as well as Abrams tanks. This funding would help ensure that Made in Michigan testing and development of ground vehicles like the Strykers are operating with cutting edge technology designed to keep our servicemembers safe.
Bolstering Military Aircraft Engine Industrial Base: Peters secured a provision that requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a roadmap for bolstering our military aircraft engine industrial base to support existing and planned platforms.
Expanding Fuel Cell Use: This provision Peters secured authorizes $5 million for research and development of multi-modular fuel cells, primarily to be used in electric vehicle charging stations and mobile generators. This research will help increase the reliability of power for military installations and improve DOD’s energy management and efficiency plans.
Strengthening Cybersecurity and Advanced Technology Capabilities
Protecting Against Phishing Attacks: This report language, secured by Peters, requires DOD to issue a strategy on implementing the adoption of phishing-resistant authentication across the Department. There has been an increase in phishing attempts targeting officials at DOD to retrieve personal information that allows hackers and foreign adversaries to gain access to delicate national security information. This provision would ensure that DOD takes steps to protect sensitive national security information and protect American lives.
Preventing Manipulation of DOD-Generated Media: Peters secured an amendment he led which would require DOD to implement digital content provenance across the Department. Digital content creation, editing, and distribution tools are increasingly more accessible, and can be easily weaponized against the U.S. by our foreign adversaries who seek to threaten our national security, spread anti-American propaganda, and weaken our institutions. The amendment would help prevent DOD media content from being manipulated and used maliciously against our country by creating a pilot program to implement authenticity information on DOD-generated media. This builds on Peters’ bipartisan Digital Defense Content Provenance Act, which he secured in a previous national defense bill and requires DOD to create a course at the Defense Information School to teach personnel about the threats posed by synthetic media such as deepfakes, as well as emerging technologies and key concepts of digital content provenance. The bill also created a pilot program at DOD to assess the feasibility of establishing content standard technologies on DOD-produced and owned media content.
Strengthening U.S. Cyber Workforce: Peters secured a provision that would require a report on the implementation of the DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy. DOD has struggled to attract and retain a skilled cyber workforce. The DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy was designed to identify difficulties and provide specific activities to increase applications and retainment of the cyber workforce, both military and civilian. A skilled DOD cyber workforce benefits all Americans.
Enhancing DOD Weapons Systems to Protect Against Real-Time Cybersecurity Threats: The bill includes specific directives for the DOD to enhances its weapons systems with technology to track cybersecurity threats. This will all for weapons systems at Military bases in Michigan and across the country to track cyber threats in real time and constantly update the health and security of their cybersecurity operations.
Developing U.S. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Capabilities: The bill would provide increased funding for the development of new and innovative design and production of low-cost, uncrewed systems. The bill would also require a strategy to develop a secure domestic supply chain of critical components for small UAS systems.
Advancing Counter-UAS Technologies: The bill would authorize increased funding for various counter-UAS activities, and require a strategy for countering drone technologies and assessing resources or authorities needed for drone incursion response to ensure we are equipped for the future of warfare. It would direct the Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide briefings on their respective service plans for counter-UAS capabilities.
Supporting U.S. Security Interests Around the World
Planning for Enhanced Operations in Artic Region: The bill includes a provision authored by Peters that recognizes the current geopolitical challenges and opportunities presented by the Artic region, and supports efforts to better understand the emerging need to enhance operations in the region. Specifically, the bill encourages the Secretary of Defense to partner with interagency organizations, including the Center for Arctic Security and Resiliency and the Joint All Domain Weather Operations Center, to coordinate federal agency planning for Arctic operations as well as testing of systems to support Arctic operations.
Support Israel’s Defense Against Emerging Threats: Peters secured funding in the bill to help increase U.S. collaboration with Israel to develop emerging defense technologies to meet the warfare challenges of the future. Peters also secured a provision that would establish a cooperative program between the U.S. and Israel for advancing C-UAS technologies and joint research. Peters introduced bipartisan legislation last Congress to bolster collaboration between the United States and Israel on emerging technologies.
Strengthen Efforts to Combat Anti-Tunneling Activity: The bill authorizes additional funding to strengthen current collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to combat Hamas and strengthen anti-tunneling activity in the Gaza strip. As part of the DOD’s collaboration with the IDF, Israel shares its counter-tunnel technology with the DOD and Department of Homeland Security to combat growing threats at our borders, as well as similar threats faced on the Korean Peninsula and in multiple locations in the Middle East.
Support for Taiwan: This bill would strengthen security cooperation across the defense industrial bases of U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. The bill would support Taiwanese defense needs and strengthen U.S.-Taiwanese defense collaboration. The bill would also direct the Defense Department to assess Taiwan’s critical digital infrastructure and identify potential actions to help strengthen it.
Counter Chinese Communist Party Aggression: The bill includes numerous provisions to counter aggression from the Chinese government, including a provision requiring a report on the intelligence capabilities of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation in the Republic of Cuba.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
WASHINGTON, DC – As a member of the Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped advance the annual National Defense Authorization Act out of committee. Peters successfully authored and secured provisions in the bipartisan bill to strengthen U.S. national security, invest in Michigan’s military facilities and robust defense sector, support our nation’s long-term strategic efforts to combat aggression by adversaries like China and Russia, fund initiatives to clean up PFAS contamination, and give our servicemembers a pay raise. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
“Across Michigan, our servicemembers, defense manufacturers, and top-notch military installations play an essential role in keeping our nation safe and secure,” said Senator Peters. “I was proud to secure investments in this bill to bolster those defense assets and capabilities, while supporting statewide economic growth. This bill also helps us meet the rising threats posed by our adversaries like China and Russia to protect both folks at home and our troops serving around the world.”
The National Defense Authorization Act sets annual policy for the Department of Defense (DOD) and has been signed into law for more than 60 consecutive years.
Peters led or supported the following provisions, including authorizing more than $18 million in funding for Michigan’s military facilities:
Investing in Michigan’s Military Facilities
$9 million for Runway Improvement at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: This funding would allow for runway improvements at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to prepare for basing of future missions, including the KC-46 Tankers and F-15EX fighter jets that were announced for Selfridge following years of persistent work and advocacy by Peters.
$5.2 million to Construct Two New Taxiways at Selfridge: This funding would support the construction of two new taxiways at Selfridge to prepare for basing of future missions including Selfridge’s two missions. This includes $2.8 million for the construction of Taxiway Alpha and $2.4 million for the construction of Taxiway Bravo.
$4.4 million for Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex: This funding would kickstart the Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex (ADWTC) critical for military training exercises like Northern Strike. The ADWTC provides a state-of-the-art facility where servicemembers can plan, lead, and execute realistic training. The ADWTC is critical for growing military training exercises like Northern Strike and ensuring this critical exercise remains the premier training exercise in the country.
Permanent Funding for Northern Strike: Peters secured report language urging permanent funding for the annual Northern Strike Exercise, which is the largest all-domain reserve forces exercise. Northern Strike provides a realistic training environment and robust training experiences for units and leaders to strengthen joint all-domain warfighting – and helps keep Michigan central to our national defense operations.
Bolstering Collaborative Combat Aircraft Production: Senator Peters secured language in the bill that directs the Air Force to move forward with initial full-scale production of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Peters has pushed forand secured language to support the development and integration of CCAs, including during a hearing last year with the former Secretary of Defense and a recent hearing with the current U.S. Air Force Secretary. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters has also secured language to help position Selfridge Air National Guard Base as a potential location for CCA fielding. He led a provision included in recent government funding legislation requiring a report regarding basing criteria of CCAs. This report will include an evaluation of whether existing Air National Guard bases with legacy fighter missions, such as Selfridge, may be appropriate locations for the basing of CCAs.
Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center at Selfridge: Peters led a provision in the bill underscoring the growing threat of cyberattacks on both manned and unmanned military vehicles and platforms, as well as critical infrastructure that interacts with advanced vehicles. The provision recognizes the work of the Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in Warren, Michigan to identify cyber vulnerabilities to secure joint ground vehicle platforms and prevent cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The bill encourages vehicle cybersecurity at places like GVSC who is working to establish its Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center, which will also be located in Michigan at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. In addition to supporting our Armed Forces and servicemembers, the Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center will support Michigan’s auto industry and help establish Southeast Michigan as a hub for all auto-cyber activity in the country. Peters has continuously used his role on the Armed Services Committee to support the GVSC, and recently warned DOD officials about the consequences of potential cuts at the GVSC.
Emergency Response Authority Act: Peters successfully secured an amendment to give states more flexibility in deploying Army Guard and Reserve (AGR) personnel with specialized skills for emergency response. This proposal would allow AGR forces to respond to state declared emergencies, such as floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, for a total of 14 days per person. This provision empowers states to respond to major disasters more quickly and effectively.
Supporting Our Servicemembers and Their Families
Pay Raise for Servicemembers: This bill includes pay raises of 3.8 percent for military servicemembers.
Addressing PFAS Contamination
Improving Transparency of PFAS Cleanup & Remediation Efforts: Peters successfully included a provision that requires DOD to submit annual reports detailing site-specific funding, progress, and barriers for all interim PFAS remediation and cleanup efforts. This includes timelines, performance metrics, and the status of the actions. Peters’ provision also requires DOD to create a public online dashboard within one year to display updated PFAS cleanup data, funding, timelines, and community points of contact. Peters has worked with communities across Michigan for years on PFAS remediation efforts. Peters convened the first-ever hearing on PFAS contamination in the Senate, and convened a field summit in Grand Rapids in November 2018 to shine a light on how local, state and federal governments are coordinating responses to address PFAS contamination. He has also passed numerous bills into law to help address PFAS contamination and protect Michiganders. Michigan is home to a number of military installations where PFAS contamination has been detected, including Camp Grayling and the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda.
Ensuring Access to Clean Drinking Water for Communities Affected by PFAS Contamination: The bill contains a Peters led initiative to direct DOD to provide bottled water to communities with private drinking water wells with high levels of PFAS contamination as a result of DOD activities.
Supporting Michigan’s Defense Sector
Bolstering Infantry Squad Vehicle Production: The bill also authorized $34.4 million to maintain continued production and fielding of General Motors (GM) Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). GM Defense conducts its testing, research, and development of projects at the Milford Proving Ground in Oakland County, where two of its key programs of record were conceived, and employs over 50,000 people in Michigan.
Supporting Munition Production in Grayling: The bill includes $31.9 million to support production of the Army’s Individual Assault Munitions (IAM), which will soon be made at a new production facility being constructed in Grayling, Michigan. This new facility is expected to employ 70 people in 2025 and expand to an estimated 100 employees by 2027.
Boosting Made in Michigan Ground Vehicle Production: The bill authorizes robust funding for the Army to produce new, modernized Strykers as well as Abrams tanks. This funding would help ensure that Made in Michigan testing and development of ground vehicles like the Strykers are operating with cutting edge technology designed to keep our servicemembers safe.
Bolstering Military Aircraft Engine Industrial Base: Peters secured a provision that requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a roadmap for bolstering our military aircraft engine industrial base to support existing and planned platforms.
Expanding Fuel Cell Use: This provision Peters secured authorizes $5 million for research and development of multi-modular fuel cells, primarily to be used in electric vehicle charging stations and mobile generators. This research will help increase the reliability of power for military installations and improve DOD’s energy management and efficiency plans.
Strengthening Cybersecurity and Advanced Technology Capabilities
Protecting Against Phishing Attacks: This report language, secured by Peters, requires DOD to issue a strategy on implementing the adoption of phishing-resistant authentication across the Department. There has been an increase in phishing attempts targeting officials at DOD to retrieve personal information that allows hackers and foreign adversaries to gain access to delicate national security information. This provision would ensure that DOD takes steps to protect sensitive national security information and protect American lives.
Preventing Manipulation of DOD-Generated Media: Peters secured an amendment he led which would require DOD to implement digital content provenance across the Department. Digital content creation, editing, and distribution tools are increasingly more accessible, and can be easily weaponized against the U.S. by our foreign adversaries who seek to threaten our national security, spread anti-American propaganda, and weaken our institutions. The amendment would help prevent DOD media content from being manipulated and used maliciously against our country by creating a pilot program to implement authenticity information on DOD-generated media. This builds on Peters’ bipartisan Digital Defense Content Provenance Act, which he secured in a previous national defense bill and requires DOD to create a course at the Defense Information School to teach personnel about the threats posed by synthetic media such as deepfakes, as well as emerging technologies and key concepts of digital content provenance. The bill also created a pilot program at DOD to assess the feasibility of establishing content standard technologies on DOD-produced and owned media content.
Strengthening U.S. Cyber Workforce: Peters secured a provision that would require a report on the implementation of the DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy. DOD has struggled to attract and retain a skilled cyber workforce. The DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy was designed to identify difficulties and provide specific activities to increase applications and retainment of the cyber workforce, both military and civilian. A skilled DOD cyber workforce benefits all Americans.
Enhancing DOD Weapons Systems to Protect Against Real-Time Cybersecurity Threats: The bill includes specific directives for the DOD to enhances its weapons systems with technology to track cybersecurity threats. This will all for weapons systems at Military bases in Michigan and across the country to track cyber threats in real time and constantly update the health and security of their cybersecurity operations.
Developing U.S. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Capabilities: The bill would provide increased funding for the development of new and innovative design and production of low-cost, uncrewed systems. The bill would also require a strategy to develop a secure domestic supply chain of critical components for small UAS systems.
Advancing Counter-UAS Technologies: The bill would authorize increased funding for various counter-UAS activities, and require a strategy for countering drone technologies and assessing resources or authorities needed for drone incursion response to ensure we are equipped for the future of warfare. It would direct the Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide briefings on their respective service plans for counter-UAS capabilities.
Supporting U.S. Security Interests Around the World
Planning for Enhanced Operations in Artic Region: The bill includes a provision authored by Peters that recognizes the current geopolitical challenges and opportunities presented by the Artic region, and supports efforts to better understand the emerging need to enhance operations in the region. Specifically, the bill encourages the Secretary of Defense to partner with interagency organizations, including the Center for Arctic Security and Resiliency and the Joint All Domain Weather Operations Center, to coordinate federal agency planning for Arctic operations as well as testing of systems to support Arctic operations.
Support Israel’s Defense Against Emerging Threats: Peters secured funding in the bill to help increase U.S. collaboration with Israel to develop emerging defense technologies to meet the warfare challenges of the future. Peters also secured a provision that would establish a cooperative program between the U.S. and Israel for advancing C-UAS technologies and joint research. Peters introduced bipartisan legislation last Congress to bolster collaboration between the United States and Israel on emerging technologies.
Strengthen Efforts to Combat Anti-Tunneling Activity: The bill authorizes additional funding to strengthen current collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to combat Hamas and strengthen anti-tunneling activity in the Gaza strip. As part of the DOD’s collaboration with the IDF, Israel shares its counter-tunnel technology with the DOD and Department of Homeland Security to combat growing threats at our borders, as well as similar threats faced on the Korean Peninsula and in multiple locations in the Middle East.
Support for Taiwan: This bill would strengthen security cooperation across the defense industrial bases of U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. The bill would support Taiwanese defense needs and strengthen U.S.-Taiwanese defense collaboration. The bill would also direct the Defense Department to assess Taiwan’s critical digital infrastructure and identify potential actions to help strengthen it.
Counter Chinese Communist Party Aggression: The bill includes numerous provisions to counter aggression from the Chinese government, including a provision requiring a report on the intelligence capabilities of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation in the Republic of Cuba.
Source: United States Attorneys General 11
An Iranian national and U.S. lawful permanent resident has been arrested on a four-count federal indictment charging him with unlawfully exporting electronics used in railway signaling and telecommunications systems from the United States to Iran, in violation the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).
Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, 66, a resident of Santa Monica and Tehran, Iran, was arrested Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.
Ostovari is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and three counts of violating the IEEPA.
According to the indictment unsealed today, Ostovari is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering company – identified in the indictment as “Company A” – that supplied signaling and communications systems to Iran and its government, including on projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. From at least May 2018 to July 2025, Ostovari and his co-conspirators obtained and shipped sophisticated computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronics and electronic components to Company A in Iran. Many of these items were controlled under federal regulations, and their export to Iran without a license was prohibited.
To perpetrate his illegal export scheme, Ostovari used two front companies he controlled in the UAE – MH-SYS FZCO and Match Systech FZE – as conduits. Ostovari directed co-conspirators at these front companies to acquire the electronics and electronic components for Company A. Ostovari and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from electronics suppliers in the United States and elsewhere that the goods were destined for Iran, falsely stating that MH-SYS and Match Systech in the UAE were the end users when in fact the true end user was Company A in Iran. Ostovari then directed his co-conspirators to arrange to ship the goods from the UAE to Company A in Iran.
After he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in May 2020, Ostovari continued to export, sell, and supply electronics and electrical components to Company A in Iran.
As alleged, Ostovari knew of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, mentioning them in emails to co-conspirators and directing one co-conspirator to provide false information to a federal export control officer regarding the end use of U.S.-origin goods they had shipped to Company A in Iran.
The IEEPA and the ITSR impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States including, among others, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR, among other things, prohibit the export, re-export, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
At no time did Ostovari, his companies, or his co-conspirators apply for or obtain authorization from OFAC to export, sell or supply goods and technologies from the United States to Iran.
If convicted, Ostovari faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Lachman and Colin S. Scott for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorney Kathryn DeMarco of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
New York City, NY, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The cryptocurrency-friendly policies released by the United States have triggered a wave of digital assets. The current price of Bitcoin is $118,131, and the rise of Bitcoin has also spread to other cryptocurrencies.
When the market value of Bitcoin reached $100 billion to $200 billion, few experienced capital allocators had access to investment opportunities. Today, the market value of Bitcoin has reached trillions of dollars, and almost all capital allocators in the world have access to investment opportunities.
But now simply holding cryptocurrencies and waiting for appreciation can no longer create wealth myths. The cloud mining service launched by LET Mining provides global users with a low-threshold, high-return participation method, allowing users to have high returns every day and create new wealth myths!
What is cloud mining?
Cloud mining is a way for users to participate in cryptocurrency mining remotely without purchasing mining machines or having a technical background. It uses the concept of “cloud computing” to deploy mining equipment in professional data centers. Users only need to rent computing power online to get automatic daily income.
Whether you know about cryptocurrency or not, you can participate and get fixed income every day.
How to start using LET Mining to earn income every day?
1. Use a browser to log in to the official website:https://letmining.com/ Register an account. After successful registration, you can get a $12 reward, and you can get $0.6 for logging in and signing in every day.
2. Choose a cloud computing contract package that suits you. The platform provides flexible packages. The following are some cloud computing packages:
●Experience Contract: Investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8
●BTC Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $6, expiration income: $500 + $30
●DOGE Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $3,500, contract period: 24 days, daily income of $50.4, expiration income: $3,500 + $1,209.6
●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 29 days, daily income of $76.5, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,218.5
●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 45 days, daily income of $173, expiration income: $10,000 + $7,785
(Click here to view more high-yield contract details)
3. After purchasing the contract, the system automatically allocates mining machines for users to mine, and the daily income is automatically sent to the user’s account.
Who is suitable to join LET Mining?
★Investors who want stable crypto income;
★Newbies who are not good at trading but want to earn bonuses in the currency circle;
★People who hold mainstream cryptocurrencies such as USDT, BTC, and XRP;
★Freelancers and digital nomads who want to establish a passive income system;
★People who have social resources and are willing to achieve high income through referral models.
The surge in Bitcoin prices is a signal from the market;
LET Mining cloud mining is your tool to seize the opportunity.
The rising trend of Bitcoin has created an excellent opportunity for cloud mining, and LET Mining’s low threshold and high return model allows ordinary investors to participate. Through a reasonable computing power investment strategy, some users have achieved amazing daily returns!
Sign up for LET Mining now and start your Bitcoin mining wealth journey!
Official website: https://letmining.com/
Contact email: info@letmining.com
Attachment
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
New York City, NY, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The cryptocurrency-friendly policies released by the United States have triggered a wave of digital assets. The current price of Bitcoin is $118,131, and the rise of Bitcoin has also spread to other cryptocurrencies.
When the market value of Bitcoin reached $100 billion to $200 billion, few experienced capital allocators had access to investment opportunities. Today, the market value of Bitcoin has reached trillions of dollars, and almost all capital allocators in the world have access to investment opportunities.
But now simply holding cryptocurrencies and waiting for appreciation can no longer create wealth myths. The cloud mining service launched by LET Mining provides global users with a low-threshold, high-return participation method, allowing users to have high returns every day and create new wealth myths!
What is cloud mining?
Cloud mining is a way for users to participate in cryptocurrency mining remotely without purchasing mining machines or having a technical background. It uses the concept of “cloud computing” to deploy mining equipment in professional data centers. Users only need to rent computing power online to get automatic daily income.
Whether you know about cryptocurrency or not, you can participate and get fixed income every day.
How to start using LET Mining to earn income every day?
1. Use a browser to log in to the official website:https://letmining.com/ Register an account. After successful registration, you can get a $12 reward, and you can get $0.6 for logging in and signing in every day.
2. Choose a cloud computing contract package that suits you. The platform provides flexible packages. The following are some cloud computing packages:
●Experience Contract: Investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8
●BTC Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $6, expiration income: $500 + $30
●DOGE Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $3,500, contract period: 24 days, daily income of $50.4, expiration income: $3,500 + $1,209.6
●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 29 days, daily income of $76.5, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,218.5
●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 45 days, daily income of $173, expiration income: $10,000 + $7,785
(Click here to view more high-yield contract details)
3. After purchasing the contract, the system automatically allocates mining machines for users to mine, and the daily income is automatically sent to the user’s account.
Who is suitable to join LET Mining?
★Investors who want stable crypto income;
★Newbies who are not good at trading but want to earn bonuses in the currency circle;
★People who hold mainstream cryptocurrencies such as USDT, BTC, and XRP;
★Freelancers and digital nomads who want to establish a passive income system;
★People who have social resources and are willing to achieve high income through referral models.
The surge in Bitcoin prices is a signal from the market;
LET Mining cloud mining is your tool to seize the opportunity.
The rising trend of Bitcoin has created an excellent opportunity for cloud mining, and LET Mining’s low threshold and high return model allows ordinary investors to participate. Through a reasonable computing power investment strategy, some users have achieved amazing daily returns!
Sign up for LET Mining now and start your Bitcoin mining wealth journey!
Official website: https://letmining.com/
Contact email: info@letmining.com
Attachment
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
New York City, NY, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The cryptocurrency-friendly policies released by the United States have triggered a wave of digital assets. The current price of Bitcoin is $118,131, and the rise of Bitcoin has also spread to other cryptocurrencies.
When the market value of Bitcoin reached $100 billion to $200 billion, few experienced capital allocators had access to investment opportunities. Today, the market value of Bitcoin has reached trillions of dollars, and almost all capital allocators in the world have access to investment opportunities.
But now simply holding cryptocurrencies and waiting for appreciation can no longer create wealth myths. The cloud mining service launched by LET Mining provides global users with a low-threshold, high-return participation method, allowing users to have high returns every day and create new wealth myths!
What is cloud mining?
Cloud mining is a way for users to participate in cryptocurrency mining remotely without purchasing mining machines or having a technical background. It uses the concept of “cloud computing” to deploy mining equipment in professional data centers. Users only need to rent computing power online to get automatic daily income.
Whether you know about cryptocurrency or not, you can participate and get fixed income every day.
How to start using LET Mining to earn income every day?
1. Use a browser to log in to the official website:https://letmining.com/ Register an account. After successful registration, you can get a $12 reward, and you can get $0.6 for logging in and signing in every day.
2. Choose a cloud computing contract package that suits you. The platform provides flexible packages. The following are some cloud computing packages:
●Experience Contract: Investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8
●BTC Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $6, expiration income: $500 + $30
●DOGE Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $3,500, contract period: 24 days, daily income of $50.4, expiration income: $3,500 + $1,209.6
●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 29 days, daily income of $76.5, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,218.5
●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 45 days, daily income of $173, expiration income: $10,000 + $7,785
(Click here to view more high-yield contract details)
3. After purchasing the contract, the system automatically allocates mining machines for users to mine, and the daily income is automatically sent to the user’s account.
Who is suitable to join LET Mining?
★Investors who want stable crypto income;
★Newbies who are not good at trading but want to earn bonuses in the currency circle;
★People who hold mainstream cryptocurrencies such as USDT, BTC, and XRP;
★Freelancers and digital nomads who want to establish a passive income system;
★People who have social resources and are willing to achieve high income through referral models.
The surge in Bitcoin prices is a signal from the market;
LET Mining cloud mining is your tool to seize the opportunity.
The rising trend of Bitcoin has created an excellent opportunity for cloud mining, and LET Mining’s low threshold and high return model allows ordinary investors to participate. Through a reasonable computing power investment strategy, some users have achieved amazing daily returns!
Sign up for LET Mining now and start your Bitcoin mining wealth journey!
Official website: https://letmining.com/
Contact email: info@letmining.com
Attachment
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced a $24,837,048 grant for the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) BUILD program.
This funding, which was made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will construct truck parking capacity expansion improvements at three existing West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) facilities along I-81, I-64, and I-79 in Berkeley, Cabell, Monongalia Counties. Chairman Capito authored a letter in support of the WVDOH’s application for this project earlier this year.
“Efforts to upgrade facilities along West Virginia portions of major interstates will enhance the safety of our drivers, support the regional and national movement of goods, and encourage economic investments across our state. As Chairman of the EPW Committee, I made this investment a priority and I’m thankful DOT recognized its importance. This support will help WVDOT and WVDOH continue their mission of safe and efficient transportation in West Virginia,” Chairman Capito said.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced a $24,837,048 grant for the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) BUILD program.
This funding, which was made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will construct truck parking capacity expansion improvements at three existing West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) facilities along I-81, I-64, and I-79 in Berkeley, Cabell, Monongalia Counties. Chairman Capito authored a letter in support of the WVDOH’s application for this project earlier this year.
“Efforts to upgrade facilities along West Virginia portions of major interstates will enhance the safety of our drivers, support the regional and national movement of goods, and encourage economic investments across our state. As Chairman of the EPW Committee, I made this investment a priority and I’m thankful DOT recognized its importance. This support will help WVDOT and WVDOH continue their mission of safe and efficient transportation in West Virginia,” Chairman Capito said.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
July 11, 2025
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and his colleagues in writing a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing deep concerns with imminent Reductions in Force (RIFs) at the State Department, and requested answers on the Trump administration’s process for carrying out these layoffs.
“RIFs should remain a tool of last resort, and if implemented must be conducted according to long-standing procedures that prioritize transparency and a merit-based process for both career civil service employees and Foreign Service Officers (FSOs). During a time of increasingly complex and wide-spread challenges to U.S. national security, this administration should be strengthening our diplomatic corps—an irreplaceable instrument of U.S. power and leadership—not weakening it. However, RIFs would severely undermine the Department’s ability to achieve U.S. foreign policy interests, putting our nation’s security, strength, and prosperity at risk,” the senators wrote.
Since January, the Foreign Service has shrunk by nearly 25 percent and the number of civil service employees has also decreased due to agency closures, early retirement, and buyouts.
“While every administration is entitled to set new priorities and engage in reorganization of executive agencies, we are deeply concerned by the breadth of these RIFs and the lack of clarity and transparency of the Department’s RIF process,” the senators continued.
The senators requested a response to the following questions by no later than July 18, 2025:
RIF Criteria:
When were RIF lists created, by whom, and against what criteria?
Is the Department choosing to RIF based on current office assignment rather than globally ranking FSOs and civil servants based on grade and skillsets? If so, why?
Are the lists being updated to reflect Permanent Changes in Station (PCS) or curtailments?
How many veterans and consular coned generalists are included on the list?
It can take years of training for an FSO or civil servant to master diplomatic and negotiation skills, including obtaining fluency in critical languages. Why are skilled officers, including those with specialized language skills not being reassigned? How will the Department fill these specialized skill and experience gaps?
Foreign Service Officers:
Why is the administration preventing FSOs from transferring into critical vacancies?
Why is the administration preventing candidates who accepted a “handshake” from being paneled to a position they were chosen for based on merit?
What is the rationale for conducting RIFs before the reorganization takes effect?
How many vacant FSO positions will there be worldwide after RIFs are processed? How does the Department plan to fill mission critical posts?
Why is the Department processing RIFs prior to determining the number of vacant positions remaining following your reorganization efforts?
How is the Department protecting the pipeline of FSOs to ensure no critical skill gaps in the future?
Civil Service:
Civil service employees often come to the Department with specialized experience. How is the Department working to retain critical, hard to replace employees in the civil service?
How is the Department working to ensure key specialties, knowledge, and personnel are retained and transferred during the reorganization?
Why is the Department refusing to process any lateral moves by civil service employees who have been offered other civil service positions within the Department?
If reducing waste, fraud, and abuse is the goal of the reorganization, why is the Department not efficiently allowing these experienced civil service employees to laterally move into vacant positions they were chosen for based on merit?
If remaining officers are going to be asked to take on additional work, how will they be remunerated for their time and effort?
Will the hiring and lateral transition freezes be lifted once RIFs are complete?
Reassignment Process:
Will there be a competitive reassignment for high-performing, mission-critical personnel following the RIFs? If so, what is the timeline and criteria for this reassignment process? How will the Department communicate these details with its employees?
The letter is cosigned by Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
To read the full text of the letter, click here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
July 11, 2025
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and all Democrats on the Committee in a statement on announced plans by the State Department to terminate more than 1,300 personnel.
“As the U.S. retreats, our adversaries—like the People’s Republic of China—are expanding their diplomatic reach, making Americans less safe and less prosperous. If this administration is serious about putting ‘America first,’ it must invest in our diplomatic corps and national security experts—not erode the institutions that protect our interests, promote U.S. values and keep Americans abroad safe.
“The Administration’s decision to fire hundreds of members of the Civil Service and Foreign Service at the Department of State undermines our national security. While there are targeted reforms that our government can pursue to maximize the impact of every tax dollar, that’s not what this is. Blanket and indiscriminate cuts—the legacy from Elon Musk’s failed DOGE effort—weaken our government’s ability to deliver for the American people in a cost-effective manner. There are active conflicts and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Haiti and Myanmar—to name a few. Now is the time to strengthen our diplomatic hand, not weaken it. From pursuing peaceful resolutions to out-competing China diplomatically and economically, we can’t afford to not have experienced diplomats at the table.
“We will continue to fight on behalf of the public servants and their families who now face job loss after careers spent advancing America’s interests and values in challenging and often high-risk environments. We call on Secretary Rubio to ensure that any proposed reorganization, including reductions in force, is carried out transparently and in full accordance with U.S. law.”
The statement was signed by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
July 11, 2025
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Friday objected to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) transfer notification that would move more than $430 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and other programs within DHS to cover costs relating to overspending and self-inflicted shortfalls, including $212 million to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Murphy detailed her failure to properly manage DHS’ budget, which put the agency at risk of running out of money in violation of appropriations law.
“Just as Americans are asked to do nearly every day – to live within their means – ICE is not free to spend more than Congress has authorized. Congress provided reprogramming and transfer authorities to the Department in acknowledgement that there may be circumstances when urgent and unforeseen issues arise that justify the shifting of resources outside of their original purpose. Yet, not one of the proposed purposes in this notification reflects an urgent and unforeseen need. In fact, most of these are self-inflicted shortfalls that were plainly foreseen given the department’s willful and consistent overspending. ICE doesn’t get to spend and spend without limitations and submit the bill to Congress. They must live within their means, just as American families must,” Murphy wrote.
Murphy detailed how ICE has pillaged other DHS programs to cover its reckless overspending: “If DHS moves forward with this proposal, it means that in total, over $524 million has been moved from other critical programs to ICE alone. Combined with the additional $485 million ICE received in the FY25 full-year CR, ICE will have received over $1 billion in additional funding over their appropriated amount this fiscal year to cover the administration’s overspending – with clear indication that even that amount is insufficient. For example, at the time of the submission of this notice, ICE had approximately 55,000 detention beds, 13,500 above the FY24 funded level of 41,500, which costs American taxpayers an additional half a billion annually. By early July, the agency has now committed to fund over 60,000 beds, all without Congressional approval.”
Murphy argued that DHS violated the law by misappropriating funds designated for the Shelter and Services Program: “Furthermore, earlier this year DHS transferred $32 million from SSP to ICE, the full amount permissible under law, and has recently asserted that “shelter” means “detention” (so that the entire fund can be raided for detention beds), and as I understand it, has plans to fund various immigration enforcement efforts with these humanitarian funds. The clear purpose of the shelter and services fund is to support humanitarian services – food, housing, and medical care for example – to non-federal entities supporting noncitizens released from custody. Therefore, using these funds to detain noncitizens, or to give to state and local law enforcement to arrest and detain noncitizens, is a patently clear purpose violation.”
He concluded: “Since the start of this administration, the White House and DHS have directed ICE to spend at an indefensible and unsustainable rate to build a mass deportation army and acquire detention beds far above the level negotiated and funded by Congress…I strongly object to the reprogramming and transfer requests. As DHS acquires over $165 billion as a part of the Republican reconciliation package, it is my strong desire that more of the work of the Appropriations Committee is transparent so that Americans can understand how their government spends their tax dollars.”
Full text of the letter is available HERE.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
July 11, 2025
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Friday objected to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) transfer notification that would move more than $430 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and other programs within DHS to cover costs relating to overspending and self-inflicted shortfalls, including $212 million to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Murphy detailed her failure to properly manage DHS’ budget, which put the agency at risk of running out of money in violation of appropriations law.
“Just as Americans are asked to do nearly every day – to live within their means – ICE is not free to spend more than Congress has authorized. Congress provided reprogramming and transfer authorities to the Department in acknowledgement that there may be circumstances when urgent and unforeseen issues arise that justify the shifting of resources outside of their original purpose. Yet, not one of the proposed purposes in this notification reflects an urgent and unforeseen need. In fact, most of these are self-inflicted shortfalls that were plainly foreseen given the department’s willful and consistent overspending. ICE doesn’t get to spend and spend without limitations and submit the bill to Congress. They must live within their means, just as American families must,” Murphy wrote.
Murphy detailed how ICE has pillaged other DHS programs to cover its reckless overspending: “If DHS moves forward with this proposal, it means that in total, over $524 million has been moved from other critical programs to ICE alone. Combined with the additional $485 million ICE received in the FY25 full-year CR, ICE will have received over $1 billion in additional funding over their appropriated amount this fiscal year to cover the administration’s overspending – with clear indication that even that amount is insufficient. For example, at the time of the submission of this notice, ICE had approximately 55,000 detention beds, 13,500 above the FY24 funded level of 41,500, which costs American taxpayers an additional half a billion annually. By early July, the agency has now committed to fund over 60,000 beds, all without Congressional approval.”
Murphy argued that DHS violated the law by misappropriating funds designated for the Shelter and Services Program: “Furthermore, earlier this year DHS transferred $32 million from SSP to ICE, the full amount permissible under law, and has recently asserted that “shelter” means “detention” (so that the entire fund can be raided for detention beds), and as I understand it, has plans to fund various immigration enforcement efforts with these humanitarian funds. The clear purpose of the shelter and services fund is to support humanitarian services – food, housing, and medical care for example – to non-federal entities supporting noncitizens released from custody. Therefore, using these funds to detain noncitizens, or to give to state and local law enforcement to arrest and detain noncitizens, is a patently clear purpose violation.”
He concluded: “Since the start of this administration, the White House and DHS have directed ICE to spend at an indefensible and unsustainable rate to build a mass deportation army and acquire detention beds far above the level negotiated and funded by Congress…I strongly object to the reprogramming and transfer requests. As DHS acquires over $165 billion as a part of the Republican reconciliation package, it is my strong desire that more of the work of the Appropriations Committee is transparent so that Americans can understand how their government spends their tax dollars.”
Full text of the letter is available HERE.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
KERR COUNTY, TEXAS — Today, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined President Donald J. Trump in Kerr County, Texas to offer federal disaster relief after storms devastated the region. Alongside Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, and members of Congress, Loeffler met with local leaders and received updates from state emergency management officials.
“The tragic loss of life in Texas Hill Country is truly heartbreaking – but the strength and the support of this community is clear,” said Administrator Loeffler. “Our commitment extends far beyond today’s visit, and this Administration is mobilizing every available resource to aid in recovery. As President Trump said, the full force of the federal government is behind Texas – including the SBA, where we are already offering disaster loans and on-the-ground support for residents and small businesses. Our prayers remain with the people of Texas, and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with them on the road to recovery.”
As the agency announced earlier this week, SBA disaster relief is now available for Texas small businesses, residents, and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding in seven counties. The disaster declaration covers the primary Texas county of Kerr which is eligible for both physical disaster loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the SBA. Small businesses and most PNP organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble, and Real.
Currently, the SBA has more than 70 staffers on the ground in Texas to assist with disaster recovery. The agency has also opened its first Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Kerr County, where individuals may come to receive hands-on assistance with disaster loan applications:
SBA Business Recovery Center
The YES Center at First Presbyterian Church
823 North Street
Kerrville, TX 87028
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM CT
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT
Texans affected by the flooding are encouraged to visit www.sba.gov/texas-floods or call SBA’s customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 to learn more about available aid.
# # #
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
KERR COUNTY, TEXAS — Today, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined President Donald J. Trump in Kerr County, Texas to offer federal disaster relief after storms devastated the region. Alongside Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, and members of Congress, Loeffler met with local leaders and received updates from state emergency management officials.
“The tragic loss of life in Texas Hill Country is truly heartbreaking – but the strength and the support of this community is clear,” said Administrator Loeffler. “Our commitment extends far beyond today’s visit, and this Administration is mobilizing every available resource to aid in recovery. As President Trump said, the full force of the federal government is behind Texas – including the SBA, where we are already offering disaster loans and on-the-ground support for residents and small businesses. Our prayers remain with the people of Texas, and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with them on the road to recovery.”
As the agency announced earlier this week, SBA disaster relief is now available for Texas small businesses, residents, and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding in seven counties. The disaster declaration covers the primary Texas county of Kerr which is eligible for both physical disaster loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the SBA. Small businesses and most PNP organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble, and Real.
Currently, the SBA has more than 70 staffers on the ground in Texas to assist with disaster recovery. The agency has also opened its first Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Kerr County, where individuals may come to receive hands-on assistance with disaster loan applications:
SBA Business Recovery Center
The YES Center at First Presbyterian Church
823 North Street
Kerrville, TX 87028
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM CT
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT
Texans affected by the flooding are encouraged to visit www.sba.gov/texas-floods or call SBA’s customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 to learn more about available aid.
# # #
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.