Friday - March 29, 2024
Federal Independent Agencies

News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from federal independent agencies.

Featured Stories

USPS Issues New Stamp on Manatee Appreciation Day
SILVER SPRINGS, Florida, March 28 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release on March 27, 2024:

It's Manatee Appreciation Day! The U.S. Postal Service celebrated the occasion by dedicating its new Save Manatees stamp here today beside a clear, warm spring that the marine mammals frequent.

"Postage stamps are miniature works of art designed to reflect the American experience," said Lisa Bobb-Semple, Stamp Services director for the Postal Service. "It is our hope that these stamps bring further awareness to the plight of this beautiful animal."

The West Indian manatee is a large, ... Show Full Article

USAID Launches the Africa Trade Desk Through Prosper Africa
WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development issued the following news release on March 27, 2024:

Today, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman announced the launch of the Africa Trade Desk, a signature trade platform from Prosper Africa that links large U.S. food retailers to African producers. The announcement was made during the Atlanta Phambili: A Trade & Investment Gateway to Africa & South Africa event, an event highlighting the economic relationship between the United States and Africa, with a spotlight on South Africa.

The Africa Trade Desk, a public-private partnership ... Show Full Article

Southeastern Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Award $270,000 Grant to Support Temporary Housing for Homeless Veterans
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 28 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news on March 27, 2024:

Southeastern Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) announced today that a $270,000 grant has been awarded to Golden Isles Veterans Village, a development of 30 tiny homes and a community center for homeless veterans in Brunswick, Georgia.

The funds from FHLBank Atlanta's Multifamily Housing Bridge Fund (Bridge Fund) were awarded to Golden Isles Veterans Village through Southeastern Bank, which is a member ... Show Full Article

Social Security to Remove Barriers to Accessing SSI Payments
WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 28 -- The Social Security Administration issued the following news release on March 27, 2024:

Today, the Social Security Administration published a final rule, "Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) Calculations." The final rule announces the first of several updates to the agency's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) regulations that will help people receiving and applying for SSI.

"A vital part of our mission is helping people access crucial benefits, including SSI," said Martin O'Malley, Commissioner of Social Security. "Simplifying our policies ... Show Full Article

IMLS Names Finalists for 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNScapv) -- The Institute of Museum and Library Services issued the following news release on March 27, 2024:

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is pleased to announce 30 finalists for the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation's highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1996, the award has honored more than 200 institutions that demonstrated extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service.

"The 30 National Medal finalists from across the ... Show Full Article

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics: Astronomers Unveil Strong Magnetic Fields Spiraling at the Edge of Milky Way's Central Black Hole
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, March 28 (TNSres) -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release on March 27, 2024:

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CfA astronomers led two new EHT studies that have produced the first polarized light image of the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way Galaxy.

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A new image from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration -- which includes scientists from the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) -- has uncovered strong and organized magnetic fields spiraling from the edge of the supermassive black hole Sagittarius ... Show Full Article

GSA Announces New Pool of Online Commercial Platforms to Help Federal Agency Buyers Meet Mission Needs
WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release on March 27, 2024:

Today, the U.S. General Services Administration awarded new contracts to eight commercial online platforms as part of a program that has helped federal agencies to more easily buy, get benefits from, and analyze spending when shopping online.

The additional platform offerings will provide federal agency buyers who use the GSA SmartPay Purchase card with even more choices while also offering agencies important insights into their online spend for the purchase of routine commercial ... Show Full Article