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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has finalized a rule that amends the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan to introduce Amendment 8. This rule establishes a new Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rule that considers the role of herring in the ecosystem and prohibits midwater trawling within federal waters inshore from the U.S./Canada border to the Rhode Island/Connecticut border. The aim is to sustainably manage herring resources, addressing both overfishing risks and potential conflicts between different user groups such as commercial fishermen and ecotourism operators, while ensuring herring is available as essential forage for other marine species. These measures respond to the declining herring biomass and are expected to provide both ecological and long-term economic benefits, despite potential short-term economic impacts on the fishing industry.

The Department of Defense has issued a notice about the potential sale of additional missile defense systems to the United Arab Emirates. This sale will include 12 THAAD launchers, support, and upgrade services valued at $1.163 billion, raising the total case value to $8.113 billion. The sale aims to enhance the UAE's defense capabilities and strengthen its partnership with the United States, contributing to regional security and stability. The highest security classification for this sale is SECRET.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to fulfill reporting requirements under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This request involves collecting performance indicators and includes new requirements for apprenticeship grant reporting. The department invites public comments on the necessity and burden of this data collection. The OMB will consider these comments by February 5, 2025, as part of their approval process.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is extending the authority to conduct the Unemployment Insurance Data Validation Program. They are seeking public comments on this information collection to reduce paperwork and improve data accuracy as per the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. States must validate unemployment insurance data to ensure correct and verified reporting and may need to conduct the validation process every three years or sooner under certain conditions. Comments from the public are encouraged to assess the necessity, accuracy, and impact of this data collection.

The Department of Education has announced the opening for applications for the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program for fiscal year 2021. This program aims to promote the study of modern foreign languages and area studies by offering opportunities for faculty, teachers, and students to conduct projects overseas. The available funding is approximately $3.5 million, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for short-term and long-term projects. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, state educational agencies, nonprofit educational organizations, and consortia of these entities.

The Department of Defense has issued a notice about a planned arms sale involving Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) support to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. (TECRO). This sale includes maintenance and improvement of existing systems, spare parts, training, and support services under the Syun An program and is worth an estimated $300 million. The proposal seeks to bolster the defense capabilities of the recipient without affecting the military balance in the region. The notice also mentions that about 26 U.S. government personnel and 83 contractors will be involved in providing the necessary support and services.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to address health risks from carbon tetrachloride (CTC) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This rule will establish workplace safety requirements and prohibit certain manufacturing and commercial uses of CTC where evidence shows these uses have ceased. It also introduces recordkeeping and notification responsibilities. The rule supports broader environmental goals, like those in the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act and the Kigali Amendment, aimed at reducing substances harmful to the ozone layer.

The Health and Human Services Department has issued a final rule updating the standards for electronic transactions in retail pharmacies under HIPAA. The rule adopts modifications to improve data exchange, enhance patient safety, and streamline processes, like replacing several free text fields with specific data fields. These changes include implementing the NCPDP Telecommunication Standard Implementation Guide, Version F6, and the NCPDP Batch Standard Subrogation Implementation Guide, Version 10, specifically for Medicaid agencies. The new standards are set to take effect beginning February 11, 2028, with compliance required 36 months after the final rule's publication, including an 8-month transition period to ease the changes.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its Scientific Integrity Policy to foster a culture of scientific honesty and transparency. This Policy aims to ensure that all scientific activities within HHS are conducted without inappropriate interference, upholding principles like honesty, objectivity, and inclusivity. It outlines the responsibilities of HHS employees and provides protections for reporting violations. The Policy also covers procedures for addressing concerns, promoting open communication of scientific information, and ensuring accountability and professional development within the Department.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is announcing the application process for the fiscal year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This program provides grants to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations, and state fire training academies to improve the health and safety of first responders. The application period ran from November 12, 2024, to December 20, 2024, and $291.6 million is available for award distribution. Applicants are evaluated based on financial need, project description, cost-benefit analysis, and the impact on daily operations.