Note from Thomas Jefferson regarding the disposition of his Presidential papers, December 29, 1801

"Dated December 29, 1801, this letter from President Thomas Jefferson notes the lack of procedures or a "safe deposit" for his Presidential papers. His concerns were well founded. Before the advent of the Presidential Library system, it had been customary for Presidents to take these records with them as their personal property. The records were often passed from one generation to the next with little concern for their value to the history of the nation. Some presidential collections were well preserved by their heirs, but others were broken up and dispersed, or were partially destroyed..."
Presidential papers 

What You Need to Know about Substance Use and Driving – Including Marijuana

"Each December, we recognize National Impaired Driving Prevention Month to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and how to prevent impaired driving and related crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Driving while impaired by any substance is dangerous and illegal. The following substances can impair driving:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Other illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, or hallucinogens
• Some prescription medications like opioids and antidepressants
• Some over-the-counter medications like sleep aids and allergy medicines

Fast Facts

• 11,654 people in the United States were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2020—a 14% increase from 2019. That’s about 32 people every day or one person every 45 minutes.^[i]
• 7 million Americans reported driving under the influence of marijuana or other illicit drugs in 2020.^[ii]
• Alcohol and marijuana were the two most commonly reported substances involved in impaired driving in 2018, with 8% and 4.7% of the U.S. population aged ≥16 years reporting alcohol and marijuana respectively.^[iii]
• 1 in 8 high school student drivers reported driving after using marijuana at least once during the past month in 2017.^[iv]

How Does Substance Use Affect Driving?

How Marijuana Use Affects Driving

Driving is a complex task that requires your full attention to stay safe and alert. Marijuana use affects areas of the brain that control your body’s movements, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment. Marijuana use can impair important skills required for safe driving by:

• Slowing your reaction time and ability to make decisions
• Making it difficult to multitask
• Impairing coordination
• Distorting perception^{[i],[ii],[iii]}

If you are impaired, you cannot drive safely. It is illegal and dangerous to drive if you are impaired after using marijuana.

How Alcohol Affects Driving

The amount of alcohol in a person’s system is called blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Most states have set the legal BAC limit for driving at 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL); the limit is 0.05g/dL in Utah.^[i] However, impairment starts at lower BAC levels, with even small amounts of alcohol affecting the ability to drive. The effects of alcohol use on driving include:

• Difficulty steering
• Reduced ability to respond to emergency driving situations
• Reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately
• Reduced ability to process what is happening on the road.."
  Impaired driving 

FINAL REPORT Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol

Read the Final Report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack of the United States Capital, December 22, 2022.

Final Report. January 6th Committee 

Cyber Criminals Impersonating Brands Using Search Engine Advertisement Services to Defraud Users

"The FBI is warning the public that cyber criminals are using search engine advertisement services to impersonate brands and direct users to malicious sites that host ransomware and steal login credentials and other financial information.

METHODOLOGY

Cyber criminals purchase advertisements that appear within internet search results using a domain that is similar to an actual business or service. When a user searches for that business or service, these advertisements appear at the very top of search results with minimum distinction between an advertisement and an actual search result. These advertisements link to a webpage that looks identical to the impersonated business’s official webpage.

In instances where a user is searching for a program to download, the fraudulent webpage has a link to download software that is actually malware. The download page looks legitimate and the download itself is named after the program the user intended to download.

These advertisements have also been used to impersonate websites involved in finances, particularly cryptocurrency exchange platforms. These malicious sites appear to be real exchange platforms and prompt users to enter login credentials and financial information, giving criminal actors access to steal funds.

While search engine advertisements are not malicious in nature, it is important to practice caution when accessing a web page through an advertised link.

TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

The FBI recommends individuals take the following precautions:

• Before clicking on an advertisement, check the URL to make sure the site is authentic. A malicious domain name may be similar to the intended URL but with typos or a misplaced letter.
• Rather than search for a business or financial institution, type the business’s URL into an internet browser’s address bar to access the official website directly.
• Use an ad blocking extension when performing internet searches. Most internet browsers allow a user to add extensions, including extensions that block advertisements. These ad blockers can be turned on and off within a browser to permit advertisements on certain websites while blocking advertisements on others..."
  Cyber criminals 

5 Tips to Help You Save on Energy Bills this Winter

 

"December 21st marks the start of the winter season. For many Americans, cold and often freezing temperatures means higher utility bills to keep warm.

Keep your energy bills in check by following a few simple tips around your home.

1. Cover and Repair Windows
   • Windows can be a major source of lost heat from the inside of your home, especially those that are not insulated for cold weather. Ensure windows are properly sealed and weatherized to help prevent heat from escaping and cold air from entering your home. Caulking small gaps, applying weatherstripping to movable parts, and using window attachments can help keep you warm this winter.
     
     
2. Check and Replace Central Heating Filters Regularly
   • Dirty filters trap lint, pollen, dust, and more that can reduce airflow. This makes your system work harder, taking longer to heat your home, and driving up costs. Make sure to check your filter every month. If it’s dirty, change it. At a minimum, replace your filter at least once every three months.
     
     
3. Make Energy Efficient Upgrades Around Your Home
   • Making it easier and more affordable for consumers to choose energy efficient appliances in their homes is a huge priority of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Visit www.CleanEnergy.gov to learn more about the tax credits, rebates, and other incentives available to help you make clean energy upgrades in 2023 and beyond.
     
     
4. Program or Adjust Your Thermostat
   • Make sure you heat your home only when you or others are around to reduce extra costs. Programmable thermostats allow you to monitor and set your heat usage, so you can have ease of mind. Consider upgrading your system or adjust your thermostat manually when you go out for the day.
     
     
5.  Use Your Ceiling Fan to Keep Warm
   • While ceiling fans are thought to be a summer tool to combat the heat, they can also be used during the winter to keep warm air circulating below the fan. To do this, reverse the motor in the ceiling fan so it rotates clockwise at a low speed. This will create an updraft which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. The ceiling fan won’t change the temperature in the room, but it will help keep you warm. Remember to turn off your fan when no one is in the room to keep cutting costs!
     Energy Saving Tips 

Report on the Internal Revenue Service's Mandatory Audit Program Under the Prior Administration(2017-2020)

"EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

For nearly four years, the Committee on Ways and Means (Committee) has been investigating how the IRS enforces the federal tax laws against, and ensures compliance by, a President. In particular, the Committee sought answers about the IRS’s internal policy that requires a mandatory examination of individual income tax returns filed by Presidents and VicePresidents. This policy is found in the Internal Revenue Manual (Manual or IRM), a compilation of internal guidelines for IRS employees, and is not currently codified in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code).

The Manual provides that the “[i]ndividual income tax returns for the President and Vice President are subject to mandatory examinations.” See IRM §§ 3.28.3.4.3 (01-01-2019) [updated 3.28.3.5.3 (11-17-2020)] & 4.2.1.15. The Manual contains no further information about the timing, scope, or oversight of the mandatory examination (also commonly referred to as a “mandatory audit”). The Committee sought the return information and tax returns of the former President to investigate how the IRS’s mandatory audit program operated under the stress of a President who maintained financial interests in hundreds of related entities and reportedly was under audit every single year.

The Committee expected to find that the mandatory audit program expanded to account for the former President. The Committee also expected to find that the mandatory examinations of the former President’s tax returns would have been started promptly and completed during his Presidency. However, the designating agents made a concerning discovery. The designated agents found that there was only one mandatory audit started and none completed during his four years in office. Clearly, the mandatory audit program was dormant, at best, during the prior Administration..."
IRS Mandatory Audit Program 

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol: Introductory Material to the Final Report of the Select Committee

Read the full Introductory Material to the Final Report of the Select Committee.
January 6th Committee 

Healthy Eating for People With Diabetes

"If you have diabetes, you probably know more than most about the foods you eat and how they affect your diabetes management. While there’s no such thing as a “diabetes diet,” some people have found certain eating plans to be helpful in managing diabetes.

Healthy eating is key to managing your blood sugar. But what does it mean to eat healthy? The truth is, healthy eating looks no different for you than it does for anyone else. It includes eating foods that are lower in added sugars and saturated fat. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to eating healthy, several eating plans can help manage your diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association released a report reviewing several eating plans that have been shown to help people with diabetes. One of the most researched has been Mediterranean-style eating. Studies report benefits such as improved A1C levels, cholesterol, and heart health.

What Is Mediterranean-Style Eating?

Mediterranean-style eating is the traditional eating habits and lifestyle in countries along the Mediterranean Sea. More than 20 countries border the Mediterranean. Because each country differs in culture, religion, economy, and agricultural production, there’s not one specific Mediterranean way to eat. But Mediterranean eating has many common factors. These include:

• Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts.
• Using extra virgin olive oil instead of butter or other oils.
• Limiting dairy products and red meat.
• Limiting sweets, added sugars, sodium (salt), and highly processed foods.

How Can This Way of Eating Help You Manage Diabetes?

When you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make or use insulin well and can’t keep your blood sugar at normal levels (known as insulin resistance). This causes spikes in your blood sugar and over time can lead to serious complications. Because Mediterranean-style eating is rich in plant-based foods and limits processed ones, it can help reduce insulin resistance. This leads to better blood sugar management and lower A1C levels. Mediterranean-style eating can also help:

• Improve heart health. Saturated fats and sodium are bad for your heart. They can increase cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Since heart disease is one of the most common complications of diabetes, you’ll want to limit these food with high amounts of saturated fat or sodium in your diet. Following Mediterranean-style eating can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
• With weight loss, if you’re overweight. Mediterranean-style eating emphasizes foods that are full of fiber. Fiber helps with blood sugar and weight management. The Mediterranean lifestyle also encourages being physically active. Being active helps control blood sugar levels and lowers your risk of heart disease and nerve damage.
• Reduce inflammation. High blood sugar from diabetes can cause inflammation. Foods such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and fatty fish can help reduce inflammation and strengthen your immune system..."
  Healthy Eating and Diabetes 

How to Access Retail Sales Data for the Nation and States

 

"Retail business owners, economists, and researchers will love discovering the retail data the Census Bureau has to offer. In this Data Gem, we demonstrate the Monthly State Retail Sales Tool, which easily allows you to compare year-over-year retail data by sector for national and state-level geographies..."
Retail sales data 

Cold Weather and Travel

"You don’t have to travel to the artic or high altitudes to feel the effects of cold temperatures. Learn how to avoid cold weather injuries and what to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation due to the cold.

Most people get cold injuries because of accidents, severe unexpected weather, or poor planning. Take steps to avoid cold weather injuries.

• Wear warm clothing in several loose layers.
  • Wear a tightly woven, wind-resistant coat or jacket.
  • Wear inner layers of light, warm clothing as well as mittens, hats, and scarves.
• Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the weather, climate, and your activities.
  • In wet conditions, choose waterproof shoes that have good traction.
  • For water activities, choose an appropriately thick wet suit to prevent hypothermia.
  • Use personal flotation devices. They are lifesaving if someone becomes unable to swim due to injury or the cold.
• Stay dry, your body loses heat quickly when wet.
  • Sweat and wet clothing can chill the body rapidly and increase heat loss.
  • If you’re actively moving, remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm or start to sweat.
• Do not ignore shivering.
  • Shivering is an early sign that your body is losing heat.
  • Constant shivering is a sign you need to find shelter and get warm..."
    Cold weather travel 

Tips from the National Weather Service on Staying Safe During a Winter Storm

"Winter storms can bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the entire United States and its territories. Even Hawaii gets snow in its Big Island, and major cities as far south as Atlanta and Dallas have been paralyzed by snow and ice. Blizzards occur when strong wind causes blowing snow and whiteout conditions, making roads impassable. Thousands of people are injured or killed every year in traffic accidents related to slippery roads from winter storms.

This website is designed to teach you how to stay safe before, during and after a winter storm. You will find information on winter alerts, science and hazards, snow coverage maps, and information describing the different types of winter storms. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a winter storm, please share your story so we can prevent others from becoming a victim. When you write, please note that the NWS has permission to use your story and, if possible, let us know the town and state you were in and the year the event took place. Read about winter weather survivors.

• Winter Safety Information Graphics
• Weather Prediction Center Winter Weather Forecasts
• Winter Storm Severity Index
• Experimental Winter Storm Outlook
• NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards
• National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center, NOAA Snow Information Source (Interactive Snow Info | Snowfall Analysis)
• NOAA Snow and Ice Information
• Weather Awareness Safety Events in Your State.."
  Winter Storm 

Overseas Real Property: State's Initial Assessment of Natural Hazard Risks Faced By its Posts

"In 2020, the State Department created a Climate Security and Resilience program. The program assesses the risk natural hazards pose to each of its 294 locations around the world.

State selected 8 natural hazards for its assessment: coastal flooding, riverine flooding, tsunamis, earthquakes, water stress (i.e., lack of fresh water to meet demand), extreme heat, extreme wind, and landslides. State's assessment of the risks these hazards pose can help it develop and prioritize ways to adapt.

Its first risk review, as of May 2022, suggests half of facilities at highest risk are in East Asia and the Pacific, as shown by our interactive map..."
Overseas property 

Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act: Data Integration and Individual Rights

"Computers and information technologies have increased the amount of data that can be collected, stored, and processed. Computers make it easier to exchange, share, and match data on individuals across programmatic and agency boundaries, enabling the use of that data for various executive branch operations.

The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (CMPPA) provides the requirements and processes by which agencies may, for certain purposes, conduct a matching program using individuals’ data. Congress passed the CMPPA to increase the administrative controls and oversight of matching programs. The CMPPA amended provisions enacted by the Privacy Act of 1974 and operates within the Privacy Act’s statutory framework.

The CMPPA covers how agencies may conduct a computerized comparison of automated records to administer federal benefit programs or to use federal personnel and payroll records. A matching program may involve two or more federal agencies or a federal agency and a state or local government agency.

Matching programs are used throughout the executive branch at agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Communications Commission, the Small Business Administration, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of the Treasury. A matching program may exchange and compare any number of records, and some match millions of records. 

The CMPPA establishes a number of requirements for agencies conducting matching programs. These requirements include the execution of written matching agreements that contain a number of specifics on the conduct of matching programs, costbenefit analyses of matching programs and documentation of specific savings, and the establishment of a Data Integrity Board (DIB) within each federal agency that conducts or participates in a matching program to approve matching agreements and oversee matching programs. Matching agreements are to be available to the public and may be published on an agency’s website. An agency’s DIB is required to submit to the agency head and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) an annual report that describes the agency’s matching activities.."
Computer Matching and Privacy 

FTC Issues Annual Report on Ethanol Market Concentration 2022

"This Report presents the Federal Trade Commission’s (“Commission” or “FTC”) concentration analysis of the ethanol production industry for 2022.1 The report includes certain data and information from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), industry participants, and other sources.2 Section 1501(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires that the FTC annually “perform a market concentration analysis of the ethanol production industry . . . to determine whether there is sufficient competition among industry participants to avoid price-setting and other anticompetitive behavior.”3 Pursuant to the statute, the FTC must measure concentration using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (“HHI”) and consider all marketing arrangements among industry participants in preparing its analysis.4 Also pursuant to the statute, the FTC delivers its report to Congress and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) by December 1 of each year.

The HHI is a measure of market concentration. A given market’s HHI is the sum of the squares of the individual market shares of all market participants.5 As in previous reports, FTC staff (“staff”) analyzed concentration based on U.S. ethanol production capacity and actual production of ethanol. Staff’s analysis does not address whether ethanol production in any geographic area constitutes a relevant antitrust market; instead, it calculates concentration on a nationwide basis, based on ethanol production capacity and actual ethanol production. For both measures, HHIs are calculated for producers and marketers. For both production capacity and actual production, concentration for producer shares is lower than concentration for marketer shares. Based on production capacity, the HHIs are 545 for producer-based shares and 869 for marketer-based shares. Based on actual production, the HHIs are 516 for producer-based shares and 922 for marketer-based shares. HHIs attributed to producers decreased from last year, while HHIs attributed to marketers increased.."
Ethanol