Office of Governor Ned Lamont · Original source
Governor Ned Lamont announced the First Responders’ Time to Own program, run by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority with the Department of Housing. Eligible police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel can receive up to $25,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance, with reduced interest rates and more flexible requirements. The program launches on November 16, 2026 and is part of Public Act 26-12.
The White House · Original source
A White House fact sheet describes a Presidential Memorandum on wildfire suppression. It exempts federal firefighting activities, including aerial use of fire retardant, from Clean Water Act permitting for a year, following an adverse district court ruling that had required a permit the Forest Service could not obtain. The fact sheet also lists earlier wildfire prevention and response actions by the administration.
NASA · Original source
NASA is marking Voyager 1’s arrival at one light-day from Earth, more than 16 billion miles, with two events. On November 17 the public is invited to join “Shine Bright for Voyager’s Light-Day” by flashing the probe’s call sign in Morse code from phones after sunset. On November 19, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory hosts a discussion on the twin probes’ science and a preview of a NASA+ documentary planned for 2027.
Office of Governor Mikie Sherrill · Original source
Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 28, creating the New Jersey Means Business Economic Development Strategy, an agenda running through 2030. It is organised around four pillars and sets agency responsibilities and deadlines, including a dedicated business retention and attraction strategy within 90 days. A new economic development council will oversee implementation, bringing together the state’s economic development, innovation and labor agencies.
Office of Governor Greg Abbott · Original source
Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will receive $281 million in federal funding for year two of Rural Texas Strong, a five-year rural healthcare initiative. The state plan is fully federally funded and has six initiatives, including chronic disease prevention, consumer health technology, AI and telehealth, and workforce recruitment. Eligible providers can apply from November through a competitive process.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Original source
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin took part in the second annual Countering the Threat drone security forum at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Officials and industry leaders discussed counter-drone priorities and planning for the 2028 Summer Olympics. Attendees were briefed on a $500 million counter-UAS grant program: $250 million went to the 11 World Cup host states and the National Capital Region, with $250 million open to all states and territories in fiscal 2027.
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom · Original source
Governor Gavin Newsom announced nearly $1.3 billion in 28 awards through California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and State Rail Assistance program. The funding includes $750 million toward Caltrain’s extension into downtown San Francisco, $20 million to help Metrolink avoid proposed service cuts, and more than 75 zero-emission buses and microtransit vehicles. The announcement coincided with the California delegation’s trip to the COP31 climate conference in Türkiye.
U.S. Department of Justice · Original source
A Queens man has pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare and New York State Medicaid of about $127 million. Prosecutors say he helped run two Flushing social adult day care centers that paid kickbacks to enrolees and billed for services never provided, alongside a related pharmacy that billed for unnecessary drugs. He pleaded to health care fraud and money laundering conspiracies, faces up to 30 years, and is due to be sentenced on March 2, 2027.
U.S. Department of Justice · Original source
A federal superseding indictment unsealed in New York charges three men with terrorism offences tied to Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The eight counts cover nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks in Europe and the United States, plus a September 2026 plot against RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom, where U.S. forces were stationed. The Justice Department notes that the charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent.
