Sacramento, California - California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross hosted the state’s FFA officers for their annual visit at CDFA Headquarters this afternoon.

Washington, DC - Essentra FZE Company Limited (Essentra FZE), a global supplier of cigarette products that is incorporated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has agreed to pay a $665,112 fine and enter into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and defrauding the United States in connection with evading sanctions on North Korea.

Washington, DC - Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State - "Today, we mark precisely two years to the day since the Nicaraguan people rose up peacefully to call for freedom and democracy, demanding change from the corrupt and repressive rule of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.  Unfortunately, the people’s calls for freedom and democracy were met with bullets.  At least 325 innocent people have been killed, many by Ortega/Murillo regime snipers.

New Orleans, Louisiana - Debra Becnel, a former correctional officer, pleaded guilty to making false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001, in connection with the federal investigation into the death of Nimali Henry, an inmate at the St. Bernard Parish Prison. Ms. Henry died in custody on April 1, 2014, after she failed to receive medical treatment for her serious medical needs during her ten-day incarceration.

Bridgeport, Connecticut - Langan Insulation LLC and its co-owner pleaded guilty Monday in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for their roles in schemes to rig bids in violation of the antitrust laws and engage in criminal fraud on insulation contracts, bringing the total to five convictions in this ongoing investigation, the Department of Justice announced.

Burlington, Vermont - It happened on Christmas Eve in South Burlington. A beloved pet, Cayenne the cat, took a stroll in the yard and decided to climb a tree. His distraught owner hastily decided to attempted a rescue on his own. But, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens, he wound up stuck with the cat in the tall branches.