Maryann Pugh

SAMHSA Releases Resources to Address Mental Health Impact of Gun Violence WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (H […]

FTC Expands Telemarketing Sales Rule to Cover Tech Support Calls WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its recent approval of final amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), o […]

CMS Reports Progress in Health Care Sign-Ups for 2025 Coverage WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced robust early enrollment figures during the Open Enrollment Period fo […]

FTC Staff Report Highlights Lack of Transparency on Software Update Durations for Smart Products WASHINGTON, D.C. — A recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff report has revealed significant gaps in how manufacturers of smart products co […]

FTC Targets Evolv Technologies Over Alleged False Claims About AI Security Scanners WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against Evolv Technologies, alleging that the Massachusetts-based company ma […]

FTC Distributes Nearly $1.9 Million to Consumers in Credit Bureau Center Deceptive Practices Case WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the disbursement of nearly $1.9 million to thousands of consumers who were af […]

New Report Reveals Significant Health Disparities in Tobacco Use Across U.S. Population Groups WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Office of the U.S. Surgeon General has released a comprehensive report highlighting disparities in tobacco use and its health im […]

FTC Unveils Findings from First Undercover Sweep of Funeral Rule Compliance WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released a detailed report summarizing the results of its inaugural undercover Funeral R […]

VA Launches Pilot Program for Green Burials at National Cemeteries WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has introduced a pilot program to provide environmentally sustainable burial options f […]

FTC Sends Refunds After Action Against Companies for False Made in USA Claims WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently began issuing refunds totaling more than $140,000 to consumers who purchased products de […]

ICYMI: Federal Court Orders Harris Jewelry to Reopen Claims Process for Refunds WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal court has ruled that Harris Jewelry must reopen its claims process and notify eligible consumers, primarily active duty se […]

New Friends Group Formed to Support Promised Land State Park CAMP HILL, PA — The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) has officially announced the establishment of a new Friends Group dedicated to Pr […]

Philadelphia Doula Business Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Fraud—$55K Collected, No Services Delivered HARRISBURG, PA – Liberty Doulas, a Philadelphia-area business offering childbirth and postpartum care services, is facing a lawsuit filed by Attorney G […]

IRS Provides Transitional Relief for Third-Party Settlement Organizations on Reporting Thresholds WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2024-85 this week, granting transitional relief for third-party settlement or […]

Unlock Tax Savings While Building Your Future: Don't Miss the Saver's Credit Benefits WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is emphasizing the importance of retirement savings for low- and moderate-income taxpayers by re […]

IRS Unveils New Policy to Fast-Track Tax Refunds and Combat Identity Theft with IP PIN Requirement WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a significant policy change designed to streamline the process for taxpayers fi […]

IRS Advisory Council 2024 Report Offers Key Recommendations for Tax Administration Overhaul WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC), a key panel of experts tasked with advising the IRS on critical tax ad […]

Rare H5N1 Bird Flu Case in U.S. Child Sparks Public Health Investigation and Call for Vigilance WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed the nation’s first avian influenza A(H5N1) human infe […]

IRS and Treasury Open Floodgates for Clean Energy Funding in Game-Changing Tax Credit Rule WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released final regulations designed to br […]

CFPB Tightens Oversight on Digital Payment Giants in Groundbreaking Consumer Protection Rule WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a groundbreaking rule to enhance oversight of the largest nonbank co […]