WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $2 million National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in 40 counties throughout Illinois between April 16 and May 5.

"Severe spring storms and flooding have inflicted significant damage on public infrastructure across Illinois," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "Today's grant will begin the important work of cleaning up the widespread damage caused by violent winds and flooding."

WASHINGTON – A $2.5 million National Emergency Grant supplement was announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor to create about 1,394 temporary jobs to help with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms and flooding that hit 21 counties of southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today applauded a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which held that the failure to maintain emergency lifelines in a manner for miners to use effectively is a significant and substantial violation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, regardless of the likelihood of a mine emergency actually occurring at the time of the violation.

68 programs across 33 states and the District of Columbia receive funding

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of nearly $72 million in YouthBuild grants to support academic and occupational skill training for at-risk youth.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service today announced the award of 121 grants, totaling almost $29 million, to provide more than 14,000 veterans across the nation with job training, job placement, housing and other services. The grants were awarded through the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $502,569 National Emergency Grant increment to continue re-employment services for workers affected by the closure of the Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital in Rome, Ga. The facility, a state-run mental health hospital for developmentally disabled and mentally ill patients, closed in 2011.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced an extension of the comment period on its advance notice of proposed rulemaking focusing on lifetime income illustrations given to participants in defined contribution pension plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans. The ANPRM serves as a request for comments on specific language and concepts in advance of a proposed regulation.

Date of Action: June 14, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Tripp Mechanical Services, LLC, Jarvis Edward Tripp, Jr., and Gina Tripp

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 186 citations and nine orders during special impact inspections conducted at nine coal mines and five metal/nonmetal mines last month.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $58 million in funding to 30 states for expanded training of dislocated workers so they can acquire industry-recognized credentials that lead to new career opportunities. The grants to states will support on-the-job training, customized training, registered apprenticeships and other approaches that connect individuals with employers, with a focus on providing these services to those in long spells of unemployment.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded more than $26 million in grants to help improve long-term labor market prospects for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The "Face Forward" grants were awarded to 28 community-based organizations to provide juvenile offenders with support services, training and skills development to help them obtain employment and overcome the stigma of a juvenile record.

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging the fireworks and pyrotechnics industry to be vigilant in protecting workers from hazards while manufacturing, storing, transporting, displaying and selling fireworks for public events.

Date of Action: June 3, 2013

Type of Action: Consent judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Charles Yaskulski, Eagle Warranty Corp., and Eagle Warranty Corp. profit sharing plan

INDIANAPOLIS – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that the owners of Heartland Foods Inc. will restore $283,530 to the Heartland Foods Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan under terms of a consent judgment and order. The decision follows an investigation by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration that found co-owners Karen S.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Emergency Grant of $2,066,314 to provide assistance to more than 320 workers affected by the closure of a Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., plant in Plainview, Texas. Awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, the grant will make it possible for eligible dislocated workers to receive re-employment services.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Emergency Grant supplemental award of $23,314,255 to assist New York with continuing cleanup and recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,461,142 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts throughout Florida following Tropical Storm Debby.

"These grant funds, in particular, will help the state of Florida and displaced oystermen complete the work of restoring the oyster beds of the Apalachicola Bay," acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris said. "This additional federal funding is an investment that will create employment opportunities for individuals and benefit their communities."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $594,268 grant to assist about 130 workers impacted by the closure of Edward Jones Mortgage LLC offices in Minneapolis and suburban St. Louis Park.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded grants totaling $20 million to provide job training for inmates aged 18 and older participating in state or local work-release programs. The grants are part of the Training to Work-Adult Reentry initiative, which seeks to provide work skills, education, and supportive services to improve the long-term employment prospects of soon-to-be-released inmates.

ARLINGTON, Va. The recent decision by the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association to create a separate mine rescue program represents a critical component in a three-year effort by the Mine Safety and Health Administration to address gaps in how the nation responds to mine emergencies.

"We now have a new partner – a national organization to support and provide the necessary guidance for mine rescue," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.