Government & Policy · Week of Nov 2, 2026
Federal prosecutions and a new ALS law: the week in policy releases
Federal prosecutions led the week, alongside a new ALS law, tribal trust land, Texas testing approvals and a SEWP VI procurement tie-up.
Three Justice News releases accounted for much of the week's policy news. Federal prosecutors announced charges in an interstate case involving a Utah minor, a sex trafficking indictment in the Northern District of Texas, and an $18 million COVID-19 relief fraud indictment in Los Angeles tied to the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
On legislation and federal action, The ALS Association says the ACT for ALS Act has been signed into law, extending research and treatment access programs through 2031. The Colusa Indian Community says 519 acres have been taken into federal trust. MMJ International Holdings pointed to a November 5 deadline on federal marijuana rescheduling. In state and procurement news, NWEA reported provisional approval of two assessments in Texas, and Pyramid Systems said it is working with Bell Federal Systems to offer AIR-Quire through NASA SEWP VI.
MMJ International Holdings
Former DEA Administrator Sounds Alarm on Drug Safety as Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Faces Critical November 5 Deadline
MMJ International Holdings CEO Duane Boise cites warnings from former DEA Administrator Asa Hutchinson, the American Medical Association and GAO as federal marijuana rescheduling faces what the company calls a critical November 5 deadline. The company says its CMS Beneficiary Incentive case is on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Justice News
Utah Minor Recovered by Law Enforcement After Oregon Man Allegedly Transported the Victim to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity
An Oregon man is in federal custody, charged in a criminal complaint with transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to Justice News. Prosecutors allege he met a Utah minor online in May 2025, drove to Utah to pick up the victim and took the victim across state lines to his residence.
NWEA
NWEA Assessments Clear First Step of Approval in the New Statewide Assessment System in Texas
NWEA says MAP Growth and MAP Reading Fluency have received provisional approval in Texas's new statewide assessment system. The organization says the approval gives Texas districts more flexibility to measure student progress and support instructional decisions.
Justice News
Los Angeles Woman Charged for $18M COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
A federal grand jury in the Central District of California indicted Marisela Nuno, 53, of Los Angeles, over an alleged $18 million scheme to defraud the PPP and EIDL programs, Justice News reports. Both programs were federal stimulus programs authorized under the CARES Act.
The ALS Association
The ALS Association Secures Major Legislative Victory with ACT for ALS Becoming Law
The ALS Association says the bipartisan ACT for ALS Act has been signed into law by the President. The association says the measure extends research and treatment access programs through 2031.
Colusa Indian Energy
Colusa Indian Community Brings 519 Acres Into Federal Trust
The Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community says the 519-acre Wortham Property has been brought into federal trust. The tribe says the land joins its existing Rancheria trust lands and describes the move as supporting tribal sovereignty, self-sufficiency and economic growth.
Justice News
Texas Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Obstruction Offenses
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Texas returned an eight-count superseding indictment against Felix Omoruyi, 39, of DeSoto, Texas, according to Justice News. The charges include sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, sex trafficking of a minor, and related offenses, including obstruction.
Pyramid Systems, Inc.
Pyramid Systems teams with Bell Federal Systems to bring AIR-Quire to NASA SEWP VI
Pyramid Systems says it is working with Bell Federal Systems to offer AIR-Quire through Bell Federal's NASA SEWP VI Category C prime contract. The company says that once SEWP VI ordering is activated, agencies may request eligible AIR-Quire solutions and related services, subject to applicable ordering requirements.
This roundup is written with AI assistance from the press releases listed above, using only what they state. The releases are the companies' own announcements, not Prime News Global reporting.