Thomas Whitaker
Freelance Journalist · Boise, ID
PureSource News LLC
Thomas Whitaker is a freelance journalist based in Boise, Idaho, covering government, business, public policy, natural resources, and economic developments across the Mountain West. His work often involves researching issues that affect communities spread across large geographic areas. Whitaker takes a document driven approach to reporting, using public records and authoritative data to establish the factual foundation of a story. His writing focuses on accuracy, context, and making regional developments understandable to a national audience.
Articles by Thomas Whitaker
192 published articles — showing the 24 most recent
NLRB Issues 390 Contested Decisions After Quorum Restored
The National Labor Relations Board issued 390 contested decisions after regaining its quorum in early 2026.
DEA Places ADHD Drug Centanafadine in Schedule III
The DEA issued an interim final rule on Thursday placing centanafadine in schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
US Safety Commission Updates Garage Door Entrapment Rules
The Consumer Product Safety Commission updated garage door operator rules to require battery charge verification. The unanimous vote mandates that devices remain inoperative if they lack power for a full cycle.
Jury Finds Breski Guilty of Enticing Minor for Pornography
A federal jury in Tallahassee found William Jared Breski guilty of attempting to entice a minor and violating sex offender penalties. Sentencing is scheduled for January 28, 2027, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
OPM Eliminates Time-in-Grade Rule for GS Promotions
The Office of Personnel Management issued a final rule eliminating the Time-in-Grade restriction for General Schedule promotions.
Fed Survey Shows Median Family Income Rose 7 Percent
The Federal Reserve Board released its 2025 survey showing real median family income rose 7 percent since 2022.
Kennedy Says AI Will End Medical Tyranny at MAHA Summit
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated artificial intelligence will allow Americans to verify medical advice independently. Sponsors paid up to $300,000 for summit access while critics called the event pay-to-play.
Google Launches Five Googlebook Laptop Models on October 4, 2026
Google launched five Googlebook laptop models on October 4, 2026, featuring deep integration with Android smartphones. The devices require Android 17 and currently lack support for Samsung phones until a future update.
LIV Golf Files Chapter 11 With $1 Billion Debt
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey on September 8, 2026. The league lists liabilities up to $1 billion and secured debt of $495 million.
West Indies Defeat India in Record ODI Chase in Chandigarh
West Indies defeated India by five wickets in Chandigarh on October 3, 2026, setting a record for their highest successful One-Day International chase.
EU Approves Rules for Return Hubs Outside Bloc
The European Union approved rules allowing member states to establish return hubs outside the bloc. Denmark plans to transfer irregular migrants to a partner country by 2027.
FDA Ends Taylor Farms Cyclospora Probe After Mexico Findings
The FDA closed its cyclospora investigation into Taylor Farms after finding the parasite at a Mexican facility. The outbreak caused 12,883 illnesses and two deaths across 21 states before ending last month.
UNICEF: 22% of Lebanese Children Go to Bed Hungry
A UNICEF assessment released on September 30, 2026, found that 22% of Lebanese children went to bed hungry. The assessment notes 261 children have been killed and an average of seven children have been killed or wounded per day since hostilities resumed in March.
U.S. Army Awards $4.15 Billion in Counter-Drone Contracts
The U.S. Army awarded 10 indefinite delivery contracts for counter-drone systems on September 29, 2026. The agreements total $4.15 billion to protect military installations from small drone threats. These contracts are part of an effort with a total ceiling of $7 billion.
US Treasury Sanctions Sinaloa Cartel, Iranian Network Links
The US Treasury designated individuals linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and Iranian military procurement networks on September 29, 2026.
Tompkins DA Reopens Cornell Rape Probe for Grand Jury
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten will reopen the 2024 rape investigation and present evidence to a grand jury. The decision follows a new civil lawsuit alleging drugging and assault by seven fraternity members.
Houston Police Cite Four Fatalities Near Mercury Drive
Houston police reported a fatal pedestrian crash on I-10 near Mercury Drive late Saturday. Data shows four such deaths occurred in this corridor between 2020 and 2023. A second driver struck a patrol car, and an officer was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Alekasir Says Khamenei Elected Iran Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Alekasir stated Mojtaba Khamenei was elected Supreme Leader with 50 votes. The official also reported Khamenei survived a hospital bombing in Tehran on February 28.
Intelligence Says Saudi Arabia Has Not Ruled Out Nuclear Weapons
US intelligence assessments state Saudi Arabia has not ruled out a nuclear weapons program as a civilian deal enters review.
UK Pledges $338 Million to UNFPA for Reproductive Health
The United Kingdom committed $337.8 million to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership during a September 2026 event. This funding aims to prevent 14 million unintended pregnancies and over 35,000 maternal deaths by 2028.
Treasury OFAC Issues Sanctions Penalties Regulations
The Treasury Department's OFAC issued final Sanctions Penalties Regulations effective September 25, 2026. The rule standardizes penalty provisions across multiple sanctions programs and consolidates penalty details without changing maximum civil fines capped at $377,700.
Pakistan Deploys Containers to Block Routes into Islamabad Ahead of Protest
Authorities placed over 2,000 shipping containers to block routes into Islamabad ahead of a September 27 protest. Nearly 50,000 security personnel have been deployed while schools close to house police forces.
California Supreme Court Orders Sheriff to Return Ballots
The California Supreme Court ordered Sheriff Chad Bianco to return over 650,000 seized ballots and halt his investigation. New state laws now make seizing election materials a felony offense.
Three Lawsuits Filed For X2 Roller Coaster Brain Injuries in Valencia, California
Three lawsuits filed Monday allege the X2 roller coaster caused catastrophic brain injuries to riders. Attorneys state more than 100 people have reported similar injuries from the ride in the last two years.