Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff issues his report on restructuring the department.

A report on fires in student housing finds that most occurred off-campus.

A survey polls travelers on airport passenger screening attitudes.

NRC researchers issue recommendations related to anthrax.

RAND report find that strategies on drug policies need to be reassessed.

A report finds TRIA does not provide adequate financial protection.

NLRB has held that an employee fired when he cursed at his boss is entitled to reinstatement.

A briefing from the U.K. gives more background on Trojan malware.         

A federal appeals court has ruled that personality tests are considered medical tests under ADA.

The Montana Supreme Court has ruled that a restaurant is liable for the sexual harassment of a cocktail waitress.

Gao report highlights the cybersecurity related problems faced by DHS

FTC announces Operation Spam Zombies to reduce spam.

Problems with passport fraud are the focus of a GAO report and congressional testimony.

The Department of Defense has issued its “Strategy for Homeland Defense and Civil Support,” addressing DoD’s roles in the homeland defense mission.

A federal appeals court found that a company did not violate labor laws when it fired an employee who caused property damage.

Homeowners must also be prepared for terrorist incidents,says the Department of Homeland Security and the Homeowners Alliance. The two groups jointly released an emergency preparedness guide that encourages storing extra food and water, developing a communications network, and educating families on biological and chemical threats.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission has voted to adopt new sentencing guidelines for the crime of aggravated identity theft, defined as using a stolen identity to commit other crimes. The new provisions, mandated by the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act of 2004, create a minimum sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft and a minimum of five years in prison for aggravated identity theft with the intent to commit an act of terrorism.

A bill (H.R. 1544) that would change the manner by which first-responder funds are allocated to state and local governments has been approved by the House of Representatives and is now pending in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

A bill (H.R. 2688) introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) would require the physical screening of all people, goods, property, vehicles, and equipment before they are allowed into the secure area of an airport. The bill would take effect 120 days after it is enacted. Until the measure took effect, the bill would require that the government conduct random screenings and inspections of such articles. Under the measure, the TSA would be required to report to Congress on ongoing efforts and projected timelines for developing screening standards for airport personnel, assessing available technologies for securing airport perimeters, and developing and implementing a standardized approach for conducting airport vulnerability assessments. H.R. 2688 has eight cosponsors and has been referred to the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Security, and Cybersecurity.patriot act.

Before adjourning for the August recess, the House and Senate approved different bills renewing the Patriot Act. The House measure (H.R. 3199) would make permanent most of the expiring law enforcement provisions, and it would extend for ten years two controversial items—seizure of personal records, such as those held by libraries, and roving wiretaps. The Senate version of the bill (S. 1266) would also make permanent most of the provisions but would extend the two controversial provisions for only four years. In addition, the Senate legislation, which is preferred by civil rights advocates, would allow people to challenge warrants issued by secret courts and would require that those targeted be notified within seven days unless a judge grants an extension. When Congress returns in September, a House and Senate conference committee will try to draw up a compromise bill that resolves the differences.

Legislators in Alaska have approved a bill (H.B. 184) that would allow citizens of the state to keep guns in their cars at all times. The bill has been approved by both houses of the state legislature and is now awaiting the governor’s signature.The bill would allow employees to have guns in their cars even if the cars are parked in workplace parking lots, as long as they are beyond 300 feet from a secured restricted access area. Under the bill, this practice would be allowed even if organizations have policies prohibiting firearms on company property.

Texas lawmakers have enacted a law (formerly H.B. 7) that will overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation program. The new law, which will take effect this month, abolishes the current Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission and replaces it with the Office of Injured Employee Public Counsel. The law, meant to cut costs, will operate like an HMO, where injured workers see doctors approved by the commission and work within certain medical networks.

A new bill (H.B. 1260) introduced in the Minnesota Legislature would allow employees who are seriously injured on the job to sue their employers. Employers would be liable to an injured worker if they willfully or repeatedly violated the state’s occupational safety and health standards. Under current law, employers are granted immunity in such cases. The only recourse for an injured employee is to apply for workers’ compensation benefits.

Keeping up with the newest electronic gadgets is one of the best parts of a technophile’s day. Happily, there are plenty of Web sites and blogs dedicated to breaking the news of whatever’s newest and hottest on the market. One of the best of these is Engadget, which features more than two dozen categories of gadgets from desktops and laptops to wireless.