Verdict . News

•CFTC establishes pilot program for Energy Commodity End User Swaps to increase market liquidity and reduce trading costs

CFTC Launches Pilot Program to Cut Energy Costs Through Market Reform

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced a pilot program designed to increase liquidity in energy commodity markets by reducing regulatory burdens that have driven dealers away since Dodd-Frank implementation. Acting Chairman Caroline Pham said the initiative could unlock billions in energy savings for consumers.

•Program addresses 13-year decline in dealer participation due to Dodd-Frank compliance costs that increased price volatility

•CFTC issued no-action letter providing enforcement relief for SEC-registered investment advisers operating commodity pools

CFTC Provides Regulatory Relief for SEC-Registered Advisers Operating Commodity Pools

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Market Participants Division issued a no-action letter providing enforcement relief for SEC-registered investment advisers who operate commodity pools for sophisticated investors. The CFTC will not recommend enforcement action against these firms for failing to register as commodity pool operators, subject to certain conditions.

•Relief applies to pools offered privately to qualified eligible persons, reducing dual regulatory burdens

•CFTC awarded over $1.8 million to two whistleblowers for information leading to successful investor fraud enforcement cases

CFTC Awards Two Whistleblowers Over $1.8M for Investor Fraud Cases

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission awarded more than $1.8 million to two whistleblowers whose information significantly contributed to successful enforcement actions involving defrauded investors. The awards underscore the ongoing effectiveness of the CFTC's whistleblower program in combating financial fraud.

•The agency's whistleblower program has distributed more than $395 million since 2014, tied to over $3.3 billion in total sanctions

•FDA awarded vouchers under the new Commissioner's National Priority Voucher pilot program

FDA Awards National Priority Vouchers to Two Drug Companies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration awarded national priority vouchers to two investigational drug products under its new Commissioner's National Priority Voucher pilot program. The vouchers were granted based on the products' potential to increase patient access through improved affordability.

•Two investigational drug products received vouchers based on affordability potential

•83,800 bags of frozen raw shrimp recalled due to insanitary processing conditions

Dec 19, 2025•2 min read

FDA Recalls 83,800 Bags of Shrimp Over Insanitary Processing Conditions

Direct Source Seafood LLC recalled approximately 83,800 bags of frozen raw shrimp imported from Indonesia due to concerns that the products may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions. The products were sold under Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands.

•Products imported from Indonesia and sold under Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands

•PlantBased Innovations recalls H-E-B Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt strawberry flavor for undeclared almond allergen

Massachusetts Company Recalls H-E-B Coconut Yogurt Over Undeclared Almond

PlantBased Innovations of Leominster, Massachusetts has issued a voluntary recall of H-E-B Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt in strawberry flavor due to undeclared almond content that poses serious health risks to consumers with almond allergies.

•Product poses serious or life-threatening risk to consumers with almond allergies or sensitivities

•FTC ordered Adamas Amenity Services to stop enforcing no-hire agreements affecting workers in New Jersey and NYC

FTC Orders Building Services Contractor to End No-Hire Agreements

The Federal Trade Commission ordered Adamas Amenity Services LLC to cease enforcement of no-hire agreements that prevented building owners in New Jersey and New York City from directly hiring the company's workers without penalties. The FTC alleges these agreements restricted low-wage janitorial, security, and front desk workers from negotiating better wages and working conditions.

•These agreements prevented building owners from hiring Adamas workers directly without financial penalties

•FDA issued RFI seeking venture capital firms' input on new contracting approaches

FDA Seeks Venture Capital Input on New Contracting Framework

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a Request for Information seeking input from venture capital firms on developing a new contracting approach to strengthen collaboration with innovative companies. The initiative could reshape how the federal agency partners with private sector entities to advance public health goals.

•Initiative aims to strengthen collaboration with innovative healthcare companies

State Court

•Todd Marshall Frandsen received two concurrent life sentences with 20-year fixed terms for lewd conduct with a minor

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Affirms Life Sentences in Child Sex Crime Case

The Idaho Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction and life sentences of Todd Marshall Frandsen, who was found guilty in 2023 of two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under sixteen. The state's highest court rejected Frandsen's appeal challenging four alleged trial court errors.

•The Idaho Supreme Court rejected four challenges including jury selection, evidence admission, and expert witness testimony issues