06/18/2024 03:56 PM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State More Americans can travel abroad today than at any time in our history. In 1990, only five percent of Americans had a passport. Today, that number is 48 percent. In Fiscal Year 2023, the Department of State issued over 24 million passport books and cards – more than ever before. To better serve the growing number of Americans seeking U.S. passports, the Department is taking steps to establish six new passport agencies. These offices – which will open in Salt Lake City, UT; Kansas City, MO; Orlando, FL; Charlotte, NC; San Antonio, TX; and Cincinnati, OH – reflect our commitment to provide prompt customer services to more Americans closer to where they live. The six additional facilities will expand our passport network to 35 passport agencies and centers and over 7,400 public passport acceptance facilities nationwide. As our existing network of agencies do every day, these new passport agencies will provide service to travelers with urgent travel needs. Travelers who do not require urgent passport services can apply at one of our 7,400 passport acceptance facilities, which include post offices and other local government facilities. More than 99 percent of Americans already live within 25 miles of an acceptance facility. While we undertake steps to establish these new agencies, we are issuing more passports than ever before while maintaining our passport processing times at our pre-pandemic levels. We thank Congress for its partnership and support, and we look forward to working with our congressional partners and other stakeholders to open these new facilities. The Department of State encourages U.S. citizens to apply for, or renew, their passports before they book travel. Visit travel.state.gov/passport to plan your travel with the latest passport and travel guidance. |
By Mona Austin One of the most eligible bacherlors in Christianity has tied the knot - Marvin Winans remarries After being single for almost 30 years, legendary gospel singer and Bishop Marvin L. Winans, Sr. has wed his long time girlfriend Deneen R. Carter. Carter is a 57-year-old physical therapist and minister at Perfecting Church in Detroit, founded by Winans. Little is known about the bride publicly. The gospel legend introduced the now Mrs. Winans as his fiance to the congregants of Perfecting in October of 2021. The couple had been in a relationship for 15 years. Pastor Winans was previously married to fellow gospel singer Vicki Winans (with whom he has two sons) for 16 years before they divorced in 1995. Held at the Colony Club in Detroit, MI, on April 22, the wedding was officiated by fellow COGIC Bishop Darrell Hines. "Let their lives be full of joy as they live according to your word," he prayed. If we are judging by floral count, this could be one of th...