Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
What Last Year's Award Winners Reveal About Design-Build Excellence
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Design-Build Institute of America issued the following news:
* * *
What Last Year's Award Winners Reveal About Design-Build Excellence
Looking across last year's Project/Team Award winners, a clear pattern emerges. The projects that stood out combined strong Owner leadership, meaningful community engagement and disciplined collaboration applied decisively across a wide range of conditions, project types and delivery contexts.
Spanning major transportation infrastructure, emergency response and civic facilities, the projects recognized in 2025 illustrate how design-build
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Design-Build Institute of America issued the following news:
* * *
What Last Year's Award Winners Reveal About Design-Build Excellence
Looking across last year's Project/Team Award winners, a clear pattern emerges. The projects that stood out combined strong Owner leadership, meaningful community engagement and disciplined collaboration applied decisively across a wide range of conditions, project types and delivery contexts.
Spanning major transportation infrastructure, emergency response and civic facilities, the projects recognized in 2025 illustrate how design-buildexcellence takes shape in practice. Together, they offer a clear signal of what the industry's highest-performing teams look like as the 2026 Design-Build Project/Team Awards cycle begins.
Excellence Grounded in Real-World Impact
Two very different DBIA award-winning projects in 2025 -- one a major aviation hub, the other an emergency response effort -- illustrate how design-build excellence shows up across scale, sector and circumstance.
The Kansas City International Airport New Single Terminal and Garage project demonstrated how large, complex infrastructure can extend beyond efficient construction to fundamentally improve the passenger experience. As the city's largest-ever infrastructure investment, the $1.5 billion Progressive Design-Build effort replaced three aging terminals with a single, modern facility delivered 60 days early and $45 million under budget. From intuitive wayfinding and open sightlines to accessible connections, quiet rooms and sensory spaces, the team focused on how people actually move through and experience the airport, creating a terminal that feels calm and welcoming while remaining easy to navigate even at peak demand.
The Hurricane Ian Sanibel Island Access project showed design-build excellence under entirely different conditions. When Hurricane Ian severed the only connection between the mainland and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva, the design-build team mobilized within days under extreme constraints to restore emergency access and chart a path to permanent repairs. Through close coordination with state leaders, emergency responders and local stakeholders, the team reestablished critical connectivity, supported community recovery and delivered a resilient new causeway months ahead of schedule, demonstrating how collaboration can provide both immediate relief and long-term protection.
In both cases, success was measured by outcomes that mattered to the people who depended on the infrastructure, including reliable service, long-term performance and resilience.
Owner Leadership Sets the Tone
Several award-winning projects underscored the role of strong Owner leadership in shaping successful outcomes.
New York City's Orchard Beach Maintenance and Operations Building was notable not just for the facility itself, but for what it represented: a clear commitment to collaborative delivery and a broader shift in how the Owner approached capital projects. As the NYC Department of Design and Construction's first project delivered under the 2019 Public Works Investment Act, Orchard Beach helped catalyze a broader cultural shift across city agencies and partners. The Owner established a dedicated Design-Build Unit, invested in DBIA professional certification and training for more than 150 staff and extended that training to partner agencies. That approach laid the groundwork for design-build's long-term success citywide.
The Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse reflected similar principles, grounded in a deliberate shift away from an outdated facility toward a civic landmark built on transparency, security and public trust. As a first-time design-build Owner, Clackamas County prioritized long-term value and operational performance, bringing designers, builders and operators into early alignment through a "One Team" approach. Delivered through Oregon's first courthouse public-private partnership, the project pairs collaborative governance with an all-electric design that supports long-term sustainability and public confidence.
These projects reinforced a simple truth: when Owners lead with clarity and intent, design-build teams are better positioned to deliver meaningful results.
Community Engagement Strengthens Outcomes
Another defining characteristic across last year's top projects was meaningful engagement with the communities these projects were built to serve.
At Kansas City International Airport, the design-build team prioritized passenger experience and local identity alongside technical delivery, making Kansas City itself visible throughout the terminal. The team partnered with local artists, makers and vendors, embedding regional culture into the passenger experience while engaging stakeholders to ensure the new terminal reflected how people actually move through and experience the airport every day.
That commitment extended to economic participation. The team set an ambitious goal of 35% utilization of underutilized business enterprises (UBEs) for professional and construction services. Ultimately, contracts were awarded to 133 minority- and women-owned Kansas City-based firms totaling more than $320 million, exceeding the city's workforce participation goals and delivering lasting regional economic benefits. The result was infrastructure that felt intuitive, welcoming and distinctly connected to the community it serves.
Down in Sanibel, community engagement took on a different urgency. When the storm severed the only connection between the mainland and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva, coordination with local officials, emergency responders and residents became mission-critical. With power out, infrastructure damaged and no roadway access, the design-build team mobilized within days, working under austere conditions to restore emergency access and establish a clear path to permanent repairs. Frequent, direct communication, often conducted in real time as conditions shifted, helped align expectations and prioritize lifesaving access while laying the foundation for long-term resilience.
Civic projects reinforced the same lesson. The Orchard Beach Maintenance and Operations Building reflected New York City's attention to neighborhood context and workforce needs, while the Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse team engaged stakeholders to shape a facility designed for long-term public use and trust. In each case, early and sustained engagement reduced friction, informed better decisions and strengthened public confidence in the outcome.
Carrying the Standard Forward
Together, last year's award winners offer a clear picture of what excellence in design-build looks like today. It is collaborative, disciplined and grounded in outcomes that serve Owners, users and communities alike.
These are the qualities the 2026 Design-Build Project and Team Awards are designed to recognize. And this year, we are looking for projects that raise the bar even higher. Submissions are now open (https://projects.dbia.org/) for teams whose work demonstrates strong leadership, collaborative delivery and results aligned with Design-Build Done Right(R).
So ask the harder question: Does your project exceed these standards? Did your team push collaboration further, deliver greater value or set a new benchmark for what design-build can achieve? If so, we want to see it.
Awards are given to projects that exemplify the principles of Design-Build Done Right(R), including:
* Design-Build Awards of Merit
* Design-Build Awards of Excellence
* Best In Awards
* Specialty Owner Awards
* Trailblazer in Inclusive Growth Award
* Project of the Year
The submission deadline is Monday, June 1 (there will be no submission extension deadline).
* * *
Original text here: https://dbia.org/blog/what-last-years-award-winners-reveal-about-design-build-excellence/
[Category: Construction]
MHA Provides Essential Support And Resources For New Hospital CEOs
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 7 -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
* * *
MHA Provides Essential Support And Resources For New Hospital CEOs
The Missouri Hospital Association is a trusted partner to the state's hospitals, equipping health care leaders and teams with the knowledge and tools to advance high-quality care. With this goal in mind, each year, MHA convenes new hospital CEOs to introduce them to the breadth of resources and subject matter expertise available through MHA membership.
This two-day event for new CEOs of MHA-member hospitals provides valuable
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 7 -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
* * *
MHA Provides Essential Support And Resources For New Hospital CEOs
The Missouri Hospital Association is a trusted partner to the state's hospitals, equipping health care leaders and teams with the knowledge and tools to advance high-quality care. With this goal in mind, each year, MHA convenes new hospital CEOs to introduce them to the breadth of resources and subject matter expertise available through MHA membership.
This two-day event for new CEOs of MHA-member hospitals provides valuablenetworking opportunities and covers a variety of topics, including the following.
* shaping a hospital environment to fulfill your current and future missions
* supporting your hospital's success through public policy and advocacy
* engaging with your state legislators, including an in-person visit to the Missouri Capitol
* discussing challenges, leadership development and public engagement
* advancing quality, safety, research and value-based care
* describing data and analytics available through the Hospital Industry Data Institute for better decision-making
* engaging members and workforce development
* creating new revenue streams and value-added services for member hospitals
"Our member hospital CEOs have told us it is important for them to understand how state government operates and how MHA works with elected officials and various state agencies on their behalf," said MHA President and CEO Jon D. Doolittle. "We also want to help them network and grow their awareness of the expertise and various solutions we have to offer."
Here's what some of last year's attendees said about MHA's new CEO orientation.
"It is easy to stay in your silo. By meeting my peers, I see we have so many commonalities."
"This (new CEO orientation) has renewed my 'why' for working in health care. It is good to know I am not alone."
MHA will host an upcoming orientation for new CEOs of member hospitals Feb. 17-18.
In addition to the new CEO orientation, MHA staff offer in-depth, on-site engagements for hospital leadership teams and can visit member hospitals, upon request.
MHA is privileged to be part of its member hospitals' teams and advocate for a health care environment in which hospitals can thrive. Learn more about the value of MHA membership.
* * *
About Missouri Hospital Association
The Missouri Hospital Association is a nonprofit association in Jefferson City that represents 135 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.mohospitals.org/newsroom/mha-provides-essential-support-and-resources-for-new-hospital-ceos
[Category: Health Care]
EU: BSA Warns Against Country-Of-Origin Restrictions on Trusted Digital Tools
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Business Software Alliance issued the following news release:
* * *
EU: BSA Warns Against Country-of-Origin Restrictions on Trusted Digital Tools
BRUSSELS - The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is concerned by reports that French authorities are restricting the use of widely trusted collaboration tools based on their country of origin. Decisions like this risk fragmenting digital markets and undermining the open, competitive technology ecosystem that has long supported Europe's economic growth and security. Digital sovereignty is best advanced using high security standards,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Business Software Alliance issued the following news release:
* * *
EU: BSA Warns Against Country-of-Origin Restrictions on Trusted Digital Tools
BRUSSELS - The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is concerned by reports that French authorities are restricting the use of widely trusted collaboration tools based on their country of origin. Decisions like this risk fragmenting digital markets and undermining the open, competitive technology ecosystem that has long supported Europe's economic growth and security. Digital sovereignty is best advanced using high security standards,risk-based frameworks that focus on security, transparency, and accountability, regardless of the geographic origin of technology providers.
Rather than broad bans, policymakers should focus on clear security standards that apply equally to all providers and are grounded in technical realities. BSA members are deeply invested in Europe's digital future and share France's and the EU's objective of fostering innovation, resilience, competitiveness, and trust in the digital ecosystem.
BSA and its members stand ready to engage with French and EU authorities to ensure government security objectives are met without limiting access to proven, secure tools that public servants and businesses rely on every day.
* * *
ABOUT BSA
The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the global trade association of the enterprise software industry, representing companies that are leaders in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, quantum, and other breakthrough technologies. We work in over 20 markets in the US, Europe, and Asia, advocating for policies that build trust in technology so that every industry sector and the public can benefit from innovation.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.bsa.org/news-events/news/eu-bsa-warns-against-country-of-origin-restrictions-on-trusted-digital-tools
[Category: Business]
Banks Caution Against Relaxing Standards for Fed Account Access to Preserve Financial Stability
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Bank Policy Institute issued the following news release:
* * *
Banks Caution Against Relaxing Standards for Fed Account Access to Preserve Financial Stability
*
Washington, D.C. - The Bank Policy Institute, Financial Services Forum and The Clearing House Association responded today to the Federal Reserve's request for input on a special-purpose payment account, sometimes referred to as a "skinny master account." This proposal would relax Federal Reserve master account access standards by introducing a new type of account aimed at payments
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Bank Policy Institute issued the following news release:
* * *
Banks Caution Against Relaxing Standards for Fed Account Access to Preserve Financial Stability
*
Washington, D.C. - The Bank Policy Institute, Financial Services Forum and The Clearing House Association responded today to the Federal Reserve's request for input on a special-purpose payment account, sometimes referred to as a "skinny master account." This proposal would relax Federal Reserve master account access standards by introducing a new type of account aimed at paymentscompanies. The associations warned that granting direct access to the Fed's payment infrastructure to lesser-regulated institutions without sufficient guardrails could increase payment system risks and undermine financial stability.
" The United States' payment system is based on the core principles of trust, security and resiliency," the associations wrote. "We support innovation in the payments ecosystem that consistently upholds these principles and appropriately limits systemic and operational risks."
A "master account" serves as a bank account for banks. It allows financial institutions to clear and settle transactions on behalf of their customers. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted rigorous account access guidelines for master accounts, which historically have been granted primarily to insured depository institutions and other depository institutions engaged in low-risk activities. This creates a safer and more efficient payment system because all participants within this system are vetted and generally subject to robust, ongoing supervision.
The Fed's proposal would open the door to the payment system for institutions that do not have federal deposit insurance and are not subject to comprehensive prudential regulation and supervision. The proposal identifies a few important safeguards to address the risks presented by these applicants, such as prohibiting overdrafts, discount window access and interest on account balances. The associations support these protections but encourage the Fed to go further.
In addition to the protections currently being considered, the associations recommend the Federal Reserve:
* Require applicants to demonstrate at least 12 months of safe and sound operations before applying;
* Set strict balance and transaction limits and limit access to payment rails with final settlement and real-time monitoring;
* Subject all account holders to strict BSA/AML requirements to help prevent illicit finance;
* Prohibit pass-through use, sponsorship and other arrangements that primarily benefit affiliates or third parties that would not otherwise be eligible for an account of their own;
* Conduct ongoing monitoring of these accounts for compliance with all laws, regulations and commitments; and
* Publish applications for these accounts for public comment.
The associations also emphasized that a payment account should not be treated as a stepping-stone to a master account. Applicants seeking a master account should apply for a master account, and those applications should be reviewed under the Fed's existing access guidelines.
To access a copy of the letter, please click here.
About Bank Policy Institute.
The Bank Policy Institute is a nonpartisan public policy, research and advocacy group that represents universal banks, regional banks and the major foreign banks doing business in the United States. The Institute produces academic research and analysis on regulatory and monetary policy topics, analyzes and comments on proposed regulations, and represents the financial services industry with respect to cybersecurity, fraud, and other information security issues.
Media Contact
Austin Anton
austin.anton@bpi.com
***
Original text here: https://bpi.com/banks-caution-against-relaxing-standards-for-fed-account-access-to-preserve-financial-stability/
American Farm Bureau Federation: Farmers Appreciate EPA's Science-Based Approach
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 7 -- The American Farm Bureau Federation issued the following statement on Feb. 6, 2026:
* * *
Farmers Appreciate EPA's Science-Based Approach
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on EPA finalizing the registration of dicamba products.
"Farmers appreciate the decision by Administrator Lee Zeldin and the EPA to release a new registration and updated label for dicamba, an important herbicide that allows farmers to grow safe and healthy food and fiber. EPA's review and approval process, based on sound science, resulted in guidance that
... Show Full Article
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 7 -- The American Farm Bureau Federation issued the following statement on Feb. 6, 2026:
* * *
Farmers Appreciate EPA's Science-Based Approach
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on EPA finalizing the registration of dicamba products.
"Farmers appreciate the decision by Administrator Lee Zeldin and the EPA to release a new registration and updated label for dicamba, an important herbicide that allows farmers to grow safe and healthy food and fiber. EPA's review and approval process, based on sound science, resulted in guidance thatgives us continued confidence it can be safely applied. We look forward to helping ensure farmers clearly understand the updated label requirements.
"Farmers take seriously our responsibility to care for the resources we've been entrusted with, including the careful use of pesticides. Today's announcement will provide farmers with certainty as they plan for this year's planting season."
Farm Bureau has long advocated for access to safe, effective and innovative crop protection tools. This week, AFBF joined several other agricultural organizations in calling on EPA to uphold its science-based review and approval process. To read the letter, click here.
* * *
February 5, 2026
The Honorable Lee Zeldin
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Administrator Zeldin,
The undersigned organizations represent a cross section of the agricultural and farming industry,whose members work to feed, fuel, and clothe Americans in a safe, efficient and economicallysustainable manner.
Our organizations support the general goals of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA)movement and the principles included in the MAHA Commission's Make Our Children HealthyAgain Strategy regarding the use of sound science when making decisions on agricultural inputs.
For our grower organizations, this includes encouraging increased consumption of fresh fruits,vegetables, grains, and protein. However, access to safe and effective pesticide products isessential to achieve these goals. Without pesticides, conventional and organic growers wouldlose significant yield to pests, reducing the amount of produce and grains available to consumersand animals. Likewise, livestock producers could not provide quality forage and grain for feed,or protect against flies, lice, and grubs. And beyond agricultural uses, pesticides help to protectthe public from fleas, ticks, termites, rodents and mosquitoes that spread disease and structuraldamage across indoor and outdoor settings.
We recognize that the pesticide registration process has become increasingly challenging in theface of heightened public scrutiny and criticism that is not based in science. Often, these arevoices that may not fully understand the rigorous, science-based review and risk-assessmentframework used to evaluate products for safety when applied according to the label. EPA'scredibility as a global leader in risk-based regulation depends on meeting its obligations underthe Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and Pesticide RegistrationImprovement Act (PRIA), including timely registration reviews and approvals that allow U.S.
producers access to innovative tools on par with global competitors. Therefore, we ask you touphold EPA's rigorous, science-based registration process, recognizing its critical role inachieving our shared goals to feed the nation and keep food affordable.
Following the September release of the MAHA Commission's Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, EPA committed to "keep food prices affordable for American families whilemaintaining essential environmental protections" and "accelerate innovative and vetted cropprotection products to enhance America's leading agricultural system1." The U.S. agriculture
community greatly appreciates those sentiments, particularly after years of working with the EPAto finalize the Endangered Species Act (ESA) pesticide risk mitigation strategies. However,access to new products and innovations has slowed further while other countries have continuedto move forward with approvals, pushing the U.S. further behind and putting America's farmersat a disadvantage.
U.S. producers are eager to fulfill the MAHA Strategy goal of supplying nutritious food toconsumers. Doing so involves the use of pesticide tools that have undergone rigorous scientificassessment and help to ensure the high quality, pest-free products we grow. We are increasinglyconcerned about anti-scientific rhetoric and misinformation that undermine the credibility of EPAand its scientific integrity.
Innovation is explicitly recognized in the MAHA recommendations, and there is clear commonground around advancing more sustainable products and tools in the marketplace. An efficientand transparent process that meets statutory timelines under PRIA and FIFRA is essential tofostering innovation and ensuring we have access to the next generation of tools needed todeliver on our food security, food quality, and food affordability objectives.
We respectfully urge you to continue to uphold the science-based mission of the Office of Pesticide Programs' career scientists, whose thorough data reviews and technical analysesunderpin EPA's determinations that registered pesticides meet safety and efficacy standards. Theagriculture community stands ready to support you in successfully delivering innovative, safe,sustainable and effective tools to U.S. agriculture in an efficient and transparent manner usinggold standard science.
Sincerely,
African American Farmers of California
Alabama Farmers Federation
Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association
Alabama Soybean and Corn Association
Alaska Farm Bureau
Almond Alliance
American Agri-Women
American Cotton Producers
American Dairy Coalition
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Pistachio Growers
American Seed Trade Association
American Society of Agronomy
American Soybean Association
American Sugar Alliance
American Sugarbeet Growers Association
AmericanHort
Arizona Cotton Growers Association
Arizona Farm Bureau Federation
Arizona Nursery Association
Arkansas Agricultural Consultants Association
Arkansas Certified Crop Advisers
Arkansas Farm Bureau
Arkansas Rice Federation
Arkansas Rice Growers Association
Arkansas Soybean Association
Big Horn Basin Beet Growers Association
Big Horn County Sugarbeet Growers Association
Burley & Dark Tobacco Producer Association
California Alfalfa & Forage Association
California Citrus Mutual
California Citrus Quality Council
California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association
California Farm Bureau
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Specialty Crops Council
California Tomato Growers Association
California Walnut Commission
Certified Crop Advisors
Colorado Association of Wheat Growers
Colorado Farm Bureau
Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association
Colorado Pork Producers Council
Colorado Potato Legislative Association
Colorado Sorghum Growers
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association
Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association
Cranberry Institute
Crop Science Society of America
Delaware Farm Bureau
Delta Council
Empire State Potato Growers
Farm Credit Council
Florida Citrus Mutual
Florida Farm Bureau Federation
Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association
Florida Soybean Association
Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
Georgia Cotton Commission
Georgia Green Industry Association
Georgia Urban Agriculture Council
Hawaii Agriculture Council
Idaho Alfalfa & Clover Seed Growers Association
Idaho Farm Bureau Federation
Idaho Grain Producers Association
Idaho Hay & Forage Association
Idaho Hop Growers Association
Idaho Mint Growers Association
Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association
Illinois Corn Growers Association
Illinois Farm Bureau
Illinois Soybean Growers
Indiana Farm Bureau
Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association
International Fresh Produce Association
Iowa Corn Growers Association
Iowa Soybean Association
Kansas Association of Wheat Growers
Kansas Corn Growers Association
Kansas Cotton Association
Kansas Farm Bureau
Kansas Grain and Feed Association
Kansas Sorghum Producers
Kansas Soybean Association
Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation
Kentucky Soybean Association
Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Maine Farmers Coalition
Maine Landscape and Nursery Association
Maine Potato Board
Maryland Farm Bureau
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
Michigan Asparagus Association
Michigan Corn Growers Association
Michigan Farm Bureau
Michigan Soybean Association
Michigan State Horticultural Society
Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association
Midwest Council on Agriculture
Midwest Dry Bean Coalition
Midwest Forage Association
Minnesota AgriGrowth
Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation
Minnesota Soybean Growers Association
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
Mississippi Nursery & Landscape Association
Mississippi Soybean Association
Missouri Farm Bureau
Missouri Rice Council
Missouri Soybean Association
Montana Farm Bureau Federation
Montana Grain Growers Association
Montana Nursery & Landscape Association
Montana Potato Improvement Association
National Agricultural Aviation Association
National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Barley Growers Association
National Black Growers Council
National Christmas Tree Association
National Citrus Nursery Association
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council of America
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Onion Association
National Pasta Association
National Pest Management Association
National Potato Council
National Sorghum Producers
National Sunflower Association
National Watermelon Association
NEBCO Sugarbeet Growers Association
Nebraska Corn Growers Association
Nebraska Dry Bean Commission
Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation
Nebraska Sorghum Producers
Nebraska Soybean Association
Nebraska Sugarbeet Growers Association
New Jersey Farm Bureau
New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau
New York Corn & Soybean Growers Associations
New York State Flower Industries
Next Generation Inc.
Nez Perce Prairie Grass Growers Association
Nisei Farmers League
North American Blueberry Council
North American Millers' Association
North Carolina Farm Bureau
North Carolina Grange
North Carolina Potato Association
North Carolina Soybean Producers Association
North Dakota Corn Growers Association
North Dakota Grain Growers Association
North Dakota Soybean Growers Association
Northarvest Bean Growers Association
Northern Canola Growers Association
Northern Pulse Growers Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association
Ohio Farm Bureau
Ohio Green Industry Association
Ohio Soybean Association
Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Oklahoma Soybean Association
Oregon Association of Nurseries
Oregon Dairy Farmers Association
Oregon Farm Bureau
Oregon Wheat Growers League
Oregon Women for Agriculture
Pacific Northwest Canola Association
Pennsylvania Cooperative Potato Growers
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Plains Cotton Growers, Inc.
Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc.
Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association
Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association
Society of American Florists
Soil Science Society of America
South Carolina Corn and Soybean Association
South Dakota Farm Bureau
South Dakota Soybean Association
South Dakota Wheat Growers Association
Southern Cotton Ginners Association
Southern Kansas Cotton Growers Coop
Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council
Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation
Tennessee Soybean Association
Texas Citrus Mutual
Texas Corn Producers Association
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Grain Sorghum Association
Texas International Produce Association
Texas Soybean Association
Texas Vegetable Association
Texas Wheat Producers Association
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Beet Sugar Association
U.S. Canola Association
U.S. Dry Bean Council
U.S. Durum Growers Association
U.S. Rice Producers Association
USA Pulses
USA Rice Federation
Utah Farm Bureau Federation
Utah Pork Producers Association
Venture Dairy Cooperative
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
Virginia Grain Producers Association
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
Virginia Soybean Association
Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Washington State Pest Management Association
Washington Winegrowers Association
West Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
Western Growers
Western Sugar Cooperative
Western Tree Nut Association
Wheatland WY Sugarbeet Growers
Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine
Wisconsin Corn Growers Association
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
Wisconsin Soybean Association
Wyoming Ag Business Association
Wyoming Crop Improvement Association
Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation
Wyoming Wheat Growers Association
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fb.org/news-release/farmers-appreciate-epas-science-based-approach
[Category: Agriculture]
ASMFC Spiny Dogfish Board Sets Quota for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 Fishing Seasons
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 7 -- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
ASMFC Spiny Dogfish Board Sets Quota for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 Fishing Seasons
The Commission's Spiny Dogfish Management Board approved a coastwide commercial quota for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 fishing seasons (May 1-April 30) of 9.2 million pounds (statespecific allocations are provided in table below), pending approval by NOAA Fisheries. The quota is consistent with the measures recommended to NOAA Fisheries by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 7 -- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
ASMFC Spiny Dogfish Board Sets Quota for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 Fishing Seasons
The Commission's Spiny Dogfish Management Board approved a coastwide commercial quota for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 fishing seasons (May 1-April 30) of 9.2 million pounds (statespecific allocations are provided in table below), pending approval by NOAA Fisheries. The quota is consistent with the measures recommended to NOAA Fisheries by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils(Councils). The Board also maintained the commercial trip limit in state waters of 7,500 pounds for the northern region states of Maine through Connecticut. The states of New York through North Carolina have the ability to set state-specific trip limits based on the needs of their fisheries. The Commission's actions are final and apply to state waters (0-3 miles from shore). The Councils forwarded their recommendations for federal waters (3 -200 miles from shore) to NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Administrator for final approval.
Table: Spiny Dogfish State Allocations (in pounds) for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 Fishing Seasons
* Any overages in the above quota allocations will be deducted from that region's or state's quota allocation in the subsequent year. Similarly, any eligible rollovers from one season can be applied to that region's or state's quota allocation the following year.
The approved coastwide quotas represent a 1.5% reduction from the current fishing season's coastwide quota of 9.3 million pounds. The decreased quota is based on the Councils' maintaining the acceptable biological catch estimate from 2025/2026 but setting aside a slightly higher amount for discards. For more information, please contact James Boyle, FMP Coordinator, at jboyle@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
* * *
Original text here: https://asmfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/pr04SpinyDogfishSpecs.pdf
[Category: Environment]
AAPS Expands Lawsuit Against the Biden Administration and Specialty Boards
TUCSON, Arizona, Feb. 7 -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons issued the following news release on Feb. 6, 2026:
* * *
AAPS Expands Lawsuit Against the Biden Administration and Specialty Boards
Update 2/6/2026
AAPS Educational Foundation Files Reply Brief of Appellants with U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abim-02-06-2026.pdf
Update 12/2/2025
AAPS Educational Foundation Files Brief of Appellants with U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abim-12-2-2025-brief.pdf
Record Excerpts
... Show Full Article
TUCSON, Arizona, Feb. 7 -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons issued the following news release on Feb. 6, 2026:
* * *
AAPS Expands Lawsuit Against the Biden Administration and Specialty Boards
Update 2/6/2026
AAPS Educational Foundation Files Reply Brief of Appellants with U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abim-02-06-2026.pdf
Update 12/2/2025
AAPS Educational Foundation Files Brief of Appellants with U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abim-12-2-2025-brief.pdf
Record Excerpts- https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abim-12-2-2025-record-excerpts.pdf
Update 5/2/2025
AAPS Educational Foundation Filed Brief in Opposition to the Department of Homeland Security Motion to Stay Discovery - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abim-5-2-2025.pdf
Update 4/17/2025
AAPS Educational Foundation Filed Brief in Opposition to the Department of Homeland Security Motion to Dismiss - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-dhs-04-17-2025.pdf
Update 4/4/2025 - AAPS Educational Foundation Filed the Following Briefs in Opposition to Motions to Dismiss:
Opposition to ABIM Motion to Dismiss - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abim-reply-brief-4-4-2025.pdf
Opposition to ABOG Motion to Dismiss - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abog-reply-brief-4-4-2025.pdf
Opposition to ABFM Motion to Dismiss - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abfm-reply-brief-4-4-2025.pdf
Update 1/29/2025 - AAPS Educational Foundation Files Amended Complaint - https://aapsonline.org/judicial/aaps-v-abim-1-29-2025.pdf
*
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Educational Foundation ("AAPS") filed on Monday an expansion to its federal lawsuit against the Biden Administration and board-certifying organizations that threatened to, and sometimes have, revoked board certifications of physicians based on their outspokenness on matters of public policy.
Physicians who advocated using ivermectin to treat COVID-19 have, for example, been retaliated against by revocation of their board certifications. In addition, a board-certified witness was testifying against abortion at a congressional hearing when she was threatened with retaliation against her board certification, the Amended Complaint states.
The lawsuit has been joined by three physicians victimized by such retaliation.
"Using nearly identical terminology and timing, Defendants have acted in an apparently coordinated manner to attain their common objective of censorship based on viewpoint," AAPS states in its Amended Complaint. Defendants are the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ABOG), the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) and the Biden Administration.
In this precedent-setting lawsuit, AAPS seeks to establish that ABIM, ABOG, and ABFM have engaged in "state action" in threatening or revoking physicians' board certifications, which are necessary to practice medicine in most hospitals. AAPS sets forth in its court filings multiple ways in which these board-certifying organizations should be deemed to be state actors, and thus prohibited by the First Amendment from discriminating based on viewpoint.
"This new form of censorship is more dangerous than prior infringements on freedom of speech," AAPS's attorney Andrew Schlafly observes. "The Biden Administration has also wrongly caused social media platforms to take down postings and videos."
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled on June 3 in this case that there is a constitutional right to hear which is fully protected by the First Amendment. "When physicians are silenced by threats to revoke their board certification, that infringes on the constitutional right to hear what they have to say," Mr. Schlafly added.
AAPS Educational Foundation's lawsuit is pending in U.S. District Court in Galveston, No. 3:22-cv-240.
* * *
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Educational Foundation sponsors conferences and subsidizes students' attendance.
* * *
Original text here: https://aapsonline.org/aaps-expands-lawsuit-against-the-biden-administration-and-specialty-boards/
[Category: Medical]
