Targeted News Service

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March 12 -- Utah Attorney General Derek Brown issued the following news on March 11, 2026:

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Attorney General Derek Brown to continue case against Live Nation/Ticketmaster for illegally monopolizing the live entertainment industry

Attorney General Derek Brown confirmed that Utah will continue to pursue litigation over Live Nation and Ticketmaster monopoly despite the settlement announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday. Utah is part of a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general working to ensure competition is restored for fans, performers, and local ... Show Full Article SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March 12 -- Utah Attorney General Derek Brown issued the following news on March 11, 2026: * * * Attorney General Derek Brown to continue case against Live Nation/Ticketmaster for illegally monopolizing the live entertainment industry Attorney General Derek Brown confirmed that Utah will continue to pursue litigation over Live Nation and Ticketmaster monopoly despite the settlement announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday. Utah is part of a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general working to ensure competition is restored for fans, performers, and localbusinesses.

"For years, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have made it harder for Utahns to see the artists they love by driving up ticket prices and squeezing out the competition. As Utah's Attorney General, I'm committed to securing the best outcome possible for Utah consumers who have been forced to pay too much at Live Nation and Ticketmaster venues," said Attorney General Derek Brown.

Utah joined the U.S. Department of Justice and 38 other states in a lawsuit against Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster, alleging the companies used their dominance in the live entertainment industry to drive up prices and limit competition. Utah argues that:

* Live Nation holds a dominant position across the music and concert industry, including artist management, concert promotion, venue ownership, and ticketing.

* The company is accused of using unfair practices to maintain that dominance.

* These practices include buying rivals, tying artists' use of promotion services to amphitheaters, and locking venues into long-term contracts that block competition.

* The result has been higher ticket prices, numerous additional fees, and fewer affordable, transparent ticket options for Utah families.

Live Nation and Ticketmaster's monopoly has impacted fans across Utah. Utahns spent $400.4 million on live entertainment in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The jury trial commenced last week and was scheduled to continue for another four weeks in the Southern District of New York. The Office of the Attorney General remains committed to restoring competitive fairness and protecting fans.

States joining Utah in this litigation include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.

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Original text here: https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/utah-ticketmaster-case/

R.I. A.G. Neronha, Coalition Sue to Stop Unlawful Data Demand to Colleges and Universities

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, March 12 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:

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Attorney General Neronha, coalition sue to stop unlawful data demand to colleges and universities

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in challenging the Trump Administration's demand that higher education institutions provide new data via a recently added component to the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS), a collection of interrelated surveys administered by the Department of Education, following ... Show Full Article PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, March 12 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * Attorney General Neronha, coalition sue to stop unlawful data demand to colleges and universities Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in challenging the Trump Administration's demand that higher education institutions provide new data via a recently added component to the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS), a collection of interrelated surveys administered by the Department of Education, followingthe Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.

The coalition argues the rushed implementation of the new survey requirements leaves institutions vulnerable to inadvertent errors and unreliable data that could lead to costly penalties and baseless investigations into their practices, and that it jeopardizes student privacy by requesting in-depth information about individual students.

Administered through the Department of Education (ED), IPEDS is a mandatory survey that gathers data from colleges, universities, and technical and vocational programs participating in federal student financial programs. Since 1986, it has served as a valuable tool for reliable data collection and statistical reporting by universities. On August 7, 2025, President Trump issued a memo stating that IPEDS would now become a tool to track "consideration of race in higher education" and investigate universities' compliance with Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.

Following the memo, ED Secretary Linda McMahon announced new requirements for institutions demanding they report data via IPEDS disaggregated by race and sex and retroactively report data from the past seven years. On December 18, 2025, following a notice and comment period in which members of the coalition provided comments strongly opposing the new rules, the Trump Administration finalized the new requirements. The deadline for institutions to provide the new data is March 18, 2026.

In the lawsuit, the coalition argues that the ED's rushed implementation of the new data requirements ignores the incredible burden they place on institutions and dramatically increases the possibility of inadvertent reporting errors and unreliable data. For example, in their haste to roll out the new requirements, ED failed to provide definitions for critical terms, leaving universities guessing what information they are supposed to provide, and facing severe financial penalties if they guess wrong. Furthermore, the Trump Administration has eliminated hundreds of positions within ED, including within the very offices responsible for providing clarity about the requirements to universities.

Moreover, the coalition argues the new data demands jeopardize student privacy and could lead to individuals being easily identified. Many institutions have data protection obligations to their students, which are placed at risk by the Administration's new IPEDS demands for in-depth information about individual students.

The attorneys general argue the Trump Administration's actions are contrary to law, fail to observe the procedure required by law, and are arbitrary and capricious. They argue the implementation of the new data requirements was unlawful and will place an undue burden on colleges and universities.

Joining Attorney General Neronha in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington.

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Original text here: https://riag.ri.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-neronha-coalition-sue-stop-unlawful-data-demand-colleges-and

Minn. Gov. Walz Announces Proposal to Transform Minnesota's Human Services System

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, March 12 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:

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Governor Walz Announces Proposal to Transform Minnesota's Human Services System

Governor Tim Walz today announced a proposal to transform Minnesota's human services system, outlining a major structural overhaul of the state's administration of human services. The proposal would streamline Minnesota's service delivery model, moving away from the complex, layered administration managed by a patchwork of counties, Managed Care Organizations, and state agencies to a single, centralized ... Show Full Article

Maine State Sen. Beebe-Center Shares 2026 MDOT Work Plan for State Bridge and Road Projects

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 12 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Pinny Beebe-Center, D-Rockland:

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Sen. Beebe-Center shares 2026 MDOT work plan for state bridge and road projects

Sen. Pinny Beebe-Center, D-Rockland, is pleased to announce the details of Maine's three-year transportation infrastructure work plan, and what it means for Senate District 12. The plan is released annually with an outline of the Maine Department of Transportation's strategy for road, bridge and other transportation upgrades and maintenance projects.

According to the ... Show Full Article

Maine Senate Gives Initial Support to Sen. Ingwersen Bill to Promote Mental Health and Wellness in Heritage Industries

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 12 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel:

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Maine Senate gives initial support to Sen. Ingwersen bill to promote mental health and wellness in heritage industries

On Tuesday, March 10, the Maine Senate gave its unanimous, bipartisan support to a bill from Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel. LD 2144, "Resolve, to Establish a Working Group to Prioritize Wellness and Mental Health Resources for Heritage Industries," would create a working group to meet and produce policy recommendations to address ... Show Full Article AUGUSTA, Maine, March 12 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel: * * * Maine Senate gives initial support to Sen. Ingwersen bill to promote mental health and wellness in heritage industries On Tuesday, March 10, the Maine Senate gave its unanimous, bipartisan support to a bill from Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel. LD 2144, "Resolve, to Establish a Working Group to Prioritize Wellness and Mental Health Resources for Heritage Industries," would create a working group to meet and produce policy recommendations to addressthe mental health needs of Maine's farmers, fishermen and loggers.

"Yesterday, as I was checking on my bees and their hives, I was thinking about the hardworking men and women in our heritage industries," said Sen. Ingwersen. "For many of them, the spring means longer days and more work. Fluctuating schedules and seasonal work can take a real toll on their physical and mental health. With this proposed working group, we have a perfect opportunity to identify specific needs and actionable solutions so that we can support farmers, fishermen and loggers all year."

The working group would include members from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Marine Resources; the University of Maine Cooperative Extension; the agriculture industry, the fishing industry; the forestry or logging industry; a statewide mental health services organization; an occupational health and safety organization; an expert in rural public health services; and a statewide organization that delivers community services.

During the work session, the Committee agreed on an additional duty: to examine the impact of a lack of access to primary care services in rural areas, where heritage industries are largely located.

If approved, the working group would produce a report by Dec. 1, 2026. Subsequently, the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; the Committee on Health and Human Services; and the Committee on Marine Resources to submit legislation based on the report's recommendations to the 133rd Maine Legislature in 2027.

Recently, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension conducted a survey, revealing that 61% of respondents from agriculture, aquaculture and wild-harvest fisheries identified the need for increased public education to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. Suicide rates remain higher for agriculture, fishing and forestry occupation groups.

In the coming weeks, LD 2144 will face additional votes in the Senate and House.

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Original text here: https://www.mainesenate.org/maine-senate-gives-initial-support-to-sen-ingwersen-bill-to-promote-mental-health-and-wellness-in-heritage-industries/

Conn. Energy Dept. and DECD Mark Implementation of New Release-Based Cleanup Program

HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 12 -- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:

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DEEP and DECD Mark Implementation of New Release-Based Cleanup Program

Effective March 1, 2026, the Connecticut Transfer Act officially sunset and was replaced by the new Release Based Cleanup program

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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced today that on March 1, 2026, the Connecticut Transfer Act officially sunset and was replaced ... Show Full Article HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 12 -- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * DEEP and DECD Mark Implementation of New Release-Based Cleanup Program Effective March 1, 2026, the Connecticut Transfer Act officially sunset and was replaced by the new Release Based Cleanup program * The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced today that on March 1, 2026, the Connecticut Transfer Act officially sunset and was replacedby the new Release-Based Cleanup program, a new regulatory framework that will streamline the remediation and redevelopment of blighted properties impacted by pollution from past industrial uses, a game-changing transition for Connecticut that is a win for both the environment and the economy.

The release-based program is the result of a four-year, legislatively authorized, stakeholder-driven process to overhaul the Transfer Act, the state's framework governing the cleanup of contaminated sites. Almost 5,000 properties have entered into the Transfer Act program since the 1980s, however less than half have been remediated. The new framework aligns Connecticut's regulatory environment with the approach used in 48 other states, allowing for faster, owner-initiated cleanups that will address longstanding pollution and bring blighted properties back to productive reuse.

The new regulatory program was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly last spring. Since then, DEEP and DECD have continued to work with a wide variety of stakeholders in impacted industries and beyond to prepare the state for this important transition. This work includes development of information sheets, question and answer sessions, building up an online library of resources for a variety of stakeholders, and a range of training sessions. In addition, as part of this transition to a modern, release- and risk-based cleanup program, the state has also developed a state-of-the-art online reporting and tracking system for the regulated community, which also dramatically increases transparency in the status of release cleanups across the state.

"This transition to a release-based cleanup system will revolutionize environmental cleanup and drive investment in Connecticut," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. "These polluted properties are often located in our urban and village centers-prime locations for living and working throughout the state. This new cleanup program removes barriers to redevelopment and will bring more of these polluted properties into beneficial reuse."

"The transition to release-based cleanup regulations powerfully demonstrates Connecticut's commitment to creating new pathways for growth and strengthening our state's economic competitiveness," said DECD Deputy Commissioner and Chief Investment Officer Matt Pugliese, who oversees the Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development. "By replacing the outdated and complex system with a clear and predictable framework, we are making it much easier for investors, property owners and municipalities to clean up and redevelop polluted properties into assets that will create jobs, boost vibrancy, and accelerate our economic growth."

The regulations were developed by DEEP in collaboration with DECD and a stakeholder working group. Starting in December 2020, DEEP and DECD met at least monthly with a working group of more than 50 environmental transaction attorneys, commercial real estate brokers, and licensed environmental professionals who work every day to remediate and redevelop polluted property in Connecticut. The resulting cleanup program will make it easier to clean up polluted sites, bringing thousands of properties back into productive reuse. Economists at DECD estimate that moving to a release-based system will have significant economic benefits, generating more than 2,100 new construction jobs, $3.78 billion in new GDP growth, and $115 million in new revenue for the state over the next five years alone.

The release-based regulations also usher in many practical cleanup provisions that will aid all release cleanups. This is true both for properties under the new release-based framework and those continuing to close out obligations under Brownfield program or other prior cleanup obligations. These standards will reduce costs for cleanups by eliminating unnecessary steps and by taking into further consideration the end use of the site. DEEP and DECD anticipate this will especially benefit multi-family housing or mixed-use development and commercial or industrial use cases.

Information about the Release-Based Cleanup program development is available here: Release-Based Clean Up Regulation Development (https://portal.ct.gov/deep/remediation--site-clean-up/comprehensive-evaluation-and-transformation/release-based-clean-up-regulations)

More information on the state's cleanup programs can be found here: Environmental Cleanup (https://portal.ct.gov/deep/remediation--site-clean-up/environmental-cleanup)

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Original text here: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/deep-and-decd-mark-implementation-of-new-release-based-cleanup-program

Ariz. State Senate Republicans: Bill to Ensure Dangerous Criminal Defendants Receive Secure Mental Health Placement Advances in Senate

PHOENIX, Arizona, March 12 -- The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news release on March 11, 2026:

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Bill to Ensure Dangerous Criminal Defendants Receive Secure Mental Health Placement Advances in Senate

Legislation to protect public safety and ensure dangerous criminal defendants receive appropriate mental health treatment is advancing at the Arizona Legislature. Today, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee approved HB 2307 as amended, adopting an amendment from Senator Hildy Angius.

HB 2307 addresses a serious gap facing Arizona courts and communities. ... Show Full Article PHOENIX, Arizona, March 12 -- The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * Bill to Ensure Dangerous Criminal Defendants Receive Secure Mental Health Placement Advances in Senate Legislation to protect public safety and ensure dangerous criminal defendants receive appropriate mental health treatment is advancing at the Arizona Legislature. Today, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee approved HB 2307 as amended, adopting an amendment from Senator Hildy Angius. HB 2307 addresses a serious gap facing Arizona courts and communities.According to state statute, if a defendant is deemed dangerous and incompetent to stand trial, the defendant must be remanded to a Secure Mental Health Facility. As of today, no such facilities exist in Arizona. This legislation ensures that certain individuals, meeting a specific set of requirements, are sent to secure behavioral health facilities, rather than being released back into communities.

The amendment from Senator Angius allows the Arizona State Hospital to temporarily accept certain dangerous, incompetent defendants on its forensic campus when secure mental health beds are unavailable. It also establishes reporting requirements and a legislative study committee to examine long-term solutions for secure mental health facilities. HB 2307 previously passed the Arizona House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

"Public safety must come first," said Senator Angius, a member of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. "When someone is found dangerous and incompetent to stand trial, they need to be placed in a secure facility where they can receive treatment while protecting the public. This bill helps close a gap in our system and ensures dangerous offenders do not fall through the cracks simply because there is not a bed available in Arizona."

HB 2307 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.

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Original text here: https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/press-releases/bill-to-ensure-criminal-defendants-receive-secure-mental-health

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