Federal Independent Agencies
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National Portrait Gallery Announces Newly Conserved "Declaration of Independence" Diorama and New Revolutionary War-Era Gallery
WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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National Portrait Gallery Announces Newly Conserved "Declaration of Independence" Diorama and New Revolutionary War-Era Gallery
Installations On View Beginning July 2 as Part of "Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900" Exhibition
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In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the nation, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery has announced two additions to the museum's "Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900" exhibition: a freshly conserved diorama depicting the signers of the Declaration
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WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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National Portrait Gallery Announces Newly Conserved "Declaration of Independence" Diorama and New Revolutionary War-Era Gallery
Installations On View Beginning July 2 as Part of "Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900" Exhibition
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In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the nation, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery has announced two additions to the museum's "Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900" exhibition: a freshly conserved diorama depicting the signers of the Declarationof Independence and a new gallery titled "Independence: 1765-1789."
Bartlett Frost Diorama
Commissioned by the Portrait Gallery in 1968 and completed in 1969, a recently conserved large-scale, wax diorama by Bartlett Frost (1913-1997) depicts key members of the Second Continental Congress witnessing the presentation of the Declaration of Independence. Last displayed at the museum during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, it is modeled after John Trumbull's iconic painting, "The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776" (1786-1820), which the artist painted at the urging of Thomas Jefferson. The diorama will be introduced by an enlarged detail of Trumbull's work that shows the "Committee of Five," the men responsible for writing the document that proclaimed the 13 colonies sovereign states: John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. As visitors approach the diorama, LED lights will showcase delicately made figures, molded from wax and reinforced by wire. The figures are decorated with fine details, such as wigs created from individual goat hairs, lace and ruffles from intricately cut paper and small imitation pearls for the sitters' eyes.
"The scale and interactive component of Frost's diorama humanize for visitors today a pivotal moment from the 18th century," said Robyn Asleson, curator of prints and drawings for the National Portrait Gallery and lead curator of the exhibition. "The work invites viewers to be part of the scene that set the stage for the liberty of a new nation 250 years ago."
The "Independence: 1765-1789" Gallery
The restored diorama will be adjacent to the new "Independence: 1765-1789" gallery. This space will highlight individuals whose personal stories illuminate key episodes on the path to independence, including the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Works on view from the permanent collection will include portraits of Thomas Paine, whose pamphlet "Common Sense" catalyzed the independence movement; Revolutionary War financier Robert Morris; and Theodore Sedgwick, the attorney who relied on the concept that "all men are created equal" in a 1781 legal case to successfully secure the freedom of two enslaved individuals in Massachusetts. Also on view will be Paul Revere's engraving "The Bloody Massacre" and a recently acquired double portrait of Haym Salomon and George Washington. A painting of First Lady Abigail Adams, who called for members of the Second Continental Congress to "remember the ladies" as they framed the new U.S. government, will pay tribute to the women of the era.
"Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900" at the National Portrait Gallery is sponsored by Ann S. and Samuel M. Mencoff and the Terra Foundation for American Art.
National Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery tells the multifaceted story of the United States through the individuals who have shaped American culture. Spanning the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives tell the nation's story.
The National Portrait Gallery is located at Eighth and G streets N.W., Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000. Connect with the museum at npg.si.edu and on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-portrait-gallery-announces-newly-conserved-declaration-independence
NASA Research Proposes Technology to Seek Earth-Like Exoplanets
PASADENA, California, March 26 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA Research Proposes Technology to Seek Earth-Like Exoplanets
The Hybrid Observatory for Earth-like Exoplanets concept combines an orbiting starshade with a large ground-based telescope to image planets outside our solar system.
As NASA seeks to understand the mysteries of the universe, the agency is advancing technologies to locate and explore Earth-like planets far beyond our solar system. A key element of this research involves observing reflected light from exoplanets, which can
... Show Full Article
PASADENA, California, March 26 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA Research Proposes Technology to Seek Earth-Like Exoplanets
The Hybrid Observatory for Earth-like Exoplanets concept combines an orbiting starshade with a large ground-based telescope to image planets outside our solar system.
As NASA seeks to understand the mysteries of the universe, the agency is advancing technologies to locate and explore Earth-like planets far beyond our solar system. A key element of this research involves observing reflected light from exoplanets, which canreveal indicators of Earth-like features such as water and oxygen. However, detecting this faint reflected light with current telescope technology remains a significant challenge due to the overwhelming brightness of nearby stars and other celestial objects.
NASA's Hybrid Observatory for Earth-like Exoplanets (HOEE) concept presents a potential solution by combining an orbiting starshade with a large ground-based telescope to suppress starlight and enable direct imaging of exoplanets. To read more about recent research on this concept, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/nasa-research-proposes-technology-to-seek-earth-like-exoplanets/
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Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-research-proposes-technology-to-seek-earth-like-exoplanets
GSA, DOE, ED Unveil Major Federal Headquarters Relocations
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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GSA, DOE, ED Unveil Major Federal Headquarters Relocations
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These relocations are a decisive and collaborative effort to strengthen how and where the federal government works
WASHINGTON -Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) alongside the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED), announced a major shift in the federal real estate landscape by revealing the relocation of key federal agency headquarters.
First, DOE will move out of its oversized
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WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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GSA, DOE, ED Unveil Major Federal Headquarters Relocations
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These relocations are a decisive and collaborative effort to strengthen how and where the federal government works
WASHINGTON -Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) alongside the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED), announced a major shift in the federal real estate landscape by revealing the relocation of key federal agency headquarters.
First, DOE will move out of its oversizedand outdated James V. Forrestal building and into the Lyndon B. Johnson building. DOE's relocation from Forrestal will save the taxpayers over $350 million in delinquent maintenance costs.
Additionally, ED will relocate its headquarters functions to 500 D Street SW, reducing their footprint approximately 80% by leaving a building that is roughly 70% vacant, saving the taxpayers over $4.8 million per year in rental costs. ED's move is targeted for August 2026.
"GSA is partnering with the Department of Education and the Department of Energy to match their missions of tomorrow with ideal environments that power their talented workforce, cuts waste, and lowers costs," said GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst. "This is the government working smarter for the American people. I want to thank Secretary Wright and Secretary McMahon for their positive energy and collaboration in executing President Trump's directive to strengthen the government's real estate portfolio."
The Lyndon B. Johnson building is an optimal location for DOE and has limited delinquent maintenance. Upon relocation, DOE's headquarters footprint is estimated to shrink by 45%.
"Relocating to the LBJ building will deliver significant taxpayer savings and will ensure the Energy Department continues to deliver on its mission," said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. "We look forward to working closely with the General Services Administration and the Education Department throughout this process."
"One year ago, President Trump signed one of the most consequential executive orders of his presidency - to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states," said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. "Thanks to the hard work of so many, we have made unprecedented progress in reducing the federal education footprint, and now we are pleased to give this building to an agency that will benefit far more from its space than the Department of Education. This is an important step in our efforts to forge brighter futures for our nation's students, honor the taxpayers who invest in their promise, and support the civil servants who keep this vital work moving forward."
This effort aligns with the Trump Administration's broader strategy to scale the federal real estate portfolio to a better core, reduce wasteful spending, and support a high-performing government workforce with facilities that reflect modern expectations for efficiency and accountability. For more information, please visit the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Education and Accelerated Disposition websites.
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government. GSA manages a nationwide real estate portfolio of approximately 360 million rentable square feet, oversees more than $116 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivers technology services to millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver exceptional customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
Contact
press@gsa.gov
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Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/gsa-doe-ed-unveil-major-federal-headquarters-relocations-03262026
Fannie Mae Releases February 2026 Monthly Summary
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Releases February 2026 Monthly Summary
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTCQB) February 2026 Monthly Summary is now available. The monthly summary report contains information about Fannie Mae's monthly and year-to-date activities for our gross mortgage portfolio, mortgage-backed securities and other guarantees, interest rate risk measures, and serious delinquency rates.
Media Contact
Matthew Classick
202-752-3662
TOPICS
* Fannie Mae Corporate
* Financials
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Original text here: https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom/fannie-mae-news/fannie-mae-releases-february-2026-monthly-summary
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WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Releases February 2026 Monthly Summary
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTCQB) February 2026 Monthly Summary is now available. The monthly summary report contains information about Fannie Mae's monthly and year-to-date activities for our gross mortgage portfolio, mortgage-backed securities and other guarantees, interest rate risk measures, and serious delinquency rates.
Media Contact
Matthew Classick
202-752-3662
TOPICS
* Fannie Mae Corporate
* Financials
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Original text here: https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom/fannie-mae-news/fannie-mae-releases-february-2026-monthly-summary
EPA Invites Public Feedback on Key Tool that Supports Water Affordability, Strengthens Practical Clean Water Act Implementation
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Invites Public Feedback on Key Tool that Supports Water Affordability, Strengthens Practical Clean Water Act Implementation
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WASHINGTON -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public input on its Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) guidance. This non-regulatory guidance is an important resource that helps local water bills remain affordable as wastewater systems plan for needed infrastructure upgrades, including for their collection systems, pumps, and treatment
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WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Invites Public Feedback on Key Tool that Supports Water Affordability, Strengthens Practical Clean Water Act Implementation
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WASHINGTON -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public input on its Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) guidance. This non-regulatory guidance is an important resource that helps local water bills remain affordable as wastewater systems plan for needed infrastructure upgrades, including for their collection systems, pumps, and treatmentplants. Using public feedback, EPA will consider updating the agency's guidance to better reflect ratepayers' ability to support infrastructure upgrades, potential impacts on rural and small communities, and other related topics.
"A priority for EPA's Office of Water is practical implementation of Clean Water Act requirements that keep water bills affordable for American families. This is especially important for rural communities where small systems face real challenges financing water infrastructure upgrades," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. "This guidance document aims to address the balancing act necessary to ensure all Americans have safe and clean water without undue financial hardship on already stressed families."
Financial capability is one of many factors EPA considers when evaluating schedules for implementing long-term Clean Water Act control plans. The guidance provides information on how to assess a community's financial capability as part of negotiating implementation schedules under both permits and enforcement agreements. In addition, the guidance identifies specific ways to consider economic impacts to public entities when determining water quality standards variances and during antidegradation reviews. In appropriate cases, these methodologies also inform decisions about revising the designated use (e.g., drinking water supply, agriculture, recreation, and aquatic life protection) for a waterbody.
In order to implement Clean Water Act objectives without imposing burdensome financial stress on American families, EPA is seeking information and data on issues related to financial capability for communities. After reviewing the public input, the agency will revisit the guidance to address these concerns through possible revisions as part of its ongoing commitment to working with communities to protect human health and ensure practical implementation.
EPA will accept comments through May 26, 2026, via the Federal eRulemaking portal Exit EPA's website, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2026-1090. EPA also plans to hold two virtual meetings to discuss the guidance before the public comment period closes.
Background
This effort will revise, as needed, the Clean Water Act FCA guidance. The most recent Final FCA guidance was published in March 2023 and had minor revisions in March 2024. The FCA guidance is not legally binding and is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-invites-public-feedback-key-tool-supports-water-affordability-strengthens
EPA Begins Removing Hazardous Materials from Private Property in Leland, Michigan
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Begins Removing Hazardous Materials from Private Property in Leland, Michigan
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CHICAGO (March 26, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began removing hazardous materials from private property in Leland, Michigan. In coordination with Leland Township Fire and Rescue, Leelanau County Emergency Management, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, officials advise local residents to be aware of increased truck
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WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Begins Removing Hazardous Materials from Private Property in Leland, Michigan
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CHICAGO (March 26, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began removing hazardous materials from private property in Leland, Michigan. In coordination with Leland Township Fire and Rescue, Leelanau County Emergency Management, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, officials advise local residents to be aware of increased trucktraffic and to stay clear of workers in the area. EPA-conducted air monitoring to date shows no indication of harmful levels of potential air hazards.
On March 24, EPA assistance was requested by Leelanau County and EGLE to respond to leaking containers of calcium carbide on private property. EPA arrived the same day and found at least six 250-pound drums of calcium carbide, an industrial chemical that when combined with water creates a potentially flammable and explosive gas called acetylene. The drums were found inside an old pole barn in the backyard of the property. EPA worked with the local hazmat team to restrict access to the area.
In addition to immediately conducting air monitoring, EPA will remove and properly dispose of the hazardous material drums and any other materials identified as hazardous from the site. During this emergency cleanup, EPA will secure the site to prevent unauthorized entry and conduct air monitoring to protect workers and neighboring communities. While work is ongoing, the fire department will be on-site in the event assistance with the cleanup is needed.
For more information about the response visit EPA's Leelanau Calcium Carbide removal website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-begins-removing-hazardous-materials-private-property-leland-michigan
Dear America Draws From the National Gallery of Art's Collection to Highlight Artists' Interpretations of the American Experience
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
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Dear America Draws From the National Gallery of Art's Collection to Highlight Artists' Interpretations of the American Experience
Exhibition presents works by Ansel Adams, Ruth Asawa, Thomas Moran, Gordon Parks, Paul Revere, Carrie Mae Weems, and more as part of America's 250th anniversary commemoration
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As part of its yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the National Gallery of Art presents Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience, an exhibition
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WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
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Dear America Draws From the National Gallery of Art's Collection to Highlight Artists' Interpretations of the American Experience
Exhibition presents works by Ansel Adams, Ruth Asawa, Thomas Moran, Gordon Parks, Paul Revere, Carrie Mae Weems, and more as part of America's 250th anniversary commemoration
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As part of its yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the National Gallery of Art presents Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience, an exhibitionexamining how artists have portrayed and interpreted key aspects of American culture over the last 250 years. Comprising approximately 115 works from the late 18th century to the present--including many recent acquisitions and works that have never been on view at the National Gallery before--the exhibition highlights artists' wide-ranging depictions of American experience across time and place and is framed by the themes of land, community, and freedom. Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience will be on view in the West Building from April 11 to September 20, 2026.
Drawn primarily from the National Gallery's leading collection of American art, Dear America brings together works on paper by more than 95 artists. Among the objects on view are photographs by Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon, Margaret Bourke-White, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Tom Jones (Ho-Chunk Nation), Sally Mann, Timothy H. O'Sullivan, Gordon Parks, Alfred Stieglitz, James Van Der Zee, Carleton E. Watkins, and Carrie Mae Weems; drawings by Thomas Moran, Tonita Pena, Eunice Pinney, and John Wilson; artists' books by Dindga McCannon and Kara Walker; and prints by Emma Amos, Ruth Asawa, Charles Gaines, Jane Hammond, Roy Lichtenstein, Marisol, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Fritz Scholder, and Juan Sanchez.
"Artists have long helped us see America not just as a place, but as a living idea shaped by many voices," said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art. "Through these remarkable works from the National Gallery's collection, visitors to the nation's art museum can witness the power of art to illuminate our shared past, illustrate the experiences of our lives, and inspire our collective future."
"Showcasing exemplary prints, drawings, and photographs made in the last 250 years, this exhibition is a testament to collaboration across curatorial disciplines as well as the strength of our permanent collection," said E. Carmen Ramos, the National Gallery's chief curatorial and conservation officer. "Dear America reveals the wide range of subjects, approaches, and techniques through which America's artists have sought to interpret their own and others' experiences."
About the Exhibition
Comprising works that span the breadth of US history and geography, from the nation's founding through the present, Dear America seeks to explore how artists have considered the question of what is, has been, and could be the nature of the American experience. The exhibition is organized in three thematic sections: Land, Community, and Freedom, each highlighting artists' expansive interpretations of American culture and iconography.
The first section, Land, explores our collective understanding of America as a place and as a site of wonder and belonging, survival and memory. Works from the 19th century by Thomas Moran, Frances Flora Bond Palmer, William H. Rau, and Carleton E. Watkins capture the variety of natural geographies across the North American continent and the early stages of the expansion of railways and settlements from east to west. Examples by 20th- and 21st-century artists, such as Bernarda Bryson, Leo Limon, Richard Misrach, and Margaret Bourke-White, address the impact of the growing populace, human-built environments, and major cities that comprise America today. This section shows how artists have drawn inspiration from the grandeur of the country's mountain ranges and canyons, as well as from roadside gas stations, hydroelectric dams, and skyscrapers.
The second section, Community, begins with four large multipart works that fill an entire gallery. Dear America (2002), composed of 16 photographs by contemporary artist Tom Jones (Ho-Chunk Nation), was the inspiration for the title of the exhibition. In this suite, Jones combined scans of historical postcards with lyrics from the song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" to incorporate Native American experiences into narratives of American history. Also featured is a set of life-size figure drawings for John Wilson's unrealized mural Young Americans (1973-1975). These drawings depict the artist's teenage children and their friends, who hung out at the Wilson home in the 1970s. Their youthful potential represented a hopeful vision of the future to the artist. Nearby is a group of some 30 portraits from a suite of 101 offset lithographs by Sedrick E. Huckaby that are based on sketches he created while he interviewed people living and working in his community. The largest multipart work in this section is Richard Avedon's The Family (1976), a series of 69 photographs. Made during the Bicentennial, they depict America's power elite--politicians, media moguls, financiers, and activists. These works and others by artists such as Charles Milton Bell, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Michael Jang, Cesar A. Martinez, and Cara Romero highlight artists' portrayals of the many types of communities that have shaped the American experience, from politicians and prominent public servants, to friends and family members, neighborhoods, and religious and cultural gatherings.
The exhibition concludes with the section Freedom, weaving histories of revolution and liberation with deeply personal snapshots of American life. The works included here serve as both witnesses to the moments they portray and catalysts to connect us to our own sense of freedom. This section explores artists' considerations of the freedoms envisioned by the founders of the United States as well as by later generations who have continually sought to protect fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution and promote greater freedom for all people. Featured are scenes from the American Revolution and Civil War, including Paul Revere's famous print depicting the Boston Massacre of 1770, an event that was prompted by escalating tensions between the American colonists and Great Britain. Also on view are historical portraits of figures like Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and George Washington, all of whom advocated for freedom, while portraits of soldiers by artists such as Maya Freelon and James Van Der Zee remind us of the cost of defending that freedom. Other photographs by Lewis Wickes Hine and Alfred Stieglitz capture the early 20th-century mass movement of people who were fleeing oppression and seeking new opportunities. And Faith Ringgold's screenprints of events from the civil rights movement that accompany Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "Letter from Birmingham City Jail" and Robert Indiana's boldly colored screenprint Liberty '76 (1974-1975), made for the occasion of the country's 200th anniversary, document and celebrate the continual pursuit of freedom that is fundamental to our democracy.
Exhibition Organization and Support
The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Leadership support for the exhibition has been generously provided by the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust.
The exhibition is made possible through support from Daniel W. Hamilton and the Edwin L. Cox Exhibition Fund.
Exhibition Curators
The exhibition is curated by Angelica Becerra, Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow; Sarah Greenough, senior curator and head of the department of photographs (retired); Rena Hoisington, curator and head of Old Master prints; and Shelley Langdale, curator and head of modern prints and drawings, all at the National Gallery of Art.
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About the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through its doors each year--with even more online--making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. The National Gallery's renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.
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Original text here: https://www.nga.gov/press/dear-america-draws-national-gallery-arts-collection-highlight-artists-interpretations-american
