States, Cities and Counties
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents covering state government, cities and counties.
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University of Maine System Board of Trustees Approve New Computing Programs in Support of State Workforce Needs
ORONO, Maine, Nov. 20 -- The University of Maine System issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
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The new degree offerings advance the System's goal of doubling its output of engineering and computing graduates
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Consistent with a commitment to grow Maine's engineering and computing workforce and overall economy, University of Maine System (UMS) Trustees approved two new degree programs today.
At their regular meeting in Orono, the System's Board of Trustees authorized proposals from the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) to offer an Associate of Science in Cybersecurity
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ORONO, Maine, Nov. 20 -- The University of Maine System issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
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The new degree offerings advance the System's goal of doubling its output of engineering and computing graduates
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Consistent with a commitment to grow Maine's engineering and computing workforce and overall economy, University of Maine System (UMS) Trustees approved two new degree programs today.
At their regular meeting in Orono, the System's Board of Trustees authorized proposals from the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) to offer an Associate of Science in Cybersecurityand the University of Maine (UMaine) to offer a new Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science and Business.
Both high-demand degree programs will launch in January.
UMA's new entirely online cybersecurity associate degree program will leverage faculty and courses in its existing nationally recognized (External Site) bachelor's, master's and accelerated master's cybersecurity degree programs.
The majority of UMA students are working adults who enroll part-time. An associate-level degree program enables those learners to secure an industry-recognized credential of value and improve their employability and earnings more quickly. Research shows that adding meaningful milestones, like an associate degree and the CompTIA Network+, Security+ and CySA+ certifications achievable through the new UMA program, increases the likelihood that learners will continue their higher education and complete a bachelor's degree.
In addition to growing enrollment across all UMA cybersecurity programs, the new pathway is also expected to drive more students to the University of Southern Maine's (USM) undergraduate cybersecurity degree and joint UMA/USM graduate certificate programs.
Recognizing the increasing integration of technology in business, UMaine's new bachelor's degree program will bring together computing skills and business strategy for the first time in the System and also benefit multiple UMS universities.
Students in the interdisciplinary major will primarily take courses at UMaine through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) and the Maine Business School, but will be able to access aligned courses through the computing programs at UMA, the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and USM.
"I commend our public universities for being innovative and collaborative in creating new academic programs that prepare students with the critical thinking and technical skills needed for success in an increasingly digital economy," said Board Chair Trish Riley. "These two new degree offerings are yet another example of our System leveraging its unique unified accreditation to meet Maine's rapidly changing talent and innovation needs, consistent with the goals of our own strategic plan and the State's 10-year economic strategy."
The degrees also advance the System's commitment to double its output of engineering and computing graduates, which is supported by UMS TRANSFORMS, an initiative funded by historic investments from the Harold Alfond Foundation that helped create the multi-university MCEC (External Site).
UMS currently enrolls more than 3,500 students in engineering and computing programs. Led by UMaine, the System conferred more than 1,200 engineering and computing degrees in the 2022-23 academic year -- the most recent for which data is available.
Other Trustee actions
In response to the Board's priority to maintain enrollment and increase retention, Chancellor Dannel Malloy delivered a report to Trustees on the System's current enrollment, which has achieved a three-year high of 25,286 students, not including the nearly 5,300 Maine high school students earning free UMS early college credit. That growth is attributed in part to the System achieving its highest-ever fall-to-fall undergraduate return rate through focused efforts to improve student retention and outcomes including intrusive advising and UMS TRANSFORMS-supported initiatives like research learning experiences.
Trustees additionally approved three-year contracts for two of the System's seven bargaining units: the Universities of Maine Professional State Association (UMPSA) and the Associated Clerical, Office, Laboratory, Technical Staff of the Universities of Maine (ACSUM).
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About the University of Maine System
The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state's largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit http://www.maine.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.maine.edu/blog/2024/11/18/university-of-maine-system-board-of-trustees-approve-new-computing-programs-in-support-of-state-workforce-needs/
Mich. A.G. Nessel Reminds Consumers to Be Aware of Utility Imposters Ahead of Utility Scam Awareness Day
LANSING, Michigan, Nov. 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Ahead of Utility Scam Awareness Day tomorrow, November 20, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her consumer alert on utility imposter scams (https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection/protect-yourself/consumer-alerts/scams/utility-imposter-scams). These schemes typically involve scammers posing as utility company employees to trick consumers into providing money and personal or financial information.
"Scammers often bully utility consumers, threatening to shut
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LANSING, Michigan, Nov. 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Ahead of Utility Scam Awareness Day tomorrow, November 20, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her consumer alert on utility imposter scams (https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection/protect-yourself/consumer-alerts/scams/utility-imposter-scams). These schemes typically involve scammers posing as utility company employees to trick consumers into providing money and personal or financial information.
"Scammers often bully utility consumers, threatening to shutoff their gas or electricity to coerce them into handing over personal or financial information," Nessel said. "However, with the right information, customers can learn to detect and report these predatory scams. Remember, utility companies will never demand immediate payment in person or over the phone."
Utility companies provide several ways to pay bills, including online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail, or in person. However, they will never:
* Demand payment be made immediately or ask for payment in an unusual form like Green Dot debit cards, Western Union wire transfers, bitcoin, or apps like Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle.
* Solicit personal information under the guise of signing you up for a government program that claims to reduce energy bills.
* Make unannounced visits to collect a bill or threaten shutoff. Utilities will never threaten to disrupt or disconnect service either in person, over the phone, or by email. All shut-off notices are mailed USPS and provide the steps to restore the account to good standing.
* Show up at your home to inspect or repair equipment, investigate a leak, or do a free audit for energy efficiency. Consumers are notified in advance of a home visit.
* Request personal or financial information, such as social security numbers, utility account numbers, or payment information. Instead, customers are asked to validate account information such as billing zip code, home address, or the phone number associated with the account.
Claim consumers are entitled to a refund or rebate and ask for bank account or credit card information to make the alleged refund.
* Use aggressive tactics to get into a home. If a consumer feels unsafe or threatened by a suspected imposter, contact local law enforcement immediately.
Attorney General Nessel advises consumers to remain vigilant if someone claims their utility service will be disconnected without prior notification. Utilities typically notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, including steps to restore service. Never respond to demands for immediate payment or share personal information with unsolicited callers, visitors, or emails. Instead, hang up, close the door, or delete the email. To verify the legitimacy of a claim, contact the utility provider directly using a phone number from their official website or utility bills.
If consumers suspect they have been contacted by a utility imposter, they can report it online to the Michigan Public Service Commission or call 800-292-9555. If a consumer mistakenly provided bank account or credit card information to an individual they suspect might have been an impostor, Attorney General Nessel recommends they call their bank or credit card company immediately.
Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) (https://www.utilitiesunited.org/) is an agency dedicated to combating impostor utility scams by providing a forum for utilities and trade associations to share data and best practices, in addition to working together to implement initiatives to inform and protect customers. They also published a comprehensive Consumer Guide to Imposter Utility Scams (PDF) (https://www.utilitiesunited.org/-/media/Files/UNITED/Documents/Guide_UUAS_Guide_Utility_Scams.ashx) for consumer assistance.
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To report a scam, file a complaint, or get additional information, contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2024/11/19/ag-nessel-reminds-consumers-to-be-aware-of-utility-imposters-ahead-of-utility-scam-awareness-day
Md. A.G. Brown Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congress to Pass Kids Online Safety Act
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Nov. 20 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 32 attorneys general calling upon Congressional leadership to, before the end of the year, pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to protect children from online harm.
In a letter, the coalition emphasized the urgent need to address the growing crisis of youth mental health linked to social media use, with studies showing minors spend more than five hours daily online. The letter urges Congress to
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Nov. 20 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 32 attorneys general calling upon Congressional leadership to, before the end of the year, pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to protect children from online harm.
In a letter, the coalition emphasized the urgent need to address the growing crisis of youth mental health linked to social media use, with studies showing minors spend more than five hours daily online. The letter urges Congress tomaintain the provision in KOSA that guarantees it would not preempt state laws that provide stronger protections. This would establish baseline protections for all American youth, while still allowing Maryland to put strong safeguards in place.
"Protecting children from the dangers of social media overload must be easier for parents and guardians to access, understand, and use," said Attorney General Brown. "The risk of children becoming addicted to their phones or tablets is very real, and it's crucial that we provide caregivers with the tools they need to effectively protect their children." The attorneys general highlighted several key provisions of KOSA that would enhance online protections for minors:
* Mandatory default safety settings: Requiring platforms to automatically enable their strongest safety protections for minors rather than burying these features behind opt-in screens;
* Addiction prevention: Allowing young users and their parents to disable manipulative design features and algorithmic recommendations that keep children endlessly scrolling; and
* Parental empowerment: Providing parents with new tools to identify harmful behaviors and improved capabilities to report dangerous content.
This push for federal legislation comes as many state attorneys general offices launched investigations and lawsuits against major social media platforms for their targeting of underage users. In October 2023, Attorney General Brown filed a lawsuit against Meta alleging that the company violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in its collection and use of children's data on its platforms.
In sending the letter, Attorney General Brown joins the attorneys general of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.
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Original text here: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2024/111924b.pdf
Louisiana A.G. Liz Murrill Joins Tennessee and 30 States in Urging Congress to Pass Kids Online Safety Act
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Nov. 20 -- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following news on Nov. 19, 2024:
Led by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Attorney General Liz Murrill and 30 states today called upon Congressional leadership to pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act ("KOSA"), crucial legislation that protects children from online harm, before the end of the year. In a letter, the coalition emphasized the urgent need to address the growing crisis of youth mental health linked to social media use, with studies showing minors spend more than five hours daily online.
"As
... Show Full Article
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Nov. 20 -- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following news on Nov. 19, 2024:
Led by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Attorney General Liz Murrill and 30 states today called upon Congressional leadership to pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act ("KOSA"), crucial legislation that protects children from online harm, before the end of the year. In a letter, the coalition emphasized the urgent need to address the growing crisis of youth mental health linked to social media use, with studies showing minors spend more than five hours daily online.
"Astechnology changes, parents and law enforcement are learning how social media companies fail to disclose the addicting nature of their products and the harm it does to our children. I join my fellow attorneys general in supporting the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which will create a safer online environment for our kids," said Attorney General Liz Murrill.
The attorneys general highlighted several key provisions of KOSA that would enhance online protections for minors:
* Mandatory default safety settings: Requiring platforms to automatically enable their strongest safety protections for minors rather than burying these features behind opt-in screens;
* Addiction prevention: Allowing young users and their parents to disable manipulative design features and algorithmic recommendations that keep children endlessly scrolling;
* Parental empowerment: Providing parents with new tools to identify harmful behaviors and improved capabilities to report dangerous content.
This push for federal legislation comes as many state attorneys general offices launched investigations and lawsuits against major social media platforms like Meta and TikTok for their targeting of underage users.
Louisiana joins the attorneys general of Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming in this letter to Congressional leadership.
You can view the letter here (https://us5.myiphide.com/index.php?q=ytmkptZzk5Xd29iUlZhhq6eSpZePpMNk2apne5qgytmRpqKqzJzQy5WVmZhjdaKbqJ6WoNWrkaHTqplinZnZ2sfXXqbHnw).
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Original text here: https://www.ag.state.la.us/Article/182
Idaho Gov. Little: Empowering Parents Grants Growing in Popularity, Largely Benefit Low-Income Families
BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 20 -- Gov. Brad Little, R-Idaho, issued the following news release:
The State of Idaho Empowering Parents educational grant program has received more than 42,500 applications from Idaho families for the 2024-25 award year since opening Oct. 21, the strongest application period to date.
"The early response in the Empowering Parents grants this year blew past everyone's expectations. The Empowering Parents grants fit into the wide array of abundant school choice options available to Idaho families, and the popularity of the program signals Idahoans' support for continued learning
... Show Full Article
BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 20 -- Gov. Brad Little, R-Idaho, issued the following news release:
The State of Idaho Empowering Parents educational grant program has received more than 42,500 applications from Idaho families for the 2024-25 award year since opening Oct. 21, the strongest application period to date.
"The early response in the Empowering Parents grants this year blew past everyone's expectations. The Empowering Parents grants fit into the wide array of abundant school choice options available to Idaho families, and the popularity of the program signals Idahoans' support for continued learningoutside the classroom," Governor Little said.
The State Board of Education will begin notifying families of initial awards before Thanksgiving, and parents are encouraged to act quickly and apply because funding is limited.
The Empowering Parents program provides eligible families with grant funds to use toward eligible education services and devices to help students with educational needs outside the classroom. A list of eligible products and services can be found here (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6312777d5f200238b4f4eafe/t/66faf9a3f92f41117d9e52a9/1727723939639/Eligible+Products+%26+Services.2024.pdf).
Governor Little and the Idaho Legislature made the Empowering Parents grants permanent in Fiscal Year 2024 by investing $30 million annually to ensure Idaho families have the freedom and access to choose the best fit for their child's unique education and learning needs.
The program is on track to award grants to more low-income families than ever. Applications are prioritized first to eligible households with an Adjusted Gross Income at or below $60,000 per year. About half of the applications received to date are from families making less than $60,000 per year. Once the first phase of awards is completed, awards are made to households earning up to $75,000 per year. If any funds remain, grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The grants are open to families with children attending public school, private school, or homeschool. More than 85% of the grants for the 2023-2024 year were awarded to families attending public school.
After the initial awards are complete, grants will be awarded weekly to applicants who have verified documents until the funds are exhausted.
More information about the program and requirements is posted on the Empowering Parents webpage at https://empoweringparents.idaho.gov/ and https://boardofed.idaho.gov/empowering-parents-program/
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Original text here: https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/empowering-parents-grants-growing-in-popularity-largely-benefit-low-income-families/
Gov. Abbott: Texas Is America's Jobs Leader
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 20 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated Texas leading the nation for jobs created over the last 12 months following the release of employment data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)(https://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm).
Texas added 274,600 nonfarm jobs from October 2023 to October 2024 -- far more than any other state.
"Texas is where the future of America is building," said Governor Abbott. "With the best business climate in the nation and a skilled and growing workforce,
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AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 20 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated Texas leading the nation for jobs created over the last 12 months following the release of employment data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)(https://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm).
Texas added 274,600 nonfarm jobs from October 2023 to October 2024 -- far more than any other state.
"Texas is where the future of America is building," said Governor Abbott. "With the best business climate in the nation and a skilled and growing workforce,Texas is where innovative entrepreneurs and businesses find the freedom and tools needed to succeed. As a result, more Texans are working than ever before. And that means more opportunity for more Texas families to prosper. With continuing investments in education and skills training, we continue to build a bigger, better Texas for all."
On Friday, Governor Abbott touted the resilience of the Texas economy following the release of October employment data showing Texas again grew jobs at a faster annual rate than the U.S. Texas also set a new record high for the number of Texans working and for the size of the Texas labor force.
Through October, Texas has added more than 2.4 million jobs under Governor Abbott's leadership.
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Original text here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/texas-is-americas-jobs-leader
Conn. A.G. Tong Announces $2 Million Settlement With Pike Fuels Over New Haven Environmental Violations
HARTFORD, Connecticut, Nov. 20 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Attorney General William Tong today announced a $2 million settlement with Pike Fuels (formerly Gulf Oil) following numerous violations of Connecticut environmental protection laws at its New Haven petroleum distribution facility.
The settlement resolves allegations stemming from an investigation by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency dating back to 2019 that found a series of environmental violations, including years of falsified records, inaccurate
... Show Full Article
HARTFORD, Connecticut, Nov. 20 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Attorney General William Tong today announced a $2 million settlement with Pike Fuels (formerly Gulf Oil) following numerous violations of Connecticut environmental protection laws at its New Haven petroleum distribution facility.
The settlement resolves allegations stemming from an investigation by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency dating back to 2019 that found a series of environmental violations, including years of falsified records, inaccurateemissions reporting, failure to conduct required equipment inspections, failure to report changes and repairs to their storage tanks, non-permitted construction of a new tank, and demolition without inspecting for asbestos-containing materials, among other violations.
Today's settlement includes a $1.2 million civil penalty, in addition to $800,000 to support environmental remediation, mitigation and monitoring. Included in the remediation funding is $100,000 to support first responders in New Haven and $100,000 for environmental justice initiatives in New Haven.
"Gulf Oil ran a defective operation and falsified records to cover its tracks. This facility stores millions of gallons of petroleum products directly adjacent to Long Island Sound, one of our state's most treasured natural resources. We take compliance at this facility very seriously. Today's settlement exacts a substantial civil penalty, including direct support for environmental justice in New Haven and further environmental monitoring and enforcement statewide. We expect complete compliance with all environmental laws from fossil fuel companies in Connecticut. We will not hesitate to take aggressive action if we detect any future violations," said Attorney General Tong.
"Connecticut's residents and businesses rely on a healthy Long Island Sound and clean air to thrive," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. "When Pike Fuels violated environmental laws at their New Haven facility, they released volatile organic compounds that threaten the public including increased respiratory issues, organ damage, and even greater cancer risk. This isn't just a regulatory issue--it's a direct threat to our health, livelihoods, and economy. DEEP won't tolerate illegal practices that put profit over people and harm the resources we all depend on. Our commitment is to hold violators accountable to protect the health of our families, our environment, and our economy."
"The Port of New Haven and Long Island Sound are critical environmental and economic assets to our city and state, and those who have the privilege of doing business here must abide by our laws, regulations, and reporting requirements. In New Haven and in Connecticut, we expect you to be a good corporate citizen, and if you're not we're going to hold you accountable. This settlement sends a clear message to Gulf Oil and other actors that if you violate our environmental laws and standards, there will be a price to pay," said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. "I want to thank Attorney General Tong, Commissioner Dykes, and their teams for their work on this matter and their ongoing commitment to protecting our residents, our workers and our natural resources.
From 1988 to 2024, Pike Fuels, doing business as Gulf Oil, ran a bulk petroleum storage and distribution facility at its New Haven terminal. The facility transfers petroleum products from delivery trucks and pipelines to large storage tanks, then transfers from those tanks to petroleum delivery trucks. In April 2024, Pike Fuels sold its New Haven terminal to Global Partners Limited.
Petroleum distribution facilities are a major source of volatile organic compounds and other hazardous air pollutants, and as a result they operate under a series of state and federal regulations. Gulf Oil was required to conduct monthly inspections of their equipment. A DEEP investigation of 21 months of required records found multiple instances of fabrication and falsification, including discrepancies and inconsistencies with alleged inspection dates, inspection observations, and operator signatures. The fabricated records were designed to provide false assurance that Pike tanks and other service equipment at the New Haven Terminal did not contain leaks.
In numerous instances, Gulf took tanks out of service for inspection, upgrades, and repair of defects, but never informed DEEP as required by law. During its work, Gulf removed several storage tanks without notifying DEEP and checking for asbestos-containing materials. Gulf further constructed a new 6.4-million-gallon tank without obtaining necessary permits.
Assistant Attorney General Dan Salton and Deputy Associate Attorney General Matthew Levine, Chief of the Environment Section assisted the Attorney General in this matter.
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Original text here: https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-announces-settlement-with-pike-fuels
