MISSOULA, Montana, Jan. 12 (TNSRes) -- The Adventure Cycling Association issued the following news release: Adventure Cycling is proud to announce the designations of five new U.S. Bicycle Routes in four states -- Maryland, New York, North Dakota, and West Virginia -- plus Washington, DC, adding 290 miles to the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). In Maryland, USBR 201 shares routing with the East Coast Greenway on-road routing. In New York, the north-south USBR 11 travels from the shore of Lak  more

BOONE, North Carolina, Jan. 12 -- Appalachian Voices issued the following news release on Jan. 11: Community and clean water advocates today sued to reverse a U.S. Forest Service decision about the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) that was rushed through under political pressure from the lame duck Trump administration. The Forest Service announced today it approved a plan for the controversial fracked gas MVP to build through the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, waiving common  more

BOONE, North Carolina, Jan. 15 (TNSRep) -- Appalachian Voices issued the following news release: A coalition of groups in Central Appalachia today issued its third annual report highlighting innovative projects that will clean up abandoned coal mine lands and brownfields in six states and give them new life as solar energy sites, recycling centers, eco-tourism assets and other economic ventures. The report, Restoration and Renewal: The New Appalachian Economy, profiles 19 projects including, fo  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration issued the following news release: With the unprecedented worldwide health emergency brought on by COVID-19, last year was filled with new challenges and increased risks. While much of the world focused on combating the pandemic, DEA continued to implement initiatives to combat violent drug traffickers who were intent on flooding cities and rural areas alike with illicit, deadly drugs. "In 2020, almost ever  more

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina, Jan. 12 (TNSPer) -- Fayetteville Technical Community College issued the following news release: Fayetteville Technical Community College is pleased to announce that Dr. C. Caleb Marsh has been named Interim Dean of Math and Sciences. In this capacity, Dr. Marsh will work to ensure quality instruction and effective student learning in course offerings across the Mathematics and Science Departments. Dr. Marsh also currently serves as the Director of FTCC's Center fo  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 14 -- The National Association of State Boards of Education issued the following news release: Rural schools are the heart of community life, but they face significant challenges that the pandemic has only magnified. The January 2021 issue of NASBE's State Education Standard explores many of these factors: a lack of resources, cultural and virtual isolation, poverty and demographic trends, educator recruitment and retention, and risks to student health and well-being.   more

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Jan. 7 (TNSRes) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory issued the following news: An NETL-supported project at West Virginia University (WVU) to extract economically and strategically important rare earth elements (REEs) from Appalachian coal resources reached new milestones, such as partial automation of the recovery process, and exceeded its original REE purity and recovery goals. Researchers at WVU's Water Research Institute used t  more

BLAIRSTOWN, New Jersey, Jan. 11 -- The Open Space Institute issued the following news release: Two grants from the Open Space Institute (OSI) made possible the permanent protection of two properties in northwestern New Jersey. The conservation project, led by The Land Conservancy of New Jersey (TLCNJ), adds valuable acreage to the Yards Creek Nature Preserve to protect drinking water resources within the greater Delaware River Watershed. The 57-acre "Ascolese" and 21-acre "Clark" properties co  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Kentucky, issued the following news release on Jan. 15: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressmen Hal Rogers (KY-05) and Thomas Massie (KY-04) announced today the Northeast Kentucky Regional Industrial Authority received a $2 million competitive federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to construct a 65,000 square foot building at EastPark Industrial Center. The new structure is expected to support th  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, issued the following news release on Jan. 15: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $2.2 million grant to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, the Buckeye Hills Regional Council, and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association. These funds will be used to provide technical assistance to aid with the economic diversification in 18 counties in the Appalachian region  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan honored the New Hampshire citizens she recognized in 2020 as Granite Staters of the Month this past Saturday during a virtual event, where she commended them for all that they have done to help improve their communities and help their neighbors. "At the end of a deeply challenging week for our country, it was wonderful to gather virtually with 2020's Granite Staters of the   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Kentucky, issued the following news release on Jan. 15: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) announced today the City of Cumberland received a $500,000 competitive federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to improve or provide new water service to 250 households and five businesses in Harlan and Letcher Counties. In addition to the federal funding, local sources will provide $8  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, issued the following news release on Jan. 15: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressmen Hal Rogers (KY-05) and Thomas Massie (KY-04) announced today the Northeast Kentucky Regional Industrial Authority received a $2 million competitive federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to construct a 65,000 square foot building at EastPark Industrial Center. The new structure is ex  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, issued the following news release on Jan. 15: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) announced today the City of Cumberland received a $500,000 competitive federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to improve or provide new water service to 250 households and five businesses in Harlan and Letcher Counties. In addition to the federal funding, local sou  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Sierra Club issued the following news release on Jan. 11: Community and clean water advocates sued to reverse a U.S. Forest Service decision rushed through behind undue political pressure from the lame duck Trump administration. The Forest Service announced today it approved a plan for the controversial fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) to build through the Jefferson National Forest, waiving common sense protections they had previously determined were necessa  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The American Council on Education issued the following news release: "Toward Greater Inclusion and Success: A New Compact for International Students" will take place virtually Feb. 12, 2021. This year's ACE/AIEA Internationalization Collaborative will feature the release of a new ACE report, also titled "Toward Greater Inclusion and Success: A New Compact for International Students," setting forth a vision that defines success in terms of student, institutional, and soci  more

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, Jan. 12 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Robert M. Duncan Jr., issued the following news release on Jan. 11: United States Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. has announced his resignation, effective midnight, Sunday, January 24, 2021. Following his resignation, he will enter the private practice of law in Lexington. "It has been a true honor and privilege to lead this Office, an office that has a demonstrated commitment to fairness and justice, and a   more

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Jan. 16 -- The West Virginia Coal Association issued the following news: The West Virginia Coal Association convened its 48th annual West Virginia Mining Symposium this week and celebrated the safety and reclamation achievements of mining industry operations across the state. "West Virginia's coal industry continues to show its resilience and commitment to excellence across the board," WVCA President Chris Hamilton said. "It's always a proud day for us when we can re  more

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Jan. 16 -- The West Virginia Coal Association issued the following news: The COVID-19 Pandemic negatively impacted West Virginia coal production, driving state production levels to their lowest since 1911. The economic disruption caused by the pandemic affected every segment of the domestic and international energy market. Compared to 2019, Thermal coal shipments from West Virginia to domestic utility companies fell by -30% (-14.3m tons) as national electric generati  more

INSTITUTE, West Virginia, Jan. 16 -- West Virginia State University issued the following news: West Virginia State University (WVSU) Extension Service is conducting a weather study in the state over a three-year period in an effort to inform agricultural producers, landowners, beekeepers, gardeners, and everyone in between about the effects of climate change in the region. The project, which engages both private landowners and organizations, is collecting weather data from all over the state i  more

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Jan. 14 (TNSGra) -- West Virginia University issued the following story: Jason Hubbart, an educator and researcher at West Virginia University, is acutely aware of the importance of quality drinking water in a society and for its people and he is compelled to help others understand that as well. "There are many reasons why it's important," he said. "One reason, and maybe the most important, is that someone has peace of mind when they lift a glass of water to take a d  more