WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSPol) -- The Asian Americans Advancing Justice issued the following news release: On December 8, 2021, the Acting Director of the U.S. Census Bureau issued a notice of determination identifying the jurisdictions subject to the language assistance provisions of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, which are available at 86 Federal Register 69611. The new Section 203 determinations, which are described in detail in the Voting Rights Act Coverage Update, replace the previous  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 9 (TNSPol) -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following news release on Dec. 8, 2021: The New England Fishery Management Council voted on new annual catch limits for Atlantic cod and other groundfish species today that will further jeopardize this vulnerable population. The new limits are based on updated population assessments released earlier this fall, which demonstrate that Atlantic cod continue to linger at historically low numbers in New England. CLF  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release: Folks across the country, from North Dakota to Ohio to Florida, are seeing falling gas prices just in time for the holidays. While there are a number of reasons for falling prices, this is undoubtedly a good sign for Americans and President Biden and Democrats will continue to work to help lower costs for families even further. Here's what they're reading around the country about lower prices at the pump  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- The Library of Congress issued the following news: The Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress has awarded commissions for new musical works to seven composers. The commissions are granted jointly by the foundation and the performing organizations that will present the world premiere performances of the newly composed works. Winning composers for 2021 and the groups co-sponsoring their commissions are Katherine Balch and Longleash; Helen Grime and t  more

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 9 -- MaineHealth issued the following news on Dec. 7, 2021: Kristie Worster, director of Maine Behavioral Healthcare's clinical services in Norway, announced today that licensed clinical social workers Alyssa Morrison and Nina Williams have achieved Positive Parenting Program accreditation, an advanced-level training for practitioners focused on the prevention and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorders in children and teens. Also known as Triple P accredita  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 9 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news release on Dec. 8, 2021: Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has activated additional members of the Maine National Guard to help alleviate short-term capacity constraints at hospitals and maintain access to inpatient health care services for Maine people amid a sustained surge of COVID-19. The Governor's decision follows discussions with Maine's hospital systems and comes as Maine and the rest of New Engl  more

PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 9 -- MaineHealth issued the following news: Leaders from across MaineHealth, northern New England's largest integrated health care network, said today that an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations among the unvaccinated is pushing their network to the brink. As a result, Maine Medical Center in Portland, the region's leading tertiary care center, has at times this week run out of critical care beds and has had to divert patients away from its emergency departme  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Dec. 9 (TNSJou) -- Vanderbilt University Medical Center issued the following news: By Leigh MacMillan A new medication has been added to the treatment options for children with moderate-to-severe asthma. In a late-stage clinical trial, the biologic agent dupilumab reduced the rate of severe asthma attacks and improved lung function and asthma control for children ages 6 to 11. The findings of the international multicenter Liberty Asthma VOYAGE trial, reported Dec. 9 in t  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- The White House issued the following fact sheet on Dec. 8, 2021, entitled "President Biden Signs Executive Order Catalyzing America's Clean Energy Economy Through Federal Sustainability": * * * President Biden will sign an executive order that demonstrates how the United States will leverage its scale and procurement power to lead by example in tackling the climate crisis. The executive order will reduce emissions across federal operations, invest in American clean energy  more