WASHINGTON, March 30 (TNSRep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following in focus (No. IF11672) updated on March 29, 2022, entitled "Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter Program: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke: * * * Introduction The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring 30 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLICs), and inland b  more

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, March 27 -- The University of Notre Dame issued the following news: Sharon Lavigne, an environmental justice activist, will receive the University of Notre Dame's 2022 Laetare Medal -- the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics -- at Notre Dame's 177th University Commencement Ceremony on May 15 (Sunday). Lavigne is the founder and director of Rise St. James -- a faith-based grassroots organization fighting for environmental justice in St. James Paris  more

WASHINGTON, March 31 (TNSfund) -- The African American Mayors Association issued the following news: Environmental Defense Fund and the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) are partnering to provide local governments with the expertise and funding needed to develop climate-resilient infrastructure projects.The inaugural EDF Fellowship for Environmental Justice and Climate Equity is a two-year, $250,000 grant investment providing capacity support for AAMA mayors and collaborates with EDF t  more

MADISON, Wisconsin, April 1 -- The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release on March 31, 2022: Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, announced, with new recipients in Iron County awarded today, the Main Street Bounceback grant program has now helped fill vacant storefronts in all 72 counties and has helped more than 3,400 small businesses and nonprofit organizations across the state. In Apri  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 (TNSRep) -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release: The contact between a tow and a section of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Illinois, was caused by the pilot of the towing vessel not effectively compensating for a strong outdraft and wind, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday. Marine Investigation Report 22/08 details the NTSB's investigation (https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA21FM021.aspx) into t  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Missouri, issued the following column: Farming and ranching are just about as Missouri as it gets. Our state's fertile land has been farmed for hundreds of years and we are one of the nation's top ag states, ranking second in the nation for number of farms. From soybeans, to corn, to hay, rice, cotton, cattle, hogs, and turkeys - Missouri farmers and ranchers are producing a variety of commodities the world needs. And they're doing it well. Our  more

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) announced that U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) will receive its Port Person of the Year award. Created in 1994, the award recognizes individuals whose outstanding work or service has made a significant contribution to public port authorities and/or maritime commerce in the Western Hemisphere. AAPA cites Cassidy's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and   more

WASHINGTON, March 30 -- Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Mississippi, issued the following statement on March 28, 2022: * * * U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the FY2023 budget blueprint unveiled by President Biden on Monday. "President Biden's new budget doubles down on the failed priorities he and fellow Democrats attempted to force on the nation last year. His fiscal year 2023 plan is again big   more

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, issued the following news release on March 30, 2022: U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today welcomed the allocation of more than $152 million in funds from the Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023 Army Corps Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Work Plans for projects in Mississippi. These funding determinations were made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which Wicker supported. "These projects including water, wastew  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 29 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Fort Worth District issued the following news release: The Biden-Harris Administration today submitted to Congress the President's Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. The President's Budget details his vision to expand on the historic progress our country has made over the last year and deliver the agenda he laid out in his State of the Union address--to build a better America, reduce the deficit, reduce costs for families, and grow   more

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 29 (TNSRes) -- The University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Public Health issued the following news: In early 2019, the contiguous United States recorded the wettest winter on record. As spring kicked into gear, a blizzard powered across the Midwest, followed immediately by rising temperatures into the 60s and heavy rain. With the ground still largely frozen across the region, rapidly melting snow and rainwater led to flooding on a massive scale, including in Illin  more

WASHINGTON, March 30 -- The White House issued the following fact sheet on March 29, 2022: * * * Biden-Harris Administration Announces Additional Infrastructure Funding for Ports and Waterways Recognizing the vital role of modern, resilient infrastructure in reducing costs for American families and businesses, President Biden secured unprecedented investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve the country's ports and waterways - critical links in our supply chains. President  more