BOONE, North Carolina, May 18 (TNSper) -- Appalachian State University issued the following news: Jamie Parson has been named chief diversity officer at Appalachian State University, effective immediately. Parson is the second cabinet-level chief diversity officer to hold the position at App State. Parson has held the position of interim chief diversity officer at App State since May 2021. "Jamie came into the interim role well known for her leadership with diversity, equity and inclusion eff  more

RENO, Nevada, May 17 (TNSPer) -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news release: After a competitive search, The Nature Conservancy in Nevada (TNC) has recently announced Mickey Hazelwood as its conservation director. In his new role, Hazelwood will lead TNC's strategic efforts to ensure resilient lands, resilient waters, and climate action for Nevada, and contribute toward the global organization's ambitious 2030 goals for a sustainable world for people and nature. "Our chapter has  more

BOONE, North Carolina, May 19 (TNSreact) -- Appalachian Voices issued the following news release on May 17, 2022: Yesterday afternoon, Duke Energy released its Carbon Plan. The proposed plan offers four pathways to reduce power sector carbon dioxide emissions in North Carolina 70% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 as required by state law. The proposed plan and its four scenarios, three of which completely miss the law's 2030 deadline, are far too dependent on polluting resources l  more

BEREA, Kentucky, May 17 (TNSpar) -- Berea College issued the following news release: Berea College is building on the success of the Matilda Hamilton Fee Hydroelectric Station at Lock 12 on the Kentucky River by partnering with Appalachian Hydro Associates to build a second hydropower plant 35 miles upstream at Lock and Dam 14 near Heidelberg in Lee County. In 2021, Berea College became the first higher education institution in the nation to complete construction of a hydroelectric generating   more

RICHMOND, Kentucky, May 20 (TNSpol) -- Eastern Kentucky University issued the following story: Kentucky high school teachers have the opportunity to earn 35 professional development hours this summer as part of the Kentucky Master Teacher of Personal Finance Program (KMTPF) at no cost. When House Bill 132 passed in 2018 mandating high school students to take a financial literacy course prior to graduation, many university faculty and staff across the state jumped into action to make resources   more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following statement by Commissioner James Danly on a decision (Docket No. CP21-197-000) involving Kern River Gas Transmission Co., Salt Lake City, Utah: * * * I concur in the issuance of a Natural Gas Act (NGA) section 7(c)[1] certificate of public convenience and necessity to Kern River Gas Transmission Company (Kern River), authorizing the construction and operation of the Delta Lateral Proj  more

ORONO, Maine, May 19 (TNSjou) -- The University of Maine issued the following news release: Rural areas centered around the forest industry have faced uncertain economic times. Global competition, coupled with the decline of print media and national recessions, have decreased the demand for traditional paper and lumber products. While some forest-dependent communities have thrived in transitioning to focus on industries like nature-based tourism rather than manufacturing, others have stagnated   more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. David Trone, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: Congressman David Trone and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (all D-Md.) announced that Friends of Blackwater, a nonprofit citizens support group, will receive $1,226,000 in federal funding for the Blackwater Loop and Regional Heritage Trail project. "With this new funding, we are not only providing more opportunities for Marylanders to explore our state's wonderful trails and parks, but we are   more

WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The National Endowment for the Arts issued the following news release: For its second major grant announcement of fiscal year 2022, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is announcing more than $91 million in recommended grants to organizations in all 50 states and U.S. jurisdictions. Grants are in three NEA funding categories: Grants for Arts Projects, Our Town, and State and Regional Partnerships. "The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support arts and cul  more

WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement issued the following news release on May 17, 2022: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced today $122.5 million in fiscal year 2022 funding for Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grants. The six Appalachian states with the highest number of unfunded high priority abandoned mine land problems and three Tribes with approved AML programs are eligible   more

NEW YORK, May 20 -- The Open Space Institute issued the following news release: With the support of the Open Space Institute (OSI), more than 600 critical forest acres have been protected along a popular scenic ridgeline in southern Vermont. Conservation of the land secures an important area resource for climate protection and forest carbon storage as well as prime habitat for sensitive plants and animals and portions of a beloved ridgeline trail. The "Lily Pond Highlands" property was protect  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Kentucky, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) has requested nearly $54 million for 15 community projects in southern and eastern Kentucky in fiscal year 2023 to revitalize the region. The earmark requests include medical training, flood control, expanding access to clean water and reliable sewer systems, roadway construction, bolstering substance abuse recovery and prevention efforts, and creating new economic de  more

WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Kentucky, issued the following floor statement on May 18, 2022: * * * U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (R-KY) joined forces earlier this year with his colleague across the aisle, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to introduce the Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act (H.R. 6531) in an effort to increase the share of federal investments to impoverished communities. Congressman Rogers recently gave the following remarks on the House Floor in suppo  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded two grants to a county government and a university located in Appalachian Ohio, totaling $4,339,488. The funds will be used to help make necessary repairs to airports and their critical infrastructure. "Ohio airports are vital infrastructure supporting travel and com  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Maryland, issued the following news release on May 19, 2022: U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced that Friends of Blackwater, a nonprofit citizens support group, will receive $1,226,000 in federal funding for the Blackwater Loop and Regional Heritage Trail project. "With this new funding, we are not only providing more opportunities for Marylanders to explore our state's wonderful tr  more

WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Robert Casey Jr., D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing that Pennsylvania will receive $26.63 million from the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program from the U.S. Department of the Interior. This funding will be used to address the long-term hazards and environmental pollution posed by legacy mining sites while creating good-paying jobs in rural and energy communities in the Commonwealth. O  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced that Friends of Blackwater, a nonprofit citizens support group, will receive $1,226,000 in federal funding for the Blackwater Loop and Regional Heritage Trail project. "With this new funding, we are not only providing more opportunities for Marylanders to explore our state's wonderful trails and parks, but we  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $14,897,047 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for four Head Start programs across West Virginia. "Programs like Head Start play an important role in the formative years of our children in West Virginia, increasing access to educational resou  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $14,897,047 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for four Head Start programs across West Virginia. "Every child in West Virginia deserves access to a quality education, no matter their background or where they live in our great state. Head Start provides chi  more

WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration issued the following news release on May 17, 2022: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to The Wilds, Cumberland, Ohio, to build a 60-acre recreational vehicle campground at the wildlife conservation center in Muskingum County, Ohio. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This grant  more

WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration issued the following news release on May 17, 2022: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $7.7 million in American Rescue Plan grants to support West Virginia as it recovers from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and EDA's $300 million Coal Communities Com  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, May 19 (TNSres) -- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center issued the following news: A collaborative network between the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is funding its first two pilot projects. The Emotion Well-being and Economic Burden Research Network (EMOT-ECON), co-led by Michelle Martin, PhD, professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at UTHSC, and Maria Pisu, PhD, professor in t  more

WASHINGTON, May 17 -- The White House issued the following fact sheet on May 16, 2022: * * * Biden-Harris Administration Hits the Ground Running to Build a Better America Six Months into Infrastructure Implementation For decades, Washington policymakers have celebrated "infrastructure week" without delivering anything more than promises. In contrast, President Biden worked across the aisle, forged consensus, and secured the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - a once-in-a-generation investment i  more