WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following news: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA) that addresses the environmental impacts of releasing the insect Psyllaephagus euphyllurae to biologically control olive psyllid (Euphyllurae olivina) in the contiguous United States. After careful analysis, APHIS has determined t  more

ARNOLD AFB, Tennessee, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Arnold Air Force Base issued the following news: By Bradley Hicks, AEDC Public Affairs The economic impact of Arnold Air Force Base across the state of Tennessee was $1.06 billion for the 2023 fiscal year. Arnold AFB impacted the local areas through payroll, secondary jobs created through local spending, and other expenditures for supplies, utilities, fuel and services and the spin-off impact of those purchases. The base employed a mixture  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southeast Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Alabama - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 4.0 percent in Alabama, s  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southeast Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Florida - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 5.9 percent in Florida, s  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southeast Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Georgia - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 6.2 percent in Georgia, n  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southeast Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Kentucky - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 7.2 percent in Kentucky,  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southeast Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Mississippi - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 5.3 percent in Missis  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southeast Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in North Carolina - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 6.2 percent in Nor  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southeast Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in South Carolina - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 5.4 percent in Sou  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southeast Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Tennessee - 2023": * * * In 2023, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 6.0 percent in Tennesse  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Business Employment Dynamics in California - Second Quarter 2023": * * * From March 2023 to June 2023, gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector establishments in California were 1,028,190, while gross job losses from closing and contracting private-sector establishments were 993,78  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Western Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 20, 2024, entitled "Business Employment Dynamics in Oregon - Second Quarter 2023": * * * From March 2023 to June 2023, gross job losses from closing and contracting private-sector establishments in Oregon were 117,513, while gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector establishments were 109,046, the U.S  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Statistics issued the following report (No. 308260) entitled "Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, 2022": Here are excerpts: * * * Abstract This report describes the steps used to calculate the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) formula-based award amounts and presents summary results of the fiscal year 2022 calculations. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2  more

OAKLAND, California, Feb. 21 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed an amicus brief in Capito v. San Jose Healthcare System, LP, a case that alleges unfair and deceptive emergency room billing practices involving a surprise fee charged to all patients. The plaintiff alleges that the hospital violated the Unfair Competition Law (UCL) and Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) with its emergency r  more

OAKLAND, California, Feb. 21 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta today celebrated the decision by the California Court of Appeal affirming a lower court's decision which found in the state's favor in its lawsuit against Ashford University, an online, for-profit college, and its parent company Zovio, Inc. (formerly Bridgepoint Education). Today's decision largely upholds the March 2022 judgment against  more

OAKLAND, California, Feb. 21 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general urging Congress to pass legislation that will hold Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) accountable for their unfair and deceptive practices that drive up the costs of prescription drugs. PBMs act as middlemen between pharmacies, drug manufacturers, health insurance plans, and cons  more

OAKLAND, California, Feb. 21 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) today introduced AB 3129 authorizing the Attorney General to grant, deny, or impose conditions to a change of control or an acquisition between a private equity group or hedge fund and a healthcare facility or provider group. Private-equity ownership in the healthcare industry has   more

OAKLAND, California, Feb. 21 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg), and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) today introduced AB 3218, which would help ensure the successful implementation of the flavored tobacco ban (SB 793, 2019). Today's legislation builds on California's actions in combatting the illegal sale of flavored tobacco products tha  more

SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 21 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments: Glynnis Vaughan, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the California Department of Cannabis Control. Vaughan has been Director of Partnerships & Engagement at Alacrity Canada since 2023. She was a National Program Manager for Women's Equity Lab from 2022 to 2023 and a Public He  more

SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 20 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following proclamation on Feb. 19, 2024: Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring February 19, 2024, as "A Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Evacuation." * * * The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: Issued on February 19, 1942, Executive Order 9066 authorized the forced evacuation and incarceration of thousands of loyal United States citizens because of their Japanese an  more

SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 20 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2024: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the White House has approved California's request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support individuals and families impacted by the late January storms in San Diego. The declaration unlocks federal funding to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas of San Diego County affected by the storm. "Presiden  more

SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 21 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Today, Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom welcomed Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden as they continue their four-day official visit to California. During the visit, California and Sweden signed a Letter of Cooperation (LOC), renewing a climate partnership between the two economies established in 2017. Ca  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 16 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following final resolution (No. SX-151): * * * Resolution Adopting Updates To The List Of Crossings Exempt From The Mandatory Stop Requirements Of California Vehicle Code Sections 22452 And 22452.5 And Delegating Authority For Maintaining The Exempt Crossings List SUMMARY This resolution adopts an updated Exempt Crossings List and delegates authority to California Public Utilities Commission (Commissi  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 16 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following final resolution (No. ALJ 176-3541): * * * Preliminary determinations of category for proceedings initiated by application pursuant to Rule 7.1 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. Senate Bill (SB) 960 (Leonard, ch. 96-0856) requires, among other things, that the Commission categorize proceedings for purposes of determining the applicable restrictions on ex parte communication  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 16 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following order correcting error (Case No. 24-02-007): * * * BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Order Instituting Investigation to Establish a Priority List, for the Fiscal Years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, of Existing At-Grade Rail Crossings, of City Streets, County Roads or State Highways, in need of separation, or Existing Grade-Separated Rail Crossings in need of Altera  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 16 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following order modifying decision (Case No. 24-02-049): * * * BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Order Instituting Rulemaking to Further Develop a Risk-Based Decision-Making Framework for Electric and Gas Utilities. ORDER MODIFYING DECISION 23-10-018, AND DENYING REHEARING OF THE DECISION, AS MODIFIED I. INTRODUCTION On November 15, 2023, the Protect Our Communities   more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 21 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, a federal district bank, issued the following news release: The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco commends Congressman Steven Horsford's (NV-04) unwavering commitment to closing the racial wealth gap and promoting homeownership opportunities for all communities. Horsford, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, spoke at the Bank's Innovations in Mortgage Finance Symposium and celebrated the Bank's anno  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 21 -- The Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) Kirsten Figueroa today outlined Governor Mills supplemental budget proposal before the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, highlighting the Administration's proposed investments that address the urgent needs of Maine people; new initiatives for publ  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Feb. 21 -- The University System of Maryland issued the following news release: The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents has appointed Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm the next president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES). Miralles-Wilhelm is currently professor and dean of the College of Science at George Mason University. In his 30-year career, Miralles-Wilhelm has combined his duties as a faculty member and administrator   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Education Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A19IL0036) on Feb. 5, 2024, entitled "UEI College's Career Pathway Programs." Here are excerpts: * * * To: Dr. Fardad Fateri, President and CEO, International Education Corporation, 16485 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 300 Irvine, California 92618 Dear Dr. Fateri: Enclosed is our final audit report, "UEI College's Career Pathway Programs" Control Number ED-OIG/A19IL0036. This  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2024: FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of California to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding, January 21-23, 2024. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in San Diego County. Assistance can include grants for  more

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, California, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's U.S. Space Command issued the following news: By Maj. Erin Leon, U.S. Space Forces - Space Public Affairs U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Traci Kueker-Murphy, U.S. Space Command Strategy, Plans and Policy deputy director, U.K. Royal Air Force Group Captain John Hetherington, Deputy Head of Space enablement, and Royal Canadian Air Force Col. CJ Marchetti, 7th Wing Space Commander, spoke to Global Sentinel attendees a  more

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, California, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2024: U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Bradford J. Gering relinquished command of I Marine Expeditionary Force to Lt. Gen. Michael S. Cederholm, former Deputy Commandant for Aviation at Headquarters Marine Corps, on Camp Pendleton, California, today. The change of command ceremony was presided over by Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Mari  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Feb. 21 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general, today called on Congress to take decisive action to reform the way pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) conduct business. A PBM is a third-party company that functions as an intermediary between insurance providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers, ostensibly to reduce the cost of prescriptio  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: The Department of Justice joined the United Kingdom and international law enforcement partners in London today to announce the disruption of the LockBit ransomware group, one of the most active ransomware groups in the world that has targeted over 2,000 victims, received more than $120 million in ransom payments, and made ransom demands totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. The U.K. National Crime Agen  more

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 21 -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is leading a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to engage in meaningful debate and reform of the current practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bipartisan letter, authored by the Attorneys General of Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Arkansas, demands Congress take decisiv  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The White House issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2024: Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of California and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from January 21 to January 23, 2024. The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in San Diego County. Assistance can include gra  more

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Feb. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2024: United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced three defendants convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of Firearm by a Prohibited Person. Antoine Ray Thomas, 39, of San Francisco, California, was sentenced on February 12, 2024, to 20 year  more

SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 21 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to California businesses and residents as a result of President Biden's major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration's Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced. The declaration covers San Diego County as a result of the severe storm and flooding that occurred Jan.   more

SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 21 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to California businesses and residents as a result of President Biden's major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration's Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced. The declaration covers San Diego County as a result of the severe storm and flooding that occurred Jan. 21 - 23. "SBA's mission-driven   more

SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 21 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Washington businesses and residents as a result of President Biden's major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration's Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced. The declaration covers Spokane County as a result of the wildfires that occurred Aug. 18 - 25, 2023. "  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the following transcript of an election briefing on Feb. 20, 2024, on how candidates are selected: * * * Summary Contrary to many countries where voting is organized at the national level, in the American federalist system our elections processes are a state (and sub-state) competency. States, counties, and other localities have various mechanics for casting, counting, and certifying votes. In this briefing, Dr. King explains how the   more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 21 -- Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued the following news: Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to engage in meaningful debate and reform of the current practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). "Pharmacy benefit managers are failing Tennessee families. Current PBM practices consistently hurt patients and pharmacists," Attor  more

TRAVIS AFB, California, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force's Travis Air Force Base (60th Air Mobility Wing) issued the following news: Travis Air Force Base does not endorse any specific community group, project or organization. While the base acknowledges California Forever's adjustments to the East Solano Homes, Jobs, and Clean Energy Initiative to accommodate local airspace considerations, it also recognizes the necessity for continued coordination with the local community to address additional n  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: The Department of Justice joined the United Kingdom and international law enforcement partners in London today to announce the disruption of the LockBit ransomware group, one of the most active ransomware groups in the world that has targeted over 2,000 victims, received more than $120 million in ransom payments, and made ransom demand  more

EL SEGUNDO, California, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued the following news: The U.S. Space Force's VICTUS NOX on-orbit mission has successfully concluded. From acquisition to on-orbit operations, the historic mission set a new standard for Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) by demonstrating an end-to-end capability to rapidly respond to adversary aggression. From the time the mission was conceived, the VICTUS NOX team seamlessly executed each phase of the eff  more

EL SEGUNDO, California, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Space Force issued the following news: From acquisition to on-orbit operations, the historic mission set a new standard for Tactically Responsive Space, or TacRS, by demonstrating an end-to-end capability to rapidly respond to adversary aggression. From the time the mission was conceived, the VICTUS NOX team seamlessly executed each phase of the effort: Build, Hot-Standby, Activation, Alert, Launch, Initialization and On-orbit Operations. "From the w  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: By Joseph Clark, DOD News International partnerships and cooperation among allies are key components of the United States' strategy to deter conflict and reinforce safety and stability in space. Those partnerships were on full display this month as space operators from 25 partner nations gathered to participate in Global Sentinel, U.S. Space Command's marquee exercise focused on security cooperation and operat  more

CORONADO, California, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Navy's U.S. Fleet Forces Command issued the following news: By Julie Ann Ripley Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) commissioned at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, Feb. 17. The first of its name, ESB 6 honors United States Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley, Ret., who was awarded the Medal of Honor 50 years after his actions during the Battle of Hue City. Canley served as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company  more