LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, March 21 -- Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement on March 20, 2024: * * * Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after co-leading a 20-state, bipartisan letter calling on Congress to affirm states' authority to ban or regulate intoxicating and dangerous hemp-derived products like Delta-8 THC in the next Farm Bill: "Arkansas has banned Delta THC products, but inconsistent court interpretations of certain provisions wit  more

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, March 21 (TNSres) -- Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement on March 20, 2024: * * * Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin released the following statement highlighting the work done by his office's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) that resulted in a No. 4 ranking for abuse and neglect convictions, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General's Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2023  more

OAKLAND, California, March 21 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: * * * California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, along with 20 other attorneys general, sent a letter urging Congress to protect Californians from intoxicating hemp products by updating language of the Farm Bill. The letter argues that vagueness in the 2018 Farm Bill has led to the proliferation of intoxicating hemp products across the nation and challenges the ability   more

SACRAMENTO, California, March 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California issued the following news release: A superseding indictment has been unsealed today, charging six additional individuals to the case first brought in November 2022, with conspiracy to transport stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, thieves steal catalytic converters from vehicles for the preciou  more

WEST TRENTON, New Jersey, March 21 -- The Delaware River Basin Commission issued the following news release: The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has released a new tool aimed at helping communities throughout our Basin understand extreme precipitation and empowering them to make informed planning and design decisions. Extreme rainfall events are increasing throughout the Delaware River Basin, research shows. These more extreme events exacerbate existing flooding and challenge stormwater  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: PHILADELPHIA - Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia removed Anthony Eduardo Murillo Oliva, a citizen of Honduras, with a final order of removal, to Honduras on March 18. Murillo is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in Honduras for drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. "International drug smugglers making thei  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 21 -- The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development issued the following news on March 20, 2024: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Vulcan Thermal officials announced today the company will invest $5 million to construct a new manufacturing facility at 390 Phipps Bend Road in Surgoinsville. The expansion to Northeast Tennessee will create approximately 30 new jobs in Tier 4,  more

HONOLULU, Hawaii, March 21 -- Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez issued the following news release: Attorney General Anne Lopez is joining a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general on a bipartisan letter asking Congress to fix language in the 2018 Farm Bill that bad actors have used to flood the market with unregulated, intoxicating hemp. The current law defining hemp has resulted in exploitation. Applied to foods, the 0.3% THC limit which distinguishes industrial hemp from cannabis,   more

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 21 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release: Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief defending the federal law that prohibits people who have been convicted of felonies from possessing firearms. In their brief, filed in U.S. v Prince, Raoul and the attorneys general ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit to overturn a lower court ruling that found the law unconstitutiona  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release on March 19, 2024: Rep. Stephenie Scialabba (R-Butler) announced that a bill she authored with Rep. Ed Neilson, giving Pennsylvanians the ability to control how their personal data is used and sold passed the House on Monday. "This was a big initiative of mine when I came to the House. I am very pleased to see House Bill 1201 finally pass the House of Representatives," said Scialabba. "Dr  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 21 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief (https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/News%20Documents/032024_Filed_US_Prince_State_Amicus_Brief.pdf) defending the federal law that prohibits people who have been convicted of felonies from possessing firearms. In its brief, filed in U.S. v Prince, the coalition asks the  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 21 -- North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: Attorney General Josh Stein today filed a friend-of-the-court brief defending the federal law that prohibits people who have been convicted of felonies from possessing firearms. In the brief, filed in U.S. v Prince, Attorney General Stein and 21 other attorneys general ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to overturn a lower court ruling that foun  more

CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 21 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: * * * Cedar Point Settles Federal Charges It Denied Seasonal Workers Aged 40 and Over Employee Housing Based on Age * * * Cedar Fair, L.P., doing business as Cedar Point, and Magnum Management Corporation, which own, operate, and staff the Sandusky, Ohio-based Cedar Point amusement park, will pay $50,000 to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal   more

WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development issued the following news on March 20, 2024: Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Deputy Secretary for International Business Development David Briel helped cut the ribbon on Premier Tech's first Pennsylvania manufacturing facility in Lycoming County. The international sustainability and technology company is based in Quebec, Canada. The new facility, at 210 Arch   more

SELINSGROVE, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: Today, Governor Josh Shapiro, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited ski and snowboard manufacturer Gilson Snow in Snyder County to launch the Pennsylvania Outdoor Business Alliance. As promised in his first budget proposal, Governor Shapiro launched the Office o  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: A group of state House Republicans announced Wednesday a package of bills designed to support and promote startup initiatives across the Commonwealth. The bills aim to capitalize on Pennsylvania's many assets, including talented, hard-working people and valuable geographic location. The Commonwealth cannot afford to miss any more opportunities to Silicon Valley, New Yor  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release: A bipartisan legislative package unveiled by Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington) and Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-Chester) would prohibit the use of dangerous chemicals from being used in foods produced and sold in Pennsylvania. "The list of health issues related to poisons like Red Dye No. 3 are well documented to increase hyperactivity in children and jeopardize brain developme  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release on March 19, 2024: An initiative to amend Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law passed the state House Wednesday according to its author Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover). Klunk's amendment would protect victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault from their name being disclosed in a settlement agreement with a public entity during the right-to-know process. Under current state law, a victim's n  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release: The House Health Subcommittee on Health Care held a joint informational meeting this week on the criminal justice implications of legalizing cannabis for adult use. Rep. Kathy L. Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), Republican chair of the wider House Health Committee, issued this statement following the meeting: "We heard from a few testifiers today calling for the full legalization of rec  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: A resolution recognizing March 25, 2024, as "National Medal of Honor Day" in Pennsylvania, sponsored by Rep. Dane Watro (R-Luzerne/Schuylkill), today was unanimously approved by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. House Resolution 347 will next be considered by the full House of Representatives. Watro, who is a member of the committee and an  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release: The state Senate Game and Fisheries Committee has reported Senate Bill 67 to the full Senate. "This legislation will remove the prohibition on hunting on Sundays and provide additional opportunities to hunters," said bill sponsor, Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49). "Ever since the 18th century, Pennsylvania has mostly banned hunting on Sundays," Laughlin explained. "The Sunday hunting prohibiti  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release: The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee approved legislation aimed at addressing agricultural crop damage while also opening up more hunting opportunities. Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34) originally introduced the "Ag Freedom" legislation as four separate bills that would give farmers more freedom to mitigate crop damage on their farms by eliminating burdensome regulations. Today, the Senate G  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release: A measure aimed at providing greater flexibility for Pennsylvanians who work for an employer in another state has been approved by the Senate Finance Committee, according to the bill's prime sponsor, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York). This reform is a significant step forward in addressing the complexities faced by Pennsylvania residents amidst the evolving landscape of remote work. T  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: The state Senate today unanimously approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would ensure known or suspected drug overdoses treated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers are recorded in a statewide tracking system known as the Overdose Information Network (ODIN). "When EMS personnel encounter an overdose, that information doesn't automa  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37) and Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R-35) was approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. Senate Bill 1120 ensures common-sense procedures are followed during the bail determination process for repeat violent offenders, drug dealers trafficking fentanyl, and those who assault law enforc  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: Legislation sponsored by Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), joined by Sens. Wayne Langerholc (R-35) and Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), was approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. Senate Bill 1120 ensures common-sense procedures are followed during the bail determination process for repeat violent offenders, drug dealers trafficking fentanyl, and those who assault law  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: The Pennsylvania Senate approved two measures today boosting community safety by targeting opioid overdoses and human trafficking. Senate Bill 1054, sponsored by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), strengthens the Overdose Information Network (ODIN) law, which requires all law enforcement in Pennsylvania to input reports of an overdose within 72 hours of the incident into the   more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 20 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following statement on March 19, 2024, by State Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland: * * * Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) issued the following statement calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro to support efforts to secure our nation's border with Operation Lone Star: "Every day, our nation's border remains open, our country is being undermined by our global adversaries and our n  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The Pennsylvania Treasurer issued the following news release on March 20, 2024: Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity applauded the Senate Finance Committee's approval of Senate Bill 1051 today. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21), will streamline and improve the process of resolving tax disputes with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (DOR). SB 1051 will allow the Board of Finance and Revenue (BF&R) to accept late-filed applicati  more

SCRANTON, Pennsylvania, March 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release: United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced that as part of the Department of Justice's United Against Hate initiative to better counter hate crimes and hate incidents in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, he has met and will continue to meet with religious leaders to discuss their concerns about extremism and threats to their places of worship an  more

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, March 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release: A resident of Crafton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 90 months of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, on his conviction for violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Robert Allen, 44.   more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release: United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that defendant Abdur Rahim Islam, 66, the former Chief Executive Officer of Universal Community Homes and defendant Shahied Dawan, 72, the former Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Universal, both of Philadelphia, PA, were convicted today at trial of conspiring to defraud the United States.  more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release: U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that two former pharmacy employees pled guilty, were sentenced, and settled civil allegations as to Philadelphia-based Spivack, Inc., previously operating under the name Verree Pharmacy ("Verree"). These two employees' criminal and civil resolutions bring to an end the years-long investigation by the U.S.  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- President Biden and Ireland Taoiseach Leo Varadkar issued the following remarks at a St. Patrick's Day celebration: * * * THE PRESIDENT: Hello, hello, hello. AUDIENCE: Hello. THE PRESIDENT: We've got a great guest with us today. (Applause.) We -- we ought to change the rules in the United States: When St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday, the next day is a holiday. (Laughter.) On behalf of the Finnegans of County Louth and the Blewitts of County Mayo -- (applause) --   more