LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, March 28 -- Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement on March 27, 2024: * * * Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after co-leading a 27-state comment letter opposing a proposal from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would unduly burden state and national meat and poultry producers and illegally expand the EPA's regulatory authority: "The EPA wants to impose illegal and crippling regulations on meat and poultry   more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following remarks on March 26, 2024, by Troy A. Miller, senior official performing the duties of commissioner, at the Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit: * * * Good morning. How's everyone doing? It's great to be here with such a distinguished group of individuals as we all work together on our shared mission. As Susan stated, CBP and our partners are closely mo  more

HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 28 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release: Attorney General William Tong this week joined 12 other attorneys general in a letter to Glock, Inc. (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/20240326----multistate-letter-to-glock.pdf) requesting the company preserve all evidence related to its line of Glock pistols, which can be easily converted into illegal machine guns with just one small, easy-to-make modification.   more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration issued the following news release on March 25, 2024: * * * Inspections identified 58 significant, substantial violations, 2 unwarrantable failures * * * The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 13 mines in nine states in February 2024, identifying 207 violations. The agency began conducting impact inspections after an  more

SHELBY, Ohio, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the following news release: * * * ArcelorMittal Tubular Products USA LLC faces $253K in proposed penalties * * * Despite citations from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for similar hazards at its Shelby facility in 2022, ArcelorMittal Tubular Products USA LLC -- a subsidiary of one of North America's largest steel suppliers -- failed to prote  more

CAMP SIMBA, Kenya, March 28 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news: By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell, Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard Task Force Paxton's command team, Lt. Col. Eric Ponzek and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Barclay, led one of the most memorable moments of a Soldier's career at a Camp Simba ceremony March 21. Known colloquially as the combat patching ceremony, this signifi  more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), state and local partners, grantees, consultants, and industry leaders to help kick off the 2024 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference in State College, Pennsylvania. Offering remarks during the ope  more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz visited Centre County, Pennsylvania to see first-hand the positive impact ClearWater Conservancy is having on local and downstream water quality. Joining staff from the Conservancy, Ortiz viewed several conservation sites in the Halfmoon Creek Watershed, discussing how the Conservancy works to identify oppor  more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: Today, in Arlington, Virginia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Chesapeake Bay Trust have been awarded approximately $206 million in grants to fund local projects and technical assistance to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay over the next four years and advance environmental justice. EPA's Chesapeake Bay Progr  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 28 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: * * * Casino Managers Failed to Act When Bartender Reported Sexual Assault and Sexually Explicit Comments by Fellow Bartender * * * Golden Entertainment, Inc., the former owner and operator of Rocky Gap Casino in Flintstone, Maryland, has agreed to pay $100,000 and implement comprehensive sexual harassment prevention training for its managers, supervisors, and emp  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Robin Carnahan and other Biden-Harris Administration officials visited Pittsburgh to announce more than $16 million in funds for improvements to the Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda. The funding for the courthouse-made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act  more

ALBANY, New York, March 27 -- The New York State Public Service Commission issued the following order granting issuance of certificates (Case No. 21-M-0254) on March 26, 2024: * * * In the Matter of Commission Procedures to Implement Tax Law Section 187-q. ORDER GRANTING THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF DEBT RELIEF TAX CREDITS BY THE COMMISSION: INTRODUCTION As part of the New York State 2021-2022 annual budget, a package of financial relief programs was enacted for utility consumers who we  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: The Department of the Interior announced today the selection of 14 projects in 11 states to receive $58.3 million through the National Park Service's Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP). Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the funding during a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she met with local and state officials and outdoor r  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSres) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southwest Fisheries Science Center issued the following feature story on March 27, 2024: * * * A California whaler sent his manuscript to the Smithsonian, but it ended up elsewhere. * * * The scientist who first named different species of killer whales on the West Coast of North America probably never saw one. The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution had invited Edward Drinker Cope to review a manuscr  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSres) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southwest Fisheries Science Center issued the following feature story: * * * Long viewed as one worldwide species, killer whale diversity now merits more. * * * Scientists have resolved one of the outstanding questions about one of the world's most recognizable creatures, identifying two well-known killer whales in the North Pacific Ocean as separate species. Killer whales are one of the most widespread a  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 28 -- The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Today, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee approved a total of $40 million in Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grant funding for 64 organizations working to address the epidemic of gun violence. Since the VIP Grant program began in 2021, 256 projects across the Commonwealth have b  more

SAXONBURG, Pennsylvania, March 28 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Today, while visiting the Pennsylvania Laborers Training Center in Butler County, Governor Josh Shapiro announced a new directive for all Commonwealth agencies under his jurisdiction to evaluate and implement the appropriate use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on Commonwealth projects. Under the Governor's new guidance, Commonwealth agencies will use PLAs on future pro  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: This month, Ashleigh Strange was appointed the Executive Director for the Governor's Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. The Governor's Advisory Commissions make recommendations to the Governor on policies and legislation that impact the Commonwealth and help ensure the communities they represent have a voice in state government. "It's an honor to work alongside such   more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Whip Tim O'Neal (R-Washington) and Policy Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) said Tuesday they support the package of legislation introduced by caucus members today that focuses on real energy savings for Pennsylvania's families and small businesses. Cutler said this package of legislation, which is   more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Republican chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy (ERE) Committee, is calling on the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to engage in an honest conversation about orphaned and abandoned wells in the Commonwealth. Causer's comments came after an ERE hearing Monday in which DEP and several like  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release: State. Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) is joining seven other state House Republicans to introduce a package of bills that will address energy affordability across the Commonwealth. Kaufer's legislation seeks to repurpose money from Act 129 of 2008, which expanded the Public Utility Commission's (PUC) oversight responsibilities, to redirect unused dollars for energy efficiency and conserva  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release: A proposed settlement to address myriad service issues with Frontier Commonwealth has been recommended to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) for approval by the two administrative law judges on the case, according to a half dozen lawmakers who have been advocating for affected consumers. The settlement was negotiated in response to a formal complaint filed by the Pennsylvania Office of   more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: Legislation sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) that would assist victims of domestic violence in Pennsylvania when applying for unemployment compensation (UC) benefits received bipartisan approval by the House of Representatives today. House Bill 1446 now moves to the Senate for consideration. "We are trying to help victims of domestic violence receive the bene  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release: A group of state House Republicans is introducing a package of bills that will address energy affordability across the Commonwealth. These bills seek to combat Gov. Josh Shapiro's assault on Pennsylvanians' wallets when it comes to paying for their energy. The nine bills are being sponsored by Reps. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne), Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), Mike Cabell (R-Luzerne),   more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 28 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release: Prosecutors across Pennsylvania would be required to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) whenever illegal migrants are charged with violating state law, under legislation, Senate Bill 1127, being introduced by Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) and Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35). Earlier this year, two NYPD officers were assaulted in broad daylight by illegal migrants. Severa  more

JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania, March 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, on his conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States Senior District Judge Kim R. Gibson impose  more

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, March 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: A resident of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal drug and firearm charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Marcus Valenzi, 35, pleaded guilty before United States Senior District Judge David S. Cercone to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distr  more

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, March 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island issued the following news release: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has appointed U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha to serve on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC). The AGAC was created in 1973 and advises the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the nation's 94 U.S. Attorneys Offices, and elevates the voices of U.S. Attorne  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following statement on March 26, 2024: * * * Today, a frivolous lawsuit challenging the Shapiro Administration's authority to implement Automatic Voter Registration was promptly dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. * * * In response to this resounding defeat, Governor Josh Shapiro released the following statement: "In 2020, I defeated Donald Trump and his conspiracy t  more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 28 -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the opening of the Cartilage Regeneration using Advanced Technologies to Enable Motion Center -- the CReATE Motion Center -- at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. The CReATE Motion Center is designed to develop treatments that minimize the need for joint replacement surgeries by stopping progression of the disease ea  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The White House issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Today, as part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot, a key pillar of the President's Unity Agenda, First Lady Jill Biden convened executives from leading health insurance companies, community health plans, and health plan professional associations to highlight recent commitments (https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2024/03/08/fact-sheet-biden-cancer-moonshot-announces-commitments-from-leading-health-in  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSres) -- The White House issued the following fact sheet: * * * President Biden Announces New Landmark Rule to Protect Americans from Junk Health Insurance - Latest action to deliver better health care and prevent consumers from getting ripped off Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking a major step to crack down on junk health insurance for American families and consumers and deliver better health. As the President has said, people hate being played for suc  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The White House issued the following transcript of a news briefing on March 27, 2024, by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Deputy Commandant for Operations for the U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Gautier: * * * MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Good afternoon, everyone. Q: Good afternoon. MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thank you for joining us. Thank you for joining us. Okay. I have a couple things at the top. And as you can see, we have guests wit  more