SOMERVILLE, Texas, March 28 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: The Pecan Breeding and Genetics Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) recently completed a 2.5 million dollars laboratory modernization to accelerate pecan breeding through innovations in genetics and plant disease research. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on March 26 to commemorate the comple  more

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

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 28 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: By Joseph Kumzak The Department of Defense has faced several challenges that have led to lower recruiting numbers, and prevented the Army, Air Force and Navy from reaching FY 2023 recruiting goals. One of those challenges was the implementation of the DoDs new medical records platform in 2022, MHS Genesis. Prior to MHS Genesis, applicants could omit or forget to include medical history that would prevent them fr  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 28 (TNSres) -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following fact sheet on March 27, 2024: * * * As required by Assembly Bill 205, the CPUC released a Proposed Decision (PD) that would cut the price of electricity for Californians, reduce electricity bills for lower income Californians and those living in parts of the state most impacted by extreme weather, and accelerate the state's clean energy transition. The proposal changes how large inv  more

LAREDO, Texas, March 28 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: To help better facilitate northbound traffic flow at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge during a resurfacing project in the northbound lanes on the Mexico side, CBP has relocated cement barriers to adjust the traffic flow pattern. "We have moved our cement lane divider barriers over a bit to help facilitate the traffic flow northbound at Juarez Lincoln Bridge while this res  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 28 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: * * * Breakevens increase * * * Oil and gas activity showed essentially no growth in first quarter 2024, according to oil and gas executives responding to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Energy Survey. The business activity index--the survey's broadest measure of conditions facing Eleventh District energy firms--came in at 2, essentially unchanged from the last surv  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy issued the following news on March 27, 2024: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and MSI STEM R&D Consortium today announced $5 million in funding for two minority-serving universities to support the development of programs that will equip students with the skills needed to succeed in clean energy careers. The funding was administered by the Integrated Strategies Office within DOE's Office o  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Total Transborder Freight by Border in January 2024, Compared to January 2023: Transborder freight between the U.S. and North American countries Canada and Mexico: * Total transborder freight: $124.2 billion of transborder freight moved by all modes of transportation, down 1.3% compared to January 2023. * Freight between the U.S. and   more

EAGLE PASS, Texas, March 28 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry seize over $1.1M in methamphetamine in one enforcement action. "CBP officers did an exceptional job in interdicting these illicit narcotics at our port of entry," said Port Director Pete Beattie, Eagle Pass Port of Entry. "These seizures wil  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: Today, March 26, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the winners of the 2024 ENERGY STAR(R) Partner of the Year Awards. These 211 organizations, which represent the top ENERGY STAR program partners, are making significant contributions in support of the clean energy transition. They come from 38 states and localities, representing multiple economic sectors. T  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 27 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing that the City of Austin will receive a Solid Waste Infrastructure Grant (SWIFR) of $4,000,000 to construct and maintain a new reuse warehouse. The warehouse will be an onsite space for redistributing used furniture and building materials and hosting programming. As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, this grant will improve r  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, March 28 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release: Attorney General Chris Carr is pushing back against a recent proposal from the Biden administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that seeks to impose, for the first time ever, new pollution limits and pretreatment standards on meat and poultry processors. Currently, the EPA regulates roughly 150 meat processing facilities in the U.S. With this proposed rule, the EPA would sweep into i  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 27 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * $1.4 million in funding will help area farmers reduce runoff * * * The Gulf of Mexico Alliance recently received a grant for more than $1.4 million from the Gulf of Mexico Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will be used to improve water quality in northeast Louisiana. As part of the project, farmers will learn how to adopt innovative farming practices, that ca  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued the following news release on March 25, 2024: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that the agency charged the Grapevine Housing Authority ("GHA"); Jane Everett, Executive Director of GHA; and Bonnie McHugh, Vice-Chair of the GHA Housing Commission, with discriminating against, and failure to provide a reasonable accommodation for a tenant with a disability. Read the charge. "A   more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 28 (TNSres) -- The Indiana House Republicans issued the following news release: Gov. Holcomb recently signed into law legislation sponsored by State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury), which will protect Hoosier children from accessing adult-oriented websites. According to a National Institutes of Health study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18771400/), more than 90 percent of boys and more than 60 percent of girls were exposed to internet pornography during their te  more

SANTA FE, New Mexico, March 28 -- The New Mexico Department of Economic Development issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: The Job Training Incentive Program Board approved awards to five businesses in March to assist with the workforce training of 70 trainees and two interns, Acting Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper announced today. The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) is a powerful state tool to assist companies in hiring and training New Mexico   more

BROOKLYN, New York, March 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Yanki Misael Cruz-Mateo, a member of the 18th Street gang, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges in connection with his participation in two murders: the October 25, 2017 murder of 20-year-old Jonathan Figueroa in Saugerties, New York and the February 2, 2018 murder of 20-year-old Oscar   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 27 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service issued the following news on March 26, 2024: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas today announced opportunities for partners to receive funding through agreements as part of the Texas Partners for Conservation Program. Applications must be submitted via grants.gov by May 22, 2024. "The Texas Partners for Conservation Program encourages   more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 28 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service issued the following news on March 27, 2024: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced on March 15 that $138 million of financial assistance will be invested in 138 easements across the United States. North Carolina received over $11.5 million dollars that will help fund four applications for conservation easements in the stat  more

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSres) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southeast Regional Office issued the following feature story on March 27, 2024: * * * NOAA Fisheries and partners are initiating a project to rescue and rehabilitate smalltooth sawfish affected by an ongoing mortality event in South Florida. * * * The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is documenting reports of abnormal fish behavior, including spinning and whirling, in the Lower Florida Key  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 National Park Service (NPS) has selected Gerardo Gonzalez as superintendent of Chamizal National Memorial. Gonzalez will begin his new assignment on April 8. "I am pleased to announce the selection of Gerardo as Chamizal National Monument Superintendent and welcome him to the NPS family," said Deputy Regional Director Lance Hatten. "Gerado, a retired Uni  more

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 28 -- Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Today, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed long-time oil and gas businessman Kenneth S. Waits to the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. "Ken is a national voice in the energy sector who knows the OU community well," said Governor Stitt. "Ken loves the University of Oklahoma, and I can't wait to see how he serves the school as member of the Board of Regents." After gr  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 28 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Joe Gangemi, HQ Air Force Recruiting Service The Air Force Recruiting Service celebrated the exceptional achievements of its top recruiters during Operation Blue Suit here March 19. This annual event recognizes the dedication and outstanding performance of recruiters who excel in their mission to best find, attract, recruit, and retain the Airmen and Guardian  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's Resident Inspector in Pantex issued the following weekly report: * * * TO: Timothy J. Dwyer, Technical Director FROM: A. Holloway and C. Stott, Resident Inspectors SUBJECT: Pantex Plant Activity Report for Week Ending March 1, 2024 Staff Activity: Resident inspectors assessed cell assembly activities for an operational safety review, as well as a nuclear explosive safety change evaluation for staging an anomalous unit in   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

SAN ANGELO, Texas, March 28 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D'Errico, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual State of Goodfellow luncheon at the McNease Convention Center, San Angelo, Texas, on March 19. U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Corbett, 17th Training Wing deputy commander spoke at the monthly San Angelo Chamber of Commerce luncheon to provide an update abou  more

BRYAN, Texas, March 28 -- The Texas A&M University System issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M University System's Board of Regents on Wednesday affirmed new directors for Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and the Athletics Department at Texas A&M University. Both had been announced earlier. Last month the Regents named Robert H. Bishop '79 as Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Engineering at Texas A&M Universit  more

AUSTIN, Texas, March 28 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today announced a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant totaling more than $315,500 has been awarded to Rockport Fulton Independent School District (ISD) by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). In partnership with Del Mar College, the JET grant will support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by helping the school purchase and install equipment   more

AUSTIN, Texas, March 28 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order to fight the increase in acts of antisemitism at colleges and universities in Texas and ensure a safe learning environment for Jewish students and all Texans. "Antisemitism is never acceptable in Texas, and we will do everything we can to fight it," said Governor Abbott. "The State of Texas stands with Israel and the Jewish community, a  more

MCALLEN, Texas, March 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: Several men have been sentenced for their roles in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Martin Vela-Alanis, 60, and Arlando Garcia-Garcia, 41, Martin Adrusbel Vela, 36, and Oscar Obed Manzanares, 23, all of Edinburg; and Mexican citizen Jose Santiago Luna-Duran, 46, each pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2o23, for their respective roles  more

MCALLEN, Texas, March 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 67-year-old resident of Guadalajara, Mexico, has pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in vehicle roof rack, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. On Jan. 11, Jose De Jesus Pena Dieguez attempted to enter Mexico through the Progreso Port of Entry in a Nissan Xterra. Upon inspection, authorities noticed  more

MCALLEN, Texas, March 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: Two Mission men have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Eddie Perez, 29, and Juan Alberto Mendez Jr., 29, pleaded guilty April 24, 2023, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 20 kilograms of cocaine. U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now imp  more

MCALLEN, Texas, March 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 50-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Orlando Candelario Almanza pleaded guilty Oct. 23, 2023. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Almanza to serve a total of 75 months in federal prison to be imm  more

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, March 28 -- The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center issued the following news: Governor Jeff Landry has appointed Russell W. Allen as President of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority ("Authority"), the governing board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC). The Authority consists of thirteen commissioners, 10 appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, and three are appointed by the Mayor of New Orlea  more

SILVER SPRINGS, Florida, March 28 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: It's Manatee Appreciation Day! The U.S. Postal Service celebrated the occasion by dedicating its new Save Manatees stamp here today beside a clear, warm spring that the marine mammals frequent. "Postage stamps are miniature works of art designed to reflect the American experience," said Lisa Bobb-Semple, Stamp Services director for the Postal Service. "It is our hope that these sta  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