WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Department of Energy's Office of Science Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory issued the following news on April 2, 2024: * * * Their research will contribute data to the Molecular Observation Network * * * The Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) has selected projects from seven scientists to participate in the spring sampling season for the Molecular Observation Network (MONet). The projects represent a total of 45 soil core samples that wil  more

OAKLAND, California, April 3 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined 17 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter supporting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) proposed overdraft fee rule, amending Truth in Lending Act (TILA) regulations. The proposed rule would require large banks to apply consumer protections, include interest rate disclosures, to overdraft fees. In doing so, the proposed ru  more

WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy issued the following news release on April 2, 2024: The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $10.5 million to fund the first year of four, five-year cooperative agreements aimed at developing strategies to assist youth and young adults with disabilities -- particularly in underserved communities -- in successfully transitioning into the workforce. The awards have been granted to the Conn  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 3 -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued the following news release on April 2, 2024: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today announced a groundbreaking $4.85 million investment in community air quality monitoring programs aimed at protecting Minnesotans from harmful air pollution. The grants, approved during the 2023 legislative session, underscore a commitment to community-first science, where communities can address the unique circumstances an  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 3 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news on April 2, 2024: Today Senate Democrats passed a partisan, mandate-heavy education policy omnibus bill (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=SF3567&b=senate&y=2024&ssn=0). The legislation fails to address the three areas where schools need the most support: increasing academic success, providing mandate relief and improving school safety. "Schools have been asking for relief to combat the b  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 3 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news: The Minnesota Senate finally approved a repair to a legislative error that would have hit Main Street Minnesota businesses with a $15 million tax hike. Minnesota State Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester), a co-author of the repair bill praised the bill's passage but expressed frustration about the delay: "I am glad this tax error was corrected in time to protect Minnesota job providers from a tax i  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 2 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following statement on April 1, 2024, by State Sen. Rich Draheim, R-Madison Lake: * * * One of my big criticisms of last year's bonding bill was that it included too much waste. There are communities across the state that have urgent needs, but Democrats chose to cut out water, transportation, and infrastructure projects in favor of handouts to special interests and non-profits. More than 54 non-profits received   more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 2 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following statement on April 1, 2024, by State Sen. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa: * * * Did you know that in southern Minnesota you cannot hunt deer with a rifle? I can assure you that hunters in our area are well aware of this antiquated rule. As bizarre as it sounds, firearms hunters here must use shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, or legal handguns. Even though rifles are more accurate and safer, they are not  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 2 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following newsletter on April 1, 2024, by State Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe: * * * Friends and neighbors, Concerning news from the Minnesota Senate this week. In the middle of the night, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee rejected an amendment that would have protected religious freedom in our state. Here is the background: The Minnesota Human Rights Act used to include key prote  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 3 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following newsletter on April 1, 2024, by State Sen. Mark Koran, R-North Branch: * * * Dear Friends and neighbors, This week in the dark of night - after midnight - Democrats deliberately launched an attack on the freedom of religious groups and faith-based schools. Here is what happened: Senate Democrats on the Judiciary Committee voted down an amendment to the Human Rights Act that would have restored religio  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 3 -- The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus issued the following newsletter on April 1, 2024, by State Sen. Bill Lieske, R-Lonsdale: * * * Friends and neighbors, Thursday on the Senate Floor I supported a motion to immediately bring up for a vote a bill that would give Minnesotans a voice on the new state flag and seal designs. I've heard significant feedback from you about the proposed changes, and it is clear you're frustrated about being left out of the process -  more

DULUTH, Minnesota, April 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota issued the following news release: Eight members of a Chicago-based drug trafficking conspiracy have been indicted for fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution in Duluth and surrounding areas, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, between December 2021 and February 2024, Carl Maurice Brown, 32, of Chicago, Robert Desean Chism, 35, of Chicago, Matthew James Erickson, aka  more

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, April 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota issued the following news release: A Minneapolis man has been charged with maliciously damaging a Minneapolis hair salon by means of an explosive device, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on November 20, 2022, at approximately 2:49 AM, an explosive device detonated at a hair salon located in Minneapolis, causing damage to the exterior and interior of t  more

BISMARCK, North Dakota, April 3 -- Gov. Doug Burgum, R-North Dakota, issued the following news on April 2, 2024: Gov. Doug Burgum was joined by leaders of 11 state agencies today to kick off Financial Literacy Month in North Dakota and share a new resource available to all North Dakotans, SmartwithMyMoney.nd.gov, to improve financial literacy. This free website allows residents to create an account, take a research-based financial personality assessment, and learn how their personality affects  more

WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The White House issued the following readout of a legislative meeting on paid family and medical leave: * * * Last week, Tom Perez, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Jennifer Klein, Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council, convened state leaders to discuss legislative efforts to pass paid family and medical leave for workers as well as to learn from states th  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The White House issued the following transcript of a news briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on April 1, 2024: * * * (A costumed Easter Bunny approaches the podium.) Q: Awww! Q: Happy Easter! (The Easter Bunny gestures to take questions from the press.) Q: How has Easter been for you this year? Q: Are you the President of the United States? (The Easter Bunny shakes its head.) Q: Are you the Vice President of the United States? (The Easter Bunny shakes  more