WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: * * * AFN Broadcasts Super Bowl LIX to U.S. Military Audiences Worldwide The Defense Media Activity (DMA) and the American Forces Network (AFN) invite overseas audiences to enjoy the military network's full-day coverage of America's most watched sporting event, the Super Bowl, beginning this Sunday, February 9. With the generous support of the National Football League (NFL), AFN will air Super Bowl LIX, featurin  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * After Kansas Tornado Siren Failures, Davids Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Emergency Alerts Today, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) introduced the bipartisan Weather Alert Response and Notification Act ( WARN Act ) to modernize emergency alert systems nationwide. Kansas sits in the heart of Tornado Alley, but emergency alert sirens faltered last year in Johnson County (link is external)  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Derek Schmidt, R-Kansas, issued the following statement on Feb. 6, 2025: * * * Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) released the following statement after the House today passed H.R. 27, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act. This legislation would permanently make fentanyl-related substances (FRS) a schedule I drug, ensuring law enforcement has the tools it needs to keep these harmful substances off the streets and out of communities in Kansas and acro  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news on Feb. 6, 2025: U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) - chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs - and Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced legislation to prevent veterans from losing their Second Amendment right to purchase or own firearms when they receive help managing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: * * * Cortez Masto, Moran Introduce Legislation to Expand Production of Electric Distribution Transformers Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the Credit Incentives for Resilient Critical Utility Infrastructure and Transformers (CIRCUIT) Act to encourage the production of electric distribution transformers - devices that take high-vol  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Feb. 6, 2025: * * * Name of Product: America's Got Talent microphones Hazard: The lithium-ion batteries in the recalled microphones can overcharge and ignite, posing a fire hazard. Remedy: Refund Recall Date: February 06, 2025 Units: About 125,000 (In addition, about six were sold in Canada) Consumer Contact: Jazwares toll-free at 888-341-0881 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, m  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Davids Votes for Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Fentanyl Epidemic Bill classifies fentanyl as a schedule I drug, strengthening law enforcement efforts Today, Representative Sharice Davids voted for bipartisan legislation that would restrict access to fentanyl and provide greater resources to local law enforcement to combat its use in Kansas. The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently place all fenta  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * Dingell, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Stabilize Crime Victims Fund Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) today reintroduced the bipartisan Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act with Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Jim Costa (D-CA), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Derek Schmidt (R-KS). This bill redirects unobligated funds collected through the False Claims Act to the Crime  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Durbin Calls On The Trump Administration To Immediately End Suppression Of The CDC's Morbidity And Mortality Weekly Report February 05, 2025 Durbin releases new report that highlights the health harms from federal freeze of the MMWR, a critical scientific update which has been released by the CDC every week since 1961 until now WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-I  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Durbin, Hayes Introduce Legislation To Expand Family Leave Protections February 05, 2025 WASHINGTON - On the 32 nd anniversary of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) today introduced bicameral legislation that would modernize FMLA for the 21 st Century. The Caring for All Families Act will guarantee   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: * * * FEBEX 25 prepares ANG for global challenges CAMP BLANDING JOINT TRAINING CENTER, Fla. (AFNS) -- Approximately 250 Air National Guard and active-duty Airmen from five U.S. states converged on Camp Blanding Joint Training Center Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, for February Exercise 2025, a rigorous three-day exercise designed to test their readiness for global contingencies. Reinforcing the Agile Combat Employment Strategy, the exerc  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Reserve has announced that Heritage Bancshares, Inc., based in Topeka, Kansas, has applied for approval to acquire Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company, also located in Topeka. This acquisition falls under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and related regulations, requiring regulatory review to assess compliance with financial and competitive standards. If approved, the transaction would consolidate the banking operations of the two institutions un  more

TOPEKA, Kansas, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Laura Kelly, D-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Kelly's HAWK Act to Expand Medicaid Introduced in Both Chambers TOPEKA - Governor Laura Kelly's middle-of-the-road proposal to expand Medicaid to 150,000 additional Kansans, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, was introduced into both chambers of the Kansas Legislature this week. "The Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act protects our rural hospitals, bolsters  more

TOPEKA, Kansas, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Laura Kelly, D-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Kelly, Lieutenant Governor Toland Visit KSi Conveyors, 2024 Exporter of the Year TOPEKA - Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor David Toland visited KSi Conveyors in Sabetha Thursday to officially honor the company's selection as the 2024 Governor's Exporter of the Year. "KSi is changing the agricultural industry and paving the way for the creation of even more innovative technolog  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: * * * Hawley, Marshall Demand Answers from Ford for Terminating Jack Cooper Partnership, Destroying Hundreds of Missouri Jobs U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley, demanding an explanation behind his company's abrupt decision to terminate its long-standing labor partnership with Jack Cooper, a Kansas City-based company. Ford's decision now leaves  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich, Moran Introduce Legislation to Create Pathways to Stable Careers, Expand Access to Apprenticeships & Technical Education WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Apprenticeship Pathways Act, legislation to create pathways to high-demand careers for high school students by expanding access to apprenticeships and technical education. Heinrich introduced the bill  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials released the following testimony by Chuck Baker, president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, from a Jan. 23, 2025, hearing entitled "America Builds: Examining America's Freight and Passenger Rail Network": * * * Thank you for the opportunity to testify to this subcommittee as you examine America's freight rail network and discuss the future  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * Former NDEE director to lead EPA's Heartland Region * * * LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 6, 2025) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that President Trump has appointed Jim Macy to become EPA Region 7 administrator. Macy will lead the implementation of the president's environmental agenda in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations. "With  more

TOPEKA, Kansas, Feb. 7 -- The Kansas Corporation Commission announced the following dockets on Feb. 6, 2025: * * * 25-CONS-3249-CPEN Docket Type: CPEN - Penalty Docket Description: Penalty Order - Yellow Rose Operating Co., LLC Date Filed: 02/06/2025 * * * 25-CONS-3250-CPEN Docket Type: CPEN - Penalty Docket Description: Penalty Order - Whitetail Crude, Inc. Date Filed: 02/06/2025 * * * 25-CONS-3253-CEXC Docket Type: CEXC - Exception To Rules And Regulations Docket Description: App  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following weekly report entitled "Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims" for week ending Feb. 1, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending February 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 219,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 207,000 to 208,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Library of Congress issued the following news: * * * Program Includes Free Community Events in Hutchinson, Scott City, Lawrence and Girard to Demonstrate Library's Digitalized Collections * * * The Library of Congress and the Kansas State Department of Education are working together to bring the Library's foundational professional learning program "Teaching with Primary Sources" to K-12 educators and school librarians throughout the state in February and April 2025.  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Cleaver and 153 House Democrats Demand Answers on Elon Musk's Access to Treasury Payment Systems (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, along with 153 other House Democrats, demanded answers from Department of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding Elon Musk's access to the Department's internal systems. Following numerous reports that Musk, who is unelected and   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Mann Kicks Off Fourth Annual Mann Listening Tour with 21 Town Halls in Western Kansas MANHATTAN, KS - Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) announced his fourth annual 60 county Mann Listening Tour. Rep. Mann will host 21 town halls in Trego, Graham, Sheridan, Decatur, Rawlins, Cheyenne, Sherman, Thomas, Wallace, Greeley, Hamilton, Stanton, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Haskell, Grant, Kearny,   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Mann Votes to Increase Penalties for Trafficking Fentanyl WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) voted to advance H.R. 27 (link is external), the Halt All Legal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl and related substances as a Schedule I drug. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in 2023, 70% of overdose deaths in the   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following opening statement on Feb. 4, 2025: * * * U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "The Poisoning of America: Fentanyl, its Analogues, and the Need for Permanent Class Scheduling." During today's hearing, Democratic Senator  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Marshall in Senate Ag Committee Hearing: Farmers' Mental Health is Near and Dear to My Heart Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. gave remarks in the Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing this week regarding the mental health of America's farmers. Senator Marshall discussed the immense pressure America's food producers are under in today's market, stressing the importance of me  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Marshall on RFD-TV: President Trump Will Take Care of Our American Farmers and Ranchers Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined RFD-TV to discuss this week's Senate Ag Committee hearing, the challenges farmers are facing, trade agreements, and President Trump's tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada. You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall's full  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senators Marshall, Kaine Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help More Americans Access High-Quality Job Training, Get Good-Paying Jobs Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, bipartisan legislation to help more Americans get good-paying jobs by allowing students to use federal Pell Grants--need-  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senators Marshall, Lee Reintroduce SHUSH Act to Simplify Suppressor Rules Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing (SHUSH) Act, a bill to eliminate the excessive regulation of firearm suppressors. The bill seeks to simplify the purchase process for law-abiding citizens and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic obstacle  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: * * * Smith, Craig, Colleagues Champion American Biofuels in Letter to New EPA Administrator Washington, D.C. \- Today, Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN) led nearly 30 colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to recently confirmed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. The letter emphasizes the important role of the American biofuels industry in maximizing ener  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following document from Economics Daily: * * * The big game: barbecue, cheesesteaks, and sports bars Got plans for the big game this weekend? A few hours of TV watching are on tap for many. While all sorts of eating and drinking establishments might be showing the event, a sports bar is a sure thing. The highest concentration of establishments in the United States with "sports bar" in the name w  more