WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following document from Economics Daily: * * * 0.4 unemployed persons per job opening in the Dakotas, 1.7 in California, in December 2024 February 20, 2025 There were 7.6 million job openings in the United States in December 2024, a number not much different than the number of unemployed people, resulting in a ratio of 0.9 unemployed persons per job opening. North Dakota and South Dakota each   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 --The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released its 2025 ALEC Index of State Education Freedom, in January 2025, a comprehensive 50-state guide analyzing the availability and accessibility of various learning options for families. The report, authored by Andrew Handel, ALEC's Director of Education and Workforce Development Task Force, ranks states based on their commitment to parental empowerment in education, focusing on areas like education freedom programs, cha  more

SALEM, Oregon, Feb. 21 -- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued the following news release: * * * Appeals Court Agrees With Attorney General Rayfield, Blocks Trump's Efforts to End Birthright Citizenship Judges deny U.S. DOJ's request to lift the hold on executive order Attorney General Dan Rayfield commends the 9th Circuit U.S. Appeals Court decision this week to block the Trump Administration's efforts to end birthright citizenship. The ruling denied the administration's request for   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, issued the following news release: * * * Cantwell Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Take WA-Developed, Low-Barrier Fentanyl Treatment Pilot Program Nationwide 02.20.25 In UW study, access to Health Engagement Hubs shown to reduce fatal overdoses by a staggering 68%; Hubs would offer access to safe & free addiction treatment without an appointment WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Sen  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the following public communication dated Feb. 14, 2025, from Compass, Clackamas, Oregon: * * * Re: Docket ID EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0591 (Phase 1 LOC-NESS Project) and EPA-HQ-OW-2024- 0189 (Phase 2 LOC-NESS Project) * * * COMPASS appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback and comments on EPA's tentative permits for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's (WHOI) LOC-NESS Project. COMPASS is a non-profit science comm  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Following Dangerous Cuts to Transportation Workforce, Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Secretary Duffy Prioritize Safety Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden along with Massachusetts' U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey pushed U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to stop the mass layoffs and firing of essential transportation safety employees. The lawmakers demand the De  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Following Dangerous Cuts to Transportation Workforce, Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Secretary Duffy Prioritize Safety Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden along with Massachusetts' U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey pushed U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to stop the mass layoffs and firing of essential transportation safety employees. The lawmakers demand the Depar  more

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri, Feb. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri issued the following news release: * * * Former Taney County Official Pleads Guilty to Stealing $260,000 SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former official with the Taney County Health Department pleaded guilty in federal court today to a scheme to embezzle approximately $260,000 from the agency. Hugo Ricardo Huacuz, 51, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dav  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released the following public communication dated Feb. 14, 2025, from Stoller Wine Group, Dayton, Oregon: * * * To: Janet de Jesus, MS, RD Senior Nutrition Advisory Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20201RE: Document Number: 2025-00416; Notice Citation. 90 FR 3883, Request for Public Comments on Reports on Alc  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands released the following testimony by Public Lands Council President Tim Canterbury from a Feb. 11, 2025, hearing entitled "Restoring Multiple Use to Revitalize America's Public Lands and Rural Communities" * * * Chairman Tiffany, Ranking Member Neguse, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on the importance of multiple use of our nation's public lands. My name is Tim Ca  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2025: * * * ICYMI: Dexter Leads Community Pledge at District Swearing-In Ceremony PORTLAND, OR -- Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) hosted a ceremonial swearing-in event at the University of Oregon's Northeast Portland campus. Congresswoman Dexter was joined by community leaders, family, and distinguished guests, including Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and former Congressman Earl  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has released the following public communication dated Feb. 12, 2025, from the Natural Resources Defense Council and 12 collaborators. Here are excerpts: * * * To: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Department of Interior Docket No. BOEM-2023-0061 No. BOEM-2023-0061 Environmental Organization Comments on BOEM's Draft California Offshore Wind Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement * * * On beh  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has released the following public communication dated Feb. 12, 2025, from North County Watch, Templeton, California: * * * To: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Department of Interior Docket No. BOEM-2023-0061 Environmental Organization Comments on BOEM's Draft California Offshore Wind Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement * * * North County Watch incorporates in this submission the comments  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has released the following public communication dated Feb. 12, 2025, from the Oceantic Network: * * * To: Lisa Gilbane Chief, Environmental Assessment Section Office of Environment Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102 Camarillo, California 93010 Re: Notice of Availability of the California Offshore Wind Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) ([Docket   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has released the following public communication dated Feb. 12, 2025, from the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance: * * * To: Lisa Gilbane, Chief Environmental Analysis Section Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102 Camarillo, CA 93010 Re: Notice of Availability of the California Offshore Wind Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement; Docket No: BOEM-2023-00  more

SALEM, Oregon, Feb. 21 -- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2025: * * * Rayfield Launches New Gender-Affirming Care Toolkit Amid Trump Executive Orders Aims to help support families of transgender loved ones Today, Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced the launch of a new gender-affirming toolkit, now available on the Oregon Department of Justice website. This resource is designed to help families and caregivers of transgender loved ones nav  more

SALEM, Oregon, Feb. 21 -- Gov. Tina Kotek, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb 20, 2025: * * * Governor Kotek and Oregon Housing and Community Services Launch Program to Build More Housing, Lower Costs Zero interest loans will support the development of housing for middle class Oregonians Washington D.C. - Today, Governor Tina Kotek and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced the launch of Oregon's Moderate Income Revolving Loan (MIRL) program. The program will   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 15, 2025, from the American Federation of Teachers: * * * To: Occupational Safety and Health Administration US Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 Re: Docket No. OSHA-2021-009, Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings * * * Dear Director Schlayer: The American Federation  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from the American Public Power Association: * * * To: OSHA Docket Office Docket No. OSHA-2021-0009 COMMENTS FROM THE AMERICAN PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION ON U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION 29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1926, and 1928 RE: Docket No. OSHA-2021-0009 Heat Injury and Ill  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from the Inland Empire Labor Council AFL-CIO, Colton, California: * * * Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings To: Occupational Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Ave. NW Washington, DC 2021 RE: Comment on the Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers: * * * To: Mr. Stephen Schayer Director Office of Physical Hazards and Others Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) US Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20210 Re: RIN 1218-AD39, Proposed Rule on "Heat Injury an  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from LeadingAge: * * * To: The Honorable Douglas Parker Assistant Secretary of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 Re: Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings (Docket No. OSHA-2021 0009) * * * Assistant  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 15, 2025, from the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and 86 collaborators: * * * To: Douglas Parker 200 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20210 * * * The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and the 86 undersigned organizations thank the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for proposing a ne  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from the Multnomah County Health Department, Oregon: * * * To: Occupational Safety and Health Administration Comment on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings Proposed Rule - OSHA-2021-0009 * * * The Multnomah County Health Department supports the proposed rule on Heat Injury and Illness Prevent  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Here are excerpts: * * * To: The Honorable Douglas Parker Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health United States Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC 20210 Re: Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings * *  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from the North American Blueberry Council, Folsom, California: * * * To: Stephen Schayer, Director U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration Directorate of Standards & Guidance 200 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC 20210 RE: Public Comment - Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Ind  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from the Northwest Horticultural Council, Yakima, Washington: * * * To: The Honorable Douglas Parker Assistant Secretary of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20210 Re: Docket No. OSHA-2021-0009, "Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in O  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from the Oregon Law Center, Woodburn, Oregon: * * * To: Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Submitted via Federal eRulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov Re: Docket ID Number OSHA-2021-0009 RIN 1218-AD39 (Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings) * * * The   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from Oxfam America: * * * To: Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 Attn: Stephen Schayer, Director, Office of Physical Hazards and Others Re: Docket No. OSHA-2021-0009, Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings * *  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from Public Citizen: * * * To: The Honorable Doug Parker Assistant Secretary of Occupational Safety and Health U.S. Department of Labor Washington, DC 20210 Re: Comments on the proposed rulemaking -- Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, Docket No. OSHA-2021-0009, RIN 1218-AD39 * * * Dear A  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Jan. 14, 2025, from Earthjustice on behalf of WeCount!, Homestead, Florida. Here are excerpts: * * * To: Douglas L. Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20210 RE: Comments by WeCount! in Support of the Proposed Safety Stan  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Ranking Members Pingree, Merkley Condemn Indian Affairs Hiring Freeze, Firings as Violation of Tribal Sovereignty WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the top Democrats on the subcommittees that oversee funding for the Department of the Interior (DOI), demanded the Trump Administration immediately reinstate terminated Indian Affairs employees, l  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Senate conducted nine committee hearings on Feb. 19, 2025: * * * F-15E U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland received a closed briefing on the F-15E United States Central Command Operations from Major General Akshai M. Gandhi, USAF, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, Major General Benjamin R. Maitre, USAF, Director, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force,   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee issued the following information for an executive session at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 27, 2025, at 562 Dirksen Senate Office Building: Nominees * Lori Chavez-DeRemer, of Oregon, to be Secretary of Labor. Agenda Items 1. Any additional business for consideration. * * * Original text here: https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/nomination-02-27-2025  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Marshall Questions Labor Secretary Nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer During Confirmation Hearing Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) participated in the confirmation hearing today for President Donald Trump's Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary nominee, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). Lori Chavez-DeRe  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Murray, Former WA State Federal Workers at VA, Forest Service, Bonneville Power Lay Out How Trump and Musk's Reckless Mass Layoffs Hurt People Across WA State ICYMI : Senator Murray on Trump Indiscriminately Firing Workers at Hanford and Bonneville Power Administration, Threatening Energy Security in Washington State *** VIDEO FROM PRESS CALL HERE *** *** NEW FACT SHEET : Impact in Was  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following remarks on Feb. 19, 2025: * * * Wyden Blasts Republican Tax Agenda as Budget Debate Begins As Prepared for Delivery I want to thank my colleagues for their words on the tax debate that's coming in the days and weeks ahead. I'm very happy to be working with them in this fight. They've raised a lot of important issues I also want to address. But I want to start out with the big  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2025: * * * Wyden Statement on Trump and Musk's IRS Layoffs Gutting Tax Enforcement on the Ultra-Wealthy Washington, D.C. -- Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on Trump and Musk's reported purge of tax enforcement staff at the IRS: "Donald Trump is a known tax cheat, and he and Elon Musk cle  more