WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48005) on February 21, 2025, entitled "Critical Mineral Resources: The U.S. Geological Survey Role in Research and Analysis" by Linda R. Rowan, natural resources and earth sciences analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a lead federal science agency responsible for mineral resources research and analysis, where resource refers to a naturally occurring c  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * King Works to Give Maine People Access to Lower-Cost Prescription Drugs from Canada WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that would allow Americans to save money by importing the same medications from pharmacies in Canada -- for less. The Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act would give Americans safe access to prescription drugs from Canada  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 25 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a Consent Agreement fining Colby and Gale $5,000 for violations of gas safety regulations. The fine stems from a Notice of Probable Violation (NOPV) issued to the company on November 8, 2024, citing failures to adhere to written operational, maintenance, and emergency procedures, as well as inadequate personnel qualification. The NOPV followed an inspection by the PUC's Gas Safety Manager. After the notice was i  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the following news release: * * * Secretary Rollins Tours Egg Laying Facility, Hosts Avian Flu Roundtable in Texas Bogata & Mount Pleasant, TX, Feb. 24, 2025 Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins met with poultry farmers and industry leaders as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ongoing response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Secretary Rollins toured a Cal-Maine Foods egg-laying facility i  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Sens. Moran, Warner Lead Introduction of Legislation to Prevent Taxation of Broadband Deployment Grants WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) led 10 of their colleagues in introducing legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code to make certain that federal broadband deployment funding will not be considered taxable income. Grants awarded to broadband providers for  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner, Moran Lead Introduction of Legislation to Prevent Taxation of Broadband Deployment Grants WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) led 10 of their colleagues in introducing legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code to make certain that federal broadband deployment funding will not be considered taxable income. Grants awarded to broadband providers for the pu  more