WASHINGTON, June 3 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute issued the following news release: * * * Black-Footed Ferrets Born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of endangered black-footed ferrets last week. Three-year-old female Aristides gave birth to eight kits May 28. Animal care s  more

WASHINGTON, June 3 -- Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to reject a proposal to change the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The organization warns that altering the definition would have damaging effects on endangered species, particularly by undermining protections against habitat destruction. "For most endangered wildlife, 'harm' is in no way synonymous with 'kill' or 'capture' as is being argued," stated the conservancy. "F  more

WASHINGTON, June 3 -- URAC has urged the U.S. Department of Justice to address laws and regulations creating a monopoly in the health plan accreditation market. The group argues that these barriers, affecting Medicare advantage and state Medicaid programs, limit competition, stifle innovation, and raise costs for consumers. URAC contends that a single accrediting body dominates the market due to a federal law requiring Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans to have their care models approved so  more

WASHINGTON, June 2 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Murphy, Warren, Merkley, Blumenthal, Liccardo, Advocates Call Out Trump's Corrupt Meme Coin Dinner, Demand The Release Of Attendees' Names And What Favors They're Getting * WASHINGTON-- U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday led a press conference with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Sam Licca  more

WASHINGTON, May 29 -- NASA issued the following news: NASA Langley Uses Height, Gravity to Test Long, Flexible Booms By Joe Atkinson, Public Affairs Officer, NASA Langley Research Center Researchers at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, have developed a technique to test long, flexible, composite booms for use in space in such a way that gravity helps, rather than hinders, the process. During a recent test campaign inside a 100-foot tower at a NASA Langley lab, researchers s  more

WASHINGTON, May 29 -- NASA issued the following news: * * * NASA Tests New Ways to Stick the Landing in Challenging Terrain By Loura Hall Advancing new hazard detection and precision landing technologies to help future space missions successfully achieve safe and soft landings is a critical area of space research and development, particularly for future crewed missions. To support this, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is pursuing a regular cadence of flight testing on a va  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, June 3 -- The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation issued the following news release on June 2, 2025: * * * The Nature Conservancy transfers 184 acres to Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, expanding Clinch River State Park ABINGDON, Va. -- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently transferred 184 acres in Russell County, Virginia, between the towns of Honaker and Lebanon, to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) State Park   more

RICHMOND, Virginia, June 3 -- The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation issued the following news release on June 2, 2025: * * * Virginia invites applications for parks, outdoor recreation grants The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is now accepting grant applications for parks and outdoor recreation projects through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  Up to $7 million will be available. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program, or   more

RICHMOND, Virginia, June 3 -- The Virginia Department of Transportation issued the following news on June 2, 2025: * * * Give feedback on Sudley Manor Drive Project Pipeline study Take online survey through June 16 MANASSAS - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in partnership with Prince William County and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), is seeking feedback on a study assessing potential improvements along Sudley Manor Drive from Prince William Parkway (R  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, June 3 -- The Virginia Department of Transportation issued the following news on June 2, 2025: * * * Give input on Roberts Parkway Project Pipeline study Take online survey through June 16 BURKE - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in partnership with Fairfax County and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), is seeking feedback on a study assessing potential safety, operational and multimodal improvements along Roberts Parkway from Fairfax C  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, June 3 -- The Virginia Department of Transportation issued the following news on June 2, 2025: * * * Give input on study for Route 419 in Roanoke County Take online survey through June 16; more at https://vaprojectpipeline.virginia.gov/studies/salem/sa-25-06/ SALEM - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking feedback on a transportation study assessing potential roadway and pedestrian safety, capacity preservation (to keep traffic flowing smoothly), mul  more