FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, July 8 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: * * * Army updates facial hair policy to reinforce grooming standards * The U.S. Army is updating its facial hair grooming policy in an Army Directive that resulted from a force-wide review of military standards. The update reinforces the Army's long-standing policy that all Soldiers must be clean-shaven when in uniform or civilian clothes while on duty, with temporary exemptions for medical reason  more

WASHINGTON, July 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11672) on July 8, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring 30 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLI  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 8 -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release: * * * DEQ to hold public hearing for Horizon 30 mining permit No. 61-22 * The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on July 29, 2025, in Bakersville, regarding mining permit application 61-22 submitted by Horizon 30 to mine the Carter Quarry in Mitchell County.   more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Electrolux Consumer Products Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce expressing strong support for the North American Die Casting Association's (NADCA) request to expand Section 232 tariffs on aluminum imports to include certain household appliances. The letter advocates for tariffs on aluminum content in products including refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers under specific tariff subheadings. In the  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a rule (Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2019-0081) entitled "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Dwarf-Flowered Heartleaf from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants." The Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the dwarf-flowered heartleaf, a plant species native to the upper Piedmont region of North Carolina and South Carolina, no longer requires federal protecti  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Administrator Loeffler Joins Lara Trump for Exclusive Interview on One Big Beautiful Bill * WASHINGTON -- In case you missed it, Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined (Link is external) My View with Laura Trump to discuss how President Donald J. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill will empower America's 34 million small businesses. Signed into law  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration has issued a notice entitled "Heavy Walled Rectangular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023." The Commerce has determined that heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes from the Republic of Korea were not sold at less than normal value during the review period. This review specifically co  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Raleigh, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), urging caution regarding proposed deregulation efforts that could jeopardize the state's rich natural and cultural heritage. The letter highlights the significant economic benefits derived from protected sites, including national parks and wildlife refuges, which draw millions of visitors annually. In the correspondence,   more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 9 -- The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources North Carolina Zoo issued the following news release on July 8, 2025: * * * North Carolina Zoo Launches New Mobile App The North Carolina Zoo is launching a new mobile app, now available for free download on both Apple and Android devices. Designed to support guests of all ages and abilities, the app is available in English and Spanish, offering an engaging, inclusive way to experience the world  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Schmitt's Landmark ENABLE Act Signed into Law * Bill Expands Savings Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt's (R-MO) legislation, the Ensuring Nationwide Access to Better Life Experience (ENABLE) Act, was signed into law as a provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill. This legislation supports individuals with disabilities and their families by perm  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 9 -- The North Carolina Department of Labor issued the following news release on July 7, 2025: * * * Statement from Labor Commissioner Luke Farley on Governor Signing the 'Make Elevators Great Again' Act Today, North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley issued the following statement after Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 559 -- the "Make Elevators Great Again" (MEGA) Act -- into law: "I appreciate that Governor Stein has signed the Make Elevators Great   more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Removes Native Carolina Plant from Endangered Species List * Asheville, NC \- After decades of partnership-driven recovery efforts in North and South Carolina, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the dwarf-flowered heartleaf from the federal list of endangered and threatened plants. When the plant was listed as threatened unde  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Precision Components Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina, a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in mechanical parts, has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Industry and Security opposing the interim final rule concerning the inclusion of additional derivative aluminum and steel articles under Section 232. The organization argues that the rule would yield negative consequences for U.S. industrial competitiveness and hinder domestic manufacturing. The company hi  more