WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Over 180 organizations have voiced strong opposition to proposed changes to federal student loan repayment and forgiveness programs by the U.S. Department of Education. The groups, representing millions of students, borrowers, workers and vulnerable populations, argue that the Administration's plans would worsen the ongoing student loan crisis affecting more than 40 million Americans who collectively owe over $1.6 trillion. The letter specifically challenges alterations t  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- DuPage County (Ill.) Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Alfonso has sent comments to the U.S. Department of Education concerning the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Alfonso asserted that Public Service Loan Forgiveness has been a "cornerstone of our country's public service workforce strategy" since its inception in 2007. He warned that any efforts to alter Public Service Loan Forgiveness or income-driven repayment plans would negatively impact local prosecutors.   more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Durbin Expresses Condolences For The Lives Lost And Those Impacted By The Flooding In Central Texas * July 08, 2025 WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today shared his condolences for the lives lost and those impacted by the flash floods that devastated Central Texas this past weekend and thanked the first responders and volunteers who  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Durbin Slams Republicans' So-Called "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Which Slashes Health Care Coverage For 17 Million Americans To Provide Massive Tax Breaks For Billionaires * July 08, 2025 Durbin voted against final passage of the bill last week WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed the Republicans' so-called One Big Beautiful  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, July 10 -- The Illinois State Treasurer issued the following news release on July 9, 2025: * * * State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Will Return a Record Number of Checks to Illinoisans No Claim Needed; Simply Cash the Check * This summer will bring $45 million in cash to a record-breaking 600,000 people who will receive money they didn't even know they had from the state's missing money program, and the only thing they must do is cash the check, Illinois State Treasurer  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSFR) -- Indiana University has completed an inventory of ancestral human remains and associated funerary objects, determining a cultural connection with twenty Native American tribes. This includes the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Forest County Potawatomi Community, Wisconsin; Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; Kaw Nation, Oklahoma; Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Omaha T  more

WASHINGTON, July 9 (TNSFR) -- The International Trade Commission has issued a notice entitled "Active Electrical Cables and Components; Commission Decision Not To Review an Initial Determination Amending the Complaint and Investigation." This notice concerns an investigation initiated by ITC based on a complaint filed by Credo Semiconductor Inc. of San Jose, California, and Credo Technology Group Ltd. of the Cayman Islands. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 19  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration issued the following recall notice: * * * Natureen International Inc. Recalls Wei-Chuan Dried Black Fungus Slice (2.5oz) Because of Possible Health Risk * Summary Company Announcement Date: July 08, 2025 FDA Publish Date: July 09, 2025 Product Type: Food & Beverages Foodborne Illness Reason for Announcement: Salmonella Company Name: Natureen International Inc. Brand Name: Wei-Chuan P  more

WASHINGTON, July 9 -- The City and County of San Francisco, along with Santa Clara County, submitted a public comment letter protesting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) proposed rescission of the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing (AFHM) Regulations. The joint letter articulates deep concerns regarding a failure to maintain necessary regulatory frameworks that promote fair housing access across racial, socioeconomic, and geographic lines. Cosigner David Chiu, City At  more

WASHINGTON, July 9 -- The University of Illinois Springfield Office of Financial Aid has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education regarding proposed regulations and the establishment of a negotiated rulemaking committee. The comments submitted by Laci Engelbrecht, director of financial aid at UIS, advocate for simplifying current federal student financial assistance program regulations to reduce administrative burden while maintaining program integrity. Engelbrecht's letter highli  more