ITHACA, New York, July 14 -- Cornell University posted the following news: * * * Amazon's AI assistant struggles with diverse dialects, study finds * A new Cornell study revealed that Amazon's AI shopping assistant, Rufus, gives vague or incorrect responses to users writing in some English dialects, such as African American English (AAE), especially when prompts contain typos. The paper introduces a framework to evaluate chatbots for harms that occur when AI systems perform worse for users  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 [Category: Media] -- Pulitzer Center, an organization that say it combines journalism and engagement, posted the following news: * * * Behind the Story: For Pulitzer Center Grantee, Covering the N.C. Water Crisis Is 'Personal' * Robert Adams (left), of Appalachian State University, and Andy Hill, the Watauga riverkeeper, prepare to search for hellbenders in the tailwaters of the Shull's Mill Dam on the Watauga River near Boone, North Carolina, in July 2024. From the story  more

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, July 16 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Southern Environmental Law Center posted the following news release: * * * Commission "accepts" Dominion's long-term plan as "legally sufficient" but will require improvements moving forward * RICHMOND, VA. -- Late yesterday, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) accepted Dominion Energy's long term power plan (Integrated Resource Plan, or "IRP") as legally sufficient, while noting that such acceptance does not indicate   more

BOONE, North Carolina, July 16 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release: * * * Commission 'accepts' Dominion's long-term plan as 'legally sufficient' but will require improvements moving forward * Press release from the Southern Environmental Law Center and Appalachian Voices For immediate release: July 16, 2025 Contact: Tasha Durrett, SELC, 571-405-1101, tdurrett@selc.org RICHMOND, Va. -- Late yesterday, the State Corporation Commission accept  more

NEW YORK, July 15 -- Cornell Tech issued the following news: * * * Amazon's AI assistant struggles with diverse dialects, study finds By Grace Stanley A new Cornell study revealed that Amazon's AI shopping assistant, Rufus, gives vague or incorrect responses to users writing in some English dialects, such as African American English (AAE), especially when prompts contain typos. The paper introduces a framework to evaluate chatbots for harms that occur when AI systems perform worse for users  more

BOONE, North Carolina, July 14 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release: * * * Environment at Risk art exhibition opens July 17 in Glen Allen, Va. * Exhibition features over 35 regional artists addressing environmental harms July 14, 2025 CONTACT Jessica Sims, jessica@appvoices.org, 804-356-1228 GLEN ALLEN, Va. -- On Thursday, July 17, Appalachian Voices will host a new art exhibition "Environment at Risk" at the Gumenick Family Gallery of The  more

BOONE, North Carolina, July 18 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release: * * * EPA moves to weaken long overdue coal ash protections * Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will delay deadlines to require utilities to inspect coal ash contamination and begin to clean up coal ash impoundments with a draft extension rule and companion proposal. The action would change compliance deadlines set in the Legacy Coal Combustion  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission highlights public and federal regulator engagement with Texas Eastern Transmission LP, Houston, Texas, regarding its Appalachia to Market III Project. This interaction details the process for environmental review and public participation emphasizing the collaborative nature of energy infrastructure development. Texas Eastern Transmission submitted an application (Docket No. CP25-491-000) seeking permission to build and oper  more

HARTFORD, Connecticut, July 15 -- Gov. Ned Lamont, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Lamont Announces State Grants To Protect 2,270 Acres of Open Space and Create Six New Community Green Spaces * (HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is awarding $14.3 million in state funding to aid in the purchase and protection of more than 2,270 acres of open space through 25 properties in 22 towns and cities across Connecticut. Additio  more

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Griffith Announces $300,000 USDA Grant to Turman Forest Products, Inc. * The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Turman Forest Products, Inc., based in Bedford County, Virginia, a $300,000 grant. The funding supports upgrades to a mill debarker. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: "Wood innovations grants help local timber businesses meet deman  more

BOONE, North Carolina, July 18 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release: * * * Host of organizations strongly oppose privatization of the Tennessee Valley Authority: Public power belongs to the people * Tennessee Valley -- Following recent public concern that the administration may be working to replace the Tennessee Valley Authority's CEO with pro-privatization leadership, Energy Alabama, Appalachian Voices, Sierra Club, Third Act Tennessee, Sunrise   more

WASHINGTON, July 18 [Category: Environment] -- The Sierra Club posted the following news release: * * * Host of organizations strongly oppose privatization of the Tennessee Valley Authority: Public power belongs to the people * Tennessee Valley -- Following recent public concern that the administration may be working to replace the Tennessee Valley Authority's CEO with pro-privatization leadership, Energy Alabama, Appalachian Voices, Sierra Club, Third Act Tennessee, Sunrise Movement Nashvil  more

RUSTON, Louisiana, July 16 -- Louisiana Tech University issued the following news: * * * LA Tech accepts invitation to join Sun Belt Conference Louisiana Tech University has officially accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference, a move that will renew rivalries and provide a better competitive experience for Bulldogs and Lady Techsters. The Sun Belt Board of Directors, which includes the presidents of the 13 conference member institutions, voted unanimously to invite Louisiana Te  more

BOONE, North Carolina, July 16 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release: * * * Lee County passes resolution supporting black lung benefit increases * July 16, 2025 CONTACT Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org Jonesville, Va. -- Last night, Lee County supervisors passed a resolution urging U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith and U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to support legislation increasing black lung benefits. Kaine a  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 18 -- Gov. Josh Stein, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release on July 17, 2025: * * * Governor Stein Announces More Than $11 Million for Great Trails State Program Projects in Western North Carolina Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded more than $11 million authorized by the General Assembly in grants to communities and nonprofits in western North Carolina from Great Trails State Progr  more

WACO, Texas, July 15 [Category: Sports] -- The American Football Coaches Association posted the following news: * * * Record-breaking 197 student-athletes nominated to the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team(r) * Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association today announced a record-breaking 197 nominees for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team(r), the highest in the award's 34-year history. College football student-athletes and head coaches from all levels of the sport are recogni  more

WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Rep. Riley M. Moore, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Moore Amendment Restores Funding for Appalachian Regional Commission in Annual Funding Bill * Washington, D.C. - Last night, Congressman Riley M. Moore's amendment to restore critical funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was adopted by the full House Appropriations Committee. This important regional commission, which provides vital resources for West Virginia, receives   more

COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, July 18 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release: * * * Tennessee Tech breaks all-time record for research funding, reaching nearly $48 million for fiscal year 2025 By Jonathan Frank Tennessee Tech University set an all-time record for externally funded research for the fifth year in a row, according to university administrators. The university topped $47.9 million in externally funded research for fiscal year 2025, supported by 193 rese  more

BOONE, North Carolina, July 18 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release: * * * Trump administration rubber stamps bankrupt coal company's encroachment into Monongahela National Forest * Today, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement determined that a bankrupt coal company with a long history of regulatory violations has the right to haul coal through the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Richmond, Virginia-based South Fork  more

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, July 18 -- The University of Tennessee's Institute of Agriculture issued the following news release: * * * $500,000 ARC Grant Supports Growth of Tennessee RiverLine in Appalachian Communities A Total Investment of $1 Million Will Strengthen the Rivertowns Program, Support Tourism Planning and Expand Access To Outdoor Recreation * KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee RiverLine has received a $500,000 planning grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to strengthen its  more

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia, July 16 -- West Virginia Wesleyan College posted the following news: * * * WVWC Community Remembers Dr. Bert Popson, Long-time Physics Professor * BUCKHANNON, West Virginia - The West Virginia Wesleyan College community is mourning the sudden loss of Dr. George Albert "Bert" Popson Jr., Department of Physics and Engineering chair and long-time professor for nearly 36 years. Popson passed away July 14, 2025. Popson, originally from Kittanning, Pennsylvania, earned  more