WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism released the following testimony by author David Baldacci a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, from a July 16, 2025, hearing entitled "Too Big to Prosecute?: Examining the AI Industry's Mass Ingestion of Copyrighted Works for AI Training": * * * Mark Twain once said that travel is fatal to prejudice, meaning if you meet people where they live, you find out they're just like you. However, I had no chance   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The REAL LIFE Program, Richmond, Virginia, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services advocating for extensive reforms in opioid prescription practices. The organization's founder and director has expressed deep concerns regarding the proposed rule, which pertains to the Calendar Year 2026 Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the full implementation of the NOPAIN Act. In the letter, the organization highlights the urgent nee  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- West Virginia Rivers Coalition has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior expressing strong opposition to the agency's proposed revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations. In their comments, WV Rivers argues that the interim final rule outlined by the department would undermine informed decision-making and limit public engagement in critical environmental assessments. The organization emphasizes tha  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- Blue Nose Aerial Imaging, a small business franchise serving Southwest Virginia, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the Section 232 national security investigation into the importation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their components. The owner of the franchise articulated several issues affecting the operational viability of small businesses that rely on drones for essential services. In the letter, the franchise owner em  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The Service-Disabled Veteran Medical Products Group (SDV-MPG), a trade association based in Virginia representing veteran-owned businesses, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) addressing issues related to the implementation of Executive Order 14265, which aims to modernize defense acquisitions. The SDV-MPG highlights a troubling 40 percent drop in the number of small businesses engaging with the DoD over the past decade, attributin  more

NORFOLK, Virginia, Aug. 9 [Category: Animals] -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release: * * * Update: PETA Protestors Cited for Having 7-Foot Talking Bear at Gatlinburg Park * Gatlinburg, Tenn. - Earlier today, PETA supporters gathered at Freenotes Harmony Park in Gatlinburg as part of a weeklong tour warning kind people away from Three Bears General Store, where twin black bears Daisy and River are confined 24/7 to a barren concrete pit. During the pr  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, Aug. 9 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Commonwealth University issued the following news: * * * VCU study identifies potential therapeutic strategy for treating cocaine use disorder By uncovering molecular clues about the brain's reward system, researchers see a path to keep two key proteins functioning properly. By Olivia Trani A research team led by Virginia Commonwealth University has gained new insights into the molecular mechanisms that cause cocaine use disorder, identifying   more

RICHMOND, Virginia, Aug. 9 -- Virginia Commonwealth University issued the following news: * * * From fashion to funk, virtual lecture series explores Afrofuturism In a six-part exclusive on Audible, VCU's Grace Gipson gives shape to how a movement has influenced our culture. By Sian Wilkerson In an exclusive original series on the Audible podcast platform, a Virginia Commonwealth University educator allows listeners to embrace a movement that ranges from pioneering writer W.E.B. DuBois to f  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, Aug. 9 -- Virginia Commonwealth University issued the following news: * * * Research office unveils alum Trinity Rucker's paintings of Nobel Prize winners Rucker, who earned a degree in communication arts, painted portraits of Baruj Benacerraf and John B. Fenn as part of her role as innovator-in-residence in the Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation. By Audrey Alder A case of mistaken identity led to the creation of portraits honoring two Virginia Commo  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The Virginia Association for Biological Farming (VABF) has submitted a public comment letter to the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) regarding proposed revisions to the Conservation Practice Standards identified in Federal Register Docket ID NRCS-2025-0004. VABF, noted as Virginia's leading sustainable agricultural non-governmental organization, represents a community of stakeholders invested in regenerative organic farming practices aimed at enhancing ecolog  more

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Aug. 9 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: * * * Advisor embeds Career Readiness Toolkit into biological systems engineering curriculum By Kelly Shannon Priscilla Baker, undergraduate academic and career advisor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, is helping students better prepare to start their professional careers by embedding Career and Professional Development's Career Readiness Toolkit into core engineering courses. The initiative seeks   more