WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- A coalition of 10 state Attorneys General is urging the U.S. Department of Labor to reconsider its proposed regulations concerning registered apprenticeship programs. In a recent public comment letter, the Attorneys General highlighted concerns over the agency's plans to rescind equal opportunity provisions that protect against discrimination in these programs. The group expressed apprehension regarding the agency's reliance on a recent Supreme Court ruling pertaining to   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- A coalition of 18 State Attorneys General submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education voicing strong opposition to proposed changes to the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program and the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program. The letter outlines concerns that the DOE's new priorities and requirements may undermine the effective provision of mental health services to students in high-need areas. The coalition's l  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- A coalition of 77 economic justice, workers' rights, and gender equity organizations sent a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expressing their strong opposition to proposed rule changes regarding equal employment opportunity (EEO) regulations affecting registered apprenticeship programs. The proposed rule, titled "Prohibiting Illegal Discrimination in Registered Apprenticeship Programs," aims to amend existing regulations that have been establis  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The American Geriatrics Society, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor in strong opposition to a proposed rule concerning the Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Domestic Service. This rule would exempt home care workers from receiving the federal minimum wage and overtime protections that are crucial for their livelihoods. The society expresses deep concern that finalizing this rule may revert to outdated interpretation  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- Caring Majority Rising, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expressing strong opposition to a proposed rule that seeks to eliminate federal minimum wage and overtime protections for nearly 4 million home care workers. The organization, representing older adults, disabled individuals, family caregivers, and home care workers across New York State, is urging the DOL to uphold the 2013 Final Home Care Rule. The proposed rule   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- Chobani LLC, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressing concerns regarding the agency's proposed rule titled "Food Labeling: Front-of-Package Nutrition Information." The company, a leading provider of yogurt and dairy products, emphasizes its commitment to making nutritious foods accessible while advocating for clearer labeling standards. In its correspondence, Chobani highlights the necessity for a front-of-p  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- Danone U.S., White Plains, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging improvements to front-of-package nutrition labeling. The company, known for its commitment to health-forward food products, emphasizes the growing consumer demand for clearer labeling that can guide healthier choices. In its letter, Danone highlights the importance of a standardized and interpretive front-of-package labeling (FOPL) scheme that a  more

ALBANY, New York, Sept. 6 -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the following news release: * * * DEC Issues Update on Ischua Creek Water Quality * The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is continuing its comprehensive investigation into water quality impacts to Ischua Creek in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, following reports on August 26, 2025, of a large fish and wildlife die-off. "DEC took immediate action to address water q  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (TNSFR) -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration has published a notice concerning petitions received under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The Program offers a system of compensation for individuals who have been injured by specific childhood vaccines. Individuals who seek compensation must file a petition with the United States Court of Federal Claims and provide a copy to the Secretary of HHS, who deleg  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The Milbank Memorial Fund, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the "Calendar Year 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule," emphasizing the need to bolster primary care within the Medicare framework. The organization, dedicated to improving population health and health equity, has highlighted the pressing challenges facing primary care in the United States, which it argues are undermining the e  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (TNSdok) -- A public hearing and information forum will be held by the New York State Public Service Commission, Albany, on October 8, 2025, regarding the Finger Lakes Area Infrastructure Reliability Project. New York State Electric & Gas Corp., Binghamton, seeks authorization to construct, operate and maintain the project, which involves rebuilding its existing Line 982 transmission line. The application is officially titled "Application of New York State Electric & Gas Corp  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- The National Employment Law Project, New York, and former OSHA Administrator and MSHA Deputy Administrator Douglas L. Parker submitted a public comment letter to the Mine Safety and Health Administration opposing its proposed rules that would restrict the agency's ability to approve mine plans for roof control, ventilation, and training. The comments assert that the proposals are not required by law, are vague, and diminish the health and safety of miners, a question that   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The National Employment Law Project, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expressing strong opposition to a proposed rule that seeks to eliminate essential color coding standards designed to mark physical hazards in industries such as textiles, sawmills, and shipyards. This proposal, part of docket OSHA-2025-0009, raises significant safety concerns, according to NELP, an organization that has advocated   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The National Employment Law Project, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor in response to a proposed rule that seeks to eliminate the merit staffing requirement for Employment Service (ES) programs under the Wagner-Peyser Act. NELP argues that this change could compromise the quality and effectiveness of employment services for millions of Americans seeking jobs. In its letter, NELP contends that removing the merit-based staffing   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expressing deep concerns regarding the proposed modifications to regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Society fears that these changes could hinder the ability of individuals with disabilities to secure employment with federal contractors. The Society highlighted the numerous barriers faced by individuals liv  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service is reviewing 30 properties that have been nominated for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the nation's list of cultural resources considered worthy of preservation. Its purpose is to recognize properties for their historical relevance, to provide recognition of their importance to the country's heritage and to encourage their preservation. Nomin  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The New York Health Foundation has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expressing support for a proposed rule aimed at establishing a mandatory front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling system. This initiative, intended to address dietary health, particularly emphasizes transparency for nutrients such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, which are linked to dietary diseases affecting many Americans. In its commentary, NYHealth  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- The New York University School of Law Institute for Policy Integrity at has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding a proposed regulation to introduce front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling. This initiative aims to provide consumers with clearer information about key nutrients, thereby encouraging healthier dietary choices. Policy Integrity, a non-partisan think tank that focuses on improving government decision-making, com  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46234) on July 16, 2025, entitled "School Meals and Other Child Nutrition Programs: Background and Funding" by social policy analyst Kara Clifford Billings. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The federal government has a long history of investing in programs for feeding children, starting with federal aid for school lunch programs in the 1930s. Today, federal child nutrition programs support f  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46234) on July 16, 2025, entitled "School Meals and Other Child Nutrition Programs - Background and Funding:" (Continued from part 1 of 4) * * * National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) NSLP and SBP (the school meals programs) provide federal support for meals served in more than 90,000 public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide./58 They als  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The New York Farm Bureau has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor expressing strong support for the proposed rescission of the final rule aimed at improving protections for workers in temporary agricultural employment. NYFB, which represents farmers across various commodities in New York State, emphasizes that a stable and healthy workforce is essential for the survival and success of agricultural operations. The organization criticized the fi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL33487) on Sept. 5, 2025, entitled "Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy" by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy Since the December 2024 collapse of the government of Bashar Al Asad, Syrians have pursued political and economic opportunities created by the end of the country's twelve-year civil war. Inter  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL33487) on Sept. 5, 2025, entitled "Syria - Transition and U.S. Policy:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * U.S. Sanctions and Syria From 1979 to 2024, the United States placed a broad array of sanctions on the government of Syria, Syrian entities and individuals, and third parties supporting certain Syrian government activities. The United States also imposed targeted sanctions on terrorist  more