WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Twenty attorneys general submitted a public comment letter opposing the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) proposed rescission of regulations concerning nondiscrimination based on sex in education programs that receive federal funding. The coalition asserts that the proposed direct final rule threatens critical affirmative action provisions that empower states to take proactive measures to promote gender equality in educational settings. The public comment letter expresse  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- A coalition of 24 Attorney General offices and state labor departments has registered opposition to a recent public comment letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor concerning a proposed rule that would impact fair labor standards for domestic service workers. This proposal, if enacted, aims to roll back protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for millions of domestic service employees, particularly those in home health care, who have been covered by  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Envoy Medical, a Minnesota-based healthcare company specializing in hearing technology, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding proposed rules for Medicare's Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment systems for the year 2026. The letter outlines the company's recommendations to enhance patient access to innovative hearing solutions, specifically for the   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA Announces Settlement with St. Paul Brass for Alleged Violations of the Clean Air Act in Minnesota * Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with the St. Paul Brass Foundry Co. for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act in March 2023 at a facility at 954 Minnehaha Ave. in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. The settlement will require the com  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Finstad Applauds House Passage of FY26 National Defense Authorization Act * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), member of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement following House passage of H.R. 3838 - the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery (SPEED) and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). Congressman F  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Fischbach staff to hold mobile office hours in Madison - Sept 25 * Staff from the Office of Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach will be holding mobile office hours in Madison on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m at the Madison City Hall (404 6th Avenue North, Madison). The congressional staff will be available to answer constituent questions and take feedback on policy  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- HealthPartners Inc. has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) voicing serious concerns regarding the proposed 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. This letter comes in response to an announcement from HHS outlining the intended program, which purports to create a rebate model aimed at improving the financial landscape for both patients and health care providers under the 340B drug pricing program. The organization operate  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Sept. 11 -- The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued the following agenda items for Sept. 18, 2025: * * * INTRODUCTION DECISION ITEMS 1. Details 2025-189 * P999/PR-25-8 Local Exchange Carriers; Eligible Telecommunications Carriers In the Matter of Annual Certification Related to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers' (ETCs) Use of the Federal Universal Service Support Required Pursuant to C.F.R. 54.313. Does the Commission have sufficient documentation through  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act Passes the Senate * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the bipartisan Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, which they cosponsor, has passed the Senate. The legislation will award three Congressional Gold Medals to members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team to recognize the 45  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, issued the following news release: * * * Senate Passes Bill Recognizing 1980 Miracle on Ice Hockey Team * WASHINGTON - The United States Senate unanimously passed the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act. This legislation honors the 1980 Olympic Men's Hockey Team's improbable victory over the four-time reigning champion Russian Olympic team. Against all odds, the American team of amateur collegiate hockey players defeated the Russian   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release: * * * Thune: Republicans Protect Decades of Senate Precedent on Confirmations * Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune's remarks below (as delivered): "Mr. President, as expected, there has been some Democrat commentary on the process I initiated Monday: a process to restore Sen  more