DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following report: * * * Arkansas Job Openings and Labor Turnover -- August 2025 * Arkansas had 68,000 job openings in August 2025, compared to 70,000 openings in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that the job openings rate in Arkansas was 4.7 per  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news: * * * Army Drone Team Pilots Showcase Speed, Skill in National Competition * The call for drone dominance has taken center stage recently, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announcing an ambitious plan to outfit combat units with tens of thousands of unmanned systems in 2026 and hundreds of thousands more by 2027. Framing this initiative as "adopting new technologies with a fight tonight philosophy so our warfight  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Arrington Leads Bipartisan Charge to Lower Prescription Drug Costs * Washington, D.C. - Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick outlining ways the administration can partner with Congress on pro-competition reforms that lower prescription drug costs for American families. Currently, duplicative and  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Budd Joins Cornyn and GOP Senators to Introduce Back the Blue Act * Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and several of their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Back the Blue Act, which would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. " Every day, the b  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Castro Statement on SCOTUS Ruling on Texas Congressional Maps * December 04, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement: "Donald Trump demanded five congressional seats from Texas. Governor Abbott did what he was told. The conservative Supreme Court sealed the deal. "They can't win by delivering for hardworking Americansso they turn to corru  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Castro, Meeks Introduce Resolution Condemning Trump's Pardon of Notorious Drug Trafficker * December 04, 2025 Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a resolution condemning President Trump's pardon of former Ho  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- The Congressional Black Caucus issued the following news release: * * * CBC Statement on SCOTUS Ruling Upholding Trump-Republican Texas Maps * Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement: "The right-wing supermajority on the Supreme Court has dealt a blow to our democracy by shamefully rubber-stamping President Trump and Governor Abbott's coordinated political scheme to   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025: * * * Chairman Arrington Highlights Strong Economic Momentum and Calls for Health Care Cost Reform on The Faulkner Focus Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) joined Harris Faulkner on Fox News' The Faulkner Focus to discuss the nation's economic progress and the urgent need for health care cost reform. On Republicans deliv  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11672) on Dec. 4, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring 30 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLI  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (TNSFR) -- The Committee is proposing the addition of two items to the federal procurement list. This move is intended to expand employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities by requiring federal government entities to procure supplies and services from qualified nonprofit agencies. The proposal includes one product for the total Government requirement and a specific service that would be mandatory for a single U.S. Air Force installatio  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn Op-Ed: The Energy Capital of the World Needs the Coastal Texas Project * AUSTIN - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the Houston Chronicle on the importance of the Texas Coastal Spine Project for securing America's energy from the threat of hurricanes along the Texas Gulf Coast. The Energy Capital of the World Needs the Coastal Texas Project Senator John Cornyn The Hous  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn, Senate GOP Introduce Back the Blue Act * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and 35 of his Senate Republican colleagues today introduced the Back the Blue Act, which would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves: "Our law enforcement officers bravely risk their lives daily to protect our communities, and any  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: * * * Crapo, Risch Join Cornyn to Introduce Back the Blue Act * Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators for Idaho Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and over 30 of their Senate Republican colleagues to introduce the Back the Blue Act, which would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. "The Back the Blue   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: * * * Despite Media's Claims, ICE Continues to Arrest the Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Murderers, Arsonists, and Child Sexual Predators * 70% of ICE arrests are of criminal illegal aliens charged with or convicted of crimes in the U.S. WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens inc  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken final action to approve several revisions to the regional haze state implementation plans (SIPs) submitted by Oklahoma and Texas, concluding a multi-year effort to satisfy federal requirements for improving visibility in U.S. national parks. The agency approved revisions submitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on March 20, 2014, and July 20, 2021. The TCEQ's plans address requirements unde  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest: * * * Commission meetings and hearings The executive session scheduled for December 2 and the open meeting scheduled for December 4 were canceled. * * * Litigation CREW v. FEC (Case No. 25-04116) On November 24, Plaintiff filed a Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia regarding two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed with th  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Reserve System has received an application from FirstSun Capital Bancorp, Denver, Colorado, to merge with First Foundation Inc., Irving, Texas. This proposed action is one of several corporate applications currently under review by the Federal Reserve that seek approval to become or expand a bank holding company. These applications typically involve a company acquiring the assets, ownership, or control of a bank or existing bank holding company. Pursu  more

DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 5 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release: * * * Fourth Quarter 2025 Dividend * * Bulletin No: 2025-37 The Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) has declared dividends in the form of capital stock on Class B-1 Stock and Class B-2 Stock for the fourth quarter of 2025. The annualized dividend rate on Class B-1 Stock (membership and excess stock) is 4.43   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Dec. 5 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland issued the following news: * * * Hegseth directs task force to oversee department-wide barracks improvement * WASHINGTON - Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed in an Oct. 6 memorandum that a barracks task force be stood up to develop a departmentwide investment plan for barracks improvements and report its progress to him within 30 days. "For far too long, this department has failed too  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news on Dec. 5, 2025: * * * Homeland Republicans Press Apple, Google Over Apps Used to Track Law Enforcement Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Josh Brecheen (R-OK) sent letters to Apple and Google concerning mobile applications that permit users t  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: * * * Illegal border crossings in Big Bend Sector fall significantly in FY 2025 * MARFA, Texas The U.S. Border Patrol's Big Bend Sector reported a significant reduction in apprehensions for illegal border crossings in Fiscal Year 2025, contributing to better operational control of the border. Big Bend Sector recorded 11,823 apprehensions in FY 2023 and 3,096 in FY  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * In Case You Missed It: Capito Joins Cornyn, Colleagues in Introducing Back the Blue Act * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) recently joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and 34 of their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Back the Blue Act, legislation that would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers fand provide ne  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025: * * * Justice Department Requires Divestitures to Proceed with Constellation's Proposed $26.6 Billion Acquisition of Calpine The Justice Department's Antitrust Division, together with the Attorney General of Texas, announced today that it will require divestiture of six power plants in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Texas to resolve antitrust concerns arising from Constellation Energy Corporat  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 6 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025: * * * LCRA awards $4,770 grant to restore water access at Ebony Cemetery, community center Repaired well will provide reliable water for gatherings, cemetery maintenance * MILLS COUNTY, Texas - The Ebony Cemetery Association soon will repair a community water well that serves the Ebony Cemetery and adjacent community center, thanks to a $4,770 grant from the Lower Colorado River Au  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 6 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025: * * * LCRA awards $41,700 grant to Goldthwaite VFD for station expansion Addition will create an enclosed space to protect equipment and improve access to fire trucks * MILLS COUNTY, Texas - The Goldthwaite Volunteer Fire Department soon will expand its fire station to house additional vehicles and firefighting equipment, thanks to a $41,700 grant from the Lower Colorado River Auth  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 6 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025: * * * LCRA, City of Lampasas award $21,568 grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas Funding will help club seal, protect popular Lampasas basketball court * LAMPASAS, Texas - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas soon will seal and improve a much-used basketball court in Lampasas, thanks to a $21,568 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Lampasas. The  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 6 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025: * * * LCRA, City of Lampasas award $50,000 grant for new shade structure at W.M. Brook Park Spring Ho Festival to improve comfort, safety at park playground * LAMPASAS, Texas - The Lampasas Spring Ho Festival soon will purchase and install a shade structure for the playground at W.M. Brook Park, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Lampa  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (Rep.) -- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LEADER JEFFRIES ON BLOOMBERG: "REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS MADE CLEAR THEY HAVE NO INTENTION TO EXTEND THE ACA TAX CREDITS" * Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Bloomberg TV, where he made clear that as Republicans fail to fix their healthcare crisis and unleash extremism on the American people, House Democrats will continue fighting to lower the hi  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LEADER JEFFRIES ON BLOOMBERG: "REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS MADE CLEAR THEY HAVE NO INTENTION TO EXTEND THE ACA TAX CREDITS" * Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Bloomberg TV, where he made clear that as Republicans fail to fix their healthcare crisis and unleash extremism on the American people, House Democrats will continue fighting to lower the high cost of living and prot  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Dec. 5 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the following news release: * * * Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot * The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reports that nearly 950,000 consumers who do not currently have health care coverage through plans in the individual market Marketplace have signed up for coverage in 2026, since the start of the Marketplace Open  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Q&A: Afghan Evacuees * Q: What prompted your oversight of Afghan evacuees paroled into the United States since 2021? A: Following the disastrous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, 13 American families will mourn forever the loss of their loved one when a suicide bomber attacked the airport in Kabul on Aug. 26, 2021, killing 13 U.S. service members, including a 23-year-old Marine who gr  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Crockett's Statement on the Supreme Court's Ruling on Texas's 2026 Map * Washington, D.C.Today, Rep. Crockett released the following statement: "While today's decision from the Supreme Court is disappointing, it's not shocking coming from a MAGA-influenced court. Here's the bottom line: Texans are now being told to vote under maps that a panel of three federal judgesright here in Texassaid w  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Doggett Statement on SCOTUS Decision on Texas Redistricting * Contact: Luis.BFaz@mail.house.gov (link sends email) Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) released the following statement: "I am most appreciative for the opportunity to have represented our community in public office for most of the last 50 yearsappreciative for the support and encouragement of so many neighbors as   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Jackson Introduces Bill to Improve VA Benefits for Cognitive Health * WASHINGTON Yesterday, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the Blast Overpressure Research and Mitigation Task Force Act to establish a Warfighter and Veterans Brain Health Task Force under the Joint Executive Committee (JEC) to coordinate research on cognitive performance, brain protection, and neurological injury reco  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Pfluger Denounces Rise in Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers * WASHINGTON, DC Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, took direct aim at the rising anti-police rhetoric during the full committee hearing, "When Badges Become Targets: How Anti-Law Enforcement Rhetoric Fuels Violence Against Of  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Pfluger, Sen. Scott's Rx for Obamacare: Stop the Government Middleman and Give Families the Power * WASHINGTON, D.C. In an exclusive first reported by Fox News, Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), announced that next week, he will introduce the House companion to Senate Steering Committee Chairman Rick Scott's (R-FL) More Affordable Care Act. This legis  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: * * * Risch, Crapo Join Cornyn to Introduce Back the Blue Act * Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators for Idaho Jim Risch and Mike Crapo joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and over 30 of their Senate Republican colleagues to introduce the Back the Blue Act, which would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. "Any violence or a  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Marshall Cosponsors Legislation to Enhance Officer Safety * Washington - On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Republican colleagues in introducing the Back the Blue Act, sponsored by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) which would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. "Any assaul  more

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 6 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: * * * T-7A Red Hawk Lands at JBSA-Randolph By Capt. Nadia K. Rossin JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - The U.S. Air Force's first T-7A Red Hawk assigned to Air Education and Training Command arrived Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at the 12th Flying Training Wing, marking a major milestone in the modernization of pilot training. The addition of the T-7A marks the beginning of a new e  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025: * * * Texas Businessman Convicted for Scheme to Bribe Mexican Government Officials * A federal jury in Houston convicted a local businessman today for his role in a scheme to bribe Mexican government officials at Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), the state-owned oil company of Mexico, and PEMEX Exploracion y Produccion (PEP), PEMEX's wholly owned exploration and production subsidiary. "Alexan  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Whip Clark on Extending ACA Tax Credits: "We Are Running Against the Clock" * NEW YORK, NY - Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined CNN News Central to discuss Republicans' continued refusal to prevent massive premiums hikes. Below are excerpts from the conversation: On the Administration's Venezuela Boat Strikes: "We need to get the truth to the American people because w  more