WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The American Action Forum issued the following commentary on Jan. 8, 2026: * * * Virginia's New Data Center Electricity Rate Class By Shuting Pomerleau and Irene Ko Executive Summary * Virginia's State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved a new electricity rate for large-scale customers, notably artificial intelligence (AI) data centers; starting in January 2027, affected customers must pay for at least 85 percent of contracted distribution and transmission demand  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary: * * * Right-to-Work States Dominate U-Haul Growth Index By John Kartch Right-to-Work states dominated the U-Haul Growth Index released this week. Americans are moving to Right-to-Work states and moving away from forced unionism states: -Among the top ten growth states in the U-Haul index, nine have a Right-to-Work law that protects workers from being forced to pay dues to union bosses as a condition of employmen  more

BOONE, North Carolina, Jan. 8 [Category: Sociological] -- Appalachian Voices posted the following news release: * * * Appalachian Voices and Google collaborate to develop community resilience hubs in Southwest Virginia * NORTON, Va. Appalachian Voices and Google are excited to announce a collaboration to install solar and energy storage technology to create community resilience hubs in the towns of Duffield and Dungannon in Southwest Virginia. Google awarded grant funding to Appalachian Voic  more

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Jan. 8 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Taft, a law firm, issued the following news: * * * Bilott Speaking at Two North Carolina Screenings of GenX Documentary Premiere * Taft's Rob Bilott will be speaking at Chapel Hill, NC, on Jan. 14 and Durham, NC, on Jan. 15 for the pre-screenings of the documentary " GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals! " Learn more here. Dubbed by The New York Times Magazine as " The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare " in an article publi  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Introducing Bicameral Legislation to Deport and Denaturalize Fraudsters Following Minnesota Somali Schemes * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced the Fraud Accountability Act, which would explicitly add fraud as a deportable offense under the Immigration and   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Rep. Earl L. Carter, R-Georgia, issued the following news release: * * * Carter, Blackburn Lead Colleagues in Introducing Bicameral Legislation to Deport and Denaturalize Fraudsters Following Minnesota Somali Schemes * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) today introduced the House of Representative's companion to U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn's (R-TN) Fraud Accountability Act, which would explicitly add fraud as a deportable offense under the Immigrati  more

DURHAM, North Carolina, Jan. 8 -- North Carolina Central University issued the following news: * * * Cisco Invests Again in NCCU * Cisco has expanded its support of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) through a new investment that strengthens NCCU's innovative work in technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and student success. This latest commitment builds on the more than $9 million in previous cash and in-kind contributions Cisco has made to NCCU in recent years. Recent   more

ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia posted the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026: * * * Cocaine trafficker who distributed millions of dollars of illegal drugs sentenced to federal prison Maurice Lynch has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a nationwide cocaine trafficking conspiracy, during which he sold approximately two million dollars' worth of cocaine from a Fairburn, Georgia residence. "Lynch was part o  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Rep. Don Davis, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Don Davis Honors the Life of Governor Jim Hunt * WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) honored the life of former North Carolina Governor James "Jim" Baxter Hunt Jr. on the House Floor. Governor Hunt, a constituent of Congressman Davis, served as North Carolina's 69th and 71st governor and was the state's longest-serving governor, remembered for modernizing North Carolina's e  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 -- Rep. Don Davis, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Don Davis Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Farmers and Strengthen Rural Communities in Eastern North Carolina * WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Roll-Over Prevention and Safety (ROPS) Act, legislation that would help farmers retrofit tractors with rollover protection structures, one of the most effe  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Rep. Don Davis, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Don Davis Votes to Advance $5.36 Million for Eastern North Carolina Water Infrastructure and Public Safety * WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) voted to pass a bipartisan package of Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills covering Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, and Energy-Water. The legislation advances six of Congressman Davis' Community Project Funding pri  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Rep. Don Davis, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Don Davis Votes to Lower Healthcare Costs for Eastern North Carolina Families * WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement after voting to extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced Premium Tax Credits to lower healthcare costs for more than 69,000 residents of North Carolina's First Congressional District facing higher insurance premiums. "Famili  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Jan. 8 -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release: * * * Dry conditions widespread across North Carolina * Dry conditions are widespread in North Carolina, according to the latest update from the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council, released on Thursday. All or parts of 32 counties in central and western North Carolina are considered in severe drought, or D2 conditions. Another 53 counties of the state  more

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Jan. 9 -- Duke Energy issued the following news release: * * * Duke Energy Foundation launches America250 grant opportunity for nonprofits in six states * Foundation kicks off America250 with a more than $1 million investment in its communities * Grants will support local projects that empower veterans, enhance shared green spaces and expand access to history and civics education * In honor of America's upcoming 250th anniversary, the Duke Energy Foundation is i  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 [Category: Political] -- EMILYs List issued the following news release: * * * EMILYs List Endorses Four Women in Critical Pickup Opportunities for the North Carolina General Assembly * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today EMILYs List, the nation's largest resource for women in politics, is expanding our slate of endorsements in the 2026 North Carolina state legislative races. EMILYs List President Jessica Mackler released the following statement: "In North Carolina, Democratic women  more

BOILING SPRINGS, North Carolina, Jan. 9 -- Gardner-Webb University issued the following news: * * * Gardner-Webb PA Students Advance Their Clinical Training at World Renowned MD Anderson Immersive Experience Helps Students Become More Skilled, Compassionate, and Career Ready Providers * For the sixth year in a row, Physician Assistant (PA) students from Gardner-Webb University have been selected for clinical rotations at one of the world's most respected providers of cancer patient care. Fr  more

DENVER, Colorado, Jan. 8 -- Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Polis Applauds U.S. House For Supporting Extension of Federal Health Care Tax Credits; Senate Must Now Act to Protect Coloradans From Skyrocketing Costs * DENVER \- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives took an important bipartisan step toward extending the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs), which expired at the end of 2025, advancing legislation that   more

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Jan. 9 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release: * * * Scientists Find More Active Black Holes in Dwarf and Milky Way-sized Galaxies By Cutting Through Glare of Star Formation A new census of more than 8,000 galaxies finds active black holes rising in frequency with galaxy mass, jumping sharply in galaxies similar in mass to the Milky Way * Astronomers have completed the most comprehensive census of active galactic nuclei  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * House Passes Congresswoman Ross Community Projects, including $6.2 Million In Funding For Wake County * Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a partial appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2026, including $6.2 million in federal funding for Wake County community projects secured by Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02). If approved by the Senate and signed into law by the President, t  more

HIGH POINT, North Carolina, Jan. 8 -- High Point University issued the following news release: * * * HPU Welcomes Nearly 33,000 Community Members for Christmas Drive * HIGH POINT, N.C., Jan. 8, 2026 - Nearly 33,000 community members enjoyed the sights and sounds of the holiday season while driving through High Point University's campus during HPU's 14th annual Christmas Drive celebration. This marks the largest number of guests to attend an HPU Christmas community event since the universit  more

DURHAM, North Carolina, Jan. 8 -- North Carolina Central University issued the following news: * * * Improving Mental Health Counseling for K-12 * An assistant professor in counselor education plans to use a grant to understand and assist mental health clinicians in K-12 schools. On Oct. 10, Taheera Blount, Ph.D., received a grant of $83,634, which originated with the National Institutes of Health and was awarded through the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) at North Carolin  more

NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, Jan. 8 [Category: BizHealth & Beauty] -- Johnson and Johnson posted the following news release: * * * Johnson & Johnson Reaches Agreement with U.S. Government to Improve Access to Medicines and Lower Costs for Millions of Americans; Delivers on U.S. Manufacturing and Innovation Investments * New Brunswick, N.J. - JANUARY 8, 2026 - Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) (the "Company"), healthcare's leading, most comprehensive innovation powerhouse, today announced a volunta  more

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Jan. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina posted the following news release: * * * Member of Drug Trafficking Organization Known As "Getting Money Brothers" Found Guilty By Federal Jury Four Other Members Have Pleaded Guilty to Drug Charges * A federal jury in Charlotte convicted Kareem Hicks, 45, and a member of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) known as "Getting Money Brothers" (GMB), of possession with intent to di  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Rep. Gregory Murphy, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Murphy Statement on Passage of Temporary, COVID-era Obamacare Subsidies * Washington, D.C. Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., issued the following statement in response to the passage of H.R. 1834, extending temporary, COVID-era Obamacare subsidies: "As a physician of 35 years, I have dedicated my life to serving others, primarily those in rural and underserved communities," said Congressman G  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Jan. 9 -- The North Carolina State Treasurer issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2026: * * * Department of State Treasurer Announces Early Availability of Year-end Tax Documentation for 397,584 Retirees The North Carolina Retirement Systems (NCRS) has released 397,584 electronic 1099R and W2 tax documents for retirees and benefit recipients - well ahead of the statutory Jan. 31 deadline. By law, NCRS must generate and distribute these tax forms each year. T  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: * * * Little Goes a Long Way: How Small Programs Are Educating Communities About Farmed Seafood Innovative aquaculture education projects are finding new ways to connect communities to seafood. * The eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants Program is a collaboration between NOAA and the North American Association for Environmental Education. It empowers communities to deepen their understand  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 [Category: Media] -- National Religious Broadcasters issued the following news release: * * * NRB Welcomes Forty-Five New Members * WASHINGTON, D.C. (NRB) - The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the world's largest association of Chr is tian communicators, was delighted to welcome 45 new organizations and individuals who joined the association in the fourth quarter of 2025. "As we closed out the year, it was encouraging to see the strength and momentum of the NRB co  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (TNSrpt) -- The American Association for Justice issued the following news release: * * * Outdated Auto Insurance Minimums Leave Taxpayers, Victims with Collision Costs New AAJ Research Shows Auto Insurance Profits Skyrocketing While Taxpayers & Families are Left High and Dry After a Crash * The American Association for Justice (AAJ) released new research today highlighting the potential cost to taxpayers and financial devastation car collision victims and survivor famili  more

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina, Jan. 9 -- Methodist University issued the following news: * * * Part 3 of a 4-Part Series: Why Choose Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine? One of the biggest factors that comes with choosing a medical school is cost. It is a major investment in a student's future career, but financial stress should not be a barrier between students and their goals. At the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine (SOM), applic  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * Real Housewives of Eastern Northern Carolina: Chaotic Republican Primary in NC-01 Kicks Off With Messy "He Said, She Said" * While Congressman Davis continues to bring home historic federal funding to Eastern North Carolina, Republicans are busy squabbling like children over a toy. DCCC Spokesperson Madison Andrus : "All Republicans have to offer North Carolina voters is person  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Rep. Alma S. Adams, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Adams Votes for Bipartisan ACA Tax Credit Renewal, Lowering Healthcare Costs for Charlotte-Mecklenburg * WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) released a statement following her vote to restore the bipartisan Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. This follows Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries's successful discharge petition to bring the tax cr  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the following news release: * * * Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Exposes Over 50% of North Carolina Trucking Licensees for Foreigners Were Issued Illegally * The Department will withhold nearly $50 million in federal funding if North Carolina fails to revoke licenses issued illegally to foreign drivers WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today exposed that 54% of North Carolina'  more

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina, Jan. 8 -- The University of North Carolina-Asheville issued the following news on Jan. 7, 2026: * * * UNC Asheville Education Professor and Fulbright Scholar selected for prestigious AASCU Department Chair Leadership Institute UNC Asheville today announced that Tiece M. Ruffin, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Education, Professor, and U.S. Fulbright Scholar, has been selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)'s D  more

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, Jan. 9 -- The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health issued the following news: * * * Carolina researchers find at-home self-collection testing can expand STI and HPV screening A new study from researchers at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health is highlighting a simple but effective way to improve women's health screenings for women who are often missed by traditional programs. The study "Streamlined Self Collection Scre  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Jan. 8 -- The Wake Technical Community College issued the following news on Jan. 7, 2026: * * * Spring Enrollment Hits Record High Wake Tech kicked off the Spring semester Wednesday with record-breaking enrollment, as more students choose the college to pursue their educational and career goals. Wake Tech welcomed more than 27,000 degree-seeking students for the first day of classes - an increase of more than 9% compared to this time last year. The total includes nea  more

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Jan. 8 -- Yale University issued the following news: * * * Yale School of Medicine Gifted $3 Million from Physician Couple to Establish Endowed Professorship and to Advance Research in Multiple Sclerosis By Julia Chianelli, MS Betsy Coward Phillips, MD, and Herb Phillips, MD, JD, have always been inspired by the words of the fictional boxer, Rocky Balboa: "Life ain't about how hard you can hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." Both have em  more