WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The CNMI Growers Association, a pro-America First organization advocating for U.S. interests in the Pacific, has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding its request for information on offshore critical minerals leasing in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The comment highlights the association's strong support for advancing deep-sea mining operations as part of the broader initiative to secure essential mineral  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- AcademyHealth has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), urging the agency to extend its data collection authority and federal investment in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). This system is crucial for monitoring health outcomes for mothers and infants across the United States, and the organization asserts that sustaining its support is essential for informed health policy and program development.   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Vinessa Duenas, an apprentice traditional CHamoru healer and archaeological curation specialist, has expressed strong opposition in a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding a proposed mineral lease sale covering 35 million acres of ocean in the Northern Mariana Islands. The letter supports Resolution No. 132-38, which calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining in the region. Duenas articulated her connection  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Broward County (Florida) Mayor Beam Furr has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), expressing strong opposition to the potential inclusion of new offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of Florida as part of the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The letter highlights that the local economy is significantly reliant on clean beaches, healthy ecosystems, and a thriving tourism industry. With an  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The Center for Reproductive Rights has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urging the continuation of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Despite its critical role in collecting data on maternal health behaviors and experiences in the U.S., the program faces significant challenges due to staffing reductions and concerns over data accessibility. Since its inception in 1987, PRAMS has provided invaluable   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, advocating for the three-year continuation of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, commonly known as PRAMS. This data collection is viewed as a critical resource for supporting maternal and child health research and public health initiatives across the United States. PRAMS serves as a unique tool that offers invaluable insights  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Jeffrey J. Smith, chief financial officer at CorTrust Bank, Mitchell, South Dakota, has issued a public comment letter urging the U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service to enhance guidance related to the Agricultural Conservation Reserve Enhancement (ACRE) program. The bank emphasizes that adjustments to the tax exemption provisions could crucially lower interest rates for farmers and ranchers, thereby benefiting local economies. In the letter, CorTrust   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- EHY Consulting LLC has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding the acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in clinical settings. The letter responds to HHS's Request for Information on integrating AI into healthcare, outlining key challenges, recommendations, and actionable insights. The letter highlights the need for cohesive governance structures to address the various risks associated with AI in heal  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Holly Shulman, a retired federal statistician who worked for over 38 years in the Division of Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control, has called for the extension of data collection authority for the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for an additional three years, as it is set to expire on March 31, 2026. The public comment letter was addressed to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the CDC, where the  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Madonna Mooney, Co-founder of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Maine, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging a three-year extension of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), which is set to expire on March 31, 2026. The organization emphasizes that PRAMS data is crucial for understanding prenatal alcohol exposure and improving maternal child health in the United States. In the letter, Mooney highligh  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco and Stanford University are urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration not to grant Swedish Match U.S.A., Inc. permission to market 20 flavored ZYN nicotine pouches with the contentious modified risk claim that suggests using ZYN instead of cigarettes reduces the risk of serious health issues such as mouth cancer and heart disease. The organizations have expressed concern that this claim could mislead consumers i  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging the agency to reject Swedish Match U.S.A. Inc.'s application to market 20 flavored ZYN nicotine pouches with a modified risk claim. The claim suggests that using ZYN instead of traditional cigarettes presents lower risks for serious health issues, including cancer and heart disease. The letter outlines serious concerns reg  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The Gallatin Yellowstone Wilderness Alliance has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Forest Service expressing concerns regarding the agency's plans for post-fire recovery. The organization argues that a proposed nationwide policy could undermine local ecosystems and limit public engagement on such critical environmental issues. The Forest Service's proposed action aims to expedite the removal of fire-killed and damaged trees, with the intent of recovering econo  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Melvin Won Pat-Borja, executive director of the Commission on Decolonization, established by the 24th Guam Legislature in 1997, is urging the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to reconsider a proposed commercial lease for deep-sea minerals located in the Outer Continental Shelf near the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In a public comment letter submitted to BOEM, the COD expressed serious concerns regarding the potential environmental and cultural impact of   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Guam Sen. Therese M. Terlaje has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, expressing firm opposition to any proposals for Deep-Sea Mining in and around the Marianas Archipelago. The letter highlights deep concerns over the potential environmental and cultural impacts such activities may have on the region, stating that such proposals are seen as a continuation of centuries of colonial exploitation. The advocate, who identifies as a nativ  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Illuminate Colorado has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasizing the vital role of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) in enhancing maternal and infant health outcomes. The organization underscores that PRAMS provides essential, jurisdiction-specific data that fills critical gaps absent from traditional records and health care administrative sources. This data is crucial for understanding diverse  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service expressing serious concerns regarding the practice of post-fire salvage logging and its negative impacts on forest ecosystems. The letter emphasizes a growing consensus among fire ecologists that such logging practices do not aid in the recovery of forests but instead hinder ecological regeneration and increase fire hazard. The organization argu  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, a national plaintiffs' firm, has issued a public comment letter to the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts expressing strong opposition to Proposed Rule of Evidence 707. The firm argues that the rule, aimed at regulating evidence generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally flawed and burdensome. According to WKPS, the proposed rule attempts to ensure that AI-create  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The League of American Bicyclists has submitted a public comment letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), urging the agency to prioritize improvements to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). The organization emphasizes the importance of robust data collection in efforts to enhance traffic safety, particularly for bicyclists, as recent reports indicate alarming increases in fatalities among bike riders across the United States. In its  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- LifeNet Health, a not-for-profit organization committed to restoring health and providing quality care, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding proposed payment rules impacting cellular and tissue-based products (CTPs), commonly known as skin substitutes. The organization is seeking adjustments to upcoming policies to enhance patient access to critical treatments for chronic wound care. In the letter, LifeNet H  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The Matua Council for Native Chamorro Advancement has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, voicing strong opposition to the proposed commercial leasing for Outer Continental Shelf minerals offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The letter highlights the council's concerns regarding environmental risks, lack of informed consent, and inadequate health and economic security measures. The Matua Council asserts that th  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Camarin Teresa "Cami" Diaz Egurrola, an Indigenous Chamoru photographer from the Mariana Islands and Director of Communications for the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance, has submitted a public comment letter to the Government Accountability Office expressing opposition to deep seabed mining in the Mariana Islands archipelago. The organization emphasizes the potential ecological risks and cultural implications of such industrial activity in an area that is already vulne  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Gulf Coast organizations have expressed strong opposition to proposed oil and gas lease sales in the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Draft Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. This public comment letter highlights significant environmental, health, and economic concerns stemming from further offshore development in the Gulf of Mexico. The coalition, which includes various environmental and community advocacy groups, argues that the  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The Petrova Experience LLC, a Brooklyn-based firm specializing in passenger experience design, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, outlining innovative concepts for revitalizing Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The firm emphasizes the need for a "bold" reimagining of the airport that meets the evolving expectations of travelers while integrating modern technologies and design principles. The letter details three co  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management expressing strong opposition to the Draft Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The board highlighted their particular concern regarding the inclusion of multiple California OCS Planning Areas in the draft program aimed at oil and gas leasing. Officials from San Mateo County, representing a coa  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Amy Lansky, a health scientist who worked for more than 30 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sent the agency a public comment letter advocating for the continuation of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). The comment highlights the critical role PRAMS plays in enhancing maternal and infant health through data collection and analysis, underscoring the importance of extending this program for an additional three years. The lett  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Karen L., Probert, executive director of the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expressing strong support for the continuation of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). The letter was submitted in response to the CDC's request for approval to extend data collection for PRAMS, which is set to expire on March 31, 2026. ASPHN represents over 900 public healt  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Kristin Rankin, a Research Assistant Professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocating for the essential continuation of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) as a fully-funded federal-state partnership. The letter, authored b  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- Union University has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education addressing necessary updates to the Accreditation Handbook. As a private, nonprofit, Christian university located in Jackson, Tennessee, Union University is committed to representing the perspectives of small, religious, mission-driven institutions. The university's input aims to enhance the Department's understanding of the unique challenges these institutions face in the accreditat  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Arden Handler, Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and a former director of the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calling for a three-year extension of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, which is set to expire on March 31, 2026. The correspondence emphasizes the critical role that PRAMS plays in the landscape  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The Urban Institute, a nonprofit research and policy organization, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in support of the proposed three-year extension of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data collection. The letter, addressed to Acting Director James O'Neill, underscores the vital role that PRAMS plays in improving maternal and infant health across the United States. The letter emphasizes PRAMS as   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Visium, a company specializing in environmental protection through ultraviolet technology, has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, advocating for clearer standards and classifications for UVC devices, particularly in the Far-UVC range. The letter by Janet Price, a microbiologist and Chief Science Officer at Visium, highlights the need for comprehensive evaluation methods and microbial sensitivity data to support the safe use of UVC in m  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, highlights the necessity of adopting environmental DNA (eDNA) technology for enhancing marine biodiversity conservation efforts, particularly in the Ocean Twilight Zone. This oceanic region, spanning depths of approximately 200 to 1,000 meters, is critical for global carbon sequestration and marine ecosystem health. Despit  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Tessa Aguerro, a 16-year-old CHamoru from San Antonio, Texas, has issued a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management expressing deep concerns over the proposed deep sea mining activities that threaten the Mariana Islands and Indigenous culture. Aguerro highlights the critical need to protect the cultural heritage and environmental stability of these islands, which hold significant value for her and many others. In her letter, Aguerro reflects on her c  more