STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania, Feb. 19 -- AccuWeather, a provider of commercial weather forecasting services, issued the following news release: * * * Elevated Spring Wildfire Risk as Drought Conditions Expand Across the U.S. Expanding drought conditions across more than 45 percent of the contiguous United States are rapidly increasing the risk of wildfires as spring approaches, according to AccuWeather long-range experts. "There is no true wildfire season in America anymore. If vegetation dri  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, Feb. 18 -- The University of Nebraska posted the following news: * * * Biography spotlights Virginia Faulkner's legacy at Nebraska Press * A decade ago, the University of Nebraska Press published a list of its 75 most significant books for its 75th anniversary. At number one, above books by Mari Sandoz, Ted Kooser, even Willa Cather -"Roundup: A Nebraska Reader," compiled and edited by Virginia Faulkner in 1957. Notably, the list is in chronological order by publication   more

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, Feb. 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued the following news: * * * Delivering deterrence: Sentinel restructure to complete in 2026; initial capability timeline set * In direct response to the 2026 National Defense Strategy 's call for urgency and speed, the U.S. Air Force rolled out its plan for the LGM-35A Sentinel program, which will deliver the nation's next-generation, modernized, land-based nuclear deterrent to America's warfighters.   more

HELENA, Montana, Feb. 18 -- Gov. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * Gov. Gianforte Praises Strong State Response During 2025 Fire Season * DNRC kept 94 percent of wildland fires to 10 acres or fewer * February 18 2026 HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today praised The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) for its response during the 2025 fire season, keeping 94 percent of fires under its direct protection to 10 acres or f  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairwoman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2026: * * * ICYMI: MURKOWSKI LEADS HEARING HIGHLIGHTING NATIVE 8(a) PROGRAM'S PROVEN IMPACT ON NATIVE COMMUNITIES U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led an oversight hearing titled: "Economic Self-Determination in Action: Examining the Small Business Administration Native 8(a) Program."   more

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 19 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Hanaway Supports Challenge To Biden-Era Abortion Drug Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in filing a brief in support of Louisiana's lawsuit challenging a Biden-era overreaching rule that expanded access to abortion drugs through mail and telehealth, despite contrary state laws. "I am proud to stan  more

BOZEMAN, Montana, Feb. 19 -- Montana State University issued the following news: * * * Montana State undergraduates voice opinions to help shape next strategic plan Frankie Beer, MSU News Service Tuesday afternoon marked Montana State University's first listening session to help define its next strategic plan. The first session focused on undergraduate students, who were invited to the Strand Union Building to suggest ideas they would like to see incorporated into MSU's vision for the future  more

BOZEMAN, Montana, Feb. 19 -- Montana State University issued the following news: * * * Montana State University Extension trainers recognized for pesticide education impacts Two Montana State University Extension trainers have been recognized by the MSU Extension Pesticide Education Program for exceptional efforts educating agricultural producers, land managers and pesticide applicators, as well as promoting the proper use of pesticides to protect public health and the environment. The MSU P  more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Feb. 19 -- The National Federation of State High School Associations issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2026: * * * High School Flag Football Revisions Include Opportunity for Scoring Team to Retain Possession of the Ball if Trailing in Score In its first meeting to address rules changes in the sport, the NFHS Flag Football Rules Committee approved eight changes to the initial set of rules developed last year. All revisions recommended by the NFHS Flag Footb  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations released the following written testimony by Jeff Trandahl, CEO of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, from a Feb. 10, 2026, hearing entitled "All in for America250: Public-Private Partnerships Supporting America's Semiquincentennial on Our Public Lands": * * * Thank you, Chairman Gosar, Ranking Member Dexter, and members of the Subcommittee, for the opportunity to testify today about the impa  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations released the following testimony by Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, president and CEO of the National Forest Foundation, Missoula, Montana, from a Feb. 10, 2026, hearing entitled "All in for America250: Public-Private Partnerships Supporting America's Semiquincentennial on Our Public Lands": * * * The National Forest Foundation (NFF) was chartered by Congress in 1990 to serve as the official national nonpr  more

MERRIFIELD, Virginia, Feb. 18 [Category: Environment] -- The National Wildlife Federation posted the following news release: * * * Poll: Western Voters Sound Alarm on Wildfire, Drought, Public Land Threats * DENVER -Western voters are extremely concerned about wildfires, drought, staffing cuts at land management agencies, and threats to sell off public lands, according to the latest Conservation in the West poll released by Colorado College. The poll also demonstrates that Westerners want la  more

NACOGDOCHES, Texas, Feb. 19 -- Stephen F. Austin State University issued the following news: * * * SFA's Department of Biology to host J.H. Burr Distinguished Lecture Series University Marketing Communications Stephen F. Austin State University's Department of Biology will host the J.H. Burr Distinguished Lecture Series at 5 p.m. March 19 in Kennedy Auditorium. The featured speaker will be Dr. Lee Fitzgerald '78, SFA alumnus, professor at Texas A&M University and curator of the herpetology   more