WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that it has received a petition from Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., Johnston, Iowa, requesting a determination of nonregulated status for DAS-01131-3 maize. The corn variety is developed to produce the Cry1Da2 protein for protection against susceptible lepidopteran pests and the DGT-28 EPSPS protein for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide. The agency has prepared a draft pla  more

SPARTANBURG, South Carolina, Feb. 19 -- Converse University issued the following news: * * * Dr. Chandra Owenby Hopkins Publishes First Book, Southern Stages In the Spring of 2020, as the world navigated the first waves of the Covid-19 pandemic and adjusted to a remote lifestyle, Dean of the Converse College for Women Dr. Chandra Owenby Hopkins found a way to make the best of the new situation as she set to work penning her first book Southern Stages: Space and Memory in U.S. Performance. S  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Heart 'n Home * RED OAK, Iowa - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Heart 'n Home of Pocahontas County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties. "One arrangement at a time, Heart 'n Home brings warmth and  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, posted the following news release on Feb. 17, 2026: * * * Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Heart 'n Home RED OAK, Iowa - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Heart 'n Home of Pocahontas County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of   more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 18 -- Gov. Kim Reynolds, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Gov. Reynolds issues statement on passing of former First Lady of Iowa Billie Ray * Governor Kim Reynolds issued the following statement on the passing of former First Lady of Iowa Billie Ray: "Kevin and I are saddened to learn of the passing of former First Lady Billie Ray," Gov. Reynolds said. "Billie set a remarkable example of grace, leadership, and service to others. Her work supporting ed  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Institute for Energy Research issued the following commentary: * * * EPA Begins Rolling Back Biden's "Good Neighbor" Rule The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced "Phase 1" of its rollback of Biden's "Good Neighbor" rule, which would approve the plans of eight states to address the interstate transport rules for the 2015 eight-hour ozone standards that the Biden administration rejected as insufficient. The eight states whose plans would now be accepted ar  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The Center for Food Safety issued the following news release: * * * Major Victory for Public Health and the Environment: Corteva Cancels Toxic Enlist Duo Herbicide After Years of Legal Pressure by * In a major victory for farmers, communities, and ecosystems nationwide, Corteva Agriscience and EPA has announced plans to cancel the pesticide company's toxic herbicide Enlist Duo, following years of litigation and advocacy by Center for Food Safe  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

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, Feb. 18 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news: * * * Plant-based material offers sustainable method of recovering rare earth element * UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -Despite rare earth elements' importance in manufacturing cell phones, magnets and a host of other consumer and commercial electronics, the lack of a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to obtaining these metals has led to a global shortage, according to Amir Sheikhi, associat  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power issued the following information for a legislative hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2026, at 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building: The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: LEGISLATION * S. 1034, Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act * S. 1242, Watershed Results Act * S. 2437, Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 *   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency issued the following news release: * * * USDA Farm Service Agency Notice of Availability: Draft Environmental Assessment for Purchase of Existing Hog Finishing Building in Black Hawk County, Iowa * FEB. 18, 2026 - USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the purchase of an existing hog finishing building in Black Hawk County, Iowa. The draft EA evaluates the environmental impacts  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2026: * * * U.S.-Taiwan Deal Draws Praise from American Farmers, Ranchers, and Industry Leaders Last week, Ambassador Jamieson Greer attended the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between the United States and Taiwan, under the auspices of the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States. American agricultur  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release: * * * Vestis Teamsters in Iowa Ratify New Contracts * Press Contact: Maura Drumm Phone: (215) 510-3735 Email: MDrumm@teamster.org (IOWA) - Teamsters drivers and plant workers at several Vestis facilities throughout Iowa have overwhelmingly ratified collective bargaining agreements for their respective job classifications. The 120 drivers are represented by Teamsters Locals  more