WASHINGTON, March 7 -- A coalition of 43 national and 43 state or local organizations submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education urging changes to a proposed rule implementing provisions of the Reimagining and Improving Student Education rulemaking and warning that the policy could increase financial pressure on student loan borrowers and restrict access to graduate education. According to the coalition, the announced reforms could exacerbate an ongoing affordability   more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 6 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release: * * * AG Campbell Secures Court Order Requiring Trump Administration To Restore Billions In Disaster Mitigation Funding * Boston -Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and a coalition of 23 states today secured a court order requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to promptly take steps necessary to reverse the termination the Building Resilien  more

LANSING, Michigan, March 6 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release: * * * AG Nessel Defends Access to Birth Control and Other Contraceptive Care * LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief (PDF) challenging the first Trump Administration's 2017 and 2018 regulations undermining the Affordable Care Act's guarantee of no-cost contraception coverage by employer healthcare plans. The   more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting the request to extend federal approval for data collection through the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application. In its letter, AMCHP emphasized the critical need for the MMRIA as a tool that provides standardized, state-specific data regarding pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. The organization sta  more

ORANGE, Connecticut, March 7 -- Avangrid, an energy company, issued the following news release on March 6, 2026: * * * Avangrid Foundation Celebrates Expansion of Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut The Avangrid Foundation's grant funding supported the expansion of 11 new guest rooms * The Avangrid Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading energy company Avangrid Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group, today joined the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachu  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 7 (TNSLrpt) -- Union Members in Oregon 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Western Region - March 6, 2026 * * * In 2025, union members accounted for an estimated 15.1 percent of wage and salary workers in Oregon, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See chart 1 and table 1.) Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the estimated number of workers belonging to unions was 283,000. Nationwide, union memb  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Bynum Introduces Bill Supporting Wildfire Victims * Representatives Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Vince Fong (CA-20), Tom McClintock (CA-05), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Blake Moore (UT-01), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced the Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act. This bill would exempt wildfire relief payments made to victims f  more

PORTLAND, Oregon, March 6 -- The Chronic Disease Coalition issued the following news: * * * 340B and Patients: Why Transparency Matters Before the Program Expands For people living with chronic diseases, the cost of medication isn't theoretical. It affects whether they can stay on treatment, maintain their health, and live independently. Many patients rely on ongoing medications and treatments to manage their conditions. Even modest out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly over time. That's wh  more

SALEM, Oregon, March 6 [Category: Education] -- The Oregon School Boards Association posted the following news: * * * Closing the door on 2026 Legislature just opens a window on 2027 bills * Even though Oregon has a part-time Legislature, it's a year-around job. As soon as one session ends, legislators start positioning issues for the next one. That effect is particularly pronounced in the interim following a short session. Legislators just had a month to try out some bill ideas that didn'  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard issued the following news release: * * * Coast Guard announces passing of Petty Officer Tyler Jaggers following rescue operation injury * SEATTLE - Coast Guard Petty Officer 2 nd Class Tyler Jaggers, an aviation survival technician assigned to Air Station Astoria, Oregon, passed away the evening of March 5, 2026, as a result of critical injuries suffered during the rescue of a distressed mariner from a commercial shi  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy opposing a proposal to establish a categorical exclusion for advanced nuclear reactors under the agency's National Environmental Policy Act implementing procedures. In their correspondence, the CTUIR emphasizes the significance of the proposed rules as they relate to various aspects of nuclear reactor development, including the authorization, sitin  more

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, March 7 -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics posted the following news release on March 6, 2026: * * * Day 2 of the 2026 NAIA Men's Indoor Track & Field Championships Recap GAINESVILLE, Fla. [RESULTS] - The second day of the 2026 NAIA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship opened with the heptathlon and 3,000m race walk, featured several preliminary races and two field events and concluded with eight national champions crowned at the Alachua Count  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Dexter Votes Against War in Iran * "The federal government should be focused on helping Oregonians afford groceries, rent, and healthcare, not buying bombs" WASHINGTON, D.C. -Yesterday, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) voted for the Khanna-Massie War Powers Resolution (link is external), legislation directing the President to terminate unauthorized hostilities against Iran. "The federal  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the receipt of several environmental impact statements filed between February 23, 2026, and March 2, 2026. This release, mandated by the Clean Air Act, ensures that federal evaluations of infrastructure and resource projects remain accessible to the public for evaluation and commentary. The following Environmental Impact Statements involve projects in Arizona, Hawaii, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Utah: * E  more

ITHACA, New York, March 6 -- Cornell University posted the following news: * * * Flipped chromosomal segments drive natural selection * When a species lives in two distinct types of habitats, individuals with traits better suited to each habitat will thrive and reproduce, naturally selecting descendants with those traits. But what about mobile aquatic species that live across a broad range of temperatures and latitudes? New research from Cornell and the University of Connecticut finds that  more

SALEM, Oregon, March 6 -- Gov. Tina Kotek, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Kotek Highlights Major Wins for Oregonians in 2026 Legislative Session * Salem, OR -The 2026 legislative session ended with major wins for stabilizing essential services for vulnerable Oregonians, fostering a stronger economic future for the state, and Governor Tina Kotek's efforts to make Oregon more affordable for working families. "I want to thank legislators for working together to de  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: New York Post Feature: House's Medicaid fraud probe expands to 10 states - including New York, California: 'Combat rampant waste' In case you missed it, the New York Post recently published an article highlighting letters sent to ten states, authored by Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce,  more

INDIANA, Pennsylvania, March 7 -- Indiana University of Pennsylvania issued the following news: * * * Impact 150: IUP Alumnus Donates $1 Million for IUP Proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine; Campaign at More than $102 Million Terry A. Serafini, a 1961 mathematics education and physics education graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania from Pittsburgh, has gifted IUP $1 million for IUP's proposed college of osteopathic medicine--bringing IUP's Impact 150 comprehensive fundraising cam  more

SAN DIEGO, California, March 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California posted the following news release on March 5, 2026: * * * Las Vegas Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Threats Against Two Federal Judges and Probation Officer LAS VEGAS - Latonia Smith of Las Vegas was sentenced in federal court today to 10 years in prison for threatening two federal judges and a probation officer, all of whom were involved in her previous federal conviction for death threa  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Updated DISCLOSE Act to End Corrupting Influence of Dark Money in American Elections * 185 Democrats support effort to empower voters and expose billionaire and special interest control over our government and courts Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined a bicameral group of Democrats in reintroducing the DISCLOSE Act, leg  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Ellen Sauter, a licensed naturopathic physician in Oregon, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education opposing proposed rule changes that would remove naturopathic medicine from the list of recognized professional degree programs under federal student aid regulations. The letter highlights that for over 27 years, accredited naturopathic medical schools have met the Department's standards for professional degree programs. Despite the absence of l  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- OCHIN submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding the proposed Health Data, Technology and Interoperability rule, urging to pair deregulatory actions with implementation support to protect rural and low-resourced providers as health data exchange expands. In the letter, OCHIN highlighted that while the plan aims to eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens and facilitate the exchange of electronic health information,   more

DURHAM, North Carolina, March 5 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Center for Responsible Lending issued the following news release: * * * Oregon State Legislature Passes Bill to Stop Predatory High-Interest Loans * Portland, OR -Today, the Oregon Senate passed House Bill 4116, which stops online lenders from exploiting a loophole in federal law to charge consumer loan interest rates above Oregon's 36% cap through "rent-a-bank" schemes. The bill now moves to Governor Tina Kotek's desk to   more

NEWPORT BEACH, California, March 3 -- Pacific Life, an insurance company, issued the following news release: * * * Pacific Life Launches Breakthrough Structured Settlements Annuity Benefit Option Payout Plus offers stability with significantly more room to grow. * Pacific Life announced the launch of Payout Plus, a unique structured settlements annuity benefit option that redefines what's possible in settlement planning. Payout Plus introduces an indexed-based design with meaningful opportu  more

PORTLAND, Oregon, March 3 -- Portland General Electric, an electric utility company, issued the following news release: * * * Towering solar panels saves Oregon farm thousands on energy and increases crop yields An Oregon farm and grocery store is saving thousands of dollars annually on their energy bill and increasing crop yields thanks to its unique solar towers funded in part by Portland General Electric customers who support local renewable energy projects. Our Table Cooperative , locate  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Alexis Patterson, MS student in clinical mental health counseling program at Portland State University, Oregon, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education opposing a proposed rule that would exclude counseling programs from professional degree status. The letter highlights the experiences of underrepresented students pursuing mental health counseling, particularly emphasizing the impact on those from marginalized backgrounds. The organization as  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Ranking Members Heinrich and Merkley Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Efforts to Erase History on Public Lands * Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, sent a letter to   more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Andrea Salinas' Statement Following Vote Against DHS Spending Bill * Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) issued the following statement following her vote against opposing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spending bill. "I voted no on the DHS spending bill. I will not vote to give more money to DHS and ICE while the Administration continues to use the  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden Demands Trump Administration End Government Contracts with Juvenile Detention Facilities That Allow Abuse of Children Letter Calls for Full Investigation Into Trump Administration's $9.2 Million Contract to Abraxas Alliance, Despite Decades of Reported Abuse and Negligence * Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called on the Tr  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on March 6, 2026: * * * Wyden Statement on Latest Trump Effort to Raise Costs and Kick Americans Off Their Health Insurance Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance to states on implementation of more frequent eligibility redeterminations   more

SALEM, Oregon, March 6 [Category: Education] -- The Oregon School Boards Association posted the following news: * * * Session ends with mix of victories and unfinished business * The Legislature officially adjourned Friday, March 6, ending a 33-day legislative session that felt like both a marathon and a sprint (or most accurately, like sprinting a marathon). Of 304 bills introduced, the Legislative Assembly adopted over one-third. OSBA will work with our partners at the Coalition of Orego  more

ROHNERT PARK, California, March 7 -- California State University Sonoma State University issued the following news: * * * SSU to host major conference for bioscience undergrads Sonoma State University will serve as host for the 49th annual West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference, bringing together some of the nation's most promising undergraduate scientists for a dynamic celebration of discovery, collaboration, and innovation. For nearly five decades, the conference   more

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: * * * Support Grows for Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act * Washington, D.C.- Leading individuals and organizations committed to protecting taxpayer rights and making tax administration easier to navigate are speaking out in support of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee leader's recently introduced tax legislation. The bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act led by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chai  more

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership issued the following news release on March 5, 2026: * * * Oregon Legislature Passes Landmark "1.25 Percent for Wildlife" Act After three legislative sessions and more than a decade of advocacy, a bipartisan coalition secures Oregon's most significant conservation funding victory in a generation * Yesterday, the Oregon legislature passed HB 4134, the "1.25 Percent for Wildlife" act, which will generate approximately $38 m  more

OLYMPIA, Washington, March 6 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release: * * * Washington secures court order to enforce ruling that requires FEMA to restore billions in disaster mitigation funding * Attorney General Nick Brown and a multistate coalition today secured a court order requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take concrete steps to reverse the termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program (B  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Senate Democrats, Press Pharmaceutical Companies for Evidence of Cost Savings for Americans Following Secret Deals with Trump Senate Democrats Continue Probe Into Trump's Sweetheart Deals for Big Pharma, Seeking Evidence That American Taxpayers Will Benefit from Lower Costs * Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., led 6 Senate D  more