WASHINGTON, April 1 -- A coalition of 10 state education leaders has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education addressing the agency's proposed priorities for the Comprehensive Centers Program. The letter expresses support for the Department's goals to bolster the federal technical assistance infrastructure, enhance alignment with state needs, and return greater authority and flexibility to states in managing educational resources. In their comments, the states empha  more

AMHERST, Massachusetts, April 1 -- The University of Massachusetts posted the following news: * * * A Wisconsin-sized Chunk of Alaskan Permafrost is Thawing; Arctic and Global Climate May Never be the Same * In a first-of-its-kind study, a team of researchers led by geoscientist Michael Rawlins at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has shown in fine-grained detail what happens when Arctic permafrost thaws.Focusing on a Wisconsin-sized area of Alaska's North Slope containing hundreds of   more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release: * * * BLM approves Diamondback Lateral Pipeline project in Mohave Valley * LAKE HAVASU, Ariz. -The Bureau of Land Management has approved a right-of-way amendment for the Diamondback Lateral Pipeline project in Mohave Valley under emergency permitting procedures. With this approval, El Paso Natural Gas Company, LLC., may construct a high-pressure natural gas pipeline connec  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release: * * * BLM issues final decision on Indian Peak Range Watershed Restoration Plan * Cedar City, Utah -The Bureau of Land Management's Cedar City Field Office has issued a final decision for the Indian Peak Range Watershed Restoration Plan Environmental Assessment. Under the EA, crews will conduct multiple types of vegetation treatments around the Hamlin and Pine Valleys, an  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release: * * * BLM oil and gas lease sales in Colorado, Nevada, and Utah generate $64.8 million in revenue * WASHINGTON - The Bureau of Land Management on March 31 leased 136 parcels totaling 131,121 acres in Colorado, Nevada, and Utah for $64.8 million in total receipts during quarterly oil and gas lease sales. Combined lease bonus bids and rentals are distributed between the feder  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, April 1 (TNSLrpt) -- Fatal Work Injuries in Alaska 2024 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Western Region * * * Fatal work injuries totaled 24 in 2024 for Alaska, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the number of work-related fatalities in Alaska was down 17.2 percent from 29 in 2023. (See chart 1.) The fatal work injury rate was 7.1 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equi  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 [Category: Computer Technology] -- The Computer and Communications Industry Association issued the following news release: * * * CCIA Warns Alaska Social Media Bill HB 318 Raises Serious Constitutional and Privacy Risks * Washington - The Computer & Communications Industry Association is raising concerns about HB 318, legislation currently under consideration in the Alaska House that would regulate minors' social media use. CCIA opposes the bill, citing its constitutional  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The Chickaloon Village Traditional Council submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opposing the agency's proposed rule titled Common Sense Approach to Chemical Accident Prevention. The letter expresses disagreement with the EPA's intention to roll back safeguards that were established under the 2024 Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Final Rule. CVTC emphasized its role as a federally recognized tribal government respon  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The CPAC Foundation Center for Regulatory Freedom has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding its Request for Information and Interest (RFI) on commercial leasing for Outer Continental Shelf minerals offshore Alaska. The CRF emphasized the importance of grounding any leasing decisions in realistic economic conditions, comprehensive environmental analysis, and strategic considerations amid intensif  more

POCATELLO, Idaho, April 1 -- Idaho State University posted the following news: * * * Current Connection: ISU Scientists Detail How Shifts in the Atlantic Ocean Impacted the Alaskan Climate 13,000 Years Ago * A new paper published in Nature Communications explains how Bruce Finney, professor in the departments of biological sciences and geosciences at ISU, and his collaborators, Lesleigh Anderson, research geologist with the United States Geological Survey, and W. Brad Baxter, Idaho State alu  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * NEW REPORT: Dan Sullivan-Backed Medicaid Cuts Threaten Alaska Hospitals Following the release of a new report (https://www.citizen.org/article/big-ugly-threat/), which found that Dan Sullivan-backed Medicaid cuts have put at least two Alaska hospitals at high risk of closing or cutting services, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Spokesperson Joe Bush released the following state  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48890) on March 31, 2026, entitled "Determining Grants Under Title I-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act" by education policy specialist Rebecca R. Skinner and research assistant Isobel Sorenson. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Title I-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) authorizes aid to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the education of disadvantaged chi  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce, through its child agency DOC National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - ERA Production, has launched the 2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program. This initiative aims to support Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) in their conservation efforts and co-management of marine mammals under the jurisdiction of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. With an award ceiling of $1.5 million and an expected ten grants   more

WASHINGTON, April 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48888) on March 30, 2026, entitled "The Federal Recognition of Tribes: Frequently Asked Questions." The report is written by natural resources policy specialist Mariel J. Murray, legislative attorney Mainon A. Schwartz and law librarian Laura Deal. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY As of 2026, the United States encompasses 575 federally recognized Tribes, or groups of Indigenous people that  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- Footloose Montana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending trapping and other harmful practices against wildlife on public lands, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. National Park Service. The letter opposes a proposal that would permit bear baiting within Alaska's national preserves, a rule that aligns federal practice with state regulations managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The organization emphasized that national preserves are federally  more

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, April 2 -- GCI, a telecommunications company, issued the following news release: * * * GCI continues longstanding support of Kobuk 440 Sled Dog Race as Lead Dog sponsor Lead Dog sponsorship supports racing, youth participation and veterinary care across Northwest Alaska * GCI is proud to continue its long-standing support of the Kobuk 440 Sled Dog Race, celebrating and supporting rural Alaska. In 2026, GCI contributed $5,000 to the race and will serve as a Lead Dog sponso  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, April 2 -- Earthjustice posted the following news release on March 31, 2026: * * * Groups Challenge Trump Admin's Rushed Approval of Cabinet Mountains Mining Project Organizations fear harm to waters, wilderness area, and ESA-protected species * Missoula, MT -- A coalition of local and national organizations today filed suit over the Trump administration's fast-tracked approval of the Libby Exploration Project in northwestern Montana's Cabinet Mountains. The lawsu  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: * * * Home-Grown Seafood: NOAA's Aquaculture Highlights from 2025 In 2025, NOAA's Aquaculture Program made significant investments in science and planning to foster sustainable domestic aquaculture growth. NOAA's Aquaculture Highlights 2025 showcases how NOAA is creating opportunities for sustainable aquaculture to grow and thrive across the United States. When   more

WASHINGTON, March 31 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Murkowski Delivers 2026 Address to Alaska State Legislature * Juneau, AK - Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) delivered her 2026 address to the Alaska State Legislature during a joint legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol Building in Juneau. During her remarks, Senator Murkowski praised the steadfast partnerships that have led to meaningful progress across sectors aro  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) concerning proposed updates to the System for Award Management (SAM) registration requirements for federal financial assistance recipients. The GSA proposal, influenced by executive branch guidance including the President's Executive Order titled "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," would require recipients t  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces released the following written testimony by Brett Markham, deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, from a March 25, 2026, hearing entitled "National Security Space Programs and Activities": * * * Chairman DesJarlais, Ranking Member Moulton, and distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to provide an update on the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Environment released the following testimony by U.S. Navy Captain Brian Connon (ret.), vice president of ocean mapping at Saildrone Inc., from a March 26, 2026, hearing entitled "Beneath the Waves: The Science and Technology of Deep-Sea Mining": * * * Chairman Franklin, Ranking Member Amo, and Members of the Environment Subcommittee, I appreciate the opportunity to testify before you today. My name is Brian Connon,   more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the following news release: * * * Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Delivers $108 Million to Rebuild Alaska Bridges Over Johnson and Gerstle Rivers * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced today a $108.7 million investment into the Johnson River and Gerstle River Bundled Bridge Replacement Project. This crucial funding by the Trump Administration will rebuild Alaska's essential   more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration issued the following news release on April 1, 2026: * * * Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Delivers $108 Million to Rebuild Alaska Bridges Over Johnson and Gerstle Rivers U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced today a $108.7 million investment into the Johnson River and Gerstle River Bundled Bridge Replacement Project. This crucial funding by the Trump Administration will r  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 (TNSinfo) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service issued the following information collection: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew a currently approved information collection without change. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, all i  more