KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, April 2 -- The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture issued the following news release: * * * 2026 Spring Plant Sale Set for May 1 in Jackson * Shop thousands of plants during annual event JACKSON, Tenn. - Gardeners of all experience levels are invited to the 2026 Spring Plant Sale on May 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson. This one-day shopping event is free to attend and open to the public, cohosted by  more

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, April 2 -- Western Kentucky University posted the following news: * * * 32 WKU students selected as 2026-27 Spirit Masters * Thirty-two Western Kentucky University students have been selected as Spirit Masters for the 2026-27 year. Spirit Masters, known as the official student ambassadors of WKU, serve to preserve traditions, strive for excellence and make the spirit of WKU contagious. They do this through service to the university. According to the organization'  more

NEW YORK, April 2 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The American Civil Liberties Union, an organization that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the U.S., posted the following news release: * * * ACLU Files Public Records Request to DOJ to Demand Justice and Transparency in Policing * WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union sent a public records request this week to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), seeking informatio  more

LANSING, Michigan, April 2 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release: * * * AG Nessel Leads Bipartisan Coalition Defending Use of Geofence Warrants by Law Enforcement * LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined the State of Iowa in leading a bipartisan multistate coalition of 32 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief (PDF) with the U.S. Supreme Court in Chatrie v. United States. The coalition is urging the Court to uphold the constitutionali  more

HERNDON, Virginia, April 1 -- Volkswagen Group of America issued the following news release: * * * All-new 2027 Volkswagen Atlas debuts at the New York International Auto Show * Second-generation Atlas builds on the success of the original with bolder design, smarter tech, and premium features where they matter most * All-new modern sheet metal meets a completely reimagined cabin with real wood decor and ambient lighting as standard, with available 15-inch infotainment, Nappa leather, and ma  more

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 2 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson protects taxpayers from funding inmate sex-change surgeries * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson joined 23 other states in a friend-of-the-court brief that supports a state's right to regulate medicine for the protection of public health and safety, particularly in correctional institutions. A prisoner in Alaska is demanding to receive   more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- Belmont University issued the following news: * * * Dr. Susan Finch Publishes Debut Book, 'Dear Second Husband' Short story collection reflects community and belonging found at Belmont By Emily Fackler After more than 10 years of fostering a love of fiction writing in her students at Belmont, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Associate Dean and Professor of English Dr. Susan Finch released her debut short story collection, "Dear Second Husband," th  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Bondi Replaced by Acting AG Todd Blanche President Donald Trump announced today that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi would leave the administration and move to "a much needed and important job in the private sector." Trump called Bondi "a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend" and applauded her work driving down crime. Bondi's deputy, Todd  more

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, April 1 -- The University of Kentucky issued the following news: * * * Brad Plaster named 2025-26 UK College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor * Brad Plaster, Ph.D., professor of physics and associate dean for research in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, has been named the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor for the 2025-26 academic year, an honor that recognizes excellence in research, teaching, service and leadership.  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Chief Justice Assigns Judges to Madison County Cases According to WBBJ 7 News, Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins has issued an order assigning four judges to preside over civil and criminal cases in Madison County General Sessions Court, Division 1, for Judge Mark Patey. The judges are 26th Judicial District Circuit Court Ju  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 2 [Category: BizHospital] -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital issued the following news release: * * * Childhood cancer is a substantial contributor to global childhood mortality and global cancer burden * Childhood cancer is the eighth-leading cause of childhood death globally and causes more deaths than measles, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, with outcomes largely determined by resource availability, according to the latest findings from the Global Burden of Dise  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cohen Announces $996,893 in NIH Grants to UTHSC * MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive two grants totaling $996,893 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). One, for $747,893 is for research on Angiotensins, Prostaglandins and Adrenergic Interactions and comes from the National Heart, L  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cohen Condemns Trump's Unconstitutional Voting List Power Grab * President has no authority to change state election rules MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today condemned President Trump's executive order on Tuesday that seeks to interfere with state election laws and procedures involving the eligibility of voters in federal electi  more

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cohen Saddened by Violence * Expects Full and Fair Review of Post-Rally "No Kings" March MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) made the following statement regarding Saturday's "No Kings" Rally at Church Park and the subsequent march involving police intervention: "I attended the Indivisible-organized 'No Kings' rally on Saturday and spoke to the crowd, joining others in celebrat  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cohen to Commemorate 58th Anniversary of the King Assassination in Memphis * Dr. King was in Memphis supporting striking sanitation workers MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) will commemorate the 58 th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday with a solemn reflection on what might have been, and made the following statement: "Memphis will always be re  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cohen Welcomes Firing of Pam Bondi * Sycophantic Attorney General doomed by handling of Epstein files MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee who has long sought the removal of Trump lackey Pam Bondi as Attorney General, today welcomed the decision to remove her from running the U.S. Justice Department. Congressman Cohen released the follow  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 [Category: Political] -- The Campaign Legal Center posted the following news release: * * * Crucial Changes in Tennessee Voting Rights Restoration Laws Take Effect * NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Last month, Tennessee lawmakers approved new bipartisan legislation to make it easier for people with previous felony convictions to vote in the state. Senate Bill 0336 and House Bill 067 eliminated the court costs requirement and opened the door for people who are compliant with child suppo  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- DCI Donor Services (DCIDS), a nonprofit organization operating three organ procurement organizations (OPOs) across New Mexico, California, Tennessee, and Virginia, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding proposed revisions to the Medicare and Medicaid Programs' Organ Procurement Organizations Conditions for Coverage. The letter addresses the proposed rule released by CMS aimed at increasing organ donation, improvi  more

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, April 2 -- Western Kentucky University posted the following news: * * * Dr. Amy Brausch named Conference USA Faculty Achievement Award winner * Amy Brausch, Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Western Kentucky University, has been named one of 11 recipients of the prestigious Conference USA Faculty Achievement Award. The Conference USA Faculty Achievement Awards recognized outstanding faculty members for excellence in teaching, commitment to re  more

KINGSPORT, Tennessee, April 3 -- Eastman Chemical Co. issued the following news release: * * * Eastman increases Esters prices Effective April 2, 2026, or as contracts allow, Eastman Chemical Company is announcing a price increase on the following products in NAR and LAR: * EastmanTM Isopropyl Acetate, All package types: USD 0.20/lb (USD 044/kg) Off-List * EastmanTM 2-Ethylhexyl Acetate, All package types: USD 0.20/lb (USD 044/kg) Off-List * * * About Eastman Founded in 1920, Eastman is   more

KINGSPORT, Tennessee, April 3 -- Eastman Chemical Co. issued the following news release on April 2, 2026: * * * Eastman increases prices on select PETGs for EMEA and Asia Eastman is announcing a price increase on select PETG products in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions effective April 15, 2026, or as contracts allow. This increase is in addition to the announced on March 13th, 2026 that went into effect on April 1, 2026. Scope for Increase: This increase will apply to PETG copolyesters bra  more

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, April 2 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * ETSU Global Brigades team delivers care in rural Panama * Inside a makeshift clinic in rural Panama, East Tennessee State University students quickly learned that health care is as much about connection as it is about clinical skills. In January, 40 students - including 14 Quillen Honors Scholars - participated in a faculty-led study abroad experience organized in partnership with Global Br  more

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, April 1 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * ETSU's Dr. Katelyn Alexander earns national honor * Dr. Katelyn Alexander, director of Experiential Education at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, has been named a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), one of the profession's highest honors recognizing exemplary achievements in pharmacy practice and outstanding service to the profession. The A  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, April 2 -- Fisher Phillips, a law firm, issued the following commentary on April 1, 2026, by associate Lillian Hall and partner Frank F. Martinez: * * * Predictive Scheduling Laws Are a Growing Challenge for Retailers: Answers to Your Top 5 Questions Adaptability and flexibility are critical to success in the retail industry. But for retailers and other business owners operating in multiple locations, that flexibility is increasingly affected by the growing number of predict  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release: * * * FTC Staff Warn Tennessee Legislature of Risks to Patients if Ballad Health COPA Expires and Support Proposed Repeal of Certificate of Need Requirements * Federal Trade Commission staff warned Tennessee legislators of the potential harm to patients if it passes proposed legislation that would terminate a Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) that provides state regulatory oversight for Ballad Health.  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * House Judiciary Passes Bill to Criminalize Prediction Market Bets The Tennessee state House Judiciary Committee has passed legislation -- HB2079/SB1992 -- that would make it a felony for a person to engage in "conduct intended to influence the outcome of an event" which that person has also bet on through a contract on a prediction market like K  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * House Panel Ties Voucher Expansion to Immigration Tracking The Tennessee House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee voted to advanced voucher legislation with a wide-ranging amendment from the chair that reduced the expansion by 5,000 (authorizing 35,000 students rather than the 40,000 requested by Gov. Bill Lee) and added language that public s  more

HERNDON, Virginia, April 3 -- Volkswagen Group of America issued the following news release on April 2, 2026: * * * ICYMI: Volkswagen reveals all-new 2027 Atlas in New York City New York, NY -- Earlier this week, Volkswagen of America debuted the all-new 2027 Atlas SUV ahead of the New York International Auto Show. Volkswagen Brand North America CEO Kjell Gruner introduced the new Atlas, highlighting its bolder design, smarter tech, and premium features where they matter most. Watch the full  more

WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Independent Women's Voice, an organization that fights for policy solutions for women, posted the following news release on April 2, 2026: * * * Governor Morrisey Champions Independent Contractors by Enacting Portable Benefits Legislation West Virginian Freelancers Poised to Have Control Over Worker Benefits Without Sacrificing Job Flexibility * CHARLESTON, WV -- Today West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed House Bill 4009 into law, delivering on his commi  more

CLEMSON, South Carolina, April 2 -- Clemson University posted the following news: * * * Institute for Parks honors exemplary contributions to the fields of parks and conservation during annual lecture series and awards ceremony * The Clemson University Institute for Parks (CUIP) recently hosted the 2026 George B. Hartzog Jr. Lecture and Environmental Awards program to honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to sustainability, stewardship and community en  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Judge Rejects DOJ Motion to Dismiss Law Firm Suit The American Bar Association's (ABA) suit challenging President Donald Trump's executive orders aimed at several law firms is moving forward after a federal judge rejected a Justice Department's (DOJ) motion to dismiss the case. According to Bloomberg News, Judge Amir Ali ruled that the ABA pla  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, April 2 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following commentary on April 1, 2026, by research attorneys Joe St. James and Hannah T. Stilley: * * * No Joke: Recent Employment Laws and Legislative Proposals Legal obligations for employers typically concern topics like paid sick leave, antidiscrimination protection, and pay equity, but each year legislation also addresses niche or emerging areas or peculiar state-specific issues. The following are bills introduced or e  more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Mid-South Transplant Foundation submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, expressing deep concerns about the proposed revisions to the Organ Procurement Organizations Conditions for Coverage. The foundation urged CMS leadership to consider the potential adverse effects of the rule on organ donation and transplantation efforts, particularly in challenging and underse  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, April 2 -- Mercer University posted the following news: * * * Music producer's album pays homage to Mercer heritage, American heroes * Mercer University holds a special place in the heart of award-winning music producer Steve Ivey, a 1984 School of Music alumnus. It's where he met his wife and built the foundation to start his recording career. In more recent years, he discovered his family roots are also connected to the University, inspiring an album that's themed around   more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 2 -- The National Electrical Manufacturers Association issued the following news release on March 31, 2026: * * * ABB Expands Make It American Certification to Three New Facilities, Sets Program Milestone with Grid Management and Automation Achievement The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) today announced that NEMA member ABB, Inc. has become the first company in the NEMA Make It American program to achieve product-level domestic content certifica  more

WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service issued the following news release: * * * Great Smoky Mountains National Park Urges Visitors to Plan and Prepare Following High Number of Emergency Incidents This March The National Park Services urges visitors to plan ahead, prepare for changing conditions and know their personal limits while recreating in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park rangers have been responding to an increased number of emergencies  more

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, April 3 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on April 2, 2026: * * * Drummond urges Congress to protect communities from illicit xylazine Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act to protect Oklahomans and reduce overdose deaths. The act would classify xylazine, a dangerous animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl and other opioids, as a controlled substance. In a l  more

WASHINGTON, April 3 -- Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following news release on April 2, 2026: * * * One Month Into Iran War, Americans Have Paid $8.4 Billion More for Gas, Now Costs $145 to Fill Pickup Truck New Data Also Includes State-by-State Breakdown of Increased Spending on Gas Since Trump's War Began * One month since President Trump unilaterally started his war against Iran, a new Joint Economic Committee - Minority   more

WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Organ Donation Advocacy Group submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services opposing aspects of proposed revisions to organ procurement organization conditions for coverage, warning the changes could disrupt operations and reduce transplant effectiveness. ODAG emphasized the necessity of affording appeal rights to Tier 2 OPOs that lose their Donor Service Areas (DSAs) after competition. T  more

BROOKINGS, South Dakota, April 1 -- South Dakota State University issued the following news: * * * Puthawala: Deep learning expert deepens relationship with Japanese colleague * Mathematicians like Michael Puthawala are few and far between. Thanks to a National Science Foundation program, the SDSU assistant professor was able to get better acquainted with a similar mathematician 6,000 miles away. Through a joint program between the National Science Foundation, the primary U.S. agency for f  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 2 [Category: BizHospital] -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital issued the following news release: * * * Reprogramming 'gatekeeper' immune cell may boost cancer immunotherapy * St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have discovered how tumors disable immune "gatekeeper" cells that alert the rest of the immune system to the presence of cancer -and how restoring their energy production can improve immunotherapy. Dendritic cells activate the cytotoxic immu  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 3 -- Sedgwick, a provider of technology-enabled risk and benefit solutions, issued the following news release: * * * Sedgwick acquires full ownership of De Letselschade Hulpdienst joint venture Transaction advances Sedgwick's long-term growth strategy and market leadership * AMSTERDAM - Sedgwick, the world's leading risk and claims administration partner, has acquired the remaining minority interest in De Letselschade Hulpdienst (LSHD) from Raasveld Holding. This a  more

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 1 [Category: BizHospital] -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital issued the following news release: * * * St. Jude Hero Registration Opens for 25th Annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend * St. Jude Hero(r) registration opens today for the 25th anniversary of St. Jude Memphis Marathon(r) Weekend presented by Juice Plus+, inviting runners across the country to go the distance for a cause. By committing to fundraise for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(r), Her  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Birthright Citizenship Order U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments yesterday in a challenge to President Donald Trump's executive order restricting birthright citizenship. According to SCOTUSblog, the justices appeared skeptical of the government's argument that the 14th Amendment was adopted to give n  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Supreme Court Names Members of Appointed Counsel Commission The Tennessee Supreme Court has named nine members -- three judges and six practicing attorneys -- to the new Office of the Appointed Counsel Commission (OACC). Created under Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 56, the commission and its Executive Director Joe Byrd are tasked with ensuring effective lega  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance issued the following news on April 2, 2026: * * * 115 Tennessee Rescue Squads Receive Grants Totaling $5 Million Through the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) proudly announce that 115 Tennessee rescue squads will receive grants totaling $5 million in 2026 through the Rescue Squad Grant Program. I  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 2 -- Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tennessee, issued the following news: * * * Tennessee Positions Oak Ridge to Lead Nation's Next Era of Nuclear Energy * Governor Bill Lee announced that the State of Tennessee has submitted a comprehensive proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) positioning Oak Ridge as the premier site for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. The project would further strengthen Tennessee's role in securing America's energy dominance by supporting   more

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, April 3 -- USA Softball issued the following news on April 2, 2026: * * * USA Softball reveals 2026 Women's National Team Athlete Pool USA Softball has announced the list of athletes identified by the Women's National Team Selection Committee (WNTSC) for the U.S. Women's National Team (WNT) Athlete Pool. A total of 36 athletes have been selected for consideration for the 2026 USA Softball WNT, which will compete at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Worl  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- Vanderbilt University School of Engineering issued the following news: * * * David Florian helps students manufacture success through digital fabrication Growing up, David Florian would take things apart to see how they worked, then put them back together. So, it's not surprising that years later the Vanderbilt engineer heads a digital fabrication lab that teaches students how to operate computer-controlled machines and produces a popular YouTube channel with   more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Washington County Lawyer Suspended On April 1, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Jeffrey Dennis Johnson from the practice of law for two years, with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The court conditioned probation on Johnson's engagement of a practice monitor, completion of additional continuing legal  more

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 2 [Category: ThinkTank] -- The Goldwater Institute posted the following news: * * * West Virginia Enacts Right to Try for Individualized Treatments * In a life-affirming victory for rare disease patients, West Virginia became the seventeenth state to enact the Goldwater Institute's Right to Try for Individualized Treatments-a groundbreaking, nonpartisan new law that empowers patients to seek cutting-edge personalized treatments designed just for them. Championed by De  more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 2, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Women Prisoners Sue TDOC Over Tablet Program Women incarcerated at the Women's Therapeutic Residential Center in West Tennessee are suing Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner (TDOC) Frank Strada for allegedly confiscating tablets that contained their digital property, family photos and messages from loved ones. According to the Nash  more