RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 19 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jeff Jackson Sues to Protect Funding for Nurses and Other Healthcare Workers * North Carolina's rural counties would be the hardest hit. Attorney General Jeff Jackson sued the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that would have devastating consequences for North Carolina's healthcare workforce and leave many rural residents without primary care.  more

WASHINGTON, May 19 (TNSFR) -- The National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Department of the Interior, is requesting nominations for qualified persons to serve as members of the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission. DATES: Written nominations must be postmarked by June 15, 2026. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission was established by section 103 of Public Law 99-420, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 341 note), and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Ch. 10). The Commissio  more

BIDDEFORD, Maine, May 21 -- The University of New England issued the following news: * * * Fitch Ratings awards UNE 'very high' credit quality, citing strong financial positioning The upgrade to "AA-" status recognizes UNE's strong market position in a time of powerful headwinds facing the higher education sector Alan Bennett Fitch Ratings, one of three major credit rating agencies covering the higher education sector, has upgraded the University of New England's issuer default rating from   more

AUGUSTA, Maine, May 20 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news: * * * Governor Mills Statement on the Passing of Barney Frank * Governor Janet Mills today issued the following statement on the passing of former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, who died May 19 in Ogunquit: "Few Americans have brought about change that impacted the lives of so many people as Barney Frank. Astute, candid, and armed with a sharp sense of humor, Barney worked throughout his life to break d  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich, Lujan Demand Answers on How USDA's Restructuring Will Affect New Mexico Farmers, Ranchers, & Rural Communities * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden raising concerns and demanding ans  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich, Lujan Introduce Legislation to Improve New Mexicans' Access to Healthcare & Keep Rural Hospitals Open * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation to improve New Mexicans' access to healthcare and keep rural hospitals open by extending the Rural Communi  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich, Lujan Introduce Legislation to Improve New Mexicans' Access to Healthcare & Keep Rural Hospitals Open * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation to improve New Mexicans' access to healthcare and keep rural hospitals open by extending the Rural Community  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The International Fresh Produce Association posted the following news release: * * * IFPA Releases Policy Position on Extended Producer Responsibility as Compliance Deadlines Hit the Fresh Produce Industry * The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) today released its formal policy position on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws affecting fresh produce packaging, urging federal and state policymakers to design EPR programs that  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 [Category: Political] -- The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights issued the following news release: * * * Over 440 Civil Rights, Faith, and Labor Organizations Call Department of Justice Indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center a "Naked Attempt to Weaponize the the Criminal Justice System to Silence Speech" * National Coalition Urges Congress to "Put a Stop to It" Ahead of House Judiciary Committee Hearing on SPLC The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human   more

LEWISTON, Maine, May 21 -- Bates College issued the following news: * * * Rev. Rob Benson joins Bates as multifaith chaplain Rev. Rob Benson will join Bates as the college's multifaith chaplain, effective Aug. 3, the college announced today. Benson currently serves as the lead pastor at Bar Harbor Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Bar Harbor, Maine. "I am delighted to welcome Rev. Rob Benson to the Bates community, and look forward to seeing how he will bring his deep exper  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on May 20, 2026: * * * Sen. Collins Defends Essential Air Service, Urges ATC Relocation Bonuses Cites Bangor Airport's Need for Additional Controllers * At a hearing to review the 2027 budget request for the Department of Transportation, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, stressed the importance of the Essential Air Servic  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, issued the following news release on May 20, 2026: * * * Senator Blunt Rochester Joins Senate Democrats to Unveil Plans to Improve Long-Term Care Amid Republican Attacks Senators Reveal Plan to Create Incentives for More Home Care, Safer Nursing Homes and a Robust Care Workforce Latest Dear Colleague Comes As Republicans Cut Billions from Medicaid, Worsening Home Care and Nursing Home Care for Seniors and Americans with Disabiliti  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, May 21 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on May 20, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jay Jones Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Student Loan Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs Coalition challenges unlawful rule that could restrict access to advanced education and worsen workforce shortages * Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against th  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on May 20, 2026: * * * Wyden, Senate Democrats Unveil Plans to Improve Long-Term Care Amid Republican Attacks Senators Reveal Plan to Create Incentives for More Home Care, Safer Nursing Homes and a Robust Care Workforce Latest Dear Colleague Comes As Republicans Cut Billions from Medicaid, Worsening Home Care and Nursing Home Care for Seniors and Americans with Dis  more