WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued the following news release: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, condemned a racist letter sent to a church in North Carolina, Wyoming high school students dressed in attire that resembled Ku Klux Klan (KKK) hoods and racist taunts targeting players at a girls' basketball game in Illinois. In North Carolina, St. Andrews AME Zion Church in Wilm  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 19 -- Young Adult Library Services Association, division of the American Library Association, issued the following news release: The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has selected Yolanda Hood, the Carol J. McMurry Distinguished Librarian for Academic Excellence at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, as the new editor of its quarterly, digital journal, Young Adult Library Services (YALS). Hood has worked in libraries for over 14 years where her  more

TRENTON, New Jersey, Dec. 20 -- The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws issued the following news release: Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation (A. 5981/S. 4154) into law on Wednesday facilitating the expungement of low-level marijuana crimes and other offenses. The measure establishes an expedited process for expunging the criminal records associated with minor marijuana-related violations, among other changes. An analysis of nationwide arrest data published last   more

CASPER, Wyoming, Dec. 21 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release: * * * - PETA Offers Free Lessons on 'How Bigotry Begins' and More * * * After two students wore white robes resembling KKK garb to Riverton High School on Wednesday, TeachKind--PETA's humane education division--sent a letter urging the school to implement lessons in compassion immediately and is offering it free educational resources, including a "How Bigotry Begins" video, as well as a  more

WILKES-BARRE, Pennsylvania, Dec. 17 -- Geisinger Health issued the following news release: Christmas joy and excited smiles were in abundance Saturday, Dec. 7, when around 250 local children visited Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre during the annual Morning with Santa. Sponsored by the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Auxiliary, Morning with Santa featured arts and crafts, face-painting, snacks and Christmas music by Frankie Gervasi. Each attending child met Santa Claus and received a gift donated by the   more

CHEYENNE, Wyoming, Dec. 21 -- The Wyoming Business Council issued the following news: The USDA is encouraging ranchers and farmers to cut out the middleman, develop new products and market directly to consumers with $37 million in grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. The money is available for farmers, ranchers and producer-based businesses to develop new products from raw agricultural products or promote new markets for established products. Veterans; sociall  more