WASHINGTON, March 21 -- A coalition of 114 civil right organization has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Census Bureau expressing concerns regarding the 2026 Operational Test in support of the 2030 Census. The coalition, which includes diverse civil rights organizations, has articulated fears that the proposed testing methodology will undermine the accuracy and reliability of the census, primarily affecting underreported communities. The letter underscores the importance of conducting more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- A coalition of 20 state attorneys general submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Census Bureau expressing their opposition to proposed changes for the 2026 Operational Test, which is intended to support plans for the 2030 Census. The group argues that the adjustments threaten to undermine the accuracy and integrity of future census counts, particularly among historically undercounted populations. The comment letter addresses multiple issues raised by the Census Bu more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- A coalition of 23 state attorneys general have submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in response to the agency's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on nondiscrimination regarding individuals with disabilities. The letter emphasizes their support for the proposed changes that seek to clarify the definition of disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The proposed revisions aim to exclude "gender identity disorders n more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- A coalition of 39 census stakeholders organizations has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce expressing concern over proposed changes to the 2026 Operational Test in support of the 2030 Census. The groups advocate for high-quality census data that accurately represents diverse communities and warn that recent modifications threaten the integrity of the upcoming headcount. Among the most troubling changes highlighted in the letter is the re more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The National League of Cities, along with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, and the International City/County Management Association, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce raising concerns about the proposed 2026 Operational Test for the 2030 Census, warning that planned changes could weaken accuracy and increase long-term costs. The NLC represents over 19,000 municipalities across the nation and, in colla more ST

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 16 -- The Association for Career and Technical Education issued the following news release: * * * ACTE Announces 2026 Work-Based Learning Leadership Alliance Cohort The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is proud to announce the 2026 cohort of the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Leadership Alliance, a national initiative designed to cultivate future leaders who are shaping the advancement of high-quality work-based learning across the country. The AC more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following news release: * * * Advanced Shipbuilding 'Factory of the Future' Opens in Alabama * Funded in part by Navy investments provided in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the advanced manufacturing company Hadrian officially opened a new facility in Cherokee, Alabama March 20th that will boost production of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. The 2.2 million square foot site will host a highly-automated "factory of the future," known as more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 20 [Category: Libraries] -- The American Library Association posted the following news release: * * * ALA Announces Recipients of the 2026 Jason Reynolds/Simon & Schuster Travel Grant The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the selection of five recipients of the 2026 Jason Reynolds/Simon & Schuster Travel Grant. Established in 2022, the grants are intended to support ALA's work of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the library fie more PR

MONTGOMERY, Alabama, March 21 -- The Alabama Department of Commerce posted the following news: * * * Construction Partners to invest $20 million in new Dothan headquarters A homegrown Alabama success story is reinforcing its roots. Construction Partners, Inc., the Dothan-born civil infrastructure company that has grown into a $3.5 billion publicly traded enterprise, announced plans to build a new $20 million corporate headquarters and data processing center in the Wiregrass city where it was more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition has expressed its support for the goals of the Build America, Buy America Act in a public comment letter to the Federal Highway Administration. However, the coalition emphasizes the need for uniform treatment regarding electric vehicle chargers, suggesting that these should be subject to the same manufacturing thresholds as other electronic equipment utilized in federal highway projects. In the letter, the coalition stressed that electri more ST

MONTGOMERY, Alabama, March 21 -- The Alabama Department of Public Health issued the following news release: * * * Harmful if Swallowed: Protecting Kids from Adult Products Parents go to great lengths to protect their children. They block off staircases with gates and put covers on electrical outlets. They check safety ratings on car seats and strollers. They check the age limits and warning labels on toys. They make sure cribs are clear of pillows, loose blankets, and other unsafe items to pr more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The American Association on Health and Disability and the Lakeshore Foundation submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services opposing several provisions in the proposed 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters, arguing the changes could weaken coverage protections for people with disabilities. The organizations emphasized that the proposal may undermine access to comprehensive healthcare and disrupt the balance of insurance markets more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Asian Texans for Justice submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce expressing concerns about the proposed design of the 2026 Operational Test for the 2030 Census, warning that its limited scope could undermine accurate population counts. Asian Texans for Justice, which serves over 2 million members across the state, emphasized the importance of accurate census data as a foundation for democracy. The organization called for a comprehensive testi more ST

DALLAS, Texas, March 21 (TNSLrpt) -- Employer Costs for Employee Compensation for the Regions December 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southwest Region - March 20, 2026 * * * Private industry employer costs for employee compensation among the four regions of the country ranged from $41.21 per hour in the South to $53.99 in the Northeast in December 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. In the other two regions, hourly employer costs  more PR

ORLANDO, Florida, March 20 -- The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs issued the following commentary on March 17, 2026, by member Bill Bynum: * * * Carrying the Baton Foward: HOPE's Impact across the Deep South When I reflect on the beginning of my career in community finance, my thoughts often return to my childhood. At a young age, I was aware of the stark disparities in access to resources and opportunities between communities. I began to understand that success was not determined sol more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Census Quality Reinforcement Task Force has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Census Bureau expressing concerns regarding the design of the 2026 Operational Test in support of the 2030 Census. The organization warns that the currently revised testing framework may severely compromise the integrity and efficiency of the upcoming census operations, potentially leading to inflated costs and decreased data quality. In its letter, the task force emphasizes the more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The U.S. Department of Energy issued the following news release on March 20, 2026: * * * Energy Department Announces Partnership to Ensure Affordable Energy and Power America's AI Future The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), alongside the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), today announced a unique public-private partnership with SoftBank and AEP Ohio to redevelop DOE land, modernize energy infrastructure, and develop advanced computing in Southern Ohio. As part of the p more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst, Smith Honor Women in Agriculture * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, led a bipartisan resolution to designate March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the critical contributions of women in agriculture. The Senate unanimously passed the resolution, which highlights the more than 1.2 millio more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The Federal Reserve issued the following news release: * * * Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement actions with former employee of Ally Bank and former employee of Regions Bank * The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced the execution of the enforcement actions listed below: Consent prohibition against Lidia Estrada Former employee of Ally Bank, Sandy, Utah Falsification of documents in connection with request for increased compensation Consent prohib more PR

MADISON, Wisconsin, March 21 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news: * * * 'Theocratic' state rep. leads push for prayer in Ala. schools An Alabama legislator is FFRF Action Fund's "Theocrat of the Week" for his incessant push to install prayer in secular public schools. Alabama state Rep. Reed Ingram more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Georgia Muslim Voter Project (GAMVP) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce expressing concerns regarding the proposed 2026 Operational Test in Support of the 2030 Census. The organization emphasizes that this crucial test needs to accurately reflect various demographics to safeguard political representation and the fair allocation of resources for historically undercounted populations. In their letter, GAMVP highlights the importanc more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Hyundai Motor Group submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Investment Security regarding the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) Known Investor Program (KIP) and proposals to streamline the foreign investment review process. The letter emphasizes Hyundai's commitment to supporting American industry and calls for improvements in the KIP to facilitate greater investment from trusted allied partners, highlighting the im more ST

JACKSONVILLE, Alabama, March 21 -- Jacksonville State University issued the following news on March 19, 2026: * * * IEEE Jax State Student Branch and Computer Science Students Earn Multiple Awards at IEEE SoutheastCon 2026 Students from Jacksonville State University (Jax State) delivered an impressive performance at the IEEE SoutheastCon 2026 Conference, held March 13-15 in Huntsville, Alabama, earning multiple awards in highly competitive student competitions and continuing to improve their  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce voicing concerns regarding the 2026 Operational Test intended to support the 2030 Census. LULAC highlights four key issues that they believe could undermine the accuracy and inclusiveness of the Census, particularly for Latino and immigrant communities. The organization argues that the decision to utilize the American Community Survey (ACS) questionn more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Meals on Wheels America has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce expressing concerns regarding the proposed methodology for the 2026 Operational Test in Support of the 2030 Census. The organization highlighted that reliable census data are critical to understanding and addressing the needs of this vulnerable population. The organization argued that the current design of the 2026 test would render it ineffective, limiting the utility of the more ST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 21 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on March 20, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Nashville Journalist Released from ICE Custody on Bond After more than two weeks in detention in Alabama and Louisiana, Nashville Noticias journalist Estefany Rodriguez was freed on bond late Thursday afternoon. "Today we celebrate that Estefany has been released from the ICE detention center in Louisiana and is on her way home to be with he more PR

MONTGOMERY, Alabama, March 20 -- Air University posted the following news: * * * Never Forget: Capt. Hanna Born runs 2,977 miles to honor 9/11 victims * At Fort Rucker, Alabama, U.S. Air Force Capt. Hanna Born, an instructor pilot with the 23rd Flying Training Squadron, trains the next generation of rotary-wing aviators in the TH-1H Huey. Outside the cockpit, Born is leading a personal mission to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by running 2,977 miles -one mile fo more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 20 -- The Boston University School of Public Health issued the following news: * * * New Estimates of Uncounted COVID-19 Deaths Reveal Critical Gaps in US Death Investigation System *. health inequities A new study utilized a novel machine learning method to identify unrecognized COVID-19 deaths during the first two years of the pandemic and found that 19 percent more COVID-19 deaths occurred than official records indicate. These deaths disproportionately affe more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The New York Civic Engagement Table has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce outlining concerns over the proposed 2026 Operational Test in Support of the 2030 Census. The coalition stresses that an accurate census count is vital for ensuring political representation and appropriate funding for community services. In the letter, NYCET highlights the importance of a successful 2026 test to avoid the undercounting experienced in the recent 20 more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Prison Policy Initiative has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Census Bureau expressing concern over plans to exclude group quarters from the upcoming 2026 Census Test. The initiative highlights that the omission of group quarters, particularly correctional facilities, could undermine the Bureau's ability to count incarcerated individuals accurately in the 2030 Census. According to the organization, approximately 3% of the U.S. population resides in grou more ST

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, March 19 -- Samford University issued the following news release: * * * Samford Alumnus Highlights Core Texts Program During Presentation at the University of Oxford * Samford University's Core Texts program recently received international recognition when Matt hew Burford, MDiv '07, DMin '16, was invited to present at the University of Oxford, where he highlighted the distinctive value of Samford's approach to teaching classic works. Burford, who serves as an adjunct  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Tennessee Pharmacists Association has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission expressing concerns over a proposed settlement with Express Scripts. The association appreciates efforts by the agency to improve transparency and fairness in pharmacy reimbursement practices, particularly concerning the behavior of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that often lead to higher drug costs and hinder patient access to care. In its letter, the Tennessee  more ST

TROY, Alabama, March 20 -- Troy University issued the following news: * * * Troy University to host Fulbright conversations on international research and writing * Students interested in international travel and writing will have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Nicole Camasta, former Fulbright Scholar, at a panel discussion and reception on March 25 and 27. Hosted in conjunction with the Center for Relativity and Cosmology, University Honors Global Scholars Program and the English depart more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Senator Katie Britt Calls to Pass Legislation Preventing Members of Congress from Receiving Paychecks During Shutdowns * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, spoke on the Senate floor calling to pass legislation preventing members of Congress from receiving paychecks during government shutdowns. The Senator voic more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Senator Katie Britt Delivers Remarks on Senate Floor in Support of Markwayne Mullin's Nomination as Secretary of Homeland Security * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, yesterday spoke on the Senate floor to voice her strong support for President Trump's nominee to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Sec more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Senator Katie Britt Joins SAVE America Act Press Conference * 'This isn't a Republican issue, this is an American issue.' WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined a press conference in support of passing the SAVE America Act with Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), and James Lankford (R-Okla.). On voter ID laws-a commonsense, bipartisan p more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Shelley Moore Capito, Colleagues Send Letter Opposing Foreign Practices Undermining American Steelworkers * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and several of their bipartisan colleagues in writing a letter to Amy Karpel, Chair of the U.S. International Trade Commission, opposing effo more PR

JEFFERSON, Louisiana, March 20 [Category: BizHospital] -- Ochsner Health System issued the following news release: * * * The University of Queensland Medical School-Ochsner Health and Ochsner Graduate Medical Education celebrate high Match Day rates * NEW ORLEANS - The University of Queensland Medical School - Ochsner Health (UQ-Ochsner MD Program) and Ochsner Graduate Medical Education today celebrated Match Day 2026 - a rite of passage for medical residency applicants from around the world more PR