WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. September 14, 2026 The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 RE: Medicare Program: Request for Information; Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Regulations [RIN 0938-AW01] Dear Administrator Oz: On behalf of the physicians, nurses, and other health profe more ST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Page 2 of 7 September 11, 2026 The Honorable Mehmet Oz, MD, MBA Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1848-P P.O. Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 Submitted electronically via regulations.gov RE: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2027 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and O more ST

TROY, Alabama, Sept. 16 -- Troy University issued the following news: * * * Alumni associations contribute to Sound of the South's London trip * The Troy University Alumni Band Association (TUBA) and Troy University Alumni Association contributed to the Sound of the South (SOTS) as they prepare to march in the 2027 London New Year's Day Parade. Over the band alumni reunion weekend on Saturday, Sept. 5, TUBA contributed $5,000. James Holmes, TUBA President, is proud of his fellow band alumni for making this possible. "Thanks to the generos more PR

AUBURN, Alabama, Sept. 16 -- Auburn University College of Engineering posted the following news: * * * Assistant professor of chemical engineering earns $1 million NSF grant * Can a robot sense touch using some of the same physical and biological mechanisms found in living systems? Jean-Francois Louf is working toward making that possible. Louf, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, is the principal investigator on a $1.04 million National Science Foundation project, "Biohybrid Soft Robots that Sense Touch Throu more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Brown Technologies Incorporated (BTI) Huntsville, Alabama September 14, 2026 Ryan Lambert, Associate Administrator Office of Government Contracting and Business Development U.S. Small Business Administration 409 Third Street, SW, Mail Code 6530 Washington, DC 20416 Submitted via www.regulations.gov Re: Comments on Proposed Rule, Small Business Size Standards, RIN more ST

CLINTON, Mississippi, Sept. 16 -- Mississippi Christian University posted the following news: * * * BSU's Summer Missions Program helps MC students spread the Gospel throughout the world * A record 30 Mississippi Christian University students visited five continents this summer to share the message of Christ through the Baptist Student Union's Summer Missions Program. Student missionaries served with the North American Mission Board, the International Mission Board and the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in locations ranging from New  more PR

AUBURN, Alabama, Sept. 16 -- Auburn University College of Engineering posted the following news: * * * CEE professor seeks to make water service restoration safer, faster * Restoring service after a broken water main is a balancing act. Refill the system too quickly and water can compress trapped air, creating damaging pressure surges. Move too slowly and homes and businesses remain without water longer than necessary. Jose Vasconcelos, professor of water resources in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is working to he more PR

MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 16 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Southern Poverty Law Center posted the following news: * * * Civil Rights Groups Sue Florida Department of Children and Families for Unlawfully Trapping People With Mental Illness in Jail for Months * TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -Today, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Disability Rights Florida (DRF), Florida Justice Institute (FJI) and Terris, Pravlik & Millian, LLP (TPM) filed a federal lawsuit against the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) challenging the state's year more PR

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, Sept. 15 -- Samford University issued the following news release: * * * Cumberland School of Law Trial Team Reaches National Semifinals at First Chair Competition * Caleb New, Judge Jim Roberts, Claire Roberts Members of Samford University Cumberland School of Law's National Trial Team finished as national semifinalists while competing in the First Chair Trial Competition in Philadelphia from Sept. 11-13. The team of second-year law students, Caleb New and Claire Roberts, also tied for the Professionalism Award. Firs more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. DEFTEC Corporation 200 West Side Square, Suite 410 Huntsville, AL 35801 September 14, 2026 Khem R. Sharma, Ph.D. Chief, Office of Size Standards U.S. Small Business Administration 409 3rd Street SW Washington, DC 20416 Submitted electronically via regulations.gov Re: Comments on Proposed Rule, Small Business Size Standards, 91 Fed. Reg. 53741 (Aug. 20, 2026);  more ST

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, Sept. 15 -- Samford University issued the following news release: * * * Finding Friendship in the Wild Wood: Theatre for Youth Students Discover the Heart Behind a Beloved Classic * A chaotic toad, a cautious mole, a loyal rat, a wise badger and a sharp-tongued otter might sound like the ingredients for a children's adventure. As the cast of The Wind in the Willows has discovered, they are also the ingredients for a story about friendship, courage and the people who help us grow. As rehearsals continue for Samford Univ more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Rep. Shomari C. Figures, D-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * House Passes Figures' Bipartisan Bill to Rename Post Office Honoring Tuskegee Airmen * WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Shomari C. Figures' bipartisan bill to rename a post office located in Tuskegee after the Tuskegee Airmen passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a voice vote. Click here to watch Congressman Figures' remarks on the bill. "The Tuskegee Airmen are among the most consequential and impactful service members in our nation more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Rep. Dale W. Strong, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * House Unanimously Passes Strong Bill to Protect American Agriculture from Terrorist Threats * WASHINGTON -Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 9394, the Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026, legislation introduced by Representative Dale Strong (AL-05) to strengthen the nation's ability to prepare for and respond to acts of agroterrorism. "America's agriculture and food supply are critical to both our  more PR

KOKOMO, Indiana, Sept. 16 -- Indiana University Kokomo campus posted the following news: * * * IU Kokomo celebrates August 2026 graduates * KOKOMO, Ind. -Indiana University Kokomo congratulates the 119 students who earned degrees in August 2026. The graduates represent 23 Indiana counties and two states. Those who earned degrees include: Alexandria Whitney Ann Gosnell, Bachelor of Science in Education Amboy Evan Robert Kretz, Master of Business Administration Alaina Nicole Simmons, Master of Business Administration Anderson Ked more PR

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, Sept. 16 -- The University of Alabama issued the following news: * * * Landmark trial finds restoring blood flow does not improve cognition in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease * Ronald M. Lazar, Ph.D., professor and director of the Division of Neuropsychology in the UAB Department of Neurology A major clinical trial led by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has answered a long-standing question about the relationship between carotid artery disease and cognition: While patients with s more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (Rep.) -- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LEADER JEFFRIES ON HOUSE FLOOR: "WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND WITH THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE UNTIL VICTORY IS WON" * Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the House Floor in opposition to legislation that would expand Donald Trump's authority to impose tariffs and continue his failed global trade war that is making life far too expensive for everyday Americans. LEADER JEFFRIES: I rise in strong support of t more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LEADER JEFFRIES ON HOUSE FLOOR: "WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND WITH THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE UNTIL VICTORY IS WON" * Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the House Floor in opposition to legislation that would expand Donald Trump's authority to impose tariffs and continue his failed global trade war that is making life far too expensive for everyday Americans. LEADER JEFFRIES: I rise in strong support of the underlying bill to hono more PR

AUBURN, Massachusetts, Sept. 16 [Category: Business] -- The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership posted the following news: * * * MassMEP Awarded Nearly $3 Million in Federal Funding to Support Massachusetts Manufacturers * Funding is part of more than $30 million NIST is investing in Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers across 11 states and Puerto Rico AUBURN, MA. -September 16, 2026 -The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) has been awarded $2,959,870 in federal funding through the National Inst more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Sept. 17 -- The National Council on Family Relations issued the following news: * * * Lamar University and Edmonds College Programs Receive CFLE Approval September 16, 2026 Degree programs at Lamar University and Edmonds College are now approved by NCFR as meeting the criteria for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential. The Bachelor of Science in Family Science at Lamar University provides an in-depth exploration of interrelationships among a family and its connection to a larger community, the socializat more PR

TAMPA, Florida, Sept. 16 -- The University of South Florida posted the following news: * * * New Gulf-wide study explores the mysteries of two popular fish: cobia and tripletail * By Joey Garcia, University Communications and Marketing Among thousands of fish species found in the Gulf, two have captured the attention of USF Assistant Professor Lucas Griffin -cobia and tripletail. Both species can weigh up to 40 pounds and are known for their culinary value. Through federal and state funding, Griffin and his collaborators in Florida are tr more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * Palmer's CHARM Act Passes House * Media Contact: Hope Martin(link sends email) (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last night, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 9617, the Coordinating and Harnessing America's Recovery of Minerals (CHARM) Act. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Gary Palmer (R-AL-06) and Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), the Democratic Ranking Member on the Environment Subcommittee. Following the passage  more PR

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, Sept. 15 -- Samford University issued the following news release: * * * Recovering the "Gift" of Grief: Beeson Divinity School Alumnus Publishes Book to Help Believers Grieve Well * Over the course of 20 years of counseling as a pastor, Randy Hemphill, MDiv '00, DMin '14, heard one question more than any other: "How do I grieve?" Learning how to respond to that question and how to help Christians walk through life's difficult moments and process them well, led to Hemphill's latest book, We Grieve Our Losses: A Christia more PR

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama, Sept. 16 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command posted the following news: * * * Speed of relevance: ACC-RI executes $25 million in same-day awards * ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -In an era where technological superiority depends on speed, Army Contracting Command - Rock Island proved defense acquisition can match the tempo of commercial innovation during the inaugural Defense Industrial Base Exchange in Philadelphia, Aug. 25-27. Surrounded by approximately 2,400 defense leaders, commercial innovators, and investors,  more PR

LOS ANGELES, California, Sept. 16 -- The University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine posted the following news release: * * * Study of bone strength reveals new clues about human evolution * Bipedalism, or walking on two legs, is one of the key features that distinguishes humans from other apes. But when and why our ancestors transitioned from a life often spent in trees to a life spent almost exclusively on the ground remains a subject of debate. New evidence from fossils representing two groups of human ancestors-Australopi more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Senator Katie Britt Questions FBI Director Kash Patel in Senate Judiciary Oversight Hearing * WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) this week questioned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel in a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. The Senator thanked Director Patel for his commitment to securing communities across Alabama, inquired about the resources and funding needed to protect Americans during v more PR