WASHINGTON, May 26 -- As the nation braces for the upcoming hurricane season, a prominent Texas-based justice organization is calling for sweeping changes to the federal disaster response system, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced coordination, improved communication, and increased accessibility for survivors. Texas Appleseed, a nonpartisan nonprofit, submitted a detailed letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council, offering critical feedback on the agency's performanc more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois, is advocating for significant changes to federal student loan programs, urging the U.S. Department of Education to ensure that the cost of medical education does not deter aspiring physicians. In a letter to Secretary Linda McMahon, the organization emphasized the critical role of programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness in addressing the nation's physician shortage and supporting the medical workforce. The American more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The American Petroleum Institute has submitted comments to the Federal Maritime Commission regarding an investigation into transit constraints at international maritime chokepoints. The organization, representing America's oil and natural gas industry, expressed support for the Federal Maritime Commission's efforts to evaluate global maritime bottlenecks. API highlighted that "any constraints or chokepoints in the global maritime system result in safety concerns, increase more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, Whitesburg, Kentucky, has submitted comprehensive comments to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, urging significant reforms and continued federal partnership in disaster recovery efforts. The public interest law firm and policy organization drew on its own experience with severe flooding in Eastern Kentucky in July 2022, and subsequent events, to highlight critical needs for communities facing natural disasters. The organization  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- Best Practice Quality LLC, Phoenix, Arizona, a consulting solutions independent contractor, has submitted comments to the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding proposed changes to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data collection. The firm advocates for significant improvements in the quality and utility of NEISS data to better inform product safety and standards development. Rachael Shagott, President of Best Practice Quality, highlighted critical more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Center for Biological Diversity, Tucson, Arizona, has raised significant concerns over the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed registration of cyclobutrifluram, a new pesticide classified as a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). In a detailed letter submitted to the agency, the organization criticized the short comment period, inadequate Endangered Species Act compliance, and the pesticide's environmental persistence, urging the EPA to reconsider its appro more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Center for Food Safety is urging the United States Environmental Protection Agency to reject the proposed registration of cyclobutrifluram, a new fungicide, citing significant concerns about its potential to cause cancer in humans. The public interest organization, representing 970,000 members and supporters, submitted extensive comments to the federal agency, arguing that the EPA's assessment of the chemical's safety is deeply flawed. According to the Center for Food  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law has voiced strong objections to a new alien registration form, Form G-325R, urging the Department of Homeland Security to rescind it and withdraw the associated Interim Final Rule. The organization contends that the form violates both the Paperwork Reduction Act and the U.S. Constitution. In a letter to the Residence and Naturalization Division Chief, Mark Phillips, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law expres more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Skagit Audubon Society, representing 494 members in Washington state, has formally expressed strong disagreement with a federal proposal to redefine "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. In a public comment letter dated May 8, 2025, the organization argued that rescinding the long-standing inclusion of habitat modification in the definition would severely weaken the landmark environmental law and undermine decades of conservation efforts. The society contends that t more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- Conservation organizations are raising alarms about recent federal policy shifts, arguing they introduce "chaos" into efforts to recover grizzly bear populations in the lower 48 states. A coalition of groups, including Friends of the Bitterroot, Friends of the Clearwater, Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance, Inland Empire Task Force, WildEarth Guardians, Wilderness Watch, Wyoming Wildlife Advocates and Yaak Valley Forest Council, submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife S more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Council for Opportunity in Education, an organization dedicated to expanding college opportunities for low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities, has formally submitted recommendations to the U.S. Department of Education calling for significant adjustments to the regulations governing the Federal TRIO Programs. The Council for Opportunity in Education represents the interests of more than 870,000 students served by these vital programs. In a more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- A Northern California environmental nonprofit is urging federal agencies to reconsider a proposed change to the Endangered Species Act that would remove habitat destruction from the definition of "take." The South Yuba River Citizens League, dedicated to protecting and restoring the Yuba River watershed, submitted comments opposing the revision, arguing it would severely undermine efforts to save threatened and endangered species. The organization highlights that habitat l more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- A coalition of environmental and farmworker advocacy groups, including California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, Earthjustice, Farmworker Justice, Pesticide Action Network North America and Toxic Free North Carolina, has sharply criticized the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to approve cyclobutrifluram, a pesticide identified as a perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). In comments submitted to the agency, the groups argue that the EPA's failure to recognize cyclobu more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Eugene Airport, Oregon, is pushing back against proposed modifications to federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant Assurances, arguing that new conditions tied to executive orders are vague and constitutionally questionable. The city is asking the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to remove references to five specific executive orders from the grant assurances. Airport Director Cathryn Stephens stated that the FAA's focus should remain on aviation safety, no more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- A feminist environmental justice organization in Hawaiʻi, Tagnawa, is calling on the federal agency responsible for disaster response to drastically reform its approach, arguing that current methods systematically fail marginalized communities. In a detailed letter to the agency, Tagnawa, founded by Filipino survivors of the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires, highlighted critical shortcomings in the recovery efforts following the disaster. Tagnawa's critique stems from their  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- A conservation group, the North Umpqua Foundation, Roseburg, Oregon, has voiced strong opposition to a proposed redefinition of "harm" within the Endangered Species Act. In a letter dated May 14, 2025, the foundation warned that such a change would have dire consequences for wildlife and their habitats, potentially leading to an increase in species extinctions. Becky McRae, President of the North Umpqua Foundation, articulated the group's concerns, stating that altering th more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, Indianapolis, Indiana, is urging the U.S. Department of Education to continue its support of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, emphasizing its crucial role in recruiting and retaining legal talent across Indiana. The Council highlighted the growing shortage of prosecutors in the state, with public sector salaries often unable to compete with the significant student loan debt many graduates carry. For us, PSLF isn't jus more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Institute of Student Loan Advisors is urging the federal government to implement significant changes to student loan programs to address borrower hardship and administrative inefficiencies. Betsy Mayotte, President of the Institute, submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Education outlining several critical requests aimed at improving the student loan landscape. Mayotte highlighted the "chaotic and confusing period in the history of the federal student loan progr more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- Santa Clara County, California, officials are raising alarms over a proposed change to federal regulations that could block public access to aircraft registration information, potentially jeopardizing millions in local property tax revenue. The U.S. Department of Transportation is considering a rule that would withhold certain aircraft registration details from public dissemination. Lawrence E. Stone, Assessor for Santa Clara County, voiced strong opposition in a letter to more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The National Consumer Law Center is calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to improve its disaster response efforts, particularly for homeowners with nontraditional property titles and for communities affected by extreme heat. In a letter to the agency, the nonprofit organization highlighted significant hurdles faced by vulnerable populations in accessing crucial disaster relief. The National Consumer Law Center emphasized its long-standing commitment to consum more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The National Education Association, has submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Department of Education, advocating for the continued strength and broad application of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The organization, representing over 3 million members, emphasized the program's vital role in supporting public servants, particularly educators. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program was established by Congress to alleviate student loan debt for public servi more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The National Pain Advocacy Center is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to classify and regulate NarxCare, a proprietary risk-scoring algorithm used in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, as a Software as a Medical Device. The organization submitted a letter in support of a Citizen's Petition, arguing that the algorithm's lack of transparency and potential for harm necessitate federal oversight. The National Pain Advocacy Center, a nonprofit alliance of clinici more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Otero County Board of County Commissioners, New Mexico, has voiced strong support for a proposed rule change that would rescind the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. The commissioners believe this action is crucial for the economic well-being of the county, particularly for its vital logging, ranching, and recreation industries. In comments submitted to the federal agency, the commissioners outlined how the current definition of "harm" has stifled  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Harrisburg, is urging federal authorities to implement significant reforms to how the nation responds to disasters, citing past delays and inconsistencies that have hampered recovery efforts in the Commonwealth. In a detailed letter submitted to a federal review council, PEMA outlined both positive experiences and critical areas for improvement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. David R. Padfield, Director of  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education, advocating for the preservation of current Public Service Loan Forgiveness program definitions. The university expressed concern that proposed changes could negatively impact public service professionals and deter students from pursuing careers in essential fields. RIT emphasized the program's crucial role in incentivizing graduates, particularly those from low-inc more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- San Juan County, Washington state has formally expressed its strong opposition to a federal proposal aiming to revise the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. In a detailed letter addressed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the county, an archipelago nestled in Washington State's Salish Sea, underscored the vital connection between healthy habitats and the survival of its unique and imperiled wildlife. The county highlighted its rich biodiversity, ho more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The largest nonprofit law firm in southeast Louisiana has provided a detailed assessment of federal disaster response efforts, commending significant improvements by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) while also offering key recommendations for further enhancements. In a letter to FEMA, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) highlighted positive strides in timeliness and efficiency, particularly in the wake of lessons learned from catastrophic events like Hur more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Washington state, has issued a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, expressing deep concern over a proposed rule to remove the definition of 'harm' from the Endangered Species Act. The Tribe argues that this change would severely undermine the Act's purpose and worsen the plight of threatened and endangered species. In their letter dated May 13, 2025, the Tribe highlighted that eliminating the 'harm' definition would arbitrarily more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- Texas is urging federal wildlife officials to rethink a proposed rule that would grant threatened species status to the monarch butterfly and designate critical habitat, arguing the Biden administration's "midnight regulation" is outdated and lacks scientific basis. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, in a letter dated May 14, 2025, to Brian Nesvik, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stated that new evidence and recent policy changes under the Trump adm more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- A public policy organization is raising alarms about what it calls "government jawboning"--the informal but powerful pressure exerted by federal officials on technology platforms to control online speech. In comments submitted to the Federal Trade Commission, the Reason Foundation argued that this government interference, rather than the platforms' own moderation choices, poses a significant threat to free expression online. The comments, filed in response to the Federal T more ST

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Western Environmental Law Center, Helena, Montana, has called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services to broaden the scope of its upcoming environmental impact statement (EIS) on managing grizzly bear damage in Montana. In a detailed letter submitted to the federal agency, the organization, representing plaintiffs in a recent court case, emphasized the need for a comprehensive analysis that extends beyond grizzly bears to include other predators and ec more ST

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- A conservation organization is voicing strong opposition to a proposed change in the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, warning it could accelerate species extinctions. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, representing 252 accredited facilities nationwide, submitted comments to a federal agency, arguing the proposed rule would dismantle a crucial protection within the landmark environmental law. The current interpretation of "harm" encompasses habitat more ST