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 -- A coalition of 42 health organizations has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expressing concerns regarding proposed changes to regulations affecting access to medically necessary formulas and foods for individuals with gastrointestinal (GI) and inherited metabolic disorders. The letter highlights the essential role that specialized nutrition plays in the health management of patients suffering from these conditions. The p more ST

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 20 [Category: BizEnergy] -- American Electric Power Corp. posted the following news release: * * * AEP Ohio Partners to Bring $4.2B in New Electric Infrastructure in Appalachian Ohio Without Raising Customer Rates * GAHANNA, Ohio (March 20, 2026) -The U.S. Department of Energy, SB Energy and AEP Ohio today announced planned multi-billion-dollar investments in advanced digital and energy infrastructure to support data center growth and drive economic development in Appal more PR

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, March 20 -- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following news: * * * AG Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrests Cottonport Police Officer for Trespass Against State Computers and Malfeasance in Office * Agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) arrested a Cottonport Police Officer for Trespass Against State Computers and Malfeasance in Office. LBI received a request for assistance from former Cotton more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The American Action Forum issued the following commentary on March 19, 2026, by Energy and Environmental Policy Director Shuting Pomerleau: * * * U.S. LNG Exports Unlikely to Mitigate Global Supply Shock Executive Summary * In the wake of the current Middle East conflict, natural gas prices have spiked globally while remaining relatively stable in the United States; this price disparity is primarily due to the fragmentation of the global natural gas market. * The U more PR

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 20 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Cassidy Hosts "Catch Up with Cassidy" Event in Washington * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) hosted a "Catch Up with Cassidy" event, meeting with constituents from across Louisiana visiting Washington, D.C. The event provided an opportunity for Louisianans to share their priorities, ask questions, and discuss issues impacting their communities. "I wake up every morning thinki 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 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news on March 20, 2026: * * * Chairman Cassidy Sounds Alarm on Rampant Antisemitism at San Jose State, Demands Action to Protect Jewish Students U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, raised serious concerns following repeated antisemitic incidents at San Jose State  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 (TNSFR) -- The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Gainesville, Georgia, plans to repatriate human remains and associated funerary objects in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The inventory identifies the remains of at least three individuals and 735 associated funerary objects. At the Scull Shoals Mounds site, excavations between 1983 and 1985 recovered one individual and 154 objects, including nine quartz flakes, 143 pottery she more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Committee Cliff Notes: Week of March 16, 2026 Here's a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week: Appropriations On Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18, the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing over four sessions called "American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness." These sessions allowed represen more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 20 [Category: Libraries] -- The American Library Association posted the following news release: * * * Defending the federal E-Rate program from new legal threats, ALA files amicus brief to preserve broadband funding for libraries * The American Library Association (ALA) filed a friend of the court brief affirming the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and one of its four programs, E-Rate, which helps power broadband-enabled service more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Health Agents for America Inc. (HAFA) has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027. As a national nonprofit trade association, HAFA represents independent health insurance agents and brokers across all fifty states, emphasizing their indispensable role in assisting consumers with Marketplace coverage, eligibility for financial assistance, and selecting suitabl more ST

WASHINGTON, March 20 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Johnson, Scalise, Guthrie, Jordan, Babin: House Will Work to Implement National AI Framework * WASHINGTON -Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin released the following statement committing to act on the artificial intelligence (A more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Johnson, Scalise, Guthrie, Jordan, Babin: House Will Work to Implement National AI Framework * WASHINGTON -Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin released the following statement committing to act on the artificial intelligence (AI) framework rel more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Judiciary Committee Advances Fraud-Fighting Assistant Attorney General, One U.S. Attorney and Three U.S. Marshals * WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: * Colin McDonald, to be an Assistant Attorney General, by a vote of 12-10; * James Bishop, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, by a vote of 12-10; * B more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Kennedy urges Senate to reopen DHS, pass SAVE America Act through reconciliation: "We wouldn't need 60 votes" * Watch Kennedy's comments here. WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today urged his colleagues to consider passing funding for the Department of Homeland Security and the SAVE America Act through reconciliation in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor. Key excerpts of the speech are b more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Kennedy, Banking Committee colleagues to SEC: China-linked companies exploit our rules, create risks for American investors * WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and 15 bipartisan Banking Committee colleagues in pointing out the dangers posed by China-linked firms that hide their corporate st more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Kennedy, Cortez Masto, colleagues to IRS: Provide update on our tax relief law for disaster-struck communities * WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in seeking an update from acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner and Secretary of t more PR

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, March 21 -- The Louisiana Department of Insurance issued the following statement on March 20, 2026: * * * Temple Statement on Guilty Verdict in Staged Accident Trial Earlier today, a jury found attorneys Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles guilty on all charges for their roles in the staged accident ring operated out of New Orleans. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple's statement on the verdict: "Justice was served today when two attorneys were found guilty for their roles i more PR

SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 19 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following commentary on March 18, 2026, by Director Maureen H. Lavery and research attorneys Hannah T. Stilley and Joe St. James: * * * Ones To Watch: Legislation Landscape for 2026 At a Glance This article provides an overview of the thousands of labor and employment-related bills introduced in the United States in the first quarter of the year and looks at trends that appear to be emerging. * Ones To Watch is back wi more PR

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

JEFFERSON, Louisiana, March 20 [Category: BizHospital] -- Ochsner Health System issued the following news release: * * * Ochsner Health Center - Breaux Bridge opens with dedication to Burton Dupuis * BREAUX BRIDGE, La. - Ochsner St. Martin Hospital celebrates the grand opening of Ochsner Health Center - Breaux Bridge with a dedication to the president of Hospital Service District #2 Burton Dupuis on Friday, March 20. The 6,200 square-foot specialty clinic is located next to the Ochsner St. M more PR

JEFFERSON, Louisiana, March 20 [Category: BizHospital] -- Ochsner Health System issued the following news release: * * * Ochsner LSU Health raises minimum wage to $15 per hour * SHREVEPORT, La. - Ochsner LSU Health has announced a minimum wage increase to $15 per hour, effective May 31, 2026. This reflects Ochsner LSU Health's ongoing commitment to the financial well-being of its workforce. This announcement builds on years of investment in the people who make Ochsner LSU Health's mission  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- President Trump issued the following statement on March 19, 2026, on the feast of Saint Joseph: * * * Today, I send my best wishes to Catholics and other Christians celebrating the Feast of Saint Joseph--the earthly father of Jesus Christ and one of the most revered figures in the Bible. Saint Joseph was a model father, husband, and worker, as well as a living embodiment of Christian virtue. He spent his life working tirelessly, without accolades or recognition, to pro more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: * * * Republicans Fight to End Democrats' Dangerous DHS Shutdown * "Right now, the Department of Homeland Security remains closed. Democrats shut it down. For 35 days, they have blocked every effort to reopen it. Democrats need to vote with Republicans to reopen the Department of Homeland Security." WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today spoke ahead of a vote to fully fun more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Scalise, Johnson, Guthrie, Jordan, Babin: House Will Work to Implement National AI Framework * Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas) released the follo more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Scalise, Johnson, Guthrie, Jordan, Babin: House Will Work to Implement National AI Framework * WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas) released the foll more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Speaker Johnson Appoints DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board * WASHINGTON -On Thursday, Speaker Johnson appointed DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board, which reviews nominations and recommends individuals to receive the Medal of Valor. "I am pleased to appoint DeSoto Parish S 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

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * WATCH: Sen. Schiff Leads Hearing on Promoting American Film Production, Tackling Challenges Facing the Film Industry * Schiff: "We have a special responsibility when it comes to the future of the American film and television industry." Burbank, CA -Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) hosted a spotlight hearing "Lights, Camera, Competition": Promoting American Film Production to highlight more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, issued the following news release: * * * Welch and Blumenthal Request Records of Media Buying Firms Linked to Noem's DHS Ads * Republican ad firms Strategic Media Services Inc. and Smart Media Group LLC reportedly placed Mount Rushmore ad featuring Secretary Kristi Noem Senators request subcontracts, invoices, and communications, including with Noem, Lewandowski, and McLaughlin WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Membe more PR