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 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

JONESBORO, Arkansas, March 20 -- Arkansas State University posted the following news: * * * 31st Annual Delta Symposium to Include Special Workshops, April 9 and 11 * JONESBORO - Arkansas State University's Delta Symposium is planning a special event. Two workshops, titled "Oral History, Folklife, and Heritage Sites" will be offered during the four-day conference. One will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Pine Tree Room at the Carl R. Reng Student Union. The other will precede the more PR

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, March 21 -- The Arkansas Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, a part of the Department of Public Safety, issued the following news: * * * ADLEST CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF NEW TRAINING FACILITY ON NORTHWEST ALETA CAMPUS The Arkansas Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ADLEST) today celebrated the grand opening of a new training facility at the Northwest campus of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) in Springdale. The ne more PR

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

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, March 21 -- Little Rock School District issued the following news: * * * All "Aboard" - LRSD Welcomes New and Returning Members to a Reconfigured Board The Little Rock School District is entering a new chapter with the swearing-in of both new and returning members to the Board of Directors, marking a shift in leadership and a renewed focus on student success. The reconfigured board brings together a mix of fresh perspectives and experienced voices, creating a balanced t more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Alliance for Driver Safety and Security LLC has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation urging the denial of an exemption petition from the Federation of Professional Truckers. The Trucking Alliance emphasized the importance of maintaining federal mandates for electronic logging devices (ELDs) that track commercial drivers' hours of service (HOS) to enhance highway safety and reduce truck-related crash fatalities. In its communicati more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Arkansas Municipal League has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury regarding its proposal to establish a new system of records for various financial assistance programs. The League expressed appreciation for the chance to share insights on this Privacy Act proposal. In its letter, the organization highlighted the involvement of Arkansas municipalities in Treasury's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, the Emergency Rental Assistance, more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Arkansas Pharmacists Association has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission expressing concerns regarding the proposed settlement with Express Scripts. While the association appreciates the agency's efforts to improve transparency and fairness in prescription drug pricing, it argues that the settlement fails to adequately address critical issues affecting patients and community pharmacies. The public comment letter highlights the need for r more ST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, March 20 [Category: BizBizHospital] -- Baptist Memorial Health Care posted the following news release: * * * Baptist Memorial and AMMC celebrate merger and share plans for the future * Paragould, Ark., March 20, 2026- Memphis-based Baptist Memorial Health Care, one of the largest health care systems in the United States, held a news conference on Friday to celebrate its merger with Arkansas Methodist Medical Center and address the future of the hospital. *** Original t 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

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Boozman Urges Support for Prostate Cancer Screening Bill at HELP Committee Hearing * WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) was invited by Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) to rally support for his bipartisan initiative that would increase access to prostate cancer screenings. Boozman reflected on the widespread impact prostat 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 Center for Biological Diversity has submitted a public comment letter to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing consideration of an emergency exemption request for the pesticide tetflupyrolimtet under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The letter challenges EPA's readiness to comply with environmental laws, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and FIFRA, in approving the use of this highly persistent PFAS-based pesticide in ri more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following news release on March 20, 2026: * * * Chairman Hill Statement on President Trump's National AI Legislative Framework House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after the Trump Administration released their National AI Legislative Framework: "I commend President Trump for releasing a thoughtful National Legislati more PR

JONESBORO, Arkansas, March 20 -- Arkansas State University posted the following news: * * * Create@State Symposium to Feature Student Research and Creativity * JONESBORO - Arkansas State University students will share their research and creative activity through the 16th annual Create@State Symposium, a spring semester tradition at A State since 2011. "Create@State: A Symposium of Research, Scholarship & Creativity" will take place Thursday, April 16, in the Carl R. Reng Student Union. T more PR

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, March 20 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff posted the following news: * * * ESLI Scholars Attend L.C. & Daisy Bates Brunch, Advancing Leadership Through Strategic Partnerships * Little Rock, Ark. -Fourteen students from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's (UAPB) Emerging Scholars Leadership Institute (ESLI) participated in the annual L.C. & Daisy Bates Brunch on Saturday, March 14, 2026, gaining valuable exposure to leadership, history, and civic engage more PR

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, March 16 -- Southwest Power Pool, a corporation mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure supplies of power, transmission infrastructure and wholesale electricity prices, issued the following news release: * * * FERC approves SPP's groundbreaking transmission planning proposal The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) signed off on a landmark initiative by Southwest Power Pool (SPP) to revolutionize its generator interconnection (GI) and long- more PR

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, March 20 -- Gov. Mike Kehoe, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Kehoe Announces Eight Gubernatorial Appointments * Jefferson City Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced six gubernatorial appointments to various boards and commissions and filled two county vacancies. Margaret Bultas, Ph.D., of Eureka, was reappointed to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Ms. Bultas is a professor at Saint Louis University's Trudy Busch Valentine Schoo more PR

ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas, March 21 -- Henderson State University issued the following news release on March 20, 2026: * * * Martin James releases latest edition of his book featuring Angola Dr. W. Martin James, emeritus professor of political science at Henderson State University, has released the fourth edition of his Historical Dictionary of Angola. Published by Bloomsbury, the dictionary is an A-Z look at the African nation's politics, economics, civil conflict, women, arts and literature, h more PR

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, March 21 -- The University of Arkansas' Walton College of Business issued the following news: * * * Hill Family Establishes Endowment to Support Future Portfolio Managers at Walton College The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the U of A has received a donation from the Jay F. and Patricia P. Hill Family Fund to establish the Jay F. Hill Portfolio Manager Endowment, creating a lasting legacy to support undergraduate excellence in investment management. The endowmen more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The House Financial Services Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-531) on the Bank-Fintech Partnership Enhancement Act (H.R. 6552). The report was advanced by Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, on Feb. 25, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * PURPOSE AND SUMMARY H.R. 6552, the Bank-Fintech Partnership Enhancement Act, was introduced on December 10, 2025, by Republican Representative Andy Barr (KY-06). This bill would direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (FRB), t more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The House Financial Services Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-533) on the Community Bank Representation Act (H.R. 6554). The report was advanced by Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, on Feb. 25, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose and Summary H.R. 6554, the Community Bank Representation Act, was introduced on December 10, 2025, by Republican Representative Monica De La Cruz (TX-15). The bill expands the role of the community bank representative on the Federal Reser more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The House Financial Services Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-534) on the Enhancing Bank Resolution Participation Act (H.R. 6555). The report was advanced by Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, on Feb. 25, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * PURPOSE AND SUMMARY H.R. 6555, the Enhancing Bank Resolution Participation Act, was introduced on December 10, 2025, by Republican Representative Bill Huizenga (MI-04). H.R. 6555 directs the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OC more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The House Financial Services Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-532) on the Tailoring and Indexing Enhanced Regulations Act (H.R. 6553). The report was advanced by Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, on Feb. 25, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose and Summary H.R. 6553, the Tailoring and Indexing Enhanced Regulations (TIER) Act, was introduced on December 10, 2025, by Republican Representative Andy Barr (KY-06). This bill indexes various asset-based thresholds for ban more ST

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news: * * * Innovation in Action: Airman-Built 3D Model Strengthens Air Traffic Controller Training * Airmen assigned to the 19th Operations Support Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, are taking a creative approach to training the next generation of air traffic controllers by developing a detailed 3D model that visually represents aircraft patterns and procedures used at the installation. The innovation  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, Arkansas, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service . In this letter, the company emphasizes the need for a reevaluation of current Salmonella performance standards to enhance food safety effectively. Tyson Foods has participated in discussions regarding the agency's strategy to combat Salmonella, most recently at a public meeting held in January. The company emphasizes th more ST

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, March 20 -- The University of Arkansas Little Rock campus issued the following news: * * * UA Little Rock Names Faculty Excellence Award College-Level Winners in Public Service * The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named three faculty members as college-level recipients of the Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service, recognizing faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to serving the university, community, and profession. Each academic college has more PR

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, March 20 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff posted the following news: * * * UAPB Recognized as Partner of Delta Rhythm & Bayous Blues & Wellness Plaza * The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) was recognized for its contributions to the Delta Rhythm & Bayous (DRB) - Blues and Wellness Plaza during its recent grand opening. Beautiful blue skies and unseasonably warm temperatures provided an ideal backdrop at 3rd Avenue and Main Streets (Bobby Rush Way) more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Waterkeeper Alliance has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criticizing the agency's consideration of emergency exemptions for the use of the pesticide tetflupyrolimet in Arkansas and Missouri. The organization argues that such exemptions bypass crucial safety reviews, posing risks to public health and the environment. In its letter, Waterkeeper Alliance, representing over 300 community-based Waterkeeper groups globally, express more ST

WASHINGTON, March 20 [Category: Business] -- NetChoice, a coalition of trade associations that says it makes the internet safe for free enterprise and expression, posted the following news release: * * * White House Releases AI Framework to Govern Tech for Americans Nationwide * WASHINGTON-Today, the White House released a National Framework for Artificial Intelligence, which provides a blueprint for Congress to govern this nascent technology across America. "When it comes to AI, the Trump more PR