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 16 state attorneys general have issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services demanding the immediate withdrawal of a recent proposed rule that modifies the definition of "disability" under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Proposed Rule, which aims to exclude "gender dysphoria not resulting from physical impairments" from disability protections, has drawn intense scrutiny from legal officials across the nation. 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

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 20 [Category: Libraries] -- The American Library Association posted the following news release: * * * ALA releases free library programming toolkit for library workers to support online health literacy and selects twelve libraries for pilot program * The American Library Association (ALA) announces 12 libraries selected for the Digital Pathways: Online Health Literacy Programming for Adults initiative, a pilot program that supports libraries' online health literacy p more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 20 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jeff Jackson Challenges EPA Rollback That Will Raise Gas Prices for North Carolina Families * EPA's own data shows the rollback will raise fuel prices and cost consumers $1.5 trillion RALEIGH -Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in challenging an EPA rollback that the agency's own analysis shows will raise fuel cost more PR

HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 20 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Tong Secures Federal Court Order Protecting Gender Affirming Care * (Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong and a coalition of 21 states and The District of Columbia yesterday secured a federal court order blocking an unlawful attempt by the Trump Administration to pressure healthcare providers into ending care for youth with gender dysphoria. The Cour more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: * * * Bennet, Cortez Masto, Durbin, Colleagues Demand DHS Reduce Delays for DACA Renewals * Washington, D.C. -Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), as well as 38 of their Democratic colleagues to send a letter to outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (US 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

BRUNSWICK, Maine, March 20 -- Bowdoin College issued the following Q&A on March 18, 2026, by Neiman Mocombe and Rebecca Goldfine with Praise Hall, vice president of the Black Alumni Association: * * * Q&A with Praise Hall '20 of the Black Alumni Association: On Building Community, Leadership, and New Traditions After organizing a Black alumni career panel for students during Black History Month, Praise Hall, the vice president of the Bowdoin College Black Alumni Association (BCBAA), spoke abo 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 Environmental Working Group issued the following news release on March 20, 2026: * * * California bill would ban toxic 'forever chemical' pesticides contaminating nearly 40% of state-grown non-organic produce AB 1603 would phase out PFAS pesticides by 2035 and require public disclosure on 2.5M pounds of chemicals used each year * SACRAMENTO - A bill introduced today in the Assembly would ban the toxic "forever chemical" pesticides that contaminate nearly two in f more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, March 19 -- Fisher Phillips, a law firm, issued the following commentary on March 18, 2026, by associate Amelie Hopkins and regional managing partner Christopher P. Stief: * * * Maine Legislature Considers Ban on Health Care Noncompetes: What Employers Need to Know About L.D. 2200 * The Maine Legislature is currently considering proposed legislation that would ban the use of noncompete agreements with state-licensed employees in the health care sector. L.D. 2200, "An Act to more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 20 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news: * * * Governor Mills Stands Up for Reproductive Rights Following Trump Administration's Latest Assault * Governor Janet Mills today issued the following statement in response to a notification from the Trump Administration that it is conducting a "compliance review" of Maine's mandate that health insurance plans provide coverage of abortion care: "Donald Trump, empowered by Republicans in Washington, is pulli more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 20 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf Maine State Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth: * * * Governor signs Sen. Carney bill to fund Public Defense Services, protect constitutional rights Today, Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 2059, a bill from Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, to provide emergency funding to the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services (PDS), whose impending budget shortfall puts at risk Maine's capacity to meet its constit more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich Introduces New Legislation to Cut Taxes for New Mexico Workers * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the introduction of the Working Americans' Tax Cut Act, legislation he cosponsored to provide much-needed tax relief for New Mexico workers who are facing increased prices for groceries and everyday essentials due to President Trump's unlawful foreign tariffs. more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich, Lujan Demand DHS Reduce Delays for DACA Renewals * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) sent a letter demanding that outgoing U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow reduce the delays in processing renewal applications under the Deferred Action more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * King, Cramer Take Action to Reduce Federal Budget Deficit, Avoid Passing Down Debt to Next Generation * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) are introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to spur Congress to reduce the federal budget deficit and avoid passing down large sums of debt to the next generation. The 3% Resolution would support the goal of reduc more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * King, Curtis Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Administration to Reverse Course on New Policy Limiting Path to Homeownership * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and John Curtis (R-UT) are pressing the Trump Administration to reverse course on its decision to limit the path to home ownership for rural Americans. In a bipartisan letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)  more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 21 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following radio address: * * * Preserving the American Dream in Maine Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening. You know, the prospect of homeownership has always been the cornerstone of the American Dream. It's been a pathway to financial stability. But today, that dream is simply out of reach for so many people. The median price for a home in Maine is $395,000, and that's only slightly lower than the more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has issued a public comment letter addressing the proposed notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2027 submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The letter outlines significant concerns regarding the feasibility and timing of the proposed regulatory changes, which could negatively impact the operation of CoverME.gov, Maine's state-based health insurance marketplace. In the letter, OHIM emphasizes  more ST

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The Maine Primary Care Association has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding proposed changes under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act affecting the 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters. The Association, which advocates for Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Maine, highlighted several critical issues that could adversely impact patient access to essential healthcare services. The Association repre more ST

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 20 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel: * * * Maine Senate passes Sen. Ingwersen bill to invest in Maine's essential child care system On Tuesday, March 17, the Maine Senate passed a bill from Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, and sent it to the Governor's desk. LD 1728, "An Act to Improve Affordability, Stability and Access in the Child Care Affordability Program," seeks to invest in and strengt more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 20 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono: * * * Bill to better protect the public when hospital birthing centers are slated to close advances through Maine Legislature LD 2189, a bill recommended by the Commission on Hospitals and Health Care to better protect patients and the public when birthing centers are slated to close advanced unanimously in the Senate today on a vote of 32 to 0, following a vot more PR

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Northeast Seafood Coalition and the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund submitted a public comment letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration urging approval of Amendment 25 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The organizations stress the importance of implementing this amendment ahead of the impending start of the 2026 fishing year, aimed to ensure the commercial groundfish sector can operate effectively beginning May  more ST

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Oceana, a advocacy group for ocean conservation, has formally submitted a public comment letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service urging approval of the revised Amendment 25 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The organization believes that timely action is critical for the sustainability of Atlantic cod stocks and the livelihoods dependent on them. The letter outlines that Amendment 25 addresses the New England Fishery Management Council's obje more ST

STILLWATER, Oklahoma, March 20 -- Oklahoma State University posted the following news: * * * Research aids future development of bio-inspired underwater vehicles * Media Contact: Tanner Holubar | Communications Specialist | 405-744-2065 | tanner.holubar@okstate.edu The biological swimming technique of the vast majority of aquatic creatures could influence the design of unmanned and autonomous underwater vehicles. Crustaceans such as krill, shrimp and lobsters use metachronal swimming to  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * Senators Collins, Reed Honored by Edison Electric Institute, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers * Click HERE for a full-resolution photo. Click HERE to watch and HERE to download video of the award presentation. WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) presented U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Jack Reed  more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 20 -- The Boston University School of Public Health issued the following news: * * * SPH Online MPH Meets the Needs of Students Worldwide *. Students SPH Dean Adnan Hyder announces broadened scope of the Online MPH as part of SPH's foundational commitment to accessible education for all. Five years after the debut of its accredited, affordable online Master of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health's Online MPH is now even more accessible f more PR

WATERVILLE, Maine, March 20 -- Thomas College issued the following news release: * * * Thomas College to Host Graduate Open House on April 23 * WATERVILLE, MAINE, March 2026 -Thomas College is hosting a Graduate Open House on April 23, 2026, at 4-5 p.m. Open to professionals who are interested in graduate programs, this event will take place on Thomas College's campus at 180 West River Road in Waterville. This event is designed for professionals who are ready to advance their skills, expan more PR

OLYMPIA, Washington, March 20 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release: * * * Washington to win summary judgment protecting health care for transgender youth * A federal court said on Thursday that it would rule for Washington, 20 other states, and the District of Columbia, turning back an unlawful attempt by the Trump administration to pressure health care providers into ending transgender health care for youth with gender dysphoria. In an oral sta more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Merkley, Warren, Schumer, Democrats Publish Report Revealing Trump, Republicans Stripped Health Care Access, Raised Costs for Americans With "Defund" Planned Parenthood Provision * In six months since Trump and Republicans "defunded" Planned Parenthood, breast exam visits fell by 25% compared to the same period in a previous year, delaying detection and life-saving preventive care Text of R more PR

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Merkley, Warren, Schumer, Democrats Publish Report Revealing Trump, Republicans Stripped Health Care Access, Raised Costs for Americans With "Defund" Planned Parenthood Provision * In six months since Trump and Republicans "defunded" Planned Parenthood, breast exam visits fell by 25% compared to the same period in a previous year, delaying detection and life-saving preventive care Text of Repo more PR