WASHINGTON, March 27 -- A group of 11 nonprofit health organizations submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services supporting the reinstatement of the historical Reward Factor in Medicare Advantage and endorsing the removal of the Health Equity Index. The organizations emphasize that the Reward Factor is a crucial tool enabling Medicare Advantage plans to invest in the prevention and management of chronic diseases, a priority concern given the increasing burd more ST

LINCOLN, Nebraska, March 27 -- The University of Nebraska posted the following news: * * * Achievements | Honors, appointments and publications for March 27 * Recent achievements for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln community were earned by Alex Chmielewski, Bradley Ekwerekwu, Andrew Dominguez Farias, Sai Suvidh Madela, Max Perry Mueller, James C. Schnable, Yanan (Laura) Wang and Ankit Yadav. Honors Ankit Yadav, a doctoral student, Alex Chmielewski, a research technologist and master's more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Advocate Health, a leading nonprofit integrated health system headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addressing the agency's proposed Contract Year 2027 policy changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program. Advocate Health expressed support for CMS's efforts to reduce administrative burden, improve patient outcome more ST

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 27 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jeff Jackson Warns North Carolina Veterans About Rising Scams * RALEIGH -Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning veterans across North Carolina about a scam that offers veterans monthly payments and free dental coverage through a Veteran Savings Program. No such program exists. The scam uses high-pressure tactics and urges recipients to "call within fiv more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Budd Joins Moran, Colleagues in Requesting Briefing on Joint Task Force to Hold October 7th Attack Perpetrators Accountable * Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and several of his Senate Republican colleagues in requesting that United States Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel convene a briefin more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Budd Leads FARM Stability Act to Stabilize Agricultural Labor Costs * Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) led several of his Senate colleagues in introducing the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act today, which would codify the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) initiative to stabilize agricultural labor costs. This legislation aims to provide farmers wi more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Richard Hudson, R-North Carolina, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, issued the following news release on March 26, 2026: * * * C&T Subcommittee Holds Hearing to Review the 1996 Telecom Act Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a hearing titled The Telecommunications Act of 1996: 30 Years Later. "The world of 1996 looks nothing like the wo more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news: * * * Carolina credit unions share insights on operations, advocacy priorities * America's Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson met with dozens of credit union leaders in South and North Carolina as part of his ongoing efforts to hear directly from members on their priorities to help inform the association's advocacy strategy and strengthen the system's unified voice. The conversa more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate for the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act (H.R. 2768): * * * H.R. 2768 would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to study the feasibility of designating the 287-mile Benton MacKaye Trail system in the states of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina as a national scenic trail. Using information on the cost of similar studies, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2768 would cost  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Defend American Property and Push Back on Foreign Seizures * Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408 WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted in favor of H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026, legislation to impose consequences on foreign governments that unlawfully seize or nationalize U.S.-owned ports and infra more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Tim Moore, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Tim Moore Announces More Than $5 Million for Head Start Programs in Gaston County * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) announced a new grant for Gaston Community Action from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) totaling $5,177,611 as part of the Head Start Program. "I'm proud to share that folks in Gaston County will benefit from a new $5 mil more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on March 27, 2026: * * * IN THE STATES: Democrats Score Major Victory in Trump's Backyard While Trump is Jacking Up the Cost of Gas and Health Care This week, Democrats handed Donald Trump and Republicans another humiliating defeat, this time in Trump's own backyard. Democrat Emily Gregory flipped Florida's House District 87, Trump's home district, which he won by 11 points in 2024. Gregory's victory i more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Robert J. Margolis, MD Institute for Health Policy at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addressing the Contract Year 2027 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program. The comment letter highlights the continued growth of the MA program and supports CMS efforts to refine star ratings by  more ST

KINGSTON, Rhode Island, March 27 -- The University of Rhode Island posted the following news: * * * Educators to 'flourish together' at URI's Innovative Education Conference * KINGSTON, R.I. - March 27, 2026 - The University of Rhode Island's third annual Innovative Education Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The theme of the free, virtual event, hosted by URI's Office for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, is "Flourishing Together: Teaching & Learni more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 24 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina posted the following news release: * * * Federal Whistleblower Program to Hold Corporations Accountable for Fraud, Material Support of Cartels, and Criminal Aliens U.S. Attorney W. Ellis Boyle announced the launch of a modified Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney's Office Whistleblower Program to force accountability for corporations that engage in: fraud upon federal g more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 27 -- Gov. Josh Stein, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Stein Outlines Priorities to Support Rural North Carolinians at NC Rural Summit * Today Governor Josh Stein joined the NC Rural Center's 2026 Rural Summit to highlight his commitment to investing in the infrastructure and resources North Carolina's rural communities need to thrive. Governor Stein also marked the third anniversary since North Carolina passed Medicaid expan more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Health Care Transformation Task Force submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Proposed Rule. HCTTF's recommendations focus on refining CMS's approach to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D prescription drug plan Star Ratings, policies for Special Needs Plans (SNPs), and future directions in risk adjustment and quality bonus payments within the Medicare Advantage more ST

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Richard Hudson, R-North Carolina, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, issued the following opening statement on March 26, 2026, at a hearing entitled "The Telecommunications Act of 1996: 30 Years Later": * * * "Good morning, and welcome to today's hearing examining the Telecommunications Act of 1996. "It's hard to believe that 1996 was 30 years ago. That February, I was a student at UNC Charlotte. I won't ask m more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, issued the following opening remarks on March 27, 2026, on the Senate amendment to the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7147): * * * Foxx Opening Remarks on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7147 As prepared for delivery: Good afternoon, the Committee will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time. Today, the Rules Com more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following commentary on March 27, 2026, to the Washington Times: * * * Chairman Bost for the Washington Times: Building a VA infrastructure for the next generation of veterans This week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), published the below opinion piece in the Washington Times as part of the publications infrastructure edition to discuss House Repu more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 [Category: Political] -- The League of Women Voters issued the following news release: * * * Judge Allows Discriminatory Law Largely Impacting Youth Voters * WINSTON-SALEM, NC -Despite clear evidence of harm to young voters, a federal judge declined to block North Carolina's Senate Bill 747 (SB 747), which makes it easier for lawful ballots cast during early voting to be thrown out through no fault of the voter. The decision allows new barriers to participation in electi more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Brad Knott, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Knott's Team Expedites 393 Passport Applications in 3 Days * WASHINGTON, DC - Over the course of a three-day "NC-13 Passport Fair" in Wake, Johnston, and Harnett counties, the Office of Congressman Brad Knott helped 393 North Carolinians expedite their passport applications. The fair was held from March 23 to March 25 in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. Congressman Knott encourag more PR

GREENSBORO, North Carolina, March 26 -- The University of North Carolina Greensboro campus posted the following news: * * * Light the Way Campaign Concludes with More than $266M raised * UNCG has raised more than $266 million for its Light the Way campaign, marking the most successful fundraising effort in the University's history. Light the Way: The Campaign for Earned Achievement was publicly announced on UNCG's Founders Day, Oct. 5, 2021. At the campaign's close on Dec. 31, 2025, 26,684 more PR

HIGH POINT, North Carolina, March 27 -- High Point University issued the following news release: * * * Lord Andrew Roberts Delivers Special Lecture at HPU During America's 250th Year * High Point University (r) welcomed renowned historian and author Lord Andrew Roberts to campus for a special lecture commemorating America's 250th year. HIGH POINT, N.C., March 27, 2026 - High Point University (r) welcomed renowned historian and author Lord Andrew Roberts to campus for a special lecture comm more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 27 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco: * * * Maine Senate passes Sen. Bailey bill to strengthen Maine's landmark medical debt law The bill builds on the Senator's law that bans medical debt from consumer reports. * On Wednesday, March 25, the Maine Senate sent a bill from Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, to the Governor's desk for her approval. LD 2129, "An Act to Strengthen Consumer Protections by Prohi more PR

ORLANDO, Florida, March 27 -- The University of Central Florida posted the following news: * * * Meet UCF's 2026 Pegasus Professors * Highlights * Pegasus Professorships are UCF's highest faculty honors. This distinguished award is given annually at Founders' Day. * The UCF community is invited to celebrate these professors and additional honorees during the Founder's Day Faculty Honors Celebration on Wednesday, April 1, in the Student Union Pegasus Ballroom. * This year's Pegasus P more PR

STARKVILLE, Mississippi, March 27 -- Mississippi State University posted the following news: * * * MSU faculty member's debut book on Coptic Christian migration wins national book prize Mississippi State Assistant Professor Candace Lukasik has received the Alixa Naff Prize in Migration Studies for her debut book "Martyrs and Migrants: Coptic Christians and the Persecution Politics of US Empire," published last year by NYU Press. The annual prize, awarded by the Khayrallah Center for Lebanese more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 28 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following news on March 27, 2026: * * * NEW FROM WRAL: Convicted Child Sex Offender Harvey West Confirms Michael Whatley Appointed Him To NCGOP Leadership In new reporting from WRAL, convicted child sex offender Harvey West confirms that DC insider Michael Whatley appointed him to leadership roles. Whatley didn't dispute it and once again refused to answer reporter questions. WRAL: "West also served on the pa more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 27 -- The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor issued the following news release: * * * New Performance Audit Highlights ABC System Operations, Revenues, Best Sellers The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has released a performance audit of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC Commission), providing in-depth analysis on vendor performance, along with information on revenue generated from liquor sales, Local ABC Boards, and the top- more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service issued the following news release on March 26, 2026: * * * United States hog inventory up slightly As of Mar.1, there were 74.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from March 2025 but down 1% from Dec. 1, 2025, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Other key findings  more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 26 -- The National Taxpayers Union issued the following news release on March 25, 2026: * * * New Billboards Near Charleston International Warn of Harm Caused by Credit Card Rate Caps New billboards near Charleston International Airport this week warn that credit card rate caps would make it harder for working families to access credit they rely on for expenses, National Taxpayers Union announced Wednesday. Three new billboards highlight the unintended consequenc more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 28 -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release: * * * NCDHHS Secretary Visits Eastern North Carolina North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, and NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Michael Leighs, traveled to eastern North Carolina this week to meet with leadership and participate in discussions with the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services, Chowan Count more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 28 -- The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources North Carolina Colonial Records Project issued the following news release: * * * Digital Exhibit About North Carolina's First Governor Launched A new digital exhibit about North Carolina's first governor is now online. The North Carolina Colonial Records Project, part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, recently launched "Governor Richard Caswell and Revolutionary North  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association (NCHCFA) has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services emphasizing the value of provider-led, facility-based I-SNP models designed to serve long-stay nursing facility residents who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. NCHCFA stresses that provider-led I-SNPs play a critical role in delivering integrated, high-quality care to a medically complex population while promo more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Novant Health has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the Contract Year 2027 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program proposed rule. The integrated healthcare network, which serves communities across North Carolina and South Carolina through more than 900 locations, expressed support for CMS's interest in modernizing the MA program amid growing enrollment, which now exceeds 54% of Medicar more ST

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSFR) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a draft environmental impact statement regarding a license application from Global Laser Enrichment LLC, Wilmington, North Carolina, to construct and operate the Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility on a 322-acre site in McCracken County, Kentucky. If authorized, the license would allow the company to construct and operate a facility using laser-based isotope separation technology for up to 40 years. The operation is desi more PR

WATERTOWN, Massachusetts, March 27 [Category: BizEngineering] -- Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., a provider of transportation planning, engineering, design, land development and environmental services, posted the following news: * * * Reggie Scales Featured in ACEC Engineering Inc. Magazine * Reggie Scales, Managing Director of VHB Raleigh, is featured in a recent ACEC Engineering Inc. profile highlighting the people-centered work behind lasting infrastructure. The article, VHB's Reggie Scale more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 27 -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release: * * * Reminder: DEQ accepting public comments on draft water and Wastewater funding Intended Use Plans * The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments until March 30, 2026, on updates to several Intended Use Plans (IUPs) and Project Priority Lists, and until April 13, 2026, for new draft Intended Use P more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 27 -- The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Office of State Archaeology issued the following news release: * * * Renamed Office of State Archaeology Conservation Lab Expands Focus Beyond Queen Anne's Revenge Shipwreck The North Carolina Office of State Archaeology has changed the name and expanded focus for one of its five locations. The Queen Anne's Revenge Conservation Lab in Greenville was established in 2003 to preserve artifacts fr more PR

NORFOLK, Virginia, March 27 [Category: BizHospital] -- Sentara Healthcare posted the following news: * * * Sentara's statement on "Medical Debt Ecosystem" report * The following statement is in response to the research study titled "Medical Debt Ecosystem: The Mechanized Wealth Extraction from America's Patients" by Patient Rights Advocate (PRA), George Washington University Law School, and Stanford University's Clinical Excellence Research Center release on Thursday, March 26. Statement: more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 [Category: Political] -- The Ripon Society posted the following news release: * * * Tillis Delivers Straight Talk on Iran and the Government Shutdown * "If any of y'all believe that Republicans are winning the shutdown argument, lay down until the feeling goes away." WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Thom Tillis (R-NC) appeared before a luncheon meeting of The Ripon Society yesterday afternoon, delivering straight talk not only about the war with Iran and America's commitment to o more PR

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, March 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina posted the following news release: * * * Two Sentenced In Connection With Luxury Vehicle Theft Ring Involving Millions and Drug Trafficking Two Charlotte men were sentenced to prison today for their involvement in a multi-state stolen vehicle conspiracy involving millions of dollars in high-end vehicles and trafficking large quantities of marijuana, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. A more PR

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, March 27 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: * * * U.S. Army invests in energy resilience to sustain warfighter readiness in the Caribbean * FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico - The U.S. Army held a pre-proposal conference, March 25, for a multimillion-dollar microgrid project at Fort Buchanan, the Army's home in the Caribbean. The event highlighted the Army's commitment to transparency, fair competition, and the readiness of the warfighter. Le more PR

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, March 27 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: * * * U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Korea hones 'Fight Tonight' readiness in Freedom Shield 26 * CAMP CARROLL, Republic of Korea - As the combined forces of the United States and Republic of Korea concluded Freedom Shield 2026, the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Korea proved its crucial role as the peninsula's premier medical logistics integrator. The exercise demonstrated USAMMC-K's " more PR

WILMINGTON, North Carolina, March 28 -- The University of North Carolina Wilmington campus issued the following news: * * * UNCW Research Projects Among First Recipients of NCInnovation Pipeline Grants Two UNC Wilmington research teams were among those selected for the inaugural NCInnovation Pipeline Grants - a new initiative and commercialization pathway launched by the regional funder in 2026. Both UNCW programs stem from the Department of Computer Science and utilize AI technology with pot more PR

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, March 27 [Category: BizFinancial Services] -- Bank of America, a financial institution, posted the following news release: * * * Watson Links and Bank of America Partner to Expand Youth Golf Access and Mentorship through Golf with Us * KANSAS CITY, MO and CHARLOTTE, NC - Watson Links, the nonprofit youth golf mentoring organization founded by eight-time major champion Tom Watson, today announced a new partnership with Bank of America as part of Golf with Us, which  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * Whitehouse Calls for Leadership Change at EPA * In 'Time to Wake Up' speech on Senate Floor, Senator Whitehouse detailed EPA Administrator Zeldin's lies to Congress and the American people as he serves fossil fuel polluters Whitehouse was joined on the Senate floor by Senator Markey Washington, DC - Last night, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) delivered his 305 th speech urging more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release: * * * WTAS: FDA Approves Drug to Treat Neurologic Manifestations of Hunter Syndrome * The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Avlayah (tividenofusp alfa-eknm) to treat certain individuals with Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis type II or MPS II). "Today is a milestone day for children and their families battling Hunter syndrome," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D.,  more PR