WASHINGTON, April 17 -- A coalition of 16 environmental and health organizations has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning premanufacture notices (PMNs) for certain new chemicals, specifically four perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and four chemicals derived from the processing of plastic waste. The letter argues that approving these new chemicals would exacerbate environmental problems and violate the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) mandates to prevent unreasonable more ST

BRISTOL, Connecticut, April 17 [Category: BizMedia] -- ESPN, a sports media company, posted the following news release: * * * 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO begin Saturday on ESPN * * Saturday tripleheader and Sunday doubleheader begin ten-day stretch of 16 First Round games * First Round coverage starts a two-month Playoffs stretch that will culminate with exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final in June * The Point (pregame) and In the Crease ( postgame) will air regularly throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs * ESPN Pla more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- A coalition of 365 former attorneys who served at the U.S. Department of Justice has submitted a public comment letter expressing strong opposition to a proposed rulemaking concerning the review of state bar complaints and allegations against DOJ attorneys, aiming to give the Attorney General discretionary authority to review and potentially delay or displace state bar disciplinary investigations into DOJ lawyers. The former DOJ attorneys argue that this proposal is both legally flawed and unsupported by the factual reco more ST

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- A coalition of 63 national and 45 regional, state, and local advocacy disability and aging collaborative organizations submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urging changes to a federal effort aimed at detecting healthcare fraud, warning that current approaches risk harming vulnerable populations. The collaborators, which include national and state disability, aging, and advocacy groups, emphasized the critical role Medicaid HCBS plays in supporting over 8.4 million Americans-i more ST

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, April 18 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release: * * * Two scientists to receive 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health American Academy of Neurology and American Heart Association award $150,000 scholarships to researchers from Maryland and Michigan * DALLAS and MINNEAPOLIS -- The American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association have awarded the 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health to two neuroscientists, Sarah Kettlety, Ph.D., of Baltimore, Ma more PR

WASHINGTON, April 13 -- American Rivers issued the following news release: * * * American Rivers Names Boundary Waters #3 on America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2026 List American Rivers named the South Kawishiwi River--a vital artery of the iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness-- to America's Most Endangered Rivers list of 2026, due to proposed sulfide-ore copper mining in its headwaters. A joint resolution now before the U.S. Senate would undo current protections against copper mining. Flowing through one of the most pristine fres more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Astera Health, Wadena, Minnesota, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) regarding the proposed 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. Astera Health expressed concerns over the operational, administrative, and financial burdens the rebate model would impose on rural health providers that rely on the 340B drug savings program to provide critical services. Astera Health operates several clinics and a hospital serving predominantly more ST

SACRAMENTO, California, April 17 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Bonta Opposes Lackluster Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Strategic Plan * OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) draft Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2026-2030. The plan proposes rollbacks to the agency's supervision, enforcement, and other work, putting consum more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 17 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release: * * * ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CALLS ON CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU TO ABANDON PLAN TO DECIMATE ENFORCEMENT, CONSUMER PROTECTION * Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to scale back its plans that would severely reduce staffing, undermine the agency's statutory obligation to supervise financial institutions, weaken enforcement, more PR

HARTFORD, Connecticut, April 17 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Tong calls on CFPB to Abandon Plan to Decimate Enforcement and Consumer Protection * (Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to scale back its plans that would severely reduce staffing, undermine the agency's statutory obligation to supervise financial institutions, weaken enforcement, and result more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 18 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on April 17, 2026, by policy fellow Matt Dean: * * * Federal Rural Health Grants are helpful, but actual reform is needed Minnesota's rural hospitals are in real trouble, with many operating on razor-thin margins and at risk of closure or major service cuts. Minnesota will receive its share of the Trump Administration's Rural Health Transformation dollar more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 17 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on April 16, 2026, by policy fellow Matt Dean: * * * HCMC experiencing classic case of 'Go Woke, Go Broke' Cutting Hennepin County's $50 million DEI budget would balance hospital budget * Hospitals are inherently -- and often unempathetically -- rational. A physician without common sense is dangerous to his patients. A hospital run by people without co more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 18 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary by policy fellow Catrin Wigfall: * * * Homeschool freedom stays strong under Minnesota ESA proposal Education freedom policies like Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) continue to gain traction across the country. The flexibility they offer allows families to customize learning rather than conform to a one-size-fits-all system. Unlike traditional public e more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 17 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on April 16, 2026, by economist John Phelan: * * * In 2025, state government spending per person was higher in Minnesota than in 45 other states On Tuesday, I noted that for 2025, the average earner will pay more state income tax in Minnesota than in 43 other states and that our state is one of just 16 where the share of the average earner's wages swallo more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 18 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on April 17, 2026, by policy fellow Bill Glahn: * * * Massive victory for Minnesota mining Congratulations are in order to northern Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber (R, 8th). [View image in the link at bottom.] At a time when Congress can't even pass a bill as simple as funding the Dept. of Homeland Security, Rep. Stauber got a bill passed that coul more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 18 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on April 17, 2026, by policy fellow Josiah Padley: * * * The mathematics graduation gap Minnesota's Class of 2025 has the highest graduation rate on record, and similarly record-breaking low mathematics proficiency rates. Hooray? As I've written previously, it is of the utmost importance that the diploma Minnesota's students attain at the end of their K more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 18 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on April 17, 2026, by public safety policy fellow David Zimmer: * * * This is no time to explore "novel territory" The status of criminal investigations against on duty ICE agents working as part of Operation Metro Surge was provided this week in press conferences by officials in both Ramsey and Hennepin counties. The precedent they are setting by invest more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, April 17 -- CenterPoint Energy issued the following news release: * * * CenterPoint Energy's 2026 Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) first quarter milestones bring strengthened reliability and resiliency to Greater Houston electric customers and communities Today, CenterPoint Energy announced key first quarter progress in achieving its 2026 milestones for the company's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), a multi-year effort to strengthen resiliency and improve reliability for its 2.9 million electric custo more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 18 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Commission on Judicial Selection Recommends Tenth Judicial District Candidates to Governor Walz The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today that it is recommending four candidates for consideration to fill the vacancies in Minnesota's Tenth Judicial District. The vacancies will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable Suzanne Bollman, the Honorable Walter M. Kaminsky, and the Honorable Douglas B. Meslow. These seats will be chambe more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Luz Rivas, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Luz Rivas Statement on ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons' Resignation * WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) released the following statement after Todd Lyons, Acting Director for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced his resignation: "History will not be kind to Todd Lyons or this Administration's treatment of our most vulnerable. "Under Lyons' leadership, ICE has operated with a complete disregard for  more PR

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 17 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island posted the following news: * * * Court Blocks Administration's Latest Restrictions on Grants to Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault * Rhode Island Federal Judge Melissa R. DuBose has today issued an order preliminarily blocking the Trump-Vance administration's latest effort to implement unlawful restrictions on grants that support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes nationwide. The order i more PR

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release on April 17, 2026: * * * Court Blocks Administration's Latest Restrictions on Grants to Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Intervention Will Protect Violence Prevention Funding Nationwide * Providence, R.I. - A judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island has issued an order preliminaril more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * Democrats Post "Gargantuan" Fundraising Numbers as They're Poised To Win Back the House Majority * House Democrats and Red to Blue candidates are dominating in Q1 fundraising, raising commanding numbers against their Republican opponents and strong momentum at the outset of 2026. Democrats outraised Republicans in 42 of the DCCC's battleground districts. DCCC Spokesperson Liam Buckley : "These enormous fundraising numbers pr more PR

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, April 17 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on April 16, 2026, by counsel Jim Frederick and associates Eric M. Friedman, Emilee P. Schipske and Nikolas G. Spilson: * * * Expert Witness Practice in U.S. Drug and Medical Device Litigation International Comparative Legal Guide - Drug & Medical Device Litigation 2026 * Product liability and mass torts attorneys Jim Frederick, Eric Friedman, Emilee Schipske, and Nikolas Spilson co-authored a chapter for the International Compa more PR

BRYN MAWR, Pennsylvania, April 17 -- Bryn Mawr College posted the following news: * * * Higher Ed Law Expert Stephen S. Dunham on the Challenges Facing Colleges * How can higher education balance its commitment to foster free speech and debate with its duty to protect students, faculty, and staff from discrimination and harassment, especially in the age of social media? It's just one of the conundrums colleges -and their legal counsels -face at a time when campuses are increasingly Ground Zero for "the most divisive, most problematic, mos more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- The House Education and Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-390) on the No Waivers for Fraud Act (H.R. 7724). The report was advanced by Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, on April 6, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose The purpose of H.R. 7724, the No Waivers for Fraud Act of 2026, is to ensure that sanctions placed on states by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after formal review for instances of fraud or noncompliance in state child care programs cannot be waived. Committee Action 119T more ST

SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, April 17 -- The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation posted the following news release: * * * Hundreds of Nurses at GWU Hospital Demand Vote to Remove DCNA Union From Power * Federal labor board could hold vote to remove union as soon as next month among unit of nearly 700 healthcare professionals Washington, DC (April 17, 2026) - Hundreds of registered nurses and healthcare professionals at The George Washington University Hospital are backing a petition to remove District of Columbia Nurses Association ( more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Hutchinson Health, Minnesota, submitted a detailed public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) regarding the agency's Request for Information (RFI) on a potential 340B rebate model pilot program. The letter outlines numerous concerns and fundamental questions about the impact of shifting from the existing upfront discount structure to a rebate-based system within the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Hutchinson Health emphasized its role as a critical participant in the 340B Program, which  more ST

WASHINGTON, April 17 [Category: Political] -- Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly the NARAL Pro-Choice America) posted the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Mini Timmaraju Breaks Down Trump's Attacks on Safety and Health Care Access With Katie Phang * Today, Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju joined Katie Phang to discuss the sweeping implications of the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) firing four federal prosecutors involved in enforcing the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act earlier this we more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 17 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The Institute of Food Technologists posted the following news release: * * * Institute of Food Technologists Student Association Elects New Board of Directors * CHICAGO - April 17, 2026 - The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), is proud to announce that its next Board of Directors have been elected, headlined by IFTSA President-elect Janine Merkle. Effective September 1, 2026 more PR

WASHINGTON, April 18 [Category: Environment] -- The League of Conservation Voters posted the following news wrapup, This Week in Climate Action - April 17, 2026: * * * Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. This week, we're covering Trump and Republicans' attacks on clean air and public lands, and state advancements in energy affordability and climate action. Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and TikTok. QUOTES OF THE W more PR

ROCHESTER, Minnesota, April 17 [Category: BizHospital] -- The Mayo Clinic issued the following news release: * * * Mayo Clinic researchers outline a new era of personalized care for patients with meningioma * ROCHESTER, Minn. -A comprehensive new review led by Mayo Clinic is helping shape how clinicians diagnose and treat meningioma, the most common primary brain tumor, with a focus on personalized, patient-centered care and the latest advances in precision oncology. Published in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, the review brings together more PR

BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 18 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on April 17, 2026: * * * Attorney General Brown Calls on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to Abandon Plan that Would Decimate Enforcement, Consumer Protection Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to scale back its plans that would severely reduce staffing, undermine the agency's statutory obligation to supervise financial insti more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 17 (TNSrep) -- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development issued the following news release on April 16, 2026: * * * Minnesota's Unemployment Rate Ticked Up in February Minnesota's unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.5% while the national rate ticked up one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.4%, according to data released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). "February was a very challenging month for Minnesota communities d more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 18 -- The Minnesota Office of the Governor issued the following news release: * * * Governor's Office Announces Appointments The Office of the Governor today announced the following appointments to the Board of Firefighter Training and Education, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Psychology, Board of Cosmetology Examiners, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Midwestern Higher Education Compact Commission, Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service, Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority, Minnesota Ru more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 17 -- Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the following news on April 16, 2026: * * * Minnesota Ranked #1 on MIT's Elections Performance Index On April 16, 2026, the Election Data and Science Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced that Minnesota ranked #1 on the Elections Performance Index, a non-partisan, biennial survey and analysis comparing election administration policy and performance across the country. "Elections are a team effort - all Minnesotans should be proud of this na more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 17 -- The Minnesota Department of Human Services issued the following news release on April 16, 2026: * * * Despite progress with CMS, significant Medicaid cuts loom Potential $3.1 billion in cuts could destabilize health care services and local economies across Minnesota * The head of Minnesota's Medicaid program is cautioning that despite the federal government's approval of the state's corrective action plan, $3.1 billion in federal Medicaid funding is still at risk. A federal court ruling last week cleared th more PR

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, April 17 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news: * * * New Page Center grants focus on activism and advocacy in public communication The Arthur W. Page Center at Penn State announced the recipients of its 2026 Page/Johnson Legacy Scholar grants, selecting 11 projects that will assess how corporate social responsibility, advocacy and activism are evolving in a polarized political and cultural environment. The accepted projects feature 26 scholars from 15 universities. The call for proposals  more PR

LAWRENCE, Kansas, April 17 -- The University of Kansas posted the following news: * * * New philosophical theory of personal well-being introduced in latest 'Oxford Handbook' Many metrics have been developed that seek to measure well-being, including the renowned Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). It assesses overall quality of life based on five simple questions, such as: "So far I have gotten the important things I want in life." "Those measures are useful, and they've shown us some important things, but they're sort of neutral on the n more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Olivia Hospital and Clinic, Minnesota, submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration voicing reservations about a potential 340B rebate model pilot program currently under consideration by the agency. The letter responds to the HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs' request for information regarding changes to how 340B pharmaceutical discounts are administered, emphasizing the risks such changes could pose to safety-net providers and their patient populations. Olivia Hospital, a 340B-pa more ST

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Hageman Introduces Bill To Shield American Energy Producers From Leftist Climate Litigation * Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) introduced the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 to protect American energy from leftist legal crusades punishing lawful activity. The shale revolution unlocked the United States as the world's leading producer of crude oil and natural gas. U.S. energy dominance has since reinforced more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Reps. Fischbach, Finstad Introduce Legislation to Target Fraud in Nonprofit Immigrant Assistance Programs * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) and Congressman Finstad (MN-01) introduced the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act to increase transparency into the activities of tax-exempt organizations. The bill would require nonprofits to disclose information about their facilitation of resettlement a more PR

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, April 17 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release: * * * Rush University nurses to hold union election in May * Registered nurses at Rush University Medical Center (Rush) in Chicago, Ill., will be voting on May 14, 15, and 16 to join National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), the nation's largest and fastest-growing nurses union. Rush nurses filed a petition for a union election on April 8. It was Chicago's largest filing on record  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Collins' Statement on Her Vote Against Removing Federal Land Protections in Minnesota * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement after voting against a resolution to remove federal protections from land near the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota: "I opposed this resolution because I do not support opening land near the Minnesota Boundary Waters to potential mining activity. While I support dome more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Marshall Joins Letter Backing American Ag Under USMCA * Washington - This week, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined a bipartisan letter led by Senators Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, emphasizing their support of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ahead of the Agreement's six-year joint review and urging expanded market access and certainty more PR

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, April 17 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release: * * * St. Joseph Health nurses hold rally to mark start of contract negotiations * Registered nurses at St. Joseph Health in Brazos Valley, Texas, will hold a rally on Wednesday, April 22 as they begin negotiations for their first contract, following their decisive vote to form a union last year, announced National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU). Nurses say safe staffing, workplace safety, and a str more PR

BRISTOL, Connecticut, April 17 [Category: BizMedia] -- ESPN, a sports media company, posted the following Q&A with NBA Analyst Danny Green: * * * Transcript: ESPN NBA Playoffs preview media conference with ESPN NBA Analyst Danny Green * ESPN NBA Analyst Danny Green previewed the 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google on an April 17 media conference call. ESPN's postseason coverage tips off Saturday, April 18, as the Los Angeles Lakers, led by four-time MVP and the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James, host the Houston Rockets and for more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 18 -- The University of Northwestern issued the following news: * * * Equipping Future Leaders in the field of Biomedical Technology By Elena Nowlin Northwestern's School of Science & Engineering is positioned to equip future leaders in the field of biomedical technology. Right in the center of Medical Alley, a term referring to the world's leading health technology region spanning from Rochester to Duluth, Northwestern's location allows for student placement in companies leading the charge in biomedical research. more PR

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, April 17 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Taft, a law firm, issued the following news: * * * Wagner Published in Law360 Expert Analysis * Bill Wagner, partner in Taft's Indianapolis office, authored the article "What GCs Should Consider Before Tendering TM Litigation," which was published by Law360 on April 17, 2026. The article looks at how trademark lawsuits handled through liability insurance can create tension between an insurer's cost-driven approach and a company's long-term brand strategy. Using the Buc-ee's vs.  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Workforce Protections Ranking Member Omar Opening Remarks at 7th Hearing on AI's Impact on Workers' Rights * WASHINGTON - Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) delivered the following opening statement at today's subcommittee hearing entitled, "Building an AI-Ready America: Understanding AI's Economic Impact on Workers and Employers." "Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for joining us today.  more PR