NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * 2026 Judge Reeves Professionalism Award Nominations Due May 8 * The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) and Tennessee's American Inns of Court are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award. The annual award is presented to a lawyer or judge whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest  more PR

ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 23 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release: * * * AFP-TN Champions Win for School Choice Expansion * NASHVILLE- Americans for Prosperity Tennessee (AFP-TN) celebrated the reforms made to Senate Bill 1585 (HB1881) by the Tennessee Legislature this afternoon, in yet another game-changing win for School Choice. Reforms made in the bill remove excessive testing requirements to Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) participants. National norm reference testing is already con more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The American Center for Law and Justice posted the following statement on April 22, 2026, by associate counsel Garrett Taylor: * * * Tennessee Town Folds Quickly After Threatening To Ban a Woman's Political Signs Calling for Change Our client's story began with a horrible tragedy that shook a small Tennessee town to its core. Our client's father was killed in 2025 while in custody at a Monroe County, Tennessee, jail. Reports surrounding her father's death raised serious concerns about the local sheriff's office. Her  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * April 23, 2026 Congressman Cohen Welcomes Rescheduling of Medical Marijuana * More needs to be done to deschedule cannabis for recreational use WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the leading Congressional advocate for decriminalizing marijuana, today welcomed the U.S. Department of Justice decision to loosen restrictions on medical marijuana by rescheduling state-licensed medical marijuana products to Schedule III. But he said more ne more PR

CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 -- Austin Peay State University posted the following news: * * * APSU's Cody Hegler earns regional photography award for student newspaper * Junior business administration major Cody Hegler, a concert photographer and Army veteran. | Photo by Sean McCully CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - When Cody Hegler first started working as a photographer for The All State, Austin Peay State University's student newspaper, he was his own fiercest critic \- picking apart the details of every shot and finding reasons to get rid of  more PR

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 23 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson asks FDA to take action on dangerous new synthetic drug * South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson today sent a letter to the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking for it to add the dangerous new drug cychlorphine to the list of controlled substances. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Martin Makary, Attorney General Wilson wrote that cychlorphine, a new synthetic opioid, is r more PR

ALBANY, New York, April 23 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General James and Attorney General Skrmetti Declare Live Nation Court Victory a Win for Fans * April 23, 2026 NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti published an op-ed in Rolling Stone detailing the significance of their recent victory in court against Live Nation and Ticketmaster. On April 15, Attorney General James and a coalition of 33 other attorneys genera more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on April 23, 2026: * * * CAIR Welcomes Sentencing for 'Hail Satan' Threat to Tennessee Mosque The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed sentencing of a Tennessee man who threatened a mosque in that state. Robert William Miller, 50, was sentenced to received 18 months in prison for making a threat against the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga. Mille more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 (TNSrep) -- The Center for American Progress issued the following news release on April 23, 2026: * * * Trump's War in Iran Is Causing Gas Prices To Surge Across the Country An analysis (https://www.americanprogress.org/article/state-by-state-increases-in-gas-prices-since-trumps-war-on-iran/) from the Center for American Progress finds that the Trump administration's war in Iran has driven a widespread increase in gas prices across the country, with Americans now paying about 35 percent more at the pump than before the c more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 24 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on April 23, 2026, by policy fellow Catrin Wigfall: * * * Minnesota schools projected to lose students by 2031 Minnesota public school enrollment is expected to decline between 2022 and 2031, according to projections from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The NCES predicts that only nine states -- Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nor more PR

CLEMSON, South Carolina, April 23 -- Clemson University posted the following news: * * * Clemson Alumni Association to honor five leaders with Distinguished Service Award * The Clemson Alumni Association will recognize five distinguished individuals with its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, during a May 2026 ceremony. The award celebrates alumni and friends of Clemson University whose personal and professional accomplishments, dedication to Clemson and commitment to community service exemplify the University's highest ideals. more PR

NEW YORK, April 23 -- Common Cause - New York issued the following news release on April 21, 2026: * * * Voting Rights Groups Sue DOJ to Block National Voter Surveil-and-Purge Database Today, Common Cause and four individual members sued the Trump Administration to block the Department of Justice (DOJ) from illegally stockpiling millions of Americans' confidential voter data and creating a national voter database to surveil and purge voters. The complaint argues that the DOJ's actions are unconstitutional, illegal, and a key component of the more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cohen Announces $1.15 Million Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program Grant from U.S. DOT * Funding to MidSouth Development District for local transportation infrastructure WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the Memphis-based Mid-South Development District will receive Round Four Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program funding of $1,150,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cohen Announces $7.2 Million in NIH Grants to St. Jude * University of Memphis and UTHSC also awarded research grants WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced $7,619,427 in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to three Memphis-based medical research centers. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will receive $6,752,102 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under a Cancer Center Support grant to advance cu more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman David Kustoff Introduces the Small Business Tax Cut Act to Support Main Street * WASHINGTON - Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) introduced the Small Business Tax Cut Act (H.R. 8415). This legislation lowers taxes for millions of small businesses, farmers, and independent professionals by expanding the qualified business income deduction, also known as Section 199A. Reps. Greg Steube (FL-17), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Mike Carey (OH-15 more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce issued the following remarks on April 22, 2026, by Secretary Howard Lutnick before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science: * * * Secretary Howard Lutnick's Statement Before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Van Hollen, and Members of the Subcommittee - it is an honor to join you today. Over the past 15 months, President Trump has proven that the American economy is the strongest and more PR

KINGSPORT, Tennessee, April 24 -- Eastman Chemical Co. issued the following news release on April 23, 2026: * * * Eastman increases Acetyls prices on May 1st, 2026 * Effective May 1st, 2026, or as contracts allow, Eastman Chemical Company is announcing price increases on the following products: * Eastman(TM) Acetic Anhydride, all grades: USD 0.06/lb (USD 0.13/kg) North America and Latin America Eastman(TM) Glacial Acetic Acid, all grades, excluding Eastapure, Reagent, and USP grades: USD 0.05/lb (USD 0.11/kg) North America and Latin Americ more PR

BRISTOL, Connecticut, April 23 [Category: BizMedia] -- ESPN, a sports media company, posted the following news release: * * * ESPN Events announces 2026 Shriners Children's 'Showdown at the Net' volleyball showcase * * Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Stanford to headline primetime doubleheader from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort on September 9 ESPN Events will once again present the Shiners Children's 'Showdown at the Net' volleyball event, returning this fall on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Building on the mom more PR

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 23 -- The Ohio Democratic Party posted the following news: * * * FACT CHECK: Vivek Ramaswamy Continues His Pattern of Lying to Ohio Students * Columbus, Ohio- During a speech at Ohio State University just weeks after his plan to close colleges and universities across the state drew backlash, billionaire scam artist Vivek Ramaswamy continued his pattern of lying to Ohioans. Here's a fact check on Ramaswamy's latest list of lies: 1. Ramaswamy said instead of investing in Ohio, business owners "move to Tennessee, to Te more PR

MADISON, Wisconsin, April 24 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on April 23, 2026: * * * FFRF Action Fund explains dangers of Tennessee's 'Charlie Kirk' law Tennessee's recently enacted "Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act," named after the slain conservative activist, is harmful legislation promoting Christian nationalist revisionist history. The more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The White House issued the following news on April 23, 2026: * * * First Lady Melania Trump Leads Call for Shared Commitment to Transform Lives Nationwide "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as First Lady but understand that my persistence alone is not enough. Together, we can change people's lives for the better." First Lady Melania Trump inspired Congressional Club Members at its 113th First Lady's Luncheon. Mrs. Trump used the occasion to promote her longstanding theme of unity to drive meaningful impact.  more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, April 23 -- The Georgia Public Policy Foundation posted the following news release: * * * Georgia Looks to Early Literacy Reform to Improve Reading Outcomes * While a great deal of focus on education policy in Georgia has revolved around school choice policies and education finance, there are significant changes taking place inside the classroom as well. Georgia has joined several states in addressing early literacy, that fundamental period for students that typically begins around age 5. Students who fall behind in readi more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 -- Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tennessee, issued the following news: * * * Gov. Lee Marks the Close of the 2026 Legislative Session Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the close of his final legislative session, which includes the successful passage of his $58.3 billion budget focused on strategic investments to strengthen Tennessee's future. "When I first became Governor, I was hopeful about what we could accomplish in partnership with the General Assembly to serve Tennesseans," said Gov. Lee. "Over eight legislat more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * ICYMI: The GOP's Georgia Mess [Punchbowl News] Punchbowl News: "Amid a foreboding national environment for the GOP in 2026, Georgia Republicans are sounding the alarm" In case you missed it, Georgia Republicans are "sounding the alarm" after they "failed to coalesce around a challenger to Sen. Jon Ossoff" and the Peach State's GOP Senate primary "descend[s] into a triangular firing squad." Republicans are spiraling that the race " more PR

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, April 24 -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences issued the following news release: * * * Jackye and Curtis Finch Jr. Commission Sculptures for The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital at UAMS By Andrew Vogler The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) received two sculptures by Ryan Schmidt that were commissioned by Jackye and Curtis Finch Jr. The sculptures, titled "Persistence" and "Stupendous," are in the first-floor lobby and on the fourth floors, respectivel more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 (TNSbrep) -- Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following news release on April 22, 2026: * * * UPDATED DATA: Inflation, Gasoline Costs Continue to Soar Under President Trump New reports show that families have spent $2,300 more each on daily expenses since Trump took office; Americans have paid $16 billion more on gas since start of Iran War * Today, the Joint Economic Committee - Minority released two updated reports on state-by-state inflation cost data a more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Law Grad Employment Hits Record High Again in 2025 * A record percentage of U.S. law school students landed legal jobs soon after graduating in 2025, according to new American Bar Association (ABA) data, despite reduced hiring for government and public interest jobs, Reuters reports. The percentage of 2025 law degree graduates who landed jobs requiring bar admission within 10 months of leaving campus ticked up o more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 [Category: Biology] -- The Center for Biological Diversity posted the following news release: * * * Lawsuit Filed to Protect Rare Great Lakes, Appalachian Mussel * WASHINGTON-The Center for Biological Diversity today sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to follow through on plans to protect salamander mussels under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also failed to finalize protections for more than 2,000 miles of critical habitat for the mussels. Salamander mussels once lived in 14 states from Tenn more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 -- Vanderbilt University posted the following news release: * * * Legacy preference bans may not increase college diversity, Vanderbilt researchers say * By Jenna Somers At some highly selective colleges and universities, cohorts of mostly white, wealthy applicants have three to eight times greater odds of admission than other similarly qualified applicants. These beneficiaries are legacy applicants, those who receive an admissions bonus for having alumni relatives. Legacy preferences have long been critic more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Memphis-Shelby Schools Vote to Sue Over State Takeover * Memphis-Shelby County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to sue over a state takeover of the district, the Daily Memphian reports. On Wednesday, the House and Senate passed the measure, sending it to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. The plan would give a nine-member, state-appointed board authority over the district through at least 2030, potentia more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The AFL-CIO North America's Building Trades Unions issued the following news release on April 23, 2026: * * * NABTU U.S. Legislative Conference Draws Thousands to Advance Workforce and Infrastructure Priorities North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) concluded its 2026 U.S. Legislative Conference this week at the Washington Hilton, convening thousands of union leaders, industry executives, and bipartisan elected officials for two days of high-level engagement on the future of America's construction workforce, e more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Officials Name Kingsport Courthouse for Late Judge * The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a recommendation Tuesday to name the courthouse at the Kingsport/Sullivan County Justice Center in honor of the late Judge John S. McLellan III, who died Feb. 11 at the age of 80. A graduate of the University of Tennessee (now Winston) College of Law, McLellan practiced for 24 years as a general pr more PR

MEDINA, Minnesota, April 24 -- Polaris Industries, a manufacturer of snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, midsize and heavyweight motorcycles, issued the following news release on April 23, 2026: * * * Polaris Announces Spring 2026 TRAILS GRANTS as Program Marks 20 Years More than $125,000 awarded to 14 off-road and snowmobile riding clubs across the U.S. and Canada as Polaris surpasses $4 million in total giving since the program's inception * Today, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), the global leader in powersports, announced the recipients of its more PR

LOS ANGELES, California, April 23 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary on April 22, 2026, by senior policy fellow Hanna Liebman Dershowitz: * * * States react to nitrous oxide deaths with unnecessary, unworkable bans State legislatures truly concerned about teen safety should look beyond bans and embrace a regulatory approach that protects and educates consumers. * In recent years, prompted by concern about danger to teens amid an increase in incidents of deaths associated with nitrous oxide use, states have scrambled t more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Red Bank Names Interim Judge Ahead of Special Election * The Red Bank City Commission has appointed attorney Bryan Hoss to serve as city judge until a special election on Aug. 6 to fill the remainder of Judge Johnny Houston's term following his medical disability, Chattanoogan.com reports. Hoss, who had been serving in an interim capacity, said he has picked up qualifying papers and plans to run in the election. more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, issued the following opening statement on April 22, 2026, at a hearing on the fiscal 2027 budget request for nuclear forces and atomic energy defense activities: * * * The subcommittee meets today to review the Department's fiscal year 2027 budget request for nuclear forces and atomic energy defense activities. Thank you for being with us today. I want to begin by noting that this hearing will be Admiral Wolfe' more PR

COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release: * * * Tech computer science professor selected for national AI education fellowship * Tennessee Tech University computer science professor William Eberle, Ph.D., has been selected for the National Science Foundation's inaugural cohort of National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource AI Education Fellows, a prestigious program aimed at advancing artificial intelligence education across the United States. Eberle, co-director of Tech more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 -- Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued the following news: * * * Tennessee Solicitor General Matt Rice to Join Kirkland & Ellis After Distinguished State Service * Today, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced Solicitor General Matt Rice will conclude his exceptional tenure with the Office of the Attorney General this summer to join Kirkland & Ellis as a partner. Rice's time as Solicitor General has been marked by an unmatched work ethic and commitment to excellence, resulting i more PR

COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release: * * * Tennessee Tech's Whitson-Hester School of Nursing earns top national, state rankings for online nurse practitioner programs * Tennessee Tech University's Whitson-Hester School of Nursing is once again receiving national recognition for excellence, with new 2026 rankings from NursePractitionerOnline.com placing the school among the very best in the country. The rankings name Tech as the No. 1 "best online nurse practitioner progra more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 -- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences posted the following news: * * * Trainee Tribute: Caroline Bodnya * Meet Caroline Bodnya, a trainee in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology who is studying how the shape and activity of tiny cell structures called peroxisomes influence how nerve cells develop. She is mentored by Vivian Gama, associate dean for mentoring in the SOMBS and a professor of cell and developmental biology. We sat down with Bodnya to talk about her experiences as more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 24 -- Tennessee State University issued the following news: * * * TSU Breaks Ground on Ultra-Modern $60 Million Engineering Building to Power Future Workforce Emmanuel Freeman Tennessee State University marked a historic milestone April 21 as university officials, state legislators, and community stakeholders gathered in the heart of campus for the groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art $60 million engineering facility. Designed to elevate the student experience through immersive, hands-on learning, the nearly 70,0 more PR

OXFORD, Mississippi, April 24 -- The University of Mississippi issued the following news: * * * Law Course Connects Housing Issues to Oxford's Past and Present Students, community members explore city's development and housing challenges through lecture and tour * What began as a fair housing law seminar for students in the University of Mississippi School of Law turned into a community lecture and tour discussing Oxford's settlement, development and housing efforts. Jade Craig, assistant professor of law, taught the class with a goal of  more PR

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 24 -- The University of North Carolina Charlotte campus issued the following news release: * * * Levine Scholar Annabelle Hill awarded prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Grant Annabelle Hill has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant for the 2026-27 academic year. Hill will serve as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Malta, representing UNC Charlotte and the United States through teaching, cultural exchange and community engagement. Hill, a senior Levine Scholar and member of the Honors C more PR

VERMILLION, South Dakota, April 23 -- The University of South Dakota posted the following news: * * * USD Voice Students Compete in North Central Regional Auditions * Students from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin submitted performance videos that were evaluated by a panel of judges. Following their success in the regional competition, USD students will compete next in a national preliminary online round, followed by live semifinals and finals in San Antonio, Texas, in July. The regional placements from USD were: Adva more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency issued the following news release: * * * USDA Designates 40 North Carolina Counties as Natural Disaster Areas with Four Contiguous Counties in Georgia * This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the  more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 23 -- Vanderbilt University posted the following news release: * * * Vanderbilt names inaugural campus tree, launching new arboretum tradition * The towering white oak northwest of Wilson Hall is nameless no more. The tree will forever be known as Founder's Oak, thanks to the Vanderbilt Student Government. Affectionately known as "Acornelius," the white oak was selected as the inaugural tree of the new Vanderbilt University Anchored & Rooted: Tree Naming Competition. "Founder's Oak is a testament to Cornelius more PR

HERNDON, Virginia, April 24 -- Volkswagen Group of America issued the following news release: * * * Volkswagen delivers grand prize Golf GTI from 'Drivers wanted' campaign * A series of invitations within Volkswagen's new chapter of a classic campaign rewarded Big Game viewers and social media users * Grand prize of 2026 Golf GTI awarded along with additional VW-themed items and experiences * Reston, VA -- Volkswagen of America recently awarded select individuals that interacted with its relaunched 'Drivers wanted' campaign. Throughout th more PR