WASHINGTON, May 6 -- A coalition of 114 state legislators submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor opposing its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on employee versus independent contractor status under several federal labor laws. The letter argues that the proposed rule, which would replace the current federal test with a modified 2021 standard, threatens the fiscal integrity of state programs reliant on accurate worker classification. The legislators, representing states with a combined population of over 176 million, emph more ST

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 6 (TNSrpt) -- The Environmental Law and Policy Center posted the following news release on May 5, 2026: * * * 83 Groups Call On HHS, EPA To Take Emergency Action on Industrial Agriculture's Nitrate Pollution Crisis Worsening water pollution and cancer crises in Iowa, nationwide underscore need for federal action on nitrates in drinking water * Today, 83 groups sent a letter to Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin more PR

LANSING, Michigan, May 5 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release: * * * AG Nessel and Bipartisan Coalition to Secure Final Approval in $700 Million Google Settlement over App Store Monopoly * The United States District Court for the Northern District of California stated last week that it will approve a $700 million settlement in a multistate antitrust lawsuit against Google. In 2021, Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a bipartisan group of 53 attorneys general who sued Google for illegally dominating And more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education released the following testimony by Daniel Buck, research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, from an April 28, 2026, hearing entitled "Leveling Down: How Equity Policies Undermine Excellence and Harm Students": * * * Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Bonamici, and distinguished members of the committee. During my time as a teacher in Title I schools, I watched as year after year expectations for studen more PR

SACRAMENTO, California, May 5 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Bonta Rebukes Trump Administration for Proposal to End a Nearly Century-Old Restriction on the Shipping of Handguns Through USPS * OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a coalition of 22 attorneys general, today submitted a comment letter opposing an unlawful proposal by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to allow anyone to ship a handgun -without the involvement of a licensed firearms dealer -acr more PR

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Bynum Celebrates Delivery of Nearly $1 Million in Funding to Bend * Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) joined local leaders to celebrate the delivery of federal funding to the City of Bend. $992,250 in federal funding will go to the city's Neighborhood Drinking Water Protection Program. The funds will be used to replace fragile galvanized pipes in Bend to protect drinking water quality, improve water system redundancy, and ensure nearby hydra more PR

WASHINGTON, May 4 -- Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Bynum Leads Wildfire Preparedness Events in Deschutes County * As part of Wildfire Awareness Month, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) met with local leaders, small business owners, and community members today to discuss wildfire preparedness for the upcoming wildfire season in Deschutes County. Rep. Bynum held a roundtable and a press conference with fire chiefs as well as state and federal partners at the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Station to dis more PR

WASHINGTON, May 5 [Category: Consumer Services] (TNSrpt) -- The Consumer Federation of America posted the following news release: * * * CFA Applauds Pennsylvania for Enforcing Their Unlawful Practice of Medicine Laws Against Character.AI This morning, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced a lawsuit against Character.AI for their chatbot product that "falsely claimed to be licensed in Pennsylvania and gave a fake Pennsylvania license number while holding itself out to be a licensed psychiatrist." "The Consumer Federation of America more PR

DECORAH, Iowa, May 4 -- Luther College posted the following news: * * * Charles Baldwin named director of orchestral activities * Charles Baldwin is joining the Luther College faculty this fall as assistant professor of music and director of orchestral activities for the Luther College Symphony Orchestra, Provost Pam Bacon announced this week. "We're pleased to welcome Dr. Baldwin to Luther College," Bacon said. "I want to thank the members of our search committee and our music faculty for their participation in the search for our next sym more PR

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Bentz Applauds House Passage of the Farm Bill * WASHINGTON, D.C.- Last Thursday, the House passed the Farm Bill, H.R. 7567, the "Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026". This bill helps secure America's food supply, provides a safety net for farming operations in the form of crop insurance and commodity programs, and funds nutrition initiatives like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The bill helps farmers stay in busi more PR

GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 5 -- Furman University posted the following news: * * * Furman prepares to welcome one of its largest classes in a decade * As the national enrollment picture remains uncertain and, at times, volatile, Furman University has significantly exceeded its enrollment goals for Fall 2026, preparing to welcome one of its largest incoming classes in a decade -a clear signal that families are choosing an education built on deep investment in every student. Across higher education, demographic cliffs, shifting financi more PR

SALEM, Oregon, May 5 -- Gov. Tina Kotek, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Kotek Briefed on Severe Wildfire Risk Ahead, Urges Oregonians to Prepare Now * Governor Tina Kotek today received a comprehensive briefing from state wildfire leaders as Oregon heads into what experts warn may be a severe 2026 wildfire season. She also signed a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Wildfire Awareness Month, which can be found here. "Oregon is facing severe drought conditions, with nine counties already under emergency declara more PR

SALEM, Oregon, May 5 -- Gov. Tina Kotek, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Kotek Proclaims Murdered or Missing Indigenous Persons Awareness Day * Salem, OR - Today Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed May 5, 2026, as Murdered or Missing Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. "Across the United States, Indigenous people, especially women and girls, experience some of the highest rates of violence in the country," Governor Kotek said. "And too often, when someone goes missing or is killed, those cases are not reported, not pr more PR

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries released the following testimony by Elizabeth Nielsen, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association, from an April 29, 2026, hearing on the Reclamation Project Consultation Improvement Act (H.R. 8259): * * * Chair Hageman, Ranking Member Hoyle, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for holding this important hearing and for allowing me the honor of providing testimony before this Subcommittee. My name is Elizabeth Nielsen. I am th more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration issued the following recall notice: * * * Market of Choice Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Vegan Kale Caesar Salad Summary Company Announcement Date: May 05, 2026 FDA Publish Date: May 05, 2026 Product Type: Food & Beverages Allergens Reason for Announcement: Product contains undeclared sesame Company Name: Market of Choice Brand Name: Market of Choice Product Description: Vegan Kale Caesar Salad Company Announcement Euge more PR

BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 6 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 5, 2026: * * * Attorney General Brown Files Brief Urging Supreme Court to Stay Restrictions on Mifepristone Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 22 states and the District Columbia in urging the Supreme Court of the United States to stay a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that would restrict access to mifepristone, a safe and effective abortion medication. The Fifth Circuit ruling wou more PR

WASHINGTON, May 4 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley Statement on Republicans' Bill Gifting ICE, Border Patrol Billions While Ignoring Middle Class Families * Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans released bill text that will gift the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) nearly $70 billion i more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement on May 4, 2026: * * * Merkley Statement on Republicans' Bill Gifting ICE, Border Patrol Billions While Ignoring Middle Class Families Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans released bill text that will gift the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 4 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.1 Million for Oregon Fish and Wildlife Conservation Efforts * Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $1,059,961 in federal funding is coming to Oregon to support state fish and wildlife agencies. This funding comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) State Wildlife Grant program, which supports state agencies' conservation efforts. "Our state's lands a more PR

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle Concerned About Eugene's PeaceHealth Transitioning Emergency Medical Providers * Lawmakers Urge Partnership with Physicians, Community to Best Serve Lane County Eugene, OR - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Congresswoman Val Hoyle (OR-04), expressed concerns about PeaceHealth's decision to end its contract with local Eugene Emergency Physicians in favor of Lane Emergency Physicians, which is owned by a more PR

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * MERKLEY, WYDEN, HOYLE CONCERNED ABOUT EUGENE'S PEACEHEALTH TRANSITIONING EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROVIDERS * Lawmakers Urge Partnership with Physicians, Community to Best Serve Lane County Eugene, OR - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Congresswoman Val Hoyle (OR-04), expressed concerns about PeaceHealth's decision to end its contract with local Eugene Emergency Physicians in favor of Lane Emergency Physicians, which is owned by a more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Northwest Horticultural Council, Yakima, Washington state, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Standards Board regarding the sunset reviews, proposals, and discussion documents for organic crop and handling materials. Representing organic apple, pear, and sweet cherry growers, packers, and shippers in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, the NHC emphasized the importance of continued access to certain synthetic and nonsynthetic substances vital to organic tree fruit product more ST

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, May 5 -- The University of Notre Dame posted the following news: * * * Notre Dame elects new University Trustees, Fellows * Claire Babineaux-Fontenot and Admiral Christopher W. Grady were elected Trustees of the University of Notre Dame at the Board of Trustees' Spring Meeting. In addition, the Most Rev. Patrick M. Neary, C.S.C., was elected to the Board of Fellows, and as such will serve as an ex officio Trustee. Trustee Paulita A. Pike was also elected to the Board of Fellows. All appointments take effect July 1. In more PR

PORTLAND, Oregon, May 5 -- Oregon Health and Science University issued the following news: * * * OHSU scientist targets bacteria with precision * When Jonathon Baker, Ph.D., describes his lab's approach to stopping disease-causing microbes in the mouth, he resists sweeping solutions. "Two of the most prevalent human diseases -cavities and periodontal disease -are caused by bacteria," he said. "Our goal is to prevent and treat them with targeted strategies that spare the microbes that actually help keep us healthy." Broad-spectrum antibi more PR

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 5 [Category: BizFinancial Services] -- Bank of America, a financial institution, posted the following news release: * * * Portland Thorns Announce Bank of America as Partner to Expand Community Access to Soccer and Official Wealth Management Partner * PORTLAND, OR - The Portland Thorns today announced a new multi-year community-focused partnership with Bank of America as well as naming the company the club's Official Wealth Management Partner. Built on a shared commitment to community impact, the partnership w more PR

LOS ANGELES, California, May 6 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary by technology policy analyst Richard Sill: * * * Our privacy laws need upgrades to address the spread of facial recognition tools Law enforcement agencies are increasingly using facial recognition to identify people in images captured by officers' body-worn cameras (also known as bodycams) and other networked camera systems. Together, these tools enable federal, state, and local agencies to track and identify people at scale in ways that existing privacy  more PR

OAKLAND, California, May 5 -- As You Sow Foundation posted the following news release: * * * Shareholders Applaud California's Extended Producer Responsibility Law Following 15 Years of Plastic Pollution Advocacy Binding 2032 targets, $50,000-per-day penalties, and a May 31 reporting deadline put real teeth behind producer responsibility -vindicating shareholder proposals long dismissed by Fortune 500 producers as "ordinary business." * EL CERRITO, CALIFORNIA - As You Sow, the nation's leading shareholder representative, today applauded C more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Strengthening Organic Systems LLC submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program regarding the Certification, Accreditation, and Compliance Subcommittee's proposal on residue testing and unavoidable residual environmental contamination under Sec. 205.670. The organization highlighted the necessity of evolving residue testing into a comprehensive verification and deterrence tool amid expanding global organic supply chains. In responding to the proposal, Strengthening Organic more ST

DOVER, Delaware, May 6 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on May 5, 2026: * * * Supreme Court issues stay of restrictions on mifepristone following advocacy by AG Jennings, coalition Attorney General Kathy Jennings yesterday joined a coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to stay a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that would restrict access to mifepristone, a safe and effective abortion medication. Shortly after, the U.S. Supreme more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. FD 36486) entitled "Grainbelt Corp. - Trackage Rights Exemption - BNSF Railway Co.": * * * Digest:/1 This decision authorizes the expiration of certain Board-approved rights of Grainbelt Corporation to operate over certain lines of BNSF Railway Company, even though such rights typically continue indefinitely. By petition filed on March 31, 2026, Grainbelt Corporation (GNBC) requests that the Board permit the track more PR

DALLAS, Texas, May 6 -- Trammell Crow Co., a developer and investor in commercial real estate, posted the following news release: * * * TCC Executes Full-Building Lease at Woodland Industrial Park in southern Washington Consolidated Supply Co. will occupy 276,092 square feet * Trammell Crow Company (TCC), a leading commercial real estate developer, has executed a full-building lease at Woodland Industrial Park in Woodland, Washington, approximately 22 miles from Portland, Oregon. Consolidated Supply Co., a regional, family-run plumbing & w more PR

RICHMOND, Virginia, May 6 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on May 5, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jones Joins Multistate Effort to Oppose Postal Service Rule Undermining Federal Gun Law Attorney General Jay Jones joined a multistate comment letter signed by 22 states opposing an unlawful proposal by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to allow a flood of prohibited weapons to move across state borders by mail, endangering the public and further straining state and local law enforcement resources for no vali more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 5 [Category: Libraries] -- The American Library Association posted the following news release: * * * Vernon Hills High School named National School Library of the Year * CHICAGO - Vernon Hills High School, located in Vernon Hills, Illinois, is the recipient of the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) 2026 National School Library of the Year (NSLY) Award. Sponsored by Follett Content, the NSLY Award annually honors a school library that exemplifies the implementation of AASL's National School Library Stand more PR

PORTLAND, Oregon, May 6 -- VoteVets issued the following news release on May 5, 2026: * * * VoteVets Launches New Ad Supporting Josh Turek in Iowa VoteVets is Backing Josh Turek in Major Senate Pickup Opportunity * Today, VoteVets is releasing its fourth TV ad in its multi-million dollar campaign to help elect Joshua Turek to the U.S. Senate in Iowa. The ad, "Early Start," will begin running tomorrow in Iowa as part of an $800,000 ad buy. It will run statewide on broadcast, cable, and satellite television as well as on digital platforms in more PR

SACRAMENTO, California, May 5 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: * * * What's There to Hide? Attorney General Bonta Urges Transparency in Federal Spending of Taxpayer Dollars * OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. Office of Management and Budget challenging the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) deactivation of the Public Apportionments Database. The Pub more PR

WALLA WALLA, Washington, May 6 -- Whitman College issued the following news: * * * Whitman Debate & Forensics Win at National Championships By Baker Weilert-Pekar, Director of Debate & Forensics For the second year in a row, Whitman Debate and Forensics has won a championship in National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) debate. Oliver Kaufman '26 (an English major from Eugene, Oregon) and Grace Hardy '27 (an Ethics and Society and Rhetoric, Writing, and Public Discourse double major from Coronado, California) beat the University of more PR

WASHINGTON, May 4 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Strengthen Protections for Dogs Under the Care of Breeders * The Puppy Protection Act aims to end cruel, mass breed practices by improving care standards for dogs Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined colleagues in introducing legislation that would strengthen protections for dogs under the care of breeders by ensuring they live in a safe environment, have access to o more PR

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Merkley Lead Effort to Extend Legislation Improving Healthcare Access and Financial Stability in Remote Areas * Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have introduced legislation that would extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) for five years. The program improves financial stability for rural hospitals by paying the reasonable costs of Medicare inpatient services - including meals, rooms,  more PR