ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- WALMART APOLLO, LLC, Bentonville, Arkansas has been assigned a patent (No. US 12625862 B2, initially filed Oct. 11, 2024) developed by four inventors Menkae Jeng, San Jose, California; Sharat Narayan Hegde, San Jose, California; Kushagra Dar, Sunnyvale, California; and Ruchir Choudhry, San Ramon, California, for "Adaptive updates to data items." more PT

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 12 [Category: BizEnergy] -- American Electric Power Corp. posted the following news release: * * * AEP Announces Public Offering of Common Stock with a Forward Component * COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 12, 2026 - American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) today announced the commencement of a registered underwritten offering of $2,600,000,000 of shares of its common stock. Subject to certain conditions, all shares are expected to be borrowed by the forward counterparties (as defined below) (or their respective affiliates) from third pa more PR

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, May 12 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson supports overturning Biden-era rule on sex stereotypes * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson today joined a 10-state friend-of-the-court brief to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of a challenge to a Biden-era DHHS rule regarding discrimination based on "sex stereotypes." The McComb Children's Clinic alleges that the rule imposed by the Department of Health and Human Services more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- ERGON ASPHALT & EMULSIONS, INC., Jackson, Mississippi has been assigned a patent (No. US 12624211 B2, initially filed June 16, 2022) developed by four inventors Gaylon L. Baumgardner, Jackson, Mississippi; Paul A. Morris, St. Augustine, Florida; Joel B. Shealey, Chandler, Arkansas; and William E. Grubba, Terre Haute, Indiana, for "Biobased asphalt rejuvenating emulsion." more PT

ATLANTA, Georgia, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- Consumer Price Index, South Region April 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - May 12, 2026 * * * Regional prices rose 0.8 percent in April, up 3.6 percent over the year * The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the South region increased 0.8 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. The energy index rose 5.8 percent over the month. The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.4 percen more PR

WASHINGTON, May 12 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * Booker, Boozman, Van Drew, Bera Launch Congressional International Exchanges Caucus * WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), and U.S. Representatives Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-2) and Ami Bera (D-CA-6) announced the launch of the Congressional International Exchanges Caucus. The members are launching this caucus to bolster engagement and support for international exchange programs, particularly those administered  more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- FIRST ORION CORP., North Little Rock, Arkansas has been assigned a patent (No. US 12627758 B2, initially filed May 25, 2023) developed by Julie Sara Fowler, Kirkland, Washington, and Robert Collin Seely, Little Rock, Arkansas, for "Call enhancement service via in-network branded calling delivery." more PT

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, issued the following news release on May 12, 2026: * * * Chairman Boozman Leads Committee in Examining Solutions for a Reliable and Affordable Supply of Fertilizer U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) led a hearing examining solutions to strengthen the fertilizer supply chain and improve access to affordable agricultural inputs. The following is the Chairman's openi more PR

WASHINGTON, May 12 -- Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, issued the following news release: * * * Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on U.S. Army Posture for Fiscal Year 2027 * Watch Video Here WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing to examine the posture of the United States Army amid growing global threats from adversaries, ongoing modernization efforts, and the Army's role in supporting joint operations. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Acting Chie more PR

WASHINGTON, May 12 -- Rep. Steve Womack, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Chairman Womack Questions HUD Secretary Scott Turner at Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Hearing * WASHINGTON, D.C. -May 12, 2026... Today, House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (AR-3) led a public hearing on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Fiscal Year 2027 budget request with Secretary Scott Turner serving as witness. Chairman Womack  more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- Three inventors Richard Vanek, Summerland Key, Florida; Rodney Montrose, Pensacola, Florida; and Donald Connor, El Dorado, Arkansas, have been awarded a design patent (No. US D1126022 S1, initially filed Nov. 27, 2024) for "Combined visual indicator and above-ground storage tank." more PT

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- CAMO DUST INC., Lonoke, Arkansas has been assigned a patent (No. US 12623202 B1, initially filed Jan. 13, 2023) developed by Michael Parnell, Muncy, Pennsylvania, for "Compositions and methods for eliminating scent." more PT

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- MOLEX, LLC, Lisle, Illinois has been assigned a patent (No. US 12627086 B2, initially filed Oct. 24, 2023) developed by four inventors Hui-Hsuan Yang, New Taipei, Taiwan; Bhakteesh Arwankar, Uttara Kannada, India; Weiming Chen, Pleasanton, California; and Saiyed Muhammad Hasan Ali, Conway, Arkansas, for "Connector assembly with partitioning assembly for improved airflow." more PT

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, May 13 -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences issued the following news release: * * * Constance Chapman, M.D., MPH, Joins UAMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Constance Chapman, M.D., MPH, has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a new practitioner and an assistant professor. Chapman received her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology a more PR

WASHINGTON, May 12 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Cotton, Senators to DoW: Invest in High-Grade Arkansas Lithium * Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Department of War Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) Director David Lorch. The letter requests that domestic lithium production, particularly in the Smackover Formation, be treated as a priority investment. Domestic production from the Smackover Formation in south Ark more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION, Charlotte, North Carolina has been assigned a patent (No. US 12625964 B2, initially filed May 9, 2024) developed by seven inventors Shravan Kumar Vellore Suresh, Bothell, Washington; Stephen L. Yeager, Seattle, Washington; Nidhiben Patel, McKinney, Texas; Lavanya Paruchuri, Renton, Washington; Mohana Murali Shivashankar, Everett, Washington; Giri Raj Pandit, Lynnwood, Washington; and Varsha Kotagiri, Bentonville, Arkansas, for "Document object model (DOM) integrity check using hash v more PT

WASHINGTON, May 12 [Category: Energy] -- The Edison Electric Institute issued the following news release: * * * Electric Companies Stepping Up to Protect Customers Amid Data Center Buildout * WASHINGTON (May 12, 2026) -A slew of recent announcements from investor-owned electric companies highlight their successful work powering the lives of the nearly 3 in 4 Americans who depend on them for reliable, affordable energy-and protecting them from bill increases related to data centers. EEI members are powering the jobs, industries, and techno more PR

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, May 12 [Category: BizEnergy] -- Entergy posted the following news release: * * * Entergy Mississippi names 2026 economic development grant winners * In its 10th year, the Excellerator program surpasses $750K lifetime investment in attracting industry Nine communities in Entergy Mississippi's service area will receive the company's annual economic development grant to help boost business growth in their communities. The grants mark the 10th year of awards from the company's Excellerator Competitive Communities progr more PR

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, May 11 -- The University of Arkansas Little Rock campus issued the following news: * * * Exploring the Human Mind: Inside UA Little Rock's Innovative Psychology Labs * What happens when people don't get enough sleep? How does financial stress change the way we think? And what does it mean to interact with a system that can think back? At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, psychology researchers are exploring these questions through a growing network of labs focused on sleep, cognition, and human-AI interacti more PR

MADISON, Wisconsin, May 13 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF targets unconstitutional prayers by Arkansas archery coach The Freedom From Religion Foundation is urging the Valley View Public Schools system to immediately put a stop to a district archery coach's practice of leading team members in prayers. A concerned district parent informed the state/church watchdog that the archery coach at Valley View Intermediate School has a pattern and practice of leading students in Christian prayer  more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- TEST RITE INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD., Taipei, Taiwan has been assigned a design patent (No. US D1126528 S1, initially filed Oct. 26, 2023) developed by Mark Lin, Schaumburg, Illinois, and Jerry Cooper, Bentonville, Arkansas, for "Floor jack." more PT

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, May 12 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff posted the following news: * * * Golden Standard: UAPB Earns 2025-26 SWAC Sports Information Staff of the Year Honors * The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Athletics Department proudly announces that its Sports Information staff has been named the 2025-26 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Sports Information Staff of the Year, as voted on by conference peers. The award recognizes excellence in strategic communications, creativity, and service througho more PR

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, May 12 -- The University of Arkansas Little Rock campus issued the following news: * * * Guided by Purpose: Jazmine James Finds Her Calling in the Law * Jazmine James decided she wanted to be a lawyer when she was in fifth grade. Years later, that dream seemed deferred. However, a setback became the push she needed to pursue law school. "I was working as a paralegal and loving it, but I was laid off, and alongside applying to more jobs, I finally applied to law school," she said. "I think with my personality and str more PR

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, May 11 -- The University of Arkansas Little Rock campus issued the following news: * * * Jeremy Ecke Named Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at UA Little Rock * The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Dr. Jeremy Ecke dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE) following a national search. His appointment will become effective July 1. Ecke has served as interim dean since July 2025. As dean, Ecke will lead one of the university's m more PR

WASHINGTON, May 12 -- The Medical Group Management Association issued the following letter on May 11, 2026: * * * The Honorable Roger Marshall, MD U.S. Senate, 479A Russell Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Greg Murphy, MD U.S. House of Representatives 407 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable John Joyce, MD, U.S. House of Representatives 2102 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Bob Onder, MD, JD U.S. House of Representatives 1113 Longworth House Office Building Washi more PR

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 13 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on May 12, 2026: * * * Drummond leads 18-state coalition urging EPA to protect chemical facility data from cybersecurity threats Attorney General Gentner Drummond today is calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lock down a proposed federal database of chemical facility information that the coalition says could help foreign governments and hackers target American infrastructure. Drummond and a coalition of 17 state  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 12 -- Rep. Ami Bera, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Bera Launches Bipartisan, Bicameral Congressional International Exchanges Caucus * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), alongside U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), announced the launch of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional International Exchanges Caucus. The members are launching this caucus to bolster engagement and support for international exchange  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement on May 12, 2026: * * * Restoring the Western Way of Life and Multiple-Use Land Management Today, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the rescission of the Biden administration's onerous so-called "Public Lands Rule" (Rule). Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response: "The rescission of the Biden administration's so-called Publi more PR

CLARKSVILLE, Arkansas, May 12 -- The University of the Ozarks posted the following news: * * * Robinson Lands Job Through Ozarks Alumni Network * Just days before she walks across the stage at graduation, University of the Ozarks senior Katie Robinson already knows where her future is headed -and it all started with a conversation over lunch. Robinson, a marketing major from Bonner Springs, Kan., will graduate on Saturday and begin her new career the following Monday as an influencer campaign officer with SheSpeaks Inc., an award-winning  more PR

JONESBORO, Arkansas, May 12 -- Arkansas State University posted the following news: * * * Small Business and Technology Development Center Team Earns Awards * JONESBORO - The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Arkansas State University racked up multiple honors in April, capped by a prestigious award from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Adriene F. Brown, SBA Arkansas district director, presented the Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award to the A-State team at the 2026 ASBTDC ne more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12 -- WALMART APOLLO, LLC, Bentonville, Arkansas has been assigned a patent (No. US 12626211 B2, initially filed Dec. 30, 2022) developed by eight inventors Xi Chen, Sunnyvale, California; Minghui Liu, San Bruno, California; Yiren Ye, Sunnyvale, California; Hengchao Wang, Santa Clara, California; Yuan Wang, San Francisco, California; Jing Huang, San Jose, California; Mingang Fu, Palo Alto, California; and Mohit Agarwal, Mountain View, California, for "Systems and methods for last-mile delivery assignment." more PT

AMHERST, Massachusetts, May 12 -- The University of Massachusetts posted the following news: * * * UMass Amherst Hosts Naturalization Ceremony for Nearly 200 New US Citizens * For 193 people, a naturalization ceremony hosted by UMass Amherst and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) on May 11 was both a celebration of the journeys that brought them to the United States and the beginning of a new chapter as American citizens.The new citizens, hailing from 51 countries from Afghanistan to Vietnam and Barbados to Moldova, waved s more PR

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement on May 11, 2026: * * * Unleashing Tribal Energy Resources Today, the Department of the Interior announced a Tribal Energy Resource Agreement (TERA) with the Southern Ute Tribe in southwest Colorado. Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response: "Today's historic agreement empowers the Southern Ute Tribe to develop natural resources on tribal land to unleash American energy  more PR