WASHINGTON, June 24 -- The American Action Forum issued the following commentary on June 23, 2026, by Competition Policy Director Fred Ashton: * * * Mega-merger Proposed to Power Data Center Alley Executive Summary * On May 18, NextEra Energy agreed to acquire Dominion Energy in a roughly $67-billion deal, poised to create the world's largest regulated electric utility by market capitalization. * The agreement comes amid an unprecedented surge in power demand from artificial intelligence data centers, accelerating the need to modernize exi more PR

WASHINGTON, June 24 (TNSLrpt) -- State Employment and Unemployment May 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - June 23, 2026 (18 pages) * * * Unemployment rates were lower in May in 6 states, higher in 2 states, and stable in 42 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Sixteen states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 6 states had decreases, and 28 states and the District had little change. The national unemployment rate, 4.3 percent, was unchanged more PR

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, June 23 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey posted the following news release: * * * California's Plastics Act Prompts Lawsuit Over Economic Impacts and State Sovereignty * Attorney General JB McCuskey joined a coalition of 16 state attorneys general and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) in challenging California's Plastics Act to defend the interests of consumers and producers across the United States. The lawsuit intends to stop the costs that will be passed on to consumers more PR

CLEMSON, South Carolina, June 23 -- Clemson University posted the following news: * * * Could Southern heritage crops help shape the future of Southern agriculture? * College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences From butter beans and sorghum to heirloom fruits and regionally treasured vegetables, Southern heritage crops carry stories of family traditions, cultural identity and local foodways. They may also hold economic potential. Clemson University is inviting farmers, chefs, agricultural service providers and others interested more PR

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on June 23, 2026: * * * DNC Congratulates Nancy Lacore on Her Victory in the Democratic Primary for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District The DNC congratulates Nancy Lacore on her victory in the Democratic primary for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District -- a race that will help flip the House of Representatives in November. Democratic voters throughout South Carolina turned out to back candidates like Lacore who are focused on lowering co more PR

GREENWOOD, South Carolina, June 23 -- Lander University posted the following news: * * * From Freshman to Graduate: New Lander Alumni Share Tips for Success * As high school graduates in the Class of 2026 spend the summer preparing for one of life's biggest transitions, recent Lander University graduates have a message for those about to begin their college journeys: believe in yourself, embrace new opportunities and don't be afraid to step beyond your comfort zone. The new Lander alumni -who recently crossed the commencement stage themse more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, June 24 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on June 22, 2026: * * * Carr Challenges California's Plastics Acts Over State Sovereignty and Economic Impacts Attorney General Chris Carr has joined a 17-state coalition and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) in challenging California's Plastics Act to defend the interests of producers and consumers nationwide. California's law, formally known as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act more PR

MONTGOMERY, Alabama, June 23 -- Gov. Kay Ivey, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Ivey Announces Eli Lilly, Space Command and Other State Economic Growth Help Earn Alabama a Silver Shovel Award * MONTGOMERY - Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced that growth in Alabama's defense presence and a major pharmaceutical facility announcement helped the state earn a 2026 Silver Shovel Award from the business publication Area Development. The awards are presented annually to states that have achieved noteworthy success  more PR

CLEMSON, South Carolina, June 23 -- Clemson University posted the following news: * * * HR, Payroll and Finance teams to leverage ServiceNow to support Workday launch * When Workday launches on July 1, it will bring streamlined and simplified processes to support faculty and staff completing HR and finance tasks across Clemson. With the same streamlined approach and a continued focus on improving customer service for faculty and staff, HR, payroll and finance teams will leverage ServiceNow beginning July 1 to better support customer inqui more PR

WASHINGTON, June 24 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division announced membership updates within the Information Warfare Research Project Consortium, Summerville, South Carolina. On April 2, 2026, the organization filed written notifications simultaneously with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. These administrative actions were completed under the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993, which limits the financial recovery of antitrust plaintiffs to actual damages under specified condi more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, June 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts posted the following news release: * * * Massachusetts Man Charged in $5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme as Part of National Health Care Fraud Takedown * BOSTON - A Stoughton, Mass., man has been charged in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Medicare of over $5 million by submitting claims for durable medical equipment (DME) that was medically unnecessary and tainted by kickbacks. The charges filed today in federal court in Boston are more PR

CLEMSON, South Carolina, June 23 -- Clemson University posted the following news: * * * Meet the Team: Faith Diemer * Faith Diemer is the student services coordinator for the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine (PCVM), bringing with her a passion for student support and years of experience helping Clemson students navigate important academic and personal transitions. As a student-centered resource for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students, Diemer will help cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment that promot more PR

CHARLESTON, South Carolina, June 23 -- The Medical University of South Carolina issued the following news release: * * * MUSC Health celebrates progress on Indian Land medical center designed to expand access to care... * INDIAN LAND, S.C. (June 23, 2026) - MUSC Health leaders, physicians and community partners gathered Tuesday for a topping-out ceremony marking a major construction milestone for the future MUSC Health Indian Land Medical Center and MUSC Health Indian Land Medical Pavilion. Indian Land is one of the fastest-growing commun more PR

CLEMSON, South Carolina, June 23 -- Clemson University posted the following news: * * * New book explores history of graduate education at Clemson * Clemson Libraries Clemson University recently celebrated the 100 th anniversary of its graduate school. A new book published by Clemson University Press digs deep into the history of graduate education at Clemson, which helped transform Clemson College into Clemson University. " Graduate Education at Clemson and the Evolution to a University " by Frankie Felder details the successes and cha more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, June 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas posted the following news release: * * * Nine charged in SDTX as part of national health care fraud takedown * HOUSTON - Several people in and around the Houston area as well as a Nevada woman have been indicted in various schemes including illegal drug diversion and attempts to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE which involve a total of over $1 billion in alleged fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. The charges include alle more PR

PHOENIX, Arizona, June 22 -- The University of Phoenix issued the following news release: * * * Overview Effect and Sense of Place * New peer-reviewed article explores how sense of place and perspective may support student engagement and understanding University of Phoenix College of General Studies announces the publication of a new peer-reviewed article in The Geography Teacher, authored by Jacquelyn Kelly, Ph.D., associate dean, College of General Studies ; Dianna Gielstra, Ph.D., full-time faculty, Environmental Science Program; Tomas more PR

CLEMSON, South Carolina, June 23 -- Clemson University posted the following news: * * * Own a piece of Clemson history with a gift to the Libraries * Clemson Libraries Donors to Clemson Libraries can own a small piece of University history. For a limited time, all people who make donations of $150 or more to the Libraries can receive the gift of a post office box door from the University Post Office that was located in the University Union. The Edgar A. Brown University Union, along with the last section of Johnstone Hall, was demolishe more PR

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- The Peterson Institute for International Economics issued the following commentary on June 23, 2026, by senior research staffer Michael A. Clemens: * * * US is driving away international students at a long-term economic cost For generations, students from around the world have fueled universities in the United States, their top destination by far. Those students don't just sustain a $43 billion export industry in higher education services per year. Many remain after graduation as a key source of high-skill science and  more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, June 24 -- Pinnacle Financial Partners, an asset regional bank that says it provides banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services, issued the following news release: * * * Pinnacle Financial Partners names Shane White senior manager of residential construction lending BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Pinnacle Financial Partners has added Shane White as senior manager of residential construction lending for the firm. He will be based at the Shades Creek office in Birmingham, Alabama. White brings more than 35 more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, June 24 -- Pinnacle Financial Partners, an asset regional bank that says it provides banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services, issued the following news release: * * * Pinnacle wins Silver in 2026 Best Places to Work in Athens-Limestone County Pinnacle Financial Partners received the silver award at the Best Place to Work awards, hosted by the Athens/Limestone County Chamber of Commerce. This is the first year the firm's Athens team became eligible to be nominated for the program in the small more PR

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on June 23, 2026: * * * Republican Energy and Water Funding Bill Raises Costs, Harms Energy Reliability and Security Today, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) released a detailed breakdown of some of the devastating funding cuts proposed in House Republicans' fiscal year 2027 Energy and Water Development funding bill. "Working families are struggling each and every day more PR

PIERRE, South Dakota, June 24 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on June 23, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jackley Joins Lawsuit Challenging California Act South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined 16 other Attorneys General in a lawsuit intended to protect the interests of producers and consumers. The coalition's lawsuit challenges California's Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packing Producer Responsibility Act. The California law places extensive requirements on manufacturers, dis more PR

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina, June 23 -- South Carolina State University posted the following news: * * * SC State's Louis Whitesides selected for prestigious national leadership institute * PSA vice president joins AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance Class of 2026-27 ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Dr. Louis D. Whitesides, South Carolina State University's vice president for public service and agriculture and acting vice president for research, has been selected for the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Institute for Leadership & Governance  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on June 23, 2026: * * * Chairman Scott Leads Affordability Hearing Focused on Lowering Costs for American Families Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) led a hearing focused on how to make life more affordable for families in South Carolina and across the country. Chairman Scott emphasized that families are still facing high costs for housing, food, borrowing, a more PR

AIKEN, South Carolina, June 24 -- The U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site issued the following news release: * * * SRS Improves Wearable Technology for Employee Safety Going Into Summer Heat The liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS) is doubling the number of employees using a wearable technology system to further protect against South Carolina's summer heat and humidity. Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) is providing 500 of the devices to team members supporting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office  more PR

CEDARVILLE, Ohio, June 23 -- Cedarville University posted the following news: * * * Student Turns LEGO Resale Hobby Into $50,000 Business * by Madison Dors, Student Public Relations Writer In the world of online collectibles, timing can matter as much as the item itself. For one Cedarville University student, that lesson helped turn a $3,500 Craigslist purchase of LEGO minifigures into nearly $6,000 in sales. What began as a hobby for Micah Torres has grown into Rusty's Figs, an online resale business that has generated about $50,000 in more PR

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee released the following testimony by Andre Bauer, President Trump's nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Belize, from a June 18, 2026, confirmation hearing: * * * Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, and distinguished Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, thank you for the honor and privilege to appear before you today as the President's nominee to serve as United States Ambassador to Belize. I am honored by the confidence President Trump has placed in me through this nomination.  more PR