WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. August 7, 2026 Brian Nesvik, Director Madonna Baucum, Chief of Regulations U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Policy & Regulations Branch 1849 C Street NW U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Washington, DC 20240 MS: PRB (JAO/3W) 5275 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 Via: eRulemaking Portal Docket Number: FWS-R6-ES-2026-2641 Director Nesvik and Chief B more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: * * * Adapting to aerial threats: How ACC's Point Defense Task Force is transforming installation defense * JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) - Through the Point Defense Task Force, Air Combat Command is conducting the experimentation and data analysis required to inform Headquarters Air Force decisions on Point Defense, a rapidly expanding mission designed to safeguard air bases against a full spectrum of airborne threats, ranging from small unmanned aircraft systems more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Aldo Leopold Foundation comments on Implementation of Drain Tile Setbacks pg. 1 ALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION COMMENTS ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF DRAIN TILE SETBACKS Notice by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service July 24, 2026 Submitted on 8/7/2026 by: W. B. (Buddy) Huffaker, President and Executive Director On July 2 more ST

GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, Aug. 14 -- The Altru Health System issued the following news on Aug. 13, 2026: * * * Altru Announces Heather Strandell as Chief Operating Officer Altru Health System announced today that Heather Strandell has been selected to serve as the organization's chief operating officer (COO), effective September 7. In this role, Heather will have executive oversight over inpatient and outpatient operations. "We are thrilled to have Heather join our executive team and continue the excellent leadership she's provided to Alt more PR

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Aug. 14 [Category: Transportation] -- The American Trucking Associations posted the following news release: * * * Finalists Announced for 2026 National Truck Driving Championships * Aug 14, 2026Pittsburgh, PA - Forty-five professional truck drivers have advanced to the finals of the National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships, which are being held this year at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. These annual competitions date back to 1937 and inspire thousands of drivers to operate acci more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary on Aug. 12, 2026, by John Kartch and Sean Rowen: * * * End the Inflation Tax on Capital Gains to Help Middle Class Three-fourths of households with a capital gains filing make less than $200k - As reported Tuesday, President Trump is looking to help middle class households by ending the inflation tax on capital gains. Inflation is created by the government and then taxed by the government. Americans are currently stuck paying capital gains taxes on inflation.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary on Aug. 12, 2026, by John Kartch and Rachel Loren: * * * List of Entities Providing Contributions to Trump Accounts for Kids Americans for Tax Reform's tracker of Trump Accounts announcements has reached 94. As documented below at least 94 companies, foundations, individuals and states have announced contributions to the accounts or in the case of foster children, establishment of the accounts. Trump Accounts for kids were enacted as part of the One Big Beautif more PR

BISMARCK, North Dakota, Aug. 13 -- Gov. Kelly Armstrong, R-North Dakota, issued the following news: * * * Armstrong appoints senior advisor Conner Swanson to lead ND Department of Health and Human Services * BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. Kelly Armstrong today appointed Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), effective Aug. 29, citing his experience with complex policy issues at both the state and federal levels and his guidance to the agency through the Governor's Office these past two years. Swanson more PR

BISMARCK, North Dakota, Aug. 12 -- Gov. Kelly Armstrong, R-North Dakota, issued the following news: * * * Armstrong rescinds TikTok ban on state devices now that app is majority-owned by American-led group * BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. Kelly Armstrong today rescinded a ban that prohibited executive branch agencies from using TikTok on state-owned devices, now that the social media app is majority-owned by an American-led consortium. The rescission removes the existing statewide prohibition on TikTok, allowing agencies to request access to the ap more PR

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Aug. 13 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson defends strong illegal immigration enforcement at SCOTUS * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a 27-state coalition in a friend-of-the-court brief at the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the legality of detaining illegal aliens without a bond hearing pending their removal from the country. While immigration enforcement is frequently a federal responsibility, states can take action th more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Aug. 12 -- Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti Urges Congress to Strengthen Federal Protections Against ATM Crime * Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has joined a 15-state coalition urging Congress to pass the Safe Access to Cash Act (S. 3798/H.R. 1631), legislation that would strengthen efforts to prosecute the organized criminal networks responsible for a growing number of ATM robberies across the country. Currently, federal law  more PR

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Aug. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- Consumer Price Index, Midwest Region July 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Mountain-Plains Region - Aug. 12, 2026 * * * Regional prices were down 0.2 percent in July, up 3.5 percent over the year - The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Midwest Region fell 0.2 percent in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. The energy index decreased 1.9 percent, largely due to a decline in gasoline prices. The all items le more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight released the following written testimony by Andrew R. Arthur, resident fellow in law and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, from a July 22, 2026, hearing entitled "False Narratives Surrounding Conditions at the Delaney Hall ICE Detention Center." ICE is the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. * * * Chairman Van Drew, Ranking Member Crockett, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for inviting me here today to discuss alien detention. To address the issu more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: * * * Crapo Joins Britt in Introducing Legislation to Close Immigration Detention Loophole * Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) in introducing legislation to close a legal loophole that generally requires the release of illegal aliens, including those with criminal records, from immigration detention into American communities after six months if no country has accepted them for deportation. The Keep Ou more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The Federal Communications Commission Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau issued the following public notice (CG Docket No. 10-210): * * * By the Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission), through the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also called "iCanConnect," provides up to $10 million annually from the interstate telecommunications relay service fund (TRS Fund) to support local programs that distribute equipment to eligi more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 12 (TNSletter) -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, with 15 co-signers issued the following letter to the Congressional leadership: * * * Here is the text of the letter: August 6, 2026 The Honorable John Thune Majority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 - The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker of the House U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 - The Honorable Chuck Schumer Minority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 - The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries Minority Leader U.S. House more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. August 4, 2026 ATF Rulemaking Comments Mail Stop 6N-518, Office of Regulatory Affairs Enforcement Programs and Services Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 99 New York Avenue NE Washington, DC 20226 ATTN: RIN 1140-AA64; Docket No. ATF-2026-0010; ATF No. 2025R-33P INTRODUCTION This comment is submitted on behalf of GIFFORDS and GIFFORDS Law Center more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: * * * Hoeven Advancing Priorities Critical to North Dakota's Economy Senator Outlines Measures He Secured in Farm Bill 2.0, Cracking the Code for Coal, Oil Producers & Funding ENDAWS WEST FARGO, N.D. - At a roundtable with members of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce today, Senator John Hoeven outlined his efforts to advance key priorities for North Dakota. Among other efforts, Hoeven is working to: * Strengthen U.S. agriculture and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: * * * Hoeven Outlines Efforts to Secure Future of Coal Industry in North Dakota Senator Advancing Crack the Code 2.0, Regulatory Relief to Ensure Continued Access to Reliable Baseload Power from Coal BISMARCK, N.D. - At the Basin Electric Power Cooperative's annual meeting today, Senator John Hoeven discussed the important role that reliable, coal-fired baseload power plays in making the U.S. energy secure and outlined his efforts to ensure the futur more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release on Aug. 12, 2026: * * * Hoeven Recognizes Vital Work of North Dakota Police Officers, Working to Advance Policies & Programs Supporting Law Enforcement MINOT, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today addressed the North Dakota Peace Officers Association, where he recognized the dedication of the state's law enforcement officers and outlined efforts to ensure they receive the support they need to be safe in the important work they do. To this end, Hoeven has:  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: * * * Hoeven Votes for Legislation Requiring Photo ID to Vote As a Cosponsor of SAVE America Act, Senator Continues Working with President Trump, Senate Colleagues to Secure Passage of Legislation - Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after voting for legislation that would require photo identification to vote. Hoeven, a cosponsor of the SAVE America Act, has been working with President Trump and his colleagues in the U.S. Senate to  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47884) on July 28, 2026, entitled "Identifying Minors Online" by Clare Y. Cho, industrial organization and business policy specialist: * * * SUMMARY Concerns about potential harms to minors on the internet, particularly on social media platforms, have grown in recent years. Dating to the 1990s, policymakers have enacted legislation seeking to protect minors online, some of which create requirements for entities that provide websites, mobile  more PR

CINCINNATI, Ohio, Aug. 11 -- KnowledgeWorks issued the following article: * * * The Journey of Change: Systems Transformation in North Dakota and Minnesota KEY TAKEAWAYS: * North Dakota and Minnesota illustrate that transformation journeys vary in pace and approach, but both depend on collaboration, alignment and continuous improvement to scale meaningful change * Systems transformation begins not with fixed definitions, but with a shared purpose that communities co-create based on their unique contexts and goals * Learner-centered practi more PR

BROOKINGS, South Dakota, Aug. 13 -- South Dakota State University posted the following news: * * * Laue joins SDSU as advertising program grows * As enrollment in South Dakota State University's advertising program continues to grow, the School of Communication and Journalism is expanding its faculty with an experienced industry leader who has spent nearly 20 years helping brands solve complex marketing challenges. Kristy Laue, an SDSU alumna and former chief creative officer at Lawrence & Schiller, has joined the university as associate p more PR

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Aug. 12 [Category: Government/Public Administration] -- The National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors issued the following news release: * * * NASCUS Announces Election Results and Welcomes New Board and Advisory Council Members at 2026 Annual Meeting * ARLINGTON, VA - The National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) announced the results of its 2026 elections and welcomed new officers and directors to the NASCUS Regulator Board and Credit Union Advisory Council during the association's A more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. 822 Harding Street, Suite 307 Lafayette, Louisiana 70503 (337) 761-6627 info@nrmal.org August 7, 2026 Madonna Baucum, Chief of Regulations Policy and Regulations Branch U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5275 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, Virginia 22041 Sent Via Federal eRulemaking Portal Re: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Docket Number FWS-R6-ES-2026-2641 Dear Ms. Baucum:  more ST

FARGO, North Dakota, Aug. 11 -- North Dakota State University posted the following news: * * * NDAWN data helping develop tools for crop disease management * The North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network - known as NDAWN - isn't just measuring precipitation amounts and temperatures across the state. It's also playing a role in developing tools for crop disease management. Potato growers funded weather stations in the early 1990s specifically to support late blight modeling, and the model's success provided early validation and momentum for more PR

FARGO, North Dakota, Aug. 11 -- North Dakota State University posted the following news: * * * NDSU opens Bolley Agricultural Laboratory * North Dakota State University celebrated the opening of the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory on Aug. 10, 2026, marking a major milestone for agricultural research and education. University leaders, faculty, staff, students, elected officials, donors and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony recognizing the completion of the facility, which expands NDSU's capacity to address challenges f more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. August 7, 2026 The Honorable Brian R. Nesvik Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Department of the Interior 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Re: Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-2641 - Implementation of Drain Tile Setbacks Dear Director Nesvik: North Dakota Farm Bureau (NDFB) respectfully submits these comments regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Se more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Protection & Advocacy Project 400 E. Broadway, Suite 409 Bismarck, ND 58501 701-328-2950 1-800-472-2670 TTY: 711 www.ndpanda.org Submitted via Regulations.gov July 30, 2026 Administrator Mehmet Oz Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21244-8016 Re: RIN 0938-AV98; CM more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has approved a North Dakota amendment to its regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, incorporating changes enacted through state legislation in 2017 and 2021. The amendment updates North Dakota Century Code and North Dakota Administrative Code provisions governing surface coal mining and reclamation. The changes extend the period for scheduling an informal conference on a permit, permi more PR

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Aug. 13 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release: * * * Drummond co-leads 25-state coalition urging Supreme Court to take up Iowa immigration enforcement case Attorney General Gentner Drummond is co-leading a coalition in supporting Iowa's law criminalizing illegal entry into the state. Drummond and 24 attorneys general filed an amicus brief today in Bird v. Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case challenging a ruling by the U.S. Court of  more PR

LOS ANGELES, California, Aug. 11 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary by Managing Directors of Government Finance Mariana Trujillo and Jordan Campbell: * * * Ranking the states most and least dependent on the federal government In some states, federal funds make up a modest share of government revenue, while in others they represent 40% of state and local budgets. - Federal aid accounts for about a quarter of state and local government revenues, helping fund everything from disaster recovery and food assistance to heal more PR

FARGO, North Dakota, Aug. 14 -- North Dakota State University posted the following news: * * * NDSU assistant professor receives NSF CAREER Award to enhance software testing quality * NDSU assistant professor of computer science Ajay Jha has received a U.S. National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his project "Improving Software Test Quality and Developer Skills through Developer-in-the-Loop Test Optimization." NSF CAREER Awards support early-career faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through the integration of research  more PR

FARGO, North Dakota, Aug. 13 -- North Dakota State University posted the following news: * * * NDSU University Distinguished Professors share research at new Knowledge on Tap event series * This fall, NDSU and The Study, formerly Humanities North Dakota, have partnered to host an evening with NDSU's top researchers, featuring food and drink at Junkyard Brewing in West Fargo. Beginning in September, there will be four monthly sessions featuring an NDSU University Distinguished Professor, the highest honor the university gives its faculty.  more PR

FARGO, North Dakota, Aug. 14 -- North Dakota State University posted the following news: * * * Student selected for 2026-27 Possibility Fellowship cohort * The NDSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business has selected the 2026-27 cohort of students for its Possibility Fellowship, the university's premier entrepreneurship program. The Possibility Fellowship is a nine-month entrepreneurial experience designed to help students transform innovative ideas into viable ventures. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, professional developm more PR

PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 12 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on Aug. 11, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jackley Announces Federal Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Firearm Restrictions South Dakota Attorney Marty Jackley commends a Texas U.S. Federal Court decision that ruled the National Firearms Act (NFA)'s registrational regulations of short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, silencers and other firearms are no longer valid. South Dakota was one of 14 states to challenge the regul more PR

PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 14 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jackley Joins Request in Urging DOJ Not to Appeal Firearm Restrictions Ruling South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joins eight other Attorneys General in requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice not appeal a Texas federal court decision ruling that the National Firearms Act's registration requirements for short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, silencers, and other firearms are no longer  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following statement: * * * Hoeven Statement on Funding Government Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate approved legislation to fund the government through December 11. "We worked hard to return to regular order, finding savings while funding our priorities, with the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills. This legislation will extend that funding through December 11 to prevent a government shutdo more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following statement: * * * Hoeven Statement on Senate Confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after voting to confirm Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General: "Under Todd Blanche's leadership as Acting Attorney General, the U.S. Department of Justice has increased arrests of violent criminals, protected against terrorist activities and focused on stopping the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl into our communit more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: * * * Senate Passes Continuing Resolution to Fund Government Through Mid-December * WASHINGTON, D.C. - By a vote of 90 to 6, the Senate today passed a clean continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through Dec. 11, averting a potential government shutdown and giving the Senate Appropriations Committee additional time to complete work on fiscal year appropriations bills. The measure, which includes an extension of funding for the nati more PR

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Aug. 11 [Category: BizHospital] -- Sanford Health posted the following news release: * * * Sheldon Medical Center receives 'deficiency free' survey * In the state of Iowa, DIAL conducts surveys for critical access hospitals to determine compliance with Medicare conditions of participation (CoPs). "As one of the largest critical access hospitals in northwest Iowa, Sanford Sheldon takes pride in providing accessible, quality health care for patients in the community and nearby communities," said Rick Nordahl, admin more PR

MANKATO, Minnesota, Aug. 11 [Category: Agriculture] -- The U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance posted the following news release: * * * Soy food professionals explore IP supply chain at NCI course * Northern Crops Institute (NCI) welcomed identity preserved agriculture and soy food industry professionals the week of Aug. 10 for the Food Soy Procurement Course. Participants from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and China traveled to Fargo, N.D., to learn more about sourcing and purchasing identity preserve more PR

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Aug. 13 [Category: BizHospital] -- Sanford Health posted the following news release: * * * Tiffany Lawrence named a top community hospital CEO to know * FARGO, N.D. - Becker's Hospital Review has named Sanford Fargo president and CEO Tiffany Lawrence to the 2026 edition of its community hospital CEOs to know. This list honors community hospital chief executive officers dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable care within their communities. In collaboration with their leadership teams, the list of CEOs con more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 12 -- The University of St. Thomas Houston campus issued the following news: * * * University of St. Thomas 2025-26 faculty awards The University of St. Thomas is proud to announce its 2025-26 faculty award recipients. St. Thomas Aquinas Excellence in Teaching Award: * Dr. Dan Hu Dr. Dan Hu is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of St. Thomas, where she has taught since 2022. She holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration-Finance from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a Master of Science in Financi more PR

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Aug. 14 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey posted the following news release: * * * UPDATE: Federal Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Firearm Registration Regulations in Win for West Virginia * UPDATE: Last year, Congress reduced the $200 tax on silencers, short-barreled rifles, shotguns to $0 in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Still, it kept the related federal paperwork, photograph, and fingerprinting requirements for those items. West Virginia joined other states and gun-rights organizations to c more PR