Targeted News Service logo

-- Preview Email Newsletter
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Tennessee Newsletter for 2026-09-10 ( 43 items )  
ABA Council Votes to Repeal Standard 206 (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 8 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * ABA Council Votes to Repeal Standard 206 * An American Bar Association (ABA) council that accredits law schools voted Tuesday to end Standard 206, which had required law schools to show "concrete" action toward gender- and race-based diversity and inclusion for students, faculty and staff. "The Council believes that national accreditation of law schools is in the best interests of law students, the legal professio more PR

After Decades of Bipartisan Efforts to Keep Yucca Mountain Closed, Cody Whipple Begs for More Nuclear Waste in Nevada (10)
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Sept. 8 -- The Nevada Democratic Party posted the following news release: * * * After Decades of Bipartisan Efforts to Keep Yucca Mountain Closed, Cody Whipple Begs for More Nuclear Waste in Nevada * "Can there be disasters? Of course... But those are a long time ago, and everybody's learned from them" - Whipple As Nevada's senators and Congressman Steven Horsford fight to finally shut the door on Yucca Mountain, candidate Cody Whipple is throwing it back open. After decades of bipartisan opposition that successfully kep more PR

America First Policy Institute: Three Strategies for Advancing Workforce Education & Training (10)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The America First Policy Institute issued the following fact sheet: * * * Three Strategies for Advancing Workforce Education & Training Jay Menees, Ph.D. Max Eden September 8, 2026 Introduction For decades, the public education system offered one value proposition: do well here, get a college degree, and enjoy a meaningful career and a middle-class life--or don't. Workforce education and training programs were deprioritized and viewed as the lower track toward, at best, a job with static prospects. Despite $1.86 tri more PR

Attorney General Brenna Bird Pushes Federal Government to Strengthen 'Know Your Upstream Provider Rules' to Combat Illegal Robocalls (10)
DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 9 -- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Brenna Bird Pushes Federal Government to Strengthen 'Know Your Upstream Provider Rules' to Combat Illegal Robocalls * DES MOINES-Attorney General Brenna Bird and a bipartisan coalition of 48 other attorneys general are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Upstream Provider" (KYUP) requirements to prevent scammers from using the U.S. phone network to make illegal robocalls. KYUP r more PR

Attorney General McCuskey Pushes for stronger rules to combat illegal robocalls (10)
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Sept. 9 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey posted the following news release: * * * Attorney General McCuskey Pushes for stronger rules to combat illegal robocalls * Attorney General JB McCuskey and a bipartisan coalition of 48 attorneys general are pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Upstream Provider" (KYUP) requirements to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. phone network to make illegal robocalls. KYUP rules require voice service providers to e more PR

Austin Peay to spotlight tech and economic development leaders during fall Legends of Business series (10)
CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- Austin Peay State University posted the following news: * * * Austin Peay to spotlight tech and economic development leaders during fall Legends of Business series * CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - The Austin Peay State University College of Business and Legends Bank will bring guest speakers Mark Blaze, president and CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council, and Janet Wilson, vice president for urban development for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council, to campus  more PR

Baptist Memorial and cityCURRENT to host former Olympian and maternal health care advocate (10)
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Sept. 9 [Category: BizBizHospital] -- Baptist Memorial Health Care posted the following news release: * * * Baptist Memorial and cityCURRENT to host former Olympian and maternal health care advocate * WHAT: Baptist Memorial Health Care and cityCURRENT are hosting a reception featuring Sarah Wells, a former Olympian and star of "The Amazing Race Canada." Wells will talk about the importance of maternal health, how she overcame adversity, the importance of adaptability and how to transform challenges into opportunities. Fo more PR

Belmont University Announces Five New Trustees (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 8 -- Belmont University posted the following news: * * * Belmont University Announces Five New Trustees * NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 8, 2026) -The Belmont University Board of Trust recently added five new trustees for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year: healthcare executive Marty Bonick, banking leader Chris Holmes, gardening and conservation advocate Lisa Manning, investment management leader Larry Keele and media executive Wayne Powers. Belmont also welcomed Mary Husmann as its newest alumna regent. Board o more PR

BLS Southwest Region Issues Report on Employer Costs for Employee Compensation for the Regions June 2026 (10)
DALLAS, Texas, Sept. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- Employer Costs for Employee Compensation for the Regions June 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southwest Region * * * Private industry employer costs for employee compensation among the four regions of the country ranged from $41.85 per hour in the South to $54.76 in the Northeast in June 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. In the other two regions, hourly employer costs for employee compensation stood at $44.03 in the Midwest and $51.66 in the W more PR

Burchett Announces Hearing on Fixing Fraud in Federally Funded Homelessness Services (10)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, issued the following news release on Sept. 9, 2026: * * * Burchett Announces Hearing on Fixing Fraud in Federally Funded Homelessness Services WASHINGTON -- Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency Chairman Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) today announced a hearing titled "Fixing Fraud and Failure in Federally Funded Homelessness Services." During the hearing, members will assess  more PR

C. diff coordinates threat response to survive in gut (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- Vanderbilt University Medical Center posted the following news release: * * * C. diff coordinates threat response to survive in gut * The pathogen Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) -a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections -must contend with a variety of threats inside the harsh environment of the gut to survive and grow. Researchers at Vanderbilt Health have now discovered a unique system C. diff uses to simultaneously sense and respond to two different threats: host-mediated nutrient deprivation a more PR

Chili's Announces Historic $150 Million Commitment to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Fueled by Guests and Team Members (10)
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Sept. 8 [Category: BizHospital] -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital issued the following news release: * * * Chili's(r) Announces Historic $150 Million Commitment to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(r), Fueled by Guests and Team Members * Over the past 24 years, Chili's(r) Grill & Bar guests and Team Members across the country have embraced Chili's decades-long commitment to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(r). Today, that tradition continues with a new pledge to help raise $150 million over the next 15 ye more PR

Coffee, Connection, and Campus Life: A New Thomas Center Takes Shape (10)
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- Christian Brothers University posted the following news: * * * Coffee, Connection, and Campus Life: A New Thomas Center Takes Shape * A $3 million renovation is transforming the building's first floor into a welcoming campus gathering place. The space that once housed a bookstore and combination cafe and convenience store will bring together CBU's first official coffeehouse, a restaurant, a convenience store, and an area for small performances. Cozy and Convenient Spaces Tentatively named "The Student Hub," more PR

Court Rules TVA's Decision to Build Kingston Gas Plant Broke Law (10)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 [Category: Biology] -- The Center for Biological Diversity posted the following news release: * * * Court Rules TVA's Decision to Build Kingston Gas Plant Broke Law * CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-In a win for communities across the Tennessee Valley, a federal court ruled that the Tennessee Valley Authority's decision to build its massive Kingston Gas Plant had "fundamental" errors that violated federal law. The court's order, which remains sealed, vacates TVA's environmental impact statement and record of decision for the gas plan more PR

Crossville native makes seamless transition to Tennessee Tech through 'Roane to Tech' partnership (10)
COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release: * * * Crossville native makes seamless transition to Tennessee Tech through 'Roane to Tech' partnership * When Peyton Presley began his college journey at Roane State Community College's Crossville campus, he already knew where he wanted to end up. "I wanted to go to Roane State and then eventually go to Tennessee Tech - that was the main plan," Presley said. What he didn't know was that a partnership between the two institutions would  more PR

Elmore J. Jones Jr. Named as University's Compliance Officer (10)
HAMPTON, Virginia, Sept. 9 -- Hampton University posted the following news: * * * Elmore J. Jones Jr. Named as University's Compliance Officer * Retired U.S. Army Colonel brings three decades of leadership, policy and higher education experience to Hampton HAMPTON, Va. -Hampton University has appointed Elmore J. "Jay" Jones Jr. as its new Compliance Officer, bringing an accomplished career in military leadership, policy, personnel management and higher education administration to the University. A retired U.S. Army Colonel, Jones served  more PR

ETSU to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11 (10)
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * ETSU to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11 * A quarter of a century has passed since the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. This week, East Tennessee State University will commemorate the 25th anniversary of those attacks with events on Friday, Sept. 11. The day will offer the university and the surrounding community opportunities to remember those who lost their lives and reflect on the lasting impact of that day. 9/11  more PR

ETSU to host drone light show during Family Weekend (10)
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * ETSU to host drone light show during Family Weekend * East Tennessee State University will light up the night sky Friday, Sept. 25, with "Bucs Under the Stars," a free, public event featuring a spectacular drone light show as part of ETSU's America 250 celebration. The event is part of ETSU Family Weekend and will take place on University Commons. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with music, games and activities for families, students and com more PR

ETSU, Kingsport City Schools earn AI Innovation Fund award (10)
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * ETSU, Kingsport City Schools earn AI Innovation Fund award * East Tennessee State University and Kingsport City Schools (KCS) have been selected as recipients of the State Collaborative on Reforming Education's (SCORE) inaugural AI Innovation Fund. The $450,000 initiative supports educator-led projects that explore responsible, student-centered uses of artificial intelligence in education. ETSU's project with KCS will receive $50,000 in fu more PR

Federal Register: Health Resources & Services Administration Publishes List of 95 Petitions Filed Under National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (10)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration issued the following action in the Federal Register. * * * National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; List of Petitions Received HRSA is publishing this notice of petitions received under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, as required by the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended. While the Secretary of HHS is named as the respondent in all proceedings brought by the filing of petitions for compe more PR

Lee University: Fall 2026 Brings Growth in Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation (10)
CLEVELAND, Tennessee, Sept. 10 -- Lee University issued the following news: * * * Fall 2026 Brings Growth in Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation Lee University's fall 2026 enrollment profile reflects encouraging results across the university, including growth in its traditional undergraduate population and new student enrollment, along with record-high retention and graduation rates. "These results show we are making progress in the areas that matter most to the student experience," said Lee President Dr. Phil Cook. "More students are cho more PR

LMU, Memphis Law Announce New Faculty (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 8 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * LMU, Memphis Law Announce New Faculty * Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) has announced the addition of four new faculty members for the 2026-2027 academic year. Katherine Goodner, Kacey Hovden, Alexander Nicoll and Holly Whitehill have joined the law school as assistant professors, bringing extensive experience in legal practice, advocacy, academic support and legal education. Read more i more PR

Longtime Jackson City Judge Dies (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 8 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Longtime Jackson City Judge Dies * Judge J. Blake Anderson, a longtime Jackson city judge, died Sept. 5 at age 71. Anderson received his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and began practicing in 1983. He served as city judge for almost three decades, working to establish local programs that assisted in getting individuals treatment for mental health and helping to create a  more PR

N.J. A.G. Davenport: FCC Must Strengthen Due Diligence Rules in Effort to Combat Illegal Robocalls (10)
TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 10 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * AG Davenport: FCC Must Strengthen Due Diligence Rules in Effort to Combat Illegal Robocalls TRENTON - Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 49 attorneys general in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Upstream Provider" (KYUP) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls. KYUP rules require "voice servi more PR

NFL: Ravens' Derrick Henry 'Tired of Being at Home on the Couch Watching' Super Bowl (10)
CANTON, Ohio, Sept. 10 -- The National Football League posted the following news: * * * Ravens' Derrick Henry 'tired of being at home on the couch watching' Super Bowl Kevin Patra, Senior News Writer Derrick Henry is sick of watching the Super Bowl on a TV screen. The Baltimore Ravens RB wants to finally have his moment in the biggest game of the season. "I want to win a Super Bowl. That's a big motivation," Henry said on "The Lounge" podcast, via the team's official website. "I just want to be able to feel that feeling. I'm tired of watch more PR

Novelist Mesha Maren to headline Meacham Writers' Workshop Sept. 23-26 (10)
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Campus posted the following news: * * * Novelist Mesha Maren to headline Meacham Writers' Workshop Sept. 23-26 * Mesha Martin will be the featured visiting writer and Stove Works Fellow at the upcoming Meacham Writers' Workshop. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will host the 2026 Meacham Writers' Workshop from Sept. 23-26, bringing writers, readers and students together for four days of readings, conversations and workshops focused on Appalachian and South more PR

Pinnacle Financial Partners names West Alabama regional president (10)
ATLANTA, Georgia, Sept. 9 [Category: BizFinancial Services] -- Pinnacle Financial Partners, an asset regional bank that says it provides banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services, posted the following news release: * * * Pinnacle Financial Partners names West Alabama regional president * Firm taps longtime Tuscaloosa banking leader as growth continues in region TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Sept. 9, 2026 - Pinnacle Financial Partners has selected Wade Dailey as regional president for West Alabama, effective Aug. 31. Da more PR

Professor and prolific author to discuss "The Faith of George Washington" in presentation at Tusculum University (10)
GREENVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- Tusculum University posted the following news: * * * Professor and prolific author to discuss "The Faith of George Washington" in presentation at Tusculum University * GREENEVILLE - Most people know the heroic and statesman elements of George Washington's stewardship of our nation in the formation and early days of the United States. Dr. Timothy Holder Washington was commander of the Continental Army that defeated the British in the Revolutionary War, and he later served as the nation's first president.  more PR

Racketeering Laws Being Used to Target Memphis Gangs (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 8 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Racketeering Laws Being Used to Target Memphis Gangs * Federal prosecutors in Memphis are taking a tougher stance against gang-related racketeering, aiming not just to disrupt criminal organizations but to eliminate them entirely, according to the Daily Memphian. The current focus is on Young Mob, a Southwest Memphis gang formed in 2007, now facing its second major federal case -this one narrowed to eight defendan more PR

Record Enrollment and Retention Reflect UT's Exceptional Student Experience (10)
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- The University of Tennessee posted the following news: * * * Record Enrollment and Retention Reflect UT's Exceptional Student Experience * With the fall semester in full swing, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is celebrating another record-setting year in retention and enrollment, thanks in large part to its ongoing commitment to fostering student success and delivering an exceptional campus experience. More students are staying on track and finishing their degrees, according to newly released enroll more PR

Renovations to Capitol, Legislative Plaza in Final Stages (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 8 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Renovations to Capitol, Legislative Plaza in Final Stages * During a recent meeting of the State Capitol Commission, officials said that major renovations to the Tennessee State Capitol and Legislative Plaza are entering the final stages. They expressed confidence that the work would be completed before January 2027, when a new governor is inaugurated and the next legislative session begins. News Channel 5 reports more PR

S.D. A.G. Jackley Pushes Federal Government to Strengthen 'Know Your Upstream Provider Rules' to Combate Illegal Robocalls (10)
PIERRE, South Dakota, Sept. 10 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jackley Pushes Federal Government to Strengthen 'Know Your Upstream Provider Rules' to Combate Illegal Robocalls PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined 48 other Attorneys General in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Upstream Provider" (KYUP) requirements to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. phone network to make illegal robo more PR

Second Power: UTC twins take on D.C. internships (10)
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Campus posted the following news: * * * The Second Power: UTC twins take on D.C. internships * Riley Rutherford (left) and Kate Rutherford traveled to New York City during their time in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Riley Rutherford. Originally from the two-stoplight town of Erin, Tennessee, twin sisters and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students Kate and Riley Rutherford spent the summer in Washington, D.C. Both juniors and Brock Scholars in the UTC  more PR

Southern Environmental Law Center: Court Rules Tennessee Valley Authority's Decision to Build Kingston Gas Plant Broke the Law (10)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 9 -- The Southern Environmental Law Center posted the following news release: * * * Court rules TVA's decision to build Kingston Gas Plant broke the law Federal court vacates the utility's decision to build the massive methane gas plant at the site of 2008 coal ash spill - CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- In a win for communities across the Tennessee Valley, a federal court ruled that the Tennessee Valley Authority's decision to build its massive Kingston Gas Plant had "fundamental" errors that violated federal law. T more PR

Tenn. Economic Dept.: Siemens Healthineers Announces Tennessee Manufacturing, R&D Expansion (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 10 -- The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development issued the following news: * * * Siemens Healthineers Announces Tennessee Manufacturing, R&D Expansion NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Siemens Healthineers Molecular Imaging officials announced today the company is expanding its manufacturing operation in Blount County. Siemens Healthineers has invested $43.6 million and will create  more PR

TENN. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS COMMISSIONER GONZALES ANNOUNCES MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE RATE of INTEREST (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 10 -- Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions Commissioner Greg Gonzales issued the following news: * * * COMMISSIONER GONZALES ANNOUNCES MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE RATE of INTEREST The Commissioner of Financial Institutions hereby announces that the maximum effective rate of interest per annum for home loans as set by the General Assembly in 2025, Public Chapter 290, for the month of October 2026 is 10.78 percent per annum. The maximum effective rate of interest per annum for home loans shall be set at an amount e more PR

Traffic Fatalities Down Slightly in First Half of 2026, Preliminary NSC Analysis Shows (10)
ITASCA, Illinois, Sept. 9 [Category: Transportation] -- The National Safety Council posted the following news: * * * Traffic Fatalities Down Slightly in First Half of 2026, Preliminary NSC Analysis Shows * WASHINGTON, D.C. - An estimated 18,460 lives were lost in motor vehicle crashes during the first six months of 2026, according to preliminary analysis by the National Safety Council. This represents a 2% decrease from the revised count for the first half of 2025, as overall miles driven increased by 0.8% between January and June. The res more PR

U.S. Department of Education Launches Learning Agenda Playbook to Support State Education Leaders and Improve Student Outcomes (10)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Education issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Department of Education Launches Learning Agenda Playbook to Support State Education Leaders and Improve Student Outcomes * As the Trump Administration works to return education to the states, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) today unveiled the Learning Agenda Playbook (the Playbook), a resource developed alongside states to strengthen their capacity, enable them to take greater ownership of education, and drive improvement more PR

UCLA Williams Institute: Estimated 323,700 Transgender Citizens Could Face Barriers to Voting at the Polls in the 2026 Midterm Elections (10)
LOS ANGELES, California, Sept. 10 (TNSrep) -- The UCLA School of Law Williams Institute issued the following news release: * * * An estimated 323,700 transgender citizens could face barriers to voting at the polls in the 2026 midterm elections An estimated 1.3 million adult transgender U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in the November 2026 midterm elections, according to a new report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. In the United States, 36 states have voter ID laws that require voters to present identification when voting a more PR

UTC students bring overlooked ICA collection works into view in 'Reconsidered Recollections' exhibition (10)
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Campus posted the following news: * * * UTC students bring overlooked ICA collection works into view in 'Reconsidered Recollections' exhibition * Pam Reeves Macon's Untitled Batik Tapestry (c. 1970). Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections. Works that have spent years, and in some cases decades, out of public view are now on display at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Institute of Contemporary Art through "Reconsidered  more PR

Vanderbilt Law Partners with AltaClaro to become the First Law School to Offer AI-Powered DepoSim to Students (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 9 -- Vanderbilt Law School posted the following news: * * * Vanderbilt Law Partners with AltaClaro to become the First Law School to Offer AI-Powered DepoSim to Students * Vanderbilt Law School is expanding its commitment to preparing students for the future of legal practice through a new partnership with leading experiential training company AltaClaro that will bring DepoSim, an AI-powered deposition simulation platform built in collaboration with Verbit, to students beginning in the Fall 2026 semester. Vander more PR

Vanderbilt's Institute for Public Engagement takes scholarship to the city (10)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Sept. 8 -- Vanderbilt University posted the following news release: * * * Vanderbilt's Institute for Public Engagement takes scholarship to the city * At Vanderbilt University's New York City campus in Chelsea, a new institute will explore a pressing challenge: How can universities ensure that credible expertise reaches people in an information landscape that is increasingly shaped by algorithms, fragmented media and declining public trust? The Vanderbilt Institute for Public Engagement will bring faculty, students, c more PR

What They Are Saying: Pilot States Highlight Early Successes with the Learning Agenda Playbook (10)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Education issued the following news release: * * * What They Are Saying: Pilot States Highlight Early Successes with the Learning Agenda Playbook * Following the Learning Agenda Playbook (the Playbook) release this morning, state leaders from the eight pilot states praised the framework as a resource to improve state education policies, programs, and student outcomes. The Playbook marks a pivotal milestone in returning education to the states and driving improvements at the state and local level more PR