SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 19 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: * * * A Costly Climb for California Schools and Parks: Attorney General Bonta Sues to Block Merger of Outdoor Playground Manufacturers PlayPower and Burke * OAKLAND -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 12 states and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today filed a lawsuit challenging the proposed merger of PlayPower, Inc. (PlayPower) and BCI Burke Company, LLC (Burke). PlayPower and Burke, bo more PR

BOONE, North Carolina, Oct. 19 -- Appalachian State University posted the following news: * * * App State Academy at Middle Fork marks strong academic progress and record enrollment * WALKERTOWN, N.C. -- According to accountability data recently released by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork has experienced strong student achievement and growth over the past five academic years -- reflecting substantial gains in student performance and academic outcomes. The  more PR

PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 21 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Mayes, FTC File Complaint to Block Merger of Commercial Playground Equipment Companies PlayPower, Burke October 19, 2026 PHOENIX--Attorney General Mayes, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 12 attorneys general, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today filed a lawsuit to block PlayPower's acquisition of BCI Burke (Burke), which are two of the largest makers of commercial outdoor playground equipment. Attorney Gene more PR

CARSON CITY, Nevada, Oct. 19 -- Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Ford Co-Leads Coalition Urging Congress to Strengthen Transparency and Accountability in Epstein Files Release * Carson City, NV - Today, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that he has co-led a coalition of 17 attorneys general in urging Congress to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act II (H.R. 9694/S. 5005), legislation aimed at strengthening transparency, protecting survivors and holding the U.S.  more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 19 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release: * * * ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL, FTC FILE COMPLAINT TO BLOCK MERGER OF COMMERCIAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT COMPANIES PLAYPOWER, BURKE * Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 12 attorneys general, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today filed a lawsuit to block PowerPlay's acquisition of BCI Burke (Burke), which are two of the largest makers of commercial outdoor playground equipment. Raoul and the coal more PR

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Oct. 20 [Category: BizFinancial Services] -- Bank of America, a financial institution, posted the following news release: * * * Bank of America Family Office Study: Next Generation Set to Reshape Family Offices * A quarter have seen a transition within the last decade, and among those offices, only 37% said their incoming principal was very prepared. NEW YORK, New York - The Bank of America Family Office Study: Building for Generations reveals that family offices are entering a pivotal period of transformation as more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (TNSLrpt) -- State Employment and Unemployment September 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - Oct. 20, 2026 (18 pages) * * * Unemployment rates were lower in September in 5 states and stable in 45 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty states and the District had jobless rate decreases from a year earlier, 7 states had increases, and 23 states had little change. The national unemployment rate, 4.2 percent, changed little both ove more PR

FRANKLIN LAKES, New Jersey, Oct. 20 -- Children's Health Defense, an organization that says it restores and protects the health of children by eliminating exposures to environmental toxins, issued the following commentary by Brenda Baletti, senior reporter for The Defender: * * * Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Mom Accused of Murdering Twins Who Died 8 Days After Vaccines Idaho prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Andrea Shaw, accused of murdering her twin toddlers eight days after they received routine vaccinations. Shaw denies  more PR

MILLERSVILLE, Pennsylvania, Oct. 20 -- Millersville University posted the following news: * * * CIA Selects Service Dog from MU * At Millersville University, students can support service dog awareness through Paws on Deck, a campus club that, in partnership with Susquehanna Service Dogs, raises awareness of service dogs and how they help others with disabilities. Students can also raise a service dog for SSD, which may be placed as a service, hearing or facility dog for children and adults with disabilities. These dogs could also be selecte more PR

BOILING SPRINGS, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Gardner-Webb University posted the following news: * * * Cleveland County Women's Basketball Legends to Be Honored at Wall of Fame Ceremony * Event on Oct. 24 at Gardner-Webb to Recognize 50 Players, Along with Coaches, Officials and Trainers; Runnin' Bulldogs Head Coach Terri Williams to Deliver Keynote Address BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.--Gardner-Webb University is pleased to host the 2026 Women's Basketball Legends Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. in Tucker Student Cen more PR

BOILING SPRINGS, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Gardner-Webb University posted the following news: * * * Come Home to Gardner-Webb: Homecoming 2026 Offers Something for Every Bulldog * Annual Celebration Features Reunions, Athletic Events, Family Activities and Weeklong Bulldog Cares Food Pantry Collection Drive BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.--Gardner-Webb University's Homecoming 2026 will combine celebration and service as alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends gather Nov. 6-8 for athletic events, reunions, worship opportunities and longstanding more PR

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 20 [Category: Construction] -- Associated General Contractors of America posted the following news release: * * * Construction Employment Increases in September From a Year Ago in 34 States; But Only 25 States Add Jobs From August to September Amid Price and Funding Questions * Louisiana Has Largest Number and Percentage of Gains from September 2025 to September 2026, While Georgia and Alaska Trail; Oregon and Rhode Island Top Monthly Gainers, While Wisconsin and Alaska Experience the Worst Losses Construction emp more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: * * * DHS Highlights Worst Illegal Aliens Arrested in North Carolina * WASHINGTON - The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement highlighting the worst illegal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in North Carolina, including pedophiles, robbers, and drunk drivers. "Biden's open borders turned all 50 states into border states, and that includes North Carolina," said DHS  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release: * * * October 20, 2026 With Two Weeks Until the Midterms, Trump Travels to North Carolina to Tout the Failed Republican Agenda Today, Donald Trump will travel to North Carolina to tout his failed agenda that has made life more expensive for working families. Republicans' reckless tariffs and deadly and costly war with Iran have hiked prices on everything from gas to groceries, crushing everyday Americans. On top of that, their Big Ugly Bill ripped he more PR

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Oct. 20 -- The University of Virginia issued the following news: * * * Faculty Spotlight: From gym teacher to international expert, this UVA professor dreamed big By Bryan McKenzie, bkm4s@virginia.edu October 19, 2026 Martin Block once had the simple dream of being a gym teacher. But the winner of a 2026 University of Virginia All-University Teaching Award wound up a kinesiology professor and international expert in adapted physical activity for people with disabilities and autism. You can credit that turn of e more PR

BOILING SPRINGS, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Gardner-Webb University posted the following news: * * * Faith in Action: Jackson Hartley Prepares for a Calling in Ministry * Christian Studies Major Uses Scholarship Opportunities, Leadership Roles and Service Experiences to Prepare for Ministry By Victoria Edwards, Intern for University Communications BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.--As a teenager, Ignite Scholar Jackson Hartley made one of the most important decisions of his life: following Jesus. "God saved my life when I was in high school," noted H more PR

ELON, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Elon University posted the following news release: * * * Final Elon University Poll before Election Day: Cooper has double-digit lead over Whatley in NC US Senate race * This final poll before election day was conducted Sept. 29 - Oct. 8 and gathered input from 800 North Carolina adults, with an overall margin of error of +/-4.03%. With 15 days to go before the Nov. 3 election, former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has a 13% lead over Republican Michael Whatley among likely voters in the race for the state' more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Gov. Josh Stein, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Stein Celebrates Opening of The Whiskey Project Group's North American Manufacturing Facility in Edenton * Today Governor Josh Stein and State Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley joined leaders of The Whiskey Project Group and local officials to celebrate the opening of the company's new North American manufacturing facility in Edenton, expanding North Carolina's advanced manufacturing capabilities and strengthening the state's more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Gov. Josh Stein, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Stein Highlights Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Program in Hertford County * Today Governor Josh Stein visited Roanoke-Chowan Community College to highlight how a recent Southeast Crescent Regional Commission grant is helping the college train Northeastern North Carolina's welding workforce. "Apprenticeships help open doors to good-paying careers and enable employers to build a skilled workforce, creating opportunities fo more PR

BOILING SPRINGS, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Gardner-Webb University posted the following news: * * * Homecoming Weekend Concludes with Special Preview of 'The Chosen' Season 6 at Gardner-Webb * University Welcomes Students, Alumni, Families and Community Members for Exclusive Early-Access Screening BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.--Gardner-Webb University will conclude its Homecoming weekend celebrations with an early-access showing of the first episode of "The Chosen" Season 6 on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in Tucker Student Center. The historical drama is bas more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release: * * * Jonathan Howell to lead Division of Marine Fisheries * RALEIGH - Jonathan Howell will be the new director of the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). Howell, currently the Deputy Director of the Division of Coastal Management (DCM), will take the helm at DMF Oct. 26. "Jonathan has a lifelong passion for protecting our state's beautiful coastal area and its wildlife," DEQ more PR

GREENVILLE, South Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Furman University posted the following news: * * * Libby Adams '27 found her way to Furman, and now she's helping shape its future * Libby Adams '27 wasn't looking for Furman when she first began her college search. The psychology and politics and international affairs double major grew up in Canal Fulton, Ohio, about 45 minutes south of Cleveland, and initially planned to visit colleges closer to home. But a chance conversation on a bus ride changed the course of her college search. Adams happened t more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news: * * * Marine Corps Battalion Redesignates as First Medium Missile Battalion * History was made at the home of the 2nd Marine Division as the 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, redesignated from an artillery battalion to a medium missile battalion during a ceremony Oct. 9 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, creating a first-of-its-kind unit in the Marine Corps. In accordance with the commandant's planning guidance, the battalion was selected to redesignate to align  more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Meredith College posted the following news: * * * Meredith College Celebrates Transfer Students * Meredith College is celebrating National Transfer Student Week from October 20-23, recognizing students who bring unique experiences and backgrounds to campus. A virtual information session will be held on October 20 to help prospective transfer students learn more about options for majors, the application and scholarship process, transfer credit policies, advising, and financial aid. Admissions Counselors,  more PR

WINGATE, North Carolina, Oct. 19 -- Wingate University posted the following news: * * * Pharmacy students study use of storytelling in educating public about disease * A mere 250 words might just be enough to save a life. A group of Wingate University School of Pharmacy students decided to test whether a storytelling approach could effectively educate members of the community about the symptoms of type 1 diabetes mellitus. The results of their research, which they undertook for their required capstone project, were recently published in th more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 20 -- The Boston University School of Public Health issued the following news: * * * Professors Receive $3.6 Million NIH Grant to Develop Anti-Blunt Use Messaging Targeted to Young Adults * As blunt smoking rises among young adults in the US, researchers from Boston University School of Public Health and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will study young people's perceptions of blunt use, and develop and test public health messaging about the health risks associated with cannabis and tobacco exposur more PR

WINGATE, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- Wingate University posted the following news: * * * Stone Scholarship to help local student move back to campus, become educator * Cathy Williams and Larry Stone met and fell in love at Wingate - she the do-everything beauty queen, he more cerebral and reserved. After graduating in 1971, they married, moved on to additional schooling and built a life together. After Cathy passed away in February 2025, Larry and their daughter, Stanton Stone, started considering how to honor her memory. They settled on re more PR

STORRS, Connecticut, Oct. 20 -- The University of Connecticut posted the following news: * * * Study Finds Over 60% of CT Horses Exposed to Leptospira Bacteria * Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira bacteria and can affect humans and animals, including horses. A new study published in BMC Veterinary Research analyzed how exposure to Leptospira is common in horses in Connecticut and what strains they had been exposed to. This work was led by Dr. Camila Hamond, assistant research professor in the Dep more PR

NEW YORK, Oct. 20 [Category: Insurance] -- The Insurance Information Institute issued the following news release: * * * Triple-I: State Lawmakers Move to Regulate Third-Party Litigation Funding * MALVERN, Pa., Oct. 20, 2026 - More than 20 states have enacted laws regulating third-party litigation funding (TPLF) disclosure, according to a new members-only Issues Brief from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). State of the Issue: Third-Party Litigation Funding examines why lawmakers are acting and how litigation finance negatively  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * Trump EPA Celebrates One Year of the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions with 100 Gold Standard Science Wins * In Just One Year, OASES Turned Rigorous Science into Action to Combat PFAS Contamination, Make Sound Policy Decisions, Support American Businesses, and More WASHINGTON -- This week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marks the one-year anniversary of the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the following news release: * * * Trump's Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces Over $1.6 Billion in Emergency Rescue Funds to Repair State Roads and Bridges Damaged by Natural Disasters Across U.S. * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced over $1.6 billion in emergency relief funding to help states accelerate critical repairs to roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure damaged by recent natural more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration issued the following news release: * * * Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces New Mexico's First Advanced Air Mobility Demonstration Flight Under eVTOL Integration Program * WASHINGTON -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced New Mexico's first demonstration flight under the USDOT's Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). Led by the City of Albuquerque Aviation Department, N more PR

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, Oct. 20 -- The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health posted the following news: * * * UNC researchers receive VIDA Alliance grant to study breast inflammation during lactation * The VIDA Maternal and Infant Health Alliance, a fiscally-sponsored project of the Crimsonbridge Foundation, has awarded its first research grant to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The grant will fund BRIGHT (Breast Inflammation Guidance for Healing & Treatment), a pilot study that will expl more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency issued the following news release: * * * USDA Boosts North Carolina Agricultural Economy Through $203 Million in Safety Net and Conservation Program Payments * Record farm safety net payments plus conservation assistance support farmers, ranchers and rural communities (Raleigh, NC, October 20, 2026) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is delivering approximately $203 million in farm safety net and conservation program payments more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency issued the following news release: * * * USDA Designates 2 Virginia Counties as a Natural Disaster Area with 2 Contiguous Counties in North Carolina * This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the rep more PR

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Oct. 21 -- West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack issued the following news release: * * * Treasurer Pack Calls for State Tax Relief on Dyed Off-Road Diesel 10/20/2026 Proposal Would Help Ease Rising Fuel Costs for West Virginia Farmers, Loggers and Timber Haulers - State Treasurer Larry Pack is urging state leaders to temporarily suspend state diesel fuel taxes and authorize the use of dyed off-road diesel on public highways, providing much-needed relief to West Virginia farmers, loggers and timber haulers s more PR

OLYMPIA, Washington, Oct. 19 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release: * * * WA, bipartisan coalition oppose merger that would drive up playground costs * A bipartisan coalition of 12 attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), including Attorney General Nick Brown, today filed a lawsuit to block the merger of two of the largest makers of playground equipment, alleging the deal would raise prices for schools, parks, churches, and local governments that build or maintain playgrounds. If more PR

NEW WILMINGTON, Pennsylvania, Oct. 19 -- Westminster College posted the following news: * * * Westminster College faculty present research at annual celebration * Westminster College faculty members will share their research, creative works and scholarly insights during a daylong Faculty Scholarship Celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 21, followed by the annual Henderson Lecture at 6 p.m. featuring Dr. Timothy Grieve-Carlson, assistant professor of religion and philosophy. The Faculty Scholarship Celebration will feature concurrent presentation more PR