WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division announced that 1EdTech Consortium Inc., Burlington, Massachusetts, filed written notifications detailing updates to its membership roster. These filings were submitted to the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission under the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993. The following entities have recently been added as parties to this venture: * Rockwell Information Systems, Hornsby, Austra more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Alliance for Automotive Innovation submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy regarding the agency's interim final rule (IFR) on Petroleum-Equivalent Fuel Economy Calculation. The Alliance criticized the 2026 IFR for failing to comply with statutory requirements under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 32904(a)(2)(B) and not aligning with Congressional intent. They called for the withdrawal of the interim final rule and urged DOE to follow full notice-and-comment  more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The ARC of Iowa submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy opposing proposed direct final rules which would rescind important portions of the Department of Energy's regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, specifically those requiring construction and alterations to be fully accessible to people with disabilities and mandating transition plans to eliminate barriers in existing federally assisted programs or activities. The o more ST

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, March 27 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson fights to protect religious freedom * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson joined Iowa and 16 other states supporting a public schoolteacher's challenge to a district policy preventing her from decorating her classroom with a small personal crucifix. The district asks teachers to decorate their classrooms. Mrs. Arroyo-Castro's walls were more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (BHE) submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expressing support for the agency's proposed rule titled "Interstate Transport Plan Review for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)." BHE's letter addresses EPA's plan to approve State Implementation Plans (SIPs) from eight states, withdraw previously proposed error-correction actions for two states, and withdraw proposed SIP disap more ST

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 28 (TNSLrpt) -- Fatal Work Injuries in Iowa 2024 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Midwest Region - March 27, 2026 * * * Fatal work injuries totaled 83 in 2024 for Iowa, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that the number of work-related fatalities in Iowa was down 8.8 percent from 91 in 2023. (See chart 1.) The fatal work injury rate was 5.2 fatalitie more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, March 27 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on March 25, 2026, by policy fellow Bill Glahn: * * * Appeals court backs Trump on MN alien detention The case, decided by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, originated out of the Minnesota federal district. It was one of many such habeas corpus cases seeking the release of one or more illegal aliens detai more PR

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, March 27 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on March 26, 2026, by economist John Phelan: * * * Republican bill to reverse DFL's car tab hike would have helped Minnesotans with affordability How the DFL "trifecta" made Minnesota less affordable One of the ways the DFL's "historic" trifecta of 2023 hit Minnesotans in the pocket was by hiking car tab more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, issued the following news release on March 26, 2026: * * * Chairman Griffith Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Health Legislative Hearing on Policies Protecting Communities from Emerging Illicit Drug Threats Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing titled Policies more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, March 27 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-St. Paul District issued the following news release: * * * Corps of Engineers awards contract for Mississippi River navigation improvements * ST. PAUL, Minn. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded a $12.8 million contract to Kramer North America, LLC, out of Plain, Wisconsin, March 25, to upgrade lock and dam infrastructure on the Mississippi River. The project will include updating the traveling keve more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Digital Diagnostics Inc., Coralville, Iowa, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the agency's Contract Year 2027 proposed rule on policy and technical changes to the Medicare Advantage Program. The company advocated for maintaining the Diabetes Care - Eye Exam (Part C) measure within the Medicare Star Ratings system, opposing CMS's proposal to move the measure to the display page rather than keeping it as part of the  more ST

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on March 27, 2026: * * * IN THE STATES: Democrats Score Major Victory in Trump's Backyard While Trump is Jacking Up the Cost of Gas and Health Care This week, Democrats handed Donald Trump and Republicans another humiliating defeat, this time in Trump's own backyard. Democrat Emily Gregory flipped Florida's House District 87, Trump's home district, which he won by 11 points in 2024. Gregory's victory i more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: * * * EEOC Sues Silver Cross Hospital Over Vaccine Mandate * Federal lawsuit alleges that hospital denied a religious accommodation and fired employee for asking CHICAGO - Silver Cross Hospital, based in New Lenox, Illinois, violated federal law when it failed to provide a reasonable accommodation to an employee who requested to be exempt from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine because of her more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst on Dems' DHS Delays: Call Chuck Schumer * WASHINGTON - On day 41 of Democrats forcing hardworking Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents to work without pay, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) called on Democrats to join Republicans and fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Ernst shared a direct message with folks who have missed paychecks or flights because of Democra more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Feenstra Applauds President Trump's Key Wins for Farmers at the Great American Agriculture Celebration * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) released the following statement following his attendance at President Trump's Great American Agriculture Celebration at the White House. "The Great American Agriculture Celebration and subsequent announcements represent President Trump's c more PR

MADISON, Wisconsin, March 28 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on March 27, 2026: * * * 'Secularist of the Week' atheist activist demolishes Hegseth's calls for a crusade The FFRF Action Fund honors Jason Benell, Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers president, as its "Secularist of the Week" for his rec more PR

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, March 27 -- Florida State University issued the following news: * * * FSU physicist appointed to U.S. Department of Energy's new Office of Science Advisory Committee * A Florida State University physicist has been named to a newly formed committee that will oversee and advise all future scientific ventures for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. Mayly Sanchez, the Wyatt-Green Chair of Physics in FSU's Department of Physics, is one of 20 expert scientist more PR

ARLINGTON, Virginia, March 28 -- Politico issued the following news release: * * * Full Transcript: Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) on The Conversation with Dasha Burns This is a full unedited transcript of POLITICO's interview with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) on "The Conversation with Dasha Burns" Andy Beshear: Don't just talk about the what. Don't just talk about your policy points. Talk about your why. People want to know you. They want to know what drives you. They want to know more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley Welcomes Trump Administration's Record-Setting Biofuels Announcement * BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA - U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement raising the 2026 and 2027 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels to their highest-ever levels. EPA is also taking action to incentivize d more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 [Category: Energy] -- Growth Energy, a trade association that represents ethanol producers, issued the following news release: * * * Growth Energy Hosts Farmers in DC for National Ag Week * WASHINGTON, D.C.-Growth Energy, the nation's largest biofuel trade association, will welcome a contingent of farmers and biofuel producers to Washington, D.C. this week to attend the White House's National Ag Week celebration on March 27. "Agriculture is the bedrock of our economy,  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, issued the following news release on March 26, 2026: * * * Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing to Discuss Legislation Protecting Communities from Illicit Drug Threats Today, Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, led a hearing titled Policies to Protect Our Communities from Illicit Drug Threats. "I hear countless stories across my dis more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Hinson Leads Legislative Push to Bring Fairness & Transparency to Fertilizer Market for Farmers * Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) joined Congressman Dusty Johnson (SD-AL) to introduce the bipartisan Fertilizer Transparency Act to give American farmers access to timely and accurate information on fertilizer prices. Specifically, this bill would require the U.S. Depart more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSFR) -- The Illinois State Museum, Springfield, has completed an inventory of ancestral human remains and is preparing for repatriation to Native American tribes following findings under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Museum officials determined that the remains, representing at least 16 individuals, are culturally affiliated with federally recognized tribes which include Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Illinois-Iowa Center for Independent Living submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy opposing proposed rule changes that would remove key accessibility requirements under federal nondiscrimination regulations. IICIL, a non-profit organization serving people with disabilities and governed predominantly by individuals with disabilities, articulated grave concerns that the proposed rescission would eliminate critical accessibility requirements. more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Bethany Johnson, an independent Medicare insurance agent with Iowa Bankers Insurance and Services Inc., Johnston, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the 2026 Medicare proposed rule, outlining recommendations to improve beneficiary access and streamline regulatory requirements. The agent outlined concerns over insurance carriers' control of which plans agents may present, more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS AND IOWA'S CANCER CRISIS - A report from Iowa Environmental Council, Des Moines - March 2026 (89 pages) * * * Iowa Environmental Council issued a report examining the relationship between environmental risk factors and cancer incidence in Iowa, with a focus on exposure to pollutants in air, water, and soil. The report reviews scientific evidence, state-specific data, and community experiences to assess how environmental conditions ma more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the agency's proposal for the Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D rule. The letter opposes CMS's plan to remove the "Diabetes Care-Eye Exam (Part C)" measure from the Star Ratings program, proposing instead that the measure be placed on the Display Page. The letter highlights that CMS has offered the rationale of streamlinin more ST

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, Additional Legislation and Two U.S. Marshals * WASHINTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, led by Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), by a vote of 19-3. Xylazine is a highly toxic veterinary tranquilizer that has been increasingly use more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Angela Jessen, an independent Medicare insurance agent with KHI Solutions, Fort Dodge, Iowa, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services outlining concerns with the 2026 Medicare proposed rule and recommending changes to improve beneficiary access and program efficiency. Jessen emphasized that independent agents currently face extensive control from insurance carriers restricting which pla more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Lynn M Schreder, an independent Medicare insurance agent at KHI Solutions, Fort Dodge, Iowa, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services outlining concerns and recommendations regarding the 2027 Medicare Advantage rule and its impact on beneficiaries and agents. The letter criticizes the current system allowing individual insurance carriers to restrict agents from discussing or presenting  more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Brenda Eckard, an independent Medicare insurance agent with KHI Solutions, Fort Dodge, Iowa, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the 2027 Medicare final rule, outlining concerns about administrative burdens, agent oversight, and beneficiary access to plan information. Eckard highlighted the significant challenges posed by carrier control over agents' ability to discuss or more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Midwest Ozone Group has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the agency's Proposed Rule titled "Interstate Transport Plan Review for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)." MOG expressed support for the EPA's application of a 1 part per billion (ppb) modeled contribution threshold to conclude that ozone precursor emissions from eight states - including Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mis more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Miller-Meeks Hosts Telephone Town Hall with Over 8,000 Iowans * WASHINGTON, D.C. \- Last night, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) hosted a telephone town hall, connecting with more than 8,000 Iowans for a wide-ranging discussion on the ongoing DHS shutdown, government fraud, health care, and other key issues impacting families across Iowa. "I'm always grateful for the opport more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSFR) -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has announced plans to repatriate 235 sacred objects and items of cultural patrimony to the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa. The collection includes projectile points, blankets, bags, tools, photographs, jewelry, clothing and regalia, many featuring intricate beadwork and weaving. Caroline Crecelius, Repatriation Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, confirmed the items were origina more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service issued the following news release on March 26, 2026: * * * United States hog inventory up slightly As of Mar.1, there were 74.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from March 2025 but down 1% from Dec. 1, 2025, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Other key findings  more PR

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release on March 25, 2026: * * * Yaw Bill Targets Rural Mental Health Care Shortage by Allowing Psychologists to Prescribe In an effort to improve access to mental health care in underserved rural communities and across Pennsylvania, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) has introduced a bill to grant qualified psychologists the authority to prescribe certain medications. "Allowing specially trained psychologi more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Power Generators Air Coalition (PGen) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expressing support for the agency's proposed rule to approve state implementation plan (SIP) submissions addressing interstate transport obligations under the 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). PGen, a nonprofit coalition of electric generating companies and trade associations representing diverse energy sources including sol more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Q&A: Wake-Up Call to Save Social Security * Q: What should Iowans know about the solvency of Social Security? A: The Senate Budget Committee recently held a hearing to examine the facts facing Social Security that every American needs to know. According to the recent projections from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund is on more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Rulli Honors Wrestling Legend Bobby Douglas in Congressional Record * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Mike Rulli (OH-06) entered into the Congressional Record a tribute honoring the life and legacy of Robert "Bobby" Douglas of Bellaire, Ohio, an esteemed wrestler and coach who exemplified the very best in Eastern Ohio. Born in Bellaire, Ohio, Bobby attended Bridgeport High School, where  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley Raises Awareness of Sports Knockoffs at Congressional Trademark Caucus Event Sen. Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Congressional Trademark Caucus, delivered remarks this week at a congressional briefing organized by the International Trademark Association, the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coal more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following opening statement on March 26, 2026, at an executive business meeting to consider the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act and various nominations: * * * Before I get to the agenda, I'd like to address this week's Arctic Frost hearing. First, this committee won't give in to the Democrats' ill-advised strategy to bring Jack Smith in before the record is ready. As Kim Strassel o more PR

IOWA CITY, Iowa, March 28 -- The University of Iowa College of Engineering issued the following news: * * * UI research team awarded funding to expand testing program for lead in water A University of Iowa research team has won funding to expand testing for lead in drinking water across Iowa. Get the Lead Out is a statewide program that tests lead amounts in drinking water. The initiative is led by David Cwiertny, William D. Ashton Professor of Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering more PR

IOWA CITY, Iowa, March 28 -- The University of Iowa of issued the following health care news: * * * University of Iowa Health Care recognized among the nation's Best Home Health agencies U.S. News & World Report honors UI Health Care's downtown campus for exceptional home-based patient care * University of Iowa Health Care's home health services at its downtown campus have been recognized among the nation's highest-performing home health agencies in the inaugural "Best Home Health" ratings, more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The University of Iowa Rural Policy Research Institute submitted a public comment letter to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the proposed rule for Medicare Program Contract Year 2027 Policy and Technical Changes. The letter addresses key aspects of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Benefit programs, with a particular focus on issues impacting rural beneficiaries. The RUPRI Health Panel supports CMS's proposal to modify Special Enrollment  more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Zero Emission Trade Association has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy challenging the agency's interim final rule regarding the Petroleum Equivalency Factor (PEF). ZETA contends that the IFR, which sets the PEF at 12,307 watt-hours per gallon-a figure established in 2000-is based on outdated data and violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). In the letter, ZETA points out that DOE itself acknowledged in an April 2023 notice tha more ST