OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 1 -- USA Softball issued the following news on April 30, 2026: * * * 2026 U.S. Slow Pitch National Team rosters unveiled for Border Battle XVI USA Softball announced today the rosters set to represent the U.S. at the 2026 edition of Border Battle and Slow Pitch Showdown this summer. Slated to take place June 18-20 in Winesburg, Ohio, the Men's and Women's Slow Pitch National Teams, along with the Men's and Women's Futures, will each carry a 13/14-player roster wit more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- A coalition of 28 members of the business community has submitted a public comment letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The coalition has expressed opposition to the agency's proposed rule on Employment Authorization Reform for Asylum Applicants, citing concerns about negative economic impacts. The letter warns that the proposed rule, announced in February 2026, would lead to significant losses in American jobs, economic activity, and government revenue.  more ST

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, April 30 [Category: BizHospital] -- Sanford Health posted the following news release: * * * 32 new clinicians to begin practicing at Sanford Black Hills * April 30, 2026 RAPID CITY, S.D. -The Sanford Black Hills region is welcoming 32 new clinicians from a multitude of disciplines to its expanding team serving western South Dakota. Clinicians specializing in gastroenterology, OB/GYN, dermatology, optometry, ophthalmology, family medicine, pediatrics, ENT, audiol more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 30 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Air quality permits for review, published 04/30/2026 * DES MOINES - The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans' health and the air where we live. DNR's permitting staff review the applications to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality standards. The public has the right and is encouraged to comment  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Perry, Iowa, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supporting the agency's review and consideration of the Section 3 product registration application for NovoFly. NovoFly involves the introduction of genetically engineered proteins within a sterilized male-only strain of the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) aimed at area-wide targeted release. The AASV, a professiona more ST

WASHINGTON, April 28 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary by John Kartch: * * * Examples of Good News Arising from Big Beautiful Bill's Full Business Expensing Provisions In addition to across-the-board tax cuts for households, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Trump on July 4 provides full business expensing for American businesses. In their own words, U.S. employers describe the benefits of the expensing provisions in the bill: Wideman Pools (Festus more PR

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 30 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson protects citizens from illegal racial discrimination and DEI quotas * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson today joined a 20-state friend-of-the-court brief in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to protect citizens from racial discrimination in employment practices. The brief argues in favor of the State of Missouri, which is suing Star more PR

DENVER, Colorado, April 30 -- Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Phil Weiser urges CFTC to recognize state authority over sports-related prediction markets * April 30, 2026 (DENVER) -Attorney General Phil Weiser today joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 attorneys general in urging federal regulators to reaffirm that jurisdiction over sports-related "event contracts" belongs to the states. "The protection of consumers from irrespon more PR

SALEM, Oregon, April 30 -- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Rayfield Announces that Purdue/Sackler $7.4 Billion Opioid Settlement Takes Effect * Oregon to receive almost $66 Million, funds to be distributed over 15 years Attorney General Dan Rayfield today announced that a $7.4 billion settlement reached with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, has become legally effective, capping nearly a decade of work by attorn more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Cambridge Investment Research Inc., Fairfield, Iowa, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor expressing support for the agency's proposed rule to rescind the 2024 independent contractor classification rule and reinstate the analytical framework from the 2021 rule. The letter was sent to the Wage and Hour Division within the Department, which has been reevaluating the classification of workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act and related statute more ST

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following opening statement on April 30, 2026, at an executive business meeting to consider 14 nominations and six bills: * * * On today's agenda, we have 14 nominations and six bills. Today, we'll vote on four judicial nominations: Sheria Clarke for the District of South Carolina, Kathleen Lane for the District of Montana, Evan Rikhye for the District of the Virgin Islands and Kara W more PR

CHESTERFIELD, Missouri, May 1 -- The National Corn Growers Association issued the following news on April 30, 2026: * * * Corn Growers Praise Farm Bill Movement, Demand Action on E15 Author: Bryan Goodman & Nicole Hasheider The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act (H.R. 7567). Ag leaders in the House indicated that a vote on a bill to expand year-round consumer access to fuels with 15% ethanol blends, or E15, would be voted on in a couple of we more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Disability Belongs, Fredericksburg, Virginia, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development expressing concerns about the department's proposed rule that would allow Public Housing Authorities and certain owners in Project-Based Rental Assistance programs to implement work requirements and term limits in federal housing assistance programs. The letter, supported by numerous disability rights, housing, and civil rights organizati more ST

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The U.S. Department of Defense, through the Engineer Research and Development Center, has announced funding opportunities totaling $446,000 to evaluate Muskellunge management and stocking strategies in Iowa. The initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness of Muskellunge stocking within the state's lakes and reservoirs, particularly those managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The funded study will focus on assessing stocking strategies to maximize Muskellunge more ST

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Dr. Miller-Meeks Introduces Legislation to Reform Medicare Physician Payment System * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-01), alongside Congressmen Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. (NJ-03) today introduced the Medicare Physician Data-Driven Performance Payment System Act, legislation to modernize Medicare's physician payment system, reduce burdens on providers, and i more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA Announces $883,000 to Protect Waterways from Sewage Overflows in Iowa * LENEXA, KAN. (APRIL 30, 2026) - This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of approximately $80 million through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. These grants will strengthen s more PR

WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst Celebrates 250 Years of American Entrepreneurship * WASHINGTON - At today's U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hearing, Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) championed how entrepreneurs from Iowa to South Carolina have served as catalysts for our nation's innovation. "Last summer, President Trump chose the great state of Iowa to kick off our nation's 250 th celebration," Ernst sai more PR

WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst-Led Bill to Send Scammers to the Slammer Passes Senate * WASHINGTON - Today, the United States Senate unanimously passed Senate Small Business Committee Chair Sen. Joni Ernst's (R-Iowa) SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act to extend the window for holding COVID fraudsters accountable and recover taxpayers' hard-earned dollars. For years, Ernst has worked to expose widespread fraud in Small Busine more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Farm Bill Passes U.S. House with 21 Priorities Secured by Rep. Nunn * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 in a bipartisan vote of 224-200. The legislation includes 21 priorities championed by Rep. Nunn to support Iowa farmers, producers, and rural communi more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Feenstra Applauds Passage of Farm Bill Out of House and Highlights Major Victories for Iowa Farmers * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) praised House passage of the Farm Bill, highlighting major legislative wins for Iowa agriculture. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 includes provisions from 15 bills he introduced, seven he co-led, and four he co-sponsored.  more PR

OMAHA, Nebraska, May 1 -- First National Bank of Omaha, a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska Inc., issued the following news: * * * FNBO Donates $150,000 to Western Nebraska Wildfire Aid FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha) has announced a $150,000 donation to organizations in Western Nebraska to support wildfire relief, providing critical resources to ranchers, farmers and rural communities working to recover from devastating spring wildfires that have burned hundreds of thousands of ac more PR

AMES, Iowa, April 30 -- Iowa State University issued the following news release: * * * For autonomous robots, not all rules are equal * AMES, Iowa - From driving cars to flying drones, as autonomous robots take on more responsibility, they also face more human-like dilemmas -including what to do when rules collide. For a self-driving vehicle, this conundrum might pop up when a pedestrian suddenly steps off a curb and into its path. By swerving to avoid them, the car will also have to brief more PR

AMES, Iowa, April 30 -- Iowa State University issued the following news release: * * * For crop breeders, growth curves built on drone data reveal timing and duration of genetic effects * AMES, Iowa - Though it's largely a hereditary trait, siblings often grow to be different heights. But even if they end up topping out at the same stature, they may take different paths to get there. As they progress through childhood, growth spurts can come at varying ages with varying intensities. It's e more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 30 -- Gov. Kim Reynolds, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Gov. Reynolds signs list of bills into law on April 30th * Today, Governor Kim Reynolds signed the following bills into law: HF 704 : A bill for an act relating to the Iowa Propane Education and Research Council and including applicability provisions. HF 2485 : A bill for an act relating to motor vehicle dealers, including rights to certain vehicles, records storage requirements, and remote  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley Marks National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Highlights Resolution with Shaheen on Harms of Deadly Drug * WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) are leading a bipartisan resolution recognizing today, April 29, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Grassley spoke about his efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl during a speech o more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley, Bennet Lead Legislation to Extend Rural Hospital Program * WASHINGTON - Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) for another five years. RCHD provides a lifeline to rural hospitals by allowing them to test innovative hospital payment m more PR

WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley, Marshall Introduce Legislation to Eliminate Biden Phosphate Duties, Cut Fertilizer Costs for Farmers * WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing the Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act to lower the cost of fertilizer for family farmers. The bill would eliminate tariffs and more PR

HEMPSTEAD, New York, May 1 -- Hofstra University issued the following news: * * * Effective Metric Structure Theory Ginny Greenberg Dr. Johanna Franklin, Hofstra University professor of mathematics, is a co-author of Effective Metric Structure Theory (2026 Springer Nature), with Isaac Goldbring of the University of California Irvine and Timothy H. McNicholl of Iowa State University. According to the publisher's website, Effective Metric Structure Theory is an introduction to the increasingl more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * House Passes Farm Bill with Key Iowa Ag Priorities Championed by Hinson * Washington, D.C. -Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) released the following statement after fighting to ensure key Iowa priorities were included in this year's bipartisan Farm Bill: " Agriculture is the backbone of Iowa, and right now our farmers are hurting-higher input costs, tighter margins, and more uncertainty are sque more PR

WASHINGTON, May 1 (TNSletter) -- Public policy letter - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and nine co-signers. To: Patrick Fuchs, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20423; Karen Hedlund, Member, Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20423 and Michelle Schultz, Vice Chair, Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20423 - Jan. 20, 2026 As representatives serving, promoting and protecting agriculture, more ST

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Iowa Pork Producers Association, Clive, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supporting the agency's evaluation of an emergency exemption request and application for registration of NovoFly, a genetically engineered male-only New World screwworm insecticide. IPPA, representing over 4,000 pork producers in Iowa-the leading hog-producing state-advocated for the immediate consideration of this product to help manage an escalating thr more ST

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, May 1 -- The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association issued the following news release on April 30, 2026: * * * IRFA Confident Year-Round E15 Will Receive Strong, Bipartisan Support During May 13 House Vote E15 Vote Scheduled for May 13 After Farm Bill Passage Today * Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a "skinny" Farm Bill. Originally, a separate vote on the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council's year-round, nationwide E15 proposal was supposed to occur at the same  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on April 30, 2026: * * * Judiciary Committee Advances Two Bipartisan Bills, Four Federal Judges, U.S. Marshal and U.S. Attorney The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: * Sheria Akins Clarke, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina, by a vote of 15-7. * Kathleen S. Lane, to be United States District more PR

LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana, May 1 -- McNeese State University shared the following news: * * * McNeese Speech and Debate Team Wins National Award McNeese State University's Speech and Debate Team won third place in the National Forensic Association (NFA) National Championship Tournament in President's Division III. The tournament took place in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 16-20. In one of the most competitive speech and debate tournaments in the nation, the President's Division III is for sc more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 1 -- The Des Moines Public Schools issued the following news release on April 30, 2026: * * * Menace, DMPS Announce Partnership for 2026 Season Des Moines Public Schools Night on May 30, Student-Athlete Recognition, and Free Youth Clinics Highlight Collaboration Presented by Bank of America * The Des Moines Menace and Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) today announced a new community partnership for the 2026 season, creating meaningful opportunities for students, familie more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The National Pork Producers Council, Urbandale, Iowa, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in support of the registration of NovoFly, a product under review by the EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs. NPPC, representing more than 60,000 U.S. pork producers, emphasized the urgency in addressing the threat posed by the New World screwworm, an invasive pest that risks significant damage to livestock and the broader economy. The letter more ST

WASHINGTON, April 27 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news: * * * Bohannan's Agenda Would Endanger Lives Last night, a deranged gunman attempted to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Thanks to the quick response of Secret Service, the gunman was caught before he was able to do serious harm. Unfortunately, Christina Bohannan doesn't believe we should fully fund law enforcement, and if it were up to her, police would b more PR

WASHINGTON, April 28 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news: * * * Queen of DEI Strikes Again A new report reveals "Queen of DEI" Christina Bohannan pushed mandatory DEI training requirements on Iowa's doctors and nurses, right as the state was grappling with a worsening healthcare workforce shortage. Rather than working to increase the number of providers in rural communities and reducing barriers to care, Bohannan added more bureaucratic mandates and p more PR

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news on April 29, 2026: * * * Sarah Trone Garriott: "I'm Not Really Sure Who I Am" A newly unearthed video raises serious questions about Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott's judgment...and who she's really working for. In the video, Sarah Trone Garriott openly admits she can tell whether she's acting as a politician or a pastor depending on "who is paying her," adding that sometimes it "gets a little messy." more PR

WASHINGTON, April 27 -- The National Republican Congressional Committee posted the following news: * * * Sarah Trone Garriott: Defund First, Safety Second Last night, a deranged gunman attempted to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Thanks to the quick response of Secret Service, the gunman was caught before he was able to do serious harm. Unfortunately, Sarah Trone Garriott doesn't believe we should fully fund law enforcement, and if it were up to her, p more PR

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Gerogia, ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, issued the following remarks on April 29, 2026, at the full committee markup of the 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies bill: * * * Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and good morning. Thank you, Ranking Member DeLauro, my counterpart, Dr. Harris, and our respective staffs. L more PR

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, April 30 [Category: BizHospital] -- Sanford Health posted the following news release: * * * Sanford Fargo hosting forum on future healthcare profession * FARGO, N.D. - Sanford Health Fargo is hosting a community breakfast on building the next generation of healthcare professionals. The forum is invite only and takes place on Wednesday, May 6, from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Sanford Amber Valley Campus, 4840 23rd Ave. S., Fargo. The community breakfast will include a brie more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 30 -- The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship issued the following news: * * * Secretary Naig Issues Statement on USDA Confirmation of Pseudorabies in Swine Herds in Iowa and Texas * DES MOINES, Iowa (April 30, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today issued a statement after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced confirmed cases of the pseudorabies virus in swine her more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Senate Unanimously Passes Grassley, Peters Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Whistleblower Protections for Federal Contractors * WASHINGTON - The Senate unanimously passed legislation by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) to expand whistleblower protections for government contractors and grantees. The Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act works to  more PR

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on April 30, 2026: * * * Senator Banks Raises Concerns Over Chinese Espionage Targeting U.S. Artificial Intelligence Sector Yesterday, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) sent a letter to nine individual artificial intelligence companies citing growing concerns that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is actively targeting America's AI sector through espionage and ot more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The U.S. Department of Education issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education Dr. David Barker Highlights Civics Education at 'History Rocks!' * Today, U.S. Department of Education (the Department) Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education Dr. David Barker and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds visited Hayes Elementary School as part of the Department's national History Rocks! Trail to Independence more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding its proposed rule on employment authorization reform for asylum applicants. UFCW highlighted that the changes, including extending the waiting period for employment authorization from 150 to 365 days, would have detrimental effects on asylum seekers, immigrant workers, American workers, employers, and communities nationwide. T more ST

DUBUQUE, Iowa, May 1 -- The University of Dubuque issued the following news release: * * * Research Projects and Stewardship of Wolter Woods and Prairies Impacted by Grant SHERRILL, Iowa - The University of Dubuque's Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center received a $60,000 grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust that will advance undergraduate research and experiential learning across multiple disciplines while fostering long-term stewardship of the prop more PR

IOWA CITY, Iowa, May 1 -- The University of Iowa College of Law issued the following news: * * * Investure Ceremony held to appoint Sean Sullivan to Jon and Sarah Fister Chair in Law and Economics Professor Sean Sullivan was appointed to the Jon and Sarah Fister Chair in Law and Economics during a University of Iowa College of Law Investiture Ceremony on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Levitt Center for University Advancement. Sullivan joined the College of Law faculty in 2017 after serving  more PR

VERMILLION, South Dakota, April 30 -- The University of South Dakota posted the following news: * * * USD School of Education's Graduate Programs Rank Among Region's Best in 2026 U.S. News & World Report * USD ranked fifth among graduate education programs across Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, and it is the only ranked program in the state. Graduate programs within the School of Education demonstrate strong performance across several key academic and research met more PR

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following news on April 30, 2026: * * * USDA Confirms Pseudorabies in Swine Herds in Iowa and Texas Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed via ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and latex agglutination testing (LAT) a detection of antibodies to pseudorabies virus ( more PR

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 1 -- Utah Attorney General Derek Brown posted the following news on April 30, 2026: * * * Utah-Led Coalition to Secure Final Approval in $700 Million Google Settlement over App Store Monopoly Today, a federal court stated that it will approve a $700 million settlement in a Utah-led antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit challenged Google's control over Android app distribution and in-app payments. The approval of the settlement ends a five-year case and gives  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 30 (Rep.) -- House Republican Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Whip Emmer Touts More Than 500 Key Stakeholders Supporting the House-Passed Farm Bill * House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) today announced that more than 500 key stakeholder groups came out in support of H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, ahead of the bill's successful passage through the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 7567, or the Farm Bi more PR