OAK RIDGE, Tennessee, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory issued the following news release: When Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern United States in September 2024, it brought widespread devastation and left communities grappling with power outages, damaged infrastructure and the overwhelming task of recovery. Just weeks later, Hurricane Milton followed, compounding the damage in already affected areas and pushing response teams to the limit. Amid these  more PR

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: The Army announced policy updates today to a pair of voluntary education programs for active-duty, Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. The new guidance includes a $500 increase and two semester-hour increase for tuition assistance, and changes to the credentialing assistance program. "The Army recognizes the value of the tuition assistance and credentialing assistance programs, both of which  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued the following news release: Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) sued the operator of Zelle and three of the nation's largest banks for failing to protect consumers from widespread fraud on America's most widely available peer-to-peer payment network. Early Warning Services, which operates Zelle, along with three of its owner banks--Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo--rushed the network to mar more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Education has released the following public communication dated Dec. 16, 2024, from the National Disability Rights Network and 30 collaborators: * * * To: Stephanie Valentine PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Office of the Chief Data Officer Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development U.S. Department of Education Washington, DC 20002 RE: Mandatory Civil Rights Data Collection: Docket ID: ED-2024-SCC-0128 Submitte more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: NORFOLK, Va. Value Unlimited, Inc., doing business as ChowCall, a food delivery service in Norfolk, Virginia, violated the law by refusing to comply with the terms of a conciliation agreement, according to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. According to the EEOC, Value Unlimited participated in an EEOC conciliation in Septemb more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (TNSres) -- The National Science Foundation issued the following news release: A new technique for creating simple electronic device components proved effective in recent tests. The results show that self-assembly for more complicated electronics, like 3D computer chips, could be possible. The findings are published in Materials Horizons and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Complex Particle Systems. The technique exhibits a relatively "passive"  more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, Dec. 20 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news on Dec. 19, 2024: * * * Funding will create, improve, or preserve more than 4,200 affordable homes for renters and homebuyers * * * Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) today announced the recipients of its 2024 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund awards. Through the program, more than $55 million in grant funding is bein more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: The U.S. House of Representatives completed passage of the American Relief Act. This legislation keeps the government funded through March and includes disaster relief supplemental funds. After voting in favor of the American Relief Act to fund the government and bring much-needed disaster relief aid to areas devastated by Hurricane Helene, like Southwest Virginia, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release: Today, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) delivered the following remarks during floor consideration of H.R. 10515, the American Relief Act, 2025, highlighting the need to keep the government open and provide much-needed disaster relief to the American people. Watch Chairman Cole's remarks here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyWWumtnUvo).  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- The House Education and the Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-742) on the Transparency in Coverage Act (H.R. 4507), which waims to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to promote transparency in health coverage and reform pharmacy benefit management services with respect to group health plans. The report was advanced by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, on Nov. 18, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose H.R. 4507, the Transparency more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the following news release: The Departments of the Interior and Defense today announced a $15 million investment to support conservation and recreation access around military bases through the Readiness and Recreation Initiative. Funding comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Department of Defense (DOD)'s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program and will support community conservation pro more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a notice in the Federal Register on Dec. 11, 2024, entitled "Receipt of Documented Petition for Federal Acknowledgment as an American Indian Tribe". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior (Department) gives notice that the group known as the Tuskarora Nation of Moratoc Indians has filed a documented petition for Federal acknowledgment as an American Indian Tribe with the Assi more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service issued a proposed rule in the Federal Register on Dec. 13, 2024, entitled "Endangered Species Status for Eastern Hellbender". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the eastern hellbender ( Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), a salamander subspecies from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Y more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the following news release: Investments will help reduce wildlife vehicle collisions that result in thousands of serious injuries, hundreds of fatalities, and more than $10 billion in medical costs and property damage each year. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced $125 million in grants for 16 wildlife crossing projects in 16 states, including one Native American Tribe. more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced $125 million in grants for 16 wildlife crossing projects in 16 states, including one Native American Tribe. The funding is available through the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, a new grant program in its second round of awards that was created by President Biden's Bipartisan  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a notice in the Federal Register on Dec. 13, 2024, entitled "Certain Electronic Devices, Including Smartphones, Computers, Tablet Computers, and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Granting Joint Motion To Terminate the Investigation Based on Arbitration; Termination of Investigation". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Interna more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a notice in the Federal Register on Nov. 19, 2024, entitled "Certain Photovoltaic Connectors and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination To Review in Part a Final Initial Determination; Request for Written Submissions on the Issues Under Review and on Remedy, the Public Interest, and Bonding; Extension of Target Date". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Tr more ST

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 20 -- North Carolina Community College System issued the following news: Maria Mandis walks into the Dolphin's Den at College of The Albemarle to meet with a new student to discuss their Person-Centered Plan - a comprehensive roadmap that aligns the student's community college experience with their academic and career goals. Together, they begin to create a vision for her future. This approach lies at the heart of the Access to Achievement program, North Carolina more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 20 -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release: The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded more than $3.6 million in grants to support stream restoration, water-based recreation and water management projects across North Carolina. The total included $2.9 million in grants awarded to 13 local governments through the Water Resources Development Grant program s more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 20 -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release: Morehead City - The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has certified two North Carolina Clean Marinas, a designation given to marinas that exceed minimum regulatory requirements. Sloop Point Marina in Pender County received certification in October. Calabash Marina in Brunswick County received certification in Novemb more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 20 -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Pitt County Sheriff's Office are partnering to offer additional services for defendants with mental illness whom the court has determined Incapable to Proceed to trial. Building on the success of NC RISE in Mecklenburg County, the program in Pitt County is part of the department's continued work to en more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 20 -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2024: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a $1.5 million investment to expand behavioral health services in school-based health centers across the state. This funding is a critical step in ensuring children have access to the right care at the right time by providing behavioral health support that meets families where more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: WATCH Excerpts: "You have never won a government shutdown. And you won't win this one either. Your currency in this institution is your word. We reached an agreement. We came to modest achievements. And a tweet changed all of it? Can you imagine what the next two years are going to be like if every time the Congress works its will and then there's a tweet? ... "This institution has a separate r more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Alma S. Adams, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2024: Earlier today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) delivered remarks in a press conference to reporters regarding the collapse in support for a Bipartisan Continuing Resolution to fund the government. Her prepared remarks are below. "Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here on short notice. I wanted to share with you what we're facing here in Washington as Congre more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Gregory Murphy, R-North Carolina, issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2024: * * * Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. issued the following statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs' proposal for a new state-of-the-art outpatient clinic in Jacksonville, NC. "I am proud to announce that the Department of Veterans Affairs has selected a location for a new outpatient clinic in Jacksonville, NC," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D."I am grateful to hav more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Valerie Foushee, D-North Carolina, issued the following statement on Dec. 19, 2024: * * * Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 10515, the American Relief Act, 2025. "House Republicans made the reckless decision to abandon the previously agreed-upon bipartisan funding bill and are following President-Elect Trump and Elon Musk's orders to shut down the federal government. Instead of standing up for th more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Gregory Murphy, R-North Carolina, issued the following statement on Dec. 19, 2024: * * * Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. issued the following statement after voting in favor of the American Relief Act to fund the federal government through March 14th, 2025. "As a matter of principle, I generally do not support continuing resolutions to keep our country running," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Unfortunately, despite great efforts to fund the federal government th more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, took to the Senate floor to warn against the impacts of a possible Republican-manufactured government shutdown on Granite Staters, and called for her colleagues to pass the bipartisan agreement to keep the government open and provide disaster relief, including for funding that would go to New Hamps more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2024: Today, Speaker Johnson, House GOP Leadership, Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, Chairman Jim Jordan, Chairman James Comer, Chairman Mike Bost, Chairman Jason Smith, and Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Morgan Griffith unveiled findings and recommendations originating from a more than 7-months long investigation into anti more PR

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. The Army Reserve Installation Management Directorate and Fort Hunter Liggett, in cooperation with the Defense Digital Service (DDS) and industry-partner Bugcrowd, conducted the "Hack the Army Microgrid" cyber resilience assessment at Fort Hunter Liggett, CA. The assessment, based on a "bug bounty" model, was conducted by 11 pre-vetted independent security more PR

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Dec. 20 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. The U.S. Army Reserve's 63rd Readiness Division (RD), headquartered in Mountain View, CA, has established an enduring cultural resources program that is making impressive strides thanks to a foundation built on a decade's worth of hard work. To foster tribal relationships, the 63rd RD's Cultural Resources Program is opening lines of communication through the re more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) spoke at a press conference and laid out his demand that he would not support any continuing resolution to fund the government unless disaster aid for Western North Carolina is passed. WATCH: KEY QUOTES: "The fact that WNC has had to wait 83 days for disaster aid is just ridiculous and it's a disgrace." "We've got people living in tents. We have delayed FEMA trailers. It more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, issued the following news release: From the Senate floor tonight, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) urged his colleagues to work together to pass disaster aid for communities across America, admonishing his House Republican colleagues for holding up the bipartisan funding deal and threatening a government shutdown. Watch Senator Welch's remarks here: Read Senator Welch's Remarks: "We had an agreement. We had an agreement that was reached  more PR