ARGONNE, Illinois, April 18 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory issued the following news release: * * * The Partnership honors the memory of George Crabtree, a noted researcher and leader in superconducting and clean energy * * * The George Crabtree Institute for Discovery and Sustainability, a new hub for scientific innovation and education, launched on April 17 in Chicago. The collaboration between the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the U.S. D more PR

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 18 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: Attorney General today joined a coalition of 25 states and territories in filing a letter with the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in support of proposed rules entitled "Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transactions." In a letter sent yesterday, the attorneys general expressed staunch support for the propose more PR

OAKLAND, California, April 18 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorney generals in submitting a comment letter in response to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) notice of proposed rulemaking regarding certain real estate transactions. The proposed rule increases transparency by imposing reporting and record kee more PR

OAKLAND, California, April 18 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on April 16, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta today urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to affirm a federal district court's ruling that Georgia's congressional and legislative maps violate Section Two of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Attorney General Bonta joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in Grant, et al., v. Secretary of St more PR

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today led a group of 19 attorneys general defending Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act--a key protection against racial discrimination in elections--against radical challenges raised in a Georgia redistricting lawsuit. In an amicus brief filed in Pendergrass v. Secretary of State of Georgia, the coalition of attorneys general argu more PR

HARTFORD, Connecticut, April 18 (TNSres) -- The Connecticut Department of Education issued the following news release: The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is pleased to announce updated results of its continued commitment to addressing educator shortages and diversification across the state. In line with national trends, Connecticut has faced challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified educators. However, through decisive actions led by Education Commissioner Charlene M. R more PR

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Education posted the following commentary on April 17, 2024: * * * Made for Our Times: Mobility, Vibrancy, and the Next 123 Years of the Community College Movement By Pam Eddinger, President During my 11 years at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Massachusetts, I have received many visits from global educators curious about the uniquely American phenomenon of the Community College. In our exchanges, we inevitably observe that we are a pla more PR

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on April 16, 2024: Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the first-ever national drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals,' as well as $1 billion through President Biden's Investing in America agenda to help every state and territory fund PFAS detection and treatment systems to meet more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 18 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Director Steven Dettelbach, and federal and state law enforcement partners to announce the opening of a new Crime Gun Intelligence Center in Chicago (CGIC). "I was delighted to join with our law enforcement partners, Deputy Attorne more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news: State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, passed a measure out of the House that will guarantee greater government transparency and give more freedom to fire protection districts. "Representatives of fire protection districts raised an issue with me that was making their jobs harder: poorly written regulations were restricting what they were allowed to save district funds for. The measure that pas more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news on April 17, 2024: State Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago, passed a plan out of the House Tuesday that would require health insurance plans for police and firefighters to include coverage for marriage and couple's counseling. "This idea was brought to me by a constituent who owns a private therapy practice and works with first responders and their partners," Gill said. "It's clear to me that there is a real need more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news on April 17, 2024: Understanding the unique stresses first responders and their families encounter, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, supported a plan Tuesday that would require health insurance plans for police and firefighters include coverage for marriage and couple's counseling. "The realities of a first responder job - from the irregular hours to the real safety risks that come with the role - more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news: State Rep. Lilian Jimenez, D-Chicago, is working to empower renters who have spoken out about the risks they face when requesting building improvements by passing new legislation to prevent landlords from retaliating against a tenant seeking better conditions for residents. "As it stands, renters are vulnerable when they bring up valid concerns about the livability of their space," Jimenez said. "When te more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news: State Rep. Lilian Jimenez, D-Chicago, is working to better integrate mental health professionals into emergency response situations by passing legislation to ensure these emergency responders have the benefits and protections provided to other first responders. "The expertise of mental health professionals is critical to 911 operations and saving lives during tense situations, yet these workers have been more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news: A measure requiring the nursing assistant certification exam be offered in both English and Spanish, authored by state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, recently passed the Illinois House of Representatives. "This progress is the result of a very real case of a person who was only fluent in Spanish being denied the chance to become a nursing assistant because the exam is only available in English. At a t more PR

EDWARDSVILLE, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news: State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is fighting for justice for all survivors of sexual assault by passing a new bill cracking down on incidents where consent is obtained through deception. "We must always advocate for victims and that means continuing to ensure that victims do not fall through the cracks because of gaps in our legislation," Stuart said. "Knowing consent cannot be obtained if a per more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is working on a measure that would bring equity to funding for special education students by creating a fair reimbursement rate for special education day schools. "I spent 15 years in the classroom as a special education teacher," said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). "We have to ensure our students can receive a quality education in the least restrictive environment. Thi more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on April 17, 2024: Standing alongside advocates from Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy at a press conference Wednesday, State Senator Julie Morrison outlined her initiative to require each newborn to be screened for duchenne muscular dystrophy. "DMD is a devastating disease - tragically taking young children from their parents," said Morrison. "Requiring every newborn to be screened for duchenne muscular more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Laura Murphy is working to form a new Medicaid subcommittee to help streamline the Medicaid system in Illinois. "The Medicaid system is the cornerstone of health care for individuals with developmental disabilities, yet navigating its complexities can be daunting," said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). "With the subcommittee, we seek to remove these barriers and create a more efficient, person-cent more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on April 17, 2024: In a landmark decision to prioritize the health and well-being of Illinoisans, State Senator Willie Preston joined fellow lawmakers at a press conference Wednesday to highlight his legislation to ban the use of four harmful food additives. "There are a number of growing concerns about the negative effects and associated health risks of certain food additives," said Preston (D-Chicago). more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: To address crumbling roads in some of the district's most traveled areas, State Senator Rachel Ventura is leading a measure that would impose a fee on interstate carriers with the collected fees going toward maintenance and repairs of roads most affected by heavy transportation travel. "My district has one of the biggest transportation hubs in the state and has had ongoing issues with highway infrastruc more PR

EAST ST. LOUIS, Illinois, April 18 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois issued the following news release: A Waterloo woman is facing multiple federal charges after being accused of embezzling money from 2020-2022 as an employee at Dupo Community Unit School District #196. A grand jury charged Linda J. Johnson, 57, with three counts of theft from federally funded programs. If convicted, Johnson could face up to 10 years' imprisonment and/or $250,000 in fines more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 18 -- The Illinois State Treasurer issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs' office made a record $1.33 billion in investment earnings for the state portfolio in calendar year 2023, eclipsing revenue collected from gaming, the lottery and cannabis sales, he told a Senate Appropriations Committee today. "Every dollar we make in investment returns is a dollar you do not have to raise in taxes when crafting a state more PR

BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 18 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a group of 19 attorneys general defending Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act - a key protection against racial discrimination in elections - against challenges raised in a Georgia redistricting lawsuit. In an amicus brief (https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/News%20Documents/041624_Brief_DC_NY_Amici_Curiae.pdf) filed more PR

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, April 18 -- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Larry Dietz to serve as interim president of St. Cloud State University (SCSU). The appointment will be effective beginning July 1, 2024. "I am pleased that Dr. Dietz has agreed to come out of retirement and lead St. Cloud State University as interim president for the next two years," sai more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, April 18 -- North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein issued the following news release: Attorney General Josh Stein joined a group of 19 attorneys general defending Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act--a key protection against racial discrimination in elections--from radical challenges raised in a Georgia redistricting lawsuit. In an amicus brief filed in Pendergrass v. Secretary of State of Georgia and two other consolidated cases, the attorneys general argue that th more PR

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: The National Park Service (NPS) today announced it has entered into a partnership, designating the Emmett Till Interpretive Center (ETIC) as an official philanthropic and educational partner of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. Established by President Joe Biden in 2023, the monument includes sites dedicated to the legacies of Emmett Til more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: The National Park Service (NPS) today announced the selection of Rick Clark as superintendent of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Clark begins working at the park April 21. "We are pleased to welcome Rick back to the southeast region and Gulf Islands National Seashore," said Mark Foust, NPS South Atlantic-Gulf regional director. "His experience managing more PR

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 57016) involving Alton Steel, Illinois: * * * Rep Org: Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency Licensee: Alton Steel Region: 3 City: Alton State: IL License #: IL-01738-01 Agreement: Y NRC Notified By: Whitney Cox HQ OPS Officer: Thomas Herrity Notification Date: 03/08/2024 Notification Time: 13:02 [ET] Event Date: 03/07/2024 Event Time: 00:00 [CST] Last Update Date: 04/16/2024 Emergenc more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 (TNSres) -- The National Science Foundation issued the following news release: The U.S. National Science Foundation is excited to announce the expansion of the NSF Convergence Accelerator to 10 regions to enhance national and regional competitiveness in research, innovation and workforce development. These 10 regional Convergence Accelerators will promote convergence research and innovation by connecting researchers, practitioners and stakeholders from various domains and  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the following news release: New partnership with 18 state attorneys general creates fast-track system to prioritize misconduct cases referred to DOT by state attorneys general Secretary Buttigieg made the announcement at the Denver International Airport alongside Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser DENVER - Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the launch of the bipartisan Airline Passenger Prote more PR

WOODLAWN, Maryland, April 18 -- The Social Security Administration issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: Last Thursday, the Social Security Administration published a final rule, "Expansion of the Rental Subsidy Policy for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Applicants and Recipients." This rule provides the second of several updates to the agency's SSI regulations that will help people receiving and applying for SSI. "Our mission is to continue to help people access crucial bene more PR

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, April 18 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis released its portion of the Federal Reserve's latest Beige Book, published today. The local report summarizes economic conditions for the Eighth District, which is based in St. Louis and covers all of Arkansas and parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. View the St. Louis Fed's most recent Beige Book more PR

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the city of Peru, Illinois, for water infrastructure improvements to support business expansion and job growth in the region. This grant will provide increased water and sewer access to 50 local busin more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 18 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release on April 17, 2024: * * * Settlement Follows Court Order Finding the District Limited Compensation of Teachers Based on Age * * * Urbana School District No. 116 agreed to pay $206,301 to settle an age discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced today. According to the EEOC's lawsuit, the Urbana School District limite more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the following news release: As Part of President Biden's American Rescue Plan, Funding Will Help 75 Local Organizations Create and Expand Food Financing Programs in Underserved Communities ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 17, 2024 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is partnering with Reinvestment Fund to help organizations strengthen local food financing programs and i more PR