WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following news release: The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Honolulu County, Hawaii. This is the first case of HPAI in domestic birds in Hawaii during this outbreak, which began in February 2022.   more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 19 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: CHEROKEE, IA - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved the City of Cherokee's request to temporarily discharge partially treated wastewater into the Little Sioux River due to safety concerns at the city's wastewater treatment facility. In late June 2024, the wastewater treatment plant suffered significant damage as a result of floodwaters. While efforts were made to cont  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) and several of his colleagues on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee released a request for information from relevant stakeholders on biofuel tax policy. Public Law 117-169, enacted in 2022, made significant modifications to biofuel tax policy without any Republican input. With unified Republican government in the House Ways and Means Committee is seeking feedback  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release: If the 2017 Trump tax cuts expire, working families could soon find themselves paying higher taxes. Both the Guaranteed Deduction and the Child Tax Credit are scheduled to be slashed in half, and tax rates would climb for every taxpayer. The Working Families Tax Team, led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), has heard loud and clear that American families need re  more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 19 -- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued the following news release on Nov. 18, 2024: In a report issued today, the Iowa Attorney General's Office has concluded that the October 20, 2024, fatal shooting of Jamie Orozco by two Sioux City police officers was legally justified. The Attorney General's conclusion was based on a review and investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The investigation found that on October 20, at 7:22 p.m., two concerned  more

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 19 (TNSres) -- The Iowa Farm Bureau issued the following news release: * * * Ag and supporting industry layoffs result in $100M loss to state and local tax base * * * A sharp downturn in the agriculture economy is causing a ripple effect throughout the state resulting in the loss of up to 11,400 jobs and $1.5 billion in value-added economic activity (GDP) and a $100 million loss to the state and local tax base, according to an exclusive Iowa Farm Bureau Federation  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- Rep. Carol Miller, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV), Congressman Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) and several of their colleagues in the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee released a request for information from relevant stakeholders on biofuel tax policy. The so-called Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022, made significant modifications to biofuel tax policy without any Republican inp  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service issued the following news release: The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded $500,000 in grants to a variety of research, preservation and outreach activities related to the Underground Railroad and freedom seekers. In collaboration with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the grants were distributed through a competitive process to 20 current or prospective NPS Underground  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a 20-page report in September 2024 entitled "Recovery Plan for Four Species of Freshwater Mussels." The report was prepared by Angela Boyer, Keith Lott, Sara Schmuecker, Nick Utrup and Laura Ragan. Here are excerpts: * * * ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Angela Boyer and Keith Lott (USFWS Ohio Field Office), Sara Schmuecker (USFWS Illinois-Iowa Field Office), Nick Utrup (USFWS Minnesota-Wisconsin Field Office), Laura Ragan (USFWS Midwest Regi  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service has released the following public communication dated Nov. 12, 2024, from Earthjustice and six collaborators. The collaborators are Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, Center for Food Safety, Environmental Working Group, Farmstand, Food Animal Concerns Trust and Food and Water Watch. Here are excerpts: * * * Re: FSIS Guideline on Substantiating Animal-Raising or Environment-Related Labeling Claims Doc  more