Author: sHq_LoGiNz

BAODING, China, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IT Tech Packaging Inc. (NYSE American: ITP) (“IT Tech Packaging” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in North China, received an official notice of noncompliance (the “NYSE American Notice”) from NYSE Regulation (“NYSE”) stating that the Company is not in compliance with NYSE American continued listing standards (the “Filing Delinquency Notification”) due to the failure to timely file the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the “Delinquent Report”) by the filing due date of April 15, 2026 (the “Filing Delinquency”).

The Company is now subject to the procedures and requirements set forth in Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide (the “Company Guide”). Within five days of the date of the Filing Delinquency Notification, the Company was required to (a) contact the NYSE to discuss the status of the Delinquent Report and (b) issue a press release disclosing the occurrence of the Filing Delinquency, the reason for the Filing Delinquency and, if known, the anticipated date such Filing Delinquency will be cured via the filing or refiling of the applicable report, as the case may be. The NYSE American Notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s common stock on NYSE American.

During the six-month period from the date of the Filing Delinquency (the “Initial Cure Period”), the NYSE will monitor the Company and the status of the Delinquent Report and any subsequent delayed filings, including through contact with the Company, until the Filing Delinquency is cured. If the Company fails to cure the Filing Delinquency within the Initial Cure Period, the NYSE may, in the NYSE’s sole discretion, allow the Company’s securities to be traded for up to an additional six-month period (the “Additional Cure Period”) depending on the Company’s specific circumstances. If the NYSE determines that an Additional Cure Period is not appropriate, suspension and delisting procedures will commence in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 1010 of the Company Guide. If the NYSE determines that an Additional Cure Period of up to six months is appropriate and the Company fails to file its Delinquent Report and any subsequent delayed filings by the end of that period, suspension and delisting procedures will generally commence.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the NYSE may in its sole discretion decide (i) not to afford the Company any Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as the case may be, at all or (ii) at any time during the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, to truncate the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as the case may be, and immediately commence suspension and delisting procedures if the Company is subject to delisting pursuant to any other provision of the Company Guide, including if the NYSE believes, in the NYSE’s sole discretion, that continued listing and trading of the Company’s securities on the NYSE is inadvisable or unwarranted in accordance with Sections 1001-1006 of the Company Guide.

Reference is made to the Company’s Notification of Late Filing on Form 12b-25 (filed with the SEC on March 31, 2026), which described the circumstances leading to the late filing of the Delinquent Report. The Delinquent Report could not be filed within the prescribed time period due to the fact that the Company was unable to finalize its financial results as well as the disclosure requirements of the Delinquent Report without unreasonable expense or effort. As a result, the Company could not solicit and obtain the necessary review of the Delinquent Report in a timely fashion prior to the due date of the Delinquent Report. Additional time is needed by the Company to complete its review of the financial statements included in the Delinquent Report to ensure a complete, accurate Delinquent Report. The Company intends to file the Delinquent Report as soon as practicable and in any event within the six-month period.

The Company intends to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards. There can be no assurance that the Company will ultimately regain compliance with all applicable NYSE American listing standards.

About IT Tech Packaging, Inc.

Founded in 1996, IT Tech Packaging, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in North China. Using recycled paper as its primary raw material (with the exception of its tissue paper products), ITP produces and distributes three categories of paper products: corrugating medium paper, offset printing paper and tissue paper products. With production based in Baoding and Xingtai in North China’s Hebei Province, ITP is located strategically close the Beijing and Tianjin region, home to a growing base of industrial and manufacturing activities and one of the largest markets for paper products consumption in the country. ITP has been listed on the NYSE American since December 2009. For more information, please visit: www.itpackaging.cn. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Certain of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “assumes,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “seeks,” or other similar expressions. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s plan to file the Delinquent Report within the Initial Cure Period to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to file the Delinquent Report within the Initial Cure Period to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards, and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents the Company has filed, or will file, with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Contacts:

At the Company Email:

ir@itpackaging.cn
Tel: +86 0312 8698215

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SOURCE IT Tech Packaging, Inc

Simple Ways to Make Every Day Earth Day

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In recognition of Earth Day, Virginia American Water is highlighting the importance of protecting local water resources through environmental stewardship, strategic infrastructure investment, and community engagement.

Serving approximately 384,000 customers across Virginia, the company works year-round to protect water at its source while delivering safe, reliable service to homes and businesses across the state.

“Protecting water starts long before it reaches the tap,” said Thalika Hollingsworth, Source Water Protection Manager, Virginia American Water. “By safeguarding rivers, reservoirs and aquifers that supply our drinking water like the Appomattox River, the Potomac River, the Occoquan Reservoir, and the Potomac aquifer, our employees are committed every day to strengthening infrastructure and supporting the communities we serve.”

To celebrate Earth Day this year, employees across the state are participating in a range of environmental, educational and volunteer initiatives, including:

• Friends of the Occoquan River Clean-Up
• Adopt a Highway Clean-Up in Prince William County
• Source Water Protection Training on Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins

These efforts reflect the company’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and watershed protection in the communities it serves.

Virginia American Water also encourages customers to take simple steps at home that help conserve water and protect this vital resource, including fixing leaks, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, running full loads of laundry and dishes and properly disposing of household items like batteries, paint and unused medications.

Hollingsworth added, “Small actions can make a big difference. When utilities, communities and customers work together to protect water resources, we help ensure clean, reliable water for future generations.”

For more Earth Day information and resources, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Earth Day website: epa.gov/earthday.

This Saturday, April 25, is also National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Unneeded medications can be safely disposed of at official drop-off locations across the state from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Find local drop-off locations and more information at dea.gov/takebackday.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Virginia American Water
Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water company in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 384,000 people. For more information, visit www.virginiaamwater.com and join Virginia American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

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SOURCE American Water

Simple Ways to Make Every Day Earth Day

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In recognition of Earth Day, Virginia American Water is highlighting the importance of protecting local water resources through environmental stewardship, strategic infrastructure investment, and community engagement.

Serving approximately 384,000 customers across Virginia, the company works year-round to protect water at its source while delivering safe, reliable service to homes and businesses across the state.

“Protecting water starts long before it reaches the tap,” said Thalika Hollingsworth, Source Water Protection Manager, Virginia American Water. “By safeguarding rivers, reservoirs and aquifers that supply our drinking water like the Appomattox River, the Potomac River, the Occoquan Reservoir, and the Potomac aquifer, our employees are committed every day to strengthening infrastructure and supporting the communities we serve.”

To celebrate Earth Day this year, employees across the state are participating in a range of environmental, educational and volunteer initiatives, including:

• Friends of the Occoquan River Clean-Up
• Adopt a Highway Clean-Up in Prince William County
• Source Water Protection Training on Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins

These efforts reflect the company’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and watershed protection in the communities it serves.

Virginia American Water also encourages customers to take simple steps at home that help conserve water and protect this vital resource, including fixing leaks, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, running full loads of laundry and dishes and properly disposing of household items like batteries, paint and unused medications.

Hollingsworth added, “Small actions can make a big difference. When utilities, communities and customers work together to protect water resources, we help ensure clean, reliable water for future generations.”

For more Earth Day information and resources, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Earth Day website: epa.gov/earthday.

This Saturday, April 25, is also National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Unneeded medications can be safely disposed of at official drop-off locations across the state from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Find local drop-off locations and more information at dea.gov/takebackday.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Virginia American Water
Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water company in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 384,000 people. For more information, visit www.virginiaamwater.com and join Virginia American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

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SOURCE American Water

NASSAU, Bahamas, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) today announced the appointment of Dareo McKenzie as Chief Executive Officer and Gladys Fernander, CPA as Chief Financial Officer, marking the company’s transition to a fully independent, all-Bahamian-led operating model.

This leadership transition follows the conclusion of Island Grid Solutions’ (IGS) management role on April 20, 2026, and the stepping down of Eric Pike and Mei Shibata from their positions at BGC.

“We are honored to have had the opportunity to set up BGC and conduct the biggest grid upgrade project for New Providence, over the past two years,” said Eric Pike, Former Chairman of BGC. “I would like to recognize the dedicated employees of IGS, Pike, and BGC, whose hard work and commitment were instrumental to this achievement, and extend our best wishes for BGC’s continued success.”

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Eric, Mei, and the entire IGS team for their leadership and expertise in building BGC into a fully operational utility and strengthening New Providence’s transmission and distribution system,” said Anthony Ferguson, Chairman of BGC. “We now move forward as a fully Bahamian-led organization, focused on delivering long-term performance for our country, our children, and our grandchildren.”

Mr. McKenzie brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the energy and infrastructure sectors, including senior operational roles at GE Vernova and Consolidated Edison of New York. He has led large-scale grid modernization and construction programs, managed billion-dollar capital portfolios, and delivered complex energy projects focused on reliability, resilience, and operational performance. 

Ms. Fernander is a Certified Public Accountant with more than two decades of executive financial leadership in regulated environments. As former Chief Financial Officer of Commonwealth Bank, she oversaw enterprise-wide financial strategy, capital planning, treasury, and regulatory compliance, and brings deep expertise in governance, financial discipline, and institutional accountability. 

“Together, Dareo and Gladys bring the operational and financial leadership required to grow a resilient, high-performing utility,” Ferguson added. “Just as importantly, this transition reflects the strength and capability of Bahamian leadership at every level of the organization.”

Over the past two years, BGC has made meaningful progress in strengthening New Providence’s electricity network, improving reliability by almost 50% and updating its critical infrastructure through a $130M grid upgrade project. With the transition to full independence, the company will now be focused on the disciplined management of the system to ensure its long-term system performance.

About Bahamas Grid Company
Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) is a utility company in New Providence that is responsible for upgrading, maintaining, and operating New Providence’s transmission and distribution infrastructure, with the goal of delivering reliable, resilient, and sustainable power to all residents and businesses.

Media Contact: press@islandgrid.com

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SOURCE Island Grid

• Target to deliver 13 Bullseye Builds with Community Program in 2026, backed by a $1 million investment  
• 2026 builds apply Target’s design expertise to create spaces shaped by and for local communities; first builds will launch this May in Denver and Las Vegas 
• Bullseye Builds began in 2024 and is part of Target’s longstanding commitment to volunteering 1 million hours annually across its communities 

MINNEAPOLIS, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced the timing and locations for its 2026 Bullseye Builds with Community Program — a signature community activation from the retailer that brings together Target’s volunteerism and design expertise to meet local needs. Target will complete 13 Bullseye Builds in 2026 in neighborhoods where the company operates, supported by a $1 million investment, hands-on volunteer efforts of Target team members and the partnership of nonprofits and community members to vitalize shared spaces based on needs identified by the communities themselves.

The program underscores Target’s commitment to strengthening its communities through local partnerships and community-led solutions that reflect the connection between strong communities and a strong, growing business. 

“At Target, we believe investing in the places we call home builds strong communities and strong partnerships. And our Bullseye Builds bring that belief to life,” said Kiera Fernandez, executive vice president and chief community and stakeholder engagement officer. “What makes this work different is how it starts. We listen to learn about local needs, then pair those insights with the creativity of our team members and Target’s signature style and design expertise.” 

Since launching in 2024, Bullseye Builds has contributed to 25 community spaces across the country with our most recent being in Detroit this past March. The 13 Bullseye Builds on the horizon this year will build on that impact with a focus on creating spaces that are both visually inspiring and thoughtfully built to meet community needs.  

Upcoming Bullseye Builds  
Target will bring Bullseye Builds to the following cities where it operates stores or supply chain facilities: 

• Denver, Colorado – May 
• Las Vegas, Nevada – May  
• Washington, D.C. – June 
• Logan Township, New Jersey – July  
• Seattle, Washington – July 
• Austin, Texas – September 
• Columbus, Ohio – September  
• Orlando, Florida – September 
• St. Louis, Missouri – September 
• Birmingham, Alabama – October  
• Jersey City, New Jersey – October  
• Phoenix, Arizona – November  
• Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota – TBD 

Denver and Las Vegas Bullseye Builds projects will take place on May 21. More than 100 Target team member volunteers will support each project. 

In Denver, Target will partner with Trevista at Horace Mann, a local elementary school, to upgrade the student wellness room and enhance outdoor learning spaces. In Las Vegas, Target will partner with The Just One Project, an organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity, to improve its shopping areas and pantry spaces while enhancing the volunteer experience. Both projects will include style-forward updates — such as murals and new furniture. 

Powered by Team Target
Bullseye Builds is fueled by Target’s team members, whose volunteer efforts are at the heart of the program. In 2025, Target team members contributed 1 million volunteer hours nationwide, reflecting a long-standing commitment to invest in the communities we serve and strengthening where our teams and guests live and work. Team Target can be found volunteering in our communities all across the country nearly every day of the year. 

Additional details and supporting visuals are available on the Target corporate website. 

About Target 
Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) brings together style, design and value to offer a distinct assortment and elevated shopping experience across more than 2,000 U.S. stores and online. Powered by more than 400,000 team members, Target serves millions of families each week and invests in the communities where they live and work to support growth and opportunity for all. 

 

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SOURCE Target Corporation

JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Standard Energy (STDARD), a trusted global clean energy solutions provider, announces its participation in SOLARTECH INDONESIA 2026, from April 22–24, 2026, at the Jakarta International Expo.

The company will host a showcase at Booth A1F2-01, presenting its end-to-end integrated PV supply chain solutions and global delivery system to partners worldwide.

Showcasing Integrated Value Chain Expertise

As a platform for the solar industry in Southeast Asia, the exhibition enables Standard Energy to deepen engagement with regional partners. The company provides stable, efficient, and customizable supply chain solutions that address diverse market needs—from quality compliance and low-carbon certification to delivery efficiency and cost optimization for projects worldwide. This is supported by its fully integrated PV manufacturing chain covering wafers, cells, and modules, the global”One Headquarters with Six Centers”operational layout, and key international certifications including ISO, CE, UL, BIS and Intertek,which collectively ensure reliable performance and smooth market access worldwide. Building on this global foundation, Standard Energy’s local manufacturing and service capabilities in Indonesia enable faster delivery and enhanced support for customers across Southeast Asia, while also strengthening its service to the U.S., Indian, and European markets.

Reliable Global Supply, Backed by Scale

Our supply chain spans Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and the United States, with a total PV capacity of 11.5 GW. This includes 3 GW of silicon rod and 3 GW of silicon wafer capacity in Indonesia. Additionally, we possess a dedicated aluminum frame production capacity of 15 GW. At the exhibition, we will showcase our integrated supply chain strengths, global delivery system, and tailored service capabilities to support the global energy transition.

Committed to Global Partnerships

“Standard Energy is committed to being a trusted global partner in the clean energy transition. By integrating the PV supply chain, we deliver efficient, end-to-end solutions worldwide,” said a company representative. “We look forward to connecting with customers and partners from the U.S., India, Europe, Southeast Asia, and beyond to advance the broader adoption of solar energy.”

On-site Business Engagement

Throughout the event, the Standard Energy team will host one-on-one business meetings and dedicated discussions on supply chain collaboration. Industry partners are invited to visit the booth for in-depth conversations and exploring partnership opportunities.

About Standard Energy

Founded in 2019, Standard Energy is committed to being a trusted global provider of clean energy solutions. The company has established a strategic layout of “One Headquarters With Six Centers”, covering six countries and regions: Singapore, the United States, Taiwan (China), the Philippines, Indonesia, and Laos. In 2026, the company will reach a PV manufacturing capacity of 11.5 GW and an aluminum frame production capacity supporting 15 GW of PV modules. Standard Energy’s core products include 182/210mm large-sized silicon wafers, PV cells, high-efficiency PV modules, and BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics).

Contact

Email:info@stdard-energy.com

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/StandardEnergyForSolar

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/standardenergyforsolar

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SOURCE Standard Energy

ALEXANDRIA Va., April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The recent report on child welfare issued by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez uses ugly, Trump-style tactics to stereotype families caught up in the system, misunderstands basic data and is likely to worsen the very failures it highlights, according to a national child advocacy organization.

“One year ago, just as Attorney General Torrez was beginning his investigation of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, we warned that his investigation would fail if it left people out,” said Richard Wexler, executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform. “He left people out. The investigation failed.”

NCCPR released a comprehensive rebuttal to Torrez’s report Monday. These are the key points:

• His report is largely right about the failings of CYFD: It is an agency lurching from crisis to crisis, incapable of truly protecting children.
• But his report is dangerously wrong about the reasons for those failings. Torrez alleges that the system deliberately leaves children in danger because CYFD supposedly is hellbent on preserving families “at almost any cost.” He calls it a “systemic moral failing.”
• Ignoring a mountain of contrary evidence, Torrez makes his case by taking a page from the Donald Trump playbook. Trump tries to boost support for his horrific immigration policies by reveling in the most gruesome stories concerning immigrants, stories that are, of course, entirely unrepresentative of immigrants as a whole. Torrez uses the same tactic. He relies the same way on horror stories about birth parents who torture and murder their children – stories that bear no resemblance to the overwhelming majority of parents who lose children to foster care.
• In 2024, in 80% of cases in which children were forced into foster care in New Mexico, there was not even an allegation of physical or sexual abuse. In 59%, there was not even an allegation of any form of drug abuse. Far more common are cases in which family poverty is confused with neglect. In fact, in New Mexico in 2024, more children were placed in foster care because of inadequate housing than because of physical and sexual abuse combined. Torrez ignores all of this. In a 220-page report about child welfare in the state with the highest child poverty rate in America, the word poverty does not appear even once.
• At one point, Torrez’s rhetoric borders on the rhetoric of conspiracy theory, when he points out that a shortage of foster parents gives CYFD “a built-in excuse” to leave children in dangerous homes.
• Torrez’s approach makes all children less safe. It is likely to set off another foster-care panic, a sharp, sudden spike in the number of children torn from everyone they know and love and consigned to the chaos of foster care. Such a panic sent entries into care skyrocketing more than 40 percent between 2022 and 2023 – leading to an exponential increase in children forced into dangerous makeshift placements, such as CYFD offices.

That did enormous harm to the children needlessly taken, exposing them to emotional trauma that can be life-shattering. It also put them at risk of abuse in foster care. Multiple studies find abuse in one-quarter to one-third of family foster homes, with an even higher rate in group homes and institutions. At the same time, when a take-the-child-and-run mentality sets off a foster-care panic, it further overloads the system, making it even harder to find the relatively few children in real danger. Torrez’s false conclusion about the reasons CYFD is failing actually makes more likely the very horrors he rightly decries.

• Study after study finds that, in typical cases, not the horror stories, children left in their own homes fare better in later life than even comparably-maltreated children placed in foster care. One study even finds that, in such direct comparisons, the foster youth are four times more likely to die by age 20. The most common cause of death: suicide.
• When Torrez was asked about such studies at a news conference, he defended his own ignorance, declaring, “I’m not afforded the luxury of an academic view of public safety. I have to have a real view of public safety.” But the academic view he derides is based on a close, objective examination of the fates of tens of thousands of children. Not only does Torrez embrace the Trump approach to fearmongering, he also embraces the RFK Jr. approach to science – even when that may put children’s lives at risk. That makes his conclusions – unreal.
• Torrez’s Trump-style approach diverts attention from the real reasons CYFD is failing – reasons cited over and over in the report itself: An underprepared, underqualified, undertrained, undersupervised workforce that’s horrendously overwhelmed – all problems that a foster-care panic can only worsen.
• Torrez either misunderstood key data or chose to use it selectively. Contrary to his claims, there is no evidence that there is more child abuse in New Mexico than in other states (nor is there any evidence that there is less). And the staggering increase in children forced into makeshift placements occurred during the foster-care panic, not, as Torrez claims, when entries into foster care were decreasing. If there were a hotline to which one could report statistics abuse, Attorney General Torrez would have his rights to the calculator app on his phone terminated.
• The Attorney General and his staff appear to have sought out the views only of those who would confirm their biases going in. Either that or they spoke to some who would contradict the report’s thesis, but chose to ignore them. The voices of birth parents whose children were needlessly taken, and even the voices of foster youth who say they should have been allowed to remain in their own homes, appear nowhere in the report.
• Torrez did get some things right – including his condemnation of CYFD’s obsessive secrecy. And he’s right to bring a lawsuit about it. But he ignores real solutions that really could vastly improve CYFD and make all children safer.

“Attorney General Torrez has issued a report that indulges in horror stories in the manner of Donald Trump, ignores evidence and is likely to leave the system even worse,” Wexler said. “What might one call such a report? How about: a systemic moral failure.”

About NCCPR: The National Coalition for Child Protection Reform is a small, nonprofit child advocacy organization dedicated to trying to make the “child welfare” system better serve America’s most vulnerable children.  You can read all about our distinguished Board of Directors here and about what others in the field say about us here.    

For further information, contact
Richard Wexler, executive director (rwexler@nccpr.info)

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SOURCE National Coalition for Child Protection Reform

ALEXANDRIA Va., April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The recent report on child welfare issued by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez uses ugly, Trump-style tactics to stereotype families caught up in the system, misunderstands basic data and is likely to worsen the very failures it highlights, according to a national child advocacy organization.

“One year ago, just as Attorney General Torrez was beginning his investigation of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, we warned that his investigation would fail if it left people out,” said Richard Wexler, executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform. “He left people out. The investigation failed.”

NCCPR released a comprehensive rebuttal to Torrez’s report Monday. These are the key points:

• His report is largely right about the failings of CYFD: It is an agency lurching from crisis to crisis, incapable of truly protecting children.
• But his report is dangerously wrong about the reasons for those failings. Torrez alleges that the system deliberately leaves children in danger because CYFD supposedly is hellbent on preserving families “at almost any cost.” He calls it a “systemic moral failing.”
• Ignoring a mountain of contrary evidence, Torrez makes his case by taking a page from the Donald Trump playbook. Trump tries to boost support for his horrific immigration policies by reveling in the most gruesome stories concerning immigrants, stories that are, of course, entirely unrepresentative of immigrants as a whole. Torrez uses the same tactic. He relies the same way on horror stories about birth parents who torture and murder their children – stories that bear no resemblance to the overwhelming majority of parents who lose children to foster care.
• In 2024, in 80% of cases in which children were forced into foster care in New Mexico, there was not even an allegation of physical or sexual abuse. In 59%, there was not even an allegation of any form of drug abuse. Far more common are cases in which family poverty is confused with neglect. In fact, in New Mexico in 2024, more children were placed in foster care because of inadequate housing than because of physical and sexual abuse combined. Torrez ignores all of this. In a 220-page report about child welfare in the state with the highest child poverty rate in America, the word poverty does not appear even once.
• At one point, Torrez’s rhetoric borders on the rhetoric of conspiracy theory, when he points out that a shortage of foster parents gives CYFD “a built-in excuse” to leave children in dangerous homes.
• Torrez’s approach makes all children less safe. It is likely to set off another foster-care panic, a sharp, sudden spike in the number of children torn from everyone they know and love and consigned to the chaos of foster care. Such a panic sent entries into care skyrocketing more than 40 percent between 2022 and 2023 – leading to an exponential increase in children forced into dangerous makeshift placements, such as CYFD offices.

That did enormous harm to the children needlessly taken, exposing them to emotional trauma that can be life-shattering. It also put them at risk of abuse in foster care. Multiple studies find abuse in one-quarter to one-third of family foster homes, with an even higher rate in group homes and institutions. At the same time, when a take-the-child-and-run mentality sets off a foster-care panic, it further overloads the system, making it even harder to find the relatively few children in real danger. Torrez’s false conclusion about the reasons CYFD is failing actually makes more likely the very horrors he rightly decries.

• Study after study finds that, in typical cases, not the horror stories, children left in their own homes fare better in later life than even comparably-maltreated children placed in foster care. One study even finds that, in such direct comparisons, the foster youth are four times more likely to die by age 20. The most common cause of death: suicide.
• When Torrez was asked about such studies at a news conference, he defended his own ignorance, declaring, “I’m not afforded the luxury of an academic view of public safety. I have to have a real view of public safety.” But the academic view he derides is based on a close, objective examination of the fates of tens of thousands of children. Not only does Torrez embrace the Trump approach to fearmongering, he also embraces the RFK Jr. approach to science – even when that may put children’s lives at risk. That makes his conclusions – unreal.
• Torrez’s Trump-style approach diverts attention from the real reasons CYFD is failing – reasons cited over and over in the report itself: An underprepared, underqualified, undertrained, undersupervised workforce that’s horrendously overwhelmed – all problems that a foster-care panic can only worsen.
• Torrez either misunderstood key data or chose to use it selectively. Contrary to his claims, there is no evidence that there is more child abuse in New Mexico than in other states (nor is there any evidence that there is less). And the staggering increase in children forced into makeshift placements occurred during the foster-care panic, not, as Torrez claims, when entries into foster care were decreasing. If there were a hotline to which one could report statistics abuse, Attorney General Torrez would have his rights to the calculator app on his phone terminated.
• The Attorney General and his staff appear to have sought out the views only of those who would confirm their biases going in. Either that or they spoke to some who would contradict the report’s thesis, but chose to ignore them. The voices of birth parents whose children were needlessly taken, and even the voices of foster youth who say they should have been allowed to remain in their own homes, appear nowhere in the report.
• Torrez did get some things right – including his condemnation of CYFD’s obsessive secrecy. And he’s right to bring a lawsuit about it. But he ignores real solutions that really could vastly improve CYFD and make all children safer.

“Attorney General Torrez has issued a report that indulges in horror stories in the manner of Donald Trump, ignores evidence and is likely to leave the system even worse,” Wexler said. “What might one call such a report? How about: a systemic moral failure.”

About NCCPR: The National Coalition for Child Protection Reform is a small, nonprofit child advocacy organization dedicated to trying to make the “child welfare” system better serve America’s most vulnerable children.  You can read all about our distinguished Board of Directors here and about what others in the field say about us here.    

For further information, contact
Richard Wexler, executive director (rwexler@nccpr.info)

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SOURCE National Coalition for Child Protection Reform