Author: sHq_LoGiNz
OMAHA, Neb., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Kentucky General Assembly overrode the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 199, making Kentucky the third state in the nation to enact critical legislation protecting farmers’ access to essential crop protection tools, following North Dakota and Georgia last year. SB 199, now law, provides Kentucky farmers with certainty around the tools they rely on every day. The measure passed with broad support in both chambers: the House of Representatives voted 56–32 to override, while the final tally in the Senate was 24–12.
“Farmers need clear, consistent rules to plan for the future and keep their operations profitable,” said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. “SB 199 provides the clarity they need to keep growing the food, fuel, and fiber that families depend on. We applaud the Kentucky lawmakers who stood up for farmers and brought this critical legislation into law.”
SB 199 reaffirms a simple, longstanding principle: when a crop protection product meets the rigorous scientific standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and is used according to its label, that label is the law. This clarity is critical to ensuring farmers and foresters can continue to access the products they depend on.
Kentucky agriculture generates nearly $50 billion annually and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. From row crops to livestock and forestry, producers rely on crop protection tools to manage invasive weeds, maintain productivity, and plan for the future.
Without them, research shows yields could decline by as much as 70%, while food inflation could more than double—impacts that would be felt far beyond the farm.
The importance of these tools extends beyond row crop agriculture. Forestry operations rely on them to manage invasive species and ensure successful regeneration, protecting Kentucky’s forests and the industries they support. Across the agricultural economy, these tools play a vital role in maintaining productivity, affordability, and long-term sustainability.
“At the end of the day, SB 199 is about making sure producers have what they need to do their jobs, support their families, and keep Kentucky’s economy strong,” said Burns-Thompson. “We are grateful to the Kentucky General Assembly for recognizing the importance of this issue for farmers and delivering a lasting impact for communities across the Commonwealth.”
The bill, sponsored by Senators Jason Howell and Craig Richardson, was carried in the House by Representative Ryan Bivens and championed by a coalition of 14 Kentucky agricultural and business organizations, which collectively represent tens of thousands of Kentucky producers. This coalition includes the Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Soybean Association, Kentucky Corn Growers’ Association, Kentucky Small Grain Growers’ Association, Kentucky Forest Industry Association, Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, Kentucky Retail Federation, AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Kentucky Burley and Dark Tobacco Producers Association, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Kentucky Pork Producers Association, Kentucky Poultry Federation, and Southern Crop Production Association.
About The Modern Ag Alliance
The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of more than 110 agricultural organizations advocating for U.S. farmers’ access to the crop protection tools they need to ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply. To learn more, visit modernagalliance.org.
Contact: contact@modernagalliance.org
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/modern-ag-alliance-applauds-kentucky-enacting-critical-legislation-to-protect-farmers-access-to-essential-crop-protection-tools-302732086.html
SOURCE Modern Ag Alliance
OMAHA, Neb., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Kentucky General Assembly overrode the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 199, making Kentucky the third state in the nation to enact critical legislation protecting farmers’ access to essential crop protection tools, following North Dakota and Georgia last year. SB 199, now law, provides Kentucky farmers with certainty around the tools they rely on every day. The measure passed with broad support in both chambers: the House of Representatives voted 56–32 to override, while the final tally in the Senate was 24–12.
“Farmers need clear, consistent rules to plan for the future and keep their operations profitable,” said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. “SB 199 provides the clarity they need to keep growing the food, fuel, and fiber that families depend on. We applaud the Kentucky lawmakers who stood up for farmers and brought this critical legislation into law.”
SB 199 reaffirms a simple, longstanding principle: when a crop protection product meets the rigorous scientific standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and is used according to its label, that label is the law. This clarity is critical to ensuring farmers and foresters can continue to access the products they depend on.
Kentucky agriculture generates nearly $50 billion annually and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. From row crops to livestock and forestry, producers rely on crop protection tools to manage invasive weeds, maintain productivity, and plan for the future.
Without them, research shows yields could decline by as much as 70%, while food inflation could more than double—impacts that would be felt far beyond the farm.
The importance of these tools extends beyond row crop agriculture. Forestry operations rely on them to manage invasive species and ensure successful regeneration, protecting Kentucky’s forests and the industries they support. Across the agricultural economy, these tools play a vital role in maintaining productivity, affordability, and long-term sustainability.
“At the end of the day, SB 199 is about making sure producers have what they need to do their jobs, support their families, and keep Kentucky’s economy strong,” said Burns-Thompson. “We are grateful to the Kentucky General Assembly for recognizing the importance of this issue for farmers and delivering a lasting impact for communities across the Commonwealth.”
The bill, sponsored by Senators Jason Howell and Craig Richardson, was carried in the House by Representative Ryan Bivens and championed by a coalition of 14 Kentucky agricultural and business organizations, which collectively represent tens of thousands of Kentucky producers. This coalition includes the Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Soybean Association, Kentucky Corn Growers’ Association, Kentucky Small Grain Growers’ Association, Kentucky Forest Industry Association, Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, Kentucky Retail Federation, AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Kentucky Burley and Dark Tobacco Producers Association, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Kentucky Pork Producers Association, Kentucky Poultry Federation, and Southern Crop Production Association.
About The Modern Ag Alliance
The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of more than 110 agricultural organizations advocating for U.S. farmers’ access to the crop protection tools they need to ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply. To learn more, visit modernagalliance.org.
Contact: contact@modernagalliance.org
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/modern-ag-alliance-applauds-kentucky-enacting-critical-legislation-to-protect-farmers-access-to-essential-crop-protection-tools-302732086.html
SOURCE Modern Ag Alliance
Originally published on PSEG ENERGIZE!
The end of 2025 and start of 2026 hasn’t exactly been gentle for New Jersey. Mother Nature came out swinging with back-to-back states of emergency, major weather events, and trying conditions for customers, employees and utility infrastructure alike.
Since late December through mid-March, our state faced a lengthy period of extreme weather. Sleet. Heavy snow. Record-breaking cold. Powerful winds. Even an earthquake and a tornado warning. A relentless stretch of extreme weather that put our systems to the test. And through it all, our employees worked around the clock to support our customers and keep communities safe.
Strong systems. Stronger response.
Despite punishing conditions — severe winds, heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures — our energy system held strong.
Just over 4% of our electric customers experienced nominal power loss during major storm events this past winter.
During these winter weather events, our teams delivered where it mattered most:
- Restoring service to more than 99,650 customers.
- Responding to over 10,000 gas emergencies and no-heat calls.
- Handling approximately 1,800 no-heat calls per day during the coldest stretch.
Ready to be there — no matter the forecast
Through these harsh conditions, our employees remained focused on restoring service safely.
Working safely through snow, ice and freezing temperatures, they:
- Replaced or repaired over 1,250 pieces of storm-damaged equipment.
- Mobilized thousands of employees, union partners, contractors and mutual aid crews.
That coordination didn’t stop at our state lines. Once local restoration was complete, mutual aid crews were released to support neighboring utilities — because resilience is a shared effort.
Behind every restoration is preparation
When storms cause damage and power disruptions, we work hard to replace poles, restore wires and bring service back online.
What makes fast restoration possible starts long before the first storm warning. We’ve made strategic investments over the last decade — investing $30 billion to strengthen the safety and reliability of our gas and electric infrastructure.
We also prepare year-round for major weather events, including:
- Storm simulations and training.
- Physical response drills with municipal partners and first responders.
- Strategic equipment staging.
- Tree trimming around our facilities as part of vegetation management.
- Ongoing system upgrades.
It’s the behind-the-scenes work that strengthens the grid so when extreme weather hits, our system is ready.
Reliability you can see — and feel
This winter demonstrated what long-term investment can really do.
Our customers experienced fewer, shorter outages. We also saw fewer pipe breaks and low-pressure issues than during past cold snaps, with an average of 4.4 cast iron breaks per day, compared to 16 per day during the 2018 deep freeze.
These outcomes reflect the impact of sustained infrastructure investment and system modernization — improving performance under stress, increasing public safety and strengthening overall system resilience.
Reliability during extreme weather isn’t just about service — it’s about reducing risk for the communities and systems that depend on it.
Staying connected through it all
Even in the toughest conditions, staying connected matters.
Throughout the winter, more than 250,000 customer calls were answered during declared storm events, alongside ongoing updates, safety guidance and real-time information shared across our social media, email and text.
Jersey Ready, always
Winter tested us — and we showed up.
Crews, union partners and teams across the state worked with skill and care to help keep homes warm and businesses running. Our customers played a role too, helping crews safely access homes and neighborhoods when it mattered most.
That partnership is what keeps everything moving.
Because being Jersey Ready means preparing for anything, responding to everything and putting safety first — every time.
No matter the forecast. No matter the season.
Originally published on PSEG ENERGIZE!
The end of 2025 and start of 2026 hasn’t exactly been gentle for New Jersey. Mother Nature came out swinging with back-to-back states of emergency, major weather events, and trying conditions for customers, employees and utility infrastructure alike.
Since late December through mid-March, our state faced a lengthy period of extreme weather. Sleet. Heavy snow. Record-breaking cold. Powerful winds. Even an earthquake and a tornado warning. A relentless stretch of extreme weather that put our systems to the test. And through it all, our employees worked around the clock to support our customers and keep communities safe.
Strong systems. Stronger response.
Despite punishing conditions — severe winds, heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures — our energy system held strong.
Just over 4% of our electric customers experienced nominal power loss during major storm events this past winter.
During these winter weather events, our teams delivered where it mattered most:
- Restoring service to more than 99,650 customers.
- Responding to over 10,000 gas emergencies and no-heat calls.
- Handling approximately 1,800 no-heat calls per day during the coldest stretch.
Ready to be there — no matter the forecast
Through these harsh conditions, our employees remained focused on restoring service safely.
Working safely through snow, ice and freezing temperatures, they:
- Replaced or repaired over 1,250 pieces of storm-damaged equipment.
- Mobilized thousands of employees, union partners, contractors and mutual aid crews.
That coordination didn’t stop at our state lines. Once local restoration was complete, mutual aid crews were released to support neighboring utilities — because resilience is a shared effort.
Behind every restoration is preparation
When storms cause damage and power disruptions, we work hard to replace poles, restore wires and bring service back online.
What makes fast restoration possible starts long before the first storm warning. We’ve made strategic investments over the last decade — investing $30 billion to strengthen the safety and reliability of our gas and electric infrastructure.
We also prepare year-round for major weather events, including:
- Storm simulations and training.
- Physical response drills with municipal partners and first responders.
- Strategic equipment staging.
- Tree trimming around our facilities as part of vegetation management.
- Ongoing system upgrades.
It’s the behind-the-scenes work that strengthens the grid so when extreme weather hits, our system is ready.
Reliability you can see — and feel
This winter demonstrated what long-term investment can really do.
Our customers experienced fewer, shorter outages. We also saw fewer pipe breaks and low-pressure issues than during past cold snaps, with an average of 4.4 cast iron breaks per day, compared to 16 per day during the 2018 deep freeze.
These outcomes reflect the impact of sustained infrastructure investment and system modernization — improving performance under stress, increasing public safety and strengthening overall system resilience.
Reliability during extreme weather isn’t just about service — it’s about reducing risk for the communities and systems that depend on it.
Staying connected through it all
Even in the toughest conditions, staying connected matters.
Throughout the winter, more than 250,000 customer calls were answered during declared storm events, alongside ongoing updates, safety guidance and real-time information shared across our social media, email and text.
Jersey Ready, always
Winter tested us — and we showed up.
Crews, union partners and teams across the state worked with skill and care to help keep homes warm and businesses running. Our customers played a role too, helping crews safely access homes and neighborhoods when it mattered most.
That partnership is what keeps everything moving.
Because being Jersey Ready means preparing for anything, responding to everything and putting safety first — every time.
No matter the forecast. No matter the season.
RIDGELAND, Miss., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Magnolia Health, a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced a donation of $2 million to Joyce’s Village of Hope project in Warren County to expand housing and support services for women and children transitioning out of domestic violence shelters. The program is operated by the Mississippi Center for Police & Sheriffs (MSCPS) and aims to help families move from crisis to stability.
Through this funding, MSCPS will expand supportive housing by developing eight homes dedicated to women and children exiting domestic violence shelters. The project also supports the Diapers to Doorsteps program, which provides monthly distributions of diapers and wipes for families with newborns and infants.
Aaron Sisk, president and CEO of Magnolia Health, said the investment reflects Magnolia’s ongoing commitment to strengthening communities across Mississippi.
“Programs like Joyce’s Village of Hope demonstrate how partnerships between community organizations and the private sector can make a meaningful difference for Mississippi families,” Sisk said. “We appreciate the opportunity that allows organizations like Magnolia Health to invest directly in projects that support vulnerable women and children.”
Funds from the donation were used to purchase trucks and maintenance equipment, refurbish infrastructure, enhance security and acquire mobile homes to support maternity and transitional housing needs.
Steven Pickett, executive director of the Mississippi Center for Police and Sheriffs, said the project will help vulnerable families regain stability during a difficult transition.
“These homes give families a real chance to reset and move forward with stability.” Pickett said. “By pairing safe housing with essential resources for mothers and infants, we’re helping women and children take the next step toward independence.”
About Magnolia Health
Magnolia Health is a Coordinated Care Organization that serves the needs of Mississippians through a range of health insurance solutions. Magnolia Health serves the state of Mississippi by improving access to high-quality care for Medicaid recipients while responsibly managing taxpayer dollars. Magnolia is a physician-driven, Mississippi-based Coordinated Care Organization and a Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) company. For more information, visit www.magnoliahealthplan.com.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/magnolia-health-donates-2m-to-support-housing-and-family-services-for-women-and-children-in-warren-county-302730395.html
SOURCE Magnolia Health Plan
