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Arkansas Wrestling Rules 17 CAR Subpart 9 - Combative Sports Licensing

The Arkansas State Athletic Commission proposes Subpart 9 of 17 CAR Part 225 to establish comprehensive rules for combative sports wrestling. The proposed rules create new licensing requirements for all participants (wrestlers, referees, announcers, managers, valets, trainers, seconds, and judges) at $25 per license, require annual physician physicals, and mandate State Athletic Commission approval for all props used in professional wrestling events.

OSHA Logging Operations Standard

OSHA has issued a final rule updating the Logging Operations Standard (29 CFR 1910.266), addressing safety requirements for chainsaws, machine guarding, personal protective equipment, and training in logging workplaces. The revised standard affects approximately 1,600 logging establishments with 54,000 workers.

DOL Recovers $122,476 for 140 Mississippi HVAC Workers

The US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division recovered $122,476 in back wages for 140 workers employed by AirSouth LLC, a Mendenhall-based cooling, heating, and electrical contractor. An investigation found the employer violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to include non-discretionary bonuses when calculating overtime wages and by not issuing final paychecks to two departing employees.

Career Expo Scheduled for April 15 in Box Elder

The South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation announces a free Career Expo on April 15, 2026, in Box Elder, hosted jointly with the city of Box Elder and Ellsworth Air Force Base Military & Family Readiness Center. The event runs from noon to 2 p.m. MDT at the Box Elder Community Center, 420 Villa Drive.

Going PRO Talent Fund $6M Grant Applications Open

Michigan LEO announced $6 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants for Fiscal Year 2026 Cycle 2. Applications are open until April 24, 2026, through local Michigan Works! agencies. The program has awarded over $323.4 million to 8,966 businesses and 241,600 workers since 2014.

Iowa Labor Force Grows to 67.9%, Unemployment Steady at 3.4%

Iowa Workforce Development released January 2026 employment data showing the state added 6,400 jobs and increased its Labor Force Participation Rate to 67.9%. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.4%. Total nonfarm employment reached 1,584,400 jobs, with gains led by professional and business services (+1,800), construction (+1,300), and manufacturing (+1,000).

Shapiro Administration Expands On-the-Spot Birth Certificate Initiative for Reentrants

Pennsylvania's Departments of Labor & Industry, Health, and Corrections partnered with community organization Kintock to issue over 30 on-the-spot birth certificates to people returning from incarceration. The event provided essential identity documents to reentrants who need them to apply for jobs, enroll in workforce programs, and secure housing. Applications were pre-verified so participants could receive certificates within minutes.

MDES Energy Expo & Job Fair Announced for April 21, 2026

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security announced the inaugural Energy Expo & Job Fair, scheduled for April 21, 2026, at the Biloxi Civic Center. The event, coordinated with the Mississippi Development Authority and Public Service Commission, aims to connect energy sector employers with job seekers. This is the first sector-specific job fair under the Governor's Job Fair Network, supporting Mississippi's Power Play initiative to advance energy infrastructure and manufacturing.

Personnel Staffing Inc. Sex Discrimination Settlement

The EEOC announced a $155,000 settlement with Personnel Staffing Inc. resolving a sex discrimination charge. The staffing firm agreed to pay the settlement and implement corrective measures following an investigation into discriminatory employment practices. This settlement reinforces federal protections against sex-based discrimination in employment.

January Local Employment and Unemployment Data Released

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released BLS estimates of employment and unemployment statistics for metropolitan areas, municipalities, and counties in Wisconsin for January 2026. Unemployment rates increased in all 13 metropolitan areas, all 35 largest cities, and all 72 counties compared to the prior month.