Stateline.org RSS - State by State Roundup

State employees can be thankful for extra paid holiday this week

By Sebastian Kitchen

Gov. Bob Riley will again close down state operations on Friday and give state employees a four-day weekend. While reports estimate that those in the private sector average eight holidays a year, the extra Friday holiday will bring the number of those given to state workers up to 14.

Bentley offers plan to fix job woes

By Patricia C. McCarter

While on a "fact-finding tour" of Huntsville Monday - which included visits to media outlets and a Prepaid Affordable College Tuition meeting - Bentley said even the state's most emerging economic hub is hurting. In his jobs plan, which he plans to unveil in the next few weeks,

Jesse Jackson backs off Artur Davis criticism; Bill Johnson releases polygraph results

By Staff Reports

The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Friday backed off his criticism of U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, for voting against the House health care bill. But the flap continued to reverberate across the political landscape.

EPA looks into road project

By Jason Morton

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Environmental agencies are investigating a complaint that the Buttermilk Road widening project is taking a toll on the environment.

Ronnie Gilley builds Country Crossing, becomes leading critic of anti-gambling politicians

By George Altman

DOTHAN, Ala. -- Ronnie Gilley is a business-minded, lifelong Republican who voted for Bob Riley in the last two gubernatorial elections. But over the past year, he has become one of the most vocal opponents of Riley and other anti-gambling Republicans in the state.

Claude Rains collection given to UNA film library

By Michelle Rupe Eubanks

FLORENCE, Ala. -- Keeping her father's memory alive has become a sort of cause for Jessica Rains.

Baldwin County DHR director retires, interim appointed

By Connie Baggett

ROBERTSDALE, Ala. -- After 30 years in the Alabama Department of Human Resources -- the last five as director in Baldwin County -- Rene' Mills Massey retired at the start of November and state field administrator Latonya Wells took over as interim head of the office.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Jobless rate climbs with end of summer

By Pat Forgey

Alaska's unemployment rate rose in October to 8.9 percent, but remained significantly below the U.S. rate, according to the latest Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development figures released last week.

Portrayal in Palin book irritates former aide

By Sean Cockerham

Former Gov. Sarah Palin's book, "Going Rogue," blames her first legislative director for moves early in her term that helped poison her relationship with state lawmakers.

Authors toe nonpartisan line in book on Palin

By Pat Forgey

Some Alaska legislators and staff who have dealt with former Gov. Sarah Palin extensively are saying that to understand what went on in Alaska before, during and after the 2008 presidential campaign, skip the former governor's much hyped autobiography.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

School-construction program stalls

By Alex Bloom

A federal stimulus program that uses federal tax credits to spur nationwide school construction might not be as attractive as was intended for Arizona school districts needing new schools.

Arpaio leads GOP gov. candidate poll

By Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services

The best bet for Republicans to keep the governor's office would be to choose Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio as the party's nominee, a new statewide poll shows.

Groups sue to reverse changes in state policy

By Mary Jo Pitzl

Groups representing Arizona teachers, cities and towns went to the state Supreme Court on Monday, arguing that the Legislature stretched a budget-cutting session to also ax unrelated policies.

Plan calls for college degree at lower cost

By Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services

Arizona is getting a $1.5 million grant as the first step toward establishing "no frills" programs within the university system where students will be able to get degrees for less than they now cost.

Justice Department to focus on mortgage fraud in Arizona

By Robert Anglen

Arizona's new U.S. attorney, Dennis Burke, says an epidemic of mortgage-fraud cases is prompting the Department of Justice to intensify its crackdown in the state.

More migrants applying for U.S. citizenship

By Daniel GonzÃ¡lez

The number of legal immigrants applying for citizenship rose this year in Arizona, mirroring an increase in applications nationally.

57 are arrested in suspected smuggling case

By The Associated Press

PIRTLEVILLE, Ariz. -- U.S. Border Patrol agents have arrested 57 people discovered packed into a house in southern Arizona they believe was used by smugglers to hide undocumented immigrants.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Beebe to grant 10 pardons

By Staff Reports

Governor Mike Beebe today announced his intent to grant 10 pardons, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Ark. farmers detail crop losses from flooding

By The Associated Press

Arkansas farmers say that a record amount of rainfall and flooding this year has put a strain on their crops and their infrastructure.

Second round of mass flu vaccination clinics planned

By Staff Reports

second round of mass vaccination clinics across the state to immunize people against both seasonal and swine flu are planned for early next month, the state Department of Health said today.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Conservation is seen as key to dealing with state's water woes

By Bettina Boxall

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Katie Martin grew up with a set of water commandments. No lingering in the shower. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth. Don't flood the yard.

Schwarzenegger taps Abel Maldonado for lieutenant governor

By Shane Goldmacher

State Sen. Abel Maldonado, a moderate Republican from Santa Maria who has parted with his caucus on key votes at the request of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been chosen by Schwarzenegger to be the next lieutenant governor.

California's stimulus job totals raise concern

By Wyatt Buchanan

The number of public safety jobs created or saved with federal stimulus dollars has been vastly overstated in California, according to the state auditor.

California gaming tribes top campaign donors

By Carla Marinucci

A handful of wealthy California gaming tribes - which together gave nearly $130 million to political causes in 2008 - rank as the nation's largest special-interest donors to campaigns, according to a study released Monday.

Recovering non-voter enters Secretary of State race

By Lisa Vorderbrueggen and Steve Harmon

A 33-year-old wealthy, black Republican, who voted for the first and only time in May, says he can bring disenfranchised minority voters to the polls if elected California secretary of state.

What are the largest sources of global warming emissions in California? The list is out

By Paul Rogers

The state Air Resources Board last week finished tallying and made public the list of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the state, and two East Bay refineries sit atop the list.

TMZ catches Schwarzenegger parked in a red zone

By Staff Reports

When it comes to complying with California traffic laws, the first couple is having a rough fall.

Debate war between Poizner, Whitman wages on

By Staff Reports

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner seems to have RSVPed 'yes' to a New Majority Orange County Debate... just not for the debate's originally scheduled date.

Bass names members for new joint committee on higher ed

By Staff Reports

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass announced today the membership of a joint committee tasked with reviewing the state's long-term plan for ensuring public colleges offer affordable, accessible and high quality education.

State legislators' per-diem payments shrinking

By Staff Reports

That thud you hear is legislative per diem dropping.

California population growth estimated at 1% a year

By Micaela Massimino

The state's population will grow by at least 1 percent a year, according to the LAO, even with the recession and high housing prices. That growth promises to follow long-term trends in births, deaths and migration.

State's debt burden climbs higher

By Kevin Yamamura

Before the economy went bust, California voters authorized multibillion-dollar charges on the state's infrastructure credit card.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

It's game on in Colorado governor's race

By Jessica Fender

The 2010 race for governor was joined Monday as Republicans released a four-page conservative agenda and Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter responded with a feisty defense of his three-year record.

Colorado ethics panel clarifies gift-ban questions

By Tim Hoover

Colorado lawmakers can go on tours paid by corporations as long as the costs don't exceed $50, the state's Independent Ethics Commission said in an opinion Monday.

Xcel removes exec perks from rate request

By Mark Jaffe

A night in the luxury Prince de Galles Hotel in Paris. Dinner at Frasca in Boulder. A round of golf at the Inverness Hotel and Golf Course. Seats at a Colorado Avalanche game.

Tougher times prompt more Coloradans to step up for unclaimed property

By David Migoya

Colorado's cache of unclaimed property — money and valuables that people have long forgotten or that simply bypassed them — has become a popular hunting place in these tough economic times.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Blumenthal says Florida mortgage rescue firm scammed homeowners

By Patricia Daddona

Connecticut's attorney general is suing a Florida mortgage rescue firm for allegedly defrauding at least seven consumers and failing to help them save their homes from foreclosure.

Rell internal memo -- State still holding the line on the budget; Freeze all non-essential spending, purchases

By Christopher Keating

Despite raising taxes and holding the line on spending, the state is still facing a huge budget deficit for the current fiscal year.

Tribes teeter on financial brink

By Bill Cummings

After making and spending billions over the last decade, the Mohegans and their nearby neighbors, the Mashantucket Pequot Indians, are teetering on the brink of a financial meltdown.

State opposes delaying jury selection in Cheshire slayings

By Randall Beach

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Prosecutors in the state's case against Steven J. Hayes, accused of murder and other charges in the Cheshire triple homicide, Monday filed a motion opposing Hayes' attempt to postpone jury selection for four months.

State contract review panel hasn't met in 2009

By The Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A watchdog group that was created to review Connecticut state government contracts in the aftermath of scandals in former Gov. John Rowland's administration has not met this year because of the state's budget problems.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

DHSS -- Services may be reduced

By J.L. Miller

A no-growth budget proposal from the Department of Health and Social Services, Delaware's largest state agency, could mean cuts to services at a time of growing demand.

NCCo overwhelmed by applications for aid

By Staff Reports

New Castle County has been deluged with more than 500 phone calls in the past few weeks from residents seeking emergency rent and utility assistance, prompting officials on Monday to stop taking applications for the stimulus-funded grants.

Sales surge gives life to housing market

By Eric Ruth

Sales of existing homes soared across most of the country in October, boosted by a rush to cash in on an $8,000 federal tax credit for some buyers. But the 10 percent national gain in sales swooped past most of Delaware, where strengthening prices stymied sales, leading to slight declines in two of the state's three counties.

'Thanksgiving for Thousands' being prepared

By Dan Shortridge

Hundreds of volunteers, from schoolkids to senior citizens, are gathering today in Selbyville and Oak Orchard to help feed thousands of Delawareans this Thanksgiving.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Landowners on Florida beaches fighting to be sand owners, too

By Robert Barnes

DESTIN, Fla. -- The sugar-white sand that stretches from Slade and Nancy Lindsay's deck to the clear, green waters of the Gulf of Mexico is some of the finest in the world. Tiny, uniformly shaped quartz crystals make the beach that stretches along the Florida Panhandle unique, experts say. So what could be wrong with creating more of it?

Drilling bill would likely pass House but not Senate

By Bill Cotterell

The push for the Florida Legislature to approve near-shore Gulf Coast drilling in its 2010 session is like oil exploration itself — surveys and projections, expert opinions, test wells to take the political pulse and throwing around plenty of money in search of a gusher that ends in a positive vote.

Lawmakers are wary of oily beaches

By Bill Cotterell

Even if offshore oil drilling produces thousands of jobs, promises energy independence and generates hundreds of millions in new tax revenue for the state, it will be hard for most area lawmakers to accept.

Fla. Ag candidate says 'No, Baby, No' to drilling

By The Associated Press

A Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner has a response to Republican calls to "Drill, Baby, Drill." Scott Maddox says "No, Baby, No."

Insurers reducing, eliminating discounts for storm fortifications

By Beatrice Garcia

MIAMI -- If you got a discount from your windstorm insurance company for installing shutters and other hurricane protections on your home, you might soon have to give some or all of it back.

Tri-Rail fund shortfall could be ended soon

By Marc Caputo

A special lawmaking session on high-speed and commuter rail inched closer Monday as legislative leaders and the governor said they are ready to tap surplus money in the transportation budget rather than raise taxes on rental cars to help pay for the transit projects.

Florida ensures older drivers see a clear path

By Leonora LaPeter Anton

Miriam Feldman lowered herself into the blue vinyl chair at her eye doctor's office. In her alligator print purse, she carried a form from the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. She needed her doctor to sign it if she was going to keep driving her beige Lincoln Town Car.

Jewish group protests Fla. Passover election date

By The Associated Press

A Jewish group wants Gov. Charlie Crist to change the date of a special congressional election in South Florida because it falls on the last day of Passover.

After 'rough patch,' Crist vows to turn up heat on Rubio

By Adam C. Smith

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- "Man, it's been a rough patch,'' Gov. Charlie Crist said as he sat down with the St. Petersburg Times editorial board Monday.

In Broward, Crist hits back at Rubio

By Adam Smith and Beth Reinhard

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- In a widely anticipated speech to the Broward Republican Party, Gov. Charlie Crist sought to regain momentum in the U.S. Senate race Monday by portraying his surging Republican competitor as all talk and no action.

Feds seize more of Scott Rothstein's properties

By Jay Weaver and Scott Hiaasen

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Attorney Scott Rothstein tapped into millions of dollars from his massive investment scam to cover payroll costs at his expanding Fort Lauderdale law firm, federal authorities said in a court record released Monday.

Georgians to spend less on Christmas gifts

By Staff Reports

Georgia and its fellow South Atlantic states will spend less on Christmas gifts in 2009 than most parts of the United States, according to a survey published by The Conference Board on Monday.

Real prize could lie in waters controlled by US government

By Jim Ash

The immediate debate in the Legislature is about drilling in waters controlled by the state in the narrow band up to 10.3 miles from the coast.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

State prisoners clogging local jails

By Andria Simmons

Two decades ago, DeKalb County's then-Sheriff Pat Jarvis hauled two busloads of inmates to the state Capitol and parked them there. The dramatic move was aimed at getting the state to address a backlog of prisoners in his jail.

Bill takes aim at lottery bonuses

By Staff Reports

A top state senator has pre-filed a bill that would force lottery officials to get legislative approval before they hand out bonuses to staffers.

Challenge to Ga. sex offender registry rejected

By Greg Bluestein, The Associated Press

ATLANTA -- Georgia's top court rejected a challenge Monday to a portion of the state's new sex offender laws that required offenders to register within three days of changing their address.

Perdue gets big menu of water choices

By Dave Williams

A task force of Georgia political, business and environmentalist leaders Monday gave Gov. Sonny Perdue a huge menu of water supply and conservation options if Lake Lanier is taken away as metro Atlanta's main source of drinking water.

Ex-coordinator, probation officer, sentenced in GA

By The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Two former state employees have been sentenced for their parts in a criminal charge-fixing scheme.

Georgians to spend less on Christmas gifts

By Staff Reports

Georgia and its fellow South Atlantic states will spend less on Christmas gifts in 2009 than most parts of the United States, according to a survey published by The Conference Board on Monday.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Lingle promises thorough review of Honolulu rail project

By Derrick DePledge

Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday that she would not "rubber stamp" the final environmental impact statement on Honolulu's $5.5 billion rail project, promising a thorough review of whether the city adequately explored alternatives and whether the financial plan remains sound given the recession.

Hawaii auditor urges removal of DBEDT Director Ted Liu

By Derrick DePledge

The state auditor, citing "numerous and egregious acts," has recommended that Gov. Linda Lingle remove Ted Liu as director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Hawaii 10th in card debt

By Staff and Wire Reports

NEW YORK -- Hawaii credit card users were saddled with an average card debt of $6,002 in the third quarter and posted the steepest percentage increase over the second quarter of any state.

Parents against cut in child-care funds

By Gary T. Kubota

Disabled Maui veteran Robert Glass said a proposal to reduce state child-care subsidies for preschoolers, including his 3-year-old son, is taking away their chance for a bright future.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

State commission reprimands Nampa charter school

By Jessie L. Bonner, The Associated Press

The Idaho Public Charter School Commission on Monday reprimanded the publicly funded Nampa Classical Academy over the use of religious texts in the classroom, saying it violates the state constitution.

Idaho police ramp up drunken driving tests

By The Associated Press

LEWISTON, Idaho — Lewiston Police Capt. Roger Lanier says the department is ramping up its stance against drunken driving, directing officers to forcibly take blood samples in some cases when suspected drunken drivers refuse breath tests.

State enters revived talks on regional jail

By John Plestina

GOODING, Idaho — A regional jail study presented Monday to area sheriffs and county commissioners warned the wait for a new multicounty facility may take several years.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Billions in stimulus cash for Illinois, but jobs harder to quantify

By James Janega

The beneficiaries include major research universities and public housing, cities with worn-out roads and unincorporated towns seeking cleaner water.

New details about Blagojevich fundraiser emerge

By John Chase

As Christopher Kelly was being treated for a fatal overdose, the political fundraiser who was being pressured to testify against ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich confided to his girlfriend to "tell them they won."

12,000 students skip mandatory Illinois test

By Rosalind Rossi

Nearly 12,000 Illinois public school seniors skipped the mandatory 2009 Prairie State Achievement Exam -- a test that can trigger school or district sanctions -- and will have to take it this spring, state education officials say.

University of Illinois graduate workers OK deal

By The Associated Press

URBANA, Ill. -- Graduate instructors and researchers at the University of Illinois have ratified a tentative contract that assures them of free tuition.

Thomson prison plan -- Guantanamo debate needs to cool down, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk says

By Rick Pearson

After a week of sharp rhetoric, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk said Monday he wants a "dispassionate" discussion on Democratic-backed plans to use the largely vacant Thomson Correctional Center to house Guantanamo Bay terrorist suspects.

121 recalls of children's products

By Cheryl V. Jackson

The state attorney general's office Monday issued a catalog of recalled items to help consumers avoid buying dangerous products.

Chicago Democrat Doyle running for state treasurer

By Staff Reports

The 52-year-old businessman has worked for President Bill Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden.

Tax credit, low interest rates give area home sales a boost

By Francine Knowles

Home sales spiked 33.3 percent in the Chicago metropolitan area in October from a year earlier, the fourth straight month of year-over-year increases, helped by record-low mortgage interest rates and a tax credit incentive that had been close to expiring.

McKenna's misleading campaign ad on Quinn

By Rick Pearson

Republican governor candidate Andy McKenna has launched a new television ad that accuses Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn of hiding the truth and lists the Chicago Tribune as attribution, though the Tribune never reported the words.

Asian carp worries fishermen

By James Janega

The revelation that the fish might be knocking on Lake Michigan's door has created fresh concerns and given new relevance to possible encounters.

Quinn expects action 'rather quickly' on Thomson

By Deanna Bellandi, The Associated Press

CHICAGO -- Gov. Pat Quinn said Monday he expects swift action on a proposal to sell a northwestern Illinois prison to the federal government to house Guantanamo Bay detainees, while a leading Republican critic, Congressman Mark Kirk, moderated his rhetoric on the issue.

Amtrak promoting 'green' tourism in Springfield, elsewhere

By Tim Landis

Springfield is one of nine Illinois cities targeted by a "car-free" walk-to-the-sites travel campaign by Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation, as the Thanksgiving/Christmas travel period kicks off.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Lumina awards $831,000 to state chamber, commission

By Staff Reports

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced Monday afternoon that the Lumina Foundation for Education has awarded them $831,000 to help fund an initiative designed to increase the number of college graduates.

Indiana casino owner declares bankruptcy

By Staff and Wire Reports

The company that owns two casinos along Indiana's Lake Michigan shore and others in Mississippi and Colorado declared bankruptcy Monday morning after it failed to reach an agreement with creditor groups, Bloomberg News reported.

Stutzman -- Jobs are my priority

By Margaret Fosmoe

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Creating jobs and getting Hoosiers back to work are the priorities of state Sen. Marlin Stutzman, R-Howe, who is seeking the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Evan Bayh.

Tax credit extension fuels a surge in home-buying

By Jeff Swiatek

Home sales surged in Indiana and other parts of the Midwest in October and hit their highest level in 21/2 years nationally, as first-time buyers rushed to make use of a tax credit set to expire.

Indiana launches 'TrafficWise' traveler Web site

By WSBT-TV Report

In time for holiday travel, the Indiana Department of Transportation has launched its expanded 'TrafficWise' traveler Web site giving updated information on all state roads, U. S. highways and interstates around Indiana.

Asian carp worries fishermen

By James Janega

The revelation that the fish might be knocking on Lake Michigan's door has created fresh concerns and given new relevance to possible encounters.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Some film tax credits restored

By Lee Rood

Gov. Chet Culver on Monday lifted a two-month suspension of the state's controversial incentive program for filmmakers, and at least 12 movie projects that filmed in Iowa will be able to claim state tax credits.

Iowa community college enrollment sets record

By Rod Boshart

Fall enrollment at Iowa's 15 community colleges topped 100,000 for the first time ever this year, according to a report issued Monday by the state Department of Education.

Jonathan Narcisse for governor?

By Jason Clayworth

Former Des Moines School Board member Jonathan Narcisse declined to say today if he will run for governor, clearly leaving the door open for a run.

Vander Plaats -- Branstad backing Democrat Nelson led to Senate health bill

By Tom Beaumont

Republican candidate for governor Bob Vander Plaats said today former Gov. Terry Branstad's support of a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate helped pave the way for health care legislation that advanced in Congress Saturday.

Rants, Narcisse plan series of debates

By Jason Clayworth

State Rep. Christopher Rants and former Des Moines school board member Jonathan Narcisse have agreed to square off in a series of public debates in six Iowa cities.

Seat belt enforcement planned this week across Iowa

By Rod Boshart

Iowa law officers on Monday launched a special seat-belt enforcement effort that will run throughout the extended Thanksgiving holiday period.

Flu fight uses extreme tactics

By Rick Ruggles

Medical personnel in Nebraska, Iowa and elsewhere are using at least two somewhat radical therapies to try to beat life-threatening cases of H1N1 flu.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Budget ax will slash deeper in Kansas

By David Klepper

Gov. Mark Parkinson says Kansans can expect larger school classes, more potholes and an increasingly anemic state government after another round of budget reductions that could represent the unkindest cuts yet.

Statehouse Live -- More cuts, more problems; Teacher workload discussed

By Scott Rothschild

Gov. Mark Parkinson on Monday announced another round of budget cuts that will likely result in more state employee layoffs, unpaid furloughs, crowded classrooms and reduced social services.

Regents fear more cuts mean tuition increases

By Scott Rothschild

The Kansas Board of Regents fears that there will be a big funding cut to higher education this week when Gov. Mark Parkinson releases his budget-balancing plan and that there will be even more reductions during the 2010 legislative session that starts in January.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Beshear asked to halt executions for study of Kentucky's death-penalty system

By R. G. Dunlop

Gov. Steve Beshear has been asked to halt all executions until a 10-member team of state lawyers and former judges recently appointed by the American Bar Association can assess Kentucky's flawed death-penalty system.

Northpoint riot report downplays risks

By Valarie Honeycutt Spears

Members of the union representing Kentucky corrections officers said Monday that the Northpoint Training Center riot should lead to a "thorough review" of procedures at all state prisons.

Conway wants dates set for 3 executions

By Stephenie Steitzer

Attorney General Jack Conway on Monday asked Gov. Steve Beshear to set execution dates for three death-row inmates.

New western Ky. highway stretch to open

By The Associated Press

MURRAY, Ky. -- A new four-lane section of Kentucky 80 between Coldwater and Murray will open this week.

Shumaker accepts honor of new U of L building in his name

By Nancy C. Rodriguez

Former University of Louisville President John Shumaker was recognized Monday for helping the school make major strides in becoming a leading research institution with the renaming of a building in his honor.

Week highlights awareness of distracted driving

By Sean Rose

With Thanksgiving a few days away, state officials are continuing efforts to combat distracted driving, which they say was responsible for a quarter of Kentucky's road fatalities last year and kills more people proportionally in the state than across the country.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Corps could be helping rebuild coast with dredged river sediment, state says

By Mark Schleifstein

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Louisiana officials on Monday asked the secretary of the federal Department of Commerce to mediate the state's dispute with the Army Corps of Engineers over the agency's failure to use most of the sediment it dredges from the lower Mississippi River each year to rebuild wetlands.

Insurance chief backs homeowners

By Sarah Chacko

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said Monday his office will go after insurance companies that cancel homeowner policies because of tainted drywall.

State contracts need stronger monitoring, cost-cutting panel suggests

By The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- As the Jindal administration expands outside contracting for government work, a state cost-cutting panel Monday suggested lawmakers should tighten monitoring of the millions of dollars in deals entered into each year

Audit -- Official violated rule

By Jordan Blum

The superintendent of the New Orleans Recovery School District wrongly took a state-owned vehicle on dozens of personal trips, most of which were to visit family in Chicago, a state legislative audit report released Monday stated.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Signature battle over tax reform

By Susan M. Cover

Challengers seeking to stop the people's veto of a new tax reform law asked Monday for a list of the 56,107 names the state certified. But the state says no such list exists.

Can wind power lift Maine's economy?

By Kevin Miller

BANGOR, Maine -- New England's largest wind power producer broke ground Monday on the second phase of a project near Danforth that local officials hope is another step toward making rural Washington County an energy hub.

Michaud tells of talk with Obama on Medicare

By Meg Haskell

BANGOR, Maine — Medicare payment rates in Maine are the second-lowest in the nation, reimbursing hospitals and physicians somewhere between 20 percent and 30 percent less, on average, than the cost of providing services.

Maine home sales continue rise

By The Associated Press

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Maine real estate agents say sales of single-family homes in the state are up for the fifth consecutive month.

Maine has seventh swine flu death

By The Associated Press

Two more deaths have been linked to swine flu in Maine, bringing the total to seven since August.

2 more Maine deaths tied to H1N1

By Meg Haskell

BANGOR, Maine -- Two more deaths in northern and eastern Maine have been linked to the swine flu, bringing the total to seven deaths in Maine since August.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Md. lost nearly 30% of millionaires last year

By Laura Smitherman

BALTIMORE -- Maryland's chief tax collector reported that the number of millionaires in the state plunged 30 percent last year to the lowest level in four years and that some wealthy residents might have moved.

Politics colors budget debate

By Liam Farrell

Gov. Martin O'Malley and members of his administration typically don't say former Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s name in public, but the political rival has recently popped up in spirit as a measurement for budget decisions.

Baltimore City jury reports it is making 'progress'

By Annie Linskey and Julie Bykowicz

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Jurors in Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's theft and embezzlement trial are heading into a fourth day of deliberations today but reported Monday that they were making "progress."

Md. to test molasses on wintry roads

By Michael Dresser

BALLTIMORE, Md. -- A thick, viscous fluid that is made from sugar beets, looks and feels like motor oil and smells a bit like instant coffee is part of the State Highway Administration's plans to keep Maryland roadways free of snow and ice this winter.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

$4.4m budget cut could affect child care

By Jonathan Saltzman

Thousands of children in Massachusetts risk losing subsidized child care services because of a $4.4 million budget cut that Governor Deval Patrick has made, according to the head of a Boston-based antipoverty group that helps arrange the services.

Battle brews over day-care cuts

By Laura Crimaldi

Angry child advocates are blasting the Patrick administration for a budget-slashing move they say could cost thousands of tykes their day care, but the governor's office vowed yesterday kids won't be left out in the cold.

Convention center aims to double its capacity

By Casey Ross

The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, already the largest building of its kind in New England, would double in size under an expansion plan unveiled yesterday by state officials, eventually becoming a 1-million-square-foot tourism "campus'' on the South Boston Waterfront.

Baker names Senate's Tisei as running mate

By Michael Levenson

WAKEFIELD, Mass. -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker, sending an early signal about the fiscally conservative, socially moderate administration he hopes to build, selected as his running mate yesterday Senate minority leader Richard R. Tisei, a veteran lawmaker who is also openly gay.

Rivals call Charles Baker's pick an 'insider'

By Hillary Chabot

Gubernatorial rivals yesterday pounced on Republican candidate Charles Baker's choice of Sen. Richard Tisei as his running mate, painting the GOP minority leader as an entrenched insider who has strayed from the party's anti-tax gospel.

Baker's choice indicative of Mass. GOP's uniqueness

By Brian C. Mooney

By selecting Senator Richard R. Tisei to be his running mate, gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker is trying to take Massachusetts Republicans back to the future -- 1990, to be specific, when the puny political party bounced back as the voice of fiscal conservatism and social moderation and began a 16-year hold on the governorship.

Barnstable property values dive

By Jake Berry

HYANNIS, Mass. — A drop in property values of more than $1 billion will likely mean a tax increase for many Barnstable homeowners.

Professors file health care lawsuit

By Tracy Jan

A group of part-time community college instructors filed a lawsuit yesterday against the state, saying that hundreds of adjunct faculty in Massachusetts' public higher education system are unfairly denied health care coverage.

Adjunct professors sue for health insurance

By The Associated Press

A group of five part-time Massachusetts community college instructors have sued the state, claiming that hundreds of adjunct faculty in the state's colleges are unfairly denied health care coverage.

Transgender prisoner presses for electrolysis

By Denise Lavoie, The Associated Press

Lawyers for a convicted murderer asked a judge yesterday to order Massachusetts prison officials to provide additional electrolysis treatments as the inmate awaits a decision on whether she can get a taxpayer-funded sex-change operation.

Final phase of Mansfield Superfund site cleanup starts

By The Associated Press

MANSFIELD, Mass. — Federal and state officials are gathering in Mansfield to mark the start of the final phase of a massive hazardous waste cleanup in the town.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

State warns consumers of prepaid funeral scams

By Eric D. Lawrence

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, which oversees the regulation of prepaid funeral services, said that in the last fiscal year -- Oct. 1, 2008, to Sept. 30 -- it received 53 complaints and took disciplinary action against 10 providers.

Dental crisis looming in state, experts say

By Scott Davis

Jacqui Day hasnât seen a dentist for a checkup for more than a year. And sheâs bracing herself for the dull, throbbing pain ahead.

Scarce Tamiflu gets pricey in Michigan

By Patricia Anstett

Some Michigan pharmacies charge nearly three times what others do for a scarce liquid form of Tamiflu that is used to reduce flu symptoms in children, according to a survey released Monday by Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox.

Mich. details goals for water protection

By The Associated Press

The "Measures of Success" document focuses on ensuring safe drinking water, protecting groundwater, enhancing recreational waters, ensuring safe consumable fish and protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems.

Book it -- Michigan film tax credit paying off for hotel industry

By Jonathan Oosting

While Michigan legislators continue to debate cutting or capping the state's aggressive film industry tax credits, the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau says industry-related business is booming.

Some Michigan residents started receiving unemployment extension payments last week, state officials say

By Sven Gustafson

Some Michigan residents with active unemployment claims began receiving extension payments last week, state officials said, putting the state well ahead of its initial expectation of paying out extension claims by mid-December.

Michigan -- Flu killed 54 in state since April

By The Associated Press

The Michigan Community Health Department said today that 26,868 flu cases were reported in the state from Nov. 8 to 14.

Hunter accused of threatening Michigan DNR officers

By The Associated Press

ROSCOMMON, Mich. -- A member of a Roscommon County hunting club is accused of threatening state Department of Natural Resources investigators posing as hunters.

Asian carp worries fishermen

By James Janega

The revelation that the fish might be knocking on Lake Michigan's door has created fresh concerns and given new relevance to possible encounters.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Pawlenty won't rule out spending cuts

By Bill Salisbury

While Gov. Tim Pawlenty expects a new state revenue forecast next week to show more red ink, he said Monday that he doesn't plan to start cutting spending immediately.

Legislators take a field trip to the Metrodome

By Kevin Duchschere and Mike Kaszuba

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Like a car owner trying to decide whether to pour more money into the jalopy or to junk the thing for a brand-new model, legislators on Monday roamed the Metrodome to size up the aging stadium and ask some tough questions of the landlords.

Library is pressed to take gang force report off Web

By Randy Furst

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Leaders of the Metro Gang Strike Force and police union attorneys pressured the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, the state attorney general and a commission that oversees the library to remove the 2008 Metro Gang Strike Force report from its website.

Eight more charged in federal investigation of Somali recruiting

By David Hanners

Saying they had passed "a tipping point" in their yearlong investigation into the exodus of Somali men from the Twin Cities to join an extremist Islamic insurgency in their homeland, federal officials Monday said they'd charged eight more people.

Minnesota may use private prison in Appleton

By Chris Havens and Kevin Giles

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Minnesota is courting an influx of 1,600 Pennsylvania prison inmates, hoping to save jobs at Prairie Correctional Facility, a private prison in Appleton.

Walz, Paulsen push for change in Minn. nuclear law

By The Associated Press

Two members of Minnesota's congressional delegation want state lawmakers to do away with a law preventing construction of new nuclear power plants.

Not all forgiven

By Rachel E. Stassen-Berger

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Some of the least powerful in the land -- a thief, a drug dealer, a prostitute -- came before the state's most powerful -- the governor, the attorney general and the Supreme Court chief justice -- on Monday to ask forgiveness for their crimes.

Weaver opts against run for Minn. governor

By The Associated Press

A Republican with deep ties to the Minnesota business community has decided against a run for governor next year.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

$250K judgment affirmed against Tippah County

By Hank Wiesner

By an 8-1 vote, the Mississippi Supreme Court has affirmed a $250,000 default judgement against Tippah County.

Work begins for next school ratings

By Chris Kieffer

One day after the Mississippi Department of Education released its new school accountability ranking model, schools across Northeast Mississippi already were turning their attention to next year.

JSU prof awarded $100K in lawsuit

By Jimmie E. Gates

A federal jury agreed Monday with a longtime Jackson State University professor that she was retaliated against after voicing concern to JSU's administration about alleged gender discrimination.

Ex-Gov. Mabus is ready for his closeup on 'NCIS'

By Maria Recio

The most popular television show in the country has a special guest tonight — Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, a former Mississippi governor, who has a cameo on "NCIS" at 7 p.m. on CBS.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Former Mo. high court judge Rendlen dies at 87

By The Associated Press

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- Former Missouri Supreme Court Judge Albert L. Rendlen has died.

Mo. competes for $4B in extra education money

By Chris Blank, The Associated Press

Missouri must be willing to overhaul its education system and develop new teaching methods to compete for more than $4 billion in federal funds, the state's top education and political leaders said Monday.

MoDOT reports progress

By Terry Ganey

The head of the Missouri Department of Transportation gave an upbeat assessment of the state's road system today but predicted a collapse of highway funding by 2014.

Nixon pledge to insure every child loses punch

By Virginia Young

Gov. Jay Nixon ran for office last year on a platform of insuring every child. But as governor, he has resisted a proposal that could immediately cover thousands of Missouri's 108,000 uninsured children.

Missouri DNR completes water quality study at Lake of the Ozarks

By The Associated Press

Missouri's environmental agency has completed a water quality study at the Lake of the Ozarks that was triggered by the delayed reporting of E. coli test results.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Political practices commissioner rules on state senator's residency

By Charles S. Johnson

State Sen. Jesse Laslovich is a legal resident of his legislative district in Anaconda, even though he co-owns a home and works in Helena, the state political practices commissioner has determined.

Commissioner says flying recall billboard in Hamilton violated state law

By John Cramer

HAMILTON, Mont. - A Hamilton airplane owner violated state campaign finance law by anonymously flying an electronic billboard message promoting the recall of a Hamilton city councilor in 2006, according to Montana's top political cop.

Montana gets grant for grads

By Mary Pickett

Montana will receive a nearly $1.8 million grant to help more residents to get college degrees.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Pro-life movement regrouping after stem cell defeat

By Melissa Lee

One of the state's leading pro-life advocates said Monday she has shifted to regrouping mode following a defeat on embryonic stem cell research at the hands of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

Federal board -- Fire Stitt, Nebraska foster care review director

By JoAnne Young

A federal agency has filed a complaint asking that Nebraska Foster Care Review Board Director Carol Stitt be fired for violating the federal Hatch Act.

State places Lancaster Manor on probation

By Algis J. Laukaitis

A report by a state team acting on behalf of the federal government has found problems with patient care at Lancaster Manor.

Flu fight uses extreme tactics

By Rick Ruggles

Medical personnel in Nebraska, Iowa and elsewhere are using at least two somewhat radical therapies to try to beat life-threatening cases of H1N1 flu.

Ethanol advocates mark 25 years at Nebraska's first plant

By Art Hovey

HASTINGS, Neb. -- A quarter century ago, when the state had one functioning ethanol plant, the man now widely acknowledged as "the godfather of ethanol" in Nebraska made a bold prediction.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Former Gov. List -- Health care bill 'so liberal,' will cost Reid

By Lisa Mascaro

WASHINGTON -- Former Republican Gov. Robert List said today that the nearly 500,000 uninsured Nevadans do not lack health care because they can receive public hospital and emergency room treatment in the state.

Report -- Nevada court caseloads up in '09

By The Associated Press

A report released Monday by the Nevada Supreme Court shows judges around the state are busier than ever, handling more than 400,000 new non-traffic cases in 2009 than the year before. New traffic cases increased by nearly 1 million.

Las Vegas' new CityCenter, a big gamble, prepares to open

By Kitty Bean Yancey

LAS VEGAS — Some of the world's top architects and designers have taken a fresh deck of cards and created a Xanadu on the Las Vegas Strip.

Suit may block BLM roundup of mustangs in Nevada

By Scott Sonner, The Associated Press

RENO — An animal protection group is asking a federal judge to block the government's planned round up of thousands of wild mustangs in Nevada next month.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

New law requires fingerprints of child-care workers

By Shira Schoenberg

Child-care workers will soon need to be fingerprinted for criminal background checks under a new state law that takes effect Jan. 4.

N.H. asked to spend more on state parks

By Holly Ramer, The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire could improve its state park system by reorganizing management and by inviting communities or volunteer groups to help maintain the land, but direct state funding is needed for true revitalization, according to a draft plan released yesterday.

Parks plan -- System needs state funding

By The Associated Press

New Hampshire could improve its state park system by reorganizing management and inviting communities or volunteer groups to help maintain the land, but direct state funding is needed for true revitalization, according to a draft plan released yesterday.

N.H. to give swine flu shot to high-risk cases

By Kathy McCormack, The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire health officials announced yesterday that the state is opening swine flu vaccination clinics for the highest-risk cases this week, as complications from the illness take three more lives, bringing the total in New Hampshire to six.

State swine flu deaths rise to 6

By Kathy McCormack

New Hampshire health officials announced yesterday that the state is opening swine flu vaccination clinics for the highest-risk cases this week, as complications from the illness take three more lives, bringing the total in New Hampshire to six.

UNH, faculty contract talks stall

By Clynton Namuo

DURHAM, N.H. – Contract negotiations between the University of New Hampshire and its faculty union are stalled.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Some Democrats back off bid to legalize gay marriage in New Jersey

By David Kocieniewski

It was not on the ballot, nor was it a top-tier issue in the New Jersey governor's race this fall, but the push to legalize same-sex marriage in the state could become a casualty of the election results.

Stimulus dollars still waiting to be spent

By Tom Haydon

Millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds awarded to New Jersey months ago for "shovel-ready" county road projects won't be used until next year because of the increased documentation and review the projects now face.

Sweeney becomes top lawmaker in N.J. government

By Jonathan Tamari

TRENTON, N.J. -- Sen. Stephen Sweeney of Gloucester County will be the top lawmaker in state government after fellow Democrats chose him as Senate president yesterday.

Advocates urge legislators to clear measure opening birth records

By Trish G. Graber

Adult adoptees and biological parents called on lawmakers yesterday to pass long-stalled legislation in the lame-duck session to open birth records sealed under state law.

N.J. group funded by tax dollars also represents private interests

By Elise Young

Taxpayers are subsidizing a private lobbying group — including a six-figure pension for the top employee — even as it sometimes fights proposed laws designed to help bring down the country's highest property taxes.

Christie meets with Rendell on economic development

By Adrienne Lu

New Jersey Gov.-elect Christopher J. Christie has been reaching across the aisle to Democrats since Election Day, and yesterday he reached across the Delaware River to one more member of the opposition party: Gov. Rendell.

N.J. approves police use of stun guns

By Edward Colimore

The New Jersey attorney general yesterday approved the use of electronic stun guns by police officers under limited circumstances involving emotionally disturbed people.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

State fines lab nearly $1 million

By Staci Matlock

The New Mexico Environment Department levied a $960,000 fine against the Department of Energy and Los Alamos National Laboratory on Monday, alleging the lab is still failing to adequately monitor groundwater for contaminates.

No Rail Runner service for Black Friday irks local business owners

By Kate Nash

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express won't offer train service this Friday, something local business owners and cultural event organizers are hoping they can change before next year's big shopping day.

HHS releases report on health reform effects on NM

By Matthew Reichbach

More than half a million New Mexicans could benefit immediately if health care reform passes Congress and is signed into law by President Barack Obama, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Paterson threatens to keep lawmakers in Albany for Thanksgiving holiday

By Denise Jewell Gee

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- Gov. David A. Paterson said today he would consider keeping the State Legislature in session through Thanksgiving if lawmakers can't agree on a plan to wipe out the state's $3.2 billion deficit.

Brief sessions, and no agreement

By Casey Seiler and Irene Jay Liu

The day many legislators had hoped would bring an end to negotiation over the state's $3.2 billion deficit ended in much the same way as the days that preceded it: with no agreement, and no apparent expectation of one anytime soon.

Monroe County child services hurt by New York's budget problems

By Jill Terreri

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The state budget crisis, in which lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson have been unable to agree on how to close a midyear budget gap that could exceed $4 billion, is starting to hit Monroe County.

Aqueduct racetrack still awaits a decision

By Charles V. Bagli and Danny Hakim

Amid a battered economy and falling tax revenue, Gov. George E. Pataki agreed in October 2001 to a budget deal that authorized electronic slot machines at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens.

Home sales rise slightly as prices slump

By Chris Churchill

The number of homes sold in the Capital Region rose slightly in October -- an increase entirely caused by a steep increase in sales in Schenectady County.

AG received defense cash

By Bloomberg

NEW YORK -- State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's campaign fund took tens of thousands of dollars from law firms representing clients that his office was investigating, records show.

Heroin trends spark worries

By Cath;een F. Crowley

The Albany County district attorney and a local drug treatment center say they are seeing more heroin problems in the Capital Region.

7-year-olds must use car booster seats

By Jon Campbell

Seven-year-olds, take note -- As of today, you will have to be strapped into a booster seat when riding in a car, just like your younger friends and siblings.

In closing arguments, Bruno as bully or honest worker

By Nicholas Confessore

Joseph L. Bruno: Tiny the Bully, or just Uncle Joe? Two vastly different portraits of Mr. Bruno, the former New York State Senate leader, emerged on Monday as prosecutors and defense lawyers presented closing arguments in his corruption trial.

Lawyer -- Bruno case 'trivial;' jury to deliberate Tuesday

By Robert Gavin

Jurors will start deliberating the federal corruption case against former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno early Tuesday — but not before hearing his attorney reject the allegations as "trivial differences" transformed into felony charges.

Vermont: Champlain bridge could be sunk before lake freezes

By The Associated Press

ADDISON, Vt. -- Vermont Transportation officials say the "chances are good" the deteriorated Lake Champlain bridge could be dropped into the water with explosives before the lake freezes over.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Poll of N.C. residents -- Corruption rising

By Jim Morrill

Less than a month after a state board found evidence of wrongdoing by a former governor, two new polls Monday confirmed the sour aftertaste: most North Carolinians say political corruption is not only common but rising.

Leaky tanks drain state's money

By Lynn Bonner

North Carolina is struggling to find money to clean up thousands of underground tanks that are leaking gas and oil into the dirt and water.

GOP won't ban the unaffiliated in primaries

By Staff Reports

The N.C. Republican Party has rejected a proposal to ban unaffiliated voters from participating in its primaries.

State tries to gauge impact of creative industries

By The Associated Press

North Carolina's culture mavens are out to show that real jobs flow from creative pursuits like arts, design and new media.

Governor's $260 million in cuts hits roads, schools, disabled hardest

By Jeannine Koranda

A fifth round of cuts to state agency budgets hit highway maintenance funds and education hard.

State to review Cumberland DSS in wake of Shaniya Davis' death

By McClatchy-Tribune Exchange

The state of North Carolina is reviewing what kind of contact the Cumberland County Department of Social Services had with Antoinette Davis and her children, The Fayetteville Observer reported.

Winston-Salem Meals on Wheels client gets food brought to her by Gov. Perdue

By Wesley Young

Nancy Hooper is happy to get a hot meal delivered to her house every day, but the one she got yesterday was special -- it was delivered by Gov. Bev. Perdue.

Hutchins rejects criticism

By Michael Hewlett

A Forsyth County judge is firing back at retiring District Attorney Tom Keith over a motion Keith filed last week questioning her decision in a speeding case.

Audit discovers errors in Sen. Berger's reports

By Mark Binker

The State Board of Elections has asked Sen. Phil Berger to explain at least three dozen problems found with his campaign finance reports since 2004, ranging from a lack of information to apparently illegal contributions.

State to review ABC board pay

By The Associated Press

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A wide range in pay for local managers of North Carolina's ABC boards and the reluctance of boards to make that information public has drawn the attention of the governor.

Georgians to spend less on Christmas gifts

By Staff Reports

Georgia and its fellow South Atlantic states will spend less on Christmas gifts in 2009 than most parts of the United States, according to a survey published by The Conference Board on Monday.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Blues say a public option would doom N.D. hospitals

By Patrick Springer

FARGO, N.D. -- A public insurance option with payments to hospitals and doctors similar to Medicare will exacerbate a cost squeeze already straining North Dakota's medical system, a top health insurance executive said Monday.

North Dakota tourism grows

By James R. Johnson

North Dakota was second in the nation in tourism growth over a three-year period, despite the tough economy.

Thanksgiving travel expected to be down in Dakotas

By The Associated Press

FARGO, N.D. -- The automobile club AAA says Thanksgiving travel is expected to drop in the region that includes the Dakotas.

Holiday travelers will pay more at the pump this weekend

By Stephen J. Lee

Gas prices in Grand Forks and Fargo, as in most of North Dakota, have been remarkably steady, near national averages now but way above year-ago prices as the Thanksgiving holiday draws extra traffic on the region's roads.

Fish removed from Dickinson's Patterson Lake

By The Associated Press

DICKINSON, N.D. -- State wildlife officials say an effort to rid Dickinson's Patterson Lake of unwanted fish resulted in the removal of more than 5,000 pounds of fish, mostly carp.

ND Land Department director departing

By The Associated Press

Gary Preszler has been the agency's commissioner since 2001.

Some ND refuges open to bird hunting

By The Associated Press

The state Game and Fish Department says some national wildlife refuges in North Dakota are now open to late-season upland game bird hunting.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Strickland frees killer he says is innocent

By Alan Johnson

Nearly three years into his administration, Gov. Ted Strickland yesterday released nearly 300 clemency decisions, freeing a Lucas County murderer, pardoning a former Chauncey village official on 30-year-old charges, and conditionally pardoning a Columbus lawyer who defrauded his clients of $1 million.

State board's kindergarten vote raises controversy

By Catherine Candisky

After a top aide for Gov. Ted Strickland questioned why the state Board of Education passed a resolution opposing his plan for all-day kindergarten starting next year, the board's president suggested that the panel didn't really mean it.

State agencies sell 'surplus' that's brand new

By Paul Aker and Joel Chow, WBNS-10TV

A review of state purchasing records by WBNS-TV (Channel 10) found that hundreds of items bought in the past three years have ended up at the state's surplus-property warehouse, where equipment is routinely sold at auction for pennies on the dollar.

Conservative casino foe furious at 2 GOP leaders

By James Nash

The conservative activist who has led the fight against casinos in Ohio since the 1990s isn't letting his fellow conservatives off the hook over the passage of a casino issue this month.

Casino say-so should be local, legislators say

By Jim Siegel

Some central Ohio lawmakers want to ensure that the region gets a say in how, or whether, a new casino is built Downtown, either by legislation or a new constitutional amendment on the May ballot.

Labor chief fights using casino fees to fix budget

By Jim Siegel

The AFL-CIO says it will sue if state leaders try to use $200 million in casino licensing fees to help fill an $851 million shortfall in the state budget.

Dann drops fraud lawsuit against former sidekick

By James Nash

Anthony Gutierrez will serve 45 days in jail and pay nearly $7,000 as his sentence for crimes he committed while serving as former Attorney General Marc Dann's right-hand man.

Ohio Lottery tells State Auditor Mary Taylor she's wrong to demand performance audit

By Mary Naymik

The Ohio Lottery Commission has formally rejected State Auditor Mary Taylor's decision to launch a performance audit of the $2.4 billion agency without its blessing.

Poll -- Kilpatrick issue could hurt Cox governor run

By Mark Hornbeck

Voters say they are not likely to cast ballots for candidates for governor if they carry political baggage into next year's election, according to a poll released Monday.

State Rep. Yates -- End term limits

By Jon Craig

A term-limited state legislator wants Ohio voters to lift the cap of eight consecutive years for members of the Ohio General Assembly.

Home sales surge in Ohio, nationwide in October

By Michelle Jarboe

CLEVELAND -- Sales of new and previously owned homes in Ohio rose 3.6 percent from September to October, according to a Monday report from the Ohio Association of Realtors.

More H1N1 vaccine arriving, but Ohio still lacks enough shots for general public

By Brie Zeltner

CLEVELAND -- There is still not enough H1N1 vaccine available for the general population, and orders arriving weekly from manufacturers based on the state's population continue to chip slowly away at the groups most vulnerable to the virus.

Ohio senator says no to workers comp for illegals

By Stephen Majors, The Associated Press

A Republican state senator in Ohio wants to prohibit the nation's largest state-run injured worker insurance program from providing benefits to illegal immigrants, a change he said should lower business premiums.

WSU student rally pushes restoration of scholarships

By Marisa Schultz

Hundreds of Wayne State University students rallied on campus Monday to urge state lawmakers to restore their college scholarships.

RTA bus drivers and mechanics plan informational picket over safety concerns

By Karen Farkas

CLEVELAND -- The union says about half of RTA's buses are equipped with radios that don't work, and that 40 percent of the buses have no heat, among other concerns.

Readers offer to help folks hurt by state cuts

By Alan Johnson and Catherine Candisky

Dispatch readers responded to a package of stories Sunday about the human impact of state budget cuts by offering cash, Christmas presents and a tombstone for a man whose own family had to bury him.

Interstate 70 / I-75 interchange finally finished

By Margo Rutledge Kissell

VANDALIA, Ohio -- Gov. Ted Strickland joined officials from across the Miami Valley Monday, Nov. 23, to celebrate the completion of the seven-year, $145 million modernization of the Interstate 70/I-75 Interchange.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Panel to review Oklahoma Department of Human Services' policy

By Michael McNutt

The adoption policies of DHS need further review, the co-chairman of a legislative task force on adoption said Monday.

Package sparks Oklahoma capitol evacuation

By Michael McNutt

Gov. Brad Henry and about 100 other people were evacuated from the state Capitol for about 30 minutes Monday after a man said to be acting suspiciously discarded a briefcase in one of the building's entrances.

Red tape binds Oklahoma man's chance to save brother's life

By Randy Ellis

LATTA, Okla. — Frances Henley has two sons. She's terrified government red tape could wind up letting one of them die.

Inquiry could link prison fights to Oklahoma City case

By Johnny Johnson

Officials are investigating a possible link between weekend fights at three prisons and the arrest of a man accused of shooting, stabbing and then burning a man and three women in a southwest Oklahoma City house Nov. 9.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Oregon teachers may get OK to wear religious clothing in class

By Betsy Hammond

Teachers are likely to win the right to wear religious clothing such as turbans, yarmulkes, crosses and headscarves in public schools when the Oregon Legislature meets in February, elected officials say.

Bill Sizemore wants second chance for Oregon governor

By Jeff Mapes

Bill Sizemore, the veteran initiative activist who has had a series of well-publicized legal and political setbacks, is once again running for Oregon governor.

Modern-day cattle rustlers hit ranches in southeast Oregon

By Richard Cockle

JORDAN VALLEY, Ore. -- What makes these thieves unusual, investigators said, is the scale and duration of their operations, their use of horses to reach areas inaccessible to car or truck, and the fact that they sometimes drive their plundered herds for days, carefully sweeping around ranches and people.

Working plan looks closer for Northwest salmon protection

By Matthew Preusch

Many hoped more than 10 years of lawsuits over protecting Northwest salmon and running Columbia Basin dams would finally come to a close in a Portland courtroom Monday.

Hillsboro schools search for hidden gems of talent

By Wendy Owen

HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Across Oregon, minorities and children from low-income families are under-represented in talented and gifted (TAG) programs.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Stimulus to fund more road projects in region

By Jon Schmitz

PennDOT will fund 33 additional transportation projects with federal economic stimulus money that was saved because of low construction bids on other projects, Gov. Ed Rendell has announced.

Tax-exempt fees proposed for Pa.

By Rich Lord

Large tax-exempt landowners would have to pay their host cities fees based on the size of their buildings, under legislation that state Sen. Wayne Fontana plans to introduce next week.

Teamsters Local 250 wants nonmembers to pay dues again

By Brian Bowling

Teamsters Local 250 argued Monday that it has jumped through enough hoops to resume collecting partial dues from seven Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission employees who left the union in 2004.

Pipe-cutting led to radiation incident at TMI

By Mario F. Cattabiani and Tom Avril

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- Amid renewed criticism from Gov. Ed Rendell for a five-hour delay in telling emergency officials of a weekend radiation incident, Exelon Corp. said its Three Mile Island nuclear plant was "back to normal" yesterday.

Fumo dismissed from Pennsylvania lawsuit against nonprofit

By Bobby Kerlik

A state Commonwealth Court judge has dismissed former state Sen. Vincent Fumo from a state-filed lawsuit against a nonprofit he founded and allegedly controlled.

Minnesota may use private prison in Appleton

By Chris Havens and Kevin Giles

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Minnesota is courting an influx of 1,600 Pennsylvania prison inmates, hoping to save jobs at Prairie Correctional Facility, a private prison in Appleton.

Christie meets with Rendell on economic development

By Adrienne Lu

Rendell hot under collar, TMI 'back to normal'

By Mario F. Cattabiani and Tom Avril

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- Amid renewed criticism from Gov. Rendell for a five-hour delay in telling emergency officials of a weekend radiation incident, Exelon Corp. said its Three Mile Island nuclear plant was "back to normal" yesterday.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Insurer executive -- Costs out of control

By Neil Downing

The nation's health-care system is broken, but congressional proposals to fix it do not focus enough on controlling spiraling costs, according to the president of one of the nation's largest health insurers.

Providence Bishop Tobin says Kennedy 'erratic' — but he's not referring to mental-health issues

By Karen Lee Ziner

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin on Monday said Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy has shown "increasingly erratic and unpredictable behavior" during their escalating dispute, but said he was "not at all" referring to the congressman's well-publicized mental-health issues.

State deficit plan expected next month

By Katherine Gregg

State government is in "severe economic distress" with this year's projected $219-million budget hole expected to swell to $400 million next year, and $750 million the year after.

Slater takes father's Assembly seat

By Philip Marcelo

Scott A. Slater officially assumed the seat of his late father, Thomas C. Slater, a longtime state representative, taking the oath of office before his elected peers, friends and family in the state House of Representatives chamber on Monday afternoon.

Moderate Party to fight R.I. fine over campaign financing

By Steve Peoples

The state Board of Elections has quietly offered to settle a campaign-finance dispute with the newly established Moderate Party of Rhode Island for what may be the largest fine in the board's history.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Sanford vacation, hunting trip questioned

By Gina Smith

The State Ethics Commission has charged Gov. Mark Sanford with breaking state ethics laws 37 times, including using state planes for family trips, spending campaign funds on a hunting trip and flying first class, instead of coach, while on state travel.

Decision on Sanford prosecution in hands of attorney general who is running for governor

By Ben Szobody

The question of criminal prosecution of Gov. Mark Sanford on 37 charges of violating state ethics law now rests in the hands of state Attorney General Henry McMaster — who is running for Sanford's job.

Ethics charges may fuel impeachment bid against Sanford

By Tim Smith

The effort to impeach Gov. Mark Sanford may be gaining momentum with state Ethics Commission charges that the governor violated ethics laws 37 times by using his office for personal financial gain — new strength as legislators gather today for the state's first gubernatorial impeachment hearing in 100 years.

Snakes, public option on agenda

By Yvonne Wenger

State Rep. Herb Kirsh has got a thing against snakes. The Clover Democrat, and the House's longest serving member, wants to put some teeth behind a new law to stop people from letting pythons, anacondas, crocodiles and other snakes and reptiles loose.

Gov. Sanford faces 37 ethics charges

By Shaila Dewan

Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina will face formal ethics charges on 37 counts of using his office for personal financial gain, according to a list of accusations issued Monday by the State Ethics Commission.

Timing 'stinks' on rate hike, Duke told

By Rudolph Bell

Earl Sammons of Taylors doesn't believe that Duke Energy Corp. should be raising rates during a recession. "The timing stinks," the 72-year-old Sammons said at a public hearing on a proposed rate hike.

Georgians to spend less on Christmas gifts

By Staff Reports

Georgia and its fellow South Atlantic states will spend less on Christmas gifts in 2009 than most parts of the United States, according to a survey published by The Conference Board on Monday.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Dry weather helps South Dakota farmers

By Staff Reports

South Dakota farmers are making progress on harvest, but they're still well behind the normal pace because of the wet fall.

Fewer S. Dakotans to hit the highway

By Staff Reports

The number of South Dakotans who travel 50 miles or more away from home is expected to drop 2.6 percent compared to the previous year, AAA projects.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Lawmakers seek delay of workers' comp bill

By Chas Sisk

The Republican leader in the state House of Representatives has told lawmakers that they may be asked to come back to Nashville next month to delay implementation of a workers' compensation law that he sponsored.

UT wins grant for future teachers

By Staff Reports

The University of Tennessee is launching a new statewide initiative to increase math and science teaching statewide, with the help of a $1.8 million grant.

Report -- Prisoners escape, steal cigarettes, then return to prison

By The Associated Press

State prison officials say two southern Middle Tennessee inmates escaped, burglarized a convenience store and then returned on their own.

Woman accused of running fake document mill catered to illegal immigrants

By Jamie Satterfield

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Johnson City woman faces a January trial on charges she ran a fake document mill catering to illegal immigrants.

Online civics lesson

By Kelli Gauthier

In recent years, Gov. Bredesen has selected several high schools across the state that could e-mail students' questions about the state's budget process.

Schools in region to offer H1N1 vaccine

By Emily Bregel

Vaccine supplies appear to be flowing freely to counties in Southeast Tennessee, resulting in planned public clinics at schools in the region, health officials said Monday.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Houston mayor considers switching to governor's race

By Jason Embry

Houston Mayor Bill White said Monday he will consider seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, breathing some much-needed life into his party's hopes of winning statewide office in 2010.

Educator groups upset as $500 supplement for retired teachers is blocked

By Terrence Stutz

An estimated 250,000 retired educators in Texas won't be getting a supplemental $500 payment in December because the money was not properly appropriated, Attorney General Greg Abbott said in an opinion issued Monday.

Texas higher education board gets $1.8 million from Lumina Foundation

By Holly K. Hacker

Texas' public universities live and die by how many students show up for the new school year. More students bring more money, even if they later drop their classes or fail to graduate.

Path clearing for White governor run

By R.G. Ratcliffe and Bradley Olson

Houston Mayor Bill White's wife, Andrea, served the visiting ambassadors sandwiches in the living room of their spacious memorial-area home as several hours of discussion set the stage for Monday's announcement that White is considering switching from a run for the U.S. Senate to a bid for Democratic nomination for governor.

Group gives bad grade to teacher education

By Ericka Mellon

Texas' schools of education generally are doing a poor job of training prospective teachers, according to a preliminary study already drawing scorn from many college deans.

Staff changes at CPS expected

By Anton Caputo and Tracy Idell Hamilton

CPS Energy's board of trustees is expected to announce significant personnel changes today on the heels of an investigation into why high cost estimates for the utility's proposed nuclear project were kept from the board.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Utah GOP is opposing ethics initiative

By Bob Bernick Jr.

As expected, the Utah Republican Party will oppose a legislative ethics citizens initiative.

Utah universities to get $24 million

By Wendy Leonard

With the passage of a federal energy bill, more than $24 million will be heading to Utah colleges and universities.

Is a change in climate unstoppable?

By Judy Fahys

It sounds utterly contrary to what we might think: If we use less energy, civilization will actually increase the emissions blamed for global warming.

Sexual misconduct not unique to teachers

By Kirsten Stewart

A recent spate of teachers accused of molesting students might lead some to believe educators are uniquely prone to such behavior.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Vermont hunger on the rise

By The Associated Press

BARRE, Vt. — A federal government report ranking Vermont the sixth hungriest state in the country may come as a surprise to many, but officials say they have seen signs the problem is growing in Vermont.

Custody dispute turns in favor of Vermont woman

By The Associated Press

A Vermont judge has granted sole custody of a girl to her nonbiological mother in a custody dispute involving a former lesbian couple.

FAHC wary of mammogram advice

By Dan McLean

Recommendations from a federal task force to scale-back mammograms has caused consternation at Vermont's largest hospital, which has rejected the call to begin routine breast cancer screening a decade later than current practice.

Barre officials upset at comments on train plan

By The Associated Press

Some officials in the town and city of Barre are upset that Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper discussed publicly a plan to increase the number of trains running through the Capital City.

Vermont issues new stormwater rules

By Joel Banner Baird

New state stormwater permits will require about 400 property owners to slow the flow of rain carrying pollution into five Chittenden County brooks.

Vermont: Champlain bridge could be sunk before lake freezes

By The Associated Press

ADDISON, Vt. -- Vermont Transportation officials say the "chances are good" the deteriorated Lake Champlain bridge could be dropped into the water with explosives before the lake freezes over.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Kaine doesn't say no to possibility of a tax increase

By Jim Nolan

Facing a projected budget gap of as much as $3.5 billion, there is no doubt that the two-year spending plan being prepared by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will include cuts.

Officials tell nonprofit to reveal voter history data source

By Bill Bartel

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Know Campaign, a nonprofit group that planned a mass mailing to 350,000 Virginia households highlighting the voting records of residents and their neighbors, has until Dec. 3 to identify the source of the voter data or the matter will be turned over to the State Police, the State Board of Elections said Monday.

Dispute rising over Dulles Toll Road ramps

By Derek Kravitz

Proposed ramps at the Dulles Toll Road and Capital Beltway interchange are pitting Fairfax County against Virginia transportation officials, who say the $110 million project is needed for commuters who must cross several lanes of traffic to enter or exit the airport access road.

State officials -- 43 percent of registered voters cast votes in Nov. election

By Staff Reports

The results stayed the same but the turnout grew after a certification of the Nov. 3 elections by the State Board of Elections yesterday.

After college, many struggle with debts

By Bill Freehling

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- The percentage of people who are at least 90 days late on their student loan payments is significantly higher than the percentage of people behind on their mortgage payments, though the latter has received far more media attention.

Virginia to buy back 359 crab licenses for $6.7M

By Lauren King

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Virginia Marine Resources Commission will buy back 359 commercial crab licenses as part of an effort to take more than 75,000 crab pots out of the water in an effort to rebuild the species.

Residents rally against coal-fired energy plant at meeting

By Linda McNatt

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- More than 50 people spoke Monday night ahead of a vote next month that could pave the way for a tiny town to house a coal-fired power plant - and the vast majority were against the project.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan

By Kyung M. Song

Washington's popular — but financially pinched — Basic Health Plan now has the dubious distinction of having more people on the waiting list than are enrolled.

Can honey bees save the state budget? Tax exemptions eyed

By Chris Grygiel

On Monday Gregoire was to meet with the Department of Revenue to review the dozens of tax exemptions the state offers businesses.

Gregoire's budget crisis PowerPoint

By Knute Berger

Washington's governor outlines the challenges of the next round of massive budget cuts.

State pays Connell $11 million for prison impact

By Staff Reports

The state has paid the city of Connell more than $11 million in impact fees for the expansion of the Coyote Ridge prison in Franklin County.

Schafer-Lake Sylvia park meeting draws 40

By Staff and Wire Reports

About 40 people showed up Thursday night for the Washington State Parks Department's second meeting about the Centennial 2013 vision process for Schafer and Lake Sylvia state parks, according to The Daily World of Aberdeen.

FAHC wary of mammogram advice

By Dan McLean

State pays Connell $11 million for prison impact

By The Associated Press

CONNELL, Wash. -- The state has paid the city of Connell more than $11 million in impact fees for the expansion of the Coyote Ridge prison in Franklin County.

Working plan looks closer for Northwest salmon protection

By Matthew Preusch

Many hoped more than 10 years of lawsuits over protecting Northwest salmon and running Columbia Basin dams would finally come to a close in a Portland courtroom Monday.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Violence not required to issue domestic protective order, W.Va. Supreme Court rules

By Andrew Clevenger

The fear of physical harm is enough to grant a domestic violence protective order to West Virginia residents, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday in a precedent-setting decision.

Move back to 24-hour Courtesy Patrol not likely

By Phil Kabler

While the director of the nonprofit corporation that operates the state's Courtesy Patrol is pushing to restore the program to around-the-clock status, Gov. Joe Manchin's administration appears unlikely to make the change.

Dow to donate part of tech park to state

By Eric Eyre

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission plans to take over a significant portion of the South Charleston Technology Park in hopes of bringing jobs to the struggling business campus.

W.Va. court overturns police shooting conviction

By Staff and Wire Reports

The state Supreme Court ordered a new trial Monday for a man convicted in the August 2006 shooting death of an undercover Beckley police officer.

CDC confirms Kanawha County pediatrician had swine flu -- twice

By Zack Harold

A West Virginia physician who claimed to have contracted the H1N1 virus twice now has proof -- from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, no less -- that her claims were true.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

E-mails show tension between vets board, Scocos

By Ryan J. Foley

Tension between the Wisconsin Veterans Affairs Board and Department Secretary John Scocos is rising just as the board considers whether to replace him, according to e-mail messages released Monday.

Wis. expands swine flu vaccination target group

By Staff Reports

Wisconsin health officials have expanded the group that can receive vaccination for swine flu to include all school-aged children and young adults up to age 24.

Rosendale Dairy seeks approval to grow to 8,000 cows

By Lee Bergquist

The operators of a Fond du Lac County dairy farm are asking for state approval to double the size of their herd to 8,000 dairy cows, making it the largest dairy farm in Wisconsin.

Staff e-mails reveal little about Lawton's decision to quit race

By Scott Bauer, The Associated Press

Copies of e-mails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and reviewed Monday by The Associated Press show that none of Lawton's three staff members mentioned the possibility of her dropping out of the race in the three days that led up to her Oct. 26 announcement.

State -- No review for McGuire

By Pedro Oliveira Jr.

Officials from the state Attorney General's Office say a former Jesuit priest convicted in Walworth County of molesting two boys was given a fair trial and is not entitled to a review of his case.

Wis. hunters take 100,000 deer on opening weekend

By Staff Reports

State wildlife officials say hunters killed dramatically fewer deer during the opening weekend of Wisconsin's traditional gun deer season than last year.

Simply the rest -- New Interstate facility to handle steady stream of travelers

By Barry Adams

TOWN OF DEKORRA, Wisc. -- Just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend, the state Department of Transportation on Wednesday will open a gleaming facility at the state's busiest rest stop, along the southbound lanes of Interstate 39-90-94 just south of the Wisconsin River in Columbia County.

Convicted environmentalist seeks restitution delay

By The Associated Press

A radical environmentalist imprisoned for a 2000 vandalism attack on a forestry research station in northern Wisconsin is asking for more time to pay restitution

Asian carp worries fishermen

By James Janega

The revelation that the fish might be knocking on Lake Michigan's door has created fresh concerns and given new relevance to possible encounters.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Court limits public access to info

By The Associated Press

Next year the Wyoming Supreme Court will require clerks to redact some information in court records before releasing them to the public.

Supercomputer will transform Wyo economy, UW trustee says

By Phil Noble

University of Wyoming Trustee Dr. Taylor Haynes says the construction of the world's largest computer west of Cheyenne and its resulting effects on UW and the rest of the state "will be the first true diversification of Wyoming's economy."

Wyoming scores high in well-being

By Baylie Evans

A recent study found that Wyoming scored high in well-being despite scoring low in some indicators that usually come with well-being.

Casper poacher fined $30,000, banned from hunting for 10 years

By Tara Moberly

A Casper man has been ordered to pay $30,000 in fines and has been banned from hunting and trapping for the next 10 years as a result of poaching two deer in 2008 near Lusk.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup

Critics say roads still dangerous despite safer design

By Brian Naylor

Traffic fatalities hit a 40-year low last year, partly due to the recession — less money can mean fewer trips — and safer cars.

One in four borrowers is under water

By Ruth Simon and James R. Hagerty

The proportion of U.S. homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than the properties are worth has swelled to about 23%, threatening prospects for a sustained housing recovery.

Conservatives make a list to measure candidates' commitment

By Jim Rutenberg and Adam Nagourney

WASHINGTON — A group of conservative Republican leaders is proposing a solution to the internecine warfare over what the party should stand for: a 10-point checklist gauging proper adherence to core principles like opposing government financing for abortion and, more generally, President Obama's "socialist agenda."

Line drawn in one case dissolves in another

By Adam Liptak

The law is made up of rules and standards.

Right and left join to oppose government in criminal cases

By Adam Liptak

Conservatives and libertarians are joining civil liberties groups in saying that the criminal justice system is a part of government that must be contained.

Real prize could lie in waters controlled by US government

By Jim Ash

The immediate debate in the Legislature is about drilling in waters controlled by the state in the narrow band up to 10.3 miles from the coast.

Visit the Stateline.org State by State Roundup