Alaska State

Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK

Axios

The number of U.S. high school graduates is expected to peak in 2025 or 2026 and then decline for years to come — posing severe challenges to schools at all levels. Why it matters: Schools and colleges are closing, faculty members are being laid off, and districts are facing financial dilemmas — all as education is under political fire from every side.

Schools are bracing for the looming "enrollment cliff"

Newark, NJ

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Morristown Minute

NEWARK, N.J. – Eight individuals associated with the "793 Bloods" street gang, a subset of the national Bloods gang, have been charged for their roles in a Newark-based drug trafficking organization, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Eight '793 Bloods' Gang Members Charged in Newark Drug Network

Medicaid is an important source of health and long-term care coverage for low-income people ages 65 and older and those with disabilities. Seniors and people with disabilities account for less than one in four Medicaid enrollees but over half of Medicaid spending. The Medicaid pathways in which eligibility is based on old age or disability are known as “non-MAGI” pathways because they do not use the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) financial methodology that applies to children, pregnant individuals, parents, and other non-elderly adults with low incomes. In addition to considering income and age or disability status, non-MAGI eligibility pathways usually require people to demonstrate that they have limited savings and other financial resources (e.g., assets). Medicaid enrollees who use long-term services and supports (LTSS) must also meet requirements related to their functional needs which are generally measured in terms of the ability to perform activities of daily living such as eating and bathing. Because nearly all non-MAGI pathways are optional, eligibility levels vary substantially across states.

Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment Policies for Seniors and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) During the Unwinding

Illinois State

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Chicago, IL

Chicago Happenings

Every year, new laws that were passed the prior year go into effect on July 1. In 2024, a number of new laws will begin this Monday. Among them include higher wages for tipped employees, a gas tax increase, and driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.

New Laws July 1: Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Migrants, Raises for Tipped Workers, and More

New Hampshire State

InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – Take a deep breath, New Hampshire cannabis enthusiasts. Senate and House conferees came to an agreement Thursday on a bill they can support and which the governor is likely to sign, that creates a system to sell cannabis to adults in the same way the state sells liquor.

LEGALIZE IT! Senate and House Agree To Historic Adult Cannabis Sales

Boston, MA

Vanishing Georgia

When this commercial garage was built, Jefferson Street (also known as the Old Boston Road) was the first east-west paved highway in southwest Georgia. It later became US Highway 84. This was the era when automobiles were first becoming widespread and entrepreneurs were first establishing businesses to serve this new mode of transportation. It has […]

Garage + Ford Dealership, Circa 1920s, Boston

WyoFile

Within hours of the sighting on Wednesday, Frank van Manen caught word that there was a grizzly sow with five cubs in tow spotted in Yellowstone National Park. Five cubs following mom is so unlikely that van Manen, who leads the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, pondered an explanation.

Five grizzly bear cubs make the largest litter in Yellowstone-area history

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky’s medical cannabis program has taken significant steps toward ensuring those with qualifying conditions have access to medical cannabis as soon as possible, said Gov. Andy Beshear this week.

State to open licensing applications for medical cannabis businesses beginning July 1

Pennsylvania State

Rep. Joe Hogan (R-Bucks) today announced his legislation to increase protections for seniors from financial exploitation passed the House by a strong bipartisan vote. House Bill 2064 authorizes the mandatory reporting and disclosure of essential records to state investigators. Additionally, financial institutions and fiduciaries would be able to temporarily delay transactions linked to suspected financial exploitation and engage in judicial proceedings to protect older adults.

Hogan Bill to Protect Seniors Passes House

Webb City, MO

Kristy Tallman

TULSA, Okla. – On June 28, 2024, the last of nine defendants was sentenced for the kidnapping and murder of Jolene Walker Campbell, an Osage Nation citizen, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced.

9th Defendant Sentenced to 50 Years for Role in Kidnapping and Murder of Osage Nation Woman

Sutter County, CA

New York Post

A second-grade teacher who was arrested in California for being drunk in class is no longer facing charges — because prosecutors concluded “it is not illegal to teach drunk.”

Wendy Munson’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when she was nabbed midway through teaching students at Nuestro Elementary School, north of Sacramento, last October. 

But after months of probing the incident, the Sutter County District Attorney’s Office finally revealed Monday that it hasn’t found any charges that’ll stick.



“It is not illegal to teach drunk,” Jennifer Dupre, the district attorney, told NBC15.

Drunk middle school teaching assistant arrested after student...

Tipsy teacher with BAC over twice the legal limit not facing charges: ‘Not illegal to teach drunk’

CONCORD — Expanding the Education Freedom Account failed to graduate from the 2024 legislative session Thursday failing on a 185-168 vote of the House. House and Senate negotiators last week reached agreement on expanding the program that would have increased the income threshold for a family of four by $23,400 beginning next school year.

House Kills Education Freedom Account Program Expansion

Legislation in the United States House of Representatives that would deschedule marijuana and facilitate expungements has gained three new sponsors. Yesterday, Congressmembers Lee Summer (D-PA), Frank Mrvan (D-IN) and Gregorio Casar (D-TX) joined as a cosponsor to the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. This brings the total number of sponsors to 92. The SAFE Banking Act is the only marijuana-related bill in US Congress with more sponsors (124).

US House Bill to Decriminalize and Deschedule Marijuana Gains 3 New Sponsors, Now Has 92

Denver, CO

David Heitz

A dangerous drug that is being mixed into fentanyl is causing those who inject it to develop a rash of sores that resembles a case of flesh-eating bacteria. People experiencing homelessness around Denver can sometimes be seen with these bloody, weeping wounds. I recently mentioned this phenomenon to a fentanyl user who told me about the xylazine connection.

Denver homeless people suffer sores as xylazine enters fentanyl supply

Reading, PA

Mahanoy City, PA

The Shenandoah (PA) Sentinel

MAHANOY CITY – Two members of a motorcycle club were convicted on federal charges, accused...
The post Convicted motorcycle club members orchestrated ‘brutal’ home-invasion in Mahanoy, feds say first appeared on The Shenandoah Sentinel.

Convicted motorcycle club members orchestrated ‘brutal’ home-invasion in Mahanoy, feds say

Gloucester County, NJ

Franklinville, NJ

FRANKLINVILLE, N.J. -A Gloucester County, New Jersey, man admitted today that he defrauded the government of more than $200,000 in Social Security and Medicaid benefits, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Man Guilty of $200K Social Security & Medicaid Fraud

The grand opening of Tucker Tower in March garnered attention from local leaders. The 120-unit building, designed to assist seniors, was meant to provide affordable housing. However, residents reported a rent increase two weeks ago, with some seeing hikes as high as $138 per month. This increase came in the middle of their lease agreements, causing widespread concern and distress.

Senior Citizens Protest Rent Hike at Affordable Housing (video)

Bucks County Beacon

Backlash to LGBTQ+ progress has increased substantially in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. in recent years. From attacks on LGBTQ inclusion in public schools and threats against drag queen story hours to mounting anti-LGBTQ legislation, right-wing extremists have used disinformation and conspiracies to try to erode the rights and liberties and even safety of queer and trans Americans.

As Anti-LGBTQ Backlash Grows, Advocates Say There Is ‘Hope’ In Action

Oregon State

Oregon City News

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public comment on a proposal to adjust the ranges of rates that parks can charge for camping and other facilities in state parks starting in summer 2025.
                Parks officials say regular adjustments to rate ranges are necessary to respond to increases in utility costs, operations and maintenance needs, plus inflation. Currently the rate range for tent campsites, for example, is $17 to $22 per night (plus any local lodging taxes). Rates vary by park and season. The proposal...

Oregon Parks seeks public comment on proposed adjustments to rates charged to visitors

Florida State

POLITICO

A POLITICO analysis found that Medicaid expenditures for undocumented immigrants in Florida has dropped dramatically since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law directing hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status.

Florida Medicaid spending on undocumented immigrants plummets after new law

NewsBreak

School board brings back cut budget items after Dunleavy OKs one-time funding

Kenai Peninsula school board members undid budget cuts on Monday they’d implemented for the coming school year. The vote came two days after Gov. Mike Dunleavy...

School board brings back cut budget items after Dunleavy OKs one-time funding

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