New York State

Lancaster County, PA

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NewsByJoshua

Fans of Frisco's Chicken were left reeling as the beloved Peruvian-style eatery announced the closure of all its locations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The chain, known for its delicious food and strong community values, posted a heartfelt note on its doors, informing customers of the devastating news.

Favorite Chicken Chain Suddenly Closes All Stores, Heartfelt Message Found on Doors

Maryland State

Route Fifty

You're reading Route Fifty's Public Finance Update. This article was originally published by The Pew Charitable Trusts. To get the latest on state and local budgets, taxes and other financial matters, you can subscribe here to get this update in your inbox twice each month. You can find a full archive of these newsletters here.

Is it time to dig into rainy day funds?

News in the retail world—Rite Aid is closing a massive 400 stores following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing last October. Initially, when the pharmacy chain announced its bankruptcy, it planned to close 143 locations. But that number has ballooned, and now more than 520 stores are set to shut their doors. That’s a huge chunk, making up about a quarter of Rite Aid’s total stores!

Retailer closing hundreds of stores after Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in October and data breach

Los Angeles, CA

Local and state governments are grappling with a severe shortage of skilled IT workers, particularly in critical areas such as cybersecurity, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. With their higher salaries and more attractive work environments, the private sector and the federal government are poaching talent from local and state governments.

Stackable certificates could be a lifeline for governments facing an IT talent crisis

Mississippi State

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Jackson, MS

Mississippi News Group

JACKSON, Miss. - In a decisive move today, State Auditor Shad White announced the arrest of Lacosta Lee, a contracted probation officer affiliated with Court Programs, Inc (CPI), on charges of embezzlement. Special Agents from the State Auditor’s Office took Lee into custody following allegations that she misappropriated funds intended for court-ordered fines and fees.

Probation Officer Arrested in Embezzlement Case

The conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a broad coalition of states and cities Friday, as it overturned a rule in the Western U.S. that prohibited them from banning homeless people from camping on public lands. The six-judge majority, in a decision written by Justice Neil Gorsuch,...

It’s OK to ban homeless people from camping in public, high court rules

Philadelphia, TN

A key nonprofit that works closely with governments to connect people with essential benefits like food assistance and health care is abruptly shuttering, and the impact could be far reaching. The Philadelphia-based Benefits Data Trust, or BDT, which advocates for streamlined access to government assistance, said last month in a...

A nonprofit’s abrupt closure puts access to public benefits at risk

Oregon State

Two years ago the country’s national suicide lifeline downsized from 10 digits to three, with federal policymakers touting the revamped 988 number as easier to remember for individuals in crisis. Since its launch in 2022, more than 10 million Americans have utilized the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline via...

At two-year mark, federal funding for 988 is running dry. Enter phone fees.

The Biden administration’s plan in early January 2022 to send 500 million at-home COVID-19 tests to Americans free through the U.S. Postal Service was a historic undertaking that, perhaps unsurprisingly, hit a few snags. Logistical obstacles kept tests out of many people’s hands at the peak of the omicron...

How the pandemic led to innovation in one state’s public health response

Savannah, GA

Daily Coffee Press

Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include felony charges for illegal firearms possession and drug distribution, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges.

Federal Charges in Southern GA: Indictments and Sentences for Firearms and Drug Offenses

Missouri State

This story was originally published by The Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism in the public interest. Missouri Medicaid began covering teeth cleanings, and almost no other routine dental work, for adults a few years ago. But the bill for the dentist actually peering in your...

Missouri is getting more people to the dentist—for more than a pretty smile

Bucks County Beacon

“[I]nvoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God,” the Constitution of the Confederate States of America composed by southern slaveholders in 1861 sought to “establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” The authors of Project 2025, the latest playbook for restructuring the federal government in order to accomplish the policy goals of Christian Nationalists, similarly declare their manifesto will “decide America’s future” by securing their “God-given individual rights to live freely” and exercise dominion over others.

Legislating Inequality: The Christian Confederate Roots of Project 2025

Washington, DC

You're reading Route Fifty's State and Local Roundup. To get the week’s news to use from around the country, you can subscribe here to get this update in your inbox every Saturday. In the meantime, be sure to read to the end as we've rounded up headlines from the week.

States, cities consider ‘mansion taxes’ to fund affordable housing

Georgia State

Dublin, GA

Officials from the U.S. Department of Justice have announced that a 42-year-old man from Dublin, Georgia, has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl.

Georgia Man Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years for Fentanyl Distribution

California State

California has already seen more than 3,500 wildfires so far this year, in what state officials earlier this week called a “significantly more active [season] than the last five years.”. With an estimated 207,415 acres of land burned—or roughly the length of 150,000 football fields—and 10 wildfires still burning,...

Mapping clean air centers to protect residents against wildfire risks

Colorado State

This story is republished from Stateline original article. For decades, states have relied on gas taxes to provide much of the money to maintain roads and bridges. But as cars become more fuel efficient, and some Americans switch to electric vehicles, state leaders say the gas tax won’t pay the bills for much longer.

Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might

WASHINGTON – Senior Biden administration officials announced a proposed rule Tuesday to prevent heat-related illness in the workplace, as climate change brings hotter temperatures around the nation. In a call to reporters Monday, officials spoke on background about the new rule, which the administration sent to the Federal Register...

Biden administration announces new rule to protect workers from heat-related illnesses

The HD Post

CALIFORNIA – On Sunday July 21, President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race saying the decision is in the best interest of his party and the country.

Newsom responds to Biden’s withdrawal from 2024 presidential race

Adel, GA

Last Friday, two men were arrested on charges following a joint investigation into drug trafficking in Adel, culminating in a search at their home. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the search took place on Friday, June 28, at the residence of 28-year-old Shyiem Marquon Banks and 36-year-old Roderick Dion Collins. Investigators discovered a substantial quantity of drugs, including 210 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 3.2 pounds of suspected marijuana, 13 grams of suspected alpha-PVP (Flakka/bath salts), over 90 suspected oxycodone tablets, and 2 firearms.

Two Arrested in South Georgia Drug Bust Uncovering Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Firearms

NewsBreak

As mobile IDs proliferate, concerns about cybersecurity and data privacy mount

New York is rolling out mobile driver’s licenses, giving residents in the Empire State the option to ditch plastic for digital IDs—at least some of the...

As mobile IDs proliferate, concerns about cybersecurity and data privacy mount

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