Texas State

Columbus, OH

New York City, NY

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

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?

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NewsByJoshua

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

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

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

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

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.

Alabama State

This story is republished from Stateline original article. When Hurricane Sally struck coastal Alabama in 2020, many residents saw the roofs torn from their homes or damaged by the high winds. But not Matt Fetner. “Every house around had blue tarps on it, except for mine,” said the resident of...

One state is pioneering paying for roof upgrades as storms boost insurance costs

This story is republished from Stateline original article. Violent crime in the U.S. dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period last year, according to the FBI’s Quarterly Uniform Crime Report released earlier this month. The FBI’s data, collected from nearly 12,000 law enforcement...

Despite what some politicians say, crime rates are decreasing

This story is republished from Maryland Matters original article. Maryland is set to be one of two test-subject states for a new federal program that officials hope will improve patient outcomes and bridge inequities while constraining hospital and medical costs. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced...

The road AHEAD: Maryland to be a test-subject state in new federal hospital model

A housing shortage estimated at 4 million to 7 million homes is driving up rents, prices, and homelessness nationwide, spurring cities, towns, and increasingly states to consider passing laws to allow more housing. Many of these efforts are gaining broad acceptance, but others face more resistance. Why? A survey conducted for The Pew Charitable Trusts provides some insights.

A swing constituency could help allow more homes

Framingham, MA

This article originally appeared in Grist. You can read the original article here. Along with earthworms, rocks, and the occasional skeleton, there’s a massive battery right under your feet. Unlike a flammable lithium ion battery, though, this one is perfectly stable, free to use, and ripe for sustainable exploitation: the Earth itself.

The secret to decarbonizing buildings might be right beneath your feet

For many Americans, prescription drugs are too costly. Last year, 28% of U.S. adults struggled to afford their prescription medications. And from 2017 to 2022, state Medicaid spending on prescriptions saw a 47% increase. The rapid rise of drug prices has been the impetus behind growing state efforts to develop...

How states are cracking down on rising prescription drug costs

Coral Gables, FL

Edmond Thorne

Tragic End for South Florida Hispanic Building Tycoon Sergio Pino. Fort Lauderdale, FL - In a shocking turn of events, prominent South Florida homebuilder Sergio Pino was found dead in his Coral Gables home on Tuesday morning. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Pino died from an apparent suicide.

South Florida Tycoon Dead After FBI Raids on Homes and Office

Washington State

This article first appeared on The Daily Yonder and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. A newly updated wildfire risk map could help level the playing field for rural communities who don’t have the resources to conduct their own wildfire risk assessments, according to the independent research group Headwaters Economics.

What is your home’s wildfire risk?

Georgia State

Dublin, GA

Daily Coffee Press

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

Savannah, GA

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

Illinois State

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

MOD Pizza has over 500 locations across the country with 22 restaurants in Illinois. The Washington-based chain offers fast-casual fare known for its customized, artisan-style pizzas. Customers can choose from over 40 toppings and 8 sauces to create their own masterpiece.

Bankruptcy Looms for Major Pizza Chain With Chicago Suburban Locations

This story is republished from ProPublica original article, which was co-published with Oregon Public Broadcasting. The Biden administration released a report last week acknowledging “the historic, ongoing, and cumulative damage and injustices” that Columbia River dam construction caused Northwest tribal nations starting in the 20th century, including decimation of the salmon runs that Indigenous people were entitled to by government treaty.

The federal government just acknowledged the harm its dams have caused tribes. Here’s what it left out.

NewsBreak

States take a more measured approach to ESG mandates

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,...

States take a more measured approach to ESG mandates

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