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Some cities see migrants as a ‘lifeline.’ Policy could follow, experts say.
As southern border states struggle with a record flow of asylum-seekers, major destination cities such as Chicago, Denver and New York City continue to ask for more federal help to handle the bus riders sent by Texas and Arizona. “Our cities are working shoulder-to-shoulder to support newcomers, but it’s time...
West Virginia’s child care desert becomes a priority for business-minded governor and lawmakers
This story first appeared in West Virginia Watch. West Virginia has a shortage of affordable child care providers, a long-standing problem made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s pro-business push has forced more politicians, including the Republican governor, to recognize child care as a crucial need that warrants government attention and funding. Data shows […] The post West Virginia’s child care desert becomes a priority for business-minded governor and lawmakers appeared first on Stateline.
Federal rule forces oil states to cut planet-warming methane emissions
Within two years, a new federal rule will force oil- and gas-producing states to crack down on methane gas emissions — a major driver of climate change. A handful of states already have rules that force drillers to increase monitoring and upgrade equipment, which advocates say provided an effective template for the federal action. But […] The post Federal rule forces oil states to cut planet-warming methane emissions appeared first on Stateline.
There’s a new pill for postpartum depression, but many at-risk women face hurdles
The first pill for postpartum depression approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now available, but experts worry that minority and low-income women, who are disproportionately affected by the condition, won’t have easy access to the new medication. About 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum...
Are ski mask bans a crime-fighting solution? Some cities say yes.
Amid concerns about crime and public safety, at least two major U.S. cities recently considered banning ski masks or balaclavas to prevent criminal behavior, despite a lack of academic research about the effectiveness of such bans. Last month, Philadelphia became the latest city to enact a ban in some public spaces, including parks, schools, day […] The post Are ski mask bans a crime-fighting solution? Some cities say yes. appeared first on Stateline.
Hospitality workers’ wages are rising faster than high earners’ in most states
Pay hikes over the past four years have lifted the wages of people who work in hospitality — the nation’s lowest-paid industry — nearly 30% on average, reversing much of the wage inequality that has been growing for decades in the United States. In 40 states, even those that haven’t raised their minimum wage beyond […] The post Hospitality workers’ wages are rising faster than high earners’ in most states appeared first on Stateline.
Children’s nutrition program, revved up in the pandemic, faces severe cuts
A federal program built to improve nutrition for new mothers and kids is growing for the first time in over a decade, thanks to changes made during the pandemic. Since its pilot program began in 1974, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — better known as WIC — has provided food, […] The post Children’s nutrition program, revved up in the pandemic, faces severe cuts appeared first on Stateline.
Public universities seek innovative ways to teach humanities as interest wanes
Second in an occasional series on academic changes in state-funded colleges and universities. Read the first part. Last year, Ashley Lawson, a communications major at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, had to take a journalism class online, even though the professor teaching the course was on her own campus. Lawson was in the class with […] The post Public universities seek innovative ways to teach humanities as interest wanes appeared first on Stateline.
State lawmakers seek to limit property tax increases as home values soar
Soaring home values have increased property taxes for millions of homeowners in recent years, prompting action from state lawmakers to lighten the burden. “The biggest problem was they just went up so quickly. … I think that’s one of the reasons why it became this rallying cry from the people asking for tax relief,” said […] The post State lawmakers seek to limit property tax increases as home values soar appeared first on Stateline.
As homeless people become more visible, some cities and states take a tougher line
In pushing for a bill of rights for homeless Michiganders, Democratic state Rep. Emily Dievendorf encountered a “cruel irony”: A homeless constituent providing advice on the measure was denied entry to the state Capitol because he didn’t have a photo ID. Under Dievendorf’s bill, homeless people in Michigan would have the right to “move freely” […] The post As homeless people become more visible, some cities and states take a tougher line appeared first on Stateline.
Restoring voting rights after a felony is rare in Tennessee. The process has gotten harder.
This story originally appeared in the Tennessee Lookout. Janiqua Thompson was in her early 20s when she began stealing from the hotel she worked for. Her motivation was to catch up on bills to support her mother and three younger brothers, but her felony conviction only added more financial strain. She spent a day in jail and three years on probation, faced $20,000 in restitution fees and lost her voting rights.
States warn of ‘Band-Aids and duct tape’ for road maintenance
PORTLAND, Ore. — As winter weather began arriving in mountain passes, the Oregon Department of Transportation issued a warning: The state was running out of money to plow roads and could “no longer maintain the state’s transportation system at the same level as we have in the past.” Drivers would need to anticipate delays and […] The post States warn of ‘Band-Aids and duct tape’ for road maintenance appeared first on Stateline.
Environmental groups want stronger rules for use of coal ash fill after EPA reveals new risks
Coal ash, what’s left over after coal is burned to generate electricity, is one of the largest waste streams in the U.S., with hundreds of millions of tons of it lying in hundreds of sites across the country. However, a lot of that ash, which can contain a host of toxic metals, isn’t just sitting […] The post Environmental groups want stronger rules for use of coal ash fill after EPA reveals new risks appeared first on Stateline.
Census Bureau’s proposed changes threaten to undercount people with disabilities, advocates say
The Census Bureau has proposed a major change to disability questions on its annual American Community Survey that advocates say will reduce the number of people who are counted as disabled by 40%, including millions of women and girls. The change in available data could affect federal funding allocations and the decisions government agencies make […] The post Census Bureau’s proposed changes threaten to undercount people with disabilities, advocates say appeared first on Stateline.
How a new way to vote is gaining traction in states — and could transform US politics
With U.S. democracy plagued by extremism, polarization and a growing disconnect between voters and lawmakers, a set of reforms that could dramatically upend how Americans vote is gaining momentum at surprising speed in Western states. Ranked choice voting, which asks voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference, has seen its profile steadily expand […] The post How a new way to vote is gaining traction in states — and could transform US politics appeared first on Stateline.
States and Biden administration push efforts to aid renters, keep people housed
Maine’s housing authority received $35 million in 2023 — the first time in 54 years it has received a direct appropriation from the state budget — to help build more affordable rental housing for communities that have struggled to keep up with high housing prices. The state’s program provides funding to developers for affordable housing […] The post States and Biden administration push efforts to aid renters, keep people housed appeared first on Stateline.
Complaint claims Starbucks app traps customers in cycle of spending
This story first appeared in the Washington State Standard. Dedicated Starbucks customers know the use of the company’s mobile app and digital payment cards to pay for coffee and other goodies comes with restrictions. You can only add money to the card in $10 increments and must choose a tip from predetermined choices. That means no […] The post Complaint claims Starbucks app traps customers in cycle of spending appeared first on Stateline.
Northwest states, tribes reach deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams
This story first appeared in the Oregon Capital Chronicle. A decadeslong battle over dams in the Columbia River Basin had a breakthrough this month, as the Biden administration announced a deal with four tribes in the region and the states of Oregon and Washington that is meant to restore salmon and other fish runs while also […] The post Northwest states, tribes reach deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams appeared first on Stateline.
Colorado releases 5 wolves, fulfilling voter-approved reintroduction measure
This story first appeared in Colorado Newsline. Five gray wolves captured by Colorado wildlife agents in Oregon were released into the wild on Colorado’s Western Slope earlier this week, fulfilling a voter-approved 2020 ballot initiative to reintroduce the animals in the state in the name of restoring ecological balance.
Report ranks South Carolina worst in the nation in nursing home inspectors
This story first appeared in the SC Daily Gazette. COLUMBIA, S.C. — After a nurse at an Anderson nursing home noticed pain medication missing from the staff’s medical cart in February 2022, the nurse reported the missing narcotics. The state’s public health agency was called to investigate, but due to staffing shortages, it took state […] The post Report ranks South Carolina worst in the nation in nursing home inspectors appeared first on Stateline.
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