Illinois State

New Jersey State

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The LA Insider

As of 2024, several peculiar new laws have taken effect across the United States, showcasing the unique and often quirky nature of local legislation:. In Nebraska, bars are now required to cook a kettle of soup if they wish to sell beer. This law ensures that patrons have a hearty meal option alongside their drinks​ (World Population Review)​.

Odd New Laws in Effect Across the U.S. in 2024

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Ohio State

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The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

South Carolina State

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Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

North Carolina State

Roxboro, NC

Town Talks

According to Travel alot, Roxboro, North Carolina, holds the unfortunate title of the most miserable city in the state. Several factors contribute to this designation, including high poverty rates, low median household income, and high crime rates.

North Carolina City Named The 'Most Miserable' In The State

Wisconsin State

A firearm ban, which prevented Wisconsin residents from carrying firearms while fishing, was rescinded by the state on Wednesday. The change will now allow gun owners to exercise their Second Amendment rights while fishing. According to a press release by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, the repeal of...

Gun ban repealed in Wisconsin

Tampa, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

Three men and a woman have been arrested on murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Charles Jones , a Jacksonville rapper known as Julio Foolio,” outside a hotel in Tampa.

4 arrested in slaying of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ordinary Americans are “getting whacked” by too many laws and regulations, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch says in a new book that underscores his skepticism of federal agencies and the power they wield. “Too little law and we’re not safe, and our liberties aren’t...

Americans are ‘getting whacked’ by too many laws and regulations, Justice Gorsuch says in a new book

Florida State

Uncovering Florida

In a divided vote on Senate Bill 1084, which would make a variety of regulatory changes including putting a ban on lab grown meat state-wide, Florida’s Senate and House ultimately decided to pass it, sending it on to Governor DeSantis for approval. DeSantis officially approved it on May 1, 2024, and the law came into effect on July 1, 2024.

DeSantis Signed New Florida Law: Selling Lab Grown Meat Is Now A Second Degree Misdemeanor

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

Alameda, CA

Alameda Post

The unthinkable has happened. Again. A gunman has taken multiple lives. The difference this time? It happened here, in Alameda. We are an island, both physically and psychologically. I spend a lot of time explaining to people that our focus is Alameda, and Alameda alone, so our coverage doesn’t usually include stories as horrific as this one.

It Happened Again. Here.

Akeena

Who would have thought that a chain known for its endless shrimp promotion could find itself in such a pickle? But here we are—Florida-based Red Lobster, which has been reeling from financial troubles, may have finally found a lifeline. After a surprising $11 million loss in the third quarter of 2023 due to that very shrimp deal, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy in May 2024. And now, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

A Florida based chain that filed for bankruptcy has reportedly found a potential buyer

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Detroit, MI

Michigan State

CBS Detroit

(CBS DETROIT) — Restaurant workers have mixed views on a new ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court that grants an increase to the minimum wage and paid sick leave for all Michigan workers. Antoine Williams, a chef in Corktown, says he's skeptical about the new rulings because he's seen similar situations before. "Once everybody starts getting used to that new minimum wage and making more money, the economy will bring everything up," said Williams. State Rep. John Roth of Interlocken thinks the new laws disproportionately hurt the restaurant industry, calling on legislators to "take action to ensure that thousands of Michigan restaurant employees...

Michigan restaurant workers react to state Supreme Court ruling on minimum wage

Kansas State

Missouri State

CJ Coombs

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) helps to locate missing children. Since July 1, 2024, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 174 children have been reported missing in the U.S. Since January 1, 2024, there was a total of 1,445 reported missing in the country.

Missing Missouri children as of July 17, 2024, according to the NCMEC

The Hill

More than a dozen House Republicans wrote to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday asking him not to axe clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) if the GOP maintains or expands its House majority next year. In the letter, first shared with Politico’s E&E News, members...

18 House Republicans ask Johnson not to target IRA clean energy tax credits

Pewaukee, WI

The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Local governments across Wisconsin may be looking to raise taxes now that their transportation fees are in legal limbo.
                The Wisconsin Supreme Court denied a petition from the Village of Pewaukee to hear its case that sought to save its transportation fee.
                Pewaukee, like many local governments across the state, turned to a transportation utility fee to raise money for local road projects.
   ...

Transportation utility fees in Wisconsin may be in danger after court decision

Texas State

Houston, TX

Kentucky Vibes.net

Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of A.I. software. With around 270,000 homes and businesses still without power in the Houston area almost a week after Hurricane Beryl hit Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday said he’s demanding an investigation into the response of the utility that serves the area as well as answers about its preparations for upcoming storms.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Demands Answers as Customers Remain Without Power After Beryl.

Denver, CO

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Apex, NC

Apex, NC Ranks High on "Most Livable Small Cities" List. The Raleigh suburb of Apex has been recognized as one of the most livable small cities in the United States, ranking No. 7 on SmartAsset's nationwide list published on July 11.

North Carolina town ranks as one of nation’s best small cities to call home. Why it’s special

NewsBreak

Statewide: A primer on Illinois government and politics

Illinois a complex state and that's especially true when it comes to government and politics. But there is help. A new edition of Illinois Politics: A...

Statewide: A primer on Illinois government and politics

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