McClatchy News

Recent Articles

• In California's Cap-and-Trade Program, Utilities Benefit
• Dec 20, 2012
• The state's utilities have been placed in a special class that effectively cushions companies and their ratepayers from the cost of reducing carbon emissions.

• California Proposes New Fracking Regulations
• Dec 19, 2012
• Under pressure from state lawmakers and environmentalists, Gov. Jerry Brown's administration released draft regulations for hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," the controversial drilling process driving the nation's oil and gas boom.

• Seattle Police Dept. Relaxes Hiring Policy on Pot Use
• Dec 19, 2012
• The Seattle Police Department said that it will relax its hiring standards for officers in light of Washington's new marijuana-legalization law -- applicants will now be disqualified for past pot use within one year instead of three years.

• Bike, Pedestrian Deaths Up as Traffic Fatalities Hit Lowest Since 1949
• Dec 18, 2012
• While the number of people killed in traffic accidents last year dropped to its lowest point in more than six decades, deaths of cyclists and pedestrians surged in 2011.

• Georgia Debuts New Tax Court
• Dec 18, 2012
• Created last year by the Legislature, the specialized court is intended to resolve tax disputes in a more efficient and predictable manner.

• Michigan Legislature Passes Abortion, Emergency Manager, Gun, Recall Bills
• Dec 14, 2012
• After a final-day session that lasted more than 18 hours, the Michigan Legislature hastily passed laws related to taxes, abortion, elections, Detroit lighting, a regional transportation authority for southeast Michigan, and emergency managers for distressed cities and school districts, among other measures.
• 4 Comments

• Embattled North Carolina Democratic Party Leader Won't Seek Re-Election
• Dec 14, 2012
• The position of state Democratic Party chair is expected to take on added importance now that the Republicans control all three branches of state government in Raleigh.

• Despite Cory Booker's National Acclaim, He's Still Slogging in Newark
• Dec 14, 2012
• Mayor Cory Booker lives in two political worlds.

• 'Right-to-Work' Law Not on Wisconsin Gov. Walker's Agenda
• Dec 13, 2012
• Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday that he would not sign a bill to end same-day voter registration because of its cost and reiterated that a right-to-work law was not on his agenda.

• Gas Tax Increase Off the Table in Minnesota
• Dec 13, 2012
• While introducing his new transportation commissioner who supports the gas tax hike, Gov. Mark Dayton rejected a proposal to raise gasoline taxes any time soon to fund highway improvements.

• Pennsylvania Health Exchange to be Run by Feds
• Dec 13, 2012
• Gov. Corbett joins 19 other Republican governors who chose to leave the responsibility of running new online insurance marketplaces to the federal government.

• North Carolina Waters Chosen for Offshore Wind Farms
• Dec 13, 2012
• As plans to build wind farms off the coasts of Massachusetts and Delaware fall through, the feds have opened North Carolina's waters for the whirling turbines.
• 1 Comments

• Nevada's GOP Gov. Sandoval Opts to Expand Medicaid
• Dec 12, 2012
• Despite his overall opposition to the Affordable Care Act, Gov. Brian Sandoval will expand Medicaid to provide health insurance for more low-income people.

• Illinois Supreme Court OKs Prison Closures
• Dec 12, 2012
• The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees had sued to prevent the closures, arguing they would worsen prison overcrowding and put employee's lives in danger.

• Federal Court Rules Illinois' Concealed-Carry Ban Unconstitutional
• Dec 11, 2012
• In a 2-1 decision that is a major victory for the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals said the state's ban on carrying a weapon in public is unconstitutional.
• 1 Comments