http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=156319045 http://www.governing.com/topics/energy-env/gov-state-climatologists-feel-heat.html Extreme weather events have intensified the climate change debate and made climatologists’ job more high profile and more controversial than ever before. http://www.governing.com/generations/government-management/gov-senior-playgrounds-popping-up.html The parks, which feature low-impact exercise equipment designed for adults, started abroad and are just now taking off in the United States. http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-citizens-petition-states-to-implement-health-care-reform.html Citizens in at least 25 states have filed petitions, urging officials to institute key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-citizens-petition-states-to-implement-health-care-reform.html Citizens in at least 25 states have filed petitions, urging officials to institute key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. http://www.governing.com/news/state/gov-minnesota-marriage-amendment-supporters-to-sue.html Supporters of the amendment say that Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie “unlawfully” changed the title of the amendment question. http://www.governing.com/news/state/gov-state-local-governments-experience-hiring-boost.html State and local governments have experienced a dramatic hiring rebound in the first four months of this year. http://www.governing.com/news/state/gov-Texas-Prepares-to-Fund-Womens-Health-Program-.html The state of Texas is preparing to foot the entire $40 million bill for the Women’s Health Program (WHP) in the event that the U.S. District Court finds that Planned Parenthood can continue providing services under the program. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Massachusetts-State-Universities-Approve-Fee-Increases-.html Eight of the nine Massachusetts State Universities have increased their annual fees by an average of 6 percent amid decreases in state funding. Eight of the nine Massachusetts State Universities have increased their annual fees by an average of 6 percent amid decreases in state funding. Eight of the nine Massachusetts State Universities have increased their annual fees by an average of 6 percent amid decreases in state funding. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Colorado-Springs-Declares-Emergency-due-to-Wildfire.html A Colorado wildfire that had been steadily burning for 3 days erupted on Tuesday, causing 32,000 people to evacuate their homes across the neighborhoods of Colorado Springs. http://www.governing.com/news/federal/gov-synthetic-drug-ban-passes-senate.html The U.S. Senate banned chemicals used to make the synthetic drug known as "K2" or "bath salts." http://www.governing.com/news/local/gov-detroit-to-demolish-vacant-homes.html Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced plans to demolish 1,500 abandoned houses in the next 90 days. http://www.governing.com/news/federal/gov-state-local-governments-to-receive-financing-for-eco-friendly-projects.html The Department of the Treasury announced on Tuesday that it will make it easier for state and local governments to access more than $2 billion in existing low-cost financing to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds. http://www.governing.com/news/local/gov-detroit-to-lay-off-firefighters.html More than 100 of the soon-to-be laid off firefighters could get their job back though, if the city secures a federal SAFER grant. They won't know until at least September.