• Federal Funding for Cities' Anti-Terrorism Centers Dwindling
• Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel   |   Wisconsin   |   May 6, 2013
• The so-called fusion centers -- they sift intelligence about terrorism, determine threat levels, and investigate suspicious activity and potential crises -- have become a fixture in post-9-11 America. There are 78 centers nationwide.

• West Virginia to Expand Medicaid
• Source: Charleston Daily Mail   |   West Virginia   |   May 6, 2013
• Tens of thousands of West Virginians will soon be eligible for Medicaid coverage after Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced the state would expand its program under the federal health care overhaul.

• Immigrants Are Transforming Port Chester, New York
• Source: New York Times   |   Port Chester, N.Y.   |   May 6, 2013
• Port Chester, N.Y., presents a microcosm of the costs and benefits that immigration reform could offer.

• Seattle Plans to be Carbon Neutral by 2050
• Source: Seattle Times   |   Seattle   |   May 6, 2013
• City leaders this month are unveiling an ambitious Climate Action Plan, with the goal of making Seattle carbon neutral (zero net emissions of greenhouse gases) by 2050

• Appreciating Public Servants in an Age of Cynicism
• BY: Mark Funkhouser   |   May 6, 2013
• In the aftermath of the Boston bombings, something interesting and unusual happened: People applauded their public employees.
• 1 Comments

• Looking Back at Howard Dean's 50-State Strategy
• BY: Louis Jacobson   |   May 6, 2013
• Despite opposition from national Democrats, the former Vermont governor's bid to build up party infrastructure in every state was a success in the unlikeliest of places -- at least while it lasted.
• 2 Comments

• Jobs Report Exceeds Expectations as Unemployment Rate Falls
• BY: Mike Maciag   |   May 3, 2013
• The economy added 165,000 jobs last month while the unemployment rate fell slightly to 7.5 percent.

• Florida Court Forces Police to Obtain Warrant for Cell-Phone Searches
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Florida   |   May 3, 2013
• The Florida Supreme Court, in a 5-2 decision, has ruled that police must obtain a search warrant to view the contents of a person's cellphone when they are taken into custody.
• 3 Comments

• Feds Seek Stronger Cybersecurity Partnerships with States
• BY: Stateline   |   Nation   |   May 3, 2013
• With cybersecurity legislation stalled in Congress, the White House is looking to partner with states to protect critical infrastructure from attacks.
• 1 Comments

• Thousands Denied Food Stamps When Tied to Assets
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Pennsylvania   |   May 3, 2013
• Advocates for the poor now say that by weeding out a relatively small number of people with too many assets, the Department of Public Welfare made getting food stamps so complicated that deserving low-income people became inundated by paperwork and lost their benefits.
• 2 Comments

• U.S. AG Holder, Gov. Brownback Spar over Kansas' New Gun Law
• Source: AP/Wichita Eagle   |   Kansas   |   May 3, 2013
• U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has told Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback that a new state law attempting to block federal regulation of some guns is unconstitutional and that the federal government is willing to go to court over the issue.
• 22 Comments

• As Amtrak Aid Ends, States Face Funding Decisions
• Source: New York Times   |   Nation   |   May 3, 2013
• Under pressure from Congress to reduce its dependence on federal subsidies, Amtrak is looking at either closing 28 short-haul routes or getting 19 states to cover the costs. Most of the states have already agreed to pick up the costs.

• Most Bike-Friendly State is Washington for 6th Year
• Source: USA Today   |   Nation   |   May 3, 2013
• The rankings are bestowed by the League of American Bicyclists and are based on funding for biking legislation, bike programs and policies, infrastructure, education and planning.

• D.C. Mayor Gray Proposes Giving Driver's Licenses to Immigrants
• Source: Washington Post   |   District of Columbia   |   May 3, 2013
• Mayor Vincent C. Gray unveiled his proposal to allow illegal immigrants to apply for District driver’s licenses.

• Arizona Gov. Brewer Vetoes Gold Currency Bill
• Source: Arizona Republic   |   Arizona   |   May 3, 2013
• Gov. Jan Brewervetoed a bill that would have made Arizona the second state to allow gold and silver coins to be used as legal tender.