Officials in Alabama's bankrupt Jefferson County approved a deal on Thursday with European Depfa Bank Plc to cut interest charges on about $162 million of the county's school debt.
A wave of lawmakers in at least 20 states are pushing back against the Obama administration's drive to pass tougher gun laws after the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.
A newly released poll suggests that support for Gov. Rick Snyder dropped sharply after he changed course in December and backed the speedy passage of controversial right-to-work legislation.
Federal law generally bars illegal immigrants from being covered by Medicaid, but a little-known part of the state-federal health insurance program for the poor pays about $2 billion a year for emergency treatment for a group of patients comprised mostly of illegal immigrants.
Despite a push by Republican Gov. Bob McConnell, a bill that would have allowed non-violent felons the right to vote and serve on juries after completion of their sentences has failed to gain passage.
Mikhail Carpenter, the spokesperson for the Washington state Liquor Control Board, on the qualifications that candidates for a newly created marijuana consultant position should have.
With Washington State on the verge of a ballot initiative that would require labeling of some foods containing genetically engineered ingredients and other states considering similar measures, some of the major food companies and Wal-Mart, the country's largest grocery store operator, have been discussing lobbying for a national labeling program.
Legislation to suspend the nation's debt ceiling for a few months is on its way to the White House for President Obama's signature, clearing the Senate on Thursday after a series of failed votes on Republican-backed amendments to also cut federal spending.
