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Legislators have filed bills following the administration’s lead on issues from health to government efficiency. They also have property insurance problems to straighten out.
The number of babies whose health was protected by James Harrison. The Australian railway clerk had rare antibodies in his blood that, when administered during pregnancy, help prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn, a condition that can cause stillbirth and neonatal death. Harrison, who died last month, donated blood every two weeks for more than 60 years. “There are so many people walking around with a little bit of James,” said a spokeswoman for American Red Cross Lifeblood.
Montana Republican state Sen. Bob Phalen. He sponsored a bill that would have required posting the Ten Commandments in public schools. Although the U.S. Supreme Court found such displays unconstitutional in 1980, some conservatives believe the current Court might rule differently. Ten Commandment display bills have been introduced in multiple states this year. (Stateline)
State and local officials are working to mitigate the impact of cuts to the federal workforce spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency, offering career services and other resources.
Allegations that presidents, governors and mayors are acting like dictators have been part of American government ever since the nation was founded.
Threats and harassment have become common, prompting an Oregon proposal to criminalize such behavior. Although limited to threats of imminent violence, critics say it would still stifle free speech.
The number of measles cases in Texas, as of Friday. One child has died and 20 more are hospitalized. The outbreak, the worst in the state in decades, has grown from two cases a month ago.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York. In an interview, Ocasio-Cortez says she agrees with President Donald Trump that government doesn’t work for many people, fueling distrust and anger. Unlike Trump, she asserts that government is working well only for the wealthy. (NPR — Feb. 28, 2025)
Mass culling is expensive, but alternatives, like vaccinating chickens or luring wild birds away from domestic flocks, would also impose logistical and environmental costs. And they may be more expensive, anyway.
The mayor’s re-election campaign reports $7.5 million in its accounts but can’t provide finance paperwork for 40 percent of it.
Anti-vaccine sentiment was rising even before the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re seeing the ugly results play out in Texas, with dozens of children suffering from measles and one dying.
A YIMBY group documents how the policies have had “limited or no impact.” But accessory dwelling units have been a success story: In one year alone, more than 28,000 of them got permits.
About half of the funds will go toward helping farmers bolster their biosecurity measures. The department is also working to bolster egg imports.
Ben Fiore-Walker, the town crier of Alexandria, Va., who writes his own rhyming cry in quatrains for local events. Town crying is an old practice, dating back in Alexandria to the 1700s. In past centuries, the crier would read out news or announcements to villagers, many of them illiterate. Fiore-Walker, a director of a nonprofit who has held the volunteer ceremonial position for 13 years, is only the city's second Black town crier. The first, in 1816, was Peter Logan, who purchased his own freedom from slavery. (Axios)
Approximate average annual wage for federal workers who live in Washington, D.C., according to Labor Department data for 2023. D.C., Maryland and Virginia have the highest federal wages per worker, with those in Maryland making about $126,000 and those in Virginia making about $111,000.
The Legislature and lieutenant governor threaten to cut $400 million if colleges and universities do not end diversity initiatives.
The plan comes after crime in Downtown Crossing and other areas throughout the city has reached a seven-year high due to drug use, focusing on treating rather than arresting users and dealers.
The bill calls on utilities to meet wildfire protection standards. In return, they'd gain legal protection.
Sioux Falls is building a website to help connect residents with income-restricted housing. It hopes the tool will get people into housing faster and lower the vacancy rate among subsidized units.
Between 2017 and 2022, the number of Black-owned businesses rose 56.9 percent, accounting for more than half of the overall growth in companies.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state Democrats who frequently invoked the idea of providing sanctuary to undocumented immigrations during Trump’s first term have softened if not changed their tune.
Jeff Landry has secured $42 million to reopen a youth prison in the Baton Rouge area, part of his push to expand juvenile incarceration facilities.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun. A nonprofit group has been airing ads pressuring legislators to support Braun’s agenda, including property tax cuts. Braun said more conversation and information are healthy but warned against “going overboard.” (Indiana Capital Chronicle — Feb. 26, 2025)
The percentage of “highly religious” Americans who strongly lean toward the Republican Party. Thirty-two percent of the same group identify as Democrats. The figure is higher among white Americans – 77 percent – because Black Americans are likely to identify as Democrats regardless of their level of religious engagement. Among White Americans with low levels of religious engagement, 68 percent lean toward the Democratic Party.
Since 2021, the number of states offering universal eligibility for vouchers has grown from zero to 14.
Over the last decade, Wisconsin's largest county has made dramatic progress in reducing its homeless population.
With strong reserves, states have made billions through interest and other investments. This recent windfall is at risk as interest rates and other investment returns become shakier.
Mississippi state Sen. Angela Burks Hill. She was one of four Republicans who voted against a bill that would cut taxes by $326 million, mainly by reducing the state’s flat income tax rate from 4 percent to 2.99 percent. Although the bill would cut income and grocery taxes, it would increase the tax on gasoline to pay for infrastructure. The Mississippi Senate will have to reconcile its version with a deeper income tax passed by the House. (Mississippi Today — Feb. 24, 2025)
The amount states would lose in funding if Congress eliminates enhanced Medicaid funding for the expanded program population created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The House is considering a budget proposal that would shrink Medicaid spending in various ways. If the extra ACA money went away, states would have to come up with $44.3 billion to make up the loss. Otherwise, the uninsured population would increase by 10.8 million people.
Third-party services have bought and sold lottery tickets by the millions, raising concerns about lack of oversight and guardrails.
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