News
Despite a record surplus, agencies have been told not to expect the extra money in their budgets. Republican legislators want to cut taxes while Democrats support expanded Medicaid and investments in education.
The number of jobs U.S employers added in July and drove the unemployment rate down to 5.4% in another sign the economy is bouncing back with surprising vigor from COVID-19.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, telling reporters he is fed up with the "hysteria” about rising hospitalizations in the state and accused President Biden of facilitating the virus by not reducing immigration through the southern border. COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida surged past 12,000 last week — far exceeding a record already shattered over the weekend. (Washington Post — August 6, 2021)
Most lithium-ion batteries used in EVs today will last between 11 and 13 years. But eventually they stop working, creating millions of tons of battery waste per year. Recycling is difficult but potentially profitable.
To reduce the violence Black urban farmers are growing fresh, affordable produce in the city’s food deserts. St. Louis has over 400 acres of vacant lots that could be converted into arable farmland.
State and local governments are set to receive billions if the legislation passes, including funding to support cybersecurity, broadband, transit, roads, water and more. Here are the details.
But some sheriffs and states rely on commissions to fund programs.
Police officials didn’t support a recent proposal for gunshot detection technology, but as violence increases, the City Council is looking for a mobile version of the technology. So far, nothing is within budget.
The laws in Texas are vague when it comes to legally changing a name and gender marker. Cases are often up to the discretion of the judge and can take months to go through the process.
With deadly wildfires across the state, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has said that the federal government will do a better job providing more personnel and funds to assist the firefighting efforts.
The number of people expected to attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Black Hills, S.D., this weekend. Last year the rally attracted just 460,000 attendees due to the coronavirus pandemic, but many expect the crowds to be even bigger this year, raising concern that it will become a superspreader event. The Rally brings in over $800 million in revenue for the state.
U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, regarding the widespread damage that the Dixie Fire has caused to the Northern California town of Greenville. (Associated Press — August 5, 2021)
The city has made impressive strides in retaining and growing riders on its bus transit system thanks to a free fare program during the pandemic. But sustaining the policy while expanding service could be tricky in the long run.
Vaccines against smallpox during the Revolutionary War may have saved the Continental Army from defeat. It’s one example of how mandates have protected the health of Americans for more than two centuries.
After refusing to take cybersecurity training, Councilman Fred Richardson’s emails were shut down for two weeks, a situation he compared to Jim Crow-era discrimination. Richardson is also a mayoral candidate in the upcoming primary.
Mayor London Breed has agreed to pay $22,792 in city fines to settle allegations that she committed several ethics violations while in office. Breed is the first sitting mayor in the city to settle such a case.
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, commenting on the time she spent living in a Ford Explorer after her family was evicted from their rental home two decades ago. Bush was protesting the expiration of the eviction moratorium by sleeping outside the U.S. Capitol, and on Tuesday the Biden administration issued a new eviction moratorium that will last until Oct. 3. (Associated Press — August 4, 2021)
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill on Monday that would replace the word ‘inmate’ with ‘incarcerated individual.’ The old term is considered derogatory and dehumanizing, within state law. It takes effect immediately.
The proportion of New Yorkers who think that Governor Cuomo should resign after a report found that he sexually harassed 11 women.
A report issued by the state attorney general’s office finds that New York’s governor repeatedly touched women and created a culture of retribution.
The state is already home to the largest potable water reuse programs in the world. Massive expansions worth more than $11 billion are in the works to keep supply steady in the face of worsening climate impacts.
Surveys show Americans want more walkable cities and bike riding continues to grow. Yet urban streets are still designed and used like highways. Change is happening, but at a very slow pace, says urban expert Jeff Speck.
The eviction moratorium expired last weekend, and despite pleas from Congress and advocates, the White House has said the CDC cannot extend the order any further, putting millions at risk of losing their housing.
The heat wave that hit Clark County, Wash., has prompted officials to raise their utility demand forecasts and ensure infrastructure upgrades happen soon. The peak demand was 18 percent greater than the previous peak in 2017.
A new study found New Mexico’s renewable energy sector could contribute a multibillion-dollar boost and thousands of jobs to the state’s economy if it receives federal stimulus investments.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a fundraising email that was sent out over the weekend. The U.S. just reached 70 percent vaccinated among adults a month later than hoped, but states with large populations that are still unvaccinated are continuing to suffer. The Florida medical center chain Baptist Hospital Miami saw an increase of over 140 percent in the past two weeks of COVID-19 hospitalizations. (Associated Press — August 3, 2021)
The amount that Zoom will pay to settle a lawsuit that alleges the video-conferencing company lied about end-to-end encryption and shared user data to Facebook and Google without user consent. Zoom users nationwide will be eligible to receive payments of either $15 or $25.
Republican and Democratic states aren’t exactly sure what they are for, but they know what they’re against.
Local governments could turn to special assessment districts to cost-effectively assure safety improvements, bypassing occupants’ foot-dragging and dysfunctional homeowners’ associations.
There is a growing movement for raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour to help reduce stress on low-wage workers. But a new report reveals that a $15 hourly wage isn’t always livable.
Most Read
