From the States
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NY Times investigating Medicaid spending on autism therapy in North Carolina
The Times reported that Medicaid often pays about $70 per hour nationally, and $83 in North Carolina, for therapy largely delivered by workers with high school diplomas who earn around $20 per hour.
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Gov Abbott says New World Screwworm causing no confirmed food safety issues in Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday that "there is no food safety issue” after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the first case of the New World Screwworm in South Texas in a bovine in Zavala County.
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Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota's high-risk Medicaid providers fail state DHS review
Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota's high-risk Medicaid providers have had taxpayer funding cut following a federally-mandated review process that state officials say was necessary to protect up to $2 billion in federal funding.
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Red Tape Reset bills to reduce business regulation pass Wisconsin Legislature, head to Gov. Evers
The bills are aimed at cutting down on the 165,000 restrictions currently in state law. The bills passed the Senate on Wednesday and the Assembly on Thursday.
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California attorney general sues US Department of Education over alleged FERPA violation
AG Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit this week against the Education Dept., disputing its claim that the California Department of Education violated FERPA and challenging its threat to withhold $4.9 billion in federal funding.
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Colorado Senate panel reviews firearm barrels bill
The Colorado Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee considered a bill Thursday to require firearm barrel purchases be made in-person by licensed dealers.
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Sen. Cornyn files Defeat Sharia Law in America Act, another effort led by Texas
Cornyn introduced the Defeat Sharia Law in America Act with cosponsor Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL, a member of the Sharia Free America Caucus led by Texas U.S. Reps. Chip Roy and Keith Self. The caucus was launched in December.
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Virginia 'Islamophobia' bill creates recording category, not new crime
Senate Bill 624 – filed Jan. 14 and on Feb. 2 moved to the 2027 legislative session – proposes adding a definition of “Islamophobia” to Virginia’s assault-and-battery statute
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Texas now building icebreakers for border security operations in the Arctic
The new projects in Galveston and Port Arthur make Texas operations “ground-zero for the revitalization of the American shipbuilding industry,” Abbott said. “
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Georgia-based gunmaker to pay $1.75M over accessory used in 2022 Buffalo, New York shooting
In a 2023 lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, AG James argues that the device Payton Gendron used to modify his AR-15 rifle in the Buffalo grocery store massacre turned it into "an even deadlier" weapon.
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Pennsylvania governor gets into legal fight with neighbor over security fencing
Jeremy and Simone Mock filed the federal lawsuit against the governor Monday, which Shapiro and his wife Lori Shapiro countersued, with both couples claiming they own the land that the eight-foot security fence sits on.
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First Lady Melania Trump charms young patients during NIH visit to mark Valentine's Day
The first lady was asked an array of questions, including her favorite sport, taste in music and whether she is a queen, to the amusement of Melania Trump. The visit goes hand in hand with her Be Best campaign, promoting child wellness.
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NJ Gov Sherrill signs order restricting state's cooperation with ICE
Federal immigration agents will be barred from using state-owned property as staging areas for enforcement operations under an executive order signed by Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill Wednesday.