From the States
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Hardware giant True Value bolts from Illinois, lawmaker says move shows business climate concerns
Illinois state Sen. Chris Balkema said True Value’s decision to move its headquarters from Chicago to Fort Wayne, Indiana, is another example of businesses seeking relief from what he described as Illinois’ costly regulatory and tax environment. True Value, which
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Greg Abbott issues major disaster declaration for Texas communities impacted by flood
Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed a major disaster declaration for 28 Texas counties, which he said is heading to President Donald Trump to approve.
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Utility company pays $314 million to Eaton Fire victims
The Eaton Fire, which started Jan. 7, 2025, burned 14,021 acres, destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged 1,073 structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention. Seventeen people died.
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Another attempt to thwart Texas border security efforts: mussels
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing listing two species of freshwater mussels as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
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At least 53 dead in Hawaii wildfires
The historic Lahaina Town, a one-time capital of the former kingdom that has less than 13,000 residents, was hit particularly hard.
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S&P says California outmigration could result in state credit downgrade
State Farm and Allstate recently announced they would stop accepting new homeowner insurance customers in California.
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Pricey Digs: HUD program averages $232,000 cost for each affordable housing unit it creates
GAO audit urges stronger oversight of federal program designed to ease housing shortages.
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Tennessee groups file suit challenging congressional, state senate maps
The complaint states the maps are unconstitutional racial gerrymanders that violate the 14th and 15th Amendments.
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Illinois police warn that ‘vicious cycle’ of trespassing homeless will ‘get worse’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker disagreed with that characterization of the SAFE-T Act.
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Mega Millions $1.58 billion winning ticket sold in Florida
The winner could choose to receive the jackpot over 29 gradually increasing annual payments or through a lump sum of $783.3 million, both before taxes.
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Federal judge sanctions Southwest Airlines, holds in civil contempt
The judge gave specific instructions for Southwest to follow “to set the record straight” and required its three senior attorneys to take religious liberty training by Alliance Defending Freedom.
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California school district under scrutiny for notifying parents of gender change
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a civil rights investigation into the district.
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New Jersey education board criticized over ‘equity’ policy
The New Jersey Board of Education last week approved new rules that will require schools to segregate sex education classes based on "gender identity" instead of sex.