Standing out in a crowded primary field can be a major challenge. But as the Hartford Courant reports , getting attention is not Connecticut gubernatorial candidate Lee Whitnum’s problem. Whitnum showed up at a Democratic candidate debate in Brookfield...
Alcohol vending machines might sound like the fever dream of a hungover frat boy, but rest assured this is no hazy day-after fantasy. As the Connecticut Post reports , the House there has approved a bill that would allow bars to install self-dispensing...
TN House Rejects SB 1086 The TENNESSEE House rejects SB 1086 , a Senate-endorsed bill that would strip local municipalities of the ability to ban short term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO. The measure is expected to go to a joint conference committee...
LA Senate Approves SB 178 The LOUISIANA Senate approves SB 178 , which would allow Pelican State students to wear bulletproof backpacks on school grounds. It is now in the House (FOX8LIVE.COM [NEW ORLEANS]). IL Governor Signs SB 863 ILLINOIS...
VA Governor Vetoes HB 1270 VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph Northam (D) vetoes HB 1270 , a bill that requires legislative approval before the Old Dominion can participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade program among Northeastern and...
AK House Approves HB 25 The ALASKA House approves HB 25 , which would require insurance companies and Medicaid to provide coverage for prescription contraceptives and medical services needed for any devices. It moves to the Senate (KTVA [ANCHORAGE...
AZ Supreme Court Rules The ARIZONA Supreme Court rules that public colleges and universities are not legally able to offer in-state tuition rates to immigrants covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The ruling upholds...
AZ House Approves SB 1394 The ARIZONA House approves SB 1394 , a bill that would require Grand Canyon State hospitals and clinics to ask patients the reason they are seeking an abortion. The measure returns to the Senate (ARIZONA CAPITOL TIMES [PHOENIX...
Going On In MI The MICHIGAN Department of Environmental Quality closes the final four bottled water distribution centers in the city of FLINT . State officials said testing showed Flint's water quality had remained below federal action levels for...
BROWN AGREES TO SEND CA TROOPS TO BORDER In a somewhat surprising move, CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown (D) agreed last week to President Donald Trump’s request to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. But in a letter to Sect. of...
By Chris Scully, Senior Media Intelligence Analyst, LexisNexis Implementing a media measurement program can be an intimidating task for many PR professionals . After all, many people in our industry undertook PR as a career due to a love of storytelling...
Environmental and social issues driving change in the construction industry Guest Post by Colleen Theron, Director Ardea Since Russia and Qatar won their bids to host the FIFA World Cups in 2018 and 2022 respectively, the construction industry has...
Sports betting and remote sales taxes have been getting a lot of attention in statehouses recently. The main reason for the surge of interest in the two issues is a pair of cases currently before the U.S. Supreme Court that could allow states to collect...
Fourteen states have introduced over 40 bills dealing with sports betting this year, according to LexisNexis State Net’s legislative tracking system . Four states - Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and West Virginia - account for more than half of the...
There are few things politicos like more than naming new buildings or bridges or other public works after a retired colleague who gave a healthy chunk of their working life to public service. But on occasion said pols get a little antsy and toss one of...
Since the passing of former First Dog and national celebrity Sutter Brown in 2016, current First Dog Colusa has been a tad lonely. But no more! California Gov. Jerry Brown reported last week that Colusa has a new buddy, a poodle and Border collie mix...
Like it or not, fellow Baby Boomers, the young ‘uns are coming. As we noted here in February, a half dozen 16- and 17-year-olds are running for governor in Kansas . But heck, compared to 13-year-old Ethan Sonneborn, they’re already past their...
One of the first things I learned as a young scribe was that cops and reporters never say no to coffee. Given that my brother was a cop for 30 years and I’ve been kicking around this gig for almost as long, I know this to be as true today as it...
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced a 10-step reform plan last week for the scandal-plagued State Police, with changes that will include completely eliminating the troop responsible for patrolling the 138-mile Massachusetts Turnpike from Boston...
Officials in Maryland have agreed to pay $65,000 to settle a lawsuit over Gov. Larry Hogan (R) blocking hundreds of people from his official Facebook page. The settlement also includes attorney’s fees and an agreement to adhere to a new policy for...
WALKER SIGNS OFF ON CLOSURE OF WI YOUTH PRISON : After years of accusations of ongoing abuse and neglect of its inhabitants, the lone WISCONSIN prison complex for teen offenders is now set to shut its doors for good. Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed bipartisan...
The ongoing war between California and President Trump heated up significantly last week, as the administration moved to challenge two of the Golden State’s cornerstone environmental laws. The first came on Monday when Environmental Protection...
FBI NABS AL LAWMAKER IN CORRUPTION STING : FBI agents arrested longtime ALABAMA Rep. Jack Williams, former state GOP Chairman Marty Connors and Trina Healthcare CEO Ford Gilbert last Monday on corruption charges. Gilbert is accused of devising a scheme...
Seeking to mitigate fast-rising prescription drug prices, Massachusetts health leaders have asked the Trump administration for permission to limit the number of drugs that will be covered in its Medicaid program, including “drugs with limited or...
Rejecting a recently-approved pay hike as inadequate, almost 300,000 teachers in Oklahoma went out on strike last week seeking even greater raises and a significant increase in state education funding. The strike came less than a week after Gov. Mary...