0:00
News Story
Editor’s Picks From Around the Web
CA: California water use down 10 percent, still short of target
Wet weather at the end of last year helped Californians tame their insatiable demand for water, but consumption — particularly in Southern California — remains well above Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown’s target for the drought-stricken state.
VA: Former Virginia governor sentenced to two years in prison
A federal judge sentenced former Republican Gov. Robert F. McDonnell to two years in prison Tuesday — an unexpectedly lenient punishment for a man who was convicted of selling the influence of his office to a wealthy benefactor for sweetheart loans, luxury vacations and a Rolex watch.
TX: Gun rights advocates to build weapons at Texas Capitol
Second Amendment advocates plan to use a 3-D printer to manufacture guns at the Texas Capitol during an armed rally set for the opening day of the 2015 legislative session next week. The rally is part of a push to scrap the state’s handgun licensing requirements.
AK: Pinched by crude oil collapse, Alaska eats into savings
The collapse in oil prices is deepening Alaska’s deficit and leading officials to halt new spending on some capital projects and consider draining almost half the state’s savings.
OH: Ohio State University considers 3-year path to an M.D.
As leaders at Ohio State University’s School of Medicine consider the possibility of letting students graduate in as few as three years, a new survey of faculty, alumni and students finds that about a quarter favor the quicker path to an M.D.
ME: Wind industry boasts 1,560 jobs and $532 million investment, report says
The industry report comes at a time of political uncertainty over a key federal tax credit and energy policy in the Maine Legislature.
MN: Minnesota lawmakers may consider one-year session, taking 2016 off
Minnesota lawmakers may consider completing the entire 2015-2016 legislative session this year alone, opting to stay home next year as renovation is expected to shut down much of the Capitol.
SC: Lieutenant governor-elect facing state ethics charges
Republican Lt. Gov.-elect Henry McMaster, a former state attorney general who helped author an ethics reform report, is facing allegations that his 2010 gubernatorial campaign accepted $72,700 in improper contributions from 51 donors.
KY: State to pay for drug kits for some heroin overdose patients
The state will provide $105,000 to three urban Kentucky hospitals to buy about 2,000 naloxone kits to send home with heroin overdose patients.
RI: New governor faces economic hurdles
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo, the first female governor of Rhode Island, takes office at a time when the state is struggling with a projected $190 million deficit and the fourth highest unemployment rate in the nation.
WI: Annual report finds fewer Wisconsin child abuse deaths in 2013
Fewer children died from child abuse and neglect in Wisconsin in 2013 than in the previous year, although Milwaukee County saw an increase, according to a new state report.
LA: Louisiana’s newest education official opposes Common Core
The newest member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Mary Harris, opposes the Common Core academic standards, bringing to four the number of Common Core opponents on the 11-member board.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.
Related News
