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Top State Stories 9/2
CA, NV: California fire burns 200K acres as it moves toward Nevada; crews grow fatigued
Wildfire crews in California faced yet another grueling day as the massive Caldor fire razed 200,000 acres. The head of the fire is now approaching the California-Nevada state line, spurring concerns that it could involve both states.
OH: Unvaccinated, unmasked Ohio students exposed to COVID could remain in class
The Ohio Department of Health is working out a plan with 10 Warren County school districts that would allow unvaccinated students exposed to COVID-19 at schools without a mask mandate to remain in class, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said.
AR: Arkansas jail administered anti-parasite drug without consent
Three people incarcerated at a northwest Arkansas jail told The Associated Press that they weren’t told a medication they were given to treat COVID-19, ivermectin, was an anti-parasite drug that federal health officials have warned should not be used to treat the coronavirus.
TX: Divided US Supreme Court leaves in place Texas law that bans most abortions
The court voted 5-4 to deny an emergency appeal from abortion providers and others that sought to block enforcement of the Texas law that went into effect Wednesday. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May, prohibits abortions after six weeks, before most women know they’re pregnant.
ID: Idaho lawmakers receive threatening letters over wolf law
Anonymous letters have been sent to Idaho lawmakers threatening retribution for their votes on a wolf management bill.
MA: Massachusetts officials approve ballot proposals for happy hour, carbon emissions
The Massachusetts attorney general’s office has certified 16 ballot proposals that could legalize voter IDs and happy hour, and thwart the state’s participation in a controversial regional plan to cut carbon emissions.
WI: Wisconsin taxpayers will spend K on Assembly review of 2020 election results
A taxpayer-funded review of the 2020 election results called for by Wisconsin Assembly Republicans will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to a contractor who will likely examine data from voting machines.
LA: In wake of Hurricane Ida, Louisiana Supreme Court issues emergency orders
The Louisiana Supreme Court ordered suspension of prescriptive periods in civil cases and time limitations in criminal cases in parishes across the state. The suspension period ends 30 days after Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards issued the state of emergency Aug. 26.
NY: New York legislature convenes to tackle eviction moratorium, cannabis logistics, other issues
Lawmakers returned to the New York Capitol for legislative action as Democratic leadership pushes ahead on extending the expired eviction moratorium, appointing leaders to direct the state’s cannabis operations and bringing back virtual meetings for local governments.
IA: Iowa waives training requirements for nursing home staff
Iowa has temporarily waived training requirements for nurse aides who deliver much of the hands-on care in nursing homes. The waivers will be in effect at least until the end of the federally declared state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
RI: Rhode Island firefighters union may take legal action against COVID vaccine mandate
While the Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters endorses COVID-19 vaccines, says the union’s president, the association is considering asking a judge to order a temporary injunction to block implementation of the state mandate that all health care workers be vaccinated by Oct. 1.
AL: Alabama lawmaker proposes opt-out for school mask requirements, parental notification for vaccines
Alabama Rep. Chip Brown, a Republican, pre-filed a bill that would allow parents to opt out of mask requirements for their kids in K-12 schools. A separate bill sponsored by Brown would require parental notification for minors to receive any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines.
NJ: New Jersey will spend over M on COVID testing for teachers, other school staff
New Jersey is prepared to spend up to $267 million in federal funds to regularly test teachers and school staffers who are unvaccinated for the coronavirus, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy announced.
IN: Indiana schools can stop quarantines if they have mask mandates
Indiana schools will no longer need to exclude students that have been identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19—if those schools have a strict mask mandate in place.
CO: Colorado will require hospitals to report vaccination status, age of COVID patients
Colorado’s health department has updated a public health order to require hospitals to report data to the state regarding the age and vaccination status of COVID-19 patients.
WY: In Wyoming, health officials say COVID spike will likely cause labor shortages
A dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases brought on by the new school year will likely cause major labor shortages in Casper, Wyoming, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department said.
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