WI, MN: Abortion foes win Republican governor nods in Wisconsin, Minnesota
Republican voters in Wisconsin and Minnesota nominated abortion foes for governor, ensuring the issue will be central to what are expected to be two of the most high-profile races in November’s general election.
MO: Missouri voters will decide in November whether to legalize recreational marijuana
Voters in Missouri will decide in November whether to legalize adult recreational marijuana use, paving the way for Missouri to potentially become the 20th state to legalize and tax the drug.
MT: Montana Supreme Court leaves abortion laws blocked for now
In a five-justice panel’s unanimous decision, the Montana Supreme Court upheld a district court decision to block three abortion restriction laws from taking effect while the case proceeds. The case debates the constitutionality of three laws signed by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte last April.
CO: Watchdog says Colorado Supreme Court, Judicial Department blocked investigations
In a scathing 11-page letter, the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline doubled down on its claim that the state Judicial Department and Colorado Supreme Court have blocked the commission’s efforts to investigate alleged judicial misconduct.
ID: US Justice Department asks judge to pause Idaho abortion ban
The U.S. Department of Justice asked a federal judge to bar Idaho from enforcing its near-total abortion ban while a lawsuit pitting federal health care law against state anti-abortion legislation is underway.
CA: California schools would put parents on notice about safe gun storage at home under new bill
While it is a crime for families with youth to improperly store firearms, parents and guardians aren’t always aware of that fact. In an effort to curb gun violence in schools, the California legislature passed a bill that would require schools to inform families of the state’s firearm storage laws.
IA: Iowa hands-free driving legislation stalled as fatalities rise
Highway fatalities are rising in Iowa, and law enforcement officials believe the state’s difficult-to-enforce laws on distracted driving are playing a role. There have been 197 fatalities in crashes on Iowa roads, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported. The Iowa Department of Public Safety supports hands-free driving legislation, which has stalled in Iowa for the past four legislative sessions.
NJ: New Jersey issues first drought watch since 2016, asks residents to conserve water
New Jersey issued its first statewide drought watch in six years and called on residents and businesses to conserve water as the state continues to deal with high temperatures and a lack of rain that have put a stress on water supplies.
OH: Lawsuits: Ohio group deciding how to distribute millions opioid settlement money violated public-records law
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board, set up to decide how distribute hundreds of millions of dollars of opioid settlement money in Ohio, is refusing to divulge records or allow the public to attend meetings, according to lawsuits filed by a drug policy reform group.
AK: Alaska conservatives launch group to encourage ‘yes’ vote on constitutional convention
A group of conservative Alaskans, headed by a leading member of the Alaska Republican Party, has formed a new campaign organization intended to encourage Alaskans to call a constitutional convention and make sweeping changes in the way the state runs its government, sets its budget and regulates the lives of its residents.
MA: Massachusetts governor offers verbal support for sports betting; still mulling whether to sign
Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker said he “conceptually” supports legislation legalizing sports wagering in the state days before a deadline to act on a bill that has sat on his desk for the last week. But he said he is “still working through the details.”
NY: Amazon likely to get large New York state tax break to build warehouse
Amazon is expected to clear a final hurdle this week to receive more than $124 million in tax breaks to build a warehouse in the town of Niagara in western New York, among the largest subsidies the company will have ever received.
WV: West Virginia’s new suicide prevention hotline gets ‘modest’ increase in calls
West Virginia recently switched to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 988. The new number resulted in 855 calls, a “modest” increase in calls for help, state officials said.
TX: Texas lawmakers decry collapsing juvenile prison system
Without a jolt of funding, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department will struggle to hire workers and regain control over the safety and treatment of almost 600 incarcerated youth, its acting director told lawmakers at a hearing.
NE: Nebraska to poison lake to eliminate intrusive species
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission plans what it calls a “chemical renovation” of 315-acre Wagon Train Lake, treating the lake with hundreds of gallons of pesticide to eliminate a trio of undesirable species. Game fish including channel catfish, crappie, bluegill and bass will perish, too, and require restocking.
MD: Makeshift Maryland COVID-19 morgue continues to operate despite drop in deaths
A makeshift morgue housed in a parking garage that put a harsh spotlight on a massive backlog in cases at the Maryland state medical examiners’ office is poised to remain in business until January.
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