TX: Understaffing set stage for Texas prison escape, massacre
Seven months after Texas saw one of the nation’s deadliest prison escapes, investigations into what went wrong have come back to one factor: The state’s lockups are dangerously short-staffed.
DC: Shootings of youths are soaring in the District of Columbia, vexing city leaders
Sixteen juveniles have been fatally shot in the District of Columbia so far this year. The grim tally has more than doubled since last year.
MT: Federal judge strikes down part of Montana’s anti-vaccine law
A federal judge struck down a significant part of Montana’s controversial anti-vaccine law, declaring it both unconstitutional and in conflict with federal law.
LA: Rebuilding program shortchanged homeowners with low incomes in Louisiana
The rebuilding program in Louisiana created after hurricanes Katrina and Rita shortchanged people in poor neighborhoods while giving those in wealthy neighborhoods more of what they needed, according to an analysis of nearly 92,000 grants.
NY: Marijuana delivery now OK in New York
By bike, by vehicle or by scooter, New Yorkers will soon be able to order cannabis products to their doorsteps. Dispensary licensees interested in making sales by delivery can now apply for state approval.
WA: More ‘forever chemicals’ found in WA drinking water as cleanup costs mount
More than a dozen Washington public water systems serving 570,000 people have unsuitable levels of “forever chemicals” or PFAS. Widespread testing is just ramping up.
MN: Minnesota tries new technologies to remove ‘forever chemicals’ from water
Minnesota has spent millions filtering the drinking water in communities where PFAS lingers in the groundwater. This new effort is meant to remove the industrial chemicals from the environment.
CT: Evictions in Connecticut are surging, and children pay the price
With about a month left to go in the year, the number of eviction filings in Connecticut in 2022 had reached 20,585, surpassing the total number of filings in 2019. The rise in evictions has had an outsized impact on children, particularly on their health, education and mental health.
OR: Oregon elections director resigns, cites extraordinary challenges
Oregon is losing its second elections director in as many years with the current one announcing her resignation, saying the job is extremely challenging and citing uncertain funding.
AK: Alaska’s flu season is already the worst in years, and it’s far from over
More influenza has been detected in Alaska than in any of the previous five years. An unusually early and intense cold and flu season is putting intense pressure on the state’s health care system.
DE: Delaware sees second record month of overdose deaths
Delaware’s overdose crisis reached a new peak in November with a record 43 deaths, surpassing a previous high set in May of this year.
MA: Massachusetts lawmakers plan reintroduction of ‘right-to-die’ bill
Legislation that would give the terminally ill the option to obtain lethal drugs has never been brought to a vote in the Massachusetts legislature. But now, supporters of the long-stalled proposal say they may finally have the momentum they need.
CO: Colorado lawmakers to consider M proposal to target youth homelessness after current programs fall short
Colorado will consider a new housing voucher program specifically for young people who have been in foster care, part of a $5 million proposal to fight youth homelessness.
FL: Florida lawmakers propose property insurance changes
Florida lawmakers have a plan to resolve the state’s property insurance woes: require insurers to respond to claims faster, make homeowners file claims sooner, reduce the incentives to sue insurers and offer a taxpayer-funded $1 billion bailout program for companies.
IL: Docs to governor: Truck diesel pollution is killing Illinoisans
Health care professionals are urging Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker to save Illinoisans’ lives by speeding up the state’s transition to electric trucks that will reduce the amount of diesel fuel air pollution.
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