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Top State Stories 8/2
US: Cities now see more overdose deaths than rural areas
U.S. drug overdose deaths, which have been concentrated in Appalachia and other rural areas for more than a dozen years, are back to being most common in big cities again, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FL: Florida’s abortion waiting period back in spotlight after court ruling
In a victory for Florida Republicans and abortion opponents, a split appeals court overturned a circuit judge’s decision that tossed out a 2015 law requiring women to wait 24 hours before having abortions. The case could eventually become a key test for the Florida Supreme Court.
NY: Change in New York state law to usher in ‘tidal wave’ of child sex abuse lawsuits
Thousands of child sexual abuse lawsuits are expected to flow into New York state courts in the coming weeks exposing decades-old misconduct at schools, hospitals, churches and youth clubs, according to lawyers for victims.
CO: Campaign to overturn Colorado’s national popular vote law submits record number of signatures
Colorado voters may have the final say on whether to give the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote all nine of the state’s Electoral College votes. The group hoping to put the question to voters submitted over 227,000 signatures — a state record for ballot initiatives.
LA: First batch of Louisiana’s medical marijuana cleared for release to patients
State agriculture regulators have cleared Louisiana’s first batch of medical marijuana for release to pharmacies, ending months of delays getting the product cleared for patients.
MT: Montana estimates loss of coverage on Medicaid expansion at 4K-12K
Somewhere between 4,000 and 12,000 Montana residents would either fail to meet work requirements or be unable to report their hours worked under new rules that will be added to the state Medicaid expansion program, according to an estimate from the state health department.
TX: Texas state cops told not to arrest low-level marijuana cases
Texas’ largest law enforcement agency is moving away from arresting people for low-level marijuana offenses. It’s the latest development in the chaos that has surrounded pot prosecution after state lawmakers legalized hemp this year.
SD: American Cancer Society gives South Dakota poor marks on prevention, access to care
South Dakota is falling short on enacting laws to prevent cancer and provide access to cancer treatment, according to the American Cancer Society. The state is falling short on preventing cancer by providing Medicaid coverage of tobacco cessation programs and adding restrictions to indoor tanning devices.
WI: Republican lawmakers sue Wisconsin attorney general over lame-duck laws
A fifth lawsuit has been filed over the Wisconsin laws Republicans adopted in December. This time the lawsuit was filed by Republicans, rather than Democrats or those aligned with them.
CT: Connecticut plastic bag ban begins
On the first day of a new 10-cent plastic bag tax, some Connecticut shoppers say they’re giving up plastic bags. A state law taxing thin, disposable, single-use plastic bags at 10 cents apiece went into effect with the goal of encouraging people to shop with reusable bags instead.
ND: North Dakota health insurance plan approved
North Dakota’s reinsurance program could lower health insurance rates for those forced to buy on the individual market, such as small-business owners and farmers. At least 10 other states have reinsurance programs.
WA: Lawsuit filed to stop Washington state from killing wolves
A lawsuit seeks to prevent the state of Washington from killing more wolves from a pack that is preying on cattle, contending too many wolves have been killed to protect livestock at a single ranch.
CA: This California town wants to be a 2nd Amendment ‘sanctuary city’ for guns and ammo
In the coming months, city officials hope to somehow cajole California to allow Needles and possibly other border towns to be exempt from rules on purchasing ammunition, which would allow people here to buy ammo from out of state, and honor concealed carry permits for people who have obtained them outside.
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