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KY: Kentucky’s controversial abortion ‘reversal’ law takes effect this week
The new Kentucky law requires doctors to tell patients that some abortions can be reversed, a claim disputed by medical experts, even as a similar law in another state faces a legal challenge from two national organizations.
FL: Florida first lady announces mental health aid for Panhandle after Hurricane Michael
Florida is sending more mental health aid to the Hurricane Michael-stricken Panhandle nearly nine months after landfall, Republican First Lady Casey DeSantis announced. Local officials in the Panhandle had warned recently that the region needs more help to treat an uptick in mental health issues.
MS: When no one wanted guard jobs, Mississippi prison put gangs in charge
The private company that manages the facility says that’s not accurate, but in an internal audit the warden said using gangs this way is just how Mississippi prisons operate: “It ain’t right, but it’s the truth.”
RI: Rhode Island General Assembly passes bill to extend sex-abuse statute of limitations
The Rhode Island General Assembly has passed legislation to give the victims of sexual abuse more time to sue the priests, teachers, coaches and others who molested them when they were children.
TN: Internet church sues Tennessee over ban on weddings by online ministers
A Seattle-based online church is suing the state of Tennessee over a new law that bars online-ordained ministers from performing weddings. The church wants a restraining order prohibiting the law from going in effect until the court case is settled.
NV: Nevada lawmakers accept .2M federal gang prevention grant
Nevada lawmakers have formally accepted a $1.2 million federal grant focused on preventing unaccompanied immigrant youth from falling into the grasp of gangs — specifically that of the transnational Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang. But the award wasn’t without controversy, with lawmakers asking whether the grant was singling out Latinos.
WY: Private information for 2,000 Wyoming seniors sent in an unprotected email
An employee with the Wyoming Department of Health’s Aging Division accidentally sent an unencrypted email that contained private information for more than 2,000 seniors who’d received care at the Carbon County Senior Services, the department announced, though officials stressed there was a low risk of any “harm”
NJ: Battle over tax breaks heats up, as New Jersey goes after companies tied to political boss
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has requested additional information from six companies — most of them connected to Democratic powerbroker George E. Norcross III — in connection with hundreds of thousands in tax breaks they received from the state.
WI: Key senator defends Tesla provision, gives GOP enough votes to pass Wisconsin budget
Republican lawmakers found enough votes to squeeze their budget through the state Senate after a key member gave his support to the spending plan that includes a provision he sought to expand Tesla sales in Wisconsin. The plan now goes to the Democratic governor.
MN: Minnesota Supreme Court ruling protects nonprofits helping domestic violence victims
A Fergus Falls nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence had no duty to verify a client’s allegations against her ex-husband when it presented her with a “Survivor Award” at a 2014 fundraiser, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled.
NM: New Mexico governor calls poverty ‘an evil in our state’
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, said New Mexico must “look poverty in the face” and work to expand public services — with help from philanthropic groups — to lift the state out of its last-place national rankings.
HI: Hawaii mayor signs vacation rental policy bill
It took roughly three decades, but Hawaii’s capital now has a broad-ranging policy regulating vacation rentals. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed a bill giving the Department of Planning and Permitting new tools to combat illegal rentals and imposes stiffer penalties on violators.
NE: Nebraska governor launches new podcast
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, has launched a new podcast that will feature conversations with lawmakers, sports coaches and other people of interest.
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