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WA: Ref. 71 lead appears insurmountable



After months of contentious battling over Referendum 71, Washington voters have approved the measure, keeping a law that expands state benefits for registered same-sex and some senior domestic partners. The vote tally to approve appears insurmountable.
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AK: State urges caution on ice fishing



PALMER, Alaska -- The Alaska State Parks and the Department of Fish and Game are warning anglers and other winter recreationists to stay off thin ice atop lakes in the Matanuska and Susitna valleys.
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AK: Professor says most Natives supported statehood in 50s


From the days before statehood, Native elders passed down stories of "being able to walk across rivers on the backs of salmon," which seafood suppliers for large out-of-state companies devastated by using fish traps.   Read More
AK: Alaska tourism industry pleads for more money


Members of the hard-pressed tourism industry Wednesday begged, pleaded and sometimes threatened members of the state House Finance Committee seeking additional marketing money.   Read More
AL: Former aide says Indian donations influencing Riley's bingo opposition


A former member of Gov. Bob Riley's Cabinet said today that Riley received campaign contributions from Mississippi Indians who operate casinos, with the money intended to limit their competition in Alabama.   Read More
AR: Poll -- Arkansans positive about future, leery of health care reform


Despite the recession, most Arkansans think the state is headed in the right direction, and think they are as good or better off financially from a year ago and will be as good or better off next year as now, results of the 11th annual Arkansas Poll released today showed.   Read More
AZ: Citizenship question will not be added to 2010 census


The 2010 census will not include a controversial question about citizenship that critics said could have led to significant undercounts in Arizona and other states with large immigrant populations.   Read More
CA: Some in California's high-risk groups may not get swine flu vaccine until 2010


If H1N1 flu vaccine shortages persist, California may not be able to vaccinate those most at risk by the end of December, public health officials said Thursday, amid furor over how the vaccine has been distributed so far.   Read More
CO: Colorado event offers help to homeless vets


David Bowman received a free haircut, vision test and flu shot at the 19th annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down on Thursday at the Colorado National Guard Armory.   Read More
CO: Ritter to propose cuts to K-12 education in 2010-11 budget


Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to propose cutting state funding to public schools by as much as 6 percent in the 2010-11 budget he rolls out today.   Read More
CO: Upper Colorado River, Front Range water resources threatened


Some water experts warn the upper Colorado River is an endangered species if current residential growth patterns and water consumption patterns continue along the state's Front Range, and they're increasingly concerned proposed energy production on the Western Slope will accelerate its demise.   Read More
CT: Domestic violence -- Connecticut Legislature creates task force to give matter 'full attention'


A string of domestic violence deaths and assaults.An economy that's heaping stress on families.Budgets cuts and staffing shortages that are straining court and shelter services for victims.   Read More
CT: Rell makes $34 million in cuts from state budget


The reductions were ordered in hundreds of categories, including $8.5 million from the Department of Children and Families, $7.25 million from the multibillion-dollar Department of Social Services, $3.7 million from the Department of Developmental Services, $1.26 million from the Department of Environmental Protection, $500,000 from the state Department of Agriculture, and $200,000 from the chief state medical examiner's office.   Read More
DE: Report on casinos pushed to late Dec.


A panel examining prospects for more casinos in Delaware now hopes for an independent report on the issue by the end of December, further pushing back its deadline for a recommendation to lawmakers.   Read More
DE: Lower digits fetch lower prices


When the nation's financial bubble burst, a uniquely Delaware asset quietly deflated. Prices paid for low-digit Delaware license plates have fallen, in some cases by half, since the glory days of 2006 and 2007.   Read More
FL: Forum addresses fraud, foreclosures


Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum made it clear that a high ranking among the country's 50 states is not always something to be celebrated.   Read More
FL: State pension fund annual report released


Florida's State Board of Administration, the agency that directs the pension fund investing and management for state workers and retirees, issued its annual report today.   Read More
FL: Air Force members voice concerns to lawmakers


Two Air Force colonels asked the state's most powerful legislators Thursday to help make life a bit better for service members assigned to Florida.   Read More
FL: ACLU suit alleges Fla. neglecting schools


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that state officials in Florida are failing to ensure that students in Palm Beach County get a high quality education, as evidenced by their poor graduation rates.   Read More
FL: Fla. justices consider mediation for foreclosures


Mediation would be a good way to expedite a flood of mortgage foreclosures, members of a foreclosure task force said Wednesday, but some disagreed on the details in oral arguments before the state Supreme Court.   Read More
FL: Gov. Charlie Crist changes tune on stimulus bill


Gov. Charlie Crist, who campaigned for the $787 billion stimulus package, now says he wouldn't have voted for it. But he still embraces it.   Read More
GA: Stimulus watchdog -- job counters confused, need guidance


Some people receiving federal stimulus dollars are confused about how to calculate jobs created or saved with the money and need more guidance, says the federal government's top watchdog for the program.   Read More
IL: Crime stats down across state


Recently released statistics from the Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Program indicate crime was down overall in the state in 2008.   Read More
IL: 2 more lifelines


As many as 40,000 jobless Illinois residents, who would have exhausted their unemployment benefits by the end of the year, will benefit from a bill President Obama is expected to sign today extending those benefits up to 20 weeks.   Read More
IL: Senators outraged over Illinois nursing home safety


A top adviser to Gov. Pat Quinn outlined Thursday for the first time some of the steps Illinois must take to end the warehousing of mentally ill adults in nursing homes, including violent felons who have victimized elderly and disabled residents.   Read More
IL: Doubts rise on Chicago's mental health clinics


Chicago's mental health budget will shrink next year amid continued billing problems that resulted in a state funding cut, prompting aldermen Thursday to question how much care the city's clinics will be able to provide.   Read More
IN: Indiana swine flu deaths spike upward


Nine Hoosiers died from swine flu over the past week, nearly doubling the state's number of flu deaths since the pandemic started in the spring.   Read More
IN: In Indiana, blacks continue to be at higher risk for HIV


Blacks have suffered disproportionately from HIV/AIDS for a long time, and lately the gap has widened.   Read More
KS: Judge rules Kansas tribe has sovereign immunity


The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas has won its argument that it is entitled to sovereign immunity as a federally recognized Indian tribe.   Read More
KS: Forecast in -- Recession continues, budget cuts likely


Kansas' falling tax revenues took another dive Thursday as budget experts met and declared that the state remains mired in an economic recession.   Read More
KS: Budget estimate declines by 4.2%


State fiscal experts Thursday said the Kansas economy remains stuck in recession, and that means a further drop in tax revenues and more budget cuts.   Read More
KY: Health department says it may have more vaccine for clinics


Louisville may wind up with more than double the doses of swine flu vaccine officials originally anticipated in time for the city's first mass vaccination clinics Wednesday and Thursday.   Read More
KY: State gets stimulus money for child care


Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that Kentucky will receive $4 million in federal stimulus funds to pay for training and other resources for child-care providers.   Read More
LA: Taxpayers in La. sought for refunds


TThe Internal Revenue Service is trying to get refund checks totaling more than $1.6 million — an average $1,080 apiece — to nearly 1,500 Louisianans whose checks were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service because of mailing address errors.   Read More
LA: Recovery School District would not be focus of Race to the Top federal grant, Pastorek says


NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The state Department of Education would use a large portion of a potential Race to the Top grant to help pay for a $40 million data management system, a principals training institute and other expanded agency roles in addition to the direct cash that the federal program is targeting at failing schools, Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek said Thursday.   Read More
MA: Drug use called epidemic in Mass.


Abuse of OxyContin and heroin in Massachusetts has reached epidemic levels and must be attacked with the same fervor now being directed toward controlling the H1N1 flu virus, a special state commission said yesterday.   Read More
MA: Economy's woes driving more people to local food pantries


Rising unemployment, faltering wages, and a lingering recession are driving more families and individuals to their local food pantries, agency officials across the state said yesterday.   Read More
MA: Report -- Student health plans inefficient


A new report shows that the health insurance plans sold to almost 100,000 college students in Massachusetts result in higher profits for insurance companies than those available to the general public.   Read More
MA: Good news, bad news for fishery


NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The deep and murky waters of fishery management in New England just became a little murkier for Jon Williams, CEO of the Atlantic Red Crab Co. in New Bedford.   Read More
MA: Outrage over terror speaker


Gov. Deval Patrick pulled the plug on a planned UMass speech by a convicted terrorist yesterday after a plea delivered by the Herald from the outraged widow of a gunned-down state trooper -- angering cops who protested the event for weeks.   Read More
MD: Maryland in-state tuition falls below national average


WASHINGTON -- It's cheaper to go to college in-state, especially if you live in Maryland.   Read More
MD: U-Md. students protest official's firing


Several hundred students marched Thursday to the administration building at the University of Maryland to protest the firing of a popular diversity officer in one of the largest demonstrations at the College Park campus since the Vietnam War era.   Read More
MD: States urge stiffer anti-pollution laws


Twelve states, including Maryland, and the District of Columbia urged the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday to adopt more rigorous national policies so they can meet federal air pollution reduction requirements for the region.   Read More
MD: Case involving problematic gang law postponed to January


Dajuan A. Marshall does not deny being a member of the Spyder gang, a Bloods sect, according to his defense attorney.   Read More
MD: Waiting to learn who pays Dixon's legal bills


BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's legal bills, racked up during a years-long corruption probe that has led her to enlist seven criminal defense attorneys for a theft trial next week, could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, legal observers say.   Read More
MD: Officials look to update child support rules


BALTIMORE — Maryland officials are proposing the first increase to recommended child support payments in 20 years.   Read More
MD: State nets about $9.6 million in tax amnesty


The comptroller's office says Maryland's tax amnesty program is netting an estimated $9.6 million.   Read More
MD: Bay goals downgraded


The federal government is putting the Chesapeake Bay on a pollution diet, but officials say it can be a little less strict than in the past.   Read More
ME: Initiative to protect working lands


A task force representing major stakeholders in Maine's North Woods, from large landowners and loggers to environmental groups, is proposing a new, collaborative initiative aimed at protecting large swaths of working forest in the state.   Read More
ME: H1N1 hits all Maine counties with vaccine well short of need


A brief debate broke out among legislative leaders over a proposed bill declaring that vaccinations cannot be mandatory, on the same day that Maine's public health director announced that swine flu has been confirmed in all 16 of the state's counties.   Read More
ME: H1N1 thriving; absence high in 25 schools State officials get reports of more than 300 cases


Twenty-five schools across Maine reported higher-than-normal absentee rates during the last week, probably because of H1N1 influenza, the state's health director said Thursday.   Read More
ME: Baldacci and AG want changes to marijuana law


The law expanding access to marijuana for medical reasons passed by voters Tuesday needs changes to make it workable, said Maine Gov. John Baldacci and Attorney General Janet Mills. Supporters don't disagree.   Read More
ME: Initiative to protect working lands


A task force representing major stakeholders in Maine's North Woods, from large landowners and loggers to environmental groups, is proposing a new, collaborative initiative aimed at protecting large swaths of working forest in the state.   Read More
ME: H1N1 hits all Maine counties with vaccine well short of need


A brief debate broke out among legislative leaders over a proposed bill declaring that vaccinations cannot be mandatory, on the same day that Maine's public health director announced that swine flu has been confirmed in all 16 of the state's counties.   Read More
MI: Michiganians clamor for swine flu vaccine


Clinic at The Palace draws hundreds as state health officials add six to swine flu death toll.   Read More
MI: Obama expected to sign unemployment extension


Michigan will get another 20 weeks of benefits as jobless rate tops 15 percent.   Read More
MN: Gene Edward Franchini, 1935-2009 -- Former chief justice had 'passion for life and the law'


Former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Gene Edward Franchini, who died Wednesday, opposed mandatory sentencing, the death penalty and government secrecy.   Read More
MN: Pawlenty proposes amendment to limit state spending


After seven years of budget battles, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday proposed a constitutional amendment to limit state spending. (Also see: MN: Short of cash, Minn. delays business tax refunds)   Read More
MN: Broadening broadband around Minnesota


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- A report today will recommend that the state help ensure high-speed Internet is available across Minnesota.   Read More
MN: Pawlenty proposal -- Handcuff spending budget controls


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The governor wants to amend the Constitution to take guesswork out of budgeting, but he met skepticism from DFLers.   Read More
MN: Short of cash, Minn. delays business tax refunds


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- With tax collections $200 million below forecasts since July, Minnesota's cash flow has become dicey, revenue officials say.   Read More
MN: Minnesota's college grant program short $13 million


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Higher enrollment drained aid, but "all commitments made to students" for this year will be met, official says.   Read More
MN: Delinquent utility bills spike in metro area


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Increases rose by more than 200 percent in some cities; economy is cited as a factor.   Read More
MN: Over 1,600 in Md. have unclaimed tax refunds


WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is waiting for Marylanders to claim more than 1,600 refund checks from the 2008 filing season worth more than $1.7 million.   Read More
MO: Yogis exercised about a new tax


Melissa Tipton practices yoga at least four times a week. She wouldn't mind being taxed for it, but she's not keen on her yoga studio being lumped in with fitness clubs.   Read More
MS: State to provide funding for online job training


BELDEN, Miss. - Mississippi was one of four states chosen to participate in a U.S. Department of Labor program that funds 80 percent of costs associated with online job training courses.   Read More
MS: Medicaid director sued over comments about AG Hood


A Lee County resident is suing Medicaid Executive Director Bob Robinson for comments he made regarding Attorney General Jim Hood.   Read More
MS: Hood wants word out to residents


Attorney General Jim Hood wants Missisisppians to know about the resources available from his office.   Read More
MT: Committee to repeat 1970s-era study of Montana women


Members of Montana's Interagency Committee for Change by Women are brushing off a survey done by the group in 1977 to see how it compares to how women are faring today.   Read More
MT: Study: Tax system hurts poor


HELENA - Montana taxes the incomes of the working poor harsher than any state, a report Wednesday said.   Read More
NC: Pending inmate releases could prompt legislative session


As the court battle to keep 27 inmates in prison brews, some state officials are considering a back-up plan to address the issue.   Read More
NC: State sends 16 to Calif. training


The state is using $140,000 in federal stimulus money to send 16 employees to child development workshops in San Diego while North Carolina has thousands of struggling families seeking subsidized care for their children.   Read More
NE: Convicted killer Lewis erupts in courtroom rage


OMAHA -- Prosecutors say a man who killed a doctor at a state psychiatric hospital in Lincoln erupted in a rage during a court hearing.   Read More
NE: Budget-cutting bill could further squeeze Nebraska court systems


Low-income Nebraskans who need legal services could be among the losers under recommendations by Gov. Dave Heineman for reducing Nebraska's $6.9 billion budget.   Read More
NE: Ag panel urges connection with consumers


The days are long past when livestock advocates saw ignoring those pushing animal rights and animal welfare agendas as the best way to defeat them.   Read More
NE: Lincoln senator recommends furloughs, not layoffs for workers


Senators introduced five bills in special session Thursday, aimed at saving money for the state or saving money for a particular program. Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery introduced a resolution (LR4) that would have agencies use furloughs rather than layoffs of state workers if needed to meet across-the-board budget cuts.   Read More
NH: HUD grant to repair co-op housing park


A cooperative housing park in Allenstown will receive $500,000 in federal money for improvements to its water system.   Read More
NJ: Former Statehouse reporter appointed to N.J. elections agency post


A former newspaper reporter has been named deputy director of the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, an official with the agency said today.   Read More
NJ: Corzine orders $400M in cuts to balance budget


Governor Corzine is preparing $400 million in budget cuts and wants legislators to shelve any new spending measures during their upcoming lame duck session, all to offset revenue losses blamed on the poor economy.   Read More
NV: Officials to mark history of Goodsprings, Nevada


A tiny town in the Nevada desert plans to mark the placing of a historic marker this weekend at a park in front of the community center.   Read More
NV: Levin calls for record of business owners' IDs


Sen. Carl Levin on Thursday cited the book "Merchant of Death" about Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout as Exhibit One for his case against allowing private corporations and limited liability companies to keep the names of their owners secret.   Read More
NV: Managing fraud a lesson of recession


Robert Frimet is a self-proclaimed fraud expert, a businessman who audits other companies' books, gives lectures on recognizing employee theft, and sits as a civilian member on the Nevada Fight Fraud Task Force.   Read More
NY: Paterson seeks budget help from GOP


A day after he reached out to Senate Republicans for help, Gov. David Paterson officially called a special session for next Tuesday. (Also see: NY: Marriage for gays on agenda in New York )   Read More
NY: Senate Democrats rebuff governor on special session


Reducing the state's soaring deficit, legalizing gay marriage, slowing property tax growth and toughening drunk driving laws are among the items on the agenda for a special session of the Legislature that Gov. David A. Paterson has scheduled for Tuesday.   Read More
NY: Marriage for gays on agenda in New York


Gov. David A. Paterson said Thursday that he would include gay marriage on the agenda of an extraordinary session he is calling for Tuesday, potentially setting up the first vote on the issue in the State Senate and a dramatic floor debate.   Read More
NY: Wind law could benefit company


Despite significant opposition in Western Massachusetts, state environmental affairs secretary Ian Bowles is pushing hard to get a controversial wind-turbine law passed before the legislative session ends on Nov. 18.   Read More
NY: Conference emphasizes need for technology in classroom


ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A conference for aspiring teachers Thursday emphasized the need for educators to embrace the use of technology in the classroom.   Read More
NY: Breslin: Open defense funds


State Sen. Neil Breslin is proposing legislation that would unmask the names of people who give money to legal defense funds set up for lawmakers.   Read More
NY: Schenectady County earns unwanted rank


Schenectady County ranked first among upstate counties and Long Island for reports of domestic violence incidents per capita in 2008, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Thursday.   Read More
NY: State action targets Lafarge


RAVENA, N.Y. -- For the first time ever, the state wants to set limits on mercury emitted from towering smokestacks at the Lafarge cement plant. But it's not clear whether the new cap would actually result in less pollution from the facility.   Read More
NY: Did grants open doors?


Although lawyers representing former state Sen. Joseph L. Bruno insist he did not hand out improper favors to clients who invested pension funds with his employer, state records show Bruno arranged state grants for them.   Read More
OH: About 70,000 Ohioans are expected to be eligible for 20-week extension in unemployment benefits


CLEVELAND -- About 70,000 out-of-work Ohioans, struggling through a prolonged economic downturn, could be eligible for 20 more weeks of unemployment benefits as a result of congressional action Thursday.   Read More
OK: Privatizing Oklahoma's worker's comp splits task force members


A legislative task force recommended Thursday that Oklahoma's workers' compensation agency be privatized, but it was divided on how to achieve that.   Read More
OK: Obama promises U.S. tribal leaders he'll tackle issues


WASHINGTON — Greeting the first American Indian conference to be sponsored by the White House in 15 years, President Barack Obama told tribal leaders Thursday he will work with them on problems that have plagued Indians for decades.   Read More
OK: Three more Oklahomans die from swine flu


The death of a Muskogee County boy, a Cleveland County woman and an Oklahoma County woman bring the number of H1N1 deaths in Oklahoma this year to 22.   Read More
OR: Oregon Latinos seek power in numbers


Like California's 30 years ago, Oregon's growing Latino population is reaching a tipping point: A critical mass of Latino professionals is starting to organize and influence state and local politics.   Read More
PA: Gubernatorial candidate Knox wants campaign limits


Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Knox, who is expected to spend millions of his own money on the campaign, said Thursday he wants to limit what other people can spend on state campaigns as part of a wide-ranging reform agenda.   Read More
PA: Two Republican aides to leave Pa. House


Two top House Republican aides — one of them the highest-paid staffer in the Legislature — are leaving their posts, a party spokesman said Thursday.   Read More
RI: House Democrats caucus on state financial crisis


House Democrats convened at the State House for a closed-door discussion of an issue that was not even on their special-session agenda last week -- the state's financial crisis.   Read More
RI: Thousands of Rhode Islanders may be eligible for extra jobless benefits


The state Department of Labor and Training is poised to contact thousands of Rhode Islanders who may be eligible for extended unemployment benefits under a bill approved by the Congress Thursday that President Obama is planning to sign Friday.   Read More
RI: Governor vetoes saltwater fishing license


Governor Carcieri, reversing more than a year of work by his own staff and the state's largest recreational fishing organization, has vetoed a proposed $7 state license for saltwater fishing. He called it "excessively intrusive."   Read More
SC: Sanford shares S.C. legislative goals in Aiken


AIKEN, Ga. --- Gov. Mark Sanford was far from the media blitz and public scrutiny that followed him this summer when he spoke Thursday to a group of 40 people at an Aiken Kiwanis Club meeting.   Read More
SD: Flu clinic revisited


As the state's death toll climbed, the vaccination lines were longer, people grumbled, but more went home happy.   Read More
SD: 4 more H1N1 flu-related deaths in SD


The state Health Department has confirmed four more swine flu-related deaths in South Dakota, bringing the total to 13.   Read More
SD: Coming soon -- Vending sales of lottery tickets


The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission needs to take emergency steps to slightly increase the number of deer licenses for some East River units because too many licenses have been issued to hunters for the upcoming season.   Read More
SD: Coming soon -- Vending sales of lottery tickets


  Read More
SD: Capitol Lake Plaza pursues energy savings


The law requires all new state building projects to pursue energy efficiency, but the upcoming renovation of Capitol Lake Plaza is going above and beyond.   Read More
TN: Colleges brace for flu wave


Colleges in Tennessee and North Georgia are bracing for a second wave of "influenzalike illnesses" just as campuses are recovering from a fall surge in the flu.   Read More
TX: Refund policy restored for prepaid tuition plan


Responding to tens of thousands of Texans, a state board acted unanimously Thursday to reinstate a former refund policy for prepaid college tuition that reflects the value of tuition — not simply the amount paid into the fund.   Read More
TX: Student restraints, Day 3 -- Jennifer Howson's story


Jennifer Howson, 21, was restrained dozens of times at her school in the northeast Texas town of Kemp, often sustaining scrapes, bruises and black eyes. Her case is hardly unique; Texas educators pinned down students with disabilities 18,000 times in the 2007-08 school year.   Read More
TX: Student Restraints Day 2 -- How Texas school districts compare


Texas school districts vary widely in how often they physically restrain students with disabilities – despite a shared state policy on when to use them.   Read More
TX: Polygamist sect leader convicted of sexual assault


ELDORADO, Tex. — One of the leaders of a polygamist sect was convicted Thursday night of sexually assaulting an under-age girl whom the church elders had assigned to him as one of his nine wives.   Read More
UT: Commission wants ethics teeth and campaign caps


In its final work session, the Governor's Commission on Strengthening Democracy wrapped up almost a year's worth of deliberations with a few bold recommendations to advance to Gov. Gary Herbert, including one to put some teeth in existing campaign and lobbying laws.   Read More
UT: 'Alcohol and pregnancy do not mix,' Shurtleff says


Recent studies that show drinking a small amount of wine each day can be healthy don't apply to pregnant women, and Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff can tell you all about it.   Read More
UT: GOP leaders OK contribution limits


Moved in part by a tough citizen initiative petition on legislative ethics and campaign finance reform, some GOP legislative leaders have agreed to the adoption of campaign contribution limits for state candidates and officeholders.   Read More
UT: State's top ed official addresses budget


State Superintendent Larry Shumway urged lawmakers not to cut education dollars further and said he plans to take action to address inappropriate relationships between teachers and students as part of his first State of Education speech Thursday evening.   Read More
VA: Dominion Virginia Power agrees to lower rates, give refunds


Dominion Virginia Power has agreed to drop a group of requested rate increases and refund customers more than $129 million under an arrangement with the Virginia attorney general's office.   Read More
VA: H1N1 vaccine -- Use it or lose it


Wednesday's distribution of the H1N1 vaccine may offer a preview of what future distributions will look like.   Read More
VT: Lawmaker to draft bill criminalizing fetal deaths


The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said he's drafting a bill that would criminalize the untimely deaths of fetuses.   Read More
VT: Vermont officials claim flu progress


State health officials Thursday hailed headway in the local fight against H1N1 flu — and praised Vermonters' patience as vaccine trickles into the state.   Read More
WA: State to pay $525,001 in public-records settlement


The state Department of Social and Health Services has agreed to pay $525,001 to two women and a teenage girl for failing to turn over public records after they filed a $45 million lawsuit against the state claiming they were physically and sexually abused by their foster father.   Read More
WA: Washington state voters approve gay-partnership measure


Washington state voters have approved the state's new "everything but marriage" law, marking a significant expansion of rights for gay couples who are registered as domestic partners.   Read More
WA: Washington voters approve expanded gay rights


After Thursday's vote count in Washington, Referendum 71 was being approved 52 percent to 48 percent.   Read More
WI: Wis. Assembly delays action on drunken driving


The Democratic-controlled state Assembly refused to vote Thursday on a comprehensive toughening of Wisconsin's notoriously weak drunken driving laws after the measure unanimously passed the Senate.   Read More
WI: Assembly OKs bill requiring teaching birth control


How to properly use birth control would have to be taught if Wisconsin schools decide to offer sex education under a bill that passed the state Assembly on Thursday.   Read More
WI: 3 more confirmed swine flu cases


Department spokesman Seth Boffeli says Thursday the H1N1 flu has now contributed to 19 deaths in Wisconsin since spring.   Read More
WI: Wis. Senate approves mixed martial arts regs


Under the bill, every contest must have a licensed referee and four licensed judges, a doctor and an ambulance.   Read More
WI: Wis. Senate approves dog breeder regulations


The Senate approved the measure 32-0.   Read More
WI: Legislature passes tougher child-care reforms


Lawmakers unanimously approved a wide-reaching bill Thursday aimed at curbing fraud and keeping criminals out of the state's troubled taxpayer-supported child-care program.   Read More
WV: Groups plan e-mail campaign to protest W.Va. mine


Several groups say they will expand their protest against an Massey Energy mine in southern West Virginia through e-mail.   Read More
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