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VA: Virginia legislators approve budget deal, reject Medicaid expansion
State legislators united across party lines to plug a .4 billion hole in the state budget but quickly reverted to bitter partisanship as they debated Medicaid expansion. House Republicans ultimately killed a bill to expand the health care program without allowing a formal vote.
LA: Louisiana men make 33 percent more than women
New census data show that women in Louisiana are paid about two-thirds of what men are paid — the nation’s largest gender pay gap.
PA: Schools in Poconos closed for third straight day amid manhunt in trooper killing
The school districts have been shut down since Wednesday, after authorities identified Eric M. Frein as the suspect in the shooting of Cpl. Bryon Dickson and Trooper Alex Douglass in the area last Friday.
MO: Nixon shakes up Missouri Lottery, seeks education focus
Saying the Missouri Lottery “has some work to do,” Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon replaced four of five lottery commissioners and urged his new appointees to take steps to maximize the money that goes to public education.
WV: Groups urge governor to rethink drilling under Ohio River
Environmental and citizens’ groups are urging West Virginia Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to rethink leasing land under the Ohio River for oil and gas drilling.
CA: Governor declares state of emergency as wildfires rage
The declaration by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown covers two Northern California counties overwhelmed by wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and hundreds of homes.
KS: Kansas’ university staffs get raises after leaving civil service system
Staff at five of Kansas’ six universities who voted last year to leave the state civil service system received their first pay raises in several years.
UT: Utah health plans will cost at least 5.7 percent more next year
Utahns shopping for health insurance on the federal exchange in November can expect prices that that be, on average, 5.7 percent higher. But rural residents will watch rates for their individual plans increase by 7 percent.
MS: Mississippi governor intervenes in same-sex divorce case
Republican Gov. Phil Bryant is intervening in a state Supreme Court case to oppose a woman’s request that her same-sex marriage be recognized by the state so she can get a divorce.
TX: Texas Supreme Court weighs oilfield fraud case
For mineral owners, making sure oil and gas operators pay what they promise can prove incredibly difficult, as shown in a case the Texas Supreme Court will soon decide.
WI: No license, no problem for ‘scofflaw’ drivers
State data show that more than 57,000 Wisconsin drivers continued to operate their vehicles and commit more violations from January to June after previously losing their driving privileges.
SD: Low pay spells teacher shortage in South Dakota
A survey by school administrators found South Dakota schools are losing teachers and many are saying it’s because of low pay.
CO: New ‘Creative Districts’ announced in Colorado
Colorado has certified four new creative districts, designed to attract creative jobs and visitors in an effort to increase the economic development and cultural vitality of communities around the state.
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