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MO: Governor announces commission to study issues raised by Ferguson
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon said the commission will study the underlying causes of the unrest, tap into expertise to address those concerns and make recommendations for “making the St. Louis region a stronger, fairer place for everyone to live.”
UT: More than half of Utah’s youth offenders return to detention
Utah’s rate of recidivism for juvenile offenders is a staggering 53.1 percent, costing taxpayers millions while falling short of the goal to reshape the lives of many troubled youth.
VT: Vermont state employees to see big health insurance premium hike
Human Resources Commissioner Maribeth Spellman says insurance premiums rose nearly 18 percent because more state employees than projected were treated last year for cancer and heart disease.
AL: Indicted House speaker, allies lash out at Alabama attorney general
A day after surrendering to authorities after being charged with 23 counts of using public office for private gain, House Speaker Mike Hubbard and his supporters accused fellow Republican Attorney General Luther Strange of trying to remove Hubbard as a viable candidate for the 2018 gubernatorial election.
PA: Pennsylvania plans to dump 2,447 bottles of collector’s wine
Pennsylvania plans to destroy 2,447 bottles seized from Arthur Goldman, a Philadelphia-area lawyer who was charged this year with illegally reselling wine. While he has agreed to penalties, he’s fighting the jettisoning of his collection, which encompasses renowned small-batch California producers.
OR: Oregon gives up on million Oracle insurance exchange system
Next year, Oregon will use successful health insurance exchange technology built by another state. For open enrollment next month, most consumers will still be processed by the federal website, following the decision to use it in place of the Cover Oregon technology.
TX: Texas on lonely side of battle over ozone pollution
At the state agency responsible for protecting Texans from pollution, a cadre of scientists is now marshaling its arguments to fight tougher federal standards on ozone levels — even as the overwhelming majority of the scientific community heads in the other direction.
LA: News good for Louisiana job growth, but bad for unemployment rate
Louisiana’s nonfarm employment grew by 33,100 jobs over the year that ended Sept. 30, setting a record. The construction sector added 11,000 jobs during that period, the most of any sector. But despite steady job growth, the unemployment rate increased for the fifth consecutive month, hitting 6 percent in September.
NY: Rules and paperwork keep Long Island’s immigrant children from classroom
Many of the children are barred because their families cannot gather the documents that schools require to prove they are residents of the district or have guardianship — obstacles that disregard legal guidance on enrollment procedures the state Education Department issued in September.
HI: Gay marriage motivates conservative Republicans to run
Many of the GOP’s prospects for Hawaii state office are religious conservatives who were motivated to run by last year’s special session on gay marriage, a trend that could alienate moderate voters the party needs to compete.
AZ: Brewer fires agency head who exposed wrongdoing
Republican Gov. Jan Brewer has fired Brian McNeil, the military man who led the Arizona Department of Administration and exposed wrongdoing within her administration. The reason was not disclosed.
KY: Kentucky lawsuit could deal blow to maker of OxyContin
Kentucky is accusing the maker of OxyContin of helping create addiction on a sweeping scale, leading many abusers to go on crime sprees, and end up in jail or public treatment facilities.
ME: Sunday high school sports games explored
Maine is the only New England state that prohibits Sunday games and meets. The Maine Principals’ Association is considering allowing only makeup games or playoff games on Sundays.
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