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NH: One-party GOP rule returns to New Hampshire Statehouse
New Hampshire voters may have reelected Democrats to the U.S. Senate and congressional seats this week. But when it came to Statehouse races, Republicans are the ones celebrating.
WA: Progressive agenda gains in Washington
Democrats’ modest gains in the Washington state legislature could help propel some progressive priorities over the finish line. Measures that could become easier to pass include a clean fuel standard and a tax on capital gains.
AK: Alaska has the slowest ballot-counting process
A revived security procedure, combined with the nation’s most generous absentee-ballot deadlines, has given Alaska the slowest ballot-counting schedule in the country. Alaskans voted early and with absentee ballots in record numbers this year.
MO: Republicans want to block Missouri virus lawsuits
After Republicans solidified their power in Missouri, top leaders in the legislature want a business-friendly law shielding nursing homes, schools and other businesses from liability lawsuits related to the pandemic.
OH: Ohio Medicaid caseload soars, faces budget gap
Medicaid caseloads in Ohio have surged during the coronavirus pandemic, topping 3 million this year, up 9% from last year. As needs intensify, declining state revenues will challenge the program.
MN: Marijuana candidates shake up Minnesota races
In two pivotal races for control of the Minnesota Senate, candidates running under the pro-marijuana banner pulled in thousands of votes despite largely invisible campaigns. Now, those votes could be the difference between the Republican and Democratic candidates.
NM: New Mexico governor: Avoid gatherings
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, urged residents to avoid gatherings as virus deaths hit a record. The state recorded 23 deaths amid strains on hospital staffing and supplies.
LA: Louisiana to extend coronavirus restrictions
After a judge declined to temporarily block Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus restrictions, the governor said he will extend Louisiana’s Phase 3 rules for another four weeks. Restrictions include a mask mandate.
OK: Coalition calls for mask mandate in Oklahoma schools
On a record-high day of reported COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma, a new coalition of doctors, teachers and child advocates have called for state leaders to require masks in public schools.
NJ: ICE arrests inmates released from prison in New Jersey
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 88 inmates who had been released from prison in New Jersey as part of a first-in-the-nation law reducing sentences for those who served time during the coronavirus pandemic.
AR: Arkansas reports single-day COVID-19 case record
Arkansas’ count of coronavirus cases rose by more than 1,500, topping the previous record for a one-day increase by more than 200 cases.
OR: Oregon Democrats fall short of walkout-proof majority
A Republican win in a close Oregon state Senate race forecloses any possibility that Democrats might achieve a walkout-proof two-thirds majority in the chamber. Senate Democrats will hold onto their three-fifths supermajority.
ID: Idaho hospitals are on the brink
Idaho hospitals large and small have the same problem: They’re running out of space for patients as COVID-19 tears through their communities. The virus is filling up hundreds of beds and taking out health care workers.
HI: Suicides in Hawaii decreasing despite pandemic
Suicide deaths in Hawaii have decreased slightly during the coronavirus pandemic, bucking the expectations of many. It’s possible that economic suffering has been mitigated by government safety nets.
MS: Mississippi sees highest case total since July
Mississippi reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases since July 30, with 1,612. The State Health Department also reported eight new deaths.
ME: Maine governor orders face masks in public as COVID-19 cases rise
Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, issued an executive order mandating face masks in public settings regardless of physical distance from other people, as new COVID-19 cases set yet another daily record.
VT: Vermont gun sales soared in run-up to election
Gun sellers across Vermont are reporting a spike in sales over the past few months. In a year that was already hot for gun sales, a contentious election has fueled the boom.
SC: South Carolina foresees new virus spike
South Carolina health officials warned that the state may be entering another coronavirus surge. The number of COVID-19 cases are rising at a steady rate.
AZ, NM, UT: Navajo Nation warns of ‘uncontrolled’ COVID-19 spread
The Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah issued a warning about the “uncontrolled” spread of the coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases increases. Officials have urged residents to wear face masks, practice social distancing, limit gatherings to less than five people observe a daily curfew.
CO: Colorado unemployment filings spike 25%
More than 10,700 people filed new unemployment claims in Colorado, the highest total since July. Increased filings came as officials tightened restrictions on businesses amid spiking COVID-19 cases.
UT: Utah governor ‘frustrated’ with record-breaking virus cases
Republican Gov. Gary Herbert said he is “frustrated” with Utah’s rising coronavirus numbers as new cases and hospitalizations continued a streak of record highs. The governor plans to announce new restrictions.
NY: Some suburban strongholds swing back to GOP in New York
Republicans are ahead in key congressional races in New York state, mirroring a national trend of apparent success in winning back swing districts. The preliminary vote totals seemed to reflect a resurgence of Republican power in the New York suburbs.
CA: Californians reject measure allowing 17-year-olds to vote
Proposition 18, which would have allowed 17-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections if they turn 18 before the next general election, was rejected by California voters.
WV: Republicans win supermajorities in West Virginia
Republicans in the West Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate have at least a two-thirds majority in the both chambers, which gives GOP lawmakers the ability to advance or stop any bill without support from Democrats.
DC: District of Columbia eases travel restrictions
A policy change in the District of Columbia largely does away with the city’s mandatory two-week quarantine for travelers. Visitors from outside the city won’t need to quarantine if they get a negative coronavirus test before traveling and get tested again in the city within three to five days of arriving.
IN: Republicans tighten control of Indiana legislature
Indiana Republicans will be returning to the Statehouse with an even tighter grip on the legislature. Republicans gained four seats in the 100-member Indiana House.
RI: Rhode Island announces new COVID-19 restrictions
With new cases of COVID-19 reaching record highs, Rhode Island Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo announced new restrictions on lifestyle and business. The changes go into effect Sunday.
IL: Illinois case count reaches record high
The COVID-19 related death toll in Illinois surpassed 10,000, and the daily number of new known cases again hit a high as virus continues to resurge.
IA: Iowa’s positivity rate ranks second in nation
Iowa’s seven-day rolling average for positivity rate has risen to 39.5%. Only South Dakota has a higher average rate.
ND: Deaths, cases, hospitalizations set records in North Dakota
North Dakota set a grim record as health officials reported 29 more deaths from COVID-19, along with new daily highs of cases and hospitalizations.
SD: South Dakota governor says legal pot is ‘wrong choice’
More than 225,000 South Dakotans voted to legalize marijuana in South Dakota. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem wasn’t one of them.
NE: No new Nebraska restrictions as cases spike
Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts mandated no additional restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus, even as Nebraska records its sixth straight week of record COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
AL: Alabama governor extends mask order, lifts occupancy limits
Alabama extended an order requiring face masks in public, but lifted occupancy limits on many places as deaths and hospitalizations worsen.
WY: Wyoming voters reject sewer amendment
Wyoming voters rejected an amendment to the state’s constitution that would have removed the limit on how much debt municipalities can incur for sewage projects, instead allowing the state legislature to determine a new threshold.
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