Everyone agrees the way out of this recession is jobs. But millions of workers will not be able to get their old jobs back. Instead, states are investing billions in stimulus money to prepare them for new professions. 

While some Republican governors are making headlines by threatening to turn down economic stimulus money aimed at enticing states to expand unemployment benefits to more low-income workers, the decision is not up to them. It's a decision for state legislatures, and some are expected to say, "No thanks."

A scan of today's state news stories shows spreading economic distress - and an array of political plans to cushion the impact, including talk in Nevada of taxing prostitution (it's legal in some counties there). Nevada is among the states hit hardest by the recession.

As claims for benefits rise because of the economic downturn, many states are trying to figure out how to pay unemployed workers.

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The 2,600 members of the Minnesota National Guard who recently returned from a 22-month deployment - including a record 16 months in Iraq - are getting their first glimpse at a state program intended to help them overcome the challenges of life at home.