Stateline Headlines

National and State Parks Suffering From Budget Cuts

As summer vacation season opens, state and national parks are reeling from budget cuts.

U.S. House panel considers abortion bill

States' rift on taxes widens

Help 9 million students now or pay Medicaid later

A painless step forward in abortion policy

Where You Live Matters—To Your Pets

Dog and cat longevity: what Montana, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Massachusetts have in common.

U.S. sees drop in teen birth rates, but Mississippi and Arkansas still lead country

Clock ticking on full Medicaid expansion funds

Two states seek help with health exchanges

Finding just the right tax rate

Though enrolling more poor students, 2-year colleges get less of federal pie

How to regulate, and how not to

Lessons from Prohibition

What’s Next in the Fight Over Same-Sex Marriage?

Gay marriage supporters have been on a winning streak in some states since Election Day 2012. But other states could cause that success to slow to a crawl — or even grind to a halt.

Poll -- Deep South residents, lawmakers at odds over Medicaid

How will the 'unbanked' buy insurance on the exchanges?

Farm bill beats back foes

AAA: Sequestration to put the squeeze on holiday travel

FAA concerns hold up use of wildfire drones

Arizona law on abortions struck down in federal court

New York Spends Most Per-Student, Utah the Least: Census Report

Where Does Your State Rank In Education Spending?

Despite Governors’ Opposition, Strong Southern Support for Medicaid Expansion

New poll shows Deep South politicians are out of step with their constituents on Medicaid expansion.

Drones, Fences and Sensors Influence Immigration Debate

Border security is a big part of the immigration overhaul. But who will define it?

1st wave of Central Texas relief workers head to Oklahoma

Salt Lake City has highest rate of same-sex couples raising kids

State education chiefs oppose delay in high-stakes test repercussions

There was a time when ending hunger was a national goal for Republicans and Democrats

Medicaid Expansion by the Numbers

The ACA was expected to cover 32 million uninsured Americans by 2022. Six states are on the fence about expanding Medicaid.

Tornadoes hit Plains, Midwest; 1 dead in Okla.

Tesla rides high, but faces formidable foe: car dealers

States bank on online sales tax

Rebuilding the coastline, but at what cost?

Blurry line on pot-DUI cases

U.S. approves expanded gas exports

Lax state rules provide cover for sponsors of attack ads

How to legalize pot

Pot regulations in Washington may differ from Colorado’s

Too drunk to drive

Medicaid proposal too bitter a pill for 27 states

State Officials Seek Help Fighting Invasive Species

State officials want to play a bigger role in fighting invasive species on federal lands, calling on federal officials to better coordinate their efforts.

Foreign Law Bans: Political Statement or Unconstitutional?

State lawmakers are focused on keeping U.S. courts away from the influence of foreign law. But does banning all foreign law go too far?

Senate considers -- If no one’s behind the wheel, who’s driving?

Leave blood-alcohol rules up to states, GOP says

Driver’s seat

Feds urge states to lower drunken driving threshold

Plans to split Lake Tahoe oversight called off after compromise

D.C.-area offices feel a pinch

When Minnesota approves gay marriage, does Supreme Court listen? Maybe

Proposal to lower DUI limit stirs furor from beverage industry

Farm bill clears Senate Agriculture Committee

Most doctors still waiting on Medicaid pay raise

Black pastors demand broader probe after Kermit Gosnell abortion trial

States urged to cut limit on alcohol for drivers

Gosnell's crimes are not uncommon: Column

Report: Delaware Has Lowest Business Taxes; Alaska Highest

New report says businesses pay lower taxes in Delaware, Oregon and Utah; higher taxes in Alaska and North Dakota. But what your company pays may depend on the business you’re in.

Budget woes will hamper wildfire prevention: officials

Support for same-sex marriage now firmly above 50 percent, poll says

Conservatives and the Common Core

Another attempt at nullification

Is the N.R.A. un-American?

Study: Most States Cut Emissions in Last Decade

Stateline - EIA Study says 32 States Cut Emissions Between 2000 and 2010

Attorneys General Seek Warning Label Cautioning Pregnant Women Against Using Pain Pills

State attorneys general are hoping to protect the littlest victims of prescription drug abuse.

With Vote, Minnesota Is 12th State to Allow Gay Marriage

Minnesota becomes the 12th state to allow gay marriage and the third state to do so this month.

Dangers found in lack of safety oversight for Medicare drug benefit

4 public-college presidents pass $1-million mark in pay

Rust-Belt reaches for immigrant tide

Obama, Texas and jobs

Cabinet secretary solicits large donations to publicize health care law

Obamacare myths and realities

Mileage fee now: Opposing view

Gas tax alternative drive takes wrong turn: Our view

Is yours more corrupt than mine?

Democrats, Voting Rights Activists Strike Back on Elections Laws

In 2012 Democrats were focused on fighting against voter ID laws and other measures that restricted voting. Now they are turning the tables.

State Pharmacy Regulators Back Senate Bill on Drug Compounding

The association of state pharmacy regulators says it’s pleased with a U.S. Senate bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration authority over drug compounders.

Number of Undocumented Children Who Cross U.S. Border Alone Has Tripled

A record number of children from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are being apprehended at the U.S. border. What happens to these kids?

After Years of Defeats, Immigrants Win Big State Victories in 2013

Arizona’s immigration crackdown is a fresh memory for many, but now many states are passing immigrant-friendly laws. Find out what is driving the change.

Delaware Votes to Legalize Gay Marriage

The Delaware legislature approved a same-sex marriage bill Tuesday, repealing the state’s ban on the unions and making it the 11th state, plus D.C., to approve gay marriage.

Road Deaths Climb in 2012, Ending Six-Year Slide

New England and the Southwest top the country in highest rate of increase in traffic fatalities.

Kansas Has Biggest Jump in Casino Tax Revenue, New Jersey Has Largest Drop

New casinos helped Kansas, Maryland, Maine and New York benefit from huge increases in casino tax revenue last year, while Hurricane Sandy took a toll in New Jersey

States Rush to Fix Capitol Buildings After Years of Decline

In challenging budget times, how much should states spend to preserve crumbling capitol buildings?

Rhode Island Legalizes Gay Marriage

The Rhode Island legislature gave final approval to a gay marriage bill Thursday, and Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the measure immediately after the vote.

Finish Line Fast Approaching on Medicaid Expansion

The Supreme Court gave states a choice: Medicaid expansion or not. It’s time to choose. Here’s where they stand now.

Feds Look to Partner With States on Cybersecurity

Protecting critical infrastructure such as power utilities and the water supply from cyberattacks poses particular challenges because much of it is controlled by the private sector. States have an important role to play in keeping the country safe.

Boston Bombings Show Future Use for Police Drones

The manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers has raised fresh questions about the use of domestic drones by law enforcement.

Mortgage Deduction Rates Vary Widely Among States

The mortgage interest deduction is a tax break that benefits middle-class Americans all over the country—or does it?

Delay in Implementing Sequester Forces Deeper Unemployment Cuts

Unemployment benefits were already on the chopping block thanks to sequestration. But in three-dozen states, the pain for the long-term unemployed is even greater because states have been slow to enact the across-the-board federal cuts.

Wyoming Catches Lottery Fever; Online Gaming Eyed Elsewhere

If you hope to hit the lottery, you can buy tickets in all but six states now that Wyoming legalized its own lottery. Many states are now looking to make money with online games, while Wyoming chose to make scratch-offs and all electronic games illegal.

Rhode Island Set to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Rhode Island’s move is another victory for pro-same-sex marriage efforts. Where do other states stand?

Federal Road Fund Could Go Broke by 2015

With federal transportation money drying up, will the burden fall to the states?

Motorcycle Deaths Climb as States Repeal Helmet Laws

With fatalities rising, safety experts say states should force motorcyclists to wear helmets. But legislators are heading in the opposite direction.

Infographic: Spending on Public Health Drops

Our public health systems are meant to be at the forefront of prevention, but state and federal investments are shrinking.

States Push Bills to Ease Voting

Nearly half the states are considering measures to ease voting access, according to a new report.

Lack of Competition Might Hamper Health Exchanges

The health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act are supposed to give consumers a menu of coverage choices. But will insurers agree to participate?

NFL Plays Offense to Get Public Money for Stadiums

Why are so many teams asking taxpayers to build new pro football stadiums this year?

Security Cameras Were Key to Finding Boston Bombers

Will the successful use of video analysis to identify the suspect accused of planting explosives near the finish line of the Boston Marathon spark a new push for more surveillance cameras in American cities?

Western Governors Want Feds to Do More in Stressed Forests

Is the federal government doing enough to protect its forests? Western governors don’t think so.

Hospitals Lobby Hard for Medicaid Expansion

Hospitals stand to lose billions of dollars in states that don’t expand Medicaid. They won’t accept those cuts without a fight.

Homeland Security Grants to States Gutted

Homeland Security grants to states have been cut 67 percent. Grants to Massachusetts, site of Monday’s bombings, have been cut even more.

Facebook Partners with Attorneys General in Teen Online Safety Campaign

Facebook has been revamping its much-maligned privacy practices under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. Now, the social networking giant is teaming with state attorneys’ general to educate teens about how to navigate the digital world without endangering their safety and privacy.

New State Gun Laws Show Power of One-Party Control

Despite the push from President Obama on gun control, states are going their own way on new gun laws—especially ones dominated by one party or the other. Which states passed gun control and which states loosened regulations?