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Archive of Social Policy on Friday May 09, 2008
Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
(Updated 9:30 a.m EST, May 8, 2008) When an elderly person with dementia is lost, eight states can trigger an alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states. Read More
Facebook safeguards will protect young users
HARTFORD, Conn. - Facebook, the world's second-largest social networking Web site, will add more than 40 safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies, attorneys general from several states said Thursday. Read More
Behind college raid, rising drug use on campus
LOS ANGELES - The arrest this week of 96 suspects on drug-related charges, including 75 students, after a six-month sting operation at San Diego State University is shining a fresh spotlight on the issue of growing substance abuse at America's colleges and universities. Read More
Tax increases would hurt poorest, group says
Some of the taxes and fees being considered by Virginia lawmakers to fund the state's transportation needs could hit the neediest residents the hardest, according to a report released yesterday. Read More
Debate on analyzing 'cold hit' DNA matches swirls in case before California Supreme Court
One of the key issues in a case argued Thursday before the California Supreme Court is how to describe the significance of a "cold hit," when a criminal suspect is first identified through a DNA database search. Read More
Help on the way for senior scam victims
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is undertaking a new initiative that seeks to help seniors steer clear of scams and stand by them when they are victims. Read More
Easley supports college for illegal immigrants
In a statement that defied the legal advice of the state's attorney general, Gov. Mike Easley told community colleges Thursday that they can set their own admission standards, which currently welcome students regardless of their immigration status. Read More
Prevent blindness, save the manatee - and give to Family First?
A Tampa group that promotes healthy families would be the first of its kind allowed to ask Florida drivers to donate money under a little-noticed bill headed to the governor. Read More
Keeping the boys away from the girls
The teacher, a burly presence in the front of the room, calls his young charges "gentlemen," even if they're really boys. Read More
State agency seeks to cover 30,000 more uninsured
The authority overseeing the state's healthcare law is exploring ways to cover an additional 30,000 uninsured residents, a step that could increase the annual cost of the program by more than $250 million within a few years. Read More
California tax proposals target beer-loving, pornography-watching yacht owners
As state leaders hunt for politically palatable solutions to the swelling budget shortfall, some Democrats are proposing unorthodox ways to generate cash. Read More
23 states face budget gaps in '09
Like a college student fishing for stray quarters in the sofa cushions, states are tightening their belts, dipping into their rainy day funds and hoping revenues will pick up. But the faltering economy already has punched a $26 billion hole in 23 state budgets for 2009 – and it could get worse, according to a new report issued today (April 25). Read More
Group sues over order to stop feeding the homeless at Doheny State Beach
Members of a charity group threatened with arrest while trying to feed homeless people at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point have filed a federal lawsuit against state parks officials, claiming interference with their constitutional rights. Read More
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Seeds of social issues dot 2008 elections
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Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
Gay marriage decisions ripe in Calif., Conn.
More than four years after its historic court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, Massachusetts stands alone in blessing gay marriages — more than 10,000 to date — and its example has spurred no imitators but lots of backlash. All eyes now are on the highest courts in California and Connecticut. Read More
Governors pitch ambitious programs
Billion-dollar deficits in California, New York and Arizona haven’t stopped governors there and elsewhere from proposing big-ticket items for 2008. Stateline.org looks at proposals from governors’ 2008 "state of the state" speeches and provides an exclusive summary of all the addresses so far.
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Embryonic stem cell research divides states
President Bush’s second veto of a bill to allow federal funding of stem cell research puts the ethical issue squarely in states’ hands. So far, seven states have moved to fund the research, six have banned it, three have affirmed its legality but do not fund it and a handful of others continue to debate the issue. Read More
Senate blocks grocery tax bill
Democrats in the Alabama Senate fell one vote short Thursday of bringing up a bill that would remove the state sales tax from groceries by no longer allowing Alabamians to deduct the federal income taxes they pay from their state income taxes. Read More
Lawmakers tell Ark. MLK panel they're tired of controversy
Legislators on Thursday told the Martin Luther King Commission -- which has been beset by public infighting over its appointments and finances -- that they've grown tired of the controversy surrounding the panel. Read More
211 information and referral system launched in Arkansas
LOWELL, Ark. - Arkansas became the 17th state this week to have a simple, three-digit number that connects residents to community services and volunteer opportunities. Read More
King Commmission co-chair supports director, concerned about commission's direction
The co-chairman of the troubled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission on Thursday defended the executive director, who has been linked to an insurance fraud ring, but said he is concerned about the commission and its future. Read More
Arizona abortion providers might increase
A panel of the state Board of Nursing is recommending that nurse practitioners be allowed to perform first-trimester abortions in Arizona. Read More
Legislature: Disabled win hearts, votes
Advocates for the developmentally disabled were stunned and saddened when Rep. Michael Garcia resigned suddenly Feb. 1. Read More
Colorado AG praises Facebook safeguards
Facebook will put in new safeguards to protect children from online predators and inappropriate content. Read More
Yale fires back at South Korean university over fake degree
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Details of a sex scandal involving a top South Korean official and an art history professor, who lied about having a Yale degree, will be used by the Ivy League school to defend itself against a federal lawsuit filed by the South Korean university that hired the professor. Read More
Legislature left nursing-home reforms on table
For months, state Sen. Edith Prague rallied support for nursing-home reforms from Democratic leaders and advocates for the elderly, telling anyone who would listen that "this is the year" for improvements to minimum-staffing requirements and stronger oversight of the industry. Read More
Rell - Low-interest loans OK'd for Norwich fire victims
NORWICH, Conn. - Gov. M. Jodi Rell says victims of the April 26 fire that destroyed a Norwich apartment complex can apply for low-interest federal loans. Read More
Democrats plan special session
Democratic lawmakers said they are committed to calling the state legislature back in for a special session this spring, citing their desire to extend a critical source of revenue for cities and towns. Read More
Demonstration permits issued for Cheney visit
NEW LONDON, Conn. - Supporters and opponents of the war in Iraq have been granted permits to demonstrate during Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's commencement. Read More
Democrats tout shift in Hispanic voting
Hispanic voters registered as Democrats have overtaken Hispanic Republicans in Florida, signaling a trend that, if it continues, could have far-reaching implications for the 2008 election and U.S. foreign policy. Read More
Results mixed for Citizens' loan program
The 13 insurers that took advantage of a low-cost loan program to pump up capital and write thousands of new policies are still sitting on millions of unused dollars. Read More
Republican Hispanic Conference to court Hispanic vote in Orlando
Florida's Republicans will gather Saturday in Orlando to shore up support among Hispanics as the presidential election nears -- part of a long-term strategy to earn the community's votes for good. Read More
Another to be put to death
Two days after becoming the first state to break a seven-month pause in executions, Georgia is moving quickly to put another convicted killer to death later this month. Read More
Warrant signed for next Georgia execution
An execution warrant was signed Thursday for death-row inmate Samuel David Crowe, who is now scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection 7 p.m. on May 22. Read More
Senator questions printing of DOT notice in Spanish
Senate Republican Leader Ron Wieck of Sioux City says it appears the Iowa Department of Transportation broke the law by having a public hearing notice printed in the Sioux City Journal Thursday in both English and Spanish. Read More
Despite exemption, prisons to ban smoking
NEWTON, Iowa -- Iowa's prisons will become tobacco-free in early January even though state lawmakers exempted the institutions in a new law that bans smoking in most public places. Read More
Tama casino offers poker to gamblers under age 21
The Meskwaki Indian tribe plans to offer poker to 18- to 21-year-old gamblers next month at its Tama casino, but state regulators said the young players will be barred from slot machines, blackjack and other games. Read More
Iowa prisons to ban smoking in 2009
Iowa's prisons are going smoke-free, despite an exemption from the state's new statewide smoking ban. Read More
New law targets fans of dogfights
Those who attend and bet on illegal animal fights could now face tougher penalties, thanks to the work of two Davenport lawmakers who want to stop animal abuse. Read More
DOT to continue using Spanish, other languages
The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to keep publishing official notices in Spanish and other languages, despite a recent court ruling upholding the state's English-language law, a spokeswoman said Thursday. Read More
Will the capital city be able to gamble on racing?
Harness racing up to nine months a year at the Illinois State Fairgrounds could help raise money for fairground improvements and the Sangamon County emergency dispatch system, according to Rep. Raymond Poe. Read More
Booksellers agree with suit challenging new legislation
"I just thought it was stupid." That was the reaction of Sarah Bird, co-owner of the Griffon Bookstore in downtown South Bend, when she first heard of a new law that will require retailers of sexually explicit materials to register with the state and pay a fee. Read More
Legislature's issues in 2008 mirrored nation's
Kansas lawmakers spent the 2008 session wrestling mightily with problems of national, even global scope, and their failures were nearly as big. Read More
Local issues played a role in session
For the second time in as many years, lawmakers said with a unified voice that Kansas hates funeral protests. Read More
Museum system changes cleared by Senate panel
Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu cleared the first step Thursday to gaining more control over the Louisiana museum system, but not without museum supporters renewing accusations that he is attempting a misguided power grab that would harm properties such as the Cabildo and the Presbytere. Read More
Panel approves 'Bill of Rights'
A Senate committee gave swift approval Thursday to a proposed "Bill of Rights" that would grant sweeping new benefits for Road Home applicants who assert that the contractors running the homeowner grant program are not following the policies set by the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Read More
Bill would ban mentally ill from guns
More than a year after a mentally ill student killed 32 people at Virginia Tech, Louisiana legislators are considering a bill to prohibit similarly unstable people from buying firearms. Read More
Cravins expects Jetson bill OK
A state Senate bill that sets deadlines for closing Jetson - a state-run juvenile prison with a history of brutality - and for establishing smaller, regionalized juvenile detention facilities has a good chance of passing, said State Sen. Donald Cravins Jr. Read More
Union won't back slots
Breaking with the state teachers union, the Montgomery County Education Association voted Wednesday night not to endorse Maryland's slot machine gambling referendum, according to a news release from Marylanders United to Stop Slots. Read More
Stem cell study grants awarded
Maryland has handed out its second round of grants for stem cell research, awarding a total of $23 million for 62 projects ranging from basic studies of the cells' properties to potential therapies for human disease. Read More
Divided over slots
Large organizations are having as difficult a time with the issue of bringing slot machine gambling to Maryland as the General Assembly had in bringing the issue to the November ballot. Read More
Outdoor smoking at restaurants: Is a ban too much?
A proposal to ban smoking in outdoor seating areas at Portland restaurants triggered a debate Thursday on the competing rights of individuals. Read More
Senate OKs plan to ban smoking in bars, eateries
Michigan is closer than it's ever been to snuffing out smoking from most bars, restaurants and workplaces. Read More
State smoking ban closer to reality
"Smoking or nonsmoking?" That question was closer to extinction Thursday as the state Senate approved a statewide ban on smoking on all workplaces including bars, restaurants and even casinos. Read More
Some owners OK with ban, others not
A smoking ban in Michigan restaurants and bars won't have the long-term negative impact on business that many owners fear it will, several restaurateurs predicted Thursday. Read More
Senate passes ban on smoking
All Michigan workplaces, including bars, restaurants and clubs, are a big step closer to becoming smoke-free. Read More
Tribe exemption unfair, casino officials say
A smoking ban approved by the Michigan Senate that includes casinos could keep gamblers away in Detroit, and gives an unfair advantage to casinos operated by tribes, casinos officials and observers said. Read More
Senate OKs smoking ban; reaction mixed
When Chris Fegley and his son, 4-year-old Gavin, venture out for a meal, their restaurant choice depends on the location's smoke level. Read More
Same-sex benefits ruling might have minimal effect
A potentially devastating ruling Wednesday by Michigan's high court about same-sex benefits is likely to have little local effect. Read More
Michigan Senate OKs ban on smoking in bars, restaurants
The Michigan Senate on Thursday voted to prohibit smoking in all bars, restaurants and workplaces. Read More
Legislators OK higher dropout age, minimum-wage hike
Legislators dropped the hammer on Minnesota teens, and passed a bill to raise the minimum wage in two stages. But a transportation policy bill that would have made the failure to wear seat belts a primary offense was sent back to a conference committee. Read More
New recovery chief meets Coast leaders
GULFPORT, Miss. -- President Bush's newest recovery czar met with local leaders Thursday to discuss pressing needs in South Mississippi. Read More
Facebook agrees to make site safer for teens
In a continuing effort to develop restrictions to protect children on the Internet, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said Thursday that he and 47 of his counterparts have hammered out an agreement with Facebook. Read More
Attorney general hopeful focuses on meth
Montana law enforcement needs more manpower in the battle against methamphetamine, and addicts need more treatment, a Democratic candidate for attorney general said. Read More
AG -- Facebook agrees to make changes
Attorney General Jon Bruning joined 48 other attorneys general in announcing that social-networking site Facebook agreed to changes to better protect children from predators and inappropriate content. Read More
Bruning stands firm on position for discrimination cases
If the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and Attorney General Jon Bruning can?t cooperate, about 80 housing discrimination complaints a year will go to federal investigators. Read More
Cigarette tax likely to stay flat
House budget writers proposed delaying a potential 25-cent cigarette tax increase yesterday to see if a pending tax increase in neighboring Massachusetts will drive smokers to New Hampshire despite high gas prices. Read More
Panel OKs aid for low-income students
A bill authorizing a pilot program of scholarships to allow low-income children to attend private or out-of-district public schools cleared its first step in the state legislature yesterday. Read More
Talk explores medical care at end of life
New Jersey's intensive use of medical care at the end of life -- the most aggressive in the nation -- will be examined at a day-long medical conference Monday at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Read More
Activists -- COAH's dragging its feet
Activists who want an appeals court to appoint a special master to oversee the state's affordable housing effort yesterday charged the Council on Affordable Housing will not meet a court-ordered deadline for finalizing new housing construction guidelines and is intentionally dragging its feet. Read More
Navajo water rights bill heads to U.S. Senate floor
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.?The bill that would settle the Navajo Nation's water rights claims in the San Juan River Basin has cleared its first hurdle with approval of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Read More
Public Health Crisis - More infections surface
Health authorities said Thursday that 77 more patients might have contracted hepatitis C at a local medical clinic where unsafe injection practices have been identified. Read More
Nevada Republicans bolt party line, support housing package
WASHINGTON - In a sign of how the mortgage crisis is rippling through Nevada and across the national political landscape, the state?s two Republican House members broke ranks with their party Thursday and defied President Bush?s veto threat to vote for the main provisions of a Democratic housing rescue package. Read More
Union pushed; Trop fell
The owners of the Tropicana might have filed for bankruptcy protection regardless of labor union tactics. Read More
Gov. endorses tests for cops involved in shootings
Gov. David A. Paterson met Thursday with Sean Bell's family at his office in Manhattan, where he endorsed a proposal to test officers involved in shootings for alcohol or drugs. The reform has been sought by activists after Bell's 50-shot slaying in 2006. Read More
NY governor says he'll explore police procedures
NEW YORK ? Gov. David Paterson pledged Thursday to examine undercover police conduct in the aftermath of the 50-bullet police shooting of an unarmed man. Read More
N.Y. governor vows to examine undercover police procedures
NEW YORK - Gov. David Paterson pledged to examine undercover police conduct on Thursday, a day after more than 200 people were arrested protesting the acquittal of three detectives involved in the shooting death of an unarmed man. Read More
Dann's ethics form for Washington trip missing
As a state senator, Marc Dann railed against then-Gov. Bob Taft for failing to disclose golf outings and other freebies on his annual financial disclosure statements filed with the Ohio Ethics Commission. Read More
Ohio pharmacists want to expand role with patients
Ohio pharmacists want to convince insurers that paying them to have one-on-one time with patients with chronic diseases and on multiple medications will improve health and save money. Read More
Paid sick day backers say they will take issue to ballot
A coalition that wants to require most Ohio businesses to give their employees paid sick days says it wants to put the issue on the November ballot. Read More
Hard-hit consumers turn to Amish-run stores, expired goods
MESOPOTAMIA, Ohio - In a quiet gas-lit farmhouse on a frosty spring morning, two girls in bonnets and long blue dresses wind tape around expired bottles of Newman's Own salad dressing, and wipe dust off dented cans of vegetables and crumpled boxes of Butterfinger candy bars. Read More
Husted wants independent inquiry
House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, believes an independent, external investigation is needed to gather all the facts before the House considers whether to impeach Democratic Attorney General Marc Dann. Read More
Clearing the air costly to county
DAYTON, Ohio - Enforcing Ohio's indoor smoking ban costs big bucks, and the fines issued to violators don't come close to paying for it, local health department officials have discovered. Read More
Former Ohio AG aide says he was fired with no investigation
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A former aide to embattled Attorney General Marc Dann says he was terminated last year without an investigation by the office, unlike two top aides who were fired last week after sexual harassment claims against one of them prompted an internal probe. Read More
Lawmaker encourages disaster funding
A state lawmaker is encouraging the Legislature to approve a plan to secure state dollars for emergency disasters in Oklahoma. Read More
City advocates promoting 'wraparound' care
When her daughter was tiny, Jackie McKenzie knew something was amiss to make her growl and cry instead of coo and smile. Read More
District judge sides with police union, chief seeks appeal
SHAWNEE, Okla. - A judge sided with the Shawnee police union in an issue involving minimum staffing policies that the city had appealed to district court, but the police chief is expected to seek another appeal. Read More
Senator pushes for a vote on state 'social host' legislation
An Oklahoma City senator asked the House speaker Thursday to allow a vote on her bill that would strengthen the law on adults supplying beer and alcohol on their property to minors. Read More
State House backs electricity service territory changes
The state House voted 62 to 36 Thursday to approve the latest version of House Bill 1739, which would require electricity providers to divide newly developed service territory among themselves or have the Oklahoma Corporation Commission do it for them. Read More
Ministers appealing assessor's decision to end pastoral tax exemption
ARDMORE, Okla. -Carter County Assessor Kim Cain recently ended a controversial property tax break on ministers? private residences that had been in effect for approximately 14 years ?? but that hasn?t ended the controversy. Read More
Facebook changing to fight predators
The social networking Web site Facebook signed an agreement with 48 states and the District of Columbia yesterday that Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett believes will make the site safer for underage users. Read More
Tribe ready for share of state's gambling money
After refusing for more than two years, the Narragansett Indian tribe is now ready to accept its share of the state's gambling revenue if Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas can get clarification about precisely how the money can be used. Read More
Lawmakers' motives called into question
Perennial political candidate Christopher F. Young took the annual debate on gay marriage in an unexpected direction late Wednesday night when he accused state representatives of corruption and questioned their interest in Satan. Read More
State House hopeful wins union support
State House District 111 hopeful Clay Middleton won the backing from several labor unions Wednesday. Read More
New task force aims to reduce scams on state's elderly
Advocates for the elderly hope a task force announced Thursday will stop scams that rob the state's seniors of their hard-earned savings. Read More
Fair says he will side with the House on immigration
Greenville Sen. Mike Fair told the Senate today that he plans to side with the House on immigration reform. Read More
Tennessee higher-education officials work to keep tuition hikes below 10 percent
Tennessee higher-education leaders pledged Thursday to try to keep tuition hikes below 10 percent for in-state, undergraduate students, despite Gov. Phil Bredesen's plans to cut $55 million from their operating budgets. Read More
Bredesen focuses on schools but tightens belt
Gov. Phil Bredesen maintained his dedicated stance to state education on Thursday as he discussed the elimination of new funding for K-12 schools and a reduction in current funding for colleges and universities. Read More
Officials revisit tuition increases
Higher-education officials say they hope to keep tuition increases below 10 percent despite a $55 million cut in state funding. Read More
State of Tennessee will shed 2,000 jobs
State workers welcomed news from Gov. Phil Bredesen on Wednesday that his administration hopes to use voluntary buyouts rather than layoffs to trim the payroll by about 2,000 employees. Read More
Nashville nonprofits can apply in new grant program
Nashville nonprofit organizations have about three weeks to apply for $2 million in Metro government grants under a new program Mayor Karl Dean announced Thursday. Read More
Facebook puts into place new safety controls
When Kathy Frazar heard the operators of Facebook.com had promised to boost safeguards to protect younger users from online predators and shield them from inappropriate content, she was encouraged but not relieved. Read More
Wrongly convicted urge policy change during Capitol visit
One by one, nine wrongly convicted men stood up on the floor of the Texas Senate on Thursday to explain how innocent men ended up in prison and how to prevent it from happening again. Read More
Few who are left at polygamist ranch try to make sense of it all
YEARNING FOR ZION RANCH, Texas - Emptiness echoes off this polygamist community's once-lush lawns, now parched and brown. Read More
Attorneys general reach Facebook agreement
In an attempt to make the Internet safer for children, all but one of the nation's state attorneys general have turned their attention to another popular social networking site. Read More
Feds getting involved in polygamy cases
WASHINGTON -- A Justice Department prosecutor has been assigned to review how the federal government can help state and local law enforcement with polygamy cases, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard in a letter this week. Read More
Attorneys general defend Texas
ST. GEORGE, Utah -- The attorneys general for Utah and Arizona agreed Thursday that Texas was right in its removal of hundreds of FLDS children from the Yearning for Zion Ranch near Eldorado, Texas, more than a month ago. Read More
Facebook reaches agreement on sex predators
Facebook, the world's second-largest social-networking Web site, has reached an agreement with state law enforcement authorities across the country aimed at protecting children from sexual predators. Read More
Facebook agrees to shield kids from adult content
Social networking giant Facebook has agreed to better protect children on its Web site, including providing automatic warning messages when a child is in danger of giving personal information to an unknown adult. Read More
Constitutional change to streamline Utah death penalty appeals draws critics
Opponents of proposed constitutional amendments designed to streamline death penalty appeals said Thursday that the measures are too broad and would upset the balance of powers among the three branches of government. Read More
Utah seeks facts about Texas raid
Utah authorities will look into claims by members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church that their children were wrongfully taken in a Texas raid of the church's ranch there in April -- as long as the members are from Utah. Read More
Polygamy town hall -- A.G. says Texas-like raid on sects not the answer
ST. GEORGE, Utah -- Attorney General Mark Shurtleff called a raid on a polygamous sect's ranch in Texas no surprise given the group's resistant, secretive practices but said Thursday he would never authorize such a move in Utah. Read More
Utah polygamists are asked about fostering Texas children
ST. GEORGE, Utah - Utah's attorney general, Mark L. Shurtleff, sat before a room of perhaps 400 people, most of them fundamentalist polygamists, at a town hall meeting here on Thursday night. Read More
Group critical of gas, sales tax ideas
With the governor preparing to unveil his transportation proposal next week, a group yesterday warned that the two types of tax increases being debated by Democrats would both disproportionately hurt the poor. Read More
State offering shingles vaccine
Vermonters who endured a childhood bout of chicken pox probably assume they are done with the itchy disease. But they may be in for an unpleasant surprise. Read More
Treating drunk drivers like criminals
The Wisconsin chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants to make first-offense OWI a criminal offense in Wisconsin, rather than a civil violation. Read More
Ban urged for gifts to doctors, med students
West Virginia has taken small steps to limit the influence of prescription drug and medical device companies on doctors and medical school students, but the state should adopt much tougher restrictions to stop the "insidious" practices, a leader of a consumer advocacy group said Thursday. Read More
McGraw warns W.Va. businesses about bogus letters
Attorney General Darrell McGraw is warning businesses about bogus letters falsely claiming his office is investigating them. Read More
W.Va. couple accused of faking marriage
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - A West Virginia man and a woman from Guyana have been accused of conspiring to evade immigration laws by staging a fake marriage. Read More
Some students wage protest against Garrison
At West Virginia University, students are studying and taking finals this week before a majority of them leave Morgantown for the summer. Read More
Garrison has power to fire tenured faculty under WVU guidelines
West Virginia University policies apparently would have permitted President Mike Garrison to fire two high-ranking academic officials for their part in awarding Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter a degree she hadn't earned. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois treasurer shows his knowledge of charges
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in. Read More
Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure. Read More
Democratic mid-term gains affecting policy
So complete was the Democratic rout in the 2006 midterm elections that the party even gained legislative influence in Alaska, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming – states long dominated by the Republicans. And those gains, though small, are translating into policy achievements. Read More
States outpace feds on minimum wage
When the new federal minimum wage takes effect July 24, 30 states will require employers to pay hourly workers more than federal law requires. Read More
Medicaid: Biggest insurer is a budget buster
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