Tag: Regional News

Legalization of Marijuana in US States Linked to Rise in Fatal Car Accidents

Several U.S. states which legalized marijuana use have seen a spike in car accidents and traffic-related deaths, according to a recent study. Researchers have linked an increase of 22 percent in fatal road crashes in certain states to the legalization of cannabis, according to a new study by the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public…


Federal Watchdogs to Investigate Offshore Wind Turbines Amid Surge in Marine Wildlife Deaths

An independent congressional watchdog organization has agreed to a congressman’s request for an investigation into the impact of offshore wind development in New Jersey amid a surge in marine wildlife deaths. Rep. Chris Smith issued statement on June 15 that the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—a nonpartisan agency that conducts investigations for Congress—will be examining how…


California Legislature Passes Revised $312 Billion Budget Proposal, Awaits Newsom’s Response

Democratic supermajorities in both the Assembly and Senate approved a revised version of the state’s budget on June 15, the final day of the deadline based on constitutional obligation, with the proposal now on the way to the governor’s desk for review. Votes were split by party line, with all senators present and voting 32…


Lawmaker Tells Californians to Flee State Over Bill Favoring ‘Gender-Affirming’ Parents in Child Custody Disputes

A California state senator suggested at a packed senate judiciary committee hearing on a pro-transgender bill that fighting to preserve parental rights in the state is a lost cause and advised California parents to leave if they know what’s best for their children and families. State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) made the remark at…


Florida Law Invalidating Diver’s Licenses for Out-of-State Illegal Immigrants Gets Mixed Reviews

A new Florida law defies a longstanding custom that states will honor each other’s driver’s licenses. On May 10, 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1718 into law. The measure was passed by Florida’s legislators as a means of protecting the state and its citizens from the costly and sometimes dangerous effects of illegal…


California School Board Terminates Superintendent Amid LGBT, CRT Debates

TEMECULA, Calif.—The Temecula Valley Unified school board terminated the district’s superintendent in a June 13 board meeting amid controversy surrounding the board majority’s crackdown on critical race theory and what they said was inappropriate content in curriculum. Board president Joseph Komrosky, and Trustees Jennifer Wiersma and Danny Gonzalez voted to terminate Superintendent Jodi McClay’s contract,…


North Carolina Lawmakers Move to Eliminate Gov. Roy Cooper’s Power to Appoint Members to Majority Democrat Election Board

North Carolina Senate Republicans have advanced a bill that would eliminate Gov. Roy Cooper’s power to appoint members to the majority Democrat state election board. Senate Bill 749, titled “No Partisan Advantage in Election,” seeks to transfer the administrative authority to appoint members of the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) to the Department of…


Severe Storms in Southeastern US Bring Tornadoes, Gusty Winds, Hail

Severe storms Wednesday afternoon in the U.S. Southeast have brought damaging winds, hail, as well as tornadoes to various parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, according to multiple reports. The National Weather Service (NWS) throughout Wednesday issued numerous tornado warnings, mainly in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. The federal weather agency also…


Rancher Angered When Uninvited Pipeline Surveyors Enter Home

Keeping the doors unlocked is a common practice on rural farms where farmers often work between the house, barn, and field. But country manners don’t allow strangers to enter buildings unannounced. That’s what happened on May 3, when land surveyors for Summit Carbon Solutions arrived at the Brown County, South Dakota ranch of Jared and…


[PREMIERING NOW] Libby Emmons: Why Biological Men Are Entering Women’s Prisons Across America and the West

“Federal prisons have been tasked with making sure that they are not transphobic by allowing men who identify as women … into women’s federal prisons.” Libby Emmons was a playwright and producer in the New York theater community until she faced the ire of both her peers and her audience. Her crime? The views she…