The Latest Breaking News from Stateline

States strive to help SNAP recipients cope with lower benefits

The white words on a red background are plain. “Important notice: SNAP emergency allotments ending after February.”

Tribune News Service · Mar 1, 2023

Bourbon connoisseurs’ spirits run high, then low, as states allot rare bottles

As liquor connoisseurs’ quest for certain high-end bourbons becomes a blood sport, the 17 states that control their own liquor stores have adopted more and more complex methods to stop obsessed seekers from gaming the system by stalking delivery trucks and reselling sought-after bottles on the black market.

Tribune News Service · Feb 27, 2023

As abortion measures loom, GOP raises new barriers to ballot initiatives

Roused by voters’ recent endorsement of abortion rights — even in conservative states — Republican legislators are ramping up efforts to make it tougher for citizens to change laws or amend state constitutions through ballot measures.

Tribune News Service · Feb 15, 2023

Migrating professionals grow black middle class in the South and West

Erika Harrison, a Houston attorney who has lived in the area since she was 5, started her blog, Black Girls Who Brunch, “to showcase the vibrant food scene beyond the franchise restaurants.” But recently, the blog has grown into much more than that.

Tribune News Service · Jan 8, 2023

As fentanyl use spikes, feds urge states to ease methadone rules

Ever since the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl began showing up in the illicit drug supply in 2014, the number of U.S. overdose deaths has skyrocketed — exceeding all other accidental deaths, including car crashes and gun violence.

Tribune News Service · Dec 22, 2022

The nation’s vacant homes present an opportunity — and a problem

With construction costs for new homes and interest rates soaring, vacant housing is drawing more attention as a shortcut to quickly getting more units on the market.

Tribune News Service · Nov 23, 2022

The push to decriminalize marijuana possession continues, town by town

KILLEEN, Texas — As he plied the streets of Killeen in his silver Volvo SUV on a recent Sunday, Louie Minor recalled his time as a deputy constable whose duties included arresting marijuana users.

Tribune News Service · Nov 4, 2022

Governors split on Biden’s call to pardon low-level pot offenders

When President Joe Biden in October granted blanket pardons to more than 6,500 Americans convicted of marijuana possession under federal law, he urged governors to pardon the much greater number of low-level marijuana offenders in their states.

Tribune News Service · Oct 31, 2022

Librarians and lawmakers push for greater access to e-books

Librarians and their legislative allies are pushing publishers of electronic books to lower their prices and relax licensing terms, an effort that could make it easier for millions of library users to borrow the increasingly popular digital versions of books.

Tribune News Service · Sep 7, 2022

Inflation pushes minimum wages higher in some states

DENVER — Low-wage workers in more than a dozen states — and many more cities — could get unexpectedly large raises next year, thanks to minimum wage increases that will reflect soaring consumer prices.

Tribune News Service · Sep 6, 2022