Trump says he’s going after Medicaid fraud, but is mostly focusing on blue states • Stateline The Trump administration is taking aim at what it calls rampant fraud in state Medicaid programs. But by focusing almost exclusively on Democratic-led states, it has handed ammunition to critics who s...

The Trump administration is taking aim at what it calls rampant fraud in state Medicaid programs.

But by focusing almost exclusively on Democratic-led states, it has handed ammunition to critics who say it mainly wants to embarrass its political enemies.

stateline.org/2026/04/16/t...

Nearly 1 in 4 people seeking abortions out of state chose Illinois. Here’s why. At Family Planning Associates in Chicago, in the office where staff take phone calls from potential abortion patients, a U.S. map colored in with red and green dry-erase markers notes the latest…

Nearly 1 in 4 people traveling to another state for abortion care went to Illinois, according to a recent report.

via @stateline.org

Many states don’t report losses from data center tax breaks, study says • Michigan Advance Though public scrutiny of data centers is growing, 14 states do not disclose how much revenue they lose to data center tax breaks.That’s according to a new report from Good Jobs First, a watchdog grou...

The lack of disclosure comes as other states record mounting losses in tax revenue to data center subsidies. Three states — Georgia, Virginia and Texas — report losing $1 billion or more per year to data center incentives, according to Good Jobs First.

Story by @stateline.org

Trump says he’s going after Medicaid fraud, but is mostly focusing on blue states The Trump administration is taking aim at what it calls rampant fraud in state Medicaid programs. But by focusing almost exclusively on Democratic-led states, it has handed ammunition to critics who…

The Trump administration is taking aim at what it calls rampant fraud in state Medicaid programs, but has focused mostly on Democratic-led states.

via @stateline.org

This Law May Help Prevent Mass Shootings, but GOP-Led States Are Trying to Ban It Republican lawmakers are seeking to punish anybody who enforces an extreme risk protection order.

Republican lawmakers are seeking to punish anybody who enforces an extreme risk protection order.

Such measures have helped remove guns from people at high risk of harming others or themselves.

Published with @stateline.org:

SNAP work requirements don’t boost jobs, but drop participation, research finds • Oregon Capital Chronicle As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

Alaska Forest Service facility slated for closure amid federal restructuring | Alaska Beacon A lab in Anchorage is among the sites on the Forest service closure list, as is an Oregon-based lab that supports Alaska research.

Alaska Forest Service facility slated for closure amid federal restructuring, writes @yjrosen.bsky.social for the @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/15/a...

Hemp industry fights for survival as Missouri ban awaits governor’s signature Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office received 10,000 handwritten letters Tuesday, asking him to veto a Missouri bill that would impose a statewide ban on intoxicating hemp products.The letters, gathered in just…

Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office received 10,000 handwritten letters Tuesday, asking him to veto a Missouri bill that would impose a statewide ban on intoxicating hemp products.

via @missouriindependent.com

Forest Service shake-up will boost states’ role — but even supporters have concerns • NC Newsline A sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service signals that the agency is planning to lean heavily on states to help manage millions of acres of federal land, foresters across the West say.

A sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service signals that the agency is planning to lean heavily on states to help manage millions of acres of federal land, foresters across the West say. ncnewsline.com/2026/04/14/r... via @stateline.org

Nearly 1 in 4 people seeking abortions out of state chose Illinois. Here’s why. • Stateline A recent report found that 1 in 4 people traveling to another state for an abortion end up in Illinois, where state officials have invested millions to create a strong financial and logistical support network for those seeking care.

From Kelcie Moseley-Morris: A recent report found that 1 in 4 people traveling to another state for an abortion end up in Illinois.

stateline.org/2026/04/15/nearly-1-in-4...

Forest Service shake-up will boost states’ role — but even supporters have concerns • Pennsylvania Capital-Star A sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service signals that the agency is planning to lean heavily on states to help manage millions of acres of federal land, foresters across the West say.

A sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service signals that the agency is planning to lean heavily on states to help manage millions of acres of federal land.

Many forestry veterans fear the shake-up will cause more attrition in an agency.

From @stateline.org

SNAP work requirements don’t boost jobs, but drop participation, research finds | Colorado Newsline A new analysis suggests SNAP work requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

From @stateline.org

Anti-abortion lawmakers seek to redefine 'abortion' to exclude medical treatment • South Dakota Searchlight Some anti-abortion state lawmakers are pushing to revise the definition of “abortion” so abortion bans don’t apply to cases in which the death of an “unborn child” is the result of medical care…

Some anti-abortion lawmakers are pushing to revise the definition of “abortion” so bans don’t apply to cases when the death of an “unborn child” is the result of medical care provided to the pregnant woman. South Dakota is the first state to enact such a law.

Via @stateline.org

Forest Service shake-up will boost states’ role — but even supporters have concerns • Stateline A sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service signals that the agency is planning to lean heavily on states to help manage millions of acres of federal land, foresters across the West say.

A sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service signals that the agency is planning to lean heavily on states to help manage millions of acres of federal land, foresters say.

stateline.org/2026/04/14/forest-servic...

More states make it easier for physician assistants to practice • Stateline Alabama, Maine and Virginia recently adopted policies that make it easier for physician assistants to practice and serve more patients. Changes can help fill gaps in rural and underserved communities that don’t have enough primary care medical professionals, advocates say.

Alabama, Maine and Virginia recently adopted policies that make it easier for physician assistants to practice and serve more patients, Nada Hassanein reports.

stateline.org/2026/04/13/more-states-m...

A new gold rush: States stockpile bars, encourage gold-backed debit cards

More states are piling up gold bars, or encouraging residents to use gold-backed debit cards, to hedge against inflation, reports Kevin Hardy of @stateline.org.

Medicaid expansion boosted access to opioid addiction treatment medication, study says • Wisconsin Examiner States that expanded access to Medicaid saw increased access to lifesaving opioid addiction treatment medication

Medicaid expansion boosted access to opioid addiction treatment medication, study says. @chatlanis.bsky.social has the story, from @stateline.org

SNAP work requirements don’t boost jobs, but drop participation, research finds • NC Newsline As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance. ncnewsline.com/2026/04/13/r... #ncpol #snap @stateline.org

Anti-abortion lawmakers seek to redefine ‘abortion’ to exclude medical treatment Some anti-abortion state lawmakers are pushing to revise the definition of “abortion” so abortion bans don’t apply to cases in which the death of an “unborn child” is the result of medical care…

Some anti-abortion state lawmakers are pushing to revise the definition of “abortion.” Critics say the goal is to fortify abortion bans against legal and political risks.

via @stateline.org

Rep. Eric Swalwell and three more US House members may face rare expulsion votes WASHINGTON — Four members of Congress — two Democrats and two Republicans — could face expulsion from the House in the coming weeks, an extraordinarily rare rebuke from their colleagues. Debate about ...

JUST IN from @jennifershutt.bsky.social

Four members of Congress — two Democrats and two Republicans — could face expulsion from the House in the coming weeks, an extraordinarily rare rebuke from their colleagues.

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rep-...

Anti-abortion lawmakers seek to redefine 'abortion' to exclude medical treatment • Stateline Some anti-abortion state lawmakers are pushing to revise the definition of “abortion” so abortion bans don’t apply to cases in which the death of an “unborn child” is the result of medical care provided to the pregnant woman. In the four years since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to ban abortion, stories continue to emerge of […]

From Sofia Resnick: Some anti-abortion state lawmakers are pushing to revise the definition of “abortion." Critics say it's to fortify abortion bans against legal and political risks.

stateline.org/2026/04/13/anti-abortion...

CDC’s 2025 data shows birth rates continuing to slide • Michigan Advance New data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows fertility and birth rates continue to fall across the U.S., while cesarean section procedures increased and preterm birth rat...

CDC’s 2025 data shows birth rates continuing to slide

michiganadvance.com/2026/04/12/r...

From @stateline.org

A new gold rush: States stockpile bars, encourage gold-backed debit cards | Alabama Reflector More states are piling up gold bars, or encouraging residents to use gold-backed debit cards, to hedge against inflation.

Via @stateline.org: Critics question the need for these bills and some have panned them as potentially market-disrupting measures that could ultimately provide tax havens for the wealthy.

SNAP work requirements don’t boost jobs, but drop participation, research finds • Pennsylvania Capital-Star As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

From @stateline.org

SNAP work requirements don’t boost jobs, but drop participation, research finds • Stateline As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

As states enact stricter work requirements for federal food stamps, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

stateline.org/2026/04/10/snap-work-req...

How Trump’s SAVE America Act could make it harder for married women to vote

michiganadvance.com/2026/04/10/r...

From @stateline.org

Republican lawmakers push state control over Democratic cities • NC Newsline In recent years, Republican lawmakers in GOP-led states — including Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee — have pushed for state takeovers of police departments and other municipal agencies in Democratic cities that have significant Black populations.

Conservative lawmakers frame their proposals as necessary for improving public safety or financial accountability. Critics say the takeover efforts undermine democracy by overriding local control, exceeding the traditional bounds of state power while perpetuating racist stereotypes. @stateline.org

Medicaid expansion boosted access to opioid addiction treatment medication, study says • Stateline In the eight states that expanded Medicaid after 2018, the number of people receiving prescriptions for the opioid addiction treatment medication buprenorphine increased dramatically, according to a paper that researchers will present next month. The states that expanded Medicaid before that period also saw gains, but they were generally smaller. That’s because other changes, aside […]

NEW: In the eight states that expanded Medicaid after 2018, the number of people receiving prescriptions for an opioid addiction treatment medication increased dramatically.

stateline.org/2026/04/10/medicaid-expa...

Billions in unpaid taxes could help states fill budget holes, report says

Though states are missing out on billions in unpaid tax dollars, few have any mechanism to measure how much is being lost, according to a new report. Kevin Hardy of @stateline.org reports.

A new gold rush: States stockpile bars, encourage gold-backed debit cards • Stateline More states are piling up gold bars, or encouraging residents to use gold-backed debit cards, to hedge against inflation.

More states are piling up gold bars, or encouraging residents to use gold-backed debit cards, to hedge against inflation.

stateline.org/2026/04/10/a-new-gold-ru...