The government has a controversial idea to track mental health crisis calls
The national 988 hotline may start pinpointing callers, a move opponents say could lead to forced intervention and violate caller trust.
More blue states declare themselves sanctuaries for transgender health care
The moves come after at least 20 states have restricted or banned gender-affirming care for minors.
State coffers to take a hit with the end of extra federal Medicaid funding
During the pandemic, states received more than $117 billion in additional federal Medicaid funding in return for pausing disenrollments. That extra money is set to end this year.
Studies show a need for procedural justice in ‘hot spot’ policing
Research supports a style of high-crime policing emphasizing transparency and fairness. Will police follow the evidence?
A different kind of green bank—one that targets affordable housing
Massachusetts launched the nation’s first green bank dedicated to affordable housing.
California’s homelessness crisis is homegrown, study finds
A survey of homeless Californians reveals that the primary reason they end up homeless is not addiction or mental health conditions, but rather a lack of affordable housing.
Medical exiles: Families flee states amid crackdown on transgender care
As more states restrict gender-affirming care for transgender people, some are relocating to more welcoming destinations, where they don't have to worry about being locked out of medical care.
The Press and the Government
Kentucky agencies are restricting their workers’ interaction with the media—in some ways that are unconstitutional. It highlights a tension that has long existed between governments and news outlets. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Mayors: There’s a Mental Health Crisis in Every City
It is causing drug overdoses and homelessness in cities across America. But with the debt deal to freeze spending, it is uncertain whether federal help is coming.
Opioid Settlement Payouts to Localities Made Public for First Time
Documents have been obtained showing the exact dollar amounts—down to the cent—that local governments have been allocated in 2022 and 2023 to battle the ongoing opioid crisis.
Housing Still Isn't Affordable for Minimum-Wage Workers, Report Says
The finding comes even as cities and states have raised the minimum wage over the past few years.
States Need Better Tech, Training to Keep Repeat Drunk Drivers off the Roads
Lacking adequate resources, states are often unable to provide complete criminal histories to the FBI’s databases, which are critical resources for reducing impaired driving by repeat offenders, according to a new GAO report.
New Map Shows How Common Train Derailments Are
Few are as dangerous as the one in East Palestine, but city advocates hope the online tool showing the location of thousands of derailments will underscore the need for a federal safety law.
Feds Give States More Flexibility in Medicaid Redeterminations
But, according to federal data, states already aren’t using all the latitude given to them to keep eligible people on the low-income health care program.
Schools Struggle to Implement New Laws on Sexually Explicit Books
Local school boards must interpret the state laws, which are sometimes vague and come with loose guidance. It has had a chilling effect on school decision-makers, who become overly cautious.
Chronic Lifeguard Shortage Serves as Springboard to Address Racial Inequities
Cities and towns are again in deep waters this summer trying to hire enough lifeguards to open their public pools. Many are proceeding with sensitivity to issues of race and ethnicity.
How NYC Officials Failed to Prepare for an Air Quality Crisis
"It’s been a lackluster, underwhelming, frankly problematic response."
SCOTUS Preserves Medicaid Patients’ Right to Sue
Had the court ruled differently, it would have stripped millions of people who rely on federal assistance programs of the ability to sue states when their rights are violated. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Round
Las Vegas Needs to Save Water. It Won’t Find It in Lawns.
Drought-plagued Nevada pledged to do away with 3,900 acres of grass in the Las Vegas area within six years, but a ProPublica analysis found that the state grossly overestimated how much of that grass would likely be removed.
Alabama Loses High Court Bid to Rewrite Redistricting Rules
The Supreme Court ordered state lawmakers to draw another majority Black congressional district, in a case that could have a far-reaching impact.
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