Coronavirus

Price Jumps Prompt Pocketbook Policies in States

The Midwest and South are seeing the biggest spikes.

  • By Tim Henderson, Stateline

Omicron’s Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios

The new, highly contagious variant could have terrible consequences. But if it ends up causing milder symptoms than delta, there’s a real upside.

  • By Rachel Gutman, The Atlantic

No Strategy Needed to Start Leveraging AI in Government

While states should formulate a strategic vision for long-term use of artificial intelligence, the pandemic showed that AI can successfully assist with vital public services, according to a survey of state CIOs.

  • By Andre Claudio

Congressional Leaders Strike Deal to Fund Agencies Through Feb. 18, but Shutdown Threat Remains

Some Republican senators threaten to derail plans over COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

  • By Eric Katz

Telehealth May Be Here to Stay

The use of remote health services soared during the pandemic.

  • By Michael Ollove, Stateline

States With the Highest Homicide Rates

The U.S. experienced a 30% increase in homicides from 2019 to 2020, the largest jump ever recorded, according to a CDC report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Judge Blocks National Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers

The Tuesday ruling stops a nationwide vaccine mandate by the Biden administration that was set to start Dec. 6.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

State Lawmakers' Anti-Vaccine Efforts May Prove Mostly Symbolic

Since September, at least 14 GOP-controlled legislatures have debated vaccine mandates.

  • By Sophie Quinton, Stateline

America’s Pandemic Star Loses Some Luster

Vermont’s COVID-19 surge could point the way toward an uncertain endemic future.

  • By Russell Berman, The Atlantic

A Breakdown of the Andrew Cuomo Investigations

The former New York governor is facing probes at the county, state and federal level. Here’s what's happening.

  • By Rebecca C. Lewis

Evictions in Some Texas Cities Are Almost Back To Normal Levels as Tenant Help Dries Up

Evictions in major Texas cities have reached levels not seen since the pandemic began. But tenant protections and financial assistance for struggling renters are beginning to fade.

  • By Joshua Fechter and Uriel J. García , The Texas Tribune

‘Am I Even Fit To Be a Mom?’ Diaper Need Is an Invisible Part of Poverty in America

Parents cannot use federal aid to pay for diapers, and are often forced to come up with other solutions, using maxi pads or towels to keep their children clean and dry. In rural America where aid is even harder to access, tiny diaper banks are the only lifeline.

  • By Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th
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As Food Banks Struggle to Feed More Families at Thanksgiving, Localities Step Up to Help

Food shortages and soaring prices have hampered many charities' ability to collect and buy enough items. Municipal governments are investing new federal funds to boost these efforts.

  • By Andre Claudio

More Than Two Dozen States in Limbo on Vaccine Mandate for Government Workers

A federal order requiring vaccination or weekly testing for workers in large companies also applies to state and local government employees in 26 states. But it’s under judicial review.

  • By Tom Shoop

Rural Leaders Fear They’ll Miss Out on Infrastructure Money

Small towns might not have the staff to write grants, according to state and association officials.

  • By Aallyah Wright, Stateline

How the Pandemic Helped Spread Fentanyl Across the US and Drive Opioid Overdose Deaths to a Grim New High

The number of fatal drug overdoses in the US over a 12-month period has surpassed 100,000 for the first time. Fentanyl is the main driver of the spike in deaths.

  • By Andrew Kolodny, The Conversation

Snowy Roads Will Be Cleared, But It Will ‘Take Extra Time’

The ongoing labor shortage has exacerbated existing plow driver hiring problems, transportation officials said.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

How the Democratic Child-Care Proposal Hurts Families

COMMENTARY | Despite worthy intentions, it will drive up costs for some families while providing no benefits to the poorest and most vulnerable children.

  • By Matt Bruenig, The Atlantic

States With the Highest Personal Income Growth

Total income growth is higher in all states than before the pandemic, thanks to elevated levels of government assistance and growth in wages, according to a report.

  • By Andre Claudio

How Cities Are Addressing Mental Distress

Successful programs include partnerships between social workers and first responders, incorporate data and recognize larger social factors affecting health and well-being, like racism, experts say.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Domestic Violence Declined During Covid-19 Lockdowns

While documented simple and aggravated assaults dropped, reports of domestic violence rose for a variety of reasons, new research shows.

  • By Andre Claudio