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Stateline
@stateline.org
Stateline provides daily reporting and analysis on trends in state policy. Part of the @statesnewsroom.com journalism network.
Although high rents often are associated with cities like New York or California, new data shows that states once considered more affordable are seeing rent hikes.

https://stateline.org/2026/01/12/many-states-considered-safe-for-affordable-housing-saw-the-highest-rise-in-rents-analysis-shows/
Many states considered safe for affordable housing saw the highest rise in rents, analysis shows • Stateline
A new analysis shows that average monthly rents are climbing in the Midwest and portions of the South.
stateline.org
January 13, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Stateline
The stadium deals in Washington and Kansas serve as further evidence that public officials are uninterested in curbing giveaways to billionaire team owners, despite decades of research suggesting stadiums are a wasteful use of limited tax dollars.

From @stateline.org
Sports stadium deals hand ever more taxpayer money to billionaires • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Two recent stadium deals have set separate records for taxpayer giveaways to sports teams. They serve as further evidence that public officials are uninterested in curbing subsidies for billionaire te...
penncapital-star.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Stateline
The Trump administration is creating a single trove of information on people who live in the U.S. Many left-leaning officials are trying to protect their residents’ personal information. But a growing number of conservative lawmakers are also taking action.

From @stateline.org
Worried about surveillance, states enact privacy laws and restrict license plate readers | Colorado Newsline
Many left-leaning as well as conservative officials are trying to protect residents’ personal information amid the immigration crackdown.
coloradonewsline.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Via Amanda Watford and Stateline: Prison nursery programs allow babies to live behind walls with their mothers — a rare and controversial approach that forces states to confront how punishment, public safety and early childhood development collide. https://ow.ly/TIIo50XU1GI
January 11, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Decades of research has found stadium subsidies are a poor use of public dollars, but officials continue to send more and more taxpayer funds to billionaire team owners.

https://stateline.org/2026/01/12/sports-stadium-deals-hand-ever-more-taxpayer-money-to-billionaires/
Sports stadium deals hand ever more taxpayer money to billionaires • Stateline
Two recent stadium deals have set separate records for taxpayer giveaways to sports teams. They serve as further evidence that public officials are uninterested in curbing subsidies for billionaire team owners, despite decades of research suggesting stadiums are a wasteful use of limited tax dollars.
stateline.org
January 12, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Prison nursery programs allow babies to live behind walls with their mothers — a rare and controversial approach.

via @stateline.org
‘Teaching us how to grow with our babies’: How prisons allow mothers and infants to nest for months
VANDALIA, Mo. — Kathy Briggs slipped her arms through the thick straps of a brand-new baby carrier, tugging it over her beige shirt as two other women stood beside her, tightening buckles and…
www.newsfromthestates.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The number of incarcerated women has climbed sharply over the past several decades. Some experts say the trend has forced states to confront a basic reality: Most correctional facilities were never designed to accommodate new mothers.

Full story: https://ow.ly/e7no50XU6qW
January 9, 2026 at 8:01 PM
From Amanda Watford: States take varied approaches to caring for incarcerated mothers and their infants.

Read about it here: https://stateline.org/2026/01/09/teaching-us-how-to-grow-with-our-babies-how-prisons-allow-mothers-and-infants-to-nest-for-months/
January 9, 2026 at 6:02 PM
NEW from @amandavhernan.bsky.social: Mothers behind bars face unique challenges — and a new prison nursery in Missouri is giving some a chance to bond with their babies.

Read more on how some mothers across the country are navigating parenting behind bars.

stateline.org/2026/01/09/t...
'Teaching us how to grow with our babies': How prisons allow mothers and infants to nest for months • Stateline
Prison nursery programs allow babies to live behind walls with their mothers — a rare and controversial approach that forces states to confront how punishment, public safety and early childhood develo...
stateline.org
January 9, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Happy Friday! I love this story so much. A beautiful read from @amandavhernan.bsky.social for @stateline.org

‘Teaching us how to grow with our babies’: How prisons allow mothers and infants to nest for months

stateline.org/2026/01/09/t...
'Teaching us how to grow with our babies': How prisons allow mothers and infants to nest for months • Stateline
Prison nursery programs allow babies to live behind walls with their mothers — a rare and controversial approach that forces states to confront how punishment, public safety and early childhood develo...
stateline.org
January 9, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Via Shalina Chatlani and Stateline: Many left-leaning states and cities and a growing number of conservative lawmakers want to curb the use of surveillance technologies, such as automated license plate readers, that can be used to identify and track people. https://ow.ly/41K950XTpvj
January 8, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Many left-leaning states and cities are trying to protect their residents’ personal information amid the immigration crackdown. But a growing number of conservative lawmakers also want to curb the use of surveillance technologies, such as automated license plate readers.

From @stateline.org
Worried about surveillance, states enact privacy laws and restrict license plate readers • Michigan Advance
Many left-leaning states and cities are trying to protect their residents’ personal information amid the immigration crackdown. But a growing number of conservative lawmakers also want to curb the use...
michiganadvance.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Reposted by Stateline
Democratic state AGs will lead opposition to Trump in new year, writes Erika Bolstad for @stateline.org alaskabeacon.com/2026/01/07/r...
Democratic state AGs will lead opposition to Trump in new year | Alaska Beacon
One year into President Donald Trump's second term, Democratic attorneys general have filed 71 lawsuits against the administration.
alaskabeacon.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Centers are confronting financial strain, restrictive regulations and resistance from hospitals.

From @stateline.org:
Freestanding birth centers are closing as maternity care gaps grow
Centers are confronting financial strain, restrictive regulations and resistance from hospitals.
19thnews.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Only four states — Arizona, Louisiana, Wyoming, and New Hampshire — require that voters provide a document proving their U.S. citizenship to register to vote, according to VoteRiders, a nonpartisan organization. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/b...
Bills requiring new FL voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship filed for session • Florida Phoenix
Legislation that would require new Florida voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship has again been filed in advance of the Florida legislative session kicking off next week in Tallahassee. HB 991 repo...
floridaphoenix.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Stateline
ICE officer fatally shoots driver through car window in Minneapolis minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/07/i...
ICE officer fatally shoots driver through car window in Minneapolis • Minnesota Reformer
The driver then slowly backs up and appears to be leaving, when another officer fires three shots.
minnesotareformer.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Via Stateline: A year into President Donald Trump’s second term, Democratic attorneys general have filed 71 suits against the administration, part of a coordinated strategy in 22 states and the District of Columbia to resist the ever-growing power of the executive branch. https://ow.ly/FP6Z50XSYOu
January 7, 2026 at 6:05 PM
From Erika Bolstad: Nearly a year into President Donald Trump's second term, Democratic attorneys general have filed 71 lawsuits against the administration.

https://stateline.org/2026/01/07/democratic-state-ags-will-lead-opposition-to-trump-in-new-year/
Democratic state AGs will lead opposition to Trump in new year • Stateline
One year into President Donald Trump's second term, Democratic attorneys general have filed 71 lawsuits against the administration.
stateline.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:31 PM
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Via Stateline: The threat from microplastics known as "nurdles" is starting to resonate beyond blue states. In Texas, environmentalists, fishermen, business leaders and local officials are pushing for more nurdle regulation, arguing that they threaten coastal economies. https://ow.ly/QQrI50XSpQA
January 6, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Stateline
One year into President Donald Trump’s second term, Democratic attorneys general have filed 71 lawsuits against the administration.

via @stateline.org
Democratic state AGs will lead opposition to Trump in new year
PORTLAND, Ore. — One year into President Donald Trump’s second term, Democratic attorneys general have filed 71 lawsuits against the administration.There’s more to come in 2026. The lawsuits are part…
www.newsfromthestates.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Stateline
BREAKING: Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws, including the first U.S. ban on pill abortions.
Abortion stays legal in Wyoming as its top court strikes down laws, including first US pill ban
Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws including the nation’s first explicit ban on abortion pills.
bit.ly
January 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Stateline
Hospital labor and delivery units are shuttering across the nation — including more than two dozen in 2025 alone. Freestanding birth centers help fill the gaps, but they too are struggling to stay open. At least three maternity service providers closed last year in Colorado.

From @stateline.org
Freestanding birth centers are closing as maternity care gaps grow | Colorado Newsline
Hospitals are closing labor and delivery units. Freestanding birth centers could help fill the gap but face their own obstacles.
coloradonewsline.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:20 PM
“Nurdles”— tiny plastic pellets that are the basic building blocks of nearly all plastic products — are polluting beaches and waterways around the country.

https://stateline.org/2026/01/06/plastic-pellets-known-as-nurdles-are-polluting-beaches-and-waterways/
Plastic pellets known as ‘nurdles’ are polluting beaches and waterways • Stateline
“Nurdles”— tiny plastic pellets that are the basic building blocks of nearly all plastic products — are polluting beaches and waterways around the country.
stateline.org
January 6, 2026 at 2:43 PM