From the States
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GOP amendments have delayed California Democrats attempt to “Trump-proof” the state
Gov. Newsom is now pushing that the funding be modified to exclude deportation defense of criminals after the Department of Finance said that the funds could be used in that manner.
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Oregon legislature taking up the legalization of 'magic mushrooms'
If approved, the 2025 proposals would allow for a two-year development phase before the state starts handing out licenses in 2027.
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Trump signs executive order for federal government to promote school choice
Critics of school choice measures took aim at the research cited by Trump’s executive order. On X, formerly Twitter, researcher Josh Cowen said, “Facts can’t be EO’d into existence.”
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Texas state House elects moderate Republican as speaker despite conservative objections
Texas state Rep. David Cook was voted the state GOP’s nominee for House speaker in December, but state Rep. Dustin Burrows won the speakership in an 85-55 vote on Tuesday with the help of the chamber's Democrats.
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California price-gouging laws could block fire victims from renting houses, experts warn
In response to concerns about price hikes, especially regarding rentals, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told residents to report prices that violate the emergency declaration to the city’s non-emergency line.
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Minnesota state Democrats hold boycott to stop Republicans from gaining control of lower chamber
The state's lower chamber was expected to be tied for the next legislative year after voters elected 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans to represent them in November. But one state Democrat was removed from office over a residency challenge.
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Newly acquired New Orleans street barriers inadequate for high-speed attacks, expert warns
The New Orleans City Council has launched an investigation to examine the city's current barriers, which include the Heald HT2 Matador system and the newly acquired RCS8040 S10 removable bollards.
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Texas governor orders flag to fly at full staff during Trump inauguration despite Biden's orders
Biden last month ordered the flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days as part of the national mourning period for Carter. But the 30 days overlap with the presidential inauguration and would mark the first time that U.S. flags flew at half-staff during the ceremony.
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Texas sues Allstate alleging it illegally collected and sold users’ data
When consumers requested quotes or renewed their coverage, Allstate and other insurers would use the data it collected to justify increasing car insurance premiums.
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Democrats, activists push to decriminalize sex work in Illinois
The group, many of whom identify as transgender, gender diverse, and/or queer, said they have been advocating for over three years to address the unique challenges faced by sex workers in Illinois.
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'Derelict in duty:' Speaker Johnson supports conditions for California bailout
Johnson had issued an earlier communication describing the “feckless leadership” in the state
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LA resident sues California utility company for allegedly causing deadly Eaton Fire
The company has denied the allegations that it could be responsible for the fire, and claimed on Sunday that an internal review of circuits and transmission lines in the Eaton Canyon area supported its argument that it was not responsible.
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Legislation introduced to grant Washington, D.C. statehood
The senators echoed the district’s unofficial motto, “Taxation without representation,” in their pursuit of creating the 51st state.