Stateline

The Trump administration is increasing efforts to give states more control over federal education money by offering flexible spending options. Six states received waivers allowing them to consolidate over $109 million in funding and bypass requirements for local agencies. Additionally, 22 states have been granted Education Flexibility Partnership (Ed-Flex) authority, which waives certain federal educational requirements.

A federal judge ordered the Department of Defense to resume national security reviews for onshore wind projects. The ruling mandates that the Pentagon restart the permitting process, which had been halted previously due to a lack of compliance with regulatory deadlines. Environmental groups praised the decision, stating that many needed low-cost power sources were needlessly obstructed.

Several states have enacted laws to limit surveillance pricing, which involves using a customer’s personal data to set individualized prices on goods and services. Three states—Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey—were among the first to pass these restrictions, though they cover different retailers and exceptions. The legislation has met with opposition from business groups concerned that the rules are overly broad and could interfere with existing discount programs.

Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey have enacted laws to restrict surveillance pricing, which uses personal data to set individualized prices. The laws vary in coverage, exceptions like loyalty programs, and enforcement mechanisms, with Maryland’s law effective October 1 and New Jersey’s imposing a moratorium on new electronic shelf labels.

Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey have enacted laws to restrict companies from using personal data for surveillance pricing, a practice that sets individualized prices for goods and services. The laws vary in scope, with exceptions for loyalty programs and supply-based pricing, but face opposition from business groups concerned about overreach. At least 11 other states considered similar legislation.

Three states—Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey—have enacted laws to restrict 'surveillance pricing,' which uses personal data like browsing history to set individualized prices. The laws vary in scope, with exceptions for loyalty programs, subscription pricing, and cost-based differences. Business groups have opposed similar legislation in 11 other states, arguing it could harm discounts and compliance costs.

Demographers predict a future shortage of young workers by 2040 could drive up wages as retiring workers outnumber new labor force entrants. Worker shortages are already affecting industries like energy, construction, and healthcare, while potential housing surpluses in states like Florida and Texas may lower prices. Experts caution uncertainties remain due to factors like immigration and AI's impact.

The Trump administration launched the 'Freedom Haulers' campaign to assist veterans in obtaining civilian trucking licenses by waiving CDL road tests for qualified military drivers. U.S. labor costs increased moderately in Q2, with employers noting balanced market conditions. States and prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are in legal disputes over regulatory classification and oversight of event-based contracts.

The U.S. preteen suicide rate has risen significantly, with 194 preteens aged 8-12 dying by suicide in 2025—the highest since 2001. Experts link the trend to stressors like the pandemic, social media, bullying, and policies restricting gender-affirming care. A case study highlights challenges in accessing mental health care for children.

The U.S. death rate fell to a historic low in 2025, with states like New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York seeing significant drops in death rates since 2015. Experts attribute improvements to expanded healthcare access, traffic safety measures, and reduced gun violence, though the Trump administration's proposed cuts to Medicaid and rural hospitals threaten these gains.

Joint ventures between private equity firms and healthcare nonprofits are rising, but critics argue they conflict in mission. These partnerships may challenge recent state laws aimed at regulating private equity in healthcare.

The national death rate in the U.S. fell to a historic low in 2025, with Northeastern states like New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York experiencing the largest declines since 2015. The drop is attributed to reduced rates of drug overdoses, gun homicides, and traffic accidents, alongside long-term healthcare expansion efforts. However, the Trump administration's proposed cuts to Medicaid and rural hospital funding threaten to undermine these gains.

The U.S. national death rate fell to a historic low in 2025, with Northeastern states like New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York seeing significant drops in death rates between 2015 and 2025. These declines are attributed to healthcare expansion, reduced firearm deaths, and lower traffic accident rates, though some experts warn that recent policy shifts threatening Medicaid and rural hospitals could undermine progress.

The U.S. death rate fell to a historic low in 2025, with Northeastern states like New Jersey and Massachusetts seeing significant drops due to healthcare expansion, traffic safety, and gun violence measures. However, federal efforts to cut Medicaid and rural hospital funding threaten these gains.

Immigration arrests in the U.S. reached a record high in June with over 43,000 arrests, and early July data suggests a potential monthly total of 49,000. The increase, part of a Trump administration enforcement push, followed fatal shootings during traffic stops and led to mandates for ICE officers to wear body cameras. Statistics reveal less than a third of detainees have criminal convictions, while the Supreme Court is set to rule on the legality of mandatory detention policies.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reports record immigration arrests in June 2020, with over 43,000 arrests and a daily rate of 1,593 in early July. The surge includes deaths during traffic stops and ongoing legal challenges to mandatory detention policies.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported record immigration arrests in June 2023, with over 43,000 arrests, and a daily average of 1,593 arrests in early July. The surge in enforcement led to deaths during traffic stops and controversial arrests, including a nun in Texas and an Alaska state attorney, while court-ordered bond hearings freed approximately 2,000 detainees monthly.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, ordered a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center construction to assess environmental impacts and energy grid strain. The executive order requires an environmental analysis and mandates data centers to pay more for energy or supply their own, while also directing the development of community negotiation frameworks and a fund for grid infrastructure and clean energy.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order to halt new large-scale data center construction for up to a year, citing concerns over energy grid strain, rising utility bills, and resource depletion. The moratorium includes an environmental review and requirements for data centers to pay more for energy or supply their own. Hochul also directed agencies to develop frameworks for community negotiations and grid investments.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a previous decision requiring bond hearings for immigrants detained under the Trump administration’s mandatory detention policy, allowing indefinite detention without bond in facilities across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The Supreme Court will review a related case next October, while other appeals courts have previously struck down the policy as unconstitutional.

Gun homicides in the U.S. declined by nearly 16% in 2024, falling to 15,364 deaths, while firearm suicides reached a record high of 27,593 deaths. Total firearm-related deaths in 2024 were 44,447, a 5% decrease from the previous year, but firearms remained the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1 to 17 for the fifth consecutive year.

A nonprofit hospice in Washington partnered with private equity-backed Compassus in a joint venture, leading to operational changes that increased patient loads and pressured staff to falsify documents, raising concerns about state laws regulating private equity in healthcare. The partnership has resulted in staff departures and safety issues, with critics fearing existing regulations may not cover such ventures.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a decision requiring bond hearings for immigrants detained under the Trump administration’s mandatory detention policy, allowing indefinite detention without bond in centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The Supreme Court will review the case next, and the 8th Circuit Court has upheld the policy in seven Midwestern states.

A federal appeals court reversed a decision requiring bond hearings for immigrants under the Trump administration’s mandatory detention policy, allowing indefinite detention without bond in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will rehear the case in September, while the Supreme Court will address related conflicts next session.

A nonprofit hospice partnered with a private equity-backed company, leading to operational changes that pressured staff to increase patient visits and engage in unethical practices. Critics worry state laws targeting private equity in healthcare may not cover such joint ventures, risking patient safety and community health.

Gun homicides in the U.S. declined by 16% in 2024, while firearm suicides reached a record high of 27,593 deaths. Total firearm-related deaths fell 5% to 44,447, with firearms remaining the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1–17 for the fifth consecutive year.

The United States faces a pivotal choice between continuing a path of increased federal control under President Donald Trump or rebalancing power to strengthen state autonomy. Trump's efforts to assert authority over state-run elections and use federal resources as political leverage have strained federal-state relations, while some states have enacted laws to resist these actions. Experts warn of a stress test on the nation's foundational federalism.

The article discusses the growing tension between the U.S. federal government and states under President Trump, who seeks to centralize power, and states resisting through countermeasures. Experts warn that this stress on federalism could redefine the nation's governance structure, with states potentially rebalancing authority against an aggressive White House.

Several U.S. states, including Republican-led Georgia and Tennessee, as well as Democratic-led Maryland and Virginia, have enacted laws to expand or protect access to contraception. Measures include allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, mandating insurance coverage, and requiring educational institutions to report on contraception access.

The United States faces a pivotal choice between maintaining a stronger federal government led by President Donald Trump or rebalancing power to states. Trump has used executive authority to pressure states and assert control over elections, while Democratic states have enacted laws to resist federal overreach. Experts warn that federalism is fraying, raising concerns about the future of governance.

The United States faces a pivotal choice between maintaining federal dominance under President Donald Trump or rebalancing power with states. Trump's efforts to assert control over state elections and use federal resources for political leverage have strained federal-state relations, prompting resistance from Democratic states through legislative measures.

The article discusses the U.S. facing a choice between continuing under a federal government led by Donald Trump seeking more control or rebalancing power with states. Experts warn of federalism fraying as Trump uses federal resources to influence states, prompting Democratic states to enact resistance laws.

The US labor market showed weakened job growth in June with an increase of 57,000 jobs, down from previous months. Leisure and hospitality jobs declined by 61,000 due to slower seasonal hiring, while business services, social assistance, and healthcare added jobs. The unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, but 720,000 people left the labor market, according to an economist.

More states are expanding PTSD treatment options for first responders by adopting laws that include medical marijuana protections and psychedelic therapy research. Maryland and Ohio have enacted measures to support mental health, while Connecticut and Missouri are exploring psilocybin and ibogaine therapies for eligible first responders and veterans.

The U.S. Health and Human Services agency canceled 53 out of 67 grants under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, affecting $68 million in funding for organizations in over two dozen states. The cancellations, effective immediately, were cited as misaligned with agency priorities, particularly for programs deemed to normalize or promote sexual activity for minors.

The U.S. Health and Human Services agency canceled 53 out of 67 grants under its Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, affecting over $68 million in funding across multiple states. The termination cited misalignment with agency priorities, including claims that some programs 'normalize or promote sexual activity for minors.'

Western and Southeastern states experienced significant GDP growth in the first quarter of 2025, with Washington state rising 4.5% due to an AI boom. North and South Dakota saw large personal income increases from higher oil prices but minimal economic output growth after inflation adjustments. Hawaii faced a 23.9% income decline due to tourism and federal job cuts.

Four states—Indiana, Nebraska, Washington, and West Virginia—enacted laws this year that weaken child labor protections, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Oregon, however, strengthened its standards by aligning youth work hour limits with federal regulations. A total of 13 states introduced bills to roll back protections, with some still under consideration.

Housing starts in May fell to pandemic levels, reaching an annual rate of 1.17 million, an 8.5% drop since May 2025. Builder confidence has declined due to higher material and financing costs, with significant declines in the South and West, while the Northeast and Midwest saw increases. Housing completions also dropped 14.2% from May 2025, and new permits showed mixed results across regions.

May housing starts in the U.S. fell to their lowest level since the pandemic, with an annual rate of 1.17 million, an 8.5% drop from May 2025. Builder confidence has declined due to higher material and financing costs, threatening housing progress and worsening shortages, particularly in the South and West.