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...

From @themarkup.org: The California Privacy Protection Agency kicked off 2026 by launching a tool that state residents can use to make data brokers delete and stop selling their personal information. themarkup.org/privacy/2026...

After a white county in South Carolina rejected a data center, developers have sets their sights on a Black community for a proposed data center complex the size of 1,200 football fields

Thank you @urichmond.bsky.social! urnow.richmond.edu/features/art...

It's *so* hard coming back from the holiday break. Why not make it easier with Stateline Daily, your one-stop shop for policy news and analysis from all 50 states. Check out today's edition on our website and sign up here: stateline.org/subscribe/

Nationwide, the number of freestanding birth centers doubled between 2012 and 2022, but more recently the pressures have taken a toll: About two dozen centers have closed since 2023. https://stateline.org/2026/01/05/freestanding-birth-centers-are-closing-as-maternity-care-gaps-grow/

A woman’s gender-swap experiment is sparking questions about how bias — in humans or machines — dictates who must work harder to be heard in professional spaces, online and otherwise.

We don’t have a paywall because we want to make sure everyone can access the information they need. Your donation supports that mission. Visit our website to see how you can support Stateline today: https://stateline.org/donate/

ICYMI: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Friday that will establish new state rules governing the safe development of the most-advanced artificial intelligence models. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/n...

From @jonshorman.bsky.social: The U.S. Department of Justice has sent a confidential draft agreement to more than a dozen states that would require election officials to remove any alleged ineligible voters identified during a federal review of their voter rolls. stateline.org/2025/12/18/t...

Arkansas incarcerates more of its population than any other democratic country in the world. And that was before a new law tightened parole and probation rules. @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social tells the story in a new series from the @arkansasadvocate.com: arkansasadvocate.com/2025/12/16/o...

🎈Turned 25 yesterday #myachingback

States, unimpressed with Trump's executive order, say they'll keep passing AI laws @maddyfitz.bsky.social @stateline.org stateline.org/2025/12/12/s...

States will keep pushing AI laws despite Trump’s efforts to stop them. Trump in his executive order challenging state-level AI regulations singled out Colorado. By @maddyfitz.bsky.social @stateline.org

ICYMI: President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to preempt states from enacting rules governing artificial intelligence (@statesnewsroom.com). www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

NEW: Christopher Dawson won hundreds of millions in federal contracts, promising to help Native Hawaiians. Documents suggest he pocketed the profits to invest in a beachfront horse farm and luxury homes. With @civilbeat.bsky.social

SEATED!

ICYMI: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed an artificial intelligence “bill of rights” to stymie unfettered AI growth. The legislative proposals come in sharp contrast to the pro-tech push marking President Donald Trump’s second term. via @floridaphoenix.com floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/04/a...

A law set to take effect tomorrow gives Texans the power to sue anyone involved in mailing abortion pills to the state, from drug companies to doctors. HB7 is the latest attempt to test shield laws. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shie...

This year, we've worked harder than ever to bring you the latest in state policy news from across the country. If you've shared one of our stories or subscribed to our newsletters, consider giving to Stateline today!

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UHUXke/... I am looking to interview people who have sought health care at crisis pregnancy centers, intentionally or unintentionally, and want to talk about their experience. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email or DM #pregnant #news #trending #healthcare

BEAD in ND: North Dakota is on track to become the first state in the nation with high-speed internet access in 100% of the state by 2028. via @northdakotamonitor.com northdakotamonitor.com/2025/12/01/n...

From @jonshorman.bsky.social: Four Republican states have agreed to help the Trump administration gain access to state driver’s license data through a nationwide law enforcement computer network as part of the administration’s hunt for alleged noncitizen voters. stateline.org/2025/12/01/4...

Washington state lawmakers next year hope to rein in law enforcements’ use of automated license plate readers amid revelations federal immigration authorities are using the data. via @washingtonstatestandard.com washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/01/w...

📣 Last week, we kicked off Stateline’s year-end fundraising drive. Between now and Dec. 31, we’re looking for 100 donors to power our nonprofit newsroom into the new year. Your donation supports trusted and essential reporting. Consider giving today: https://stateline.org/donate/

From Amanda Watford: Police clearance rates are among the most commonly cited measures of how effectively law enforcement solves crimes — but what do they really mean? https://stateline.org/2025/11/24/why-clearance-rates-dont-tell-the-whole-story-about-solving-crimes/

From @acvollers.bsky.social + @stateline.org: Businesses and nonprofits have launched AI-powered tools to help patients get their insurance claims paid and navigate medical bills. stateline.org/2025/11/20/p...

Health care is becoming a battle of the bots: As insurers use algorithms to cut costs, patients are using AI to push back against denied claims and soaring medical bills, Anna Claire Vollers reports. https://stateline.org/2025/11/20/patients-deploy-bots-to-battle-health-insurers-that-deny-care/

ICYMI: North Carolina published statewide digital skills standards last month that identify key knowledge and abilities for residents and will soon launch an online course, joining a number of states that are hoping to strengthen digital literacy. stateline.org/2025/11/17/n...

More data centers are being built nationwide to meet the demand for digital services, including power-hungry artificial intelligence systems. In my latest for @stateline.org, I spoke with local leaders and advocates who want more say on where and how data centers are built in their communities.

From Madyson Fitzgerald: While some state lawmakers are pushing legislation that would accelerate data center development, local communities across the country are taking steps to ensure they have a say. https://stateline.org/2025/11/17/data-center-growth-drives-locals-to-fight-for-more-say/

AI in OH: An Ohio state lawmaker wants to ensure people, businesses or developers are held accountable for what they do with artificial intelligence. In effect, his bill aims to outlaw “it wasn’t me, the AI did it” as a legal defense. (@ohiocapitaljournal.com) ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/17/w...

end of fall (my kodak ektar h35)

From @pluribusnews.bsky.social: State lawmakers and advocates are preparing a legislative blitz in 2026 targeting AI chatbots. pluribusnews.com/news-and-eve...

📬 Stay in the loop without leaving your inbox. Sign up for our newsletters today: https://stateline.org/subscribe/

A year out from the 2026 midterm elections, legal fights and procedural maneuvering over ballot measures and referendums are already well underway in states across the country, Jonathan Shorman reports. https://stateline.org/2025/11/10/the-midterm-ballot-measure-battles-have-already-begun/

BREAKING: Federal appeals court says full SNAP benefits must be paid for November. The Trump administration is expected to appeal.

Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga lead this year’s Grammy nominations. See the full list of nominees ahead of next year's ceremony in February. nyti.ms/47LJRX2

#noticing...

ICYMI: Four governors are exploring fast track approval for data centers that agree to deliver dependable power to the grid as part of the connection process. via @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/3010202...

"What bills will I have to skip to make sure there is food in the fridge for the kids?" said Angel Rojas at the Weld Food Bank on Monday. About 600K Coloradans, like Rojas, rely on SNAP benefits, which paused due to the federal government shutdown. By @sarawilson.bsky.social

Violence is a public health crisis among American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women. A new survey looks at traumatic brain injuries. from @stateline.org stateline.org/2025/10/31/d...

GOP-led states are blocking college students from registering to vote with campus addresses. In the context of broader attacks on vote-by-mail and early voting, these efforts will systematically disenfranchise young people across the US. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...

THREAD 🧵 On Nov. 7, we’re launching Stories From The States, a new weekly podcast designed to help you make sense of the dizzying swirl of news happening in our country.

From Shalina Chatlani: States have enacted dozens of laws this year to lower prescription drug costs for their residents — and many more are considering following suit. https://stateline.org/2025/10/30/dozens-of-states-tackle-high-prescription-drug-costs/

In October, 'Washington Post' editorials fail to disclose Bezos interests My story for NPR www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...

Some states are passing new laws requiring artificial intelligence to be clearly labeled, especially in regulated industries or on high-stakes documents such as police reports. The labels are crucial for people who'd rather not use AI at all. n.pr/3JAjrzh

Really great series about how people, policies and systems affect Black patients in need of organ transplants (from @wordinblacknews.bsky.social) wordinblack.com/on-borrowed-...

Really good story from @acvollers.bsky.social!

A majority of Black adults in 10 states say Medicaid is important to them or their families, per a new poll shared exclusively with @statesnewsroom.com. The findings come as Planned Parenthood clinics in Black communities have closed due to Medicaid cuts. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more...