ALASKA CALIFORNIA FLORIDA

Jun 09 2026POLITICS

Alaska's Energy Choices: More Than Just One Big Project

Alaska’s energy future isn’t just about one massive gas line project. While the big question of liquified natural gas often steals the spotlight, the real challenge lies in balancing different energy needs across the state. From small homes to large industrial mines, everyone relies on energy that’s

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Jun 09 2026EDUCATION

Money Basics Now Part of California High School Plans

California will soon ask every high schooler to take a money management class before walking out with a diploma. The state wants teens to leave school knowing how to open a bank account, handle credit cards, and spot risky loans. Three years ago, some schools jumped ahead. Fresno Unified put the cla

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Jun 07 2026HEALTH

Measles Finds Its Way Into California Sewage, Sparking Worry

California health workers have spotted measles virus in everyday wastewater, a sign that the disease may be spreading unnoticed. The Merced County Department of Public Health made the discovery, even though no confirmed sick people have been reported in that area. The state now counts 74 cases spr

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Jun 07 2026POLITICS

California’s population slowdown: what it means for the future

California grew fast in the mid-1900s, adding nearly 13 million people between 1940 and 1970. Most were Americans moving for jobs, along with a baby boom. Cities expanded quickly, building new schools, roads, and water systems to keep up. But growth slowed in the 1970s as the economy shifted from fa

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Jun 07 2026POLITICS

California’s political mailer game: when fake endorsements get real funding

California voters often open their mailboxes to find colorful voter guides that look official but aren’t always honest about who’s behind them. These “slate mailers” pretend to be from respected groups like cops, firefighters, or teachers—organizations that voters trust. In reality, candidates pay t

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Jun 05 2026POLITICS

California Budget Battle: Cuts, Taxes and Medi‑Cal Stakes

California lawmakers face a tight deadline to draft the next fiscal year’s budget, with big questions about how to fund health programs for millions of low‑income residents. The state must decide whether to keep the current level of Medi‑Cal spending, cut some services, or raise new taxes on busines

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Jun 04 2026ENVIRONMENT

California’s New Pesticide Rule Backfires: More 1, 3-D Used Even After Safety Limits

California officials claimed a January 2024 rule would lower cancer risk from the chemical 1, 3‑dichloropropane (1, 3‑D) by cutting the amount that reaches the air. Instead, data show growers applied a million more pounds last year than before the rule or in 2024. Kern and San Joaquin counties saw t

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Jun 03 2026POLITICS

Alaska’s Budget Battle: Tough Choices Ahead

Alaska’s money troubles didn’t appear overnight. Back in 2013, the state started spending more than it earned—using savings to cover the gap. That’s like a family dipping into their emergency fund every month just to pay bills. Oil prices then plummeted, dropping to $26 a barrel in 2014, making the

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Jun 02 2026TECHNOLOGY

Florida Takes Legal Action Against AI Chatbot Company

Florida has become the first state to take OpenAI to court, arguing that its popular AI tool, ChatGPT, poses serious risks to young users. The state filed an 83-page lawsuit, claiming the chatbot provides easy access to harmful content like self-harm guides and violent instructions, which could enda

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May 30 2026BUSINESS

Small fixes, big headaches: How California's ADA rules hurt small businesses

California's reputation for strict accessibility laws actually creates a messy situation for small businesses. While the state leads the nation in ADA-related lawsuits, most violations are minor—like a slightly off-center handicap parking sign or a bathroom mirror positioned an inch too high. These

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