State / Local

PUBLIC HEALTHMore States Protect Access to the COVID Shot as Feds Restrict Eligibility
By Shalina Chatlani
At least 17 states have taken steps to ensure broader access to the COVID-19 vaccine since last month, when the federal government significantly restricted eligibility for the shot. The moves represent an extraordinary state rebellion against the public health authority of the federal government.
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FLOODSElon Musk Pushed Back on Our Reporting on His Houston Tunnels Plan. Experts Say His Comments Are Misleading.
By Yilun Cheng, Houston Chronicle
Elon Musk is taking issue with a recent investition by the Houston Chronicle and The Texas Newsroom that raised questions about a flood tunnel project he’s pitching to address Houston’s chronic flooding woes. But experts said his response, which he did not explain to the newsrooms, isn’t supported by facts or data.
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AICalifornia, New York Could Become First States to Enact Laws Aiming to Prevent Catastrophic AI Harm
By Madyson Fitzgerald
California and New York could become the first states to establish rules aiming to prevent the most advanced, large-scale artificial intelligence models —known as frontier AI models —from causing catastrophic harm involving dozens of casualties or billion-dollar damages.
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HURRICANE KATRINA: 20 YEARS ON20 Years After Katrina, New Orleans’ Levees Are Sinking and Short on Money
By Jake Bittle
The city’s $14 billion flood system faces new threats from climate change, land subsidence, and Trump budget cuts.
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ELECTION INTERGITYJustice Department Demand for State Voter Lists Underscores Their Importance
By Jonathan Shorman
DOJ is demanding that states turn over their voter registration lists and other election information, citing unspecified concerns with voter list maintenance. Power over voter registration lists is the power to shape the electorate.
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ELECTION INTERGITYDenying Quorum Has Been a Texas Political Strategy Since 1870
By Hayden Betts
While the Democrats could technically derail the GOP’s redistricting map, such efforts have been largely symbolic and had limited success blocking past legislation, experts say.
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CYBERSECURITYBuilding Nevada’s Cyber Future One Summer Camp at a Time
By Cheryl Bella
UNLV’s Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering launched GenCyber Camp to create awareness of college and career pathways in cybersecurity among Nevada’s youth. The program has secured an impressive share of success stories. Organizers search for funding to keep the momentum going.
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ELECTION INTEGRITYTexas Senate Once Again Tries to Give the Attorney General Authority to Prosecute Election Crimes
By Eleanor Klibanoff
A similar proposal stalled out earlier this year over disagreements between the House and Senate. This time, lawmakers might clash over whether to approve the new bill along with a constitutional amendment.
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GUNSStand-Your-Ground Laws Linked to Higher Homicide Rates, New Report Finds
By Amanda Hernández
Stand-your-ground laws, which are in effect in more than half of U.S. states, are associated with higher homicide rates, increased racial disparities in legal outcomes and broader public costs. And homicides with white shooters, Black victims ruled justifiable 4 times more often than when roles were reversed.
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TEXAS FLOODSCan Sirens Help Save Lives in the Next Flood? Yes, but There’s More to It.
By Emily Foxhall
While sirens can help in areas with shaky cell service, experts say officials also need to consider alert fatigue and provide education on what to do in an emergency.
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TEXAS FLOODS“Disasters Are a Human Choice”: Texas Counties Have Little Power to Stop Building in Flood-Prone Areas
By Joshua Fechter and Paul Cobler, Graphics by Carla Astudillo
Experts suggested that more data and education are needed as Texas and the rest of the country build in known flood plains.
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TEXAS FLOODSWeather Warnings Gave Officials a 3 Hour, 21 Minute Window to Save Lives in Kerr County. What Happened Then Remains Unclear.
By Emily Foxhall
Federal forecasters issued their first flood warning at 1:14 a.m. on July 4. Local officials haven’t shed light on when they saw the warnings or whether they saw them in time to take action.
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WATER SECURITYA Deadline Looms for a New Colorado River Plan. What Happens If There Isn’t One?
By Alex Hager, KUNC
It would likely be complicated, messy and involve big lawsuits, according to experts and former officials.
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FLOODSIn Texas Region Prone to Catastrophic Floods, Questions Grow About Lack of Warning
By Paul Cobler
Water rose fast along the Guadalupe River, causing dozens of deaths. Local officials said they couldn’t have seen it coming.
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NUCLEAR POWERSmaller Nuclear Reactors Spark Renewed Interest in a Once-Shunned Energy Source
By David Montgomery
In the past two years, half the states have taken action to promote nuclear power, from creating nuclear task forces to integrating nuclear into long-term energy plans.
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