Federal Relations

Cabinet December 20, 2015

Feds to let states pay to open parks

The Obama administration said Thursday it will allow states to use their own money to reopen some national parks that have been closed because of the partial government shutdown.

States Rights December 20, 2015

Wisconsin Gov. Walker defies order to close federally-funded parks

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is defying a directive from the National Park Service to close down several state parks that receive federal funding in the wake of the partial government shutdown.

States Rights December 20, 2015

Arizona Gov. Brewer, local businesses fight to reopen Grand Canyon

With the partial suspension of U.S. government services showing no signs of ending, tourists will continue to be turned away from the Grand Canyon, despite a push by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and local businesses to reopen the state's signature national park.

Legislation December 20, 2015

ObamaCare reg on digital patient records raises security concerns

A provision in ObamaCare requiring medical providers to switch from paper patient charts to electronic records is intended to reduce costs and improve care. But privacy advocates fear the transition is too fast for security measures to keep pace.

Federal Relations December 20, 2015

Wisconsin, unlike US government, among states open for business

Sure, you might be locked out of Yellowstone National Park, but Wisconsin's Yellowstone Lake State Park is open and bursting with early fall color.

Legislation December 20, 2015

Shutdown? What shutdown? States will carry on despite impasse in Washington

The federal government shut down at midnight Monday after Congress was unable to reach an agreement on several budget issues.

Financial Crises December 20, 2015

Poison ivy-eating goats moved from New Jersey park in advance of shutdown

More than two dozen poison ivy-eating Nubian goats were moved from a national recreation area in New Jersey in advance of the partial government shutdown.

Financial Crises December 20, 2015

In St. Louis, union workers, tourist sites hit hardest by partial government shutdown

The St. Louis, Mo., area will feel the effects of the partial government shutdown, with an estimated 10,000-15,000 union workers off the job, Fox2Now.com reported.

Elections Disputes December 20, 2015

Emails add evidence McAuliffe pressed US officials to help troubled company

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe's effort to press top federal officials on behalf of his troubled electric car company was wider and deeper than previously revealed, emails obtained by Watchdog.org show.

Financial Crises December 20, 2015

Food bank helps furloughed Grand Canyon workers as business owners protest closure

An Arizona food bank delivered hundreds of boxes to help out furloughed concession and government workers at the Grand Canyon National Park on Tuesday as area business leaders staged a protest to demand that the federal government reopen the park.

Deficit December 20, 2015

What to Cut? Federal gov’t takes on more duties, as states take on less

CSX trains run over 21,000 miles of track in 23 eastern states -- part of a private, profitable company that delivers goods at competitive prices. It was born during the Reagan administration, put together from the rusty remnants of Conrail, a government-run freight rail that, at its worst, was losing a million dollars a day.