January 12, 2017 Feds to Alaskans: No road for humans, lots of land for animals In one of Alaska's most remote outposts, where a thousand hardy souls make their homes, the Obama administration has put the fate of birds and bears above the lives of people, blocking construction of an 11-mile gravel trail connecting a tiny fishing hamlet to a life-saving airport.
January 12, 2017 Texas refuses to give back lethal drugs, proceeds with execution A Texas man convicted of killing his parents proceeded as planned Wednesday night despite a growing controversy over the drug being used to carry out the punishment.
January 12, 2017 Denver backs off plan to curb pot smoking ahead of legalization launch Denver officials have backed off a controversial proposal that would have banned smoking marijuana on private property if it was in public view.
January 12, 2017 Wisconsin teachers union decertified in latest blow to labor under Walker law Teachers from one of Wisconsin’s largest unions have jumped ship -- voting overwhelmingly to abandon the group in the latest in a string of setbacks for the struggling labor movement following Gov. Scott Walker’s union overhaul two years ago.
January 12, 2017 Gun-rights group persuading dozens of towns to repeal firearms regs in legal blitz A Washington state-based gun rights group is steadily persuading cities and towns across the country to repeal local firearms regulations and give that power back to the states.
January 12, 2017 NY fracking ban poised to take effect, critics say state giving up thousands of jobs New York state's controversial fracking ban is poised to take effect in the coming days, amid criticism from pro-drilling advocates that the state is giving up tens of thousands of jobs.
January 12, 2017 First state to approve conjugal visits prepares to end program, citing costs Starting next month, prisoners in Mississippi will no longer be legally allowed to get busy behind bars.
January 12, 2017 Unions on edge as Arizona lawmakers weigh major expansion of education overhaul Lawmakers in Arizona are poised to expand a controversial education program that allows parents to use state funds to pay for alternative schooling for their children -- a move teacher groups and unions say would decimate the public education system.
January 12, 2017 States push to regulate, tax booming e-cigarette industry While waiting for the debate on electronic cigarettes to heat up on Capitol Hill, several state and local governments are pressing ahead with their own agendas for taxing and regulating the popular battery-powered smoking alternatives.
January 12, 2017 Dems push for minimum wage increase for tipped workers -- but will it backfire? Hourly workers who rely on tips for a living are turning to the states in a bid to boost their base pay, as the minimum wage debate stalls in Congress -- though business groups warn the move could backfire.
