Montana energy rulemaking enters final public-comment window
Montana DEQ is accepting public comments on proposed energy-related administrative rules through August 7, 2026. The rules have not been adopted.
State News
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Missouri S&T to showcase sustainability and water-resource engineering at Missouri State Fair
Missouri S&T plans to bring public-facing demonstrations of engineering and applied science to the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia from Aug. 13 through Aug. 23, 2026.
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Mississippi State biologists receive NSF CAREER awards for genetics, invasive-species research
Two Mississippi State University biological-sciences faculty members received NSF CAREER awards for research into genetic errors and invasive species.
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Michigan issued statewide air-quality alert as Canadian wildfire smoke moved in
Michigan EGLE said smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires could push fine-particle pollution to unhealthy levels beginning July 15, 2026.
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Maryland Issues Code Red Air-Quality Alert as Wildfire Smoke Moves Into Western Part of State
The Moore administration announced a Code Red, or very unhealthy, air-quality condition in western Maryland on July 17, 2026, and urged residents to monitor readings and take protective measures.
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University of Maine system hosts statewide virtual institute on AI and classroom technology
A three-day University of Maine System program will bring educators, technology leaders and researchers together to examine AI, student engagement and classroom technology before the 2026-27 school year.
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Six University of Kentucky researchers selected for federal Genesis Mission, including grid-resilience project
Six University of Kentucky researchers are part of the first cohort of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, including a UK-led project studying power-grid resilience during extreme wind events.
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New Jersey approves American Water–Essential Utilities merger as affordability reforms take effect
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the American Water Works–Essential Utilities merger on Aug. 3, as new laws target utility spending, data-center costs and rate pressure.
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New Hampshire Medicaid changes begin as premiums and work-rule preparations affect more than 180,000 residents
New Hampshire began implementing Medicaid changes in July, including premiums for some enrollees, while work requirements and eligibility checks remain under preparation.
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Nevada Adds 100,800 Jobs Since December 2022 as June Employment Reaches Record Level
Nevada’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment reached 1,614,100 in June 2026, while preliminary data put the unemployment rate at 5.1%.
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Nebraska begins enforcing Medicaid work requirements for expansion members
Nebraska began implementing Medicaid work requirements on May 1, 2026, making it the first state to put the new federal rules into effect as renewal reviews reach more expansion enrollees.
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Montana begins Medicaid work requirements as budget pressure cancels provider raise
Montana has begun rolling out community-engagement requirements for some Medicaid Expansion adults while canceling a planned 3% provider-rate increase because of a human-services budget shortfall.
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Missouri freezes new Medicaid enrollments for medical-equipment and personal-care providers statewide
A six-month Missouri moratorium on new Medicaid enrollments for durable medical equipment and personal-care providers took effect Aug. 1, while existing enrolled providers can continue serving participants.
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Mississippi begins accepting Workforce Pell applications for short-term job training
Mississippi has begun accepting applications under the Workforce Pell framework, opening a new federal aid pathway for eligible short-term training programs as state officials respond to a largely flat employment outlook.
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Minnesota Added 13,200 Jobs in June as Officials Warn Recovery Remains Fragile
Minnesota’s payrolls grew by 13,200 jobs in June, but state analysts say weak annual growth and a widening gap between labor-force and payroll measures require close monitoring.
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Whitmer signs Michigan’s fiscal 2027 budget with $4 million for apprenticeships
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan’s fiscal 2027 budget on July 21, including $4 million for registered apprenticeships and provisions the administration says will protect health care access and lower costs.
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Massachusetts added 8,400 jobs in June as unemployment remained below national levels
Massachusetts reported a preliminary gain of 8,400 payroll jobs in June, while private education and health services led the sector gains. July data are scheduled for release Aug. 21.
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Maryland Added Nearly 18,000 Jobs in 2026 as State Begins Recovering From Federal Workforce Losses
Maryland added nearly 18,000 jobs during 2026, according to late-July reporting, but federal employment and several private-sector industries continued to weaken through June.
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MaineHealth sued over proposed closure of Lincoln Hospital labor-and-delivery unit
A Lincoln County resident filed a lawsuit Aug. 5 seeking to stop MaineHealth from closing the labor-and-delivery unit at MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta.
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Louisiana Medicaid work requirements will check activity records beginning with 2027 renewals
Louisiana Medicaid says some adults ages 19 to 64 will need to document work, volunteering, training or education activity as the state begins implementing new requirements Jan. 1, 2027.
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Kentucky Medicaid provider payments cut 4% beginning Aug. 1
Kentucky Medicaid has notified participating providers that reimbursement rates will be reduced 4% starting Aug. 1 because the state budget does not provide enough funding to maintain current payment levels.
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New Jersey enacts record $60.7 billion budget with tighter senior tax relief and Jersey City aid
New Jersey’s fiscal 2027 budget keeps full pension funding and raises school aid to record levels, while narrowing Stay NJ eligibility and providing Jersey City with about $105 million in low-interest financing.