Montana heat wave raises wildfire and public-health concerns as drought persists
Eastern Montana’s early-August heat event heightened heat-illness and fire-weather concerns as drought continues to stress Montana water supplies.
State News
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Mississippi storm victims have until Aug. 31 to seek disaster unemployment aid
Workers and self-employed residents in five Mississippi counties may qualify for disaster unemployment aid after the May storms. Applications are due Monday, Aug. 31.
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What Michigan’s Primary Turnout and Vote-Counting Timeline Reveal After August 4
Michigan’s August 4 primary showed why early, mail and Election Day votes can produce changing results after polls close, especially in close races.
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Massachusetts Senate-backed cryptocurrency kiosk ban remains pending in conference
The Massachusetts Senate approved a proposed statewide cryptocurrency-kiosk ban, but the measure is not law. The House non-concurred on July 30, and negotiators must still agree on final language.
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Maryland lawmakers send congressional redistricting amendment to voters for 2028 maps
Maryland lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment for voter consideration that could allow a new congressional map before the 2028 elections, but Maryland’s current districts and the 2026 election remain unchanged.
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Maine’s July 29 laws are in effect. Here’s what residents should know
New Maine laws provide eligible residents with $300 payments, expand tax relief and make community college free permanently, while housing, child-care, school, mobile-home and workplace changes move into implementation.
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Louisiana SNAP hot-food waiver expires Aug. 13 after Tropical Storm Arthur
Louisiana SNAP households can use existing benefits for eligible hot or prepared foods at authorized retailers through Aug. 13, but the waiver adds no funds, covers no restaurant meals and may require retailer system updates.
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Iowa prepares to award a second round of rural cancer-care hub contracts
Iowa HHS is expected to announce second-round rural cancer hub awards on or around August 7, with an approximate $26.7 million available over five years.
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Indiana’s Medicaid provider freeze is now in effect. What HCBS providers and families should know
Indiana’s six-month moratorium on new certification and enrollment for many home- and community-based Medicaid providers took effect August 1, following an FSSA audit that reported $198,031,230.18 in extrapolated improper payments.
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Illinois’ back-to-school sales tax holiday starts August 7. What qualifies
Illinois’ 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday runs August 7–16, reducing the state tax on eligible clothing, footwear and school supplies. Local taxes still apply.
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Hawaii utility seeks renewable power and storage while keeping firm-generation options open
Hawaiian Electric has proposed a three-island procurement for renewable energy, storage and firm capacity while seeking a separate Oahu process for up to 500 megawatts of fuel-flexible generation. The PUC has not approved projects, fuels or customer costs.
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Georgia shoppers warned about recalled iceberg lettuce linked to Cyclospora outbreak
Georgia shoppers should check Mexico-origin Taylor Farms and Marketside iceberg lettuce against recalled product descriptions and best-if-used-by dates through August 3, 2026.
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Florida Medicaid open enrollment begins Oct. 1: What beneficiaries should watch now
Florida Medicaid open enrollment runs Oct. 1-Nov. 30, 2026. Beneficiaries can keep their plan or request a change effective Dec. 1, while some adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a separate voluntary ICMC option.
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Delaware’s 2026 primary voter-registration deadline is approaching
Delaware voters have until August 22 to register for the September 15 primary. Here are the party, early-voting and absentee deadlines to check now.
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Connecticut begins distributing $300 grocery benefits to residents who lost SNAP eligibility
Connecticut began distributing one-time $300 grocery benefits Aug. 4 to some residents who lost SNAP eligibility under new federal work rules. Eligible residents must contact a local community action agency rather than wait for an EBT deposit.
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Colorado’s primary turnout surged. The next election deadlines are already approaching
Nearly 36% of Colorado’s active registered voters cast valid ballots in the June primary, but unaffiliated voters participated at a lower rate. Here are the key deadlines before the November 3 general election.
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California insurers plan to expand wildfire coverage, but homeowners may still face higher costs
California regulators say insurers are adding capacity in wildfire-distressed areas, but pending filings, future plans and FAIR Plan costs mean relief will not be immediate or uniform.
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D.C. Council’s ticket-resale law moves toward a planned 2027 start
The D.C. Council unanimously approved the RESALE Act, but the planned January 1, 2027, start still depends on mayoral approval and congressional review.
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Wildfire smoke returns to Western Washington as Spokane fires drive unhealthy-air concerns
Smoke from the Spokane Complex moved west toward Western Washington on Aug. 3-4. Here is who faces greater health risks and how residents can reduce exposure.
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Virginia’s August primary concentrates the November House fight in four GOP-held districts
Virginia’s Aug. 4, 2026 primary set three major Democratic-Republican House matchups and confirmed Beth Macy as the Democratic nominee in the 6th, while court rulings left the existing congressional map in place for November.
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Morristown quarry rejected while proposed industrial park wins Act 250 permit
Vermont’s District 5 Act 250 Commission rejected the quarry planned for a Morristown industrial park, citing local-rule, dust, air-quality and aesthetic concerns. The broader park received a permit, but its next construction plan is unclear without the rock operation.
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Utah’s rural health workforce grant deadline passed; awards remain pending
Utah’s RISE 2.5 application deadline passed Tuesday for a program offering up to $20 million in first-year workforce funding, but no intermediary grantees or facility-level awards had been announced as of Wednesday.