States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
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Attorney General Bonta Secures Important Victory in Lawsuit Challenging HUD Funding Restrictions After Trump Administration Drops Appeal
SACRAMENTO, California, April 20 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Secures Important Victory in Lawsuit Challenging HUD Funding Restrictions After Trump Administration Drops Appeal
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OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement after the Trump Administration dropped its appeal of a court decision upholding a preliminary injunction that blocked funding restrictions the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) attempted to place on its Continuum of Care (CoC) grant program.
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, April 20 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Secures Important Victory in Lawsuit Challenging HUD Funding Restrictions After Trump Administration Drops Appeal
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OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement after the Trump Administration dropped its appeal of a court decision upholding a preliminary injunction that blocked funding restrictions the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) attempted to place on its Continuum of Care (CoC) grant program.CoC is the federal government's flagship program for funding affordable housing and other services for individuals at risk of and experiencing homelessness. As part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general and two governors, Attorney General Bonta sued the Trump Administration in November 2025 over the planned funding restrictions and secured a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island blocking those changes. In February 2026, the Trump Administration filed a motion to dissolve the preliminary injunction, which the District Court denied. The Trump Administration appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which earlier this month, rejected HUD's request to temporarily allow the restrictions to go into effect.
"We continue to fight for Californians and the rule of law, and we continue to win. HUD's unlawful funding restrictions have been rejected by the courts, and because the Trump Administration has now dropped its appeal, our preliminary injunction remains in effect while the case proceeds to summary judgment," said Attorney General Bonta. "People experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness need the federal government's continued support -not a rollback of assistance. We will continue to closely monitor the Administration's actions, seek accountability when the law is not followed, and litigate this case to the very end."
Among other things, HUD has tried to dramatically reduce the amount of grant funds that could be spent on permanent housing and to penalize housing providers for recognizing gender identity and diversity. HUD has also attempted to disadvantage programs that address mental disabilities and substance use disorders. These conditions went against the explicit intent of Congress and HUD's previous guidance.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-secures-important-victory-lawsuit-challenging-hud-funding
Attorney General Alan Wilson continues work to stop illegal Chinese vapes
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 20 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
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Attorney General Alan Wilson continues work to stop illegal Chinese vapes
Attorney General Alan Wilson is joining a 13-state coalition in a letter asking major credit card networks to stop the sale of illicit e-cigarette products.
These products account for almost all the U.S. e-cigarette market, with $11 billion generated in annual retail sales. This makes up more than 80% of all e-cigarette sales nationwide.
Only 41 e-cigarette products have been authorized for legal sale
... Show Full Article
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 20 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
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Attorney General Alan Wilson continues work to stop illegal Chinese vapes
Attorney General Alan Wilson is joining a 13-state coalition in a letter asking major credit card networks to stop the sale of illicit e-cigarette products.
These products account for almost all the U.S. e-cigarette market, with $11 billion generated in annual retail sales. This makes up more than 80% of all e-cigarette sales nationwide.
Only 41 e-cigarette products have been authorized for legal salein the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. However, thousands of unauthorized brands continue to use platforms like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover to facilitate illegal transactions.
"These products are deliberately designed and packaged to appeal to children," Attorney General Wilson stated. "It is clear that Chinese networks, Mexican drug cartels, and other criminal organizations are targeting our nation's young people."
The states argue that payment platforms must be more aggressive in identifying and removing merchants engaging in the sale of these illegal e-cigarettes. They also argue that the sale of these products already violates card network rules regarding illegal transactions, high-risk merchant categories, and brand protection.
"As Attorney General, I've taken action against these illegal products in South Carolina," Attorney General Wilson said. "We'll continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our children, communities, and way of life from foreign groups seeking to destroy them."
In addition to South Carolina, attorneys general from the following states joined the Iowa-led letter: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.
You can read the letter here.
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Original text here: https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/attorney-general-alan-wilson-continues-work-to-stop-illegal-chinese-vapes/
AG Nessel Unpacks Crony Capitalism on Latest Episode of Pantsuits and Lawsuits
LANSING, Michigan, April 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Unpacks Crony Capitalism on Latest Episode of Pantsuits and Lawsuits
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LANSING - On the latest episode of Pantsuits and Lawsuits, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sits down with Dr. Justin Wolfers, a professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan, to discuss America's affordability crisis. The conversation explores how crony capitalism and shifts in federal policy are influencing business confidence, economic stability, and long-term innovation.
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, April 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Unpacks Crony Capitalism on Latest Episode of Pantsuits and Lawsuits
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LANSING - On the latest episode of Pantsuits and Lawsuits, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sits down with Dr. Justin Wolfers, a professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan, to discuss America's affordability crisis. The conversation explores how crony capitalism and shifts in federal policy are influencing business confidence, economic stability, and long-term innovation.
"I appreciate Dr. Wolfers coming on the podcast to help unpack these deeply concerning economic realities of today," said Attorney General Nessel. "His work is vital to ensuring that people know and understand the impacts of an administration marked by lawlessness, a lack of planning and a complete disinterest in what makes the United States economically powerful."
During the discussion, Attorney General Nessel and Dr. Wolfers dig into the real stakes of crony capitalism, including the Gordie Howe International Bridge and what it means when major infrastructure and cross-border trade can be threatened and used for political leverage. They also talk about energy policy and the cost of forcing uneconomic choices, plus the strange contradictions of blocking renewable energy like wind while global conflict pushes oil prices higher.
In light of the detrimental impact tariffs have on manufacturing, especially for automakers and suppliers that live and die by predictable supply chains, they also ponder what happens to democracy when major corporations feel too intimidated to speak publicly, even when policies hurt their bottom line. Finally, they zoom out to America's innovation edge, the risk of scientific brain drain, and why welcoming global talent matters for pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, AI, and the next generation of high-quality jobs.
New episodes of Pantsuits and Lawsuits are released regularly to break down complex legal topics in a way that is engaging, informative, and accessible to listeners. With their blend of expertise, humor, and straight talk, Attorneys General Nessel and Kris Mayes explore major legal cases, analyze state and national policy debates, and discuss how attorneys general help shape justice. Through these discussions, listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the work attorneys general do to serve and protect their communities.
The latest episode is available now on major podcast platforms.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/04/20/ag-nessel-unpacks-crony-capitalism-on-latest-episode-of-pantsuits-and-lawsuits
AG Nessel Reissues AI Scams Consumer Alert During Money Smart Week
LANSING, Michigan, April 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Reissues AI Scams Consumer Alert During Money Smart Week
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LANSING - As part of Money Smart Week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her Artificial Intelligence and Scams alert to warn residents about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by fraudsters to take advantage of consumers. AI is being misused to create realistic deepfake audio and video scams.
Scammers can clone a person's voice using audio data collected from public social media posts
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, April 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Reissues AI Scams Consumer Alert During Money Smart Week
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LANSING - As part of Money Smart Week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her Artificial Intelligence and Scams alert to warn residents about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by fraudsters to take advantage of consumers. AI is being misused to create realistic deepfake audio and video scams.
Scammers can clone a person's voice using audio data collected from public social media postsor videos. They can then call victims, spoofing the phone number of a loved one to impersonate them in distress and make urgent demands for money.
"AI scams are incredibly sophisticated," said Attorney General Nessel. "They can trick any of us into handing money over to bad actors. If you receive a call from a loved one and something feels off, trust your instinct. Always verify the situation using a known, trusted number."
To guard against such scams, Attorney General Nessel recommends the following:
* Establish a family verification phrase: Use a code word or phrase that only your family knows to confirm identity during suspicious calls.
* Do not trust caller ID: Scammers can spoof phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate.
* Verify the situation: If something feels off, hang up and call the person back using a known number.
* Beware of unusual payment requests: Scammers often demand payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers-methods that are hard to trace or reverse.
Attorney General Nessel's alert also notes that scams often share common warning signs, including high-pressure tactics to act immediately, use of fear or enticing offers, or demands for sensitive information or unusual payment methods. If you've fallen victim to a scam:
* Notify local law enforcement.
* File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
* Report fraudulent charges to your bank, credit card company, or payment app immediately.
* Contact the issuer of any gift card or money transfer service used.
Money Smart Week promotes financial literacy and is observed until April 21. To help residents avoid falling victim to scams, Attorney General Nessel will be reissuing alerts throughout Money Smart Week on the Department of Attorney General's dedicated consumer protection social media account, Michigan Consumer Protection (@MIConsumerWatch). Residents can follow @MIConsumerWatch on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam or would like to file a consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team at:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/04/20/ag-nessel-reissues-ai-scams-consumer-alert-during-money-smart-week
AG Nessel Reaffirms Commitment to Crime Victims During Crime Victims' Rights Week
LANSING, Michigan, April 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Reaffirms Commitment to Crime Victims During Crime Victims' Rights Week
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LANSING - In recognition of Crime Victims' Rights Week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reaffirming the Department of Attorney General's commitment to protecting, empowering and advocating for crime victims across the state. Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General Nessel has prioritized crime victim services, expanding efforts to ensure survivors receive support and resources.
"The top
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, April 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Reaffirms Commitment to Crime Victims During Crime Victims' Rights Week
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LANSING - In recognition of Crime Victims' Rights Week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reaffirming the Department of Attorney General's commitment to protecting, empowering and advocating for crime victims across the state. Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General Nessel has prioritized crime victim services, expanding efforts to ensure survivors receive support and resources.
"The toppriority of our criminal justice system should always be to support crime victims, both by pursuing justice in their cases and standing with them along the way," said Attorney General Nessel. "This requires a system that treats survivors with fairness while respecting their dignity and privacy. My office remains committed to ensuring victims do not have to navigate the criminal justice system alone."
In 2023, Attorney General Nessel launched the Address Confidentiality Program to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or those who fear that disclosure of their physical address will increase the risk of harm. The program currently protects 662 individuals across 325 households, keeping their physical addresses confidential and safe from abusers. To recognize Crime Victims' Rights Week, Attorney General Nessel held a roundtable today discussing the Address Confidentiality Program and collaborated with partners to identify priorities and next steps for the program's continued growth.
The Department of Attorney General's Victim Advocate staff support victims involved in criminal prosecutions, Felony Child Support, Operation Survivor Justice, the state's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, and the Catholic Church Clergy Abuse investigation. To help provide victims comfort during court proceedings and meetings with prosecutors and victim advocates, the Department of Attorney General welcomed Baylee last year, its first victim advocate dog specially trained to support crime victims.
In 2024, Attorney General Nessel announced the formation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Task Force to address the high rates of violence against Indigenous people in the state of Michigan. This interagency collaboration brings together tribal, federal, and state and local prosecutors, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and human services specialists to identify, develop, and implement solutions to the MMIP crisis.
Attorney General Nessel has also fought for crime victims against the Trump administration and successfully halted attempts to strip critical resources and services to victims and survivors of crime.
To further empower victims, the Attorney General recently launched a Crime Victim Rights webpage to educate crime victims about their rights and guide them through the legal process after a crime is reported. The webpage includes:
* A list of victims' rights;
* Statewide victim support services and resources within the Department of Attorney General;
* Information on crime victim compensation;
* Guidance on victim advocate services; and
* An overview of the legal process for felony and misdemeanor cases.
More information is available on the Crime Victim Rights webpage.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/04/20/ag-nessel-reaffirms-commitment-to-crime-victims-during-crime-victims-rights-week
AG Murrill's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrests Shreveport woman for Medicaid Fraud after providing medical services to patients without a license since at least 2019
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, April 20 -- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following news:
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AG Murrill's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrests Shreveport woman for Medicaid Fraud after providing medical services to patients without a license since at least 2019
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Attorney General Liz Murrill's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrested a Shreveport woman recently for providing medical services to patients without a license since at least 2019.
Initial contact in this case was made with the Shreveport Police Department's Investigative Unit who had opened a complaint involving Letatia
... Show Full Article
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, April 20 -- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following news:
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AG Murrill's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrests Shreveport woman for Medicaid Fraud after providing medical services to patients without a license since at least 2019
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Attorney General Liz Murrill's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrested a Shreveport woman recently for providing medical services to patients without a license since at least 2019.
Initial contact in this case was made with the Shreveport Police Department's Investigative Unit who had opened a complaint involving LetatiaVance-Norris, who was the owner and operator of Total Health Family Clinic.
Through cooperation with the Shreveport Police Department and the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) arrested Vance-Norris on April 15, 2026:
* Medicaid Fraud - 4 counts
MFCU Agents simultaneously executed search warrants at Total Health Family Clinic in Shreveport. Agents conducted interviews with numerous medical professionals and learned that Vance-Norris was providing medical services to patients with a suspended Physician Assistant's license. Vance-Norris used billing information belonging to other Nurse Practitioners employed or previously employed in her clinic for patients they had not treated and without their knowledge to bill Medicaid for services she was providing without a license.
Vance-Norris has been excluded by HHS from participating in the Medicaid program since September 2022 and she has been excluded from the LA Medicaid program since October 2021. During the course of their investigation, MFCU agents learned that Vance-Norris has been seeing patients and providing services without a license since at least 2019.
Vance-Norris was booked in Caddo Parish then transported to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
Attorney General Liz Murrill thanks the Shreveport Police Department and the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office for their help on this case. The Louisiana Department of Health also worked on securing termination letters for Vance and Total Health.
Vance-Norris' bond has been set at $10,000 per count, so $40,000 in total.
The investigation is ongoing.
*All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Original text here: https://www.ag.state.la.us/Article/493
Action Taken by Governor Scott on Legislation - April 20, 2026
MONTPELIER, Vermont, April 20 -- Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, issued the following news release:
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Action Taken by Governor Scott on Legislation - April 20, 2026
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Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott announced action on the following bills, passed by the General Assembly.
On April 20, Governor Scott signed bills of the following title:
* H.84, An act relating to allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent
* H.540, An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group
* H.694, An act relating to
... Show Full Article
MONTPELIER, Vermont, April 20 -- Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, issued the following news release:
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Action Taken by Governor Scott on Legislation - April 20, 2026
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Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott announced action on the following bills, passed by the General Assembly.
On April 20, Governor Scott signed bills of the following title:
* H.84, An act relating to allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent
* H.540, An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group
* H.694, An act relating toapproval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Bennington concerning the Town Manager
* H.733, An act relating to designating a franchise relationship
To view a complete list of action on bills passed during the 2026 legislative session, click here.
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Original text here: https://governor.vermont.gov/press-release/action-taken-governor-scott-legislation-april-20-2026
