States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
Va. Gov. Spanberger Signs Bills to Send Constitutional Amendments to Virginia Voters
RICHMOND, Virginia, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia, issued the following statement:
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Governor Spanberger Signs Bills to Send Constitutional Amendments to Virginia Voters
Governor Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after signing legislation to set referendums on proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution.
"Virginia voters deserve the opportunity to respond to the nationwide attacks on our rights, freedoms, and elections. Everyone deserves the freedom to marry who they love -- and Virginia's Constitution should affirm that all families are welcome
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RICHMOND, Virginia, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia, issued the following statement:
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Governor Spanberger Signs Bills to Send Constitutional Amendments to Virginia Voters
Governor Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after signing legislation to set referendums on proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution.
"Virginia voters deserve the opportunity to respond to the nationwide attacks on our rights, freedoms, and elections. Everyone deserves the freedom to marry who they love -- and Virginia's Constitution should affirm that all families are welcomein our Commonwealth. Women in Virginia deserve the freedom to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without politicians dictating their choices. When Virginians have paid their debt to society, they deserve to regain their right to vote. And when other states take extreme measures, I trust Virginia voters to respond."
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Original text here: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/name-1112332-en.html
Md. A.G. Brown Opposes Trump Administration Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Feb. 6 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Opposes Trump Administration Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general, four cities, and one county in submitting a comment letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opposing its proposal to weaken corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks.
Historically, NHTSA's standards have reduced consumer costs by improving fuel
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Feb. 6 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Opposes Trump Administration Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general, four cities, and one county in submitting a comment letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opposing its proposal to weaken corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks.
Historically, NHTSA's standards have reduced consumer costs by improving fuelefficiency for vehicles and decreasing gasoline demand. However, the new proposed rule would significantly weaken fuel economy standards. In the comment letter, the coalition asserts that the proposed rule is unlawful and would hurt consumers and the planet.
In 1975, Congress enacted the Energy Policy and Conservation Act which required NHTSA to establish "maximum feasible" fuel economy standards and to consider technological feasibility, economic practicability, the effect of other motor vehicle standards of the government, and the need to conserve energy. To set fuel economy standards, NHTSA first models a baseline fleet and then considers what, if any, additional actions manufacturers could take to improve their fuel economy for the future model years in question. In past rulemakings, including during the first Trump administration, NHTSA started from a realistic baseline fleet that included the millions of electric vehicles that already existed on our nation's highways and roads.
The current proposed rule misinterprets NHTSA's statutory authority and forces the agency to ignore electric vehicles in the baseline fleet and throughout the rulemaking, leading to a dramatically distorted analysis of the "maximum feasible" fuel economy level that the auto industry can achieve. NHTSA has also utilized defective analyses of vehicle affordability and sales, fleet turnover, fuel savings, and vehicle safety to make a profoundly harmful and destructive rule look net-beneficial to society. For example, NHTSA covers up billions of dollars in lost fuel benefits - money that drivers would save at the pump under its previous fuel economy standards - that its proposed rule would take from consumers and transfer back to oil companies. It also ignores hundreds of billions of dollars in future damages from climate change-driven disasters, flouting the best science and research. The proposal also assumes that the United States does not really need to conserve energy, after all - treating the high gasoline prices drivers pay and the instability of global oil markets as an even trade for fossil fuel companies' profits.
In the comment letter, the coalition argues that:
* NHTSA's decision to pretend EVs and EV sales do not exist is contrary to law and bad agency decision-making.
* NHTSA's proposal contravenes its mandate from Congress to conserve energy.
* NHTSA's termination of credit trading between auto manufacturers is arbitrary and capricious and harms affordability.
* NHTSA's proposal is based on its defective analyses of vehicle affordability and sales, fleet turnover, fuel savings benefits, and vehicle safety.
In sending this letter, Attorney General Brown is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the Cities of Chicago, Denver, New York, and San Francisco, both city and county.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Opposes-Trump-Administration-Rollback-of-Fuel-Economy-Standards-.aspx
La. Insurance Commissioner Temple Provides Update on Fortified Roof Benchmark Discounts
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Feb. 6 -- The Louisiana Department of Insurance issued the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
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Temple Provides Update on Fortified Roof Benchmark Discounts
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced today that the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) continues its work to develop a regulation creating benchmark discounts for Fortified roofs in Louisiana. The LDI is working with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop the benchmark discounts using Louisiana-specific data, hurricane modeling and actuarial considerations.
"With
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BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Feb. 6 -- The Louisiana Department of Insurance issued the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
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Temple Provides Update on Fortified Roof Benchmark Discounts
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced today that the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) continues its work to develop a regulation creating benchmark discounts for Fortified roofs in Louisiana. The LDI is working with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop the benchmark discounts using Louisiana-specific data, hurricane modeling and actuarial considerations.
"Withover 11,000 Fortified roofs in Louisiana and two years-worth of insurer experience with rating for those roofs in our state, now is an appropriate time for the LDI to establish benchmark discounts for homeowners insurance companies operating in our market," said Commissioner Temple. "These benchmarks are being thoughtfully developed to help consumers receive the discounts they deserve for fortifying their homes while making sure insurers know the benchmarks reflect how much Fortified roofs actually mitigate their exposure to risk across Louisiana."
Like in Alabama's Fortified benchmark discount structure, the LDI regulation would require Louisiana insurance companies to either meet the minimum benchmark discount established by the LDI or provide actuarial justification for why the company's discount does not meet the benchmark.
Louisiana is the fastest growing state for Fortified roofs in America. To date, over 11,000 Fortified roofs have been installed in Louisiana, including over 4,100 through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program.
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About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state's insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by downloading our LDIConnect mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, calling us at 800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.
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Original text here: https://ldi.la.gov/news/press-releases/2-5-26-temple-provides-update-on-fortified-roof-benchmark-discounts
Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $1.2 Million in Grants That Expand Access to Healthy, Local Food in Schools and Child Care Centers
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb. 6 -- The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
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Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $1.2 Million in Grants that Expand Access to Healthy, Local Food in Schools and Child Care Centers
Officials visit Watertown schools to see a "freight farm" and other gardening initiatives supported by FRESH grants
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WATERTOWN -- Members of the Healey-Driscoll Administration today visited Watertown Public Schools to celebrate $1.2 million in grants and see examples of investments in access to locally
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb. 6 -- The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
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Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $1.2 Million in Grants that Expand Access to Healthy, Local Food in Schools and Child Care Centers
Officials visit Watertown schools to see a "freight farm" and other gardening initiatives supported by FRESH grants
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WATERTOWN -- Members of the Healey-Driscoll Administration today visited Watertown Public Schools to celebrate $1.2 million in grants and see examples of investments in access to locallygrown food for children. In December, the administration announced $1.2 million in state- and federally-funded grants to 24 school districts and 10 early education and care programs to help them grow or procure local food and educate students, teachers, school nutrition professionals and staff about the local food system.
As part of today's visit, officials saw Watertown High School's Freight Farm, a 40-foot shipping container outfitted to grow food year-round, providing food for cafeterias in Watertown's five school buildings. The farm produces about 1,000 heads of lettuce per week, helping to feed both students in Watertown's school cafeterias, as well as families in need in Watertown through donations to the Watertown Community Fridge, a shared food resource at the Watertown Free Public Library. Officials also visited the J.R. Lowell Elementary School, which has an outdoor school garden during the growing season.
"Every student in Massachusetts deserves access to healthy, nutritious school meals," said Governor Maura Healey. "Our administration has made significant investments to ensure students can rely on school meals every day, and through programs like MA FRESH, we're a deepening that commitment by connecting classrooms to local farms, strengthening our food system, and helping kids build healthy habits for life."
"At a time when we've seen reductions in food benefits and farm-to-school funds, it's so important that Massachusetts is doing the opposite," said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. "This program will shape students' health and habits in the future."
"I was blown away by our visit to the Freight Farm today, which is helping Watertown provide high-quality school meals every day," said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. "We're proud to support the work of school nutrition staff and educators, and we're proud to encourage collaboration with local growers."
"MA FRESH improves access to year-round, locally grown food so our kids get the nourishment they need," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "As we grapple with federal threats to our anti-hunger initiatives and to our farmers, we are preparing the next generation of farmers, nutritionists, environmental stewards, and leaders in sustainable food systems."
Funding for this work is through the latest round of Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (MA FRESH) and MA FRESH with Coordination and Optimization of Resources and Partnerships (CORP) grants. The MA FRESH grant program is administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Department of Early Education and Care. Eligible applicants include early education programs that offer meals through the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) and K-12 schools that offer meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
"We want students to have access to local, healthy food during the school day," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. "Watertown's gardens and related lessons are just one example of how FRESH grants support creative and sustainable efforts to connect students with local food."
"MA FRESH helps ensure young children have reliable access to fresh, local foods where they learn and play," said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. "By supporting early education and out-of-school time programs with resources to purchase local foods, these grants expand access to nutritious meals and snacks, strengthen connections to local farms and communities, and support children's healthy development from the very start."
"Giving students access to healthy, locally grown food at a young age helps them gain a deep appreciation for our farms which will lead them to make healthier choices as they mature into young adults," said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle. "We're proud of the continued partnership with our colleagues at EOE and DESE through these grants that provide Massachusetts grown produce to our school children while supporting our farmers."
Watertown received a MA FRESH CORP grant of almost $83,000 this year.
"The Watertown Public Schools Freight Farm is officially in full bloom, and we could not be more excited to harvest crops of red sails and oak leaf lettuce, kale, radishes, herbs and more," said Superintendent Dr. Dede Galdston. "This innovative program brings high-tech, sustainable agriculture directly to our students, and we are excited to launch our Hi-Tech Farming course at Watertown High School."
"Watertown schools are leading the way in showing kids how healthy and delicious locally grown food is," said Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), who represents the community. "I will continue to support our MA FRESH grants that make the program possible."
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to highlight the work the Watertown is doing here to educate our students on preparing and growing food locally," said Representative Steven Owens (D-Watertown). "Watertown is a community that cares deeply about sustainability, and that includes our local food system. Thanks to the Healey/Driscoll Administration for this grant."
Statewide, recipients are using the money for school gardens, indoor hydroponic growing systems and culinary classes. The grants also support professional development for nutrition professionals and educators to enhance school meal offerings. Increasing access to healthy, locally-sourced school and child care meals is a focus of Governor Maura Healey's Anti-Hunger Task Force's work to mitigate President Trump's cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and adopt long-term solutions to hunger.
"We are excited to see a diversity of programs and communities receive funding to further food education opportunities, enhance school meals with local foods, and establish food literacy programs in schools and early education centers," said Lisa Damon, co-director of Massachusetts Farm to School. "We are thankful to our Massachusetts legislators for making these funds available to schools and early education programs across the Commonwealth to do this important work for the past four years."
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Original text here: https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-celebrates-12-million-in-grants-that-expand-access-to-healthy-local-food-in-schools-and-child-care-centers
Governor Hobbs Announces Appointment of Andy Gaona to Arizona Court of Appeals
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Katie Hobbs, D-Arizona, issued the following news release:
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Governor Hobbs Announces Appointment of Andy Gaona to Arizona Court of Appeals
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Phoenix, AZ - Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of D. Andrew ("Andy") Gaona to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One.
Gaona entered private practice with Perkins Coie LLP in 2011 following a clerkship with Justice Andrew D. Hurwitz of the Arizona Supreme Court. He later joined Coppersmith Brockelman PLC, where he has been a partner since 2018. His practice has consisted primarily of commercial,
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Katie Hobbs, D-Arizona, issued the following news release:
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Governor Hobbs Announces Appointment of Andy Gaona to Arizona Court of Appeals
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Phoenix, AZ - Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of D. Andrew ("Andy") Gaona to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One.
Gaona entered private practice with Perkins Coie LLP in 2011 following a clerkship with Justice Andrew D. Hurwitz of the Arizona Supreme Court. He later joined Coppersmith Brockelman PLC, where he has been a partner since 2018. His practice has consisted primarily of commercial,public, and election law litigation, including representing a variety of public and private-sector clients at both the trial and appellate levels. He has served on the Arizona Supreme Court's Task Force on Judicial Performance Review and the board of directors of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest. He has also been a frequent presenter on subjects involving Arizona election law and practice in Arizona's appellate courts.
"In the course of his career, Andy has shown the temperament and commitment to fairness that Arizonans expect from their judges," said Governor Katie Hobbs. "With the skills and expertise he has displayed as a practicing attorney, I am confident he will be a great asset to the Court of Appeals."
The appointment is to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul J. McMurdie.
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Original text here: https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/news/2026/02/governor-hobbs-announces-appointment-andy-gaona-arizona-court
Dean Kirkeby Confirmed to the GFP Commission
PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Larry Rhoden, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release:
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Dean Kirkeby Confirmed to the GFP Commission
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PIERRE, S.D. - Today, Governor Larry Rhoden's appointment of Dean Kirkeby to the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Commission was confirmed by the South Dakota State Senate.
"South Dakota is the most beautiful state, and protecting our great outdoors is a responsibility we don't take lightly - we owe it to our kids and our grandkids," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "Dean Kirkeby is a lifelong steward of the land, and his commitment to conservation,
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PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Larry Rhoden, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release:
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Dean Kirkeby Confirmed to the GFP Commission
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PIERRE, S.D. - Today, Governor Larry Rhoden's appointment of Dean Kirkeby to the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Commission was confirmed by the South Dakota State Senate.
"South Dakota is the most beautiful state, and protecting our great outdoors is a responsibility we don't take lightly - we owe it to our kids and our grandkids," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "Dean Kirkeby is a lifelong steward of the land, and his commitment to conservation,habitat protection, and public access will be a strong asset to our state."
Dean Kirkeby is a lifelong South Dakotan and a 1978 graduate of South Dakota State University. He operates a family farm with his sons and provides public access to deer and pheasant hunters. He is also a private pilot and has incorporated flying into his farming operation to survey livestock, crop land, and land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. For over twenty years, Kirkeby served on the Merton Township board.
Kirkeby will be replacing Jon Locken, who completed his eight-year term this January.
"I appreciate my appointment to the SD GFP Commission and the trust Governor Rhoden has placed in me," said Dean Kirkeby. "As a commissioner, my primary goal will be keeping the outdoors open and accessible to everyone that wants to enjoy it."
Dean Kirkeby has been married for 36 years. He and his wife have three sons and five grandchildren. You can find a photo of Dean Kirkeby here.
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Original text here: https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&sys_id=4cc3b99b1bbab214df4edb1de54bcb66
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Wins Fight Against Unconstitutional Abortion Restrictions
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 6 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following statement:
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Attorney General Mayes Wins Fight Against Unconstitutional Abortion Restrictions
Attorney General Kris Mayes today issued the following statement on the ruling in Isaacson v. State of Arizona, a case brought by plaintiffs to strike down unconstitutional abortion restrictions after the passage of Prop 139:
Today's ruling is a major victory for Arizona women, families, and their doctors. The court has affirmed what we've known all along: the abortion restrictions challenged in this case are unconstitutional.
Arizona
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 6 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following statement:
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Attorney General Mayes Wins Fight Against Unconstitutional Abortion Restrictions
Attorney General Kris Mayes today issued the following statement on the ruling in Isaacson v. State of Arizona, a case brought by plaintiffs to strike down unconstitutional abortion restrictions after the passage of Prop 139:
Today's ruling is a major victory for Arizona women, families, and their doctors. The court has affirmed what we've known all along: the abortion restrictions challenged in this case are unconstitutional.
Arizonavoters made their voices heard when they passed Proposition 139, enshrining the fundamental right to abortion in our state constitution. Today, the court honored that decision by striking down laws that interfered with patients' healthcare decisions and the doctor-patient relationship.
This ruling affirms that Arizona women have a constitutional right to access the reproductive healthcare they need without unnecessary government interference and that doctors must be allowed to provide care based on their medical judgment, not on the beliefs of anti-abortion politicians. As my office did in this case, we will continue to defend reproductive freedom and uphold the will of Arizona voters.
Attachments: (https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/2026-02-06%20ME%20Judgment%20%282%29.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-wins-fight-against-unconstitutional-abortion-restrictions
