States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
N.J. A.G. Platkin Obtains Early Victory in Challenge to Trump Administration's Demand That States "Undo" Issuance of Full SNAP Benefits
TRENTON, New Jersey, Nov. 11 -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Attorney General Platkin Obtains Early Victory in Challenge to Trump Administration's Demand That States "Undo" Issuance of Full SNAP Benefits
States File Amended Temporary Restraining Order Arguing They Should Not Be Held Accountable for Following Court Order, USDA's Own Guidance
*
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general and three governors in filing an amended motion for a temporary restraining order in
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, Nov. 11 -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Attorney General Platkin Obtains Early Victory in Challenge to Trump Administration's Demand That States "Undo" Issuance of Full SNAP Benefits
States File Amended Temporary Restraining Order Arguing They Should Not Be Held Accountable for Following Court Order, USDA's Own Guidance
*
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general and three governors in filing an amended motion for a temporary restraining order inhis lawsuit against the Trump Administration for unlawfully suspending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for more than 42 million Americans who rely on the program for food. In their motion, the coalition asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to block the Trump Administration's directive to claw back full SNAP benefits that were authorized in response to a court order in Rhode Island as well as guidance issued directly by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Shortly after the coalition filed the motion, the District of Massachusetts granted the temporary restraining order and set a hearing for this afternoon.
"We will not stand by as the Trump Administration attempts to rip food away from the tables of New Jerseyans on SNAP benefits," said Attorney General Platkin. "New Jersey SNAP recipients have access to their full November 2025 benefits, and we are fighting to ensure that they remain able to feed their families. We are grateful that the Court has already blocked the Trump Administration's reckless and illegal attempts to revoke SNAP funds and look forward to making our case in court to permanently stop them from harming families in New Jersey.
On November 7, after the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island ordered USDA to make full SNAP benefits available to the states, USDA informed states that it was complying with the Court's order and completing the processes necessary to make full SNAP benefits available. As a result of the Court's order and USDA's guidance, New Jersey and other states took action to authorize the release of full SNAP benefits for their residents.
One day later, after successfully filing an emergency application with the Supreme Court to block the lower court's order, USDA abruptly demanded that states "undo" the efforts taken to administer full SNAP benefits. The federal government threatened that failure to revoke the full SNAP benefits may result in states being penalized and financially liable for processing full benefits. That coercive threat came late at night on Saturday--after New Jerseyans had already used benefits to purchase essential food items since the previous day.
Joining Attorney General Platkin in submitting the amended motion were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Minnesota, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, along with the governors of Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-platkin-obtains-early-victory-in-challenge-to-trump-administrations-demand-that-states-undo-issuance-of-full-snap-benefits/
N.H. Gov. Ayotte Directs State Agencies to Prioritize Hiring Veterans
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Nov. 11 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Governor Ayotte Directs State Agencies to Prioritize Hiring Veterans
Today, ahead of the Veterans Day holiday, Governor Kelly Ayotte issued an Executive Order requiring all New Hampshire Executive Branch agencies to grant interviews to qualified current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, the New Hampshire National Guard, and their spouses for any publicly posted state job.
Announcing the order, Governor Ayotte said, "We owe a tremendous debt to the men and
... Show Full Article
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Nov. 11 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Governor Ayotte Directs State Agencies to Prioritize Hiring Veterans
Today, ahead of the Veterans Day holiday, Governor Kelly Ayotte issued an Executive Order requiring all New Hampshire Executive Branch agencies to grant interviews to qualified current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, the New Hampshire National Guard, and their spouses for any publicly posted state job.
Announcing the order, Governor Ayotte said, "We owe a tremendous debt to the men andwomen who have defended our freedom. I know how hard the transition to the workforce can be after serving, which is why the State is going to make it a priority to hire veterans and military spouses. I hope businesses across our state will join us in that effort. Together, we can make New Hampshire the most veteran-friendly state in the nation."
Earlier this year, New Hampshire was named one of the top states for military veterans. The Governor's executive order aims to strengthen access to employment opportunities for veterans and their spouses with the State and encourage municipalities, state vendors, and all businesses to do the same.
Overview of the Governor's Executive Order:
* Requires all Executive Branch agencies to interview qualified applicants from these groups for any publicly posted or classified position.
* Applicants must meet minimum job qualifications and provide proof of honorable service (DD214 or NGB22); spouses must also provide a valid marriage certificate.
* The Adjutant General may develop Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with agencies to facilitate compliance, subject to the Governor's approval.
* Agencies retain full discretion over final hiring decisions.
* Encourages municipalities and state vendors to adopt similar hiring practices to make New Hampshire even more veteran-friendly.
Read Executive Order 2025-07 here (https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt971/files/media/media_document/202507-an-order-providing-state-government.pdf).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news/governor-ayotte-directs-state-agencies-prioritize-hiring-veterans
Ga. Gov. Kemp Announces Washington County Solicitor General Appointment
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 11 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Gov. Kemp Announces Washington County Solicitor General Appointment
Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced his appointment of Carl Cansino as the Washington County Solicitor General.
Carl S. Cansino is the founder of Cansino Law Firm, LLC, where he focuses on criminal matters in state and federal courts. Additionally, he serves as municipal court prosecutor for the cities of Eatonton, Milledgeville, and Sandersville. Before establishing his firm, Cansino served as an Assistant
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 11 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Gov. Kemp Announces Washington County Solicitor General Appointment
Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced his appointment of Carl Cansino as the Washington County Solicitor General.
Carl S. Cansino is the founder of Cansino Law Firm, LLC, where he focuses on criminal matters in state and federal courts. Additionally, he serves as municipal court prosecutor for the cities of Eatonton, Milledgeville, and Sandersville. Before establishing his firm, Cansino served as an AssistantDistrict Attorney in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. A native of Sebring, Florida, Cansino earned his Juris Doctor from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School and his Bachelor of Arts in literature from Florida State University. Cansino is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He and his wife, Amy, have four children and live in Tennille, Georgia.
* * *
Original text here: https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2025-11-10/gov-kemp-announces-washington-county-solicitor-general-appointment
Ga. A.G. Carr Releases New Military Consumer Protection Guide for Service Members, Veterans and Their Families
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 11 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Carr Releases New Military Consumer Protection Guide for Service Members, Veterans and their Families
Attorney General Chris Carr today announced the release of a new Georgia Military Consumer Protection Guide to help our service members and veterans better protect themselves and their families from scams and dishonest business practices.
"We're able to live, work, and worship freely in the greatest state - in the greatest country - on Earth because of the sacrifices made
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 11 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Carr Releases New Military Consumer Protection Guide for Service Members, Veterans and their Families
Attorney General Chris Carr today announced the release of a new Georgia Military Consumer Protection Guide to help our service members and veterans better protect themselves and their families from scams and dishonest business practices.
"We're able to live, work, and worship freely in the greatest state - in the greatest country - on Earth because of the sacrifices madeby our men and women in uniform," said Carr. "They're heroes, and they shouldn't have to worry about losing their homes, their savings, or their personal information to criminals and thieves. That's why we created the Georgia Military Consumer Protection Guide to help our service members and veterans keep their costs low and their finances safe."
According to the Federal Trade Commission, service members and veterans lost over $584 million to fraud in 2024 and submitted over 99,000 fraud complaints. The Georgia Military Consumer Protection Guide includes key tips on how to spot and avoid these common scams, along with information and resources on identity theft, credit and short-term loans, debt management and debt collectors, housing, car buying, education, and veterans benefits.
It is one of three unique guides developed by Carr's Consumer Protection Division, including the Older Adults Guide and the Cybersecurity Guide for small businesses, non-profits, and places of worship.
The Military Consumer Protection Guide is free and available here on the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division website. To request hard copies of the guide, contact the Consumer Protection Division at 404-656-3790.
* * *
Original text here: https://law.georgia.gov/press-releases/2025-11-10/carr-releases-new-military-consumer-protection-guide-service-members
DATCP and DHS Urge Wisconsin Retailers to Continue to Accept FoodShare
MADISON, Wisconsin, Nov. 11 -- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
DATCP and DHS Urge Wisconsin Retailers to Continue to Accept FoodShare
Businesses should not refuse service, DATCP is prepared to enforce against price gouging
*
Retailers and grocery stores play an important role in ensuring FoodShare members can access healthy, nutritious food to feed their families. Today, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
... Show Full Article
MADISON, Wisconsin, Nov. 11 -- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
DATCP and DHS Urge Wisconsin Retailers to Continue to Accept FoodShare
Businesses should not refuse service, DATCP is prepared to enforce against price gouging
*
Retailers and grocery stores play an important role in ensuring FoodShare members can access healthy, nutritious food to feed their families. Today, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services(DHS) remind Wisconsin businesses who have signed up for the FoodShare program that FoodShare recipients have had funding legally loaded onto their cards and businesses cannot turn away members using QUEST cards at registers.
"It's been a really difficult and scary time for a lot of people because of the federal government shutdown and economic uncertainty, especially for families, kids, and seniors who rely on FoodShare. Wisconsinites are helpers by nature--it's part of our DNA. When things get tough, we always look out for and support our neighbors, and that's especially important now more than ever," said Gov. Tony Evers.
On October 31, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #278, which prohibits price gouging due to the loss of FoodShare funding. It also calls on grocers and retailers to ensure relevant resources are readily available for Wisconsinites and the state, and state agencies can utilize every available tool and resource to support Wisconsinites through impacts of the federal government shutdown. The governor's executive order can be found here.
"While there haven't been reports of people being turned away or of price gouging thus far, we want to make sure everyone is clear on the expectations. No one in Wisconsin should have to worry about their next meal," said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski.
FoodShare members receive benefits on a QUEST card, similar to a debit card, that allows them to pay for food at any business that has agreed to participate in the program. Current federal guidance states that consumers may continue to redeem the existing balance issued to their QUEST card at any authorized retailer. If FoodShare members are wrongfully denied the ability to use their QUEST cards to purchase food when they have a balance remaining, they should take the following steps:
* Tell store staff, "I have a balance on my QUEST card, and I am able to use it."
* Call Wisconsin's Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128 or email DATCPHotline@wi.gov.
"FoodShare is essential for Wisconsinites of all ages, whether they are working a low-income job, live on a fixed income, or are facing unemployment. Members rely on these benefits to keep them from having to choose between using money for food, or their rent, heating bills, or medicine," said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson.
FoodShare in Wisconsin provides basic food access for nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including nearly 270,000 kids.
At this time, full November FoodShare benefits continue to be available on all QUEST cards. Any Wisconsinite who needs additional food or infant formula for their house or family can reach out to 211 for information and referrals to local services. Anyone can use 211 to get help by:
* Dialing 211 or (877) 947-2211.
* Visiting their website at 211wisconsin.communityos.org. Through the website, people can search for services or chat with someone online who can help.
* Texting their ZIP Code to 898211.
* * *
Original text here: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/DATCPandDHSFoodShare.aspx
TEDCO's Maryland Innovation Initiative Announces Recent Company Formation and Technology Assessment Awardees
COLUMBIA, Maryland, Nov. 11 -- TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corp., issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
TEDCO's Maryland Innovation Initiative Announces Recent Company Formation and Technology Assessment Awardees
Maryland Innovation Initiative awards more than $2 million across 14 projects
*
TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announced the next round of the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII)'s Company Formation and Technology Assessment awardees, marking a significant milestone in promoting the commercialization of groundbreaking
... Show Full Article
COLUMBIA, Maryland, Nov. 11 -- TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corp., issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
TEDCO's Maryland Innovation Initiative Announces Recent Company Formation and Technology Assessment Awardees
Maryland Innovation Initiative awards more than $2 million across 14 projects
*
TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announced the next round of the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII)'s Company Formation and Technology Assessment awardees, marking a significant milestone in promoting the commercialization of groundbreakingresearch from Maryland's prestigious academic research institutions.
"The MII remains dedicated to supporting the continued growth of our innovation ecosystem," said Abi Kulshreshtha, executive director, MII, TEDCO. "We are excited to see the MII's continued traction across the state. In these award cycles the MII staff and technical reviewers selected 14 awardees, eight for the Company Formation awards - totaling about $1.75 million - and six for the Technology Assessment awards - a total of around $780,000."
The Company Formation award is provided to support the efforts to commercialize technology licensed from Qualifying Universities. The eight awardees for the January and April 2025 cycles include:
1. Vascular Rescue Inc. - Advancing the development of automated vascular access
2. 1104 Health, LLC - Accelerating access to oncology care options and improving health equity with the 1104Health Shared Care Platform
3. SHARP Diagnostics, Inc. - SHARP Platform for enabling single-step molecular assays
4. Droserix, LLC - Commercializing nanoscale electrodes for higher-resolution neurotransmitter detection
5. Lithinity, LLC - LiON's Share: Commercializing MOF-polymer Membranes for direct extraction of lithium ions from brine
6. Nodal Therapeutics Inc.- Re-educating the immune system with lymph node depots to induce safe and durable remission in celiac
7. CurveAssure, Inc. - At-home neurological evaluation through scalable smartphone-based functional assessments
8. NanoForge Systems Corp. - Handheld nitrate sensing platform
The Technology Assessment award is a nine-month project that builds strong preliminary data that demonstrates the technology's utility for specific commercial applications beyond basic research. The six awardees for the April 2025 cycle include:
1. Sujatha Kannan - Cell-targeted dendrimer-drug therapies for safe, convenient, and effective treatment of obesity and atherosclerosis
2. Kevin Daniels - A universal rapid, ultrasensitive, and selective biological diagnostic and detection system based on epitaxial graphene
3. Aryya Gangopadhyay - AI-enabled multi-sensor vest for real-time situational awareness in high-risk operations
4. Ishan Barman - D-SENSE: Deep learning-powered digital SERS for rapid and ultrasensitive bioprocess monitoring
5. Jose Ortiz - Automating language assessment: Enhancing DLD diagnosis for bilingual children
6. Justin Hanes - Non-viral brain-penetrating gene therapy for effective treatment of Parkinson's Disease
"MII is proud to bring innovation from lab to market," said Renee Winsky, chair of the MII Board of Directors. "Since inception, it has supported the creation of more than 450 jobs, created or supported more than 215 startups, and invested over $63 million in the Maryland innovation ecosystem; we look forward to continuing this progress."
MII's Funding Opportunities
The MII program, administered by TEDCO, was created as a collaboration between the State of Maryland and five leading academic research institutions--Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and University of Maryland, College Park-- that aims to leverage each institution's strengths to transition promising technologies into the commercial sector.
"Across Maryland's universities, we can find researchers, innovators and even dreamers - it is essential that we continue providing avenues to these individuals as they support the state's economic development and innovation ecosystem," said TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall. "This is why we are so excited to see the continued traction the MII has received over the past 13 years and we hope to see the continued growth for years to come."
MII has also expanded its reach to include comprehensive universities, along with the creation of the Baltimore Innovation Initiative (BII) with the goal of fostering a more equitable innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem across Maryland. For more information, visit the MII webpage.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.tedcomd.com/news-events/press-releases/2025/tedcos-maryland-innovation-initiative-announces-recent-company
Okla. A.G. Drummond Successfully Supports Trump's Requirement for Sex Designations on Passports
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Nov. 11 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Drummond successfully supports Trump's requirement for sex designations on passports
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has sided with Attorney General Gentner Drummond's position in Trump v. Orr, requiring passports to display an individual's biological sex at birth. The ruling stayed a lower court's decision that blocked the administration's requirement for newly issued American passports.
In the order last week from SCOTUS, the majority opinion
... Show Full Article
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Nov. 11 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Nov. 10, 2025:
* * *
Drummond successfully supports Trump's requirement for sex designations on passports
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has sided with Attorney General Gentner Drummond's position in Trump v. Orr, requiring passports to display an individual's biological sex at birth. The ruling stayed a lower court's decision that blocked the administration's requirement for newly issued American passports.
In the order last week from SCOTUS, the majority opinionstated, "Displaying passport holders' sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth - in both cases the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment."
"I applaud the Justices on the nation's high court for upholding this commonsense policy from the Trump Administration," Drummond said. "Putting one's biological sex on a government document - especially one that has national security implications - should not be considered political in nature. I'm proud to stand with my colleagues from around the nation to support President Trump's lawful actions in office."
Earlier this fall, Drummond and 25 other states led an amicus brief to SCOTUS in support of the Trump Administration's position, arguing that the Constitution permits the government to issue papers that record sex rather than subjective identities and that recording only sex on passports is a legitimate and rational choice.
Read the SCOTUS Order (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2025/november/Supreme%20Court%20Passport%20Order%2011.06.25.pdf)
Read the Attorneys General Brief (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2025/november/Trump%20v.%20Orr%20Amicus%20Brief.pdf)
* * *
Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2025/november/drummond-successfully-supports-trumps-requirement-for-sex-designations-on-passports.html
