State Politics & News
Coverage of state politics, elections, and conservative policy battles across all 50 states shaping America’s future.
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- Opinion
Potential Terrorist Case in New Mexico Draws Attention to Growing Use of Children in Terrorist Plots
Last week, authorities in New Mexico discovered 11 children living in a dilapidated compound. Most were the sons and daughters of a Georgian resident called Siraj Ibn Wahhaj who, along with his wife and sisters, was charged with child cruelty offenses. Human remains found on the site are feared to be those of his disabled…Robin Simcox -
- Opinion
Problematic Women: The Forgotten Voices of Santa Fe, Texas
On today’s “Problematic Women,” we cover our mini-documentary about the May school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, produced by our very own Kelsey Harkness and Lauren Evans. Unlike the shooting in Parkland, Florida, this community was not given a voice and largely has been forgotten. Two students now bravely tell their story. We also discuss…Ginny Montalbano -
- News
Republican Balderson Declares Victory in Close Ohio Special Congressional Election
Republican state Sen. Troy Balderson appeared to have a slight edge in the Ohio special House election Tuesday, marking what could be a disappointment for Democrats, but a potential warning sign for the GOP. With 100 percent of precincts in, Balderson, 56, led Democrat Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor, 31, by 101,574 votes to 99,820…Fred Lucas -
- News
Chicago Democrat Pleads for Trump’s Help Despite Mayor After Weekend Bloodbath
Chicago Democrats ought to put aside their partisan agenda and seek President Donald Trump’s help to decrease shootings, urges a state lawmaker who represents the city’s West Side. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is showing the wrong kind of leadership by continuing to declare the city a “Trump-Free Zone,” state Rep. La Shawn Ford said…Katherine Rohloff -
- News
New Jersey Budgets $5M to Prop Up ‘Community’ Newspapers
The New Jersey state Legislature set aside $5 million in the annual budget to help fund what it calls “community journalism,” which critics say raises serious ethical questions regarding the influence it gives government over news coverage. As local newspapers have seen circulation and advertising steadily decline in the digital age, the traditional business model…Jeremiah Poff -
- Opinion
Podcast: California Not Happy With Trump’s Regulation Rollbacks
On today’s edition of The Daily Signal podcast, Ginny Montalbano and Daniel Davis interview Heritage Foundation economist Nick Loris, who focuses on energy, environmental, and regulatory issues, about proposed regulation rollbacks in California. Loris discusses the Trump administration’s move to try to loosen fuel-efficiency and emissions regulations for cars and light trucks put into place…Daniel Davis -
- News
Trump Administration’s Fuel Economy Proposal Bucks California in Bid to Spur New Car Purchases
American consumers who want safe, affordable vehicles will find new models with improved technology becoming less costly if a federal rule amending standards for fuel economy and emissions goes into effect, Trump administration officials said Thursday in announcing the proposal. California has been permitted to set its own auto emissions standards under a federal waiver….Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
Podcast: Austin, Texas Discovers Its Own Name Is Problematic
In a quest to uproot Confederate names and statues, Austin, Texas, discovered the problematic legacy of Stephen F. Austin, who died before the Civil War. Jarrett Stepman joins us to discuss the latest push to eradicate history. Plus: There’s an uproar at the University of Virginia over hiring a Trump aide to be a one-year…Katrina Trinko -
- News
Michigan State Football Star’s Next Uniform Will Be USAF’s, Not NFL’s
Many college football players dream of achieving fame and fortune in the NFL, but Jalen Watts-Jackson, a star defensive back who made the Michigan State University record books, has a different set of goal posts in mind. Watts-Jackson told an MSU athletics blog, Spartan Nation—on the Fourth of July, no less—that he intends instead to…Katherine Rohloff -
- Opinion
Podcast: A High Schooler Goes to Washington
On today’s edition of The Daily Signal podcast, Rob Bluey and Ginny Montalbano interview high school student Genna Montalbano (Ginny’s younger sister) about her experience at Turning Point USA’s High School Leadership Summit. Genna reveals her favorite conservative speakers and what advice she’ll share with her peers. We also have: Clips from Attorney General Jeff Sessions,…Robert B. Bluey -
- News
Virginia Government Officials Not Happy With First School District to Arm Teachers
A school district voted unanimously to become the first Virginia county to permit armed teachers, but Virginia government officials are not pleased. The Lee County School Board decided earlier in July to arm teachers in its 11-school, 3,200-student school district, but faces backlash from Virginia’s Department of Education and attorney general, according to The Washington Post Wednesday….Rob Shimshock -
- News
California Supreme Court Smacks Down Ballot Initiative to Split State Into 3
The Supreme Court of California struck down a ballot initiative Wednesday to divide the state into three states—California, Northern California, and Southern California. Proposition 9, which qualified for the November ballot with 402,468 signatures on June 12, would have appeared on the ballot in the general election, but will no longer be an issue residents…Jessica Kramer -
- Opinion
New York Taxis Want to Kick Out Uber and Lyft. They Should Be Targeting Regulations.
When will New York City learn that heavily regulating the taxi industry is the source of its ills, not it’s salvation? Not any time soon, apparently. After a brief respite, city leaders are returning to a favorite pastime: concocting new ways to rein in ride-sharing’s free-market revolution and protect a beleaguered political ally, taxi medallion…Jason Snead -
- News
University of Kansas Flies Defaced Flag in the Name of Art
The University of Kansas flew a defaced American flag in the name of art, according to students on Tuesday. Ian Ballinger, a student at the university, found the flag outside Spooner Hall on Tuesday. After talking to school administrators, he discovered the flag was first installed on July 4. “Frankly, I think it is an…Neetu Chandak -
- News
Illinois State-Funded Abortions Increase Nearly 300% in 2018
Taxpayers in Illinois paid for almost quadruple the number of abortions in the first six months of 2018 than they did in 2017 following a bill mandating the state pay for abortions. There were only 84 abortions between January and June 2017, but that number skyrocketed to 314 in 2018, according to records from the Illinois…Grace Carr -
- Opinion
Left’s War on Gov. Walker in Wisconsin Was a Dry Run for Its ‘Resistance’ Against Trump
Good morning America. You are now entering Wisconsin, circa 2011. The left’s #Resistance movement today against all things Trump is what big labor brought the Badger State seven years ago when “progressives” stomped all over civility in a campaign to topple Republican Gov. Scott Walker. “What happened in Wisconsin … is being writ large across the country,”…M.D. Kittle -
- News
California Man Arrested After Threatening to Murder the Family of FCC’s Ajit Pai
A man angry over net neutrality has been charged with threatening to murder the family of Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai. Late last month, Markara Man, 33, of Norwalk, California, was arrested and charged with “threatening to murder a member of the immediate family of a U.S. official U.S. [Ajit Pai] with the intent…Katherine Rohloff -
- News
Associates Vouch for Integrity of Ohio Lawmaker Amid Accusations He Ignored Sexual Abuse of Student Athletes as College Coach
Former associates are coming to the defense of Congressman Jim Jordan amid accusations that the Ohio Republican ignored sexual-abuse scandals at Ohio State University while serving there as an assistant wrestling coach more than two decades ago. “From the first day I met Jim Jordan as a student athlete, he has been the most honorable…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Pennsylvania District Fights to Keep Parents From Watching Pro-LGBT Videos Students Were Required to Watch
At East Penn School district, officials don’t just indoctrinate kids — they refuse to show parents how! That’s the outrageous predicament Emmaus families find themselves in after they found out about a weeklong blitz of pro-LGBT videos that was required watching in every homeroom. And here’s the irony: while students were forced to watch them,…Tony Perkins -
- News
Massachusetts Governor Signs Gun Seizure Bill
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill on Tuesday allowing for temporary gun confiscation without any due process in Massachusetts. Bill H4670 enables a family or household member, which includes roommates, relatives or significant others, to remove firearms, firearm identification cards and ammunition from any individual deemed to be a danger to oneself or others. Surrendered goods…Molly Prince