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
Iraqi Prime Minister’s ‘Potemkin’ Visit to Washington
While Israel decides its next steps in responding to Iran’s unprecedented attack over the weekend, the White House welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. His visit took place Monday in the Oval Office, where he sat down with President Joe Biden to discuss the U.S. mission in Iraq. Unfortunately, this invitation to Washington only…Nicole Robinson -
- News
Think Tanks, Political Groups, and Activists Join Forces to Amplify School Choice Efforts in Virginia
A coalition of parents’ rights activists have reignited the fight for school choice for Virginia’s families with the help of The Heritage Foundation. Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson Institute has pushed for education reform in the Old Dominion for years, including through its Virginia Education Opportunity Alliance, a parents’ rights coalition. A $150,000 Innovation Prize grant from…Noah Slayter -
- Opinion
Lawmakers Must Protect Civil Rights as Louisiana Universities Hold Fast to Discrimination via DEI
Neuroscientists interested in teaching at Tulane University in Louisiana must be board-certified or eligible to apply for a medical license as well as skilled in neurocritical care. All are standard requirements for a postsecondary position. But read the fine print: Applicants also have to commit to Tulane’s statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI,…Jonathan Butcher -
- News
Over the Left’s Objections, Idaho Enacts Law Defining ‘Male,’ ‘Female’
The state of Idaho is on a roll when it comes to pushing against LGBT ideology. In April 2020, Idaho became the first state to enact legislation that prevented transgender-identifying athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports. The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, signed by Idaho Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, declared it “a violation…Sarah Holliday -
- Opinion
Missouri, Kansas Lawsuits Remind Biden That Student Loans Remain Congress’ Prerogative
In a lawsuit filed on Monday, Missouri invites the federal courts to recognize that President Joe Biden’s preoccupation with canceling student loans is part of a pattern. Like Biden’s effort to impose an eviction moratorium and a vaccine mandate, and his efforts to alter the composition of the nation’s population and its power supply, Biden’s…Jack Fitzhenry -
- News
Chicago Firefighters Union Revokes Endorsement After Rep. Jackson’s Allegations
Caught on camera making disparaging remarks about the Chicago Fire Department, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., now says he “did not mean to offend” the brave men and women who serve the city. In a statement posted to X on Tuesday night, Jackson said he was simply trying to “shed light on the need for diversity,…Rob Bluey -
- News
Arizona Freedom Caucus Leader Slams Republicans ‘Calculated Political Decision-Making’ Following Abortion Ruling
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL: The head of the Arizona Freedom Caucus condemned the “calculated political decision-making” exhibited by Arizona Republicans who sought to distance themselves from the state’s most massive pro-life victory yet. Some high-profile Arizona Republicans had decried news on Tuesday that the state’s Supreme Court had upheld an 1864 law protecting almost…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Arizona Republicans Back Away From the Unborn Following State Supreme Court Ruling
A number of Arizona Republicans are rapidly distancing from the state’s controversial Supreme Court ruling protecting almost all unborn babies from abortions. The state Supreme Court upheld a 1864 law on Tuesday that bans almost all abortions in Arizona, except when the mother’s life is at risk. In a 4-to-2 decision, the court said that…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Citing Pro-Life Views, Nebraska State Senator Switches Parties
A Nebraska state legislator is transitioning from blue to red after his own party censured him for having a pro-life stance. Nebraska state Sen. Mike McDonnell officially left the Democratic Party last week after 40 years and became a Republican. In a written statement explaining his decision, McDonnell wrote: “I have asked the Democratic Party to…S.A. McCarthy -
- News
How Oklahoma Is Fighting Teachers Unions and ‘Wokeism’ in Its Schools
“Listen, we’re going to have school choice. We’re going to bring back parents’ rights. We’re going to focus on the basics,” said the state superintendent for Oklahoma’s public schools. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts interviewed Ryan Walters on “The Kevin Roberts Show” podcast. (The Daily Signal is the news outlet of The Heritage Foundation.) The two…Noah Slayter -
- News
Ohio Police Arrest Illegal Immigrant, Discover He Was Deported 7 Times, Charge Him With Murder
An illegal immigrant who had been deported over a half-dozen times was charged with murder in Butler County, Ohio, according to local reports. Hamilton Police arrested 48-year-old Fermin Garcia-Gutierrez on unrelated charges on March 16, the Journal-News, an Ohio-based newspaper, reported. Authorities highlighted Garcia-Gutierrez’s record of seven deportations in a Friday press conference prior to the…Harold Hutchison -
- News
Judge Denies Trump’s Bid to Toss Georgia Charges Based on First Amendment
The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s racketeering case in Georgia declined Thursday to dismiss the charges based on the First Amendment. Trump’s attorneys argued in a December motion that the indictment “directly targets core protected political speech and activity,” urging Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to dismiss the charges as violations of the First Amendment. But…Katelynn Richardson -
- Opinion
Pro-Abortion Ballot Initiative in Florida Aims to Trick Voters With Vague Definition of ‘Health’
A ballot initiative OK’d by the Florida Supreme Court perpetuates abortion advocates’ favored strategy of using vague definitions of “health” to expand abortion on demand. Florida voters will face a referendum measure in November that would allow abortion up to the moment of birth if deemed “necessary to protect the patient’s health” after the state…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
- News
Biden DOJ Targets Utah Prisons After Trans Prisoner Removes His Own Testicles
President Joe Biden’s Justice Department announced Wednesday that it had filed a lawsuit accusing the state of Utah, and its Department of Corrections, of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act in failing to give a man hormones for his gender dysphoria. The prisoner, who identifies as a transgender woman, is said to have requested to…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Biden Admin Punts on Radical Title IX Sports Rule Change for Now, but Nebraska Has Chance to Act
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972—a law guaranteeing equality between the sexes in education—has been on the chopping block from Day One of the Biden administration. But after a lengthy delay, the federal Department of Education has formally announced it will punt on the announcement of its new Title IX sports rule, one…Sarah Parshall Perry -
- News
Taxpayer Protection: Idaho Law Blocks Funding for ‘Gender-Transition’ Procedures
An Idaho law enacted Wednesday (H. 668) protects taxpayers from paying for “gender transition” procedures in a variety of ways. The legislation “adds to existing law,” namely the Vulnerable Child Protection (VCAP) Act passed in 2023, which prevented physicians from harming minors with gender-transition surgeries or hormones. The Legislature declared in H. 668 that “public funds shall not be…Joshua Arnold -
- Opinion
Some in California Want to Legalize Racial Discrimination—Yet Again
California Democrats’ incorrigible obsession with racial preferences is the definition of insanity: They keep trying and failing to legalize racial preferences, and yet, they expect a different outcome each time. When will they learn from their failures? Not any time soon. Their futile cycle has restarted with another effort to legalize racial preferences. The California…GianCarlo Canaparo -
- News
How CDC Handled Congress’ Probe of China-Tied Lab in California
Newly released records offer a glimpse of how federal public health officials reacted when questioned by Congress about an illegal, China-tied biolab in California. That lab contained labeled samples of the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as Ebola, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. The records cover last June, July, and August and include a message…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Former Prosecutor on What Georgia Judge’s Ruling Could Mean for Trump
A judge in Fulton County, Georgia, heard arguments Thursday on pretrial motions in the court case alleging that then-President Donald Trump interfered in the state’s 2020 presidential election results. Arguments on the motions lasted two hours. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee didn’t make a ruling, nor did he say when he would. Former judge and…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
Mississippi Schools Push Radical Ideology, Often in Secret. A Parental Bill of Rights Would Remedy That.
Some school officials in Mississippi seem determined to keep parents out of their child’s education. But state lawmakers have a chance to join about two dozen other states that have prevented that from happening. Mississippi legislators are considering a proposal that would create a parental bill of rights, reinforcing parents’ authority even when a child…Jonathan Butcher