• 24 Nov 2009 08:47

  Tuesday, November 24, 2009

  NJ: N.J. approves police use of stun guns By Edward Colimore, The Philadelphia Inquirer The New Jersey attorney general yesterday approved the use of electronic stun guns by police officers under limited circumstances involving emotionally disturbed people. WY: Supercomputer will transform Wyo economy, UW trustee says By Phil Noble, Cowboy State Free Press University of Wyoming Trustee Dr. Taylor Haynes says the construction of the world's largest computer west of Cheyenne and its resulting effects on UW and the rest of the state "will be the first true diversification of Wyoming's economy." CA: What are the largest sources of global warming emissions in California? The list is out By Paul Rogers, The Mercury News (San Jose) The state Air Resources Board last week finished tallying and made public the list of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the state, and two East Bay refineries sit atop the list. FL: Fla. Ag candidate says 'No, Baby, No' to drilling By The Associated Press, Tallahassee Democrat A Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner has a response to Republican calls to "Drill, Baby, Drill." Scott Maddox says "No, Baby, No." FL: Tri-Rail fund shortfall could be ended soon By Marc Caputo, The Miami Herald A special lawmaking session on high-speed and commuter rail inched closer Monday as legislative leaders and the governor said they are ready to tap surplus money in the transportation budget rather than raise taxes on rental cars to help pay for the transit projects. IN: Indiana launches 'TrafficWise' traveler Web site By WSBT-TV Report, South Bend Tribune In time for holiday travel, the Indiana Department of Transportation has launched its expanded 'TrafficWise' traveler Web site giving updated information on all state roads, U. S. highways and interstates around Indiana. LA: Insurance chief backs homeowners By Sarah Chacko, The Advocate (Baton Rouge) State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said Monday his office will go after insurance companies that cancel homeowner policies because of tainted drywall. ME: Can wind power lift Maine's economy? By Kevin Miller, Bangor Daily News BANGOR, Maine -- New England's largest wind power producer broke ground Monday on the second phase of a project near Danforth that local officials hope is another step toward making rural Washington County an energy hub. MN: Library is pressed to take gang force report off Web By Randy Furst, Minneapolis Star Tribune MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Leaders of the Metro Gang Strike Force and police union attorneys pressured the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, the state attorney general and a commission that oversees the library to remove the 2008 Metro Gang Strike Force report from its website. MN: Walz, Paulsen push for change in Minn. nuclear law By The Associated Press, St. Paul Pioneer Press Two members of Minnesota's congressional delegation want state lawmakers to do away with a law preventing construction of new nuclear power plants. NE: Flu fight uses extreme tactics By Rick Ruggles, Omaha World-Herald Medical personnel in Nebraska, Iowa and elsewhere are using at least two somewhat radical therapies to try to beat life-threatening cases of H1N1 flu. NE: Ethanol advocates mark 25 years at Nebraska's first plant By Art Hovey, Lincoln Journal Star HASTINGS, Neb. -- A quarter century ago, when the state had one functioning ethanol plant, the man now widely acknowledged as "the godfather of ethanol" in Nebraska made a bold prediction. NE: Pro-life movement regrouping after stem cell defeat By Melissa Lee, Lincoln Journal Star One of the state's leading pro-life advocates said Monday she has shifted to regrouping mode following a defeat on embryonic stem cell research at the hands of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. NH: New law requires fingerprints of child-care workers By Shira Schoenberg, Concord Monitor Child-care workers will soon need to be fingerprinted for criminal background checks under a new state law that takes effect Jan. 4. NY: 7-year-olds must use car booster seats By Jon Campbell, Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester) Seven-year-olds, take note -- As of today, you will have to be strapped into a booster seat when riding in a car, just like your younger friends and siblings. TX: Staff changes at CPS expected By Anton Caputo and Tracy Idell Hamilton, The San Antonio Express-News CPS Energy's board of trustees is expected to announce significant personnel changes today on the heels of an investigation into why high cost estimates for the utility's proposed nuclear project were kept from the board. VA: Residents rally against coal-fired energy plant at meeting By Linda McNatt, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- More than 50 people spoke Monday night ahead of a vote next month that could pave the way for a tiny town to house a coal-fired power plant - and the vast majority were against the project. VA: Officials tell nonprofit to reveal voter history data source By Bill Bartel, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) RICHMOND, Va. -- The Know Campaign, a nonprofit group that planned a mass mailing to 350,000 Virginia households highlighting the voting records of residents and their neighbors, has until Dec. 3 to identify the source of the voter data or the matter will be turned over to the State Police, the State Board of Elections said Monday. VT: Barre officials upset at comments on train plan By The Associated Press, Burlington Free Press Some officials in the town and city of Barre are upset that Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper discussed publicly a plan to increase the number of trains running through the Capital City. VT: FAHC wary of mammogram advice By Dan McLean, Burlington Free Press Recommendations from a federal task force to scale-back mammograms has caused consternation at Vermont's largest hospital, which has rejected the call to begin routine breast cancer screening a decade later than current practice.

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 23 Nov 2009 15:54

  CA: After spending billions, state remains hampered by outmoded, unreliable computer systems By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times California may be known as the cradle of computer innovation, but several state agencies can't get their computers to perform essential functions despite hundreds of millions of dollars in cost overruns for repair and upgrade work. US: Tracking sex-crime offenders gets trickier By Jerry Markon, The Washington Post The nationwide crackdown on child pornography and other sex offenses has created severe manpower shortages and technology challenges for probation officers, police and federal agents struggling to track offenders who are jumping online with cellphones and portable game systems and flocking to social networking and other sites, where children or pornography can easily be found. AL: Riley, officials disagree over slot definition By Sebastian Kitchen, Montgomery Advertiser Gov. Bob Riley has claimed another victory in his fight against gambling in Alabama, but several officials disagree with Riley over whether shutting down electronic bingo at private facilities such as the one in White Hall would create a monopoly for Indian operations. AL: Discussion of gambling laws by Alabama governor and DAs cancelled By Kent Faulk, The Birmingham News A news conference planned for Monday with Gov. Bob Riley and district attorneys from around the state to discuss enforcement of the state's gambling laws has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. DE: Delaware's chemical complex crumbling By Jeff Montgomery, The News Journal (New Castle-Wilmington) In 1957, the venerable Oil & Gas Journal trade magazine heralded the opening of the Delaware City Refinery with gushing 32-page coverage that it admitted was "studded with superlatives ...'biggest,' 'first,' 'huge.' " DE: Gov. Jack Markell orders team of scientists, engineers to oversee shutdown of Valero's Delaware City Refinery By Staff Reports, The News Journal (New Castle-Wilmington) Gov. Jack Markell has ordered a state team of scientists and engineers to oversee the shutdown of the Valero refinery near Delaware City, Delaware's top environmental official said today. FL: Some leery of revenue promised by oil By Jim Ash, Tallahassee Democrat To lawmakers staring down the barrel of a $2.6 billion budget deficit next year, the prediction of $2.3 billion a year in direct revenue from oil and gas drilling in Florida waters may sound like a dream come true. FL: Fates of SunRail, South Florida's Tri-Rail run on parallel tracks By Dan Tracy, The Orlando Sentinel MIAMI -- Even though Tri-Rail's ridership is near record levels, it still needs $40 million to $50 million annually to cover operating costs. FL: Politicians jumping into social media, seeing new outlet to voters By Shannon Colavecchio, The Miami Herald For Florida candidates, social-networking tools are keys to campaign outreach. IN: Is biomass the fuel of the future? By Erika D. Smith and Tom Spalding, The Indianapolis Star Advocates say that burning plant materials to generate power is green and can save big bucks. LA: Tax credit promotes efficient energy systems in Baton Rouge By Chad Calder, The Advocate (Baton Rouge) Solar Pointe, a townhouse complex just completed on Coursey Boulevard that uses solar power and captured rainwater to be "virtually self-sufficient," may be fairly unusual in Baton Rouge today. But alternative-energy advocates are hoping generous state tax credits that went into effect last year and a forward-thinking policy change a decade ago will help make it much more common. LA: State contracts database now searchable online By Jan Moller, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) More than 18,000 current state contracts are now available for public inspection through a new online database unveiled today by Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration. MD: Maryland Public Service Commission approves 50-megawatt wind farm in Garrett County By Timothy B. Wheeler, The Sun (Baltimore) BALTIMORE, Md. -- An Annapolis company's bid to build perhaps the first commercial wind farm in Maryland won approval Thursday, though state regulators stressed that they were barred by law from reviewing safety and environmental concerns raised by neighboring residents. MT: State vehicle audit reveals inconsistencies By John Harrington, Billings Gazette A recent legislative audit of the state's vehicle fleet noted that "the state does not have a comprehensive and accurate vehicle inventory" and "lacks a system for collecting essential information." MT: Montana plans system to track state vehicles By The Associated Press, Billings Gazette HELENA — State officials say they will implement a $65,000 software system to track state vehicles after a recent audit failed to determine how many vehicles the state owns.   Read More NC: Ready for carbon footprint contests? By Jim Morrill, The Charlotte Observer Want to share an electric mower with your neighbor? Plant more shade trees? Install a drinking fountain or bench at the corner bus stop to make public transit a little more appealing?   Read More ND: Making waves in new technology By Patrick Springer, The Forum (Fargo) The Bismarck-based firm claims to have "game-changing" technology that makes it economically feasible to cover sparsely populated areas of 12 states in the Midwest and West.   Read More NH: NH unveils new Web site to report labor violations By The Associated Press, Concord Monitor The New Hampshire Labor Department has a new Web site for the public to report possible labor violations.   Read More NV: 10,000 Nevadans daily to get pro-Harry Reid robo-call By Lisa Mascaro, Las Vegas Sun WASHINGTON -- The progressive group that ran TV ads critical of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's leadership as it pushed him to include the public option in the health care bill now says it has the leader's back as he potentially comes under pressure to change the bill as the health debate begins in the Senate.??   Read More NY: State saves $3.1M in energy program By The Associated Press, Times Union (Albany) Turning off lights, turning down the heat and buying with an eye toward energy efficiency is saving New York more than $3.1 million so far this fiscal year.   Read More SC: Drivers may have to pay for quickest ride on SC interstate By Tim Smith, The Greenville News When traffic backs up on interstates around Greenville, it's more than just a headache for Jimmy Heatherly   Read More US: High-tech devices help drivers put down phone By Sam Grobart, The New York Times Dede Haskins's cellphone has been her constant companion for more than a decade. And she has always considered herself a careful driver — even using a hands-free set so she could keep both hands on the wheel.   Read More VA: Lack of backup foils Va.'s new IT system By Peter Bacque, Richmond Times-Dispatch In just five weeks this fall, the Virginia DMV suffered 12 computer system outages, putting individual offices out of business for a total of more than 100 hours. One outage lasted 29 hours, another 17.   Read More WA: WSU seeks funds for system update By McClatchy News Service, The Spokesman-Review (Spokane) PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State University will seek $15 million from the Legislature for an overhaul of its student information systems despite the state's $2?billion-plus budget deficit.   Read More

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 22 Nov 2009 22:36

  Monday, November 23, 2009

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 22 Nov 2009 05:18

  Sunday, November 22, 2009

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 21 Nov 2009 10:08

  Saturday, November 21, 2009

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 20 Nov 2009 16:28

  AL: Judge named to hear suit over state computer contract By Bob Lowry, The Huntsville Times Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb on Thursday appointed a Jefferson County judge to hear a lawsuit filed by a legislative committee trying to block a $13 million no-bid computer contract. CO: U.S. attorney nominee Villafuerte denies any role in accessing restricted database By Karen Crummy, The Denver Post President Barack Obama's nominee to be Colorado's next U.S. attorney has denied any involvement in the access of a restricted federal database to help Bill Ritter's 2006 campaign for governor. DE: Delaware asked to invest in wind company By Aaron Nathans, The News Journal (New Castle-Wilmington) A startup company whose management includes former Lt. Gov. John Carney is seeking a state investment of $350,000 to establish an operation in Wilmington to manufacture support towers for wind turbines. IA: Iowa City stem cell company gets state grant By Staff and Wire Reports, The Des Moines Register Cellular Engineering Technologies of Iowa City received $50,000 from the state Thursday to develop a more efficient technology platform to make adult stem cells for use in medical research, drug development and clinical therapy. KY: Kentucky PSC recommends ways to prevent power outages By Patrick Howington, The Courier-Journal (Louisville) The Kentucky Public Service Commission offered a broad — and expensive — set of recommendations Thursday to limit power outages and ease recovery when the lights go out. ND: WiFi access available at 14 N.D. rest areas By Staff Reports, The Forum (Fargo) rivers in North Dakota now have access to wireless Internet at 14 visitors centers and rest areas along interstates 94 and 29 and other major roadways. NE: As pressure mounts, McClurg mum on stem cell vote By Melissa Lee, Lincoln Journal Star The man who holds the pivotal vote in today's embryonic stem cell research showdown is prepared to make a difficult decision. PA: State taking heat for 'chaotic' flu shots By Steve Twedt, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette In the last several weeks, as the H1N1 flu has swept through the nation and health officials scrambled to find scarce vaccine, questions have been raised about how Pennsylvania chose to handle the process of distributing the limited doses available. PA: Some don't report how stimulus funds spent Stung by criticism over data showing billions in federal stimulus money going to nonexistent congressional districts in Pennsylvania and other states, the government corrected its Web site created to track the money. RI: In Providence, a crescent of green business sprouts When Alteris Renewables decided to add another office in either Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts, it considered Fall River, New Bedford and Bristol. TX: Settlement delay costs HISD $82 million By Ericka Mellon, The Houston Chronicle Houston ISD schools have gone without at least $82 million for technology upgrades while the district is under federal investigation for questionable deals with computer equipment vendors. WI: Suit over search-engine keywords tries new angle By Dinesh Ramde, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) A lawsuit in Wisconsin is bringing a fresh challenge to the practice of paying for keywords on Google and other search engines to boost one company's link over a rival's. WV: W.Va. lawmakers mull ruling on e-mail secrecy By The Associated Press A state Supreme Court justice says West Virginia's Freedom of Information laws are too narrow to fully serve the public's right to know, and some lawmakers are willing to look at changing the code. WY: Don't blame wind, officials say By Dustin Bleizeffer, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne) Power producers have installed more than 500 megawatts of wind energy generation in Wyoming in the past year. Read the full 2008 Legislative Review or state-by-state summariesRead the full 2007 Legislative Review or state-by-state summariesRead the full 2006 Legislative Review

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 19 Nov 2009 22:45

  Friday, November 20, 2009

  CA: California imposes rule for efficiency on some TVs By Clifford Krauss, The New York Times Recognizing that giant new flat-panel televisions have become major power guzzlers, California on Wednesday became the first state to impose energy efficiency standards on them. FL: Tolls go electronic on 47-mile stretch of Florida Turnpike By Staff Reports, St. Petersburg Times MIAMI — Drivers on a 47-mile stretch of Florida's Turnpike won't have to stop or slow down to pay tolls starting in 2011. AK: State's gas pipeline chief quits, legislators say under pressure By Sean Cockerham, Anchorage Daily News Gov. Sean Parnell's in-state natural gas pipeline chief, Harry Noah, resigned Wednesday and said he needs to leave the state for a family farming business. AK: Alaska officials defend gas line efforts By The Associated Press, The Juneau Empire FAIRBANKS, Alaska – State officials say efforts to spur construction of a large natural gas pipeline are on schedule despite skepticism from some lawmakers. CO: Colorado stimulus-reporting errors explained By Burt Hubbard, The Denver Post Colorado has received millions in stimulus funding for projects in the 8th, 24th, 45th and 64th congressional districts, according to a federal website tracking the money. CO: Many Colorado water waivers revoked after taint By David Olinger, The Denver Post Colorado has revoked waivers from as many as 72 public drinking-water systems and is now requiring chlorine treatment of most public supplies as part of the response to a salmonella-poisoning epidemic that ravaged Alamosa last year. CO: Protesters want Colorado to "stop clowning around" on clean air By Bruce Finley, The Denver Post Colorado air-quality regulators will face orchestrated pressure at a hearing tonight on whether to renew a pollution permit for Denver's biggest coal-fired power plant — just as new studies show nitrogen- oxide emissions are turning once-clear mountain lakes cloudy. DE: Doctors reject new screening guidelines By Angie Basiouny, The News Journal (New Castle-Wilmington) Some Delaware doctors are rejecting new recommendations from a federal panel advising women to wait until age 50 to get routine mammograms and abandon breast self-exams because they do no good. FL: Crist, Bowden promote Child ID Kits for students By Iricka Berlinger, Tallahassee Democrat Ethan Fisher, the son of Florida State Seminoles offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, was the first child to receive one of the Child ID Kits that will be distributed to students across the state. GA: Another murder suspect cuts ankle bracelet, disappears By Larry Hartstein, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution In the latest example of problems with court-ordered ankle monitors, a DeKalb County murder suspect cut her ankle bracelet Tuesday and disappeared. ID: Idaho Power's cloud seeding efforts keep water flowing over dams - and may be saving you money By Rocky Barker, The Idaho Statesman (Boise) Cloud seeding once was seen similar to well divining, medicine shows and miracle healers. ID: Idaho Power's cloud seeding efforts keep water flowing over dams - and may be saving you money By Rocky Barker, The Idaho Statesman (Boise) Cloud seeding once was seen similar to well divining, medicine shows and miracle healers. IL: Unemployment benefits halted when debit cards fail By David Roeder, Chicago Sun-Times State officials said the problem stemmed from a hardware malfunction at a subcontractor, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., which processes electronic payments for banks. MA: Deval Patrick relies on keen in-site By Jessica Heslam, Boston Herald From Twitter and Flickr to YouTube and the blogosphere, tech-savvy Gov. Deval Patrick is burning up cyberspace with a cutting-edge use of new media - boldly going where few politicians have gone before in taking his message straight to voters. ME: Energy panel eyes corridor lease rules By Kevin Miller, Bangor Daily News Members of a task force struggled Wednesday to come up with rules governing potentially lucrative energy corridors in Maine amid concerns about Canadian companies' plans to feed energy-hungry markets to the south. MN: Minnesotans log on, open their hearts and give, give, give By Mary Divine, St. Paul Pioneer Press For their first foray into e-philanthropy, Minnesotans Twittered, Facebooked and e-mailed like mad. MN: Did stimulus money go to 'phantom' districts in Minnesota? By Bob Von Sternberg, Minneapolis Star Tribune MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Recovery.gov reported that $6.4 billion was sent to 700 districts, including 11 in Minnesota, that don't exist. NE: Emergency managers put to test By Bob Glissmann, Omaha World-Herald The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) sponsored the state's annual terrorism-response exercise, called TERREX '09, on Wednesday. It was held at both the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Joint Information Center (JIC) in Lincoln. NH: Follow the money -- NH dollars detailed By Beth Lamontagne Hall, The Union Leader (Manchester) Granite Staters looking to find the local programs and projects that are funded by the federal stimulus package can also check the New Hampshire's Office of Economic Stimulus Web site.   Read More NH: 'Phantom' data adds to GOP stimulus doubts By Beth Lamontagne Hall, The Union Leader (Manchester) Concerned citizens who tried to track their tax dollars on the White House's Recovery Act Web site would have been confused to learn that New Hampshire had not two, but six congressional districts.   Read More NM: Sites tracking other states' stimulus funds also show phantom districts By Kate Nash, Santa Fe New Mexican New Mexico isn't alone when it comes to phantom congressional districts where a government Web site says federal stimulus money has been spent.   Read More NV: Board approves data system for stimulus office By Staff Reports, Nevada Appeal (Carson City) The Board of Examiners agreed Tuesday to seek $116,179 to develop and staff a stimulus data collecting and reporting system.   Read More NV: Recovery.gov -- Errors on Web site fund list By Benjamin Spillman, Las Vegas Review-Journal A federal government Web site tracking spending and job creation via the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act listed more than $1 billion coming to Nevada, including more than $7.7 million for the state's 32nd, 22nd, 9th and 25th congressional districts.   Read More PA: Federal stimulus funds reported in nonexistent Pennsylvania districts By Tom Fontaine, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Transparency apparently comes with strings attached.   Read More RI: National Grid objects to proposed cost of wind power By Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal Despite pressure from the governor and other state officials, National Grid has again rejected a proposal to buy clean power from a developer proposing to build a $200-million wind farm off Block Island.   Read More TN: TN releases funds for biofuels project By Chas Sisk, The Tennessean (Nashville) A panel of state lawmakers approved plans to amend a $70 million research effort to produce ethanol in East Tennessee, blaming a lack of communication for a hearing two weeks ago in which some members suggested pulling the plug on the project.   Read More TX: Hutchison uses robo-call to explain decision By Jason Embry, The Austin American-Statesman U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is using automated calls to explain to voters why she decided not to resign her Senate post until after her March primary challenge to Gov. Rick Perry.   Read More US: Some courts raise bar on reading employee email By Dionne Searcey, The Wall Street Journal Big Brother is watching. That is the message corporations routinely send their employees about using email.   Read More VA: Computer helps prioritize region's transportation needs By Debbie Messina, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- If a computer were to rank local highway priorities, it would make its top picks widening many sections of Interstate 64, rebuilding Interstate 264 interchanges in Virginia Beach and widening Holland Road in Suffolk.   Read More VT: Forum to host Vermont governor candidates By Staff Reports, Burlington Free Press All five Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls will share the stage for the first time in the campaign from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today as the Vermont League of Conservation Voters hosts a sold-out forum on environmental issues at Main Street Landing in Burlington.   Read More WY: Legislator wants better access to coroners' investigative records By Bill McCarthy, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne) Death investigations are less accessible to the public as technology and investigative techniques improve, a state senator told a group of county coroners Tuesday.   Read More

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 19 Nov 2009 01:49

  Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 18 Nov 2009 08:24

  Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  MI: Granholm plans to merge more departments By The Associated Press, Detroit Free Press Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants to consolidate more state government departments. Granholm announced plans today to merge the Department of Management and Budget with the Department of Information Technology. NY: New York is set for strict stand on D.W.I. cases By Jeremy W. Peters, The New York Times New York State would make it a felony to drive while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle and would require first-time convicted drunken drivers to buy a device that prevents them from driving their cars if they have been drinking, under a bill passed by the State Assembly on Tuesday. AK: Obama considers former Palin aide for pipeline job By Pat Forgey, The Juneau Empire A former aide to Gov. Sarah Palin is being considered for a position in the Obama administration, likely as the federal pipeline coordinator position vacated Monday by former Alaska legislator Drue Pearce. AZ: Biden -- Stimulus has saved thousands of Arizona jobs, will boost IT and high tech By Evan Wyloge, Cronkite News Service, Arizona Capitol Times (Phoenix) Federal stimulus money has saved more than 12,000 jobs in Arizona and laid the groundwork for a economic recovery built on information services and technology, Vice President Joe Biden said Nov. 16. DE: Plugging in to sun's power By Jeff Montgomery, The News Journal (New Castle-Wilmington) In a new sign of solar energy's burgeoning clout, a study has concluded that Newark and the University of Delaware could affordably tap rooftop sunlight for more than three-quarters of daytime power needs using readily available equipment and financing. FL: Crist calls for ban on texting while driving By Josh Hafenbrack, The Sun-Sentinel (South Florida) Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday endorsed a statewide ban on texting while driving, joining a growing chorus trying to curb the risky practice popular among generations glued to their BlackBerrys and iPhones. GA: Loans to fund water, sewer projects in Georgia By The Associated Press, The Macon Telegraph Water and sewer infrastructure projects in seven Georgia communities will receive help from $5.7 million in loans. Five of the seven projects were funded all, or in part, with federal stimulus dollars for a total of $3 million. IA: Days numbered for court reporters? By Jennifer Jacobs, The Des Moines Register State lawmakers are entering the fray over a controversial proposal to replace Iowa court reporters with digital recording systems. KS: Kansas launches energy efficiency program for home owners and small businesses By The Associated Press, The Lawrence Journal-World Kansas launched a new energy efficiency program Tuesday to make low-interest loans available to several thousand home owners and small businesses for upgrading insulation, installing new furnaces and sealing air-leaking doors and windows. ME: Offshore wind farm developers visit Brewer By Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News BREWER, Maine — When planning to build a large-scale floating wind farm in the Gulf of Maine, it's good to draw on experience. ME: Islanders flock to unveiling of wind turbines By Abigail Curtis, Bangor Daily News VINALHAVEN, Maine — Dignitaries, schoolchildren and more than 400 islanders crowded Tuesday morning around the base of a massive wind turbine to officially dedicate the Fox Islands Wind Project. ME: Many providers not prepared for MaineCare shift By Meg Haskell, Bangor Daily News Health care providers are dragging their heels about signing up with the state's new MaineCare computer-based billing and information system. NE: Personal info jeopardized after Workers' Comp Court computer hacked By Catharine Huddle, Lincoln Journal Star The Nebraska State Patrol and FBI are trying to figure out who hacked into a Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court computer server -- and whether the hacker took personal information. NJ: An easier way to track campaign contributions By Trish G. Graber and John Reitmeyer, The Star-Ledger (Newark) Anyone with a computer and internet service now can easily track how their local and county politicians get campaign money, including any companies they hire to perform taxpayer-funded government work. SC: Lawmakers' agenda for 2010 -- Speed limits, cell phones, snakes By Gina Smith, The State (Columbia) If House lawmakers have their way in 2010, South Carolinians will be able to zoom 80 miles per hour instead of 70 along S.C. interstates. But they will be prohibited from text messaging, talking on cell phones or allowing children under 7 to sit in the front seat.   Read More VA: Federal stimulus funds allocated to phantom congressional districts By Bill Bartel, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Anyone checking the federal government Web site that tracks stimulus money will find that Virginia's 12th Congressional District got more than $2 million. One tiny problem: Virginia only has 11 districts.   Read More WA: Mapping state's role in global health By Kristi Heim, The Seattle Times Seattle's global health experts are busy in laboratories and in the field working on problems such as HIV/AIDS and malaria. So busy, in fact, that they don't always know about work being done down the street.   Read More WI: Doyle signs agreement between Wis. and Israel By Staff Reports, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) Doyle said Tuesday the agreement creates a framework for Wisconsin's and Israel's scientists, engineers and researchers to work together in many fields, especially water technology, advanced agriculture and biotechnology.   Read More

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

• 17 Nov 2009 16:09

  US: U.S. teens report 'frightening' levels of texting while driving By Ashley Halsey III, The Washington Post A graphic British public service video that portrays a fatal accident caused by a texting teenage driver has been the talk of Facebook and other places where young Americans congregate, but a study suggests that it hasn't done much to change their habits. AL: Alabama Supreme Court decision to influence Jefferson County bingo case, judge says By Erin Stock, The Birmingham News A Friday decision from the Alabama Supreme Court was the first topic of discussion today in a Jefferson County courtroom, where a judge was set to hear arguments about the definition of bingo. AL: Alabama Agriculture Department testing propane fueled vehicles By The Associated Press, The Birmingham News The state Agriculture Department has converted 11 vehicles to propane and will conduct a three-year study to compare them to other department vehicles that use gasoline. AR: Entergy offers outage info by text message By Staff Reports, Arkansas News Bureau Entergy Arkansas today announced the availability of a new service to let customers send and receive text messages about power outages. CO: School reform proposals kick off 'Race to the Top' in Colorado By Katie Redding, Colorado Independent A corps of turnaround experts who would travel from failing school to failing school, a computerized, multimedia test to replace the Colorado Student Assessment Program, and a "360 degree" evaluation for teachers mirroring business-world performance evaluations were just some of the ideas Race to the Top school reform workgroups presented Friday to Gov. Bill Ritter, Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien and Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones. MA: Hub pols want to curb your enthusiasm for gas-guzzlers By Laurel J. Sweet, Boston Herald A proposal by two city-dwelling senators to create "preferred" public parking statewide for eco-friendly vehicles could fuel the indignation of gas-guzzler lovers if the plan is green-lighted. MN: Sprint may be on hook for refunds in state By Suzanne Ziegler, Minneapolis Star Tribune MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Under settlement, consumers who say they were misled and ended up paying early termination fees can seek restitution from Sprint Nextel. MN: Northstar rail debut features solid ridership, only one glitch By Nancy Ngo, St. Paul Pioneer Press It was mostly smooth railing on opening day of the Northstar Commuter Rail line on Monday. MT: Tax software firm -- Most work will happen here By Jennifer McKee, Billings Gazette A company that drew headlines recently for proposing to do some Montana tax-funded computer programming with foreign workers overseas intends to complete more than three-quarters of the work in Montana. MT: Former manager on POINTS doesn't endorse off-shoring By Jennifer McKee, Billings Gazette A manager for one of Montana's most disastrous off-shored computer programs has some advice for decision-makers considering another state information technology contract that includes shipping work to foreign employees overseas: Don't do it. NJ: Residents turn out for forum on light rail line By Tom Davis, The Record of Bergen County TENAFLY, N.J. — Local residents filled a school auditorium Monday night to both protest and praise a plan to bring rail service to western Bergen County. SC: State Museum seeks $2.5 million for expansion By Adam Beam, The State (Columbia) The State Museum wants three Midlands governments to agree to give it $2.5 million over the next five years so it can begin building a planetarium, observatory and 4-D theater. WV: W.Va. provides financing for firm's protein tech By The Associated Press, Charleston Daily Mail A Morgantown-based company is getting help from the state to develop technology that will help researchers identify disease-specific proteins. WV: PSC official opposes Verizon deal By George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail The state Public Service Commission's Consumer Advocate Division has come out in opposition to Frontier Communications Corp.'s proposed purchase of Verizon's wire line business in West Virginia and 13 other states.

  Permalink  |  View Entire Page

Search the Site

Custom Search