Stateline

06/08/2026

The most recent budgets proposed by governors across the country reflect ongoing financial pressures for states.

The most recent budgets proposed by governors across the country reflect ongoing financial pressures for states as they expect modest revenue growth, rising prices and federal policy changes. Most governors recommended state budgets for fiscal year 2027 that would essentially keep spending flat from...

06/08/2026

High-potency cannabis products are fueling a growing debate in statehouses nationwide. Some research links frequent use to higher risks of cannabis use disorder and psychosis.

States have spent the past several decades debating whether to legalize cannabis. Now, they are debating how intoxicating legal products should be. A growing body of research suggests that frequent use of high-THC cannabis increases the risk of cannabis use disorder, psychosis and other mental healt...

06/05/2026

For some domestic violence survivors, abortion medication can be a lifeline. But an ongoing lawsuit is challenging telehealth access to mifepristone.

Researchers, advocates and survivors of domestic abuse say it’s vital to keep telehealth access available for people in abusive relationships who need discreet abortion options — while the Louisiana suit argues in part that mifepristone could itself be weaponized against pregnant women.

06/05/2026

New clinical guidance released this week affirms that acetaminophen should be the “first-line” defense against pain and fever during pregnancy.

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine published new clinical guidance this week affirming that acetaminophen, better known by its brand Tylenol, should be the “first-line” defense against pain and fever during pregnancy.

06/05/2026

Housing costs are pushing more families to team up — sharing homes, savings and down payments just to buy in today’s market. Read the latest from Stateline reporter Tim Henderson:

Home prices increased this year, though not as much as inflation, so affordability has risen in all regions compared with last year, according to the National Association of Realtors. It’s still a hard purchase for first-time buyers.

06/03/2026

The increasing costs of fuel for cars and airplanes are adding extra strain to abortion funds that help people pay to travel for care in other states, leaders of several funds said this week.

The increasing costs of fuel for cars and airplanes is adding extra strain to abortion funds that help people pay to travel for care in other states, leaders of several funds said this week.

06/03/2026

New federal guidance released this week outlines how states must implement Medicaid work requirements by 2027. A recent analysis projects that 3-7 million people may lose coverage.

The federal government released new guidance this week on how states should roll out the Medicaid work requirements that will affect healthcare coverage for millions of Americans. The new interim rule, issued by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is intended to give states more de...

06/03/2026

Congress is looking to roll back state animal welfare laws as it wrangles over reauthorization of the federal farm bill.

Congress is looking to roll back state animal welfare laws as it wrangles over reauthorization of the federal farm bill. The farm bill, which Congress generally reworks every five years, includes money and federal rules for food assistance programs, farm subsidies, and other ag-related programs. A p...

06/02/2026

The racial wealth gap is widening as many workers of color go without retirement savings.

The racial wealth gap is widening as many workers of color go without retirement savings. The median wealth gap between Black and Hispanic families and white families expanded by about $50,000 between 2019 and 2022, according to research from The Pew Charitable Trusts. The typical white family had $...

06/02/2026

There were fewer homeless people in the United States on a single night in January 2025 than in January 2024, but homelessness increased in 28 states, according to the latest federal count.

https://stateline.org/2026/06/01/year-over-year-homelessness-declines/