Author: Ellen Morrissey
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School mask requirement ban suspended in Arizona, enacted in Tennessee
As schools have begun reopening for the 2021-2022 academic year, several states have enacted policies regarding mask requirements in schools. As of Aug. 17, seven states banned school mask requirements, thirty states left school mask decisions up to local authorities, and thirteen states required masks in schools. Recent actions were taken in Arizona, Tennessee, and…
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Redistricting round-up: U.S. Census Bureau releases 2020 data necessary to begin the redistricting process (and other news)
Today’s redistricting round-up includes news from: The U.S. Census Bureau was scheduled to release 2020 census data necessary for redistricting on Aug. 12 Michigan, where an announcement about a potential legal counsel hire has drawn criticism New Jersey, where a congressional redistricting tiebreaker was chosen and the Secretary of State announced a date for the…
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Thirteen states require masks in schools for the upcoming school year
As students across the country begin returning to school for the 2021-2022 academic year, 13 states require masks in public schools while seven ban them. As of Aug. 10, eleven states require masks for all K-12 students and staff: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. Nevada requires masks…
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Louisiana reinstates indoor face covering requirement
On Aug. 2, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed an executive order reinstating the indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Louisiana was the only state to reintroduce a statewide indoor mask policy between July 30 and August 5. Gov. Edwards said the order would be in place until Sept. 1, and could…
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Indoor mask requirement reinstated in Nevada, several cities and D.C.
On July 27, the CDC updated its guidance to recommend that fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks indoors in locations with substantial or high coronavirus transmission. According to the CDC, 69.3% of counties in the United States were experiencing what CDC defines as high or substantial levels of transmission as of July 29. Since…
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Seven states retain statewide mask requirements
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed an executive order ending the statewide mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on July 6. In accordance with CDC guidelines, vaccinated and unvaccinated people still have to wear masks on public transportation and at public transportation hubs (like bus stations and airports). Rhode Island was the only…
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Pennsylvania, Oregon end statewide face-covering requirements
Two states ended statewide public mask requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated people between June 25 and July 1. Pennsylvania Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam lifted the statewide mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on June 28. In accordance with CDC guidelines, vaccinated and unvaccinated people still have to wear masks on public transportation and…
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National Republican Congressional Committee overtakes Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in fundraising, according to June FEC filings
Six party committees have raised a combined $337 million over the first five months of the 2022 election cycle. In May, the committees raised $65 million, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission. Here’s a closer look at May’s fundraising numbers: The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) raised $14.1 million and spent $6.1…
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State, local governments in conflict over police budget reduction preemption laws
Various state and local governments have come into conflict over laws preempting municipalities from reducing their police department budgets. Preemption occurs when a law at a higher level of government is used to overrule authority at a lower level. In this case, several states have implemented legislation either prohibiting local governments from reducing their police…
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Incumbent Mark Herring wins Democratic attorney general primary in Virginia
Incumbent Mark Herring (D) defeated Jerrauld “Jay” Jones (D) in the Democratic primary for attorney general on June 8, 2021. Herring received 56.5% of the vote to Jones’ 43.5%. Herring has served as Virginia’s attorney general since 2014. He was endorsed by U.S. Reps. Gerry Connolly (D) and Don Beyer (D), and The Washington Post.…