Sinaloa becomes the fifth state in Mexico to ban bullfighting
The Congress of Sinaloa has unanimously approved an initiative that bans bullfighting in the state, classifying it as animal cruelty.
States & provinces
This archive collects stories where U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and subnational governments around the world are the driving force behind meaningful change. Across 467 articles, you’ll find accounts of state and provincial lawmakers, agencies, and coalitions enacting policies, launching programs, and achieving results that improve people’s lives. From environmental protections to public health wins, these are the places where regional leadership makes a difference.
Mississippi becomes the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the legislation Wednesday and it became law immediately. The first marijuana dispensaries could open within the next few months.
British Columbia doctors can now prescribe a year-long pass to Canada’s national parks
Parks Canada says it’s backing a nature prescription program so doctors and nurses can prescribe a Parks Canada Discovery Pass to patients suffering mental and physical health problems.
South Australia smashes renewable record using 100% solar and wind for full week
Wind turbines supplied 64.4% of power, while rooftop PV panel generation provided 29.5%, and utility-scale solar averaged 6.2%.
Hawaii becomes first U.S. state to ban shark fishing
Hundreds of shark species worldwide are threatened by extinction due to over-fishing. A new bill makes it illegal to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill a shark in Hawaii’s marine waters.
California to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing
87 million dollars have now been secured to create a wildlife crossing across the 101 freeway in Liberty Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains.
California becomes first U.S. state to require insurance to cover the cost of at-home STD tests
In addition to requiring coverage of costs for at-home test kits, the new legislation calls for increasing the number of health care providers that can offer STI tests.
Oklahoma caps monthly insulin co-pay at $30
Over 450,000 Oklahomans suffer from diabetes, while the American Diabetes Association says that over 1 million in the state are on the verge of it.
Nevada becomes first U.S. state to recognize gay marriage in state constitution
Nevada voters overturned an 18-year-old ban on same-sex marriage, making the state the first to enshrine gay couples’ right to marry in its constitution.
District government in Indonesia formally recognizes indigenous clan’s rights to its ancestral lands
The decree is the first of its kind in Sorong, West Papua province. It moves the Gelek Malak Kalawilis Pasa clan closer to having its rights officially recognized by the central government.