California bans private prisons
The legislation is being hailed as a major victory for criminal justice reform because it removes the profit motive from incarceration.
States & provinces
This archive collects milestones and progress stories involving U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and subnational governments around the world. From landmark legislation to public health wins and environmental gains, these stories highlight the real-world impact of regional policy and governance.
Maine to be first in the United States to use ranked choice voting in presidential elections
“My experience with ranked-choice voting is that it gives voters a greater voice and it encourages civility among campaigns and candidates at a time when such civility is sorely needed,” said Gov. Mills.
California governor signs law to limit police shootings
California is changing the standards for when police can use lethal force under a law signed Monday that seeks to reduce officer-involved shootings.
California to open world’s largest highway overpass for wildlife
Hoping to fend off the extinction of mountain lions and other species, transportation officials and conservationists will build a wildlife crossing over a major Southern California highway.
Illinois passes law requiring LGBT history curriculum be taught in schools
The law requires all schools in the state include “the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State” in official textbooks.
Texas is generating more electricity from wind than coal for the first time ever
Data released this month by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas shows wind created 22 percent of the electricity used in the first half of the year, edging out coal by 1%.
New York becomes first state to ban declawing cats
“Cat declawing is a brutal procedure similar to severing a human finger at the first knuckle and has lifelong ramifications for cats.”
New York climate plan sets 30-year goal for 100% renewable energy
A new law signed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sets the nation’s most aggressive targets for reducing carbon emissions.
California condor births mark soaring comeback after numbers dwindled to 22
Biologists estimate that the 1,000th and 1,001st chicks hatched in May this year, and they confirmed their existence this week.
California becomes first state in the U.S. to ban racial discrimination against natural hair
The CROWN Act updates the state’s anti-discrimination law so that “race” includes “traits historically associated with race,” such as afros and braids.