STEVENS POINT, Wis. - Immunity is a "get out of jail free" card, says Stevens Point trial attorney Russ Golla, who believes the state legislature has given out far too many, nearly 40, to businesses and industries in recent years. He says immunity means even if wrongdoers were clearly careless an ...Read More

BISMARCK, N.D. - The U.S. rate for unintended pregnancies is at its lowest level in decades, according to new research. Looking at numbers from 2008 to 2011, researchers at the Guttmacher Institute have said the rate of unplanned pregnancies dropped to a 30-year low. Fewer unintended pregnancies le ...Read More

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Several Midwestern states, including Illinois, are getting millions of dollars to help protect fishing, hunting and wildlife areas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is setting aside $21 million for conservation efforts in Illinois. Over the past two years, the Service's Wildli ...Read More

SALEM, Ore. - As the clock ticked down on Oregon's legislative session this year, lawmakers worked to pass several bills addressing the housing affordability crisis. Senate Bill 1533, currently waiting approval from Gov. Kate Brown, would lift a ban on inclusionary zoning, which allows cities to fo ...Read More

BOSTON - When the latest Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority rate hike takes effect in July, local public-transit advocates predict plenty of fallout, including more pollution and traffic jams. Transportation for Massachusetts does not oppose all fare increases, but the group's partnership d ...Read More

RALEIGH, N.C. - The full plate of voting-law changes are in effect for the upcoming March 15 primary in North Carolina. Among the changes is a requirement that voters have government-issued photo identification to cast ballots. Another law bans same-day voter registration and the counting of ballot ...Read More

LANSING, Mich. - Presidential leadership has been key in Great Lakes restoration, and a diverse group says that commitment needs to continue. Some business and environmental groups in the region are coming together and asking the presidential candidates to pledge to restore and protect Lake Michiga ...Read More

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Controversy is growing around the so-called Bathroom Bill, which Tennessee lawmakers are considering. The measure, House Bill 2414 and Senate Bill 2387, would require that students use restrooms and facilities based on the sex listed on the student's birth certificate. It's spons ...Read More