Stateline

To keep their artists, cities explore affordable housing

By Teresa Wiltz, Stateline

Fearful of losing arts and entertainment, some cities are trying to provide artists and musicians with affordable places to live and work.

States reconsider suspending licenses of drivers with drug convictions

By Rebecca Beitsch, Stateline

“We want to make sure people who have done their time don’t suffer doubly,” said Brian Ferguson, director of the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Republican states look to tweak Medicaid expansion under Obamacare, not eliminate it

By Christine Vestal, Stateline

As candidates two years ago, the Republican governors of Kentucky and Arkansas swore they would do away with “Obamacare” if elected. But a funny thing happened between the campaign trail and the governor’s mansion: Reality set in.

What crimes make immigrants eligible for deportation?

By Teresa Wiltz, Stateline

While the federal government says it targets noncitizens who are serious or repeat offenders, immigrants with minor offenses often are deported.

Licensing medical marijuana stirs up trouble for states

By Rebecca Beitsch, Stateline

States have struggled with how to give out potentially lucrative medical marijuana licenses.

Controversy over ‘sanctuary’ campuses is misleading, legal analysts say

By Sophie Quinton, Stateline

Although the sanctuary campus movement is based on small policy tweaks, the term “sanctuary” is politically controversial.

Infrastructure strategy touted by Trump has produced uneven results

By Scott Rodd, Stateline

Public-private partnerships, however, have been responsible for only a small number of infrastructure projects in the last three decades.

How some states make effective birth control more available

By Michael Ollove, Stateline

Changes in billing procedures, maternal health care advocates say, give women on Medicaid better access to the most effective and most expensive forms of contraception.

To boost downtowns, some cities loosen rules on public drinking

By Tim Henderson, Stateline

Beginning in the 1950s, many cities banned open containers of alcohol in public. Now several cities are bringing it back — in a controlled fashion.

New voter ID rules, other election changes could cause confusion

By Rebecca Beitsch, Stateline

New voter ID requirements, early voting schedules and voter registration rules in more than a dozen states are creating uncertainty that could dampen turnout.