3/15: Stroke belt study points to greater risks for black men

The Tennessean: Stroke belt study points to greater risks for black men

The stroke belt -- Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina -- is highlighted in a new study, "Reasons for Geographic and Racial Difference in Stroke." The study shows that certain groups, including blacks, are at greater risks for health problems such as abnormal heart rhythms or high blood pressure.

For people in the stroke belt, there's a greater risk for a stroke, up to 50 percent greater if they're lifelong residents. And black men are 60 percent less likely to know they are at risk of stroke and 75 percent less likely to be treated for the risks.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Budget becomes priority as legislative session winds down

ARKANSAS: Eleven candidates and incumbent vie for U.S. Senate seat

FLORIDA: Bill would tie teachers' wages to student performance instead of tenure

GEORGIA: State schools superintendent wants to raise lottery ticket price to benefit schools

KENTUCKY: Costs of state's weak public education system are increasing

LOUISIANA: Opinion: Smart tactic: Tax tobacco

MISSISSIPPI: Animal cruelty bill fails in House

NORTH CAROLINA: Textiles find new niche in state's economy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Budget for next year may be 'bloodbath'

TENNESSEE: 120,000 in state have Alzheimer's disease, says Alzheimer's Association

VIRGINIA: A look at Gov. McDonnell's first legislative session

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

1/28: Pres. Obama announces high-speed rail projects

New York Times: President Obama announces high-speed rail projects

Today, President Obama visited Florida to announce an investment of $8 billion for high-speed rail projects, the first of several initiatives to boost job growth across the country.

“One in 10 Americans is out of jobs,” Mr. Obama said. “That’s why creating jobs has to be our No. 1 priority in 2010.”

Mr. Obama and Vice President Biden were in Florida to announce the projects and the high-speed rail could run from Tampa to Orlando.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Senate panel approves Alabama constitutional convention

ARKANSAS: Crop loss in 2009 estimated at $397 million

GEORGIA: Legislators offer to take six more furlough days

KENTUCKY: State's stimulus Web site, Kentucky at Work, ranked No. 2 nationally

LOUISIANA: State Board of Regents to cut 28 programs to save money

MISSISSIPPI: House approves restoration of $100 million of budget cuts

NORTH CAROLINA: $545 million allocated for high-speed rail in NC

SOUTH CAROLINA: Photo ID vote could affect 178,000 South Carolinians

TENNESSEE: Senate rejects Gov. Bredesen's veto on menu labeling

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell gives GOP response to State of the Union address

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org