1/8: New smog limits could be challenging for NC, US

News & Observer: New smog limits could be challenging for NC, US

Much of North Carolina would flunk the federal pollution standards in a nationwide proposal Thursday to require tougher limits on smog. The federal Environmental Protection Agency's new limits are the strictest so far.

The new standards will put hundreds of counties across the nation out of compliance and force local officials to find creative new ways to squeeze more pollution reductions from transportation, heavy industry and residents.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Opinion: How Alabama can meet justice needs

ARKANSAS: Schools in state scramble for federal money

FLORIDA: South Florida schools face mid-year budget crisis

GEORGIA: Homeowners in state could lose $13 billion in property values in next two years

KENTUCKY: New mining procedures to cut down on dumping of coal waste

LOUISIANA: Much of New Orleans area to be out of compliance with new EPA ozone standards

MISSISSIPPI: State denies Allstate's bid to raise insurance rates by 65%

SOUTH CAROLINA: State legislature says cigarette tax is likely this year

TENNESSEE: Legislative agenda's top issues: budget cuts, education

VIRGINIA: State tightens rules on car-title lending

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

11/20: CDC survey points out Southern counties most obese

AP: CDC survey points out Southern counties most obese

The first county-by-county survey of obesity reflects past studies that show the rate of obesity is highest in the Southeast and Appalachia, with two Alabama counties -- Greene and Dallas -- having adult obesity rates that are among the highest in the nation.

New research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 80% of counties in the Appalachian region (Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia) show high rates of obesity and diabetes. The same high rates of obesity and diabetes were found in about 75% of counties in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina.

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Power costs likely to go down in state now that multi-state agreement can be broken

FLORIDA: New cigarette tax increases state budget, despite drop in sales

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Clock ticks on Georgia in water wars dispute

KENTUCKY: Jobless rate in state is now at 11.2%

LOUISIANA: Protesters say Hispanic residents are getting citizenship questions from police

MISSISSIPPI: University leaders worry about impact of merger talk

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue says group of violent inmates won't be released from prison

SOUTH CAROLINA: Foreclosures up slightly in South Carolina

TENNESSEE: Lawsuit over guns-in-bars statute to be heard today

VIRGINIA: State faces $3.5 billion hole in next two-year budget cycle

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