10/12: Some states not spending school stimulus funds correctly

NPR: Inspector General says states are not spending school stimulus funds as intended

The Department of Education's Inspector General is taking issue with how states are using school stimulus funds -- instead of boosting funding for schools and colleges and protecting key programs and jobs, some states are using the money to replace what was cut from their education budget.

According to Jon Shure of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 25 states have cut funding for K-12 education, and 34 have cut higher-education funding. Shure says that the stimulus has covered no more than 30 percent of states' budget shortfalls.

"States are facing such a severe crisis that a lot of the federal money is just helping states stay even and avoid further budget cuts," Shure says.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Some churches begin pushing for recycling, environmental stewardship

ARKANSAS: Historic preservation boosts state's economy

FLORIDA: Senate Majority Leader denies conflict of interest with lobbyist wife on offshore drilling

GEORGIA: Recession hard on homeless shelters, services for the poor

KENTUCKY: State Sen. Joey Pendleton says time is right to legalize industrial hemp

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal straddling health care politics

MISSISSIPPI: Group wants stronger animal cruelty laws in state

NORTH CAROLINA: Legislators to revamp tax system

SOUTH CAROLINA: New study shows growing domestic violence problem in state

TENNESSEE: Two legislative oversight committees are back on task

VIRGINIA: Debate between gubernatorial candidates is tonight

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