2/26: KY gets a 'C' for dental programs

KENTUCKY: State gets a 'C' for dental programs

The Pew Center On The States issued a report on the dental health of children across the nation, and Kentucky got a 'C' for meeting basic benchmarks on dental health.

"One in five U.S. children each year go without dental care, and states vary widely in their use of Medicaid and other programs for pediatric oral health," said researchers at Pew Center on the States. "A 50-state report card shows that just six states earned an A and that 36 states received a C or lower. Much of the problem is in rural areas."

The Pew analysis found four successful strategies states are using: "Preventive strategies such as school sealant programs and water fluoridation; expansion of Medicaid; workforce innovations that can expand the pool of providers; and tracking and analysis of data to measure and drive progress."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: High school graduation rates are rising, but still low

ARKANSAS: Lawmakers recess state's first-ever fiscal session

FLORIDA: Judge rules red-light camera tickets are illegal

GEORGIA: Spouses seek state's two highest offices

LOUISIANA: Some say Senate jobs bill unfairly favors Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: Editorial: Mississippi school funding woes

NORTH CAROLINA: Distressed voters in state concerned about economy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Retirees now picking SC over NC, FL

TENNESSEE: University of Tennessee considers raising tuition rates for in-demand majors

VIRGINIA: State House passes budget that eliminates state arts commission

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1/20: States upset over health care reform

Stateline: States upset over health care reform

State leaders are concerned that the health care overhaul will put more costs on already overburdened state budgets. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said he was “'moderately outraged” at the inconsistent treatment states could receive under the bill, according to the Nashville Business Journal. Bredesen, a former health care executive, estimated the Medicaid expansion could cost his state as much as $1.2 billion over five years at a time when the state is looking at a $1.5-billion budget gap.

Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama said the Nebraska deal “reeks to me of legalized bribery,” according to the Montgomery Advertiser, while attorneys general in more than a dozen states have threatened to sue, arguing the preferential treatment is unconstitutional.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House passes ban on texting while driving

ARKANSAS: Legislators react to discrimination claim on lottery distribution

FLORIDA: New standards for tattoo industry to be taken up by legislators

GEORGIA: State's coastal aquifers could provide more water than currently provided

KENTUCKY: Ten Commandments back on wall of Kentucky courthouse

LOUISIANA: Casino revenue down 15.8% in December

MISSISSIPPI: State House wants governor to tap rainy-day and stimulus fund to balance budget

NORTH CAROLINA: State GOP leaders plan to block parts of health care bill

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators set to approve commercial property tax relief today

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen wants to tie college funding to graduation rates

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell outlines bold economic plan

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10/27: Survey shows where those without health insurance live

New York Times: Survey shows where those without health insurance live

The Census Bureau conducted a survey last year to find out where those without health insurance live. It was the first survey of its kind.

Red state residents (especially low-income Democrats) are less likely to have health insurance, and more likely to have legislators unwilling to provide it. A chart details coverage by state, showing red states -- like Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina -- have low rates of health coverage for all age groups. This chart considers a "red state" one that voted for John McCain for president and with representation by two Republican senators; a "blue state" is one that voted predominantly for Barack Obama with representation by two Democratic senators.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State delays H1N1 vaccines given by school clinics to after Thanksgiving

ARKANSAS: Broadband access across state to be mapped by Connect Arkansas

FLORIDA: State House split over offshore drilling

GEORGIA: Georgia delegation to talk water with Florida, Alabama leaders

KENTUCKY: Opinion: Brad Luttrell: Coal issues need balanced debate

LOUISIANA: This is final week for state's 'tax amnesty' program

MISSISSIPPI: Chevron reports molten sulfur leak into Bayou Casotte

NORTH CAROLINA: Federal investigation of former Gov. Easley begins

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's graduation rate is near bottom in new report

TENNESSEE: Sen. Alexander calls climate change bill a 'job killer'

VIRGINIA: Serious gang crime down, but a rise in middle school offenses has officials concerned

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10/20: States track stimulus funds

Stateline: States track stimulus funds

The first big test of states’ oversight efforts comes this October when they must file the initial quarterly reports with the federal government on how they have spent those funds.

The federal law doesn’t require states to name point people or spell out their duties. But the Obama administration, which has czars for health care, energy, illegal drugs and even for cities, has asked states to name “implementation czars” to keep an eye on their share of the federal stimulus package. Governors are free to tap whomever they want for the post—if anyone at all. Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland and Texas have opted not to name a person.

An interactive map names the czars and websites for each state.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Rep. Artur Davis calls for rewrite of state constitution

ARKANSAS: State lottery repays $2.8 million loan to state

FLORIDA: State's senators talk about high speed rail

GEORGIA: State wants more training for daycare workers

KENTUCKY: Report puts price tag on pollution from coal plants

LOUISIANA: Graduation rates among La. high school students falls most

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: State dilemma: Tax hike or more cuts?

NORTH CAROLINA: State's residents upset over plan to free inmates

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers to reconvene to discuss jobless benefits

TENNESSEE: Sen. Lamar Alexander, former secretary of education, pushes for 3-year college degrees

VIRGINIA: Candidates for Lt. Gov. embroiled in heated debate

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9/3: Speculation abounds over Justice Stevens' one hire

Washington Post: Speculation abounds over Justice Stevens' one hire

U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has hired only one clerk instead of the usual four for the term that begins in October 2010. Speculators believe Stevens, who is 89, may be preparing for retirement. Retired justices are entitled to one clerk.

If he retires, President Obama would have his second opportunity to appoint a justice.

And in the South:

ALABAMA: State's education budget likely won't get cut any more this year

ARKANSAS: Another candidate announces for U.S. Senate seat

FLORIDA: Seminole Tribe to pay state $6.8 billion over 20 years for gambling rights

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue talks water at state tourism conference

KENTUCKY: State considers grasses, grains, wood products as potential fuel

LOUISIANA: Looking at Gov. Jindal's Sunday helicopter travel to churches

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour to announce major budget decisions today

NORTH CAROLINA: Schools fear 'dangerous' label

SOUTH CAROLINA: 22 counties in Upstate are back in drought conditions

TENNESSEE: Interim chief of University of Tennessee notes poor graduation rates

VIRGINIA: DNC to spend $5 million on Virginia's governor's race

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