4/28: Officials consider setting oil spill on fire

Wall Street Journal: Officials consider setting oil spill off La. coast on fire

Response efforts continued on offshore drilling as an oil spill off Louisiana's coast spread. The oil slick had grown Tuesday to 100 miles by 45 miles—or about the size of Jamaica. The fast-moving slick was about 20 miles off the Louisiana coast Tuesday morning and the state had activated a response plan, the U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday.

While Coast Guard officials admit a controlled burn of some pockets of the crude sitting on the water's surface isn't an optimal solution, they say it is better than allowing the oil to hit the beaches and marshes that line the Gulf Coast, which will likely happen by this weekend if weather patterns hold.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State is second cheapest for home health care

ARKANSAS: Conservative activist group files lawsuit against health care plan

FLORIDA: State's budget deal avoids tax hikes, major cuts

GEORGIA: State roads considered among the best, says U.S. PIRG study

KENTUCKY: State could rekindle debate on illegal immigration following Arizona law passage

MISSISSIPPI: Storm damage in state 'well north of $50 million'

NORTH CAROLINA: Study says state has 15th worst business tax environment

SOUTH CAROLINA: Wetlands to be restored following 2002 oil spill in Charleston Harbor

TENNESSEE: Construction contracts up considerably in March

VIRGINIA: State's universities begin signing off on nearly 10% tuition increases

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

4/19: Simpler, smaller "one pot" meth labs found in LA

LOUISIANA: Simpler, smaller "one pot" meth labs found in Louisiana

Law enforcement officials say a new "one pot" method of manufacturing methamphetamine is springing up across the U.S. The smaller meth operations are not only reduced in size, these "cooking" facilities also require much less in the way of equipment, chemicals, and source material such as cold medicine.

Louisiana State Police Lt. Doug Cain said, "It can happen just about anywhere. In a hotel room, in an apartment, right in the middle of town, in somebody's car."

Cain said that the new method of cooking meth leaves behind toxic trash in addition to the risk of explosion. "If they're thrown out in the trash in an apartment building, or they're thrown into a neighborhood ditch, that causes problems for citizens in that area," he said.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Needs of some disabled persons not met by state programs

ARKANSAS: Unemployment rate continues to rise in state

FLORIDA: Former Governor Jeb Bush's influence seen in this legislative session

GEORGIA: State begins to sell assets, imperiling city, county governments

KENTUCKY: Both sides blame budget impasse on the other

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour backs VA Gov. McDonnell on 'Confederate History' declaration

NORTH CAROLINA: State AG won't challenge health care reform

SOUTH CAROLINA: WhatWorksSC looks at best ideas for South Carolina's schools

TENNESSEE: TN's coal ash transferred to Alabama site and causes health problems

VIRGINIA: Budget may cut public broadcasting funds

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4/8: New poll released on top states likely to add jobs

Morris News Service: New poll released on top states likely to add jobs

A report issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council puts four of the South's states in the top ten states most likely to grow jobs. Florida ranked 5th, Virginia ranked 8th, Georgia ranked 9th, and Tennessee ranked 10th.

Economist Arthur Laffer compared each state on 15 factors. Georgia fared in the middle of the pack when it comes to worker's compensation costs, property taxes and the top rate for personal income taxes. Its sales-tax burden as a share of personal income ranked in the bottom third.

One note: South Carolina, which currently is ranked 31st, could catapult toward the top of the list if state legislative efforts to eliminate the state income tax pass.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: An epidemic in Alabama

ARKANSAS: Parents get public school option under state law

FLORIDA: Legislature to take up gambling, education bills

GEORGIA: State sees big jump in number of Medicaid and food stamp applications

KENTUCKY: Mining officials in the state examine safety measures

LOUISIANA: University faculty, students question raising tuition

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour approves bill requiring quick records response

NORTH CAROLINA: Pollen rate hits 9,632 grains per cubic meter in Winston-Salem

SOUTH CAROLINA: Some S.C. politicians aim to take lead on knocking out health care reform

TENNESSEE: State drops about 100,000 from Medicaid rolls

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell amends Confederate history proclamation to include slavery

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4/7: GA's public defender system may revert back to county control

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia's public defender system may revert back to county control

In 2003, Gov. Perdue signed the Georgia Indigent Defense Act into law, which created a new statewide network of public defender offices to replace an uneven system of county-run indigent defense programs, many of which were found unable to protect the rights of poor people accused of crimes.

But now, key state lawmakers and the governor are considering proposals that would transfer a large chunk of the state system back to county control.

Norman Fletcher, a former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, called any plan to return part of the system back to county control "a terrible idea."

"It would be taking us back to essentially where we were in 2003," Fletcher said. "I think it would be a disastrous step and ultimately lead to litigation in state or federal court to make sure this system is the constitutional duty of the state, not the counties."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's shellfish waters closed over fears of contamination

ARKANSAS: AG McDaniel rejects health care ballot measure for second time

FLORIDA: Legislators consider allowing corporations to contribute to fund for private schools

KENTUCKY: U.S. Senate race heats up in both parties

LOUISIANA: Wildlife refuge in La. suffers spill of thousands of gallons of crude oil

MISSISSIPPI: Federal permission for state to cut Medicaid payments still pending

NORTH CAROLINA: Fight over state road-building funds leaves no one happy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Congressmen take questions from 400 business leaders on health care

TENNESSEE: Opinion: Should teens be on sex registry?

VIRGINIA: State lost 21,200 construction jobs over the last year

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3/30: TN wins "Race to the Top" education funds

Times-Free Press: Tennessee wins "Race to the Top" federal education funds

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that the fact that every district in the state agreed to participate in "Race to the Top" is a big reason why Tennessee was awarded the $500 million for which officials applied.

Race to the Top is a federal competition designed to reward states for education reform. The $4.35 billion fund, which is part of President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was announced about a year ago.

Georgia ranked third in the competition, but only had 23 of the state's 180 school districts signed on to participate.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey shows AL ranks 47th for 'legal climate'

ARKANSAS: State stays out of health-care fight, remembering 1957 events

FLORIDA: Appliance rebate program funds expected to run out in one day

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Minimalist Ga. governor going out with audacious bang?

KENTUCKY: Bill under consideration would increase income tax by 1%

LOUISIANA: Over 2,500 acres of wetlands restored and protected

MISSISSIPPI: State's meth lab busts for 2010 already surpass all of 2009

NORTH CAROLINA: Jobless rate in NC rises to 11.2%

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senators consider eliminating corporate income tax

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell to launch aggressive campaign to reshape government

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3/29: VA program to help minority business falls short

News & Advance: Virginia program to help minority business falls short

The program aimed at helping small, women and minority firms win state business has been deemed largely ineffective at awarding contracts to minority owners. A big part of the problem -- The definition of 'small business' is so broad that it includes 99% of the businesses in the state.

"When you’re looking at minority business and small business, that’s two different issues on two different fronts,” said Darryl Samuels, executive vice president of the National Association of Minority Contractors. “The minority issue gets diluted.”

“It is a program from hell,” said A. Hugo Bowers, president of the 48-member Black Business Alliance of Virginia, formed to press for public and private sector diversity. “(State agencies) can meet their SWaM goals and never hire a minority.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislators found way to fund education plan

ARKANSAS: Child maltreatment reports in seven-county area are up

FLORIDA: Editorial: Florida's lawmakers aren't facing up to the state's budget crisis

GEORGIA: State House won't force AG to sue over health reform

KENTUCKY: Impact of health care reform on Kentucky explored

LOUISIANA: State legislature convenes 2010 session today

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: State's unemployment benefits need work

NORTH CAROLINA: Protesters rally against jail's policy on deporting immigrants

SOUTH CAROLINA: National health care may mightily expand SC's Medicaid, bills

TENNESSEE: State health officials say H1N1 flu has increased slightly

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3/23: States consider reducing number of schools

Stateline: States consider reducing number of schools

In Mississippi, Gov. Haley Barbour has asked a blue-ribbon commission to come up with a plan for reducing the state’s number of school districts by a third. “If you picture a state with 82 counties and 152 school districts you start to see part of the problem,” says Dan Turner, a spokesman for Barbour. “This is both an educational opportunity and an economic necessity.” The governor’s office claims that the change will save $65 million, but acknowledges that as a “guesstimate.”

In Arkansas, school districts in many small towns include only one school, so district consolidation and school consolidation are often synonymous. Julie Thompson, director of communications for the state Department of Education, says that consolidation has helped provide students in some small towns with academic opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise. But she concedes there are serious problems. “Anecdotally, there have been administrative type savings, but it hasn’t always been easy,” she says. “There have been some very painful transitions that communities have gone through as school buildings have closed down. But it's the only way that they can afford to provide a quality education for their students.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Sen. Shelby says 'health care turned upside down'

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe says state will abide by health care reform

FLORIDA: "Fast train" will make five stops along 84-mile route

GEORGIA: Georgia Hospital Asso. reverses stance to support Gov. Perdue's tax proposal

KENTUCKY: Senate approves spending plan; House calls it a 'budget buster'

LOUISIANA: Report says federal funds for raising Katrina homes have been misused

MISSISSIPPI: Narcotics Task Force busts 21 meth labs in 8 days in Jackson County

NORTH CAROLINA: UNC study says NC could produce 100% of power from off-shore wind turbines

SOUTH CAROLINA: SC Student Loan Corp. to take a big hit with health care passage

TENNESSEE: State lawmakers look at costs of federal health care bill

VIRGINIA: State AG ready to challenge health care law

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3/22: Health care overhaul approved by Congress

New York Times: Health care overhaul approved by Congress

Democrats hailed the votes as a historic advance in social justice, comparable to the establishment of Medicare and Social Security. They said the bill would also put pressure on rising health care costs and rein in federal budget deficits.

“This is the Civil Rights Act of the 21st century,” said Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House.

However, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, called it “a decisive step in the weakening of the United States.” Rep. Virginia Foxx, Republican of North Carolina, said it was “one of the most offensive pieces of social engineering legislation in the history of the United States.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's congressmen vote 'no' on healthcare reform

ARKANSAS: Arkansas is more likely to institutionalize disabled than most states

FLORIDA: State's AG says health care reform violates the Constitution

GEORGIA: State hospitals could suffer severe financial crisis

KENTUCKY: Reading gap between boys and girls is larger in KY than other states

LOUISIANA: Lawmakers consider ban on high-caffeine drinks for kids

MISSISSIPPI: State's next 'cash crop' could be its musical heritage

NORTH CAROLINA: Opinion: NC Senate should ignore flawed House annexation bill

SOUTH CAROLINA: Meeting in the middle on the environment

TENNESSEE: Sen. Alexander says health plan could cripple education in state

VIRGINIA: State to file lawsuit over healthcare reform

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

3/18: Report says most power plants still emitting toxic mercury

McClatchy: Report says most power plants still emitting toxic mercury

The nonpartisan Environmental Integrity Project reported that 10 plants with the highest amount of mercury emitted are in Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Alabama has one of the top five highest mercury emitting plants in the U.S., and Arkansas has two plants, ranked 32nd and 33rd on the list.

Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury pollution, generating more than 40 percent of U.S. emissions. Mercury released into the air settles in rivers and lakes, where it moves through the food chain to the fish that people eat.

Mercury exposure can harm the brain development of infants and children. Each year more than 300,000 babies may have an increased risk of learning disabilities as a result of exposure to mercury before birth, the report said.

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Attorney General rejects proposals on recall, term limits

FLORIDA: Lawmakers seek tax breaks, fee cuts despite budget shortfall

GEORGIA: State's unemployment rate hits record high of 10.5%

KENTUCKY: Senate passes bill to block some drug offenders from buying cold medications

LOUISIANA: State officials make pitch to get federal school funding

MISSISSIPPI: State prison to stop segregating HIV-positive inmates

NORTH CAROLINA: A look at state guidelines on government e-mails

SOUTH CAROLINA: House approves 30-cent tobacco tax increase

TENNESSEE: State senate votes to approve fish, birds in barbershops

VIRGINIA: AG's office confirms state will sue over health care

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

3/5: Seven Southern states make finals for education fund

Wall Street Journal: Seven Southern states picked as finalists for education funds

The Obama administration has chosen 16 finalists for extra federal education funds. Included in the $4.35 billion Race to the Top competition are Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The administration defended the surprisingly large number of finalists, saying that all states whose applications cleared a pre-set score automatically advanced to the next round.

Independent evaluators have given especially high marks to three states on the list—Florida, Tennessee and Louisiana—for their accountability standards and for implementing systems to track student performance. All three have also pushed to expand the growth of charter schools, which are publicly funded but independently run.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislature overrides veto on TVA funds

ARKANSAS: Legislative session formally ends in Arkansas

FLORIDA: All state lawmakers to sign letter of objection to new NASA plan

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue chides legislators over proposed college cuts

KENTUCKY: Jobless rate in state is highest in 26 years

LOUISIANA: Sen. Vitter wants probe into deaths of ten living with toxic Chinese drywall

MISSISSIPPI: Meth's huge toll on state will mean move to prescription pseudoephedrine

NORTH CAROLINA: Editorial: State shows signs of slipping

SOUTH CAROLINA: State has a problem with school dropouts

TENNESSEE: Opinion: Tennessee can't afford to opt out of health-care reform

VIRGINIA: Senate panel kills proposal on gun restrictions

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2/24: Illegal immigrant numbers rise in the Southeast

AP: Illegal immigrant numbers rise in Southeast

A new federal report shows that Georgia had the greatest percentage increase among the 10 states with the biggest illegal immigrant populations during 2000-2009, with more than 480,000 immigrants noted during that period. In 1990, Georgia had just 35,000 illegal immigrants.

North Carolina is also one of the top 10 states for the sheer size of its illegal immigrant population, estimated at about 370,000 in January 2009 as compared to 260,000 in 2000, according to the report by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Immigration Statistics.

As recently as the 1980s, Southeastern states with the exception of Florida had very few immigrants, legal or illegal, Jeff Passel of the Pew Hispanic Center said. A recession in California in the early 1990s, and a ready supply of low-skilled jobs in other regions prompted immigrants to look elsewhere, especially the Southeast, Passel said.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Lawmakers consider ban on public release of 911 calls

ARKANSAS: International students boost state's economy by more than $23 million

FLORIDA: Supreme Court approves Florida's version of Miranda rights warnings

GEORGIA: Statewide campaign -- Exit 2 Text It -- aimed at teen motorists

KENTUCKY: Group rallies against payday lenders

LOUISIANA: State to get $77 million more in stimulus money for health care

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour gives President Obama advice -- 'jobs, jobs, jobs' should be priority

NORTH CAROLINA: State lags behind on disclosing hospital infections

SOUTH CAROLINA: State considers early release of 3,000 prisoners as way to save money

TENNESSEE: New biorefinery to convert wood products into diesel or jet fuel

VIRGINIA: Primary victims of state budget: Education and Medicaid

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12/24: Congressional musical chairs over latest population estimate

Southern Political Report: Latest population estimate signals tense round of Congressional musical chairs

"The last US Census Bureau estimate of population changes before the actual count is taken next year contains some good news and bad news for the South – and a certain amount of suspense.

"With the latest numbers, South Carolina joins Florida and Georgia as Southern states which are expected to gain a new congressional seat in the next round of reapportionment. That’s good news for the Palmetto State, not so good for Florida, which earlier in the decade – before the real estate bust, that is – had been expecting to gain two or three seats in the next decade. Another state with reason to be disappointed in the new data is North Carolina, which in previous population estimates appeared to be on track to gain a seat."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Judge dismisses lawsuit by Alabama legislators over no-bid computer contract

ARKANSAS: State troopers crack down on drunk-driving over holidays

FLORIDA: More leaving Florida than moving to the state

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue, some senators want investigation into health care deal

KENTUCKY: State AG asks Supreme Court to look at sex offender law

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal proposes expedited highway project plan

MISSISSIPPI: Jobless benefits extended in state

NORTH CAROLINA: Unemployment rate in state drops

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's senators applaud attorney general's move against health care bill

TENNESSEE: State's senators react to health care bill passage

VIRGINIA: State cuts $42 million more from transportation budget

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

11/11: The Dixie Diet

Like the Dew: The Dixie Diet

A look at prison spending on inmate food -- Some state prisons spend between $1.13 and $1.75 a day. In Tennessee, U.S. District Judge Todd Campbell heard more than five days of testimony, during which inmates stepped on scales in the courtroom to document their weight, with one inmate losing 100 pounds in the 19 months he was incarcerated.

In Alabama, there's a law that allows sheriffs to decide how much of their budgets will go to feed county inmates; they get to pocket the rest. In Georgia, prisoners don't get lunch on the weekends or on Fridays.

What will it take to change this system?

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gubernatorial candidates Davis, Sparks split on health care bill

ARKANSAS: Poll shows Southerners worried about job loss and the economy

FLORIDA: Decision on energy-conservation goals delayed by PSC

GEORGIA: Number of homeless veterans in Georgia is down

KENTUCKY: State lags behind in protecting date-violence victims

LOUISIANA: State sets 2010 taxable wage base

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour says budget could have 'dramatic' restructuring

NORTH CAROLINA: Goldsboro school sells test points for $20 as fundraiser

SOUTH CAROLINA: Judge rules "I Believe" license plates unconstitutional

TENNESSEE: Green energy projects urged by Gov. Bredesen

VIRGINIA: State spent 74% more money in most recent budget due to inflation, population growth

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

8/24: Southern governors attend climate change symposium

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Climate change symposium attended by Southern governors

Over the next 20 years, global climate change will create intense droughts in the Southwest, floods in the Northeast threatening the coastline and urban areas, and significant storm damage along the Gulf Coast, according to officials.

Climate change could also aggravate poverty, degrade the environment and destabilize fragile government regimes of nations around the world.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard Engel, director of the Climate Change and State Stability program of the National Intelligence Council said that although the U.S. will be "less affected and better equipped than the vast majority of nations to deal with climate change," it will still face challenges.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Recycler sees benefits of Cash for Clunkers program

ARKANSAS: Former Murphy Oil CEO to speak on energy at Clinton Library

FLORIDA: Several legislators say health debates were useful, despite controversy

GEORGIA: Electricity co-ops say they're owed money for diverted water

KENTUCKY: A look at a state legislator's involvement with millions in water funds

LOUISIANA: Sen. Landrieu could be deciding vote in health care debate

MISSISSIPPI: Statewide emergency radio system moves forward

NORTH CAROLINA: State to increase personal income tax

SOUTH CAROLINA: State moving slowly on creating offshore wind farm

TENNESSEE: Legislature to consider delaying start of school

VIRGINIA: Computer budget for state at overrun for past three years

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

8/21: Older Americans' concerns over health care not irrational

8/21: New York Times: Older Americans' concerns over health care not irrational

Bills in Congress, if passed, would "squeeze savings out of Medicare on the assumption that doctors and hospitals can be more efficient." President Obama has also said Medicare and private insurers could improve care and save money by following advice from a new federal panel of medical experts on “what treatments work best.”

Mr. Obama has repeatedly said, “Nobody is talking about cutting Medicare benefits.” At the same time, he wants to eliminate what he describes as “unwarranted subsidies” and giveaways to private Medicare Advantage plans, which use some of the money to provide extra benefits.

Knowing that Medicare itself faces a financial crisis, many older Americans object to Congress’s tapping the program to help pay for coverage of the uninsured.

This debate will likely continue for some time.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley named chairman of Southern Governors' Association

ARKANSAS: Prisoners provide labor for food bank programs

FLORIDA: State leads nation in rate of mortgage problems

GEORGIA: State's only corn ethanol plant faces bankruptcy

KENTUCKY: Jobless rate hits 11% in state

LOUISIANA: State to propose help for hurricane-damaged homes

MISSISSIPPI: Big stimulus grant goes to SmartSynch to help manage energy use at public facilities

NORTH CAROLINA: Labor unions invest in state's Democrats

SOUTH CAROLINA: New deal may end push for planned coal-burning power plant

TENNESSEE: TVA to increase electric rates, borrow billions

VIRGINIA: Creigh Deeds' speech set to brand him as moderate pragmatist

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

8/13: Anger continues at health care town hall meetings

New York Times: Anger continues at health care town hall meetings

Constituents worried about health care changes have peppered their legislators with questions and have emphasized their concern at town hall meetings. In Georgia, Sen. Johnny Isakson said at a meeting in Tifton, “The question is whether the government should make health care an entitlement and a right or should the government establish a level playing field for private providers.”

In South Carolina, U.S. Rep. John Spratt is being urged to hold a town hall meeting, even though he's recuperating from foot surgery. It may be a few weeks before he can host such a meeting, he says. North Carolina's Rep. Heath Shuler plans two tele-town halls, but no in-person town hall meetings this August. Alabama's Rep. John Tanner answered questions at a Rotary Club meeting; today, constituents plan to urge him to hold a town hall meeting.

Expect more meetings during the recess.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House passes bill to extend unemployment compensation for 20 weeks

ARKANSAS: Economic competitiveness of state ranked at 12th best

FLORIDA: Opinion: Matt Towery: Vulnerable Crist may be GOP's test case

GEORGIA: State's colleges to furlough employees for six days

KENTUCKY: Cold medicine restriction may continue due to meth lab prevalence

LOUISIANA: Revised price-gouging protection laws go into effect August 15

MISSISSIPPI: State's higher education challenge -- budgets

NORTH CAROLINA: Older population in state to suffer most from budget cuts

SOUTH CAROLINA: State must deal with $200 million in budget cuts

TENNESSEE: State gets $22 million grant for charter schools

VIRGINIA: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deeds says he'll sign tax increase bill

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Megaregion talks held in Charlotte

Charlotte Observer: Megaregion talks held in Charlotte

The 'megaregion,' described as stretching from Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, Ala. , is drawing a lot of attention from elected officials, executives, planning officials, and academics. Closed-door sessions, hosted by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, were held on Tuesday to consider the fast-growing urban area.

The megaregion's population is expected to grow by almost 70 percent by 2050, according to estimates presented at the Atlanta forum. Its gross regional product is $1.1 trillion, 10 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.

A news conference will be held today to allow the mayors to discuss what issues they've identified from the energy, transportation, and environmental sectors.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Solution to tri-state water wars is....conservation

ARKANSAS: Chinese ambassador to U.S. says Arkansas is key to trade with China

FLORIDA: State approves plan to build nuclear plant in Levy County

GEORGIA: State's leaders call for immigration reform

KENTUCKY: State's tax revenue receipts show economy is still down

LOUISIANA: Survey shows state's residents vulnerable to swinging oil rates

MISSISSIPPI: Black male enrollment lags at state's colleges

NORTH CAROLINA: Congressman Butterfield faces hecklers at health care forum

SOUTH CAROLINA: Drug addiction running high among S.C.'s health-care workers

TENNESSEE: Editorial: A new role for Tennessee
"If America is headed, however haltingly, toward a more environmentally responsible and energy independent path, Tennessee is well positioned to lead the way."

VIRGINIA: Fairfax Co. schools look at new CDC swine flu strategy

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Lawmakers defensive over health care reform

New York Times: Lawmakers on the defensive over health care reform debates

Lawmakers are returning home for their August recess and many are facing angry crowds. In Georgia, Rep. Hank Johnson told his constituents not to be deterred by reports of ''town halls gone wild,'' but the Democrat wasn't taking any chances at his first health care forum as three times the normal security detail was in position to thwart any problems. Conflicting reports from a Clarkston forum -- one said the meeting featured angry voters and booing, while another report on the same forum said the nearly 2,000 attendees stayed calm. And Tom Baxter, of Southern Political Report, says there was a little pot-stirring, but not a big rumble as expected.

In North Carolina, Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., said he will not host any town halls this month because he received a phone call threatening his life. Instead, he said he will hold one-on-one meetings with constituents.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Time ticking on governors in water wars -- all three leave office in 2010

ARKANSAS: Groundbreaking set for wood pellet plant on August 13

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist feeling the pressure over slow movement of stimulus funds

KENTUCKY: State to consider shifting prison funds to other areas

LOUISIANA: Medicaid cuts to cost Central Louisiana $5.3 million

MISSISSIPPI: U.S. Sen. Wicker to talk health care reform with medical students

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue to sign significant death penalty law

SOUTH CAROLINA: Democrats seek probe into Sanford's use of state planes

TENNESSEE: TVA to use dry storage for coal ash

VIRGINIA: Congressmen to hold town hall meetings on health care reform

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