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

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