Indiana, Arkansas Try To Stem Backlash From ‘Religious Objections’ Bill

Despite some conservative groups saying the Indiana changes wrongly weakened religious liberty protections for business owners, legislative leaders maintained that a week of national turmoil needed to be addressed.

Associated Press
By Associated Press
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence listens to a question during a news conference, Tuesday, March 31, 2015, in Indianapolis. Pence said that he wants legislation on his desk by the end of the week to clarify that the state's new religious-freedom law does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence listens to a question during a news conference, Tuesday, March 31, 2015, in Indianapolis. Pence said that he wants legislation on his desk by the end of the week to clarify that the state's new religious-freedom law does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians. INDIANAPOLIS  — Two states roiled by criticism

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Arkansas Lawmakers Vote To Keep Holiday Celebrating Confederate General — On Martin Luther King Day

Robert E. Lee, led an army that killed thousands of people in defense of slavery is being honored by lawmakers in Arkansas.

Ian Millhiser for Think Progress
By Ian Millhiser for Think Progress
Robert_E_Lee_1838

Lee at age 31 in 1838, as a Lieutenant of Engineers in the U. S. Army The state of Arkansas has a state holiday honoring Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general who was one of the most important military leaders of a splinter nation founded on the principle that people should be allowed to own other human beings. On Wednesday, a state

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Sunken Great Lakes Oil Pipeline Raises Spill Fears

A growing chorus of activists and members of Congress is demanding closer scrutiny as stepped-up production in North Dakota’s Bakken region and Canada’s Alberta tar sands boosts the amount of oil coursing through pipelines crossing the nation’s heartland.

Associated Press
By Associated Press
Straits of Mackinac

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A freshwater channel that separates Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas is a premier Midwestern tourist attraction and a photographer's delight, offering spectacular vistas of two Great Lakes, several islands and one of the world's longest suspension bridges. But nowadays the Straits of Mackinac is drawing attention

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Vocal Minority Blocks Low-Income Health Insurance Option In Ark.

For a third time, a “private option” health care bill has failed to make it through the Arkansas House.

Frederick Reese
By Frederick Reese
egislators gather in the House chamber for the opening of the 2014 Fiscal session at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark

In Arkansas, a small but vocal coalition in the state House blocked, for the third time, a bill that would continue funding of the state’s “private option” Medicaid expansion. The rejection of the funding authorization endangers the health care coverage of approximately 87,000 of Arkansas’ poorest residents. Funding bills in Arkansas requires a

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ND Pipeline Spill Leaks 20,000 Barrels Of Oil, Destroying Wheat Crops

Seven acres of farmland reportedly have been destroyed by a massive pipeline oil leak that went unreported for days.

Mint Press News Desk
By Mint Press News Desk

A North Dakota pipeline spill has allowed more than 20,000 barrels -- or 800,000 gallons -- of crude oil to enter one of the state’s wheat fields, representing a worst-case scenario for farmers attempting to operate in pipeline-heavy areas. The spill is measured as the one of the largest in the nation, covering more than 7 acres, according to the

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A Breakdown Of 2014’s Most Crucial Elections: State Governors

The next battle over state gubernatorial offices promises to impact partisan politics on a national level.

Frederick Reese
By Frederick Reese

On Thursday, Texas Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) confirmed weeks of speculation when -- on the stage where she received her high school diploma, Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum -- she announced her intention to become the 48th governor of Texas. “This is a campaign not just for governor but for the very future of our state,” the 50-year-old said.

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