SC lawmakers to consider $53M in vetoed local projects

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina General Assembly is returning to Columbia on Tuesday to consider nearly $53 million in local projects that Gov. Henry McMaster wants out of the $13.8 billion state budget. All the money went toward items put in by lawmakers for local...

Is abortion illegal in the U.S. now? Depends where you live

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, although the timing of those laws taking effect varies. Some Republican-led...

DeSantis signs bills on smoking bans, stolen sexual images

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 35 bills on Friday, including a law allowing local governments to ban smoking on beaches and in parks and vetoed five, including legislation that would have made it easier for businesses to sue local governments over ordinances. ...

Sununu vetoes bill to dispense ivermectin by standing order

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican Gov. Chris Sununu on Friday vetoed a bill that would have permitted pharmacists to dispense a parasite drug to treat COVID-19 by means of a standing order without a prescription. Some Americans have been turning to ivermectin to treat the virus, a...

Bulgarian lawmakers vote to unblock N Macedonia's EU bid

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria’s parliament voted Friday to lift a veto that has long blocked European Union membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, raising fresh hopes that the bloc can now press on with its expansion plans in the Western Balkans amid Russia’s war in...

Lawmakers in Bulgaria have voted to lift the country's veto of North Macedonia's bid to join the European Union

New Hampshire state surplus eyed as electric rates increase

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire residents facing drastic increases in their electric bills could get some relief via several proposals outlined Wednesday by Gov. Chris Sununu. The Office of the Consumer Advocate has said utility bills are likely to rise by about 50% based on...

Louisiana Gov. Edwards vetoes 17 recently passed bills

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Monday vetoed 17 recently passed bills, including legislation that would toughen criminal sentences and ban government entities from denying building entry based on a person’s COVID-19 vaccine status. In total, the Democrat...

Today in History: June 20, Victoria takes the throne

Today in History Today is Monday, June 20, the 171st day of 2022. There are 194 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 20, 1837, Queen Victoria acceded to the British throne following the death of her uncle, King William IV. ...

EXPLAINER: Title IX update faces polarized challenges

At least 19 states now either bar or limit participation in sports by transgender athletes, who are at the center of a polarizing, politicized debate, even though only a fraction of them are believed to be among America's 8.5 million high school and college athletes. Transgender...