Stories From The States

AI in therapy and food benefits. States grapple with new tech

This year, nearly every state has introduced some form of AI regulation legislation. That’s according to a database [https://www.ncsl.org/financial-services/artificial-intelligence-legislation-database] from the National Conference of State Legislatures, a nonpartisan public officials’ association. Over in Michigan, the state is starting to use AI to process SNAP applications, and it’s sparking some concerns. And in Pennsylvania, counseling experts are pushing for AI legislation in healthcare. This comes after some people have died by suicide after seeking out AI chatbots for assistance with their mental health.  In Episode 29, you’ll hear from Michigan Advance [https://michiganadvance.com/] reporter Kyle Davidson [https://michiganadvance.com/author/kdavidson/]. He’s monitoring how state officials are using the AI to read food assistance applications and where lawmakers are trying to regulate AI elsewhere.  Then, you’ll hear from Curtis Taylor [https://www.empowermenterie.org/], the executive director of Authentic Wellness & Empowerment [https://www.empowermenterie.org/] based in Eerie, Pennsylvania. He has been a vocal proponent of regulating AI chatbots in counseling and healthcare. Finally, Evening Wrap [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/evening-wrap] newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer [https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/]. Click here [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/ai-therapy-and-food-benefits-states-grapple-new-tech] for the full transcript. Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * These tech regulation laws passed the Colorado Legislature this year [https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/05/18/tech-regulation-laws-colorado/] (Colorado Newsline) * NC senators consider new restrictions on artificial intelligence in insurance and medical billing [https://ncnewsline.com/2026/05/20/nc-senators-consider-new-restrictions-on-artificial-intelligence-in-insurance-and-medical-billing/] (NC Newsline) * Michigan’s use of AI to process SNAP applications draws concerns about past automation failures [https://michiganadvance.com/2026/03/26/michigans-health-and-human-services-department-deploys-ai-to-process-snap-applications/] (Michigan Advance) * AI therapy chatbots draw new oversight as suicides raise alarm [https://stateline.org/2026/01/15/ai-therapy-chatbots-draw-new-oversight-as-suicides-raise-alarm/] (Stateline) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com [podcast@statesnewsroom.com] Photo:  A young woman asks AI companion ChatGPT for help in January 2026 in New York City. States are pushing to prevent the use of artificially intelligent chatbots in mental health to try to protect vulnerable users. (Photo by Shalina Chatlani/Stateline)

Whiplash over remote access to abortion medication nationwide

It’s still uncertain if an abortion medication can be prescribed over telehealth. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used to terminate a pregnancy before 10 weeks and to treat miscarriages, but could require an in-person visit before it’s dispensed, depending on a U.S. Supreme Court decision.  In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a rule that allowed mifepristone to be dispensed through telehealth appointments. However, the state of Louisiana says the policy undermines their state law banning abortion and sued the FDA. On May 1, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals took Louisiana's side and blocked remote access to abortion medication nationwide. However, that was paused when the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay on May 4. Now, the Supreme Court ruled telehealth abortion can resume while Louisiana's lawsuit continues. [https://stateline.org/2026/05/14/us-supreme-court-rules-telehealth-abortion-can-resume-while-lawsuit-continues/] In Episode 28, you’ll hear from Professor Jessica Waters [https://www.american.edu/spa/faculty/waters.cfm] to understand how the abortion policies from just one state are upending access nationally. Waters is the director of the American University School of Public Affairs Leadership Program. Her research focuses on reproductive rights law and policy.  States like Florida, Oklahoma and Texas already have laws that specifically ban providers from mailing abortion pills to patients.  Iowa is on its way to join that list, after state legislators sent a bill to the governor’s desk. You’ll hear from Iowa Capital Dispatch [https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/] reporter, Robin Opsahl [https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/], who has been covering the debate.  Finally, Daybreak [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/daybreak] newsletter author Madyson Fitzgerald shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer [https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/]. Click here [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/whiplash-over-remote-access-abortion-medication-nationwide] for the full transcript. Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * US Supreme Court rules telehealth abortion can resume while lawsuit continues [https://stateline.org/2026/05/14/us-supreme-court-rules-telehealth-abortion-can-resume-while-lawsuit-continues/] (Stateline) * Iowa House votes to restrict abortion medication, requiring in-person prescriptions [https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/05/01/iowa-house-passes-ban-on-abortion-medication-requiring-in-person-prescriptions/] (Iowa Capital Dispatch) * KY AG weighs in on abortion medication, asks SCOTUS to block telehealth prescriptions [https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/05/08/ky-ag-weighs-in-on-abortion-medication-asks-scotus-to-block-telehealth-prescriptions/] (Kentucky Lantern) * Rhetoric versus reality: Facts about the abortion pill [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rhetoric-versus-reality-facts-about-abortion-pill] (States Newsroom) Photo: A hearing in the Louisiana v. Food and Drug Administration case on telehealth access to abortion medication took place at the John M. Shaw U.S. Courthouse in Lafayette, La., in late February. (Photo by Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

With the Voting Rights Act gutted, what’s next for elections?

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais altered Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.  The decision could upend American politics and hold sweeping consequences for how states and local governments draw district lines at all levels of government, from Congress to school boards [https://stateline.org/2026/05/04/supreme-court-voting-rights-ruling-set-to-reshape-local-power-from-statehouses-to-school-boards/]. What does that mean for this year’s midterms, as well as future elections? In Episode 27, you’ll hear from Jonathan Shorman [https://statesnewsroom.com/team/?department=DC], democracy reporter for States Newsroom’s D.C. Bureau. From lawmakers scrambling now to redraw congressional maps to the pause of Louisiana’s U.S. House primaries, Shorman has been watching how the states are reacting to the decision.  Then, Professor Rick Hase [https://law.ucla.edu/faculty/faculty-profiles/richard-l-hasen]n unpacks how this could re-shape future elections, and what would need to happen to prevent even more drastic changes. Hasen is an expert on election law and teaches at UCLA School of Law. Finally, Evening Wrap [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/evening-wrap] newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer [https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/]. Click here [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/voting-rights-act-gutted-whats-next-elections] for the full transcript:  Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * Tennessee Republicans pass US House map carving up Memphis days after SCOTUS guts Voting Rights Act [https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/05/07/tenn-passes-new-potential-9-0-gop-u-s-house-map-eight-days-after-scotus-guts-voting-rights-act/] (Tennessee Lookout) * Supreme Court voting rights ruling set to reshape local power from statehouses to school boards [https://stateline.org/2026/05/04/supreme-court-voting-rights-ruling-set-to-reshape-local-power-from-statehouses-to-school-boards/] (Stateline) * Alabama lawmakers advance primary bills as protests erupt in committees [https://alabamareflector.com/2026/05/07/alabama-lawmakers-advance-primary-bills-as-protests-erupt-in-committees/] (Alabama Reflector) * ‘Killing our vote’: GOP states rush to break up Black districts after US Supreme Court case [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/killing-our-vote-gop-states-rush-break-black-districts-after-us-supreme-court-case?emci=4296262c-b049-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&emdi=f359b45a-0c4a-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&ceid=655747] (States Newsroom D.C. Bureau) * Redistricting return, leadership questions loom after Indiana Senate primary shakeup [https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/05/07/redistricting-return-leadership-questions-loom-after-indiana-senate-primary-shakeup/](Indiana Capital Chronicle) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com [podcasts@statesnewsroom.com] Photo: A crowd fills the Senate State and Local Government Committee meeting on May 6, 2026, to protest against legislative maps that split Memphis from one into three districts. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Uncertainty at U.S. Forest Service and on America's public lands

The U.S. Forest Service is reorganizing. The federal agency will move their headquarters from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City, closing over 50 research stations in 31 states, and will restructure management to rely on states more.  All these changes are coming while state GOP leaders and the Trump administration are pushing for the sale or transfer of federal public lands. Montana voters of all backgrounds are loudly against this idea. In Episode 26, you’ll hear from Stateline [http://stateline.org] reporter Alex Brown [https://stateline.org/author/abrown/], who has been covering all of the shifts within the Forest Service.  Then, you’ll hear from Mountain Ecosystems professor Rick Graetz [https://directory.apps.umt.edu/index.php/details/b8128df52916acd8266936dbb6c609f9], who led the University of Montana’s 2026 Voter Survey on Public Lands. He’ll break down how value misalignment between officials and voters on the issue of public lands could shift an election.  Finally, Evening Wrap [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/evening-wrap] newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer [https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/]. Click here [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/uncertainty-us-forest-service-and-americas-public-lands] for the full transcript. Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * Forest Service shake-up will boost states’ role — but even supporters have concerns [https://stateline.org/2026/04/14/forest-service-shake-up-will-boost-states-role-but-even-supporters-have-concerns/?emci=0b2e4808-f537-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&emdi=ad2c5727-0838-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&ceid=655747] (Stateline) * Republicans target public lands protections in a new way [https://stateline.org/2026/03/09/republicans-target-public-lands-protections-in-a-new-way/] (Stateline) * Survey: Montanans increasingly concerned over public land access, sales [https://dailymontanan.com/2026/04/22/survey-montanans-increasingly-concerned-over-public-land-access-sales/] (Daily Montanan)  * A year post-DOGE, Wyoming forest workers still feel uncertainty and chaos [https://wyofile.com/a-year-post-doge-wyoming-forest-workers-still-feel-uncertainty-and-chaos/] (WyoFile) * U.S. Forest restructuring could threaten Wisconsin-based research, advocates say [https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/24/u-s-forest-restructuring-could-threaten-wisconsin-based-research-advocates-say/] (Wisconsin Examiner) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com [podcasts@statesnewsroom.com] Photo: Clouds hang over Lake Cushman, as seen from the mountains of the Olympic National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans to close 57 research stations in 31 states. (Photo by Alex Brown/Stateline)

Plumbing fixtures

In Louisiana, the starting pay of a plumber is pretty decent. But that’s only after an aspiring worker spends thousands of dollars for on-the-job training to get a plumber’s license.  One state lawmaker in Louisiana wants to fast-track this process and reorganize the state’s plumbing board. However, some tradespeople don’t think it’s a good idea. In Episode 25, we’re handing the reins to our States Newsroom colleagues at the Louisiana Illuminator [https://lailluminator.com/].  On their podcast, “The Light Switch [https://lailluminator.com/podcasts/],” Editor Greg LaRose [https://lailluminator.com/author/glarose/] and reporter Wes Muller [https://lailluminator.com/author/wesley-muller/] break down how state legislators are trying to fill a skilled worker shortage in Louisiana.  Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer [https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/].  Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * Louisiana looks to scrap its plumbing board to speed up licensing [https://lailluminator.com/2026/04/10/louisiana-looks-to-scrap-plumbing-board-to-speed-up-licensing/] (Louisiana Illuminator)  * Plumbers peeved over proposal to fast-track licensing in Louisiana [https://lailluminator.com/2026/03/26/plumbers-louisiana/] (Louisiana Illuminator)  Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com [podcasts@statesnewsroom.com] Photo: Louisiana lawmakers advanced a proposal on April 9, 2026, that would overhaul the state’s methods of licensing plumbers. (Photo by Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)