A System of Harm: investigating New Hampshire’s disability care program

A System of Harm: investigating New Hampshire’s disability care program

For months, The New Hampshire Bulletin [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/] investigated case after case of abuse and neglect in the state’s intellectual and developmental disability care system, which relies on private agencies to provide care to individuals.  What they found exposed systemic failures in oversight and harm prevention, publicly reporting families’ stories of loss and trauma for the first time.  In Episode 33, you’ll hear from reporter William Skipworth [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/author/wskipworth/] from The New Hampshire Bulletin [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/].  Skipworth won the prestigious 2026 Livingston Award for local reporting [https://statesnewsroom.com/press-releases/new-hampshire-bulletins-william-skipworth-wins-livingston-award-for-local-reporting/] for the three-part series, A System of Harm [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/tag/system-of-harm/]. Previously, as a reporter in Missouri, he wrote about abuse [https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/24/developmentally-disabled-missourians-suffer-abuse-death-in-states-dysfunctional-system/] of Missourians with developmental disabilities within the state’s care system. Finally, Daybreak [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/daybreak] newsletter author Madyson Fitzgerald [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/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/]. Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * A series of tragedies exposes patterns of abuse and neglect in New Hampshire’s disability system [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/11/10/a-series-of-tragedies-exposes-patterns-of-abuse-and-neglect-in-new-hampshires-disability-system/] (New Hampshire Bulletin) * More Iowa care homes cited for violations related to disabled residents’ money [https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/03/17/more-iowa-care-homes-cited-for-misusing-disabled-residents-money/] (Iowa Capital Dispatch) * Developmentally disabled Missourians suffer abuse, death in state’s dysfunctional system [https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/24/developmentally-disabled-missourians-suffer-abuse-death-in-states-dysfunctional-system/] (Missouri Independent)  Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com [podcast@statesnewsroom.com] Photo: Community Bridges, based in Concord, is one of 10 nonprofit area agencies in New Hampshire serving people with disabilities. The agencies “operate within the guidelines and regulations established by the Department of Health and Human Services.” (Photo by Allegra Boverman/For the New Hampshire Bulletin)

‘Better, not bitter:’ Why a redistricted lawmaker keeps fighting

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana versus Callais [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-ruling-hammered-voting-rights-what-does-it-mean-and-what-happens-now] decision gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, more than a dozen states moved to redraw their congressional district maps. Ten succeeded in quickly pushing through new lines. Louisiana’s state legislature passed a new map that redrew the majority-Black district seat currently held by Democratic Representative Cleo Fields [https://fields.house.gov/about] of Baton Rouge. His voters were at the center of the Callais decision.  Even though his district was redrawn in an effort to bolster Republican ranks in Congress, Fields remains optimistic.  In Episode 32, Fields discusses why the fight for voting rights isn’t over.  Over in South Carolina, the White House pressured the Republican-led state legislature to pass a new GOP-friendly map. If passed, it would have dismantled the district held by the lone Democratic representative of the state. Jessica Holdman [https://scdailygazette.com/author/jessica-holdman/], senior reporter from the South Carolina Daily Gazette [https://scdailygazette.com/], will explain what ended up happening. 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/better-not-bitter-why-redistricted-lawmaker-keeps-fighting] for the full transcript. Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * Litigation looms as Louisiana Legislature approves new congressional map [https://lailluminator.com/2026/05/29/litigation-looms-as-louisiana-legislature-approves-new-congressional-map/] (Louisiana Illuminator)  * Effort to redraw SC voting lines fails amid record start to early voting [https://scdailygazette.com/2026/05/26/effort-to-redraw-sc-voting-lines-ends-amid-record-start-to-early-voting/] (South Carolina Daily Gazette) * Why AG Nick Brown wants the Supreme Court involved in WA’s redistricting fight [https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/08/why-ag-nick-brown-wants-the-supreme-court-involved-in-was-redistricting-fight/] (Washington State Standard) * Voter Voices: Granddaughter of slain civil rights activist vows to fight redistricting efforts [https://mississippitoday.org/2026/06/10/voter-voices-redistricting-mississippi/] (Mississippi Today) * NAACP files for federal court injunction to stop new Tennessee congressional map [https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/06/10/naacp-files-for-federal-court-injunction-to-stop-new-tennessee-congressional-map/] (Tennessee Lookout)  Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com [podcast@statesnewsroom.com] Photo: Photo: Louisiana U.S. Representative Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club luncheon July 28, 2025. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Relentless anti-LGBTQ+ legislation driving a family out of state

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in January challenging trans athlete bans in Idaho and West Virginia. A decision is expected early this summer. In 2020, Idaho became the first state in the nation to implement this kind of ban, which prohibits transgender athletes in girl’s and women’s sports. In recent years, state lawmakers passed a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills [https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/04/16/for-a-boise-family-of-medical-providers-idaho-criminal-trans-bathroom-ban-was-the-last-straw/]. The measures have included a bill requiring forced outing of youth and a bathroom ban that criminalizes transgender people using bathrooms that align with their gender identity, including in private businesses. Many advocates have described the measures as the most extreme in the nation. For one Idaho family of medical providers, the bathroom ban was their last straw. Now, they’re figuring out if they can move out of the state. In Episode 31, you’ll hear from Michael and Dr. Angie Devitt [https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/04/16/for-a-boise-family-of-medical-providers-idaho-criminal-trans-bathroom-ban-was-the-last-straw/] from Boise. They have been outspoken in defending LGBTQ+ rights in the Idaho state legislature.  You’ll also hear from Idaho Capital Sun [https://idahocapitalsun.com/] reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel [https://idahocapitalsun.com/author/kpfann/], who has been following the debate over the anti-LGBTQ+ bills and how they will impact the state. Finally, Daybreak [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/daybreak] newsletter author Madyson Fitzgerald [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/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/relentless-anti-lgbtq-legislation-driving-family-out-state] for the full transcript. Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * How does Idaho’s trans bathroom ban affect businesses? Attorneys break it down. [https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/06/03/how-does-idahos-trans-bathroom-ban-affect-businesses-attorneys-break-it-down/] (Idaho Capital Sun) * Kansas has invalidated some transgender Kansans’ driver’s licenses — but not all [https://kansasreflector.com/2026/06/02/kansas-has-invalidated-some-transgender-kansans-drivers-licenses-but-not-all/] (Kansas Reflector) * Colorado governor signs bill allowing people to sue for damages from ‘conversion therapy’ [https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-sue-conversion-therapy/] (Colorado Newsline) * As June kicks off Pride celebrations, Tennessee designates it ‘nuclear family month’ [https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/06/04/as-june-kicks-off-pride-celebrations-tennessee-designates-it-nuclear-family-month/] (Tennesse Lookout) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com [podcast@statesnewsroom.com]. Photo: Michael and Dr. Angie Devitt reflect on their decision to move from Idaho after years of the Legislature and the governor approving anti-LGBTQ+ bills. (Photo by Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)

ICEd Out: Detention center plans meet resistance in PA

In recent months, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security spent more than one billion dollars buying nearly a dozen warehouses in several states. The plan is to convert them into immigrant detention centers as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation initiative.   Two are being pursued in rural Pennsylvania: Tremont Township in Schuylkill County, and Upper Bern Township in Berks County. As it stands, infrastructure in the area cannot support an operation of that scale. That reality has essentially opened the door for the state government to stall the project.  In Episode 30, we’re handing the reins to our States Newsroom colleagues at The Pennsylvania Capital-Star. “ICEd Out: Detention center plans meet resistance in Pennsylvania’s coal region” is a new series that explores how commonwealth residents are pushing back against the facilities. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star's [https://penncapital-star.com/] Emily Previti [https://penncapital-star.com/author/epreviti/] spent some time in the Coal Region to find out how the plan is landing with residents, elected leaders and business owners. She found people in limbo, grappling with being thrust into the national immigration debate and – once again – with the possibility of exploitation by outsiders. "ICEd Out" is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti [https://penncapital-star.com/author/epreviti/] and edited by Tim Lambert [https://penncapital-star.com/author/tlambert/]. Special thanks to WITF [https://www.witf.org/] for the use of their studios.  You can listen to the full series here [https://penncapital-star.com/podcasts/]. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/author/mallory-cheng]. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer [https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/].  Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  * ‘Wound down and shut down’ — Florida congressman says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ coming to an end [https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/05/27/wound-down-and-shut-down-florida-congressman-says-alligator-alcatraz-coming-to-an-end/] (Florida Phoenix)  * Advocates rally at NC legislature to oppose potential ICE detention expansion [https://ncnewsline.com/2026/05/26/advocates-rally-at-nc-legislature-to-oppose-potential-ice-detention-expansion/] (NC Newsline) * Voluntary departures spike as immigrants face squalid detention, pressure to leave [https://stateline.org/2026/05/26/voluntary-departures-spike-as-immigrants-face-squalid-detention-pressure-to-leave/] (Stateline) * Newark migrant jail detainees launch hunger, labor strike over conditions behind bars [https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/05/22/delaney-hall-hunger-strike/] (New Jersey Monitor) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com [podcasts@statesnewsroom.com] Photo: Joyce Wetzel's Kids-R-Kids daycare center at Route 209 and Rausch Creek Road, adjacent to the former Big Lots distribution center recently purchased by the federal government for conversion into a 7,500-person capacity Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention and processing facility as part of its mass deportation push. (Photo credit: Jessica Kourkounis for The Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

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)