Immigrants in the US unlawfully can drive legally in 19 states. Now some states want to stop them
As drivers on U.S. highways cross from one state to another, they often are greeted by a large "Welcome to ...." sign.
David A. Lieb, The Associated Press
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Some GOP states are targeting driver's licenses issued to immigrants illegally in the US
As drivers on U.S. highways cross from one state to another, they often are greeted by a large "Welcome to ...." sign.
Indiana takes a first -- and long -- shot at acquiring parts of Illinois
Indiana is taking a first step toward acquiring parts of Illinois, though a last step appears rather unlikely.
Missouri lawmakers advance proposed repeal of abortion-rights measure approved by voters
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's Republican-led House advanced a proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday asking voters to repeal an abortion-rights measure they narrowly approved last year and instead ban most abortions with exceptions for rape and incest.
Weedkiller maker asks US Supreme Court to block lawsuits claiming it failed to warn about cancer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Global agrochemical manufacturer Bayer has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether federal law preempts thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.
No state has axed its income tax on wages in 45 years. Now 2 Southern states are on a path to do so
About 45 years have passed since a U.S. state last eliminated its income tax on wages and salaries. But with recent actions in Mississippi and Kentucky, two states now are on a path to do so, if their economies keep growing.
No state has ended personal income taxes since 1980, but Mississippi and Kentucky may change that
About 45 years have passed since a U.S. state last eliminated its income tax on wages and salaries. But with recent actions in Mississippi and Kentucky, two states now are on a path to do so, if their economies keep growing.
At least half of US states now outlaw devices that convert pistols into machine guns
In New Mexico, police and prosecutors backed an effort to outlaw devices that convert pistols into machine guns. In Alabama, the governor made it a priority.
Some voters are pushing back on lawmakers' efforts to overturn citizen ballot initiatives
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- One by one, each of the more than 50 people seated on folding chairs at a public library explained why they were there.
Trump is signing up local law officers to help with immigration enforcement
For years, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in suburban Indianapolis has wanted to partner with federal immigration authorities to identify and detain immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally and facing charges.
What Trump's funding freeze could mean for universities, nonprofits and more
A White House directive to pause federal grants and loans raised uncertainty and fears among many who depend on federal aid before a judge intervened Tuesday to temporarily block it from taking effect.
Trump funding freeze raises uncertainty for universities, states and nonprofits
A White House directive to pause federal grants and loans raised uncertainty and fears among many who depend on federal aid before a judge intervened Tuesday to temporarily block it from taking effect.
Democratic states weigh more support for immigrants as Trump administration cracks down
As President Donald Trump tightens the nation's immigration policies, lawmakers in Democratic-led states are proposing new measures that could erect legal obstacles for federal immigration officials and help immigrants lacking legal status avoid deportation.
Trump's influence spreads through state capitols in both substance and symbolism
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A new year of lawmaking and politicking is underway in U.S. statehouses. Governors are acting quickly to outline their agendas. And in many cases, the influence of President-elect Donald Trump already is rippling through states in both symbolic and substantive ways.
Trump wants to cut taxes. So do governors and lawmakers in some states
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump has proposed trillions of dollars of tax cuts for individuals and businesses. In some states, governors and lawmakers are seeking to cut millions more.
A tough-on-crime approach is back in US state capitols
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Within minutes of his inauguration Monday, new Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to issue a variety of orders targeting crime. The tone-setting move reflects a national trend.
New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns
Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages.
Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump's mass deportation effort
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- As President-elect Donald Trump assembles his administration, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are already rolling out proposals that could help him carry out his pledge to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally.
Voters rejected historic election reforms across the US, despite more than $100M push
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Two weeks before Election Day, activists from across the country gathered for an online rally heralding the historic number of state ballot initiatives seeking to change the way people vote. Hopes were high that voters would ditch traditional partisan primaries and embrace ballots with more candidate choices.
Republicans make gains in numerous state legislatures. But Democrats also notch a few wins
Republicans running on the ballot underneath President-elect Donald Trump made gains in numerous state legislative chambers, though Democrats also notched a few victories in an expensive battle for state power.
Trio of ballot failures leads marijuana backers to refocus their efforts for recreational weed
The movement to legalize recreational marijuana has run into a wall of resistance, failing in all three states where it was on the ballot this year and leading proponents to weigh a tactical shift focused more on state legislatures and the federal government.
Marijuana legalization fails in Florida as numerous states approve citizen voting amendments
A costly campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida failed Tuesday as voters in dozens of states weighed more than 140 measures appearing on the ballot alongside races for president and top state offices.
Voters deciding dozens of ballot measures affecting life, death, taxes and more
While electing officials to make and enforce laws, voters in dozens of states are also deciding on more than 140 ballot proposals affecting the way people legally live, work and die.
Missouri sports betting ballot measure highlights national debate about tax rates
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The ads promoting a ballot measure to legalize sports betting in Missouri tout the potential for millions of new tax dollars devoted to schools. If voters approve the measure, it's a good bet they will see even more ads offering special promotions for bettors.
Voters in Arizona and Nebraska will face competing ballot measures. What happens if they both pass?
Voters in Nebraska and Arizona will see competing measures on their November ballots -- in one case about abortion, in the other about primary elections. If voters approve them all, what happens next could be up to the courts to decide.
Who can vote in US elections, and what steps must you take to do so?
So you want to cast a ballot on Election Day? Or maybe vote by mail? It helps to know the rules.
Clock is ticking for local governments to use billions of dollars of federal pandemic aid
From the looks of it, the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert hasn't done too much with the $24 million it received in federal pandemic aid.
Could America's divide on marijuana be coming to an end?
The U.S. is divided when it comes to state and federal marijuana policy, but recent political developments could move the country toward a greater acceptance of cannabis.
Data indicates voting by noncitizens is rare. Republicans are pressing measures to make sure of it
Only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in this fall's election for president and other top offices. While that's nothing new, the potential for noncitizens to register or vote has been receiving a lot of attention lately.
Georgia school shooting stirs debate about safe storage laws for guns
Just a couple of weeks ago, a special panel of Georgia state senators convened to study potential laws aimed at keeping firearms safely locked up and out of the hands of children.
Illegal voting by noncitizens is rare, yet Republicans are making it a major issue this election
Only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in this fall's election for president and other top offices. While that is nothing new, the potential for noncitizens to register or vote has been receiving a lot of attention lately.
Ballot measures in 41 states give voters a say on abortion and other tough questions
Life, death, crime and taxes will be on ballots for voters to decide this fall.
Takeaways from AP's report on federal policies shielding information about potential dam failures
Thousands of people live downstream from dams yet may not always realize the risks.
Conflicting federal policies may cost residents more on flood insurance, and leave them at risk
Conflicting federal policies may force thousands of residents in flood-prone areas to pay more for flood insurance or be left unaware of danger posed by dams built upstream from their homes and worksites, according to an Associated Press review of federal records and data.
Initiative to enshrine abortion rights in Missouri constitution qualifies for November ballot
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri voters will decide in November whether to guarantee a right to abortion with a constitutional amendment that would reverse the state's near-total ban on the procedure.
Missouri voters could face choice between continued abortion ban and new constitutional amendment
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri voters could have a choice this fall between a continued ban on abortions and a constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights until later in a woman's pregnancy.
Amid tensions with China, some US states are purging Chinese companies from their investments
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- As state treasurer, Vivek Malek pushed Missouri's main retirement system to pull its investments from Chinese companies, making Missouri among the first nationally to do so. Now Malek is touting the Chinese divestment as he seeks reelection in an Aug. 6 Republican primary against challengers who also are denouncing financial connections to China.
Democratic delegates cite new energy while rallying behind Kamala Harris for president
After weeks of intraparty division over President Joe Biden's candidacy, delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention on Tuesday rallied rapidly and enthusiastically behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their party's new presidential candidate.
Political divisions stall proposed gun policies in Pennsylvania, where assassin took aim at Trump
Months before an armed man took aim at Donald Trump at a presidential campaign rally in rural Pennsylvania, some state lawmakers had proposed to outlaw the type of rifle used in the assassination attempt.