Green Mountain State Is in the Pink

Southern states plagued by high obesity, smoking rates

(NEWSER) - Move over, Mississippi: Louisiana is now America’s unhealthiest state, Reuters reports. An annual state-by-state report that measures factors like smoking, obesity, and health insurance coverage also put Vermont at the top for the second year in a row. The five healthiest states are:

1. Vermont
2. Hawaii
3. New Hampshire
4. Minnesota
5. Utah

States allow drinks up to 16% alcohol to be called beers

(NEWSER) - States are raising caps on the alcohol content of beer, setting limits as high as 16% by volume in moves to appease the microbrew industry. Alabama and West Virginia raised their limits this year, while Vermont and Montana adjusted theirs last year; and lobbying is under way in Iowa and Mississippi. More»

Gubernatorial races will be 3-way tangos in half-dozen states

(NEWSER) - Independent candidates figure to play a major role in at least six states next year, threatening Democrats in an election where they already must defend 21 of their 28 governorships. In New Jersey, for example, independent Chris Daggett is trailing well behind Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican Tom Kean, but he’s siphoning off 15% of the Democratic vote, to only 7% of the Republican one, Politico notes. More»

Bible belt has most religious states, New England some of least

(NEWSER) - If you’re looking for religion, head to Mississippi; if you want to avoid it, choose Vermont, a new Gallup survey suggests. Mississippi is ranked as America’s most religious state, with 85% saying religion is “an important part of daily life.” At the other end of the scale is Vermont at 42%, USA Today reports. Other Bible-belt states fill out the top spots, while New England dominates among the nonbelievers. More»

Battlefield-bar disparity irks during wartime, argue supporters

(NEWSER) - Several states are considering lowering the drinking age, spurred in part by concerns that teenage service members can fight overseas but can’t drink at home, USA Today reports. Kentucky, Wisconsin, and South Carolina are weighing a military-only change to alcohol laws, while other states may lower the legal age for all, with a few stipulations. More»