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

...Mississippi. South tops the list, while New England is at the bottom

(NEWSER) - Don't tell Hester Prynne, but it's the Deep South that is the most religious region in the country, while New England is the most godless, according to a new Gallup Poll . The poll asked respondents whether religion was an important part of their daily life, and whether they regularly attended services. Those who answered in the affirmative to both were deemed "very religious." Some 59% of Mississippi residents fit that criteria, while only 23% of Vermont and New Hampshire residents do. But let's be serious, you clicked this to see the lists. So without further ado: The 5 most religious states

1. Mississippi—59%
2. Utah—57%
3. Alabama—56%
4. Louisiana—54%
5. Arkansas—54%

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»