State Tolls Rising—Some by 50%

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

(NEWSER) - The South is gaining population and power at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, according to Census Bureau estimates released yesterday. If House seats were distributed based on the estimates, which are believed to be a strong predictor of the 2010 census results, Texas would be the big winner, gaining three seats, with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington each adding one. More»

Hundreds of thousands without power after powerful Northeaster

(AP) - Last month, the Northeast was smothered by blizzards. Now, it's waterlogged by torrential rains. The region mopped up today following a weekend storm complete with high wind and heavy rains that uprooted trees, downed power lines, and flooded some creeks and rivers. Five people died in storm-related accidents, and hundreds of thousands in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut lost electricity at the peak of the storm, which carried wind gusts of up to 70 mph. More»

(NEWSER) - It’s not easy being an elected official in a time of crisis, but a select few governors are having a particularly tough time. And some of them are even trying to get reelected. Politico looks at the 5 worst-off states:

• California: No surprise here. The state's issuing of IOUs is just the one item on "a list of maladies longer than its famed coastline." At least Arnold Schwarzenegger can't run for another term.

$12.8B deal could make Penn. Turnpike largest such public-private partnership

(NEWSER) - With Pennsylvania legislators set to vote next month on a $12.8 billion deal that would put the 537-mile Pennsylvania Turnpike under private operation, such public-private partnerships are accelerating across the US, the Wall Street Journal reports. Often bankrolled by infrastructure funds—which have $160 billion under management—the projects provide relief to states hamstrung by ballooning budget deficits. More»

Number of tickets issued soars since states make talking a primary offense

(NEWSER) - It might be time to get that hands-free cell: Tickets for phone use while driving are skyrocketing, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. States are increasingly making yakking behind the wheel a primary offense, meaning police can pull motorists over just for that. California and Washington next week join New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and DC in enacting the strictest mobile phone laws. More»