From the States
Image
![Kathy Hochul](/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-04/GettyImages-2056059757.jpg?h=cd81f6e3&itok=LPRNQiVV)
New York Republicans blast Hochul over prison closures
Democratic lawmakers approved the closure of five correctional facilities as part of the recently signed state budget, citing a declining prison population, lack of new staff and the rising cost of operating the aging facilities.
Image
![Woman votes, Denver, Colo., Nov. 8, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2022-11/GettyImages-1244611300.jpg?h=eb567e48&itok=98ZcR92E)
Election integrity efforts underway as IL early voting begins in two months
Early voting in Illinois begins 40 days before the November election in Illinois, or around Sept. 26.
Image
![Cornel West, Los Angeles, Aug. 28, 2023](/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2023-08/GettyImages-1629473291.jpg?h=4b19cd62&itok=3uPWznGK)
Party pushing Cornel West for president sues North Carolina elections board
In a meeting Tuesday of last week, the party was considered for ballot access on a third state board meeting since June 26.