state governors

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died, according to ABC News reporting, setting in motion the process of filling his Senate seat. Under state law, the governor would call a special election to fill the vacancy. Details about the circumstances of his death were not included in the initial report.

Dozens of Tennessee medical professionals have written to Governor Bill Lee urging that healthcare workers should never take part in executions, regardless of the method. The appeal follows a botched lethal injection in the state in May, which renewed scrutiny of how Tennessee carries out the death penalty. The medical professionals argue that participating in executions violates the ethical obligations of medicine, and they want the governor to commit to keeping clinicians out of the process.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says the state will hold prediction-market platform Kalshi accountable for operating illegally, following a court ruling in the case. The move signals Ohio's intent to pursue enforcement action against the company for running unregulated operations in the state. The development adds to ongoing scrutiny of Kalshi's activities across US states.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Kern County as a powerful El Niño-driven storm approaches the region. The proclamation is intended to speed up emergency response and free up resources for Bakersfield and surrounding communities. Local outlets in Bakersfield are reporting heavily on the declaration, with residents closely watching forecasts for flooding, high winds and possible evacuation orders.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation creating a label for foods that are not ultra-processed, part of a broader package of health bills that his office describes as advancing the state's nation-leading healthcare strategy. The move makes California the first US state to adopt such a labeling standard, and comes as lawmakers and health advocates nationwide push for greater transparency around ultra-processed foods and their links to chronic disease.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation strengthening the state's laws on mentally disordered offenders. The measure changes how offenders with mental disorders are handled after commitment, and it is being welcomed by prosecutors including the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, which highlighted the signing. Supporters say the law closes gaps in public safety and treatment oversight for this group of offenders.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has suspended the state's gas tax for 30 days and declared a state of emergency, citing turmoil in global fuel markets. The move temporarily cuts prices at the pump for Georgia drivers. Observers are weighing how much relief the suspension will bring and how the state will make up the lost revenue for road and transportation funding.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James have announced a lawsuit against Polymarket, accusing the prediction-markets platform of operating an illegal gambling business in the state. The state argues the site lets users wager real money on event outcomes without the required licenses, and the action signals renewed regulatory scrutiny of prediction markets in the United States.

The New York Times has published updated polling on the 2026 gubernatorial races, offering an early look at how candidates are positioning in key state contests. The latest numbers give voters and political observers a first measure of candidate strength, though most races remain more than a year away and few campaigns are fully underway.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has suspended the state's gas tax as fuel prices climb amid the conflict involving Iran. The move aims to ease costs for drivers facing higher prices at the pump. The suspension reflects growing concern across the US about how Middle East tensions are squeezing American consumers through energy costs.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have provided state funding for immigration attorneys serving rural parts of California. The measure would have expanded legal representation for immigrants facing deportation in areas far from urban legal aid networks. Advocates had argued the funding was essential given heightened enforcement, while the veto signals Newsom's reluctance to commit state money to immigration legal services.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation requiring the identification and tracking of pesticides containing PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals. The bill is intended to give state regulators better data on where PFAS pesticides are used and in what quantities. Environmental and health advocates have pushed for tighter oversight of the substances, which are linked to lasting contamination of soil and water.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have provided support for immigration attorneys working in rural parts of the state. The measure aimed to expand legal representation for immigrants in underserved areas. The veto is likely to draw criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers who backed the legislation.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has approved $40 million in tax incentives for a life science company, a package state officials say will support the creation of 1,600 jobs. The award is part of the state's ongoing effort to keep and grow its biotechnology and life sciences sector, one of Massachusetts' key industries. Details on the company's identity and expansion site were included in the announcement.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced that state Finance Director Bill Poole will depart the role and named Doryan Carlton to lead the Alabama Department of Finance. The change affects the office that oversees state budgeting and spending. Details about Poole's departure and Carlton's plans for the department were not included in the announcement.

Tennessee's governor says he does not plan to intervene in the scheduled execution of Christa Gail Pike, the only woman on the state's death row. Pike was convicted of the 1995 murder of fellow student Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville. The decision leaves her execution set to proceed unless courts step in, drawing attention from opponents of the death penalty.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of new laws aimed at expanding reproductive freedom and care in the state, which California positions as a national leader on the issue. The measures broaden access to reproductive health services and reinforce the state's protections as other states restrict such care.

As California's gubernatorial race takes shape, former Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton have laid out their healthcare proposals for the state's next governor. Coverage compares where each candidate stands on affordability, coverage and reform, giving voters a side-by-side look at how they would approach healthcare if elected.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster proclamation in response to diesel shortages affecting the state. The declaration, reported by Houston Public Media, is aimed at addressing fuel supply disruptions. The shortage could affect trucking, agriculture and other industries that rely on diesel, and residents are watching for further measures to restore supply.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation his office calls historic, aimed at preventing large corporations from shutting out competition. The package also cuts red tape to speed up business permitting in the state. Officials frame it as a boost for smaller competitors and faster approvals for companies trying to operate in California.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new first-in-the-nation worker protections, expanding the state's nation-leading artificial intelligence regulatory framework. The measures strengthen California's position as the most active US state on AI policy, adding safeguards for workers as AI tools spread through the workplace. The announcement was made through the state's official portal as part of a broader package of new laws.

Candidates running for governor of South Dakota have clashed in debate over data centers, education funding and economic development, according to reporting from South Dakota Searchlight. The exchanges highlight differing visions for how the state should grow its economy and support public schools heading into the election.

Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in California to bolster statewide preparedness for El Nino conditions, aimed at protecting communities from severe storms and flooding. The move comes as weather becomes a major talking point across multiple countries, with the topic also trending in France. Officials are urging residents to prepare for heavy rain and potential disruptions in the weeks ahead.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have made it easier for immigrants to receive food assistance in the state. The measure would have expanded access to nutrition benefits regardless of immigration status. Supporters of the bill criticized the veto as a setback for immigrant families facing food insecurity, while Newsom's decision reflects ongoing budget and policy concerns.

Attention is on the São Paulo governor's race after remarks suggesting allies of President Lula already view the state as decided in the first round. CNN Brasil reports that figures from the Workers' Party admit the contest may be settled early, while Lula is expected to mobilize supporters in the state. The comments are fueling debate over the campaign's direction and the opposition's position.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2222, putting the bill into state law. The move is drawing reaction from political observers and California residents, with supporters and critics weighing in on what the new law will mean in practice. Details of the bill's provisions and the responses to its signing are still circulating as news of the decision spreads.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey's plan to create a state Military Hall of Fame is drawing legal questions, with local outlets reporting that the proposal is being examined for potential legal obstacles. Few details have been released about the basis of the scrutiny or how it might affect the project.

Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health director, is running for the US Senate seat in Michigan. The Democrat, who also made a previous run for governor, is positioning himself as a progressive voice in a race to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters. Political watchers are weighing whether his progressive profile can carry a battleground state.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation aimed at protecting the state's workers from threats posed by artificial intelligence. The laws, reported by the Guardian, are intended to shield jobs and labour rights as AI adoption spreads through workplaces. The move positions California, home to much of the US tech industry, at the centre of the debate over regulating AI's impact on employment.