Good morning, it’s Wednesday, April 22, 2026. In today’s edition, Virginia approves redistricting amendment; Trump admin will require Medicaid plans to revalidate providers; Ohio’s Ramaswamy gives himself $25 million:
Top Stories
REDISTRICTING: Virginia voters narrowly approved a proposed constitutional amendment to overhaul state congressional district map lines, resulting in a map that will likely send ten Democrats and just one Republican to Congress. Voters favored the amendment by about two percentage points, a margin of about 90,000 votes out of more than 3 million cast. (Pluribus News)
Republicans started the redistricting wars last year in Texas, and they may still squeeze an extra seat or two out of Florida. But Democrats fought back, and the best Republicans can hope for now is a draw.
HEALTH CARE: The Trump administration will require all 50 states to submit plans to revalidate Medicaid providers in an effort to combat fraud. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has already opened investigations into programs in New York, Minnesota, California, Florida and Maine. (Associated Press)
MORE: The Tennessee legislature has given final approval to legislation banning a pharmacy company from owning a pharmacy benefit management company. The bill applies only to CVS Health, the only company in the state that owns both types of business. CVS said it would sue to block the measure. (Tennessee Lookout)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: The California Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee has advanced a bill requiring AI platforms to incorporate parental controls, conduct an annual risk assessment and implement safeguards related to self-harm. An Assembly companion bill gets a hearing today. (State Affairs)
ENERGY: Ohio lawmakers are exploring whether to bar local governments from blocking new nuclear power plants to feed the electricity demands of large data centers. Lawmakers have previously barred local governments from banning natural gas hookups in new buildings, plastic bags and rent control. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
PUBLIC SAFETY: The Colorado legislature is debating a bill to limit how government agencies access and use data collected by automated license plate readers. The bipartisan bill would bar sharing data with outside jurisdictions, with some exceptions. (Colorado Sun)
LGBTQ RIGHTS: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has signed legislation sealing the records of minors who change their names. The law is meant to protect the privacy of trans youth and their families. (Denver Post)
EDUCATION: The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 9-8 decision that Texas can require the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools. The court ruled the law does not trample the rights of parents or students. (Associated Press) A new bill in Louisiana would require students to become literate in artificial intelligence beginning in sixth grade. (KNOE)
STADIUMS: The Illinois House has rolled out a new version of property tax legislation in an effort to keep the Chicago Bears from moving to Indiana. The new version would allow half of money received under payment agreements with developers to go to property tax relief, most of it to residents in the taxing district where a mega project — like a new NFL stadium — is located. (Capitol News Illinois)
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed an executive order banning state employees from using insider information to bet in predictions markets. (Capitol News Illinois)
In Politics & Business
OHIO: Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (R) has donated $25 million of his own money to his campaign for governor. Ramaswamy has already built a huge cash edge over former state health director Amy Acton (D), but polls show a tight race. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
MISSOURI: Voters will decide whether to replace the state income tax with an expanded sales tax, after the state House approved a proposed constitutional amendment. The measure would require future legislatures to cut personal income tax rates as state revenues increase. (Missouri Independent)
NORTH DAKOTA: Lawmakers have referred Constitutional Measure 1 to the June ballot, a proposed amendment requiring future constitutional amendments be limited to one subject. Supporters say it will make future amendment votes easier for voters to understand. (Fargo Forum)
FLORIDA: Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) has opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI over a mass shooting at Florida State University last year. Uthmeier said the shooter sought advice from ChatGPT, which allegedly advised the shooter on what type of gun to use. (State Affairs)
By The Numbers
$12.2 million: The settlement Alabama has reached with video game maker Roblox, over allegations the company’s platforms failed to protect children from online risks. The deal requires Roblox to implement stricter safety measures and expanded parental oversight for those under 16. (AL.com)
About 350,000: The decline in the number of Georgia residents receiving health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act, down 27% since the expiration of subsidies that helped lower costs. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
270: The number of gray wolves counted in Washington State in 2025, up 17.4% from the year before. There are 23 breeding pairs and 49 packs roaming the state. (Tacoma News Tribune)
Off The Wall
Finnish Air Force cadets have been disciplined after a recent training flight in which they used flight patterns to draw the shapes of male genitals in the sky. At least four planes followed flight patterns that resembled genitals — though at least they stayed in their designated training areas. (UPI)
A wolf puppy in Yellowstone National Park was filmed absconding with a sign warning of grizzlies in the area. The scientist who spotted the purloining pup said the animals tend to go through a rebellious phase in their youth. (Cowboy State Daily)
Quote of the Day
“I am not involved in that in any way, shape, manner or form at this time.”
— North Carolina Senate President Phil Berger (R), on leadership succession plans once his term expires. Berger lost his primary election to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page (R) last month. (State Affairs)