Good morning, it’s Tuesday, November 11, 2025. We’re keeping our veterans in mind today. In today’s edition, states set to spend broadband money; Utah judge picks Dem-friendly redistricting map; New Mexico funds SNAP program:
Top Stories
BROADBAND: States eager to expand high-speed internet to rural and hard-to-reach places are waiting for federal approval to spend billions on broadband programs. Some are nervous the National Telecommunications and Information Administration could reject proposals it views as too costly. New rules issued in June require states to prioritize cost and eliminate a preference for fiber broadband. (Pluribus News)
REDISTRICTING: Utah Judge Dianna Gibson has rejected a congressional district map drawn by legislative Republicans in favor of an alternative that creates a Democratic-leaning district in Salt Lake City. Gibson ruled just before a midnight deadline that the legislature’s map “unduly” favors Republicans. (Associated Press)
MORE: Fair Maps Indiana, a new 501(c)(4) organization, will run advertising to pressure Hoosier lawmakers to redraw congressional district maps to favor Republicans. The group is headed by Marty Obst, long a top advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
SNAP: The New Mexico legislature has adopted a bill allocating $20 million a week through the end of the year to backfill SNAP benefits if federal aid falters. New Mexico has already distributed full federal SNAP benefits to residents who didn’t receive federal money earlier this month. (Associated Press)
MORE: North Dakota is seeking a federal waiver to ban SNAP recipients from using benefits to buy soft drinks, energy drinks or candy. The state’s waiver request comes as it seeks money from the Rural Health Transformation Program; states that enact health-related policies backed by the Trump administration are eligible for more funding. (North Dakota Monitor)
MARIJUANA: Florida Rep. Alex Andrade (R) has introduced legislation adding marijuana to outdoor public places where smoking tobacco is banned. The bill would ban pot smoking in “public places,” which includes streets, sidewalks, highways, public parks and beaches. (WUSF)
TOBACCO: Florida Rep. Chase Tramont (R) has introduced legislation to differentiate heated tobacco products from traditional cigarettes. The bill would set up different tax rates for the two products; combustable cigarettes are taxed at a rate of $1.33 per pack. (Florida Politics)
In Politics & Business
FLORIDA: Investor James Fishback (R) intends to launch a campaign for governor on Monday. Fishback, 30, is a backer of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R); his entry into the race sets up a challenge with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R), who has President Trump’s support. (Politico)
ALASKA: State Sen. Matt Claman (D) is the second Democrat to enter the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R). Claman served as acting mayor of Anchorage after his predecessor, Mark Begich, won election to the U.S. Senate. He’s the 14th candidate to enter the race. (Anchorage Daily News)
MINNESOTA: House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R) has chosen Ryan Wilson (R), who ran for state auditor in 2022, as her running mate. Wilson came within 9,000 votes, less than half a percentage point, of ousting incumbent Julie Blaha (D) three years ago. (Minnesota Star Tribune)
CALIFORNIA: Longtime Democratic Party activist Christine Pelosi will seek a seat in the state Senate next year, rather than run for the U.S. House seat being vacated by her mother, U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D). Christine Pelosi will run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Scott Wiener (D), who is running for Congress. (State Affairs)
WASHINGTON: Progressive activist Katie Wilson is now leading Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell by 91 votes, with about 6,400 ballots left to count. Harrell led early counts by as much as 8 percentage points, but his margin has shrunk as ballots submitted closer to Election Day break increasingly to the left. (Seattle Times)
By The Numbers
200: The number of commutations and pardons issued by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D), the most of any governor in state history. Murphy granted another 19 commutations and 29 pardons on Monday. (NJ Advance Media)
292: The number of overdose deaths in Maine this year, down 23% from last year and about half the rate of the peak of the overdose crisis in 2022. Nonfatal overdoses are down 11.2% over the same period last year. (Portland Press Herald)
$4.3 billion: The estimated cost to protect infrastructure in Alaska communities threatened by storms over the next half century, according to a consortium of tribal community leaders. Leaders are working with Gov. Dunleavy’s administration after the remnants of Typhoon Halong devastated some rural communities. (Anchorage Daily News)
Off The Wall
Cameron Drew, 19, won a seat last week on the Surry County Board of Supervisors in southeastern Virginia. He beat his opponent by just 10 votes. The twist: His opponent was Kenneth Bell, his former high school government teacher. Bell said he was “over the moon” when he found out Drew would challenge him. (New York Times)
The latest protests outside an ICE facility in South Portland involve residents doing aerobics dressed in neon leotards and striped knee socks. The ‘80s fitness buffs continued their workout even after officers fired pepper balls at the pavement to keep people away from the property. (Oregonian)
That is the most on-brand Portland thing we’ve ever heard.
Motorists in Cosmopolis, Wash., had to avoid a large obstacle on the road during a recent rain storm: A sea lion that blocked traffic. Police and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife were able to nudge the sea lion back into a nearby river. (UPI)
Quote of the Day
“Yes, rainy day funds are for when it rains, but you have to have a plan, and you have to be methodical.”
— Massachusetts Treasurer Deb Goldberg (D), on proposals to spend some of the state’s $8 billion rainy day fund to backfill programs that haven’t been funded during the federal government shutdown. (State Affairs)