Good morning, it’s Friday, April 24, 2026. In today’s edition, states adopt chatbot protection bills; new polls in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island; Hawaii lieutenant governor steps aside:
Top Stories
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Bills to protect children from the potential harms of AI chatbots have popped up in more than 30 states this year, after California and New York adopted first-in-the-nation measures last year. Lawmakers in Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon and Washington have gotten their bills across the finish line, while Georgia lawmakers are waiting for Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to sign their law.
The bills vary in scope. Some backed by companies like Google offer minimal protections. Others that don’t enjoy industry support would prohibit manipulative design practices and include a private right of action allowing individuals to sue to enforce the law. In Hawaii, the House and Senate have passed one of each type, setting up a fight in conference committee. (Pluribus News)
Washington State regulators say a network of fake trading platforms have defrauded residents out of nearly $10 million through a series of crypto scams. (Seattle Times)
IMMIGRATION: The Tennessee legislature has given final approval to a bill requiring county sheriffs to enter into 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government. The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s (R) desk for a stamp of approval. (Tennessee Lookout)
HEALTH CARE: The California Assembly Health Committee has advanced legislation that would penalize large employers whose employees rely on Medi-Cal coverage for health insurance. Details are scant, but a Senate version estimates it could raise $5 billion to $8 billion to offset rising costs. (State Affairs)
PUBLIC HEALTH: The Iowa Senate voted to implement a nickel tax on alternative nicotine products like pouches and vapes. The money raised from the tax will fund pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa. The measure won unanimous approval. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
LOCAL CONTROL: The Iowa legislature has signed off on a bill requiring public buildings to lower flags to half-staff when the governor issues a proclamation directing them to do so. The House approved the bill in a bipartisan vote, after some cities and counties declined to lower flags after the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. (Des Moines Register)
TAXES: A proposed tax on incomes over $1 million has failed to gain enough traction to advance in Illinois, making it unlikely that voters will see the measure on this year’s ballot. House Speaker Chris Welch (D) said he wouldn’t call a vote this week. The deadline to place a measure on the November ballot is May 3. (Capitol News Illinois)
In Politics & Business
NEW HAMPSHIRE: A University of New Hampshire survey finds Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) leading former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington by a 47%-39% margin. Ayotte’s job approval rating stands at 49%. (UNH)
Fully 63% say they support raising the cost of tolls by $1 for out-of-state vehicles.
RHODE ISLAND: Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes (D) leads Gov. Dan McKee (D) in the Democratic gubernatorial primary by a whopping 45% to 11% margin, while 3% back restauranteur Gregory Stevens (D). Just 17% of Rhode Islanders — including only 24% of Democrats — approve of the job McKee is doing in office. (UNH)
CONNECTICUT: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) leads state Rep. Josh Elliott (D) in the Democratic gubernatorial primary by a 52%-18% margin. Lamont’s approval rating stands at 48%, while 46% disapprove. (UNH)
MICHIGAN: Former House Speaker Tom Leonard (R) has dropped his bid for governor. In a statement on social media, Leonard said he had submitted enough signatures to make the ballot, but he didn’t see a path ahead for his campaign. (State Affairs)
HAWAII: Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke (D) has taken an indefinite leave of absence after she received a letter from the state Attorney General’s office informing her she is the target of a bribery investigation involving a bag of $35,000 in cash she allegedly received at a 2022 dinner. Gov. Josh Green (D) has named Keith Regan, the comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services, as the acting lieutenant governor. (Honolulu Star Advertiser)
Read the back story on the “$35,000 Bandit” right here.
By The Numbers
$6.01 billion: The amount Connecticut gamblers placed on sports betting and iGaming wagers in the first quarter of 2026, up 10% from the year before. (Gaming Intelligence)
30,000: The number of Idahoans who are likely to drop out of health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act after Congress allowed subsidies to expire, according to a report by the state’s insurance exchange. About 24,400 people have already disenrolled since subsidies expired at the beginning of the year. (Idaho Capital Sun)
Off The Wall
Organizers of the Cumbria Nature Festival in England have had to issue an important clarification about the upcoming event: It’s not for nudists. “Cumbria Nature Festival is primarily aimed at NATURALISTS … not NATURISTS,” the organizers said in a post. “Whilst we aim to be as inclusive as possible, and certainly do not judge anyone, we are aiming the event at wildlife enthusiasts. Please do dress appropriately.” (UPI)
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has a new schtick on the campaign trail: He’s touring the country with his newly-formed rock band. Pashinyan, 50, took up drumming last year. He writes his own songs. (AFP)
We’re praying this becomes a feature of the 2028 presidential campaign trail. Though we can’t think of many potential candidates we’d want to hear on lead vocals.
Quote of the Day
“Have you ever been to an LSU football game?”
— Louisiana Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R), debating legislation that could make smoking marijuana on LSU’s campus a felony. (Baton Rouge Advocate)