Politics

July 10, 2012 - The recent jobs report showed the economy continues to struggle. Many of the states that have seen the biggest job gains are in the South -- but that likely won't help Obama much in November.

July 9, 2012 - A new report from OMB Watch finds that most of the states where fracking is taking place that do not require any public disclosure of the chemicals used in the controversial gas drilling process are in the South, and Southern states are also among those with weak disclosure laws.

July 9, 2012 - A new report from OMB Watch finds that most of the states that do not require public disclosure of toxic chemicals used in fracking are in the South, and Southern states are also among those with weak disclosure laws. Where does your state stand?

July 5, 2012 - A year ago, it looked like the war over voting was a once-sided rout for lawmakers pushing photo ID and other new voting restrictions. But through organizing and litigation, voting rights advocates have forced a draw in key Southern states -- and in some cases, scored big victories.

July 2, 2012 - An analysis of Chinese names on a petition urging the Obama administration to oppose strict regulations for toxic coal ash reveals hundreds of bogus monikers including "Big Steamed Bun" and "Come to China Donkey." Who's behind the petition, and what big energy interests are they fronting for?

June 28, 2012 - Southern states have among the highest rates of uninsured residents. They also have state officials who are among the most vocal critics of the Supreme Court's decision upholding the Affordable Care Act.

June 28, 2012 - A new report grades states on how effectively they address educational disparities caused by concentrated poverty. It finds that a number of states in the South are not funding public schools adequately or distributing those funds where most needed, with Florida and North Carolina getting overall failing grades.