Articles by The Center Square

About The Center Square

The Center Square was launched in May 2019 to fulfill the need for high-quality statehouse and statewide news across the United States. The focus of our work is state- and local-level government and economic reporting. A taxpayer sensibility distinguishes our work from other coverage of state and local issues.

Noem vetoes bill that would have raised South Dakota’s hotel taxes

March 2, 2023 The Center Square

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem vetoed a bill that would have increased the state’s hotel occupational tax in business improvement districts.

DeSantis signs bill to strip Disney of self-governance privileges

February 27, 2023 The Center Square

The Walt Disney Company has officially lost its cozy relationship with Florida.

A view of Chicago from the John Hancock Center on Jan. 16, 2016.

Group names Chicago, New Orleans as U.S. murder capitals

February 23, 2023 The Center Square

Chicago recorded 697 total homicides in 2022, far more than any other city in the United States, but New Orleans had the highest murder rate per capita, according to a new report from a nonprofit research group.

Florida lawmakers conclude special session, strip away Disney’s special status

February 10, 2023 The Center Square

The Florida Legislature concluded its special session on Friday, passing bills regarding Disney’s autonomy, transport of foreign nationals and election fraud.

Florida’s DeSantis wants special session to address Disney’s status

February 2, 2023 The Center Square

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he’s calling a special session that will deal with Disney’s autonomy and other issues “in a week or two.”

Georgia House elects Burns as speaker

January 9, 2023 The Center Square

The Georgia House kicked off business on Monday by electing state Rep. Jon Burns, R-Newington, as its new speaker.

Southwest Airlines says it’s doing 33% of scheduled flights in wake of federal probe

December 28, 2022 The Center Square

In the wake of a federal investigation into how the airline handled operations during the snowstorm, Southwest Airlines announced it would do just 33% of its scheduled flights for the rest of the holiday week.

Report: New York City is the most dangerous ‘Sanctuary Community’ in America

September 1, 2022 The Center Square

As Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues to bus foreign nationals who’ve entered the U.S. illegally to New York City, a new report reveals that the Big Apple is the most dangerous so-called “Sanctuary Community” in America.

Chattanooga approves $79.5M baseball stadium despite economic questions over its financing

August 10, 2022 The Center Square

Chattanooga will be getting a new baseball stadium and city officials have called the project a “home run for the community” despite economists’ questions on the numbers touted by stadium supporters.

Attorneys general file brief in federal travel mask mandate case

August 9, 2022 The Center Square

Attorneys general from 23 states have filed an amicus brief in a federal appeals court urging judges to uphold a ruling from earlier this year that struck down the mask mandate for interstate travel.