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.

California resurrects statewide indoor mask mandate

December 13, 2021 The Center Square

California will implement a statewide universal masking mandate starting Wednesday as COVID-19 case rates remain on the rise in various regions across the state, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced Monday.

Cahokia Mounds introduces augmented reality experience

December 4, 2021 The Center Square

After five years of development, Cahokia Mounds is offering a new interpretive experience.

California unveils $300 million grant program to clean up litter from state’s streets

December 2, 2021 The Center Square

The state is making $300 million in grant funds available to local communities to clean up streets and beautify transit centers and parks.

Biden administration rolls out more COVID measures, says vaccine requirements for domestic flights not ‘off the table’

December 2, 2021 The Center Square

President Joe Biden unveiled a new set of executive actions to address the Omicron variant Thursday, though how serious the threat of the variant will be remains unclear.

Biden: Omicron strain ‘a cause for concern, not a cause for panic’

November 29, 2021 The Center Square

The president urged Americans not to panic over the variant and said there would be no new travel restrictions.

St. Louis reported the highest murder rate in the country

November 23, 2021 The Center Square

The U.S. murder rate is at its highest level in nearly two and half decades. There were 21,570 murders nationwide in 2020, up nearly 30% from the previous year — the largest annual increase on record.

Boeing working to settle Max 737 crash cases

November 17, 2021 The Center Square

Boeing is now one step closer to reaching settlements over two fatal plane crashes involving its Max 737 airliner.

Report: Hospitality industry fueled job growth in October

November 4, 2021 The Center Square

A new private sector jobs report showed significant job creation for the month of October, a good sign for the economy which has struggled to recover from the pandemic-era shutdowns.

Kentucky tourism authority approves $27 million in incentives for planned racing and gaming venues

October 21, 2021 The Center Square

The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority on Monday gave final approval for tax incentives on a planned harness racing track and satellite historical horse racing (HHR) parlor in southeastern Kentucky that will be a joint venture by Keeneland and the principal owners of Kentucky Downs.

New York officials pleased by news of Canadian border reopening

October 13, 2021 The Center Square

More than 18 months after COVID-19 forced the shutdown of America’s borders, the federal government announced late Tuesday that it would reopen them to fully vaccinated “non-essential travelers” next month – news that received a positive reception in New York state.