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.

Austin Police no longer responding to ‘non-life threatening’ 911 calls

October 1, 2021 The Center Square

The Austin Police Department is saying it won’t be responding to non-life threatening 911 calls.

Churchill Downs to build gambling venue in downtown Louisville

October 1, 2021 The Center Square

Louisville-based Churchill Downs Inc. announced Thursday it plans to build a casino-style gambling venue in its hometown’s downtown district.

Infrastructure bill features per-mile user fee pilot program

August 16, 2021 The Center Square

The recently passed U.S. Senate infrastructure bill includes controversial provisions such as a vehicle per-mile user fee pilot program as the bill faces uncertainty in the U.S. House.

New York Democrat frustrated with Biden administration over lack of response to Canada’s move to reopen border

July 20, 2021 The Center Square

Canadian officials announced they would welcome fully vaccinated Americans to cross the border starting next month.

Rental car companies across U.S. struggle to replace diminished fleets

July 20, 2021 The Center Square

The country is opening up and travel is increasing, but visitors are finding the rental car landscape a bit empty.

Tennessee tourism tab: $2.5M for airline vouchers

July 10, 2021 The Center Square

On the day Brad Paisley performed before a huge crowd in downtown Nashville to celebrate the Fourth of July, he also joined Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to launch a new tourism campaign, “Tennessee on Me.”

Gas prices hit seven-year high ahead of July 4 weekend

July 1, 2021 The Center Square

As Americans prepare to hit the road for Independence Day weekend, gas prices hit a seven-year high.

Report: Texas leads the nation in wrong way driving deaths

June 27, 2021 The Center Square

Texas leads the U.S. in reporting the greatest number of wrong way driving crash deaths, with fatalities up 29% during the period analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

A gas station in Metuchen, N.J., in October 2017.

Gas shortage and price hike expected this summer

May 11, 2021 The Center Square

A gas shortage is expected this summer not because there won’t be enough fuel but because there aren’t enough highly trained and licensed tanker drivers to transport it.

Texas joins Florida in lawsuit fighting CDC’s ‘unlawful’ cruise industry orders

May 7, 2021 The Center Square

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion on Thursday to join Florida’s lawsuit against the ongoing sailing orders issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which have prevented cruise lines from restarting business.