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.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis demands CDC lift ‘no-sail’ order by June 1

March 26, 2021 The Center Square

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday demanded the Biden administration lift the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) no-sail order for cruise ships that has “outlived its usefulness.”

New Jersey bill would increase the share of hotel and motel occupancy fee for arts, heritage and tourism programs

March 5, 2021 The Center Square

A New Jersey Senate committee has advanced legislation to allocate all hotel and motel occupancy fees revenue to arts, heritage and tourism programs in New Jersey.

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

California gas prices reach high of $3.27 a gallon, 66 cents more than national average

February 3, 2021 The Center Square

California gasoline prices reached the highest they’ve been since March 9, 2020, hitting $3.27 a gallon, according to a new gasoline benchmark published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

National Park Service requiring all employees, visitors to wear masks

February 2, 2021 The Center Square

The National Park Service (NPS) has implemented the federal mask mandate for all employees and visitors of national parks and facilities on Tuesday, the agency announced.

Georgia Department of Economic Development seeks state funding to restore tourism industry

January 26, 2021 The Center Square

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is asking for an additional $1 million to stimulate the state’s hard-hit tourism industry.

Cuomo calls for legalization of mobile sports wagering

January 7, 2021 The Center Square

New York’s governor wants to authorize mobile sports wagering in the Empire State, saying the state could be the “largest sports wagering market” in the country.

Nashville bombing suspect died in Christmas Day blast

December 28, 2020 The Center Square

Law enforcement officials said Sunday that Anthony Warner, 63, of Antioch, Tenn., was likely responsible for the Christmas Day bomb that exploded Christmas morning in downtown Nashville.

Christmas morning explosion in Nashville deemed ‘intentional act’

December 26, 2020 The Center Square

A warning blared from a parked RV in downtown Nashville for 15 minutes before it exploded around 6:30 a.m. Friday, injuring three people and downing 911 communications for miles in what authorities call an “intentional act.”

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman pushes craft beer industry modernization and tax reform bill

December 2, 2020 The Center Square

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, is pushing for a craft beer industry modernization and tax reform bill.

Disney to layoff 4,000 more employees than it initially reported

November 27, 2020 The Center Square

The Walt Disney Co. is planning to layoff about 4,000 more employees than it initially reported to the federal government because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.