Sean Scully
@seanibus.bsky.social
Western National Editor for States Newsroom. Former editor of the Napa Valley Register. Journalist. History fan. Lover of beer. Possibly not in that order.
The Arizona Supreme Court was evacuated Monday and the streets around it cordoned off by Phoenix Police after a potential homemade explosive was found in the mailroom, report @azmirror.com and @statesnewsroom.com
AZ Supreme court evacuated after 'homemade explosives' found in package | Arizona Mirror
The Arizona Supreme Court has been evacuated and the streets around it have been cordoned off by Phoenix Police after a potential homemade explosive was found in the mailroom
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January 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The Arizona Supreme Court was evacuated Monday and the streets around it cordoned off by Phoenix Police after a potential homemade explosive was found in the mailroom, report @azmirror.com and @statesnewsroom.com
A documentary about the police raid of the Marion County Record is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in early 2026, reports @kansasreflector.com via @utahnewsdispatch.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Documentary about police raid on Kansas newspaper to premiere at Sundance Film Festival • Utah News Dispatch
A documentary about the police raid of the Marion County Record is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in early 2026.
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January 5, 2026 at 11:30 PM
A documentary about the police raid of the Marion County Record is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in early 2026, reports @kansasreflector.com via @utahnewsdispatch.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Supporters of two citizen initiatives, one focused on parental rights and another on barring transgender athletes from girls’ sports, are closer to getting before the Washington state Legislature, and potentially voters, report @washingtonstatestandard.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Signatures filed for WA initiative to block transgender athletes from girls' sports • Washington State Standard
Supporters of two citizen initiatives, one focused on parental rights and another on barring transgender athletes from girls’ sports, moved closer Friday to getting those measures before the…
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January 5, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Supporters of two citizen initiatives, one focused on parental rights and another on barring transgender athletes from girls’ sports, are closer to getting before the Washington state Legislature, and potentially voters, report @washingtonstatestandard.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Alaska dealt with a range of public safety challenges and policy choices in 2025, from extreme weather to immigration enforcement, report @alaskabeacon.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Top Alaska public safety stories of 2025: Typhoon Halong, crime and immigration enforcement | Alaska Beacon
Alaska dealt with a range of public safety challenges and policy choices in 2025, from extreme weather to immigration enforcement.
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Alaska dealt with a range of public safety challenges and policy choices in 2025, from extreme weather to immigration enforcement, report @alaskabeacon.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Federal immigration agents arrested at least 1,100 people in Oregon this year, immigration experts estimate — a surge from the 113 arrests recorded in all of 2024, report @oregoncapitalchronicle.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Oregon saw at least 1,100 immigration arrests in 2025 • Oregon Capital Chronicle
ICE agents arrested 660 people in Oregon in the first ten months of 2025, according to the Deportation Data Project.
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January 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Federal immigration agents arrested at least 1,100 people in Oregon this year, immigration experts estimate — a surge from the 113 arrests recorded in all of 2024, report @oregoncapitalchronicle.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Silver did even better than gold in price gains in 2025, but it is largely a regulatory and tax afterthought in Nevada, the second largest producer of the metal, report @nevadacurrent.com and @statesnewsroom.com
The price of gold skyrocketed in 2025. Silver outperformed it, and it wasn’t close. • Nevada Current
Gold had a stupendous 2025, the price of an ounce reaching $3,000 for the first time in March, and then topping $4,000 in October. It closed 2025 at more than $4,300 an ounce, 66% higher than the…
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Silver did even better than gold in price gains in 2025, but it is largely a regulatory and tax afterthought in Nevada, the second largest producer of the metal, report @nevadacurrent.com and @statesnewsroom.com
On Monday, Missoula smokejumper and union leader Sam Forstag announced his entrance into a field that already has two declared candidates for Montana’s Western Congressional District, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Missoula smokejumper, union leader enters race for Congress • Daily Montanan
Sam Forstag draws on experience as firefighter and local organizer to challenge incumbent Zinke
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January 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
On Monday, Missoula smokejumper and union leader Sam Forstag announced his entrance into a field that already has two declared candidates for Montana’s Western Congressional District, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
State and federal changes to food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are expected to start affecting Idahoans in 2026, report @idahocapitalsun.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Changes to Idaho SNAP food program coming in 2026 • Idaho Capital Sun
Federal and state SNAP changes to candy and soda purchases and work requirements are expected to start affecting Idahoans in 2026.
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January 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM
State and federal changes to food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are expected to start affecting Idahoans in 2026, report @idahocapitalsun.com and @statesnewsroom.com
The Defense Department will attempt to punish Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly for making a video along with other Democrats in Congress, who told members of the military they didn’t need to follow illegal order, reports
@statesnewsroom.com via @azmirror.com azmirror.com/2026/01/05/r...
@statesnewsroom.com via @azmirror.com azmirror.com/2026/01/05/r...
Mark Kelly told troops not to follow illegal orders. Now Trump's Pentagon is targeting his rank and retirement pay. | Arizona Mirror
Defense Department seeks to downgrade Sen. Mark Kelly's retirement rank and pay over video about refusing illegal orders
azmirror.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:27 PM
The Defense Department will attempt to punish Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly for making a video along with other Democrats in Congress, who told members of the military they didn’t need to follow illegal order, reports
@statesnewsroom.com via @azmirror.com azmirror.com/2026/01/05/r...
@statesnewsroom.com via @azmirror.com azmirror.com/2026/01/05/r...
Redistricting dominated the political news in Utah during the second half of 2025, but the issue is far from settled in the new year, report @utahnewsdispatch.com and @statesnewsroom.com
5 key Utah redistricting issues to watch in 2026 • Utah News Dispatch
5 redistricting issues to watch in 2026: Will Utah's new court-ordered congressional map hold? and Will the effort to repeal Prop 4 succeed?
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January 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Redistricting dominated the political news in Utah during the second half of 2025, but the issue is far from settled in the new year, report @utahnewsdispatch.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Washington is close to opening a new incentive program for commercial fleet operators to transition trucks and other vehicles to models that run on electric or hydrogen power, report @washingtonstatestandard,com and @statesnewsroom.com
$126M incentive program for zero-emission trucks nears launch in WA • Washington State Standard
Washington is close to opening a new incentive program for commercial fleet operators to transition trucks and other vehicles to models that run on electric or hydrogen power.
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January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Washington is close to opening a new incentive program for commercial fleet operators to transition trucks and other vehicles to models that run on electric or hydrogen power, report @washingtonstatestandard,com and @statesnewsroom.com
Alaska was awarded more federal money than any state besides Texas for a federal rural health initiative, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced, report @alaskabeacon.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Alaska could see up to $1.36 billion for rural health over the next 5 years | Alaska Beacon
Alaska was awarded more federal money than any state besides Texas for a federal initiative called the Rural Health Transformation Fund.
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January 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Alaska was awarded more federal money than any state besides Texas for a federal rural health initiative, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced, report @alaskabeacon.com and @statesnewsroom.com
New Oregon laws taking effect in the new year span from stronger accountability provisions for utility companies to criminal penalties for spreading AI-generated revenge porn, report @oregoncapitalchronicle.com and @statesnewsroom.com
From stronger consumer rights to harsher criminal penalties, these Oregon laws are now official • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Thursday marks the first day of the 2026 new year, and with that, a new set of laws passed by the Oregon Legislature will take effect.
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January 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
New Oregon laws taking effect in the new year span from stronger accountability provisions for utility companies to criminal penalties for spreading AI-generated revenge porn, report @oregoncapitalchronicle.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Tribes across the West have worked with states to protect the Colorado River and conserve enough water to raise elevations in the river’s two largest reservoirs, report @nevadacurrent,com and @statesnewsroom.com
Tribes stake their claim on the Colorado River, and help conserve it • Nevada Current
Tribes across the West have worked with states to protect the Colorado River and conserve enough water to raise elevations in the river’s two largest reservoirs, Lakes Powell and Mead, a move that…
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Tribes across the West have worked with states to protect the Colorado River and conserve enough water to raise elevations in the river’s two largest reservoirs, report @nevadacurrent,com and @statesnewsroom.com
The Montana Supreme Court dismissed professional misconduct charges against the state's attorney general, but reaffirmed generally that the AG is subject to discipline from the court and judicial officials, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
SupCo ruling on AG holds court can discipline lawyers elected to office • Daily Montanan
The 149-page ruling dismissed the case against Austin Knudsen, declined to suspend his license, but agreed he violated two rules of professional conduct
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January 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The Montana Supreme Court dismissed professional misconduct charges against the state's attorney general, but reaffirmed generally that the AG is subject to discipline from the court and judicial officials, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Idaho will receive nearly $930 million in federal money over the next five years to improve rural health care access and affordability, report @idahocapitalsun.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Idaho to receive $930 million in federal funds to improve rural health care access • Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho will receive nearly $930 million over the next five years to improve rural health care access and affordability.
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January 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Idaho will receive nearly $930 million in federal money over the next five years to improve rural health care access and affordability, report @idahocapitalsun.com and @statesnewsroom.com
As multiple lawsuits over the abortion drug mifepristone unfold, state and federal proposals to regulate and restrict medication abortion are expected to continue in 2026, reports @statesnewsroom.com vi @azmirror.com
EPA, state lawmakers could consider regulating abortion pills as pollutants in 2026 | Arizona Mirror
Going into the fourth year without federal abortion rights protections, groups that helped overturn Roe v. Wade are focused on cutting off access to abortion pills.
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January 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM
As multiple lawsuits over the abortion drug mifepristone unfold, state and federal proposals to regulate and restrict medication abortion are expected to continue in 2026, reports @statesnewsroom.com vi @azmirror.com
The Trump administration is planning on making more acres of public land available for energy and mineral development in eight Western states, land home to the declining population of greater sage-grouse, report @utahnewsdispatch.com and @statesnewsroom.com
BLM makes more lands inhabited by greater sage-grouse available for energy development • Utah News Dispatch
The Trump administration updated its plan to protect greater sage-grouse in eight Western states, worrying environmentalists.
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December 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The Trump administration is planning on making more acres of public land available for energy and mineral development in eight Western states, land home to the declining population of greater sage-grouse, report @utahnewsdispatch.com and @statesnewsroom.com
President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it’s halting leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to national security risks, reports @statesnewsroom.com via @washingtonstatestandard.com
Trump administration pauses major East Coast offshore wind projects • Washington State Standard
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it’s halting leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to national security risks.
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December 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it’s halting leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to national security risks, reports @statesnewsroom.com via @washingtonstatestandard.com
For Alaska’s fishing industry and fishing-dependent communities, 2025 was a year of turmoil and uncertainty, much of it imposed by ideological pursuits from the new Trump administration, report @alaskabeacon.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Alaska fisheries in 2025: turmoil, economic and environmental challenges and some bright spots | Alaska Beacon
NOAA cuts, economic headwinds and invasive species pose problems for fisheries, but crab stocks and salmon harvests improved.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
For Alaska’s fishing industry and fishing-dependent communities, 2025 was a year of turmoil and uncertainty, much of it imposed by ideological pursuits from the new Trump administration, report @alaskabeacon.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newport’s airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block construction, report @oregoncapitalchronicle.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Anticipating early 2026 opening, Oregon seeks to block potential Newport ICE facility • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon attorneys say the Trump administration is skirting environmental regulations which would require notice to create such a facility.
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December 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newport’s airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block construction, report @oregoncapitalchronicle.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Northern Nevada’s state-run behavioral health system is heavily reliant on contracted workers as it continues to struggle to fill its vacant positions, report @nevadacurrent.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Provider shortage continues to beleaguer behavioral health system, state officials say • Nevada Current
Northern Nevada’s state-run behavioral health system is heavily reliant on contracted workers as it continues to struggle to fill its vacant positions, lawmakers were told last week. Managers from…
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Northern Nevada’s state-run behavioral health system is heavily reliant on contracted workers as it continues to struggle to fill its vacant positions, report @nevadacurrent.com and @statesnewsroom.com
A Lewis and Clark District Court judge has ruled that Montana’s current wolf hunting and trapping season can continue, despite several conservation organizations saying it could spell disaster for the state’s wolf population, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Judge: Montana wolf hunting and trapping season quota can continue • Daily Montanan
Conservation groups had sought to stop the season, saying FWP’s 458-wolf quota is too high
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December 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
A Lewis and Clark District Court judge has ruled that Montana’s current wolf hunting and trapping season can continue, despite several conservation organizations saying it could spell disaster for the state’s wolf population, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
The Idaho Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit from a failed bidder for an Idaho Medicaid contract to run mental health services, report @idahocapitalsun.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Idaho Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit over Medicaid mental health contract • Idaho Capital Sun
The Idaho Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit from a bidder for an Idaho Medicaid contract to run mental health services.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The Idaho Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit from a failed bidder for an Idaho Medicaid contract to run mental health services, report @idahocapitalsun.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Disgraced former lawmaker Leezah Sun has set her sights on the governor’s office, hoping that voters will choose her to lead the state despite a political history marked by a near-expulsion from the Arizona Legislature, report @azmirror.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Scandal-plagued former AZ lawmaker Leezah Sun announces run for governor | Arizona Mirror
Disgraced former lawmaker Leezah Sun has set her sights on the governor’s office, saying she plans to run as an independent in 2026.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Disgraced former lawmaker Leezah Sun has set her sights on the governor’s office, hoping that voters will choose her to lead the state despite a political history marked by a near-expulsion from the Arizona Legislature, report @azmirror.com and @statesnewsroom.com