In the wake of the American Revolution, present-day Indiana became part of the U.S.-claimed Northwest Territory and later the Indiana Territory before becoming the 19th state on Dec. 11, 1816.
Continue readingIndiana: The Hoosier State
AI for Government Leaders and Staff: Practical AI Adoption, Change Readiness, and Real-World Applications
Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how government organizations operate, manage information, and support their workforce. During this SAIL webinar, Natalya H. Bah, founder of The Growth Group Academy, leadership development consultant, executive coach, and strategic adviser, provided a practical introduction to AI and its growing role in public sector workplaces.
Continue readingKentucky: The Bluegrass State
On June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state admitted to the United States. Originally a part of colonial Virginia, Kentucky’s residents petitioned to break away and form their own state, winning Congressional approval in 1791.
Continue readingIntroducing the 2026 BILLD Class
A new bipartisan group of legislators from the Midwest has been selected to take part in a one-of-a-kind leadership program offered by The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference.
Continue readingData and Degrees: Connecting Education to Workforce Development
As states work to align educational opportunities with evolving workforce needs, access to reliable data can help inform decision-making and long-term planning. In this webinar, participants learn about the Virginia Office of Education Economics, an entity established through 2021 legislation to strengthen connections between education, workforce development and economic data.
Continue reading‘Farm Bill loophole’ has led to a booming industry for hemp-derived products and a mix of state laws; a new federal framework is coming soon
Coming this fall, a new federal definition of hemp will take effect. But what it means for states, their own regulations and laws, and hemp growers remains unclear.
Continue readingNorth Carolina: The Tar Heel State
On Nov. 21, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. North Carolina holds the distinction as the site of the first attempted English settlement in America, known to history as the Lost Colony. In 1587, a group of more than 100 colonists under John White settled on Roanoke Island.
Continue readingIn some states, allowing community colleges to award bachelor’s degrees seen as way to improve access, fill current and future workforce needs
For some of her constituents, Illinois Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl says, access to a four-year degree can seem out of reach because of the time it takes to get to and from the school itself.
“If you are a student, for instance, in the western part of my [legislative] district, it could take you 90 minutes in good traffic to commute to the nearest public university,” she says.
Virginia: The Old Dominion
On June 25, 1788, Virginia became the 10th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Dubbed the “cradle of America,” Virginia has historically played a pivotal role in many of our nation’s most consequential moments. It was the site of the first permanent English settlement in America, Jamestown, established in 1607 on the banks of the James River.
Continue readingCarrying the load: How states are planning for growth in data centers
Data centers are becoming a conundrum for state policymakers. They are crucial to the digital economy and provide jobs and property tax revenue for communities needing both. But their proliferation and need for power and water have sparked concern from voters to city halls to state capitols and beyond.
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