Brain scientist John Medina says boosting your “intellectual humility”—a willingness to accept that your beliefs and opinions may occasionally need updating—can boost your memory and help you manage conflict.

Seventy-two percent of high school teachers report cellphone distractions as a significant problem in their classrooms, according to a June 2024 survey from Pew Research. And while 10 states have laws or policies regarding cellphones in K-12...

The Nov. 5 election reduced the number of states where one party has a trifecta—controlling both chambers in the legislature as well as the governor’s seat—and added two where neither party will dominate, NCSL elections experts...

NCSL sent congressional leadership policy priorities for the remainder of the 118th Congress and the final 2025 fiscal year appropriations package.  NCSL priorities include: Farm Bill reauthorization, Supplemental Appropriations for...

In this issue: ASLCS award winners, Reports from Associate Exchange Program participants, LSMI and CATS – and NCSL’s 50th Anniversary. 

In this issue of Capitol to Capitol NCSL Supports Reauthorization of Second Chance Act, CFPB Reports on Federal and State Privacy Protections for Consumer Financial Data, and more.

Sarah Maher is a fellow with the Idaho Science and Technology Fellowship, a nonpartisan program that provides outstanding scientists, social scientists and engineers the opportunity to learn firsthand about policymaking through a yearlong...

Massive wildfires in the US. have caused widespread damage in recent decades. On this episode we’re joined by a utility executive and a state legislator to discuss the value of wildfire mitigation plans and how legislators can use them to...

In this issue: Profiles of the new principal clerks and secretaries, news from the Spring Business Meeting in New Orleans and a report on the Illinois Capitol’s facelift.

In this issue: Profiles of the new principal clerks and secretaries, news from the Spring Business Meeting in New Orleans and a report on the Illinois Capitol’s facelift.

Together with the National Governors Association, Council of State Governments, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the International City/County Management Association, NCSL...

What key issues will shape the 2025 legislative sessions? What policy trends might carry forward from 2024? What changes could states see as the new legislative session starts in January?

In their 2024 legislative sessions, state lawmakers continued their efforts to integrate nondegree credential options into their larger postsecondary and career-training ecosystems.

This letter urges Congress to pass the Disaster Management Cost Modernization Act, which would enable states to consolidate management functions and utilize management costs across all open disasters.

This letter urges Congress to reauthorize the Second Chance Act, which provides critical reentry grant programs and enhances services and supports for housing, childcare, career training, and treatment for substance use disorders.

The small private learning institutions known as microschools grew in popularity as families sought pandemic-era options to remote learning at public schools.

The federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention offers grants to states to handle juvenile cases informally, often via community-based services that can reduce reoffending and increase public safety. 

Hot topics in criminal justice legislation for 2025 include Medicaid Section 1115 waivers; prison conditions and reentry opportunities; the behavioral health crisis; immigration; and competency to stand trial. Forecast ’25

State legislative hot topics for 2025 in education include systemic educational changes; student leaning loss; academic and emotional well-being; and higher education affordability and outcomes. Forecast ’25

Top issues in elections and redistricting for 2025 legislative sessions include artificial intelligence; noncitizen voting, ranked choice voting and anything related to election officials. Forecast ’25

Hot topics in employment and retirement legislation for 2025 include skills-based hiring, reemployment after retirement and employee benefits programs.

Legislative hot topics in the energy sector for 2025 include reducing emissions, possibly through greater use of geothermal and nuclear power, and preparing for increased risks as energy demand grows in a digital age. Forecast ’25

The top military and veterans issues for states in 2025 include suicide prevention, sustainment of military installations, military spouse employment and family support, National Guard recruitment and justice-connected veterans.

Legislative priorities in transportation for 2025 include finding alternatives to the gas tax, improving railroad safety and combatting distracted driving.