Madyson Fitzgerald
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maddyfitz.bsky.social
Madyson Fitzgerald
@maddyfitz.bsky.social
rva + philly | former rugby player | she/her | newsletters + social media + tech policy news + etc at @stateline.org and @statesnewsroom.com
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
📣 Last week, we kicked off Stateline’s year-end fundraising drive. Between now and Dec. 31, we’re looking for 100 donors to power our nonprofit newsroom into the new year.

Your donation supports trusted and essential reporting. Consider giving today: https://stateline.org/donate/
Donate • Stateline
Stateline is a nonprofit news operation that depends on support from people like you to produce high-quality journalism without advertising, subscription fees or paywalls.
stateline.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
From Amanda Watford: Police clearance rates are among the most commonly cited measures of how effectively law enforcement solves crimes — but what do they really mean?

https://stateline.org/2025/11/24/why-clearance-rates-dont-tell-the-whole-story-about-solving-crimes/
Why ‘clearance rates’ don’t tell the whole story about solving crimes • Stateline
Police departments’ “clearance rates” — the percentage of cases they declare closed — are one of the most widely cited benchmarks for how effectively they combat crime. But the figures can be confusing — and in some cases misleading.
stateline.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
From @acvollers.bsky.social + @stateline.org: Businesses and nonprofits have launched AI-powered tools to help patients get their insurance claims paid and navigate medical bills.

stateline.org/2025/11/20/p...
AI vs. AI: Patients deploy bots to battle health insurers that deny care • Stateline
As states strive to curb health insurers’ use of artificial intelligence, patients and doctors are arming themselves with AI tools to fight claims denials, prior authorizations and soaring medical bil...
stateline.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
Health care is becoming a battle of the bots: As insurers use algorithms to cut costs, patients are using AI to push back against denied claims and soaring medical bills, Anna Claire Vollers reports.

https://stateline.org/2025/11/20/patients-deploy-bots-to-battle-health-insurers-that-deny-care/
AI vs. AI: Patients deploy bots to battle health insurers that deny care • Stateline
As states strive to curb health insurers’ use of artificial intelligence, patients and doctors are arming themselves with AI tools to fight claims denials, prior authorizations and soaring medical bills.
stateline.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
ICYMI: North Carolina published statewide digital skills standards last month that identify key knowledge and abilities for residents and will soon launch an online course, joining a number of states that are hoping to strengthen digital literacy.

stateline.org/2025/11/17/n...
North Carolina becomes latest state to offer residents help with online skills • Stateline
North Carolina published statewide digital skills standards last month that identify key knowledge and abilities for residents and will soon launch an online course, joining a number of states that ar...
stateline.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
More data centers are being built nationwide to meet the demand for digital services, including power-hungry artificial intelligence systems.

In my latest for @stateline.org, I spoke with local leaders and advocates who want more say on where and how data centers are built in their communities.
November 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
From Madyson Fitzgerald: While some state lawmakers are pushing legislation that would accelerate data center development, local communities across the country are taking steps to ensure they have a say.

https://stateline.org/2025/11/17/data-center-growth-drives-locals-to-fight-for-more-say/
Data center growth drives locals to fight for more say • Stateline
Even as some state lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation that would accelerate the development of data center infrastructure, communities across the country are taking steps to ensure they have a say in where and how data centers are built.
stateline.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
AI in OH: An Ohio state lawmaker wants to ensure people, businesses or developers are held accountable for what they do with artificial intelligence.

In effect, his bill aims to outlaw “it wasn’t me, the AI did it” as a legal defense. (@ohiocapitaljournal.com)
ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/17/w...
What's in Ohio's proposal banning AI personhood • Ohio Capital Journal
An Ohio state lawmaker is trying to ensure people, businesses or developers are held accountable for what they do with artificial intelligence. In effect, his bill aims to outlaw “it wasn’t me, the AI...
ohiocapitaljournal.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM
end of fall (my kodak ektar h35)
November 16, 2025 at 5:50 PM
From @pluribusnews.bsky.social: State lawmakers and advocates are preparing a legislative blitz in 2026 targeting AI chatbots.

pluribusnews.com/news-and-eve...
Legislators prepare ’26 blitz on AI chatbot regulations – Pluribus News
pluribusnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
A year out from the 2026 midterm elections, legal fights and procedural maneuvering over ballot measures and referendums are already well underway in states across the country, Jonathan Shorman reports.

https://stateline.org/2025/11/10/the-midterm-ballot-measure-battles-have-already-begun/
The midterm ballot measure battles have already begun • Stateline
A year out from the 2026 midterm elections, legal fights and procedural maneuvering over ballot measures and referendums are already well underway in states across the country.
stateline.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
BREAKING: Federal appeals court says full SNAP benefits must be paid for November. The Trump administration is expected to appeal.
States face uncertainty as Trump administration tries to reverse SNAP food payments
States are facing uncertainty about providing full monthly benefits for a federal food program serving 42 million Americans.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga lead this year’s Grammy nominations. See the full list of nominees ahead of next year's ceremony in February. nyti.ms/47LJRX2
November 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
November 7, 2025 at 5:07 PM
ICYMI: Four governors are exploring fast track approval for data centers that agree to deliver dependable power to the grid as part of the connection process.

via @insideclimatenews.org

insideclimatenews.org/news/3010202...
Four Governors Whose States Rely on PJM Want Data Centers to Guarantee Their Own Power - Inside Climate News
The governors are exploring fast track approval for data centers that agree to deliver dependable power to the grid as part of the connection process.
insideclimatenews.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
"What bills will I have to skip to make sure there is food in the fridge for the kids?" said Angel Rojas at the Weld Food Bank on Monday. About 600K Coloradans, like Rojas, rely on SNAP benefits, which paused due to the federal government shutdown.
By @sarawilson.bsky.social
Colorado food banks begin work to meet increased need as SNAP benefits pause | Colorado Newsline
More Coloradans are turning to food banks for groceries as federal food assistance benefits pause during the government shutdown.
coloradonewsline.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
Violence is a public health crisis among American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women. A new survey looks at traumatic brain injuries.

from @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/10/31/d...
Domestic violence in Native communities is focus of new survey • Stateline
Abigail Echo-Hawk, director of the Urban Indian Health Institute, recalled a Native mother in her 30s who started having memory loss and other dementia-like symptoms. The woman had suffered multiple b...
stateline.org
November 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
GOP-led states are blocking college students from registering to vote with campus addresses.

In the context of broader attacks on vote-by-mail and early voting, these efforts will systematically disenfranchise young people across the US.

www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
NAACP sues Virginia officials, accusing them of disenfranchising student voters
The NAACP has sued Virginia state election officials, accusing them of disenfranchising students by rejecting voter registration forms from students that do not include details like dormitory names, room numbers and campus mailbox information.
www.reuters.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
THREAD 🧵

On Nov. 7, we’re launching Stories From The States, a new weekly podcast designed to help you make sense of the dizzying swirl of news happening in our country.
October 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
From Shalina Chatlani: States have enacted dozens of laws this year to lower prescription drug costs for their residents — and many more are considering following suit.

https://stateline.org/2025/10/30/dozens-of-states-tackle-high-prescription-drug-costs/
Dozens of states tackle high prescription drug costs • Stateline
In the absence of much federal action, states have enacted dozens of laws this year to lower prescription drug costs for their residents — and many more are considering following suit.
stateline.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
In October, 'Washington Post' editorials fail to disclose Bezos interests

My story for NPR

www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
'Washington Post' editorials omit a key disclosure: Bezos' financial ties
Three times in the past two weeks, editorials at the 'Washington Post' failed to disclose that they focused on matters in which owner Jeff Bezos had a material interest.
www.npr.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Madyson Fitzgerald
Some states are passing new laws requiring artificial intelligence to be clearly labeled, especially in regulated industries or on high-stakes documents such as police reports. The labels are crucial for people who'd rather not use AI at all. n.pr/3JAjrzh
Want to opt out of AI? State labeling laws might help
Some states are passing new laws requiring artificial intelligence to be clearly labeled, especially in regulated industries or on high-stakes documents such as police reports. The labels are crucial for people who'd rather not use AI at all.
n.pr
October 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Really great series about how people, policies and systems affect Black patients in need of organ transplants (from @wordinblacknews.bsky.social)

wordinblack.com/on-borrowed-...
On Borrowed Time
“On Borrowed Time" examines the people, policies, and systems that hurt or help Black patients in need of an organ transplant.
wordinblack.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Really good story from @acvollers.bsky.social!
October 23, 2025 at 3:20 PM