Arkansas
No New Coal Plants Until Technology Improves, Panel Recommends
The Governor's Commission on Global Warming has adopted the last of about 50 policy recommendations, including a moratorium on new coal plants in the state until better pollution-control technology becomes available. In an 11-10 vote, the commission adopted a recommendation that no new coal plants be built in Arkansas until carbon sequestration technology, which captures and stores carbon dioxide emissions rather than releasing them into the atmosphere, is ready.
Source: Arkansas News Bureau

Louisiana
State's August Job Growth Beats National Average
Louisiana reported the largest month-to-month increase in jobs in the nation, according to a state Labor Department report. While the state's annual employment growth slowed in August, the state still showed a boost of 18,200 non-farm jobs from a year ago. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the state added 6,500 non-farm jobs from July. When seasonal factors are calculated, the state gained 9,400 non-farm jobs from July to August. Louisiana's unemployment rate in August was 5%; the nation rate was 6.1%.
Source: The News Star

Michigan
Lawmakers Agree on Transportation Budget
The Legislature passed a $3.6 billion state transportation budget that allows the study of a second bridge across the Detroit River to proceed and averts a threatened shutdown of state highway projects. Construction of the bridge can begin only after the Michigan Department of Transportation presents its final report on the project, expected next year, and after the Legislature gives its approval.
Source: The Detroit News

South Dakota
State Roads Could See $130M Shortfall
Rising construction costs and declining gas tax revenues could mean a $130 million yearly shortfall in the money needed to maintain roads and bridges and handle new projects in South Dakota, according to state Transportation Secretary Darin Bergquist. The current budget is $4.1 million short of what is required for road maintenance and $9.5 million short for equipment needs. Another list of $1 billion in requested projects isn't being considered at all for the moment. According to Bergquist, state highway fund revenues have increased less than 2% a year in the past decade. Of more concern is that those revenues have decreased at an annual rate of about 1% in the past five years.
Source: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls)

Wyoming
Immigrants Come for Jobs, Economist Says
While much of the nation is enduring a downturn, Wyoming's economy is thriving, and the availability of jobs is attracting more immigrant workers, a state economist said. "Wyoming has experienced an increase in its foreign-born population, and that is mainly driven by the state's strong economy," said Amy Bittner, an economist with the Department of Administration and Information's Economic Analysis Division. Wyoming's immigrant population jumped 17.5% between 2006 and 2007, the largest percentage gain in the nation, according to new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. An estimated 16,360 immigrants lived in the state in 2007, up from fewer than 14,000 in 2006.
Source:  Casper Star-Tribune