Good morning, it’s Thursday, October 15, 2026. In today’s edition, states want AI out of the classroom; Oregon bars new data center permits; new polls in Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Iowa, Connecticut:

Top Stories

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Some of the same lawmakers who spearheaded the effort to keep cell phones out of schools are now turning their attention to AI. Legislation to be introduced in New York would restrict the use of technology in the classroom, including AI applications. The bill would prohibit schools from issuing devices with built-in cameras and those with access to AI companions.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing four AI-in-education bills. California, Idaho, Maryland and Oklahoma all enacted laws governing the use of AI in education this year. The Oklahoma measure bans AI from making “high stakes” decisions like grading and discipline. (Pluribus News)

MORE: Eight states have sued OpenAI, alleging the company’s popular chatbot harmed children in violation of consumer protection laws. The suits, filed separately in state courts, allege that ChatGPT was rushed to market and poses a threat to the public, including features that aim to maximize user engagement. (Pluribus News)

SOCIAL MEDIA: The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a Florida law that bans kids under 14 from social media. The 2024 law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), requires parental consent for teens between 14 and 15. The judges said the state was likely to prevail in the face of a legal challenge by social media companies. (Associated Press)

ENERGY: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) has ordered a halt to new air and water permitting for data centers until July. The order, which went unannounced last week, will halt new construction. State Sen. Christine Drazan (R), Kotek’s rival in the race for governor, has called for a statewide moratorium on data centers. (Oregonian)

HEALTHCARE: Maryland lawmakers plan to introduce legislation next year to tie drug prices to federally negotiated price limits under Medicare. Gov. Wes Moore (D) said the proposed legislation would allow the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set upper payment limits for prescription drugs based on the Maximum Fair Price negotiated by Medicare. (Maryland Matters)

IMMIGRATION: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a California law requiring federal agents to wear visible identification showing their name and badge number. The unanimous ruling found the law likely violated the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which bars states from regulating the federal government. (New York Times)

In Politics & Business

GEORGIA: A new InsiderAdvantage poll finds businessman Rick Jackson (R) leading former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) 49%-47% in the race for governor. Pollster Matt Towery said the poll showed a big turnout boost among seniors, which is bolstering Jackson’s lead. (James Magazine)

MINNESOTA: A SurveyUSA poll finds U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) leading House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R) 48%-41%. The last SurveyUSA poll had Klobuchar up by the same margin, 47%-40%. Klobuchar leads among moderate voters by a 52%-29% margin. (KSTP)

TEXAS: A new University of Texas poll conducted by the Texas Politics Project finds state Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D) statistically tied with Gov. Greg Abbott (R) 49%-48%. The same poll shows state Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D) leading Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) 49%-46%, and state Sen. Nathan Johnson (D) tied with state Sen. Mayes Middleton (R) 48%-47%. President Trump’s job approval is at 42%. (Texas Politics Project)

IOWA: A YouGov poll finds Auditor Rob Sand (D) leading businessman Zach Lahn (R) 50%-44%. The poll found President Trump’s job approval rating at 46%, while 54% disapprove. (YouGov)

CONNECTICUT: A new Quinnipiac poll finds Gov. Ned Lamont (D) leading state Sen. Ryan Fazio (R) 58%-38%. Lamont led the last Quinnipiac poll, in September, by a 55%-38% margin. Lamont has a 53% job approval rating, while just 29% approve of President Trump’s job performance. (Quinnipiac)

By The Numbers

170: The number of newspapers that closed or merged in the past year, a rate of more than three per week. The number of news deserts — counties without a professional source of local news — rose by 26. (Poynter)

More than 385,000: The number of Connecticut residents who lived in poverty in 2025, according to a new report from a state nonprofit group. That’s the highest total in the last seven years. (CT Insider)

Off The Wall

Costco is selling new Jimothy stuffed animals. The short-spined raccoon that became Seattle’s unofficial mascot this summer is now on sale for $10.99. (Seattle Times)

Political candidates and outside groups have spent more than $10 billion on television ads this year, with three weeks to go before Election Day. That’s more than the amount Americans spent on movie tickets, and more than the total amount of ad spending during NFL games last season. Republican advertisers are spending about 11% more than Democratic advertisers. (New York Times)

A giant inflatable pumpkin went rolling down a North Carolina road during a windstorm this weekend. The pumpkin’s attempted escape ended with the help of a friendly Uber driver, who helped return it to Phillips Farms for the annual Pumpkinfest. (UPI)

Quote of the Day

“I was one of the few he endorsed against in the last election that actually won. I enjoyed that fact. But it wasn’t fun. I wouldn’t recommend that process to anybody.”

— Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R), on President Trump’s decision to endorse his primary opponent in the 2024 elections. Phelan won his primary, but declined to seek a new term as speaker. (Texas Monthly)