Newswatch Media State-by-State
Florida
University of Miami football player shares racist, threatening messages made by Florida Bar employee
October 20, 2026 08:32 PM EDT
CBS News
The Florida Bar says the messages violate its social media policy, and Wilson's teammates said they are standing by him.
Florida
Two Florida state attorneys warn TV stations over false information in Hope Florida political ad
October 20, 2026 04:28 PM EDT
Florida Voice News
Two Florida state attorneys have warned television stations against airing a Florida Democratic Party political advertisement over the Hope Florida investigation, citing potential criminal liability amid concerns about false claims in the ad and its use of material from an expunged grand jury presentment.
Florida
Florida GOP lawsuit to censor TV stations fails Sunshine State — and First Amendment
October 20, 2026 12:00 PM EDT
Freedom of the Press Foundation.
The Florida GOP should know news outlets cannot be punished for publishing information from whistleblowers
Georgia
Court clears Georgia social media law requiring consent - NewsBreak
October 20, 2026 09:00 PM EDT
News Break, Inc
Court clears Georgia social media law requiring consent
Georgia
Eleventh Circuit Lets Georgia Social Media Age Checks Proceed
October 20, 2026 01:11 PM EDT
Reclaim The Net.
Georgia’s "child safety" law now comes with an adult-sized identity check.
Georgia
Georgia jails TV anchor for 30 days over online posts
October 20, 2026 09:46 AM EDT
Journalism Pakistan.
A Tbilisi court sentenced anchor Vakho Sanaia to 30-day detention over social media posts that insulted Shalva Papuashvili and lawmaker Vladimer Bozhadze.
Illinois
Cunningham and Champaign Township voters will weigh in on repeal of Illinois' anti-BDS laws - IPM Newsroom
October 20, 2026 06:00 PM EDT
IPM Newsroom.
The advisory question on the midterm ballots asks whether Illinois should repeal its law that prohibits the state pension fund from investing in companies that boycott Israel.
Kansas
Opposition to Prairie Village "HALO" City Code - ACLU of Kansas
October 20, 2026 12:21 PM EDT
aclukansas
The Kansas state legislature passed the HALO Act earlier this year during legislative session and it became state law, effective in July. On October 19, 2026 we submitted opposition testimony to Prairie Villages's proposed the Uniform Public Offense Code New Section 3.5.1, which unnecessarily incorporates the problematic state law into the city’s code.
Mississippi
DPS, FBI investigating potential threats to Mississippi Gulf Coast schools - SuperTalk Mississippi
October 20, 2026 12:13 PM EDT
Supertalk Mississippi.
After a social media threat targeting students and staff at schools on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, multiple school districts are working with law enforcement
Missouri
Media coalition sues MSHP to restore public access to crash details - West Plains Daily Quill
October 20, 2026 04:12 PM EDT
The West Plains Daily Quill.
The Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Broadcasters Association have filed a lawsuit against the Missouri State Highway Patrol, alleging the agency is illegally redacting information from traffic and boating […]
Missouri
Missouri journalists sue Highway Patrol over records access
October 20, 2026 02:11 PM EDT
Fox 2 News
Missouri journalists file a lawsuit against the Missouri State Highway Patrol – alleging the agency violated the Sunshine Law.
New Jersey
New Jersey announces research center to study social media impacts
October 20, 2026 03:20 PM EDT
route-fifty
The announcement comes in the wake of states’ legal settlement with Meta, after they accused the tech company of knowingly designing social media apps with addictive and harmful features.
New Jersey
NJ's First-Ever Social Media Research Center Will Open At Rutgers
October 20, 2026 01:15 PM EDT
Patch Media Corporation.
The state of New Jersey will also receive at least $525 million from a settlement with Meta Platforms, Inc.
New Jersey
Rutgers to host NJ social media research center backed by $500K grant
October 20, 2026 01:09 PM EDT
NJBIZ.
Rutgers University will house New Jersey's Social Media Research Center backed by a $500,000 grant to study social media's impact on youth.
Texas
The case that could weaken one of Texas' most ambitious anti-abortion laws
October 20, 2026 03:29 PM EDT
The 19th.
An organization that championed the law is now being sued under it. The case could show what limits could be put on the sweeping law.
Wisconsin
David Crowley offers plan to regulate artificial intelligence in Wisconsin
October 20, 2026 05:00 PM EDT
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
Crowley wants to limit AI chatbots for children under 13 and increase penalties for circulating AI-generated sexual images of minors.
