Lobbying

Illinois: “Investigation Details Secretive Contacts with Lobbyist on $2 Billion Illinois Lottery Contract” by Joe Mahr and Matthew Walberg for Chicago Tribune

Wisconsin: “State Ethics Commission Finalizing Audit of Possible Lobbying Violations” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal

Ethics

“Obstruction Inquiry Shows Trump’s Struggle to Keep Grip on Russia Investigation” by Michael Schmidt (New York Times) for MSN

Kentucky: “Panel Appointed to Investigate Kentucky House Speaker” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Michigan: “Michigan Senator Says His Hands Are Clean in Towing Bribery Scandal” by Paul Egan and Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

Missouri: “Missouri Lawmaker Not Punished Over Remark About Hanging” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

New York: “Reform Groups Launch ‘Restore Public Trust’ Campaign” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazette

Elections

Connecticut: “Is It Possible to Balance Statewide Tickets in Age of Primaries?” by Mark Pazniokas for Conneticut Mirror

Legislative Issues

Iowa: “A Lobbyist Got Married in the Iowa House, and a Portrait of Donald Trump Was Removed Before the Ceremony” by Jason Noble for Des Moines Register