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California just became the first state in the U.S. to outlaw 'stealthing,' a slang term for the nonconsensual removal of a condom during sex. The law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, makes it a civil offense under state law for someone to remove a condom without their romantic partner's consent. "For a majority of the people, it's like, yeah, it makes sense that this is immoral and it should be illegal," State Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, who sponsored the legislation, told NPR. (Hernandez, 10/7)

Three lead risk assessors in the Milwaukee Health Department received letters notifying them that their work failed to meet state standards — and more notices are expected related to the long-troubled program that is now under greater state scrutiny.  The "notices of noncompliance" issued by the state Department of Health Services on Aug. 5 were related to six assessments of lead hazards conducted in homes where children had elevated levels of lead in their blood. Two of the assessments involved multiple units at the same street address, according to DHS. (Dirr, 10/7)

The signs on the side of the Community School for People Under Six, a child care and early learning center in Carrboro, were decorated on Thursday with large, brightly colored letters. “WELCOME,” the top banner stated. “Welcome Governor Roy Cooper” was spelled out across another one. With sounds of children playing outdoors in the background, Cooper and U.S. Rep. David Price, a Democrat whose congressional district includes Carrboro and all of Orange County, made an announcement outside the 51-year-old school that will be welcomed by many in the child care industry. (Blythe, 10/8)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear floated a plan Monday to use $400 million of federal funds next year to give bonuses to front-line essential workers employed throughout two full years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal received some tentative support from health care groups, along with some initial uncertainty over including bonuses for non-health workers and waiting until next year to implement them instead of a special session this fall. (Sonka, 10/7)

KHN: From Sewers To Golf Courses, Cities See Green With New Federal Covid Relief Dollars 

Duluth, Minnesota, is hiring a social worker to help people with addiction and mental health problems. Pueblo, Colorado, started paying homeless residents to clean city streets. Palm Beach Gardens, Florida — in Palm Beach County, home to 160 golf courses — is building a new golf course. These are among the thousands of ways cities and counties have started spending the first tranche of covid relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress in March. (Galewitz, 10/8)