Author: From USA TODAY Network and wire reports

School budget bust linked to Facebook’s sweetheart deal in Iowa, Greenpeace stages Texas stunt ahead of Dem debate, and more

Cigarette butt gets man arrested for Dakota pipeline protest 3 years later, Colorado asks EPA to downgrade its cities’ air ratings, and more

Paddleboarder lands in Hawaii after landmark trans-Pacific journey, memorial tree to 1919 massacre cut down in Arkansas, and more

Tennessee startup tries honey patches to heal wounds, female Marine becomes first to pilot F-35 in South Carolina, and more

Louisiana’s new poet laureate brings unusual credentials, bear lands on deputy’s car in California, and more

Doughnut syringes nixed at Minnesota State Fair amid uproar, lawmakers complain school’s anti-bias efforts go against the ‘Idaho way,’ and more

Swastika tiles removed from Indiana University building, horse dressed as Mr. Rogers touts visiting Kentucky city, and more

Barrier finally comes down between white, black cemeteries in Texas; Kansas man has now run a marathon in every state; and more

Alaskans sweat it out amid record-high temps, libraries move into the great outdoors in Georgia, and more

Effort to clean Great Pacific Garbage Patch relaunches from California, woman’s arrest for turning in guns sets off debate in Florida, and more