The 2021 Best States rankings from U.S News and World Report are out and for the second year in a row Washington is No. 1 in the nation. The Evergreen State has plenty of regional company, as Utah (No. 3) and Idaho (No. 5) join them in the overall top five, with nine western states landing in the top 25. U.S. News determines the rankings by using data within 71 metrics across eight categories, including the likes of Education, Health Care, Infrastructure and Opportunity. Some western highlights:

• Washington: The state earned top spot with ratings that landed it in the top five nationally in Infrastructure, Economy, and Education;
• Utah: The Beehive State landed at No. 3 overall, thanks in part to a No. 1 national ranking in the Economy category, as well as top five grades in Infrastructure and Fiscal Stability;
• Idaho: The Gem State graded out as No. 5 overall and had top five grades in Infrastructure, Fiscal stability.

In other states: North Dakota (No. 14 overall) was top 5 in Infrastructure, top 10 in Natural Environment; South Dakota (No. 15), was No. 2 in Fiscal Stability, No. 3 in Natural Environment; Colorado (No. 16), was No. 2 in Economy, No. 5 in Education, and top 10 in Health Care; Oregon (No. 22), was No. 2 in Infrastructure; California (No. 24 overall) was top 10 in Economy and Health Care; Hawaii (No. 25l) was No. 1 in Health Care and Natural Environment; Kansas (No. 26) was top 10 in Infrastructure. Learn more.

STORM RESPONSE: Torrential rain in Hawaii continues to create dangerous conditions on the islands, including flooding, washed out bridges and mudslides. A flash flood watch remains in effect for Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii island into Friday (March 12) evening. In response, Gov. David Ige signed an emergency declaration for the counties of Hawai‘i, Maui, Kalawao, O‘ahu and Kaua‘i that enable him to use state funds to “protect the health, safety and welfare of state residents and visitors.” Find the latest updates.

RURAL BROADBAND: Western Governors have prioritized expansion of broadband connectivity in the rural West, whether it be addressing broadband data and mapping or strategies to connect tribal communities. (Learn more). Given the latter goal, the recent launch of a high-speed internet network for the Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico, aided by the leadership of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, is an encouraging development. Meanwhile, many rural communities in Alaska either have no internet or pay exorbitant amounts for a connection. Enter Starlink, a company that uses satellites to reach remote areas without fiber-optic cables or microwave towers. Alaska Public Radio reports on what it will take to make that work.

HOT NEWS: The past year has been difficult, so we’re always happy to find positive news. In this case, the tasty positive news that New Mexico farmers saw increased production of the state’s famous chile peppers. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported numbers from the U.S. Agriculture Department that show 68,000 tons of red and green chile were produced in 2020, up 8% from 2019. The value of that crop? A whopping $52 million. Which would seem to explain why Jeff Witte, head of the state’s Agriculture Department, jokingly told the paper “Chile today and hot tamale! That’s the weather forecast.”

STATE OF THE STATE: Earlier this week California Gov. Gavin Newsome became the latest Western Governor to deliver a State of the State address. Watch all addresses delivered by Western Governors to date and see a ‘Word Cloud’ of the top issues discussed by Jared Polis of Colorado, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, Greg Gianforte of Montana, Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Brad Little of Idaho, Doug Ducey of Arizona, Laura Kelly of Kansas, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Steve Sisolak of Nevada, Kate Brown of Oregon, Spencer Cox of Utah, David Ige of Hawaii, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Jay Inslee of Washington, Mark Gordon of Wyoming and Lemanu Mauga of American Samoa. Read, watch all addresses.

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