The state salary hub series covered five Midwest and Mountain states this week: Indiana ($89,150/yr RN, right-to-work), Missouri ($85,900/yr, most restrictive NP scope nationally), Maryland ($99,010/yr, Johns Hopkins/UMMC corridor), Wisconsin ($94,690/yr, #2 CRNA pay at $281K, new FPA effective Sept 2026), and Colorado (~$86,900 BLS supplemental — excluded from primary OEWS release due to UI data issues). News ranged from 400 nurses picketing HCA Fort Walton-Destin over 1:19 ED ratios, to fresh 2026 data showing 27% of RNs were physically assaulted last year and RN turnover hitting $60K per vacancy. Eli Lilly's threat to pull 340B savings from hospitals that won't share pharmacy claims data adds another pressure point for safety-net staffing budgets.