Crossword Clue:

A state governed in this way

AnswerCrossword Clue
xxxxxxxxxI stow a cat every which way in this garment (9)
FORUMA funny thing happened on the way to this, in an old musical
CROSSCOUNTRYOne way to run ... or a hint to four geographical intersections found in this grid
NAMEDROPTAGSFollowing a command hidden in this answer, convention handouts; following the command another way, one flaunting their friends
ALABAMAFirst state, in a way
SDAKBelle Fourche, in this state, is about 20 mi. south of the U.S.'s geographic center