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Justice Clarence Thomas, questioning lawyers representing Mississippi in a key Supreme Court case over mail-in voting. During oral arguments on Monday, the court seemed poised to reject Mississippi’s mail-in voting law. Conservative justices appeared to agree with the plaintiffs’ argument that mail-in ballots should not count if they’re received after Election Day. “The justices repeatedly pressed the lawyer for Mississippi on what is required to make a ballot selection final,” writes the New York Times, “suggesting that federal law sets out Election Day as the day ballots should be considered final.” The court is expected to issue its opinion in the case on Wednesday morning. It could affect at least 18 states and territories with similar laws. [New York Times]
Massive flooding in Oahu strained the dam nearly to its breaking point, putting thousands of lives at risk.
The Trump administration released the framework on Friday after months of speculation about what it would contain.
The drop comes as a shrinking fentanyl supply has made the drug weaker and less deadly and volunteer efforts get more people into treatment.
Over 10,000 kids voted in Connecticut’s Kid Governor election.
What state legislatures do is important, but process matters just as much. Local governments determine whether reforms unlock housing or quietly stall.
Hospital closures and service cuts are leaving many communities without local delivery options.
An investigation found that suicides in 2025 were tied to isolation, substance use and inconsistent clinical care.
The initiative comes as federal proposals to require proof of citizenship raise concerns about voting access in rural areas.
Mia Bonta, a California assemblymember, warning about the growing reach of fantasy sports wagering platforms among minors. Bonta made the remark while announcing legislation to restrict advertising and access to sports betting-style apps for minors, arguing that the platforms blur the line between gaming and gambling. Lawmakers say the apps are increasingly targeting younger users, even as sports betting remains illegal in California. (The Sacramento Bee)
The combined market value added to the world’s six largest Western oil companies in just two weeks, as rising crude prices linked to the Iran conflict boosted energy stocks ...
Innovative programs make them safer while enhancing opportunities for success after release. Some states are showing the way.
Household electricity bills were going up in almost every state long before gas prices became a worry.
The program aims to ease heavy caseloads by summarizing legal filings and generating draft decisions, with judges required to review all outputs.
State legislators want a greater role in allocating funds, even as federal rules limit changes to approved plans.
The effort follows earlier battles over social studies and could spread to other states reviewing academic standards.
Illinois state Senator Karina Villa, as she trailed in a tightly contested Democratic primary for state comptroller. Villa, one of four candidates in the race, pointed to tens of thousands of outstanding mail-in and drop-box ballots as reason to hold off on declaring a winner. With state Rep. Margaret Croke holding only a narrow lead in a crowded field that also included Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, the race remained one of the closest and only unresolved statewide contests heading into the final vote count. (Chicago Tribune)
The amount Maryland has approved to overhaul its struggling foster care system, expanding placements and strengthening care for youth with complex behavioral and health needs ...
The first Republican to lead the North Carolina Senate in over a century is seeking a recount in a primary where he trails by 23 votes. And a Chicago institution beats back a primary challenge.
A little-used state program is enabling landowners to set aside water for ecosystems in a system built on strong private property rights.
An overwhelming levy vote is helping the city move closer to ensuring every resident lives within a short walk of green space.
The amount in federal funding poised to expand high-speed Internet access across Alaska, the largest single investment in broadband infrastructure in the state’s history ...
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials, in a social media warning aimed at drivers trying to cheat carpool lane rules with fake passengers. The message came alongside a recent enforcement example in Southern California, where a driver used a jacket arranged in the passenger seat to mimic a person. CHP noted that such tactics — from mannequins to makeshift decoys — are a recurring issue, and violations can result in tickets exceeding $400 as part of ongoing HOV lane crackdowns. (Los Angeles Times)
For the third straight year, efforts to crack down on low-performing programs have stalled, even as concerns about student outcomes persist.
Republican-led proposals aim to reduce income taxes but may shift more of the tax burden onto lower earners through expanded sales taxes.
Without access to traditional mortgages, many buyers rely on higher-cost loans with shorter terms and higher interest rates.
Oregon has one of the highest SNAP enrollment rates of any state. The One Big Beautiful Bill is likely to introduce new issues for administrators.
It’s more important than ever for state and local governments to get strategic about managing federal grants. Without better capacity and coordination, they risk missing opportunities.
That’s how much gold Wyoming has added to its state reserves, now stored in a secure vault in a former newspaper building in Casper ...
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