Early voting opens July 24 at Coon Rapids City Hall with expanded hours ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Here's the schedule and where to find resources.

Tommy Williams was sworn in July 1 as Slidell’s police chief and will oversee a planned $17.6 million headquarters while pledging open-door leadership.

Longtime Boulder councilmember Mark Wallach abruptly resigned after an 8–1 vote to pursue FAA grants for the municipal airport, leaving his seat vacant until November. The move raises stakes in an already consequential council election.

USDA will reopen the Douglas, Ariz. cattle crossing on Aug. 24 under a phased plan tied to Mexico’s screwworm‑control milestones. APHIS says strict inspections will be required.

A federal judge has let First Amendment and civil-rights claims against Hood County officials proceed after a controversial meme arrest. The decision keeps phone-seizure and retaliation claims alive.

A razor‑thin House vote attached a "presumption of approval" to the FY27 NDAA, easing rules for servicemembers and Defense Department civilians to carry personal firearms on bases.

Most Maryland districts reached the $60,000 starting-teacher salary mandate, but smaller counties report staff cuts, larger classes and one-time fixes to comply.

Sen. Bernie Sanders' American A.I. Sovereign Wealth Fund Act would take 50% equity from large AI firms to seed a public fund that backers say could pay roughly $1,000 per person.

Maryland’s elections administrator asked the state prosecutor to review Kalshi and Polymarket, saying trading on races looks like illegal wagering that could undermine trust.

Relatives of 9/11 victims have launched a Change.org petition asking that Mayor Zohran Mamdani be barred from the 25th‑anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero.

The National Guard signed a $292M contract to house D.C.‑deployed troops in up to 2,000 apartment‑style units, a shift officials say will save lodging costs even as critics question the mission’s scope. Legal fights and cost estimates are complicating the rollout.

The New College Foundation has moved to replace the college’s nearly 50‑year‑old alumni association with a foundation‑run committee, prompting alumni backlash and possible legal action.

Dozens testified in Hempfield Township in favor of WVU Medicine’s planned takeover of Independence Health, which leaders say includes an $800M investment and job protections. Regulators will weigh public input before deciding.