Gaston County’s commissioners adopted the FY 2027 budget, holding the property tax at 59.9¢ while shifting big projects to enterprise funds and asking the state to OK a school sales tax. The package adds five positions and prioritizes repairs over new construction.

MSCS extended board attorney Justin Bailey's contract through February 2029 as officials prepare legal challenges to a new state oversight law.

Scottsdale officials are weighing a $375 million bond to beef up campus security, update technology and repair aging school buildings ahead of a possible November vote.

Former Half Moon Bay mayor Joaquin Jimenez is challenging incumbent Ray Mueller in San Mateo County’s District 3 race; coastside housing, water and the Corpus removal are front‑and‑center. The June 2 primary could settle the seat.

A new Education Scorecard finds Texas lagging in post‑COVID academic growth; a handful of districts rebounded while many middle‑poverty systems still trail. Experts urge targeted state support now that federal relief is gone.

Baltimore County introduced a measure to ban retail sales and possession of switchblades and metal knuckles, citing availability at gas stations and smoke shops. The proposal would add county-level penalties alongside state law.

CPS cut hundreds of custodial jobs last year and moved cleaning in‑house. Principals and custodians say later shifts, understaffing and new pest complaints have left buildings dirtier.

A bill in Sacramento would sharply expand property‑tax exemptions for the state’s most severely disabled veterans, with supporters calling it vital relief and critics warning of revenue losses. Legislators head to Appropriations next week.

Allegations that a longtime Oʻahu doctor secretly used his own sperm have resurfaced, exposing a gap in Hawaiʻi law and prompting calls for new remedies.

Mayor Daniel Lurie has appointed Sarah Madland as the permanent general manager of San Francisco Recreation and Parks; she starts immediately and will oversee a packed 2026 project calendar.

Cuba published new migration, citizenship and foreigners laws last week that could require Cuban‑Americans to use Cuban passports when returning to the island. The package also activates an investor migration category immediately.

The LVCVA board signed off on a package of ad, social and production deals that together carry an allocated threshold of about $464 million. R&R Partners landed the largest share.

A viral Conine campaign ad has prompted dozens of hostile messages and renewed concerns about threats to public officials as the June primary looms.