A proposed settlement would make the VA audit legacy VACOLS files closed 1990–2025, potentially reactivating appeals and unlocking retroactive pay for veterans and survivors.

South Africa’s Constitutional Court revived a long‑running rand‑rigging probe, allowing the Competition Commission to pursue claims against six major banks and sending the matter back to the Competition Tribunal.

Sen. Josh Becker’s SB 493 would add “war” to California’s price‑gouging law, letting prosecutors pursue suspected wartime profiteering as pump prices spike. Supporters point to a persistent California premium at the pump.

A City Council committee advanced a negotiated 20-year Xcel franchise that preserves more than $180 million a year in city benefits and adds new bill-assistance and undergrounding commitments. The full council now decides whether to send the measure to voters before the Aug. 3 referral deadline.

A judge refused to toss L.A.’s price‑gouging suit against Airbnb, which alleges algorithm‑driven rate spikes on thousands of listings after the Jan. 2025 fires. The city now moves into discovery.

The landlord relisted Mayor Mamdani’s Astoria one‑bedroom at about $3,100 — roughly 35% more than he paid — spotlighting rent‑stabilization loopholes and political tensions.

A Sacramento County grand jury says Natomas Unified’s special‑education program is underresourced, pointing to chronic absenteeism, suspensions and staffing shortages.

Displaced Coloradans can still cast ballots in today's primary — replacement ballots and statewide drop boxes are available, though out-of-county voting is limited.

Lexington’s police and fire departments will stop in‑house dispatching Wednesday, handing routine calls to Purcell as the city cites budget strain. 911 remains for emergencies.

The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship while allowing state bans on transgender girls in female sports. Oklahoma leaders praised the sports ruling but clashed over citizenship.

Duke Energy will relinquish the Carolina Long Bay offshore wind lease and redeploy about $129 million into generation and grid upgrades across the Carolinas. The move pauses a major coastal project and shifts planning inland.

The Supreme Court blocked an order to strip birthright citizenship, reaffirming the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark legacy rooted in San Francisco.

A Missouri State Auditor report rates St. Clair County "good" overall but warns of weak tax controls and gaps in sheriff's bookkeeping.