Lawmakers set up a dedicated Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund for the Amite River Basin, funneling sand severance revenues into local restoration and flood‑risk projects. Officials say the modest pot could unlock federal matches for basin‑scale work.

Ballard's campaign says it submitted 35,167 petition signatures to county clerks as it races June 30 and July 15 deadlines. Verification now determines whether he makes the November ballot.

A Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll finds cost‑of‑living angst leaving many voters sour on the economy and nearly half saying they’ve considered leaving the state.

Jim Marchant clinched the Republican nod for Nevada secretary of state, setting up a rematch with incumbent Cisco Aguilar and refocusing debate on ballot counting and voting machines.

House Oversight has opened a probe into D.C.'s tax‑lien foreclosures after reporting that small unpaid bills have in some cases cost homeowners their equity.

Oakland's City Council passed a midcycle budget that avoids layoffs while adding one-time funding for shelter beds, film incentives and anti‑dumping crews. The plan leans on vacancy savings and one-time revenue.

DeSantis and AHCA rolled out a statewide Medicaid Integrity Initiative requiring provider revalidation, enrollment moratoria and a SentiLink identity‑screening pilot to curb fraud.

A wave of retirements and leadership shifts in Albany has opened seats and reshaped upstate influence, setting up contested primaries and new leadership battles.

Preservation groups sued to halt a planned National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park, arguing the project skips required preservation and environmental reviews. The complaint asks a judge to freeze work at the site.

Longtime City Commissioner Cynthia Garris will become St. Augustine’s first Black mayor after running unopposed; she’ll take the helm at the December City Commission meeting.

Justin Smith, a personal attorney to President Trump, was confirmed to the Eighth Circuit in a narrow Senate vote amid warnings from civil‑rights groups. The pick shifts influence on a court that hears cases from seven states.

After public pushback, Durham officials moved to restore roughly $770,576 to community partners, including funding for the DEAR expunction clinic and Lyon Park programs. Council will vote June 15.

Elected officials, business groups and advocates warn DACA renewal backlogs are pushing Nevada workers out of jobs and stressing hospitals, hotels and small businesses.