The House voted 89‑8 to advance HB1243, shifting rate‑setting, budgets and hiring authority for the Sewerage & Water Board to the New Orleans City Council. Supporters say it speeds fixes; opponents warn of financing risks.

Mayor Mamdani is weighing a move to delay some municipal pension contributions to help close a budget shortfall; City Hall says retirees would not lose benefits, but unions and watchdogs are alarmed.

SB26‑142 cleared a Senate committee, pushing Colorado to use old oil‑well data and new drilling to jump‑start geothermal projects.

A legislative audit found documentation gaps and thousands of lead‑related certificates, plus permit and radiation‑machine inspection backlogs at the Maryland Department of the Environment.

A Senate committee unanimously advanced House Bill 359 — the Joshua Alert — which would require immediate statewide notices when minors with developmental disabilities go missing. Supporters point to drowning and elopement data to argue faster alerts save lives.

Mayor Karen Bass and Supervisor Kathryn Barger met with President Trump to press for FEMA reimbursements, insurer payouts and mortgage relief as survivors struggle to rebuild.

The State Water Board approved guidelines to award nearly $50 million from Prop 4 to fix cross-border pollution in the Tijuana and New River corridors. Applications open June–August 2026.

State Auditor Dave Boliek will present findings from an investigation into NC A&T, renewing scrutiny of campus contracting after earlier audits found procurement gaps.

Creedmoor commissioners unanimously restricted Mayor Antwane Downey’s duties after his February crash and DWI charges, barring public representation and unscheduled City Hall access.

Oregon's minimum wage will rise 50¢ on July 1, lifting the standard to $15.55 and Portland to $16.80. The change is an automatic, inflation‑linked adjustment.

A New York Times poll and FEC filings show Derek Merrin leading Republicans in Ohio’s redrawn 9th District as the May 5 primary approaches.

Two veteran Pierce County juvenile court officials were separated last week; an interim administrator was named as county leaders say operations will continue. The departures remove figures central to local reform work.

Two Charlotte-area senators filed bills to block most immigration enforcement at schools and to set new training and referral rules for school resource officers. One measure includes $181M for English‑learner supports.