A bipartisan bill would make state and local septic‑repair grants tax‑free, lawmakers say, removing a financial barrier to replacing failing systems.

A new Illinois bill would bar fines and criminal penalties for people sleeping or storing belongings on public land, but counties and neighbors warn it could hamstring local enforcement.

Florida education officials have proposed a rule to block applicants who can’t prove citizenship or lawful presence from enrolling at the state’s 28 public colleges. A May 14 hearing at Miami Dade College will take public testimony.

Jack Evans ended his comeback bid for D.C. Council chair after nominating‑petition challenges left him short of qualifying signatures.

LA County’s June 2 primary includes 11 contested Superior Court races. Most seats are unopposed, but a few contests — including one tied to formal misconduct proceedings — deserve attention.

A public‑interest law firm wants the University of Hawaiʻi to release executive‑session minutes and recordings tied to the hiring and evaluation of President Wendy Hensel.

Alvin Brown, an ex‑NTSB vice chair and former Jacksonville mayor, sued the Trump administration, alleging racially motivated firings days after a White House report critiqued DEI. The filing turns a personnel fight into a national legal test over policy and presidential power.

Painesville and Wickliffe have put earned-income levies on the May ballot after state funding cuts forced layoffs and program reductions.

Sen. Cornyn's bid to defund and close the César E. Chávez National Monument was blocked after Sen. Martin Heinrich offered an amendment that preserved the site.

Sheriff Oscar Ugarte told commissioners that overtime and staffing shortages are straining El Paso County jails and requested about 100 more detention officers.

Maryland lawmakers approved a bill to outlaw harmful AI impersonations after a Pikesville High deepfake scandal, adding new criminal and civil penalties.

Early voting runs April 20–28 ahead of May 2. Find polling locations, candidate lineups and ID rules for Keller, Roanoke and Fort Worth voters.

Former Marshall Islands President David Kabua died in Honolulu on April 8 after months of cancer treatment. A memorial in Honolulu is scheduled before a state funeral in Majuro.