Unemployment rose across all 12 Georgia regional commissions in June even as the state set records for employment and labor force. The jump was most visible in metro Atlanta.

Gov. Pritzker signed a law naming July 25 Emmett Till Day in Illinois, honoring the Chicago teen whose 1955 murder helped galvanize the civil‑rights movement. The designation will be observed statewide on Till’s birthday.

State higher‑ed officials pitched a 60/40 performance funding model that prioritizes degree completion and credit‑hour milestones; campuses could gain or lose millions.

Naperville’s new 1% grocery‑tax receipts are trailing projections, and council members have asked staff to model a 0.25% home‑rule sales‑tax increase as a possible replacement. The swap would broaden the tax to restaurants and many retail purchases.

Initial jobless claims fell to 187,000 for the week ending July 18, keeping layoffs at historically low levels and shaping expectations for July’s jobs report.

Letitia James says 1‑800‑Flowers hid renewal terms and will pay $375,000. Affected New Yorkers will be eligible for refunds as part of the settlement.

Memphis City Council adopted Ordinance 5975 raising sewer fees citywide, phasing in tenant charges and new per‑1,000‑gallon rates in 2027–2028 to fund plant upgrades.

Colorado’s delegation introduced the Glenwood Hot Springs Protection Act to block a contested quarry expansion above Glenwood Springs, citing truck traffic, cultural sites and the hot‑springs aquifer. The bill forces BLM review into the political arena.

House leaders referred Rep. Danny Williams to the Rules Committee after internal and external reviews flagged alleged improper behavior toward staff. He’s been suspended from committee duties while the probe continues.

Mayor John Whitmire partnered with the Houston Dynamo and Dash to give away 10,000 free tickets to first-time fans beginning Saturday, aiming to sustain World Cup momentum. Eligible games run through Sept. 26 and tickets will be shared with community groups and youth programs.

ICE has centralized routine check‑ins in El Paso, forcing migrants from New Mexico and West Texas to make long, costly trips while advocates warn of arrests and overcrowding.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sued Kansas City, arguing the city’s MWBE contracting rules unlawfully use race and sex. The complaint points to a May disparity study and asks federal court to end the policy.

Ysleta ISD trustees approved a short‑term tax‑revenue anticipation loan up to $32M to cover payroll while the district waits for state and property‑tax receipts.