Energy Secretary Chris Wright toured Long Beach oil operations and said lower gas prices are on the way, but legal fights and refinery limits could delay relief. Officials point to thin refining capacity and recent federal orders to restart offshore flows.

Jefferson Parish hired a PR firm and posted a flyer saying many firefighters earn six figures as unions press for higher starting pay.

A 615‑page Harm Report from Fulton County’s Reparations Task Force quantifies slavery, Jim Crow and policy harms and assigns sweeping dollar figures. The study will be presented to the public next Thursday.

Ohio lawmakers unveiled the Save Ohio Sports Act to cap wagers, ban proposition bets and limit mobile play, citing addiction and game‑integrity concerns. The bill faces an uphill legislative path.

Advocates say Utah’s 2026 legislative session left renters and Medicaid recipients with little immediate relief, criticizing a narrow $10M homebuyer boost and missed consumer protections.

Douglas County School District plans to present a mill levy override proposal this month to boost pay, special‑ed services and school safety; trustees could refer the measure this summer for a November vote.

Ohio’s high court ruled that a lifeguard’s choice of seat did not create the legal “physical defect” needed to sue Cleveland over a 2019 pool drowning. The decision reverses an appeals court and ends this round of litigation.

Rep. Chuy García’s office launched “Our Community, Our Legacy,” a classroom program asking Pilsen students to nominate a deceased local figure to replace César Chávez on the post office. Submissions are due May 15.

A whistleblower told Maryland lawmakers that nonprofit hospitals moved billions into offshore captive insurers, prompting a two‑year study and a temporary tax pause.

DFL lawmakers filed two bills after the Supreme Court ruling that would bar insurers from covering conversion therapy and create a path for victims to sue. The measures aim to preserve Minnesota’s 2023 ban while surviving constitutional review.

A Tennessee bill would have given Shelby County suburbs voting seats on the MLGW board — supporters called it fair, but the measure stalled in committee.

The president’s FY2027 budget includes nearly $2B to replace Indianapolis’ Roudebush VA Medical Center — a major construction request that still needs Congressional approval.

The Citizens Clean Elections Commission and the Arizona Media Association rolled out the 2026 debate roster and a preliminary calendar; statewide debates begin in late May.