Councilors pressed city officials for an accounting of $4.4M in homeless services after public allegations of unauthorized payments and evictions.

Two bills in Jefferson City would force platforms to verify ages, freeze certain AI companion accounts and ban manipulative features aimed at minors. The measures carry stiff civil penalties if passed.

A Hawaii bill would bar most under‑16s from holding social‑media accounts or require parental consent, but the state attorney general warns it could face First Amendment challenges.

Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez introduced AB 1620 to allow a state deduction for homeowners' insurance premiums beginning in 2026. Supporters say it targets seniors and working families facing rising rates.

Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a slate of GOP bills that would have limited agency rulemaking and barred local 'rights of nature' ordinances, preserving local control and the status quo.

After a 26% rise in food-permit applications and longer waits, Allegheny County moved to speed reviews while keeping safety checks in place. Officials say the change will help small operators open sooner.

Encinitas City Council voted to raise fees for repeat false fire-alarm responses, targeting persistent activations that tied up crews in 2025.

Long Beach will inventory parks and schools named for César Chávez after reporting raised abuse allegations. Officials say community input will guide any renaming decisions.

The Oklahoma House unanimously passed HB 2961, renamed the TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, to waive tuition, fees and room and board for spouses and children of fallen Oklahoma service members.

A Senate bill would let seasoned physician assistants practice without direct physician oversight, promising faster access to care while drawing pushback from medical groups.

Four Republicans in Knox County have sketched competing plans for school safety, response times and drug enforcement as the May 5 primary approaches.

Mayor Cherelle Parker will unveil funding steps to shield school staff and support students as the district confronts a roughly $300M shortfall and a contested $2.8B facilities plan.

Records and public filings show Amazon paid more than $100 million to a small Oregon fiber company while local officials who bought it were approving data-center deals. The timing has prompted a state lawsuit and renewed scrutiny.