A new statewide survey finds real gains in school buildings, but funding and capacity gaps leave many urban and rural schools behind. Policymakers are weighing reforms.

State and local leaders gather in Durham as closures and a long subsidy waitlist squeeze North Carolina’s child-care system.

HER Resiliency Center says the state withheld more than $218,000 in VOCA reimbursements, forcing program suspensions and layoffs in Baltimore.

The IMF warned Feb. 25 that U.S. deficits could run 7–8% of GDP and consolidated debt may reach about 140% by 2031, urging early fiscal consolidation even as 2026 growth holds.

House Bill 980, dubbed Kanaiyah’s Law, gets a House Judiciary hearing Thursday as Ward’s family prepares to testify. The bill would create an independent child-welfare ombudsman and ban unlicensed placements.

Federal figures obtained by CBS News show ICE arrested 261 DACA beneficiaries in the first 10 months of the administration, prompting calls for oversight from lawmakers and advocates.

A new Maryland bill would require earlier notice, automatic 90‑day continuity of care and special enrollment when hospital–insurer contracts end. Lawmakers say the change is aimed at preventing another Hopkins–UnitedHealthcare style scramble.

The city will cover up to $2,000 toward funeral and burial costs for homicide victims, with applications opening March 1. The Office of the Victim Advocate will manage intake.

A reworked clean-energy bill heads to the Massachusetts House Thursday, promising near-term bill relief while trimming some clean-energy programs. Supporters call it affordability; advocates warn of backsliding.

Councilors gave preliminary approval to a bill creating a city-run housing dashboard that will publish monthly net housing-unit counts and set firm deadlines.

A Boston judge ruled DHS's third‑country deportation policy unlawful but delayed enforcement for 15 days while appeals proceed. The decision raises fresh legal and political questions.

A Feb. 18 State Department cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio told U.S. diplomats to oppose data localization measures, saying they threaten AI and cross‑border data flows.

Casey Means, President Trump's surgeon general nominee, faced a delayed Senate confirmation hearing on Feb. 25 as senators pressed her on credentials, business ties and controversial health claims.