SBA seeks proposals for $9M SCALE supply-chain grants: Aug. 7 deadline
SBA is seeking proposals for $9 million in SCALE supply-chain grants, including about 20 awards up to $500,000. Deadline: Aug. 7, 4 p.m. ET.
Local Headlines
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Freddie Mac: 30-year mortgage rate rises to 6.58%—what higher costs mean
Freddie Mac’s PMMS for the week ending July 23 shows the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.58%—up from 6.55—tightening affordability for buyers and refinancers.
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Student loan defaults are rising after pandemic protections ended—what “default” means
AP reports a surge of federal student-loan borrowers entering default after pandemic protections ended. Here’s what “default” means for budgets.
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Salem to assist with ODOT encampment cleanups downtown this week—what to expect
KPTV reports Salem will assist ODOT with downtown homeless encampment cleanups this week. Here’s what the city says comes next for outreach.
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Portland City Council considers income-limit change for affordable home SDCs
Portland OR—City Council’s July 29 second reading would temporarily drop homebuyer income limits for affordable SDC homes, affecting about 700 unsold units.
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Cherry Hill area gas & diesel: AAA prices up (regular vs diesel) — July 24
Cherry Hill Township NJ Gas & Diesel Watch: AAA’s Philadelphia (NJ Only) metro average (as of July 24) is $4.171/gal regular and $5.359 diesel—up vs yesterday/last week.
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States Sue to Block DHS/FEMA Grant Conditions Tied to Election Administration
More than 24 states sued over HSGP conditions tied to paper ballots, a 5% post-election manual audit, and SAVE citizenship checks—threatening a 20% holdback.
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Supreme Court to review whether Washington can regulate private ICE facility
GEO Group asked the Supreme Court on July 10, 2026 to challenge Washington’s HB 1470 health/safety rules for a private ICE site. Response due Aug. 17.
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PHMSA advisory bulletin targets DIMP risk evaluations—July 13 guidance
PHMSA’s July 13, 2026 advisory bulletin (Federal Register 2026-14071) urges gas distributors to tighten DIMP risk evaluations for threats and leaks.
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Colorado Initiative 195: graduated income tax—what it could mean for Denver
Denver CO – Colorado’s Initiative 195 would replace the flat 4.4% income tax with brackets, with official estimates of revenue and household tax changes.
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TripCheck alerts: Nightly I-205 southbound closures near Oregon City start July 31
Oregon City OR – TripCheck starts nightly I-205 southbound closures near Oregon City on July 31 (11 p.m.–7 a.m.), with more Aug. 1 and Aug. 7–8 weekend windows.
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The Colony filing window starts July 20 for Council Places 3–6
The Colony TX – Filing for City Council Places 3–6 opens July 20 and ends Aug. 17 at 5 p.m. Here’s the official paperwork and deadline map.
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DOJ: Man pleads guilty after damaging Chabad-Lubavitch HQ entrance
DOJ says Dan Sohail pleaded guilty May 13, 2026, after ramming the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters entrance in Brooklyn on Jan. 28.
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GAO: IIJA/IRA $33.6B Pending, about $17.8B Canceled—Grant Timing Watch
July 22 GAO review finds EPA, DOT, Interior and NTIA obligated most IIJA/IRA funding—but left about $17.8B canceled and $33.6B pending.
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DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1B—Recoveries, Charges, What’s Next
DOJ says its Trade Fraud Task Force hit $1B+ in recoveries, penalties, forfeitures, and charged losses since Aug. 2025. Here’s what to watch next.
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Portland Housing panel advances foreclosure on delinquent City liens
Portland Housing and Permitting agenda lists foreclosure ordinances for delinquent City liens, with June/July certified-mail windows and a 90-day redemption period.
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Brigham City Planning Commission to hear annexation zoning changes July 21
Brigham City Planning Commission plans a July 21, 6:00 PM public hearing on annexation-related zoning map changes affecting 1000 W between Hwy 13 and 1500 N.
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Milwaukee Zoning Committee Advances TID 134 for Austin Commons—Key Terms and Next Step
Milwaukee Zoning Committee advanced TID 134 for Austin Commons; Common Council adopted it July 14. $2.135M TIF repaid through 21 years of incremental taxes.
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ICC Khan removal vote looms: what secret ballot could change
World Priority Scan: On July 24, 2026, ICC states vote by secret ballot on permanently removing prosecutor Karim Khan—an institutional legitimacy test.
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China adds 14 EU entities to export-control list in Russia sanctions retaliation
China’s MOFCOM says it will bar exports of dual-use goods to 14 EU entities, effective immediately, citing retaliation for the EU’s latest Russia sanctions.
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Ortega says Nicaragua won’t hold elections soon; UN Türk warns civic clampdown
Ortega said Nicaragua won’t hold elections “anytime soon,” effectively canceling November 2027. UN chief Türk warns civic space is shrinking.
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Nashville voters: New early voting sites open July 17; absentee requests due July 27
Nashville TN: Early voting starts July 17, 2026 in Davidson County, with flexible locations and no assignments. Absentee requests due July 27, 2026.