Austin City Council to consider $320M battery storage agreement July 23
Austin City Council will consider authorizing battery storage up to 200 MW, with costs estimated not to exceed $320M via Austin Energy’s PSA.
Local Headlines
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Decatur County Courthouse Window Bids Due July 24 in Leon
Leon IA: Decatur County courthouse window replacement sealed bids are due July 24, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. (labor only); Board reviews July 27.
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Baltimore voters will weigh Question H: new Dept. of Water and Wastewater
Baltimore voters will weigh Question H on Nov. 3, 2026, creating a standalone Dept. of Water and Wastewater and shifting oversight from DPW—if approved.
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OPM suitability rule: post-appointment conduct changes take effect July 30
OPM’s final 5 CFR part 731 rule takes effect July 30, 2026, giving OPM a formal path for employee suitability actions based on post-appointment conduct.
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FTC Seeks Comment on Proposed AI ‘Suppression of Accuracy’ Policy—Deadline July 31
United States Technology Privacy and Federal Regulation – The FTC opened public comments on a proposed AI “suppression of accuracy” policy; deadline is July 31, 2026.
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EPA proposes extending PFOA/PFOS drinking-water deadlines to 2031—what changes
EPA’s proposal keeps April 2024 PFAS drinking-water limits for PFOA and PFOS but would let eligible systems request a two-year compliance extension to 2031.
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Cook Street–French Moore Blvd extension: comments due July 24 in Abingdon
Abingdon VA – VDOT held a Cook Street–French Moore Blvd design meeting July 14 at EO, but residents can still submit feedback by July 24.
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Baton Rouge zoning hearing July 22: 6 rezoning cases on Metropolitan Council agenda
Baton Rouge LA — The Metropolitan Council’s July 22, 2026 zoning hearing at 3:30 PM at City Hall covers six rezoning cases. Here’s how to speak.
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Washington DC robotaxi bill after July 13 hearing: 200-vehicle cap and VMT fee
Washington DC – After a July 13 hearing on the autonomous vehicle/robotaxi bill, DDOT and residents debated caps, a VMT fee, and workforce transition rules.
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Missouri AG seeks Johnston removal as Ray County prosecutor; judge enjoins her
Richmond MO – Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a quo warranto petition to remove Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston, and a judge enjoined her.
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Where to check Plano road construction updates: Legacy, Park Blvd, Parker
Plano TX – City of Plano and Collin County publish live road-work status pages for major corridors. Here’s where to check for updates, plus a Park Blvd night phase.
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Van Nuys-area pump prices rise: $5.59 gas, $6.94 diesel in LA–Long Beach (July 22)
AAA’s Los Angeles–Long Beach averages for regular gas and on-highway diesel are higher today for Van Nuys-area drivers: $5.592 and $6.940.
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DOJ Religious Liberty Commission draft report moves to virtual final review
Public comments on DOJ’s Religious Liberty Commission draft closed July 13. Next: a virtual meeting to review input and finalize the report.
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House passes H.R. 9770 stopgap through Dec. 4—what changes next
United States Breaking National Politics – House passed H.R. 9770 on July 21, funding agencies through Dec. 4. The Senate could rewrite it, including grant provisions.
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July 14, 2026 D.C. Circuit vacates USPS voting case; PRC is first forum
D.C. Circuit vacated a district court ruling in State of New York v. Trump on July 14. Some USPS mail-service election challenges must start at the PRC.
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Miami Safe & Ready Bond to Nov. 3 Vote: $450M and 0.5935 Mill
Voters decide Nov. 3, 2026 on up to $450M for Miami police and fire facilities, repaid through ad valorem taxes capped at 0.5935 mills.
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Wisconsin wildfire smoke: Hazardous AQI guidance for Stevens Point (July 17)
Wisconsin issued hazardous-category air-quality advisories on July 17 from wildfire smoke. Here’s what Stevens Point residents should do.
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GAO: How DOD funded southern border operations totaling $2.64B in obligations
United States Federal Watchdogs and Public Spending – GAO says Pentagon southern border support hit $2.64B in obligated costs as of March 31, 2026.
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DOJ Arrests San José State Grad in ‘False Information and Hoaxes’ Case
DOJ says it arrested San José State grad Ziheng “Tony” Fang over alleged bathroom hoax threats tied to campus email/text alerts. What’s next in court?
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House Oversight grills Smithsonian on “rewriting history” claims—what next
On July 21, 2026, House Oversight questioned Smithsonian officials after a July 4 White House report alleged “activist ideology.” What Congress can do next.
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Plano City Council’s July 27 HUD hearings: how to comment
Plano TX – Residents can weigh in before the July 27 City Council vote on HUD CDBG ‘substantial amendment’ and the 2026–2027 Action Plan.
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Moses Lake housing planning update: City Council to review capacity and affordability inputs (July 21)
Council will review a May 2026 Housing Analysis and Land Capacity results for the 2027 plan update—showing overall capacity, but a low-income affordability gap.