USMCA review adds uncertainty for Laredo trade economy
Laredo businesses are facing fresh uncertainty after Washington said it won’t renew USMCA in its current form, even as the pact stays in force.
Local Headlines
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Los Angeles approves Fourth & Central project near Skid Row and the Arts District
Los Angeles City Council approved Fourth & Central on June 30 and the clerk sent the file to the mayor on July 1, putting the 1,589-unit downtown project on the mayor’s desk until July 13.
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Mecklenburg County opens heat relief options as Charlotte faces 105-degree heat index
Charlotte NC – Mecklenburg County and Charlotte opened cooling centers, shelter help and CATS rides July 2-5 as forecasters warned of heat index values up to 105 degrees in Charlotte.
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El Paso widens its Meta data center fight into ratepayer and CBA talks
El Paso is challenging a $551.8 million McCloud power plant tied to a planned Meta data center and voted to start negotiating a community benefits agreement.
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Cookeville’s South Jefferson Avenue widening is now aimed at November
TDOT says Cookeville’s South Jefferson Avenue widening is still in Phase 2, with traffic shifted onto the new east side and the project now targeted to wrap up in November.
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St. Louis weighs data-center incentive ban, monitoring and zoning rules
St. Louis MO – Three city bills are moving through committee, including a ban on data-center incentives, monitoring rules and zoning limits for where big facilities can be built.
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Pasadena’s Caltech welcomes Ray Jayawardhana as 10th president
Ray Jayawardhana began as Caltech’s 10th president on July 1, a Pasadena leadership change with implications for research, students, and JPL.
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Schaumburg police keep holiday traffic crackdown rolling through July 6
Schaumburg IL – Police say their Independence Day traffic safety enforcement runs June 19–July 6, targeting impaired driving and unbuckled drivers.
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Lexington’s Wilson Downing Road closes July 6 for roundabout work
Lexington KY – Wilson Downing Road closes July 6 through July 31 between Tates Creek and Camelot for a mini roundabout, turn lane, and safety work.
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Chandler primary election brings Prop. 415 and city races to July 21 ballot
Chandler’s July 21, 2026 primary elects a mayor and three councilmembers and votes on Prop. 415, ratifying the 2026 General Plan—here’s a voter guide.
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Croton says Old Post Road North gas-main work will run into August
Con Edison’s Old Post Road North gas-main job was supposed to take about eight weeks, but the village now says it should continue into August before crews move to Brook Street. ([crotononhudson-ny.gov](https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/home/news/con-edison-gas-main-project-old-post-road-north))
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Ada council fills vacancy before filing opens for four seats, mayor
Ada, MN council appointed Adam Sip to fill a vacancy, and filing for four council seats plus the mayor’s race runs July 14-28 at 5 p.m.
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Pedigree canned dog food recalled after possible metal and plastic contamination
United States Food Drug and Consumer Safety – Mars Petcare recalled two PEDIGREE wet dog food lots after the FDA said the cans may contain hard metal and plastic foreign material.
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Michigan cyclospora cases rise to 572 as CDC reports 145 U.S. cases across 17 states
Michigan cases hit 572, but officials still have not identified the source. CDC says 145 U.S. cases span 17 states, with investigations ongoing.
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I-44 reopens in downtown St. Louis, but some closures remain
I-44 reopened June 26 after sinkhole repairs near North Broadway, but Broadway and eastbound I-70 express lanes were still closed nearby.
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Boston adopts $4.9B FY27 budget after tense fight
Boston MA – City Council accepted Wu’s amended FY27 budget on June 24, restoring some neighborhood programs while health insurance costs still strain spending.
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White House quantum order sets deadlines on strategy, sensors, workforce
United States Late Federal Documents and Court Orders – Executive Order 14413 directs agencies to update the National Quantum Strategy and plan workforce, sensor, and supply-chain steps. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-orders/))
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Heat wave and storms cancel or delay July Fourth events across the East
United States Evening Breaking National Update – Dangerous heat, storms, and power-grid strain are forcing July Fourth cancellations, delays, and safety shutdowns across the East. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/extreme-heat-northeast-july-fourth-95b2bf4bcfcd7b1444bf2f5085e01947))
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Alibaba settlement puts online drug-sales controls under federal spotlight
United States National Reader Impact Fast Follow – DOJ says Alibaba and AUS Merchant Services will pay $600 million after allegations that illegal pharmaceuticals and other banned goods reached U.S. buyers.
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Redmond noise code update targets gun ranges, cranes and loading
Redmond’s July 7 committee review would update the city’s noise code, including construction posting, loading rules, gun ranges and tower cranes. ([redmond.legistar.com](https://redmond.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?GUID=997E2667-9E17-41FD-904F-F7145B61DC74&ID=8125315&Options=&Search=))
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CapMetro strike vote puts Austin bus riders on alert
Austin TX – CapMetro bus workers backed a 99.5% strike authorization vote, but no walkout has started. Riders should watch for service updates if talks stay stuck.
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Drumright cancels July 4 fireworks, eyes Sunday backup at Whitlock Park
Drumright OK – The city canceled Saturday’s fireworks because of incoming weather and put a Sunday, July 5, about 9:30 p.m. backup on the table.