Education Department Guidance Highlights Parents’ School-Privacy Rights
An August 26 Education Department letter explains parents’ rights to inspect records and consent to some sensitive surveys and behavioral-health screeners.
National
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OCC and FDIC Narrow How Bank Examiners Flag Unsafe Practices
A new OCC-FDIC rule ties formal bank warnings more closely to material financial risks, legal violations and threats to the Deposit Insurance Fund.
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Mail-ballot rules remain state by state as court fight continues
A two-week federal court block has paused the administration’s mail-ballot plan, but voters should continue following current state and local rules.
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GAO Questions DOGE’s $110.3 Billion Savings Claims
A new GAO audit says DOGE’s $110.3 billion total includes savings estimates that were unsupported, inconsistently calculated or tied to earlier agency actions.
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U.S. hotel growth holds up as summer gains begin to cool
U.S. hotel revenue continued to rise through mid-August, but growth slowed from July as school-year travel patterns and World Cup effects begin to shift.
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DOJ sues 4 states over in-state tuition and aid policies
The Justice Department filed civil lawsuits against Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington over tuition, grants, scholarships and loans.
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Texas Funding Keeps Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer Running Daily
A $4.2 million Texas transfer removes the immediate shutdown risk for Amtrak’s daily Heartland Flyer between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.
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FCC Broadcast Ownership Vote Opens Fight Over Local TV News
The FCC repealed its 39% broadcast ownership cap, making larger deals possible while courts weigh whether the agency had authority to change the rule.
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Wholesale Prices Flat in July as Annual Cost Pressures Persist
U.S. wholesale prices were flat in July, but annual increases in energy, transportation, construction and imports point to continuing cost pressure.
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High school sports participation reaches another record as girls flag football and wrestling surge
NFHS reports a fifth straight record year for high school sports, led by growth in girls flag football and wrestling as schools add programs nationwide.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt leaves as Trump weighs replacement
Karoline Leavitt completed her final day as White House press secretary on August 27. Trump has discussed applicants but has not announced a successor.
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Nearly $615 million awarded for 238 airport infrastructure grants
Federal airport grants will fund runway, terminal, tower, boarding-bridge and noise-mitigation projects across 42 states and two territories.
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Dangerous Heat Shifts Across the Plains and South
Federal forecasters expect dangerous heat to expand across the Plains and South this weekend, while hot nights could raise health risks for millions.
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FTC Finalizes $930,000 Settlements Over ‘Active Listening’ Claims
The FTC finalized three settlements with Cox Media Group and two firms over allegedly deceptive claims about voice data, consent and local ad targeting.
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DOJ Launches National Fraud Center to Track Cross-Program Fraud
The Justice Department has launched a prosecutor-led center to connect federal fraud data and generate investigative leads across benefits, grants and other programs.
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Bipartisan senators renew push for Social Security solvency process
Sens. Durbin and Cassidy renewed a bipartisan Social Security effort on August 27 as trustees project the retirement trust fund could run short in late 2032.
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Interior changes how federal migratory bird seasons are authorized
A new three-year federal authorization process keeps annual science reviews in place while states and tribes continue setting their own migratory bird seasons.
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GAO Finds Screening Gaps in Pentagon Schools
A new GAO review found gaps in DODEA screening, referrals and teacher training. Universal screening tools are planned for all grades later in 2026.
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Federal Medicaid funding rule for minors takes effect October 13
A CMS rule taking effect October 13 will restrict federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for specified procedures for minors while preserving mental-health coverage.
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BLS projects AI-era shifts in office and tech jobs
New BLS projections show office-support jobs declining over the next decade while software, data and cybersecurity roles grow, but not as an immediate layoff forecast.
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Canada’s New Tariffs on U.S. Goods Begin Sept. 8
Canada will impose counter-tariffs on about $27.6 billion in U.S. imports Sept. 8. Exporters should check classifications, origin rules and customs guidance.
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DOE and SBA create new pathway for federally backed technologies
A new DOE-SBA initiative is meant to connect federally supported technologies with private investment funds, but no SBIC-E awards or fund commitments are public.