March Madness adds eight at-large bids per tournament in 2027
The men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments will expand to 76 teams, but the conferences and programs receiving the added at-large places have not been determined.
National
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New Mexico orders Meta to pay $25 billion in penalties
A state court ordered Meta to pay New Mexico $25 billion plus 15% annual interest after jurors found more than 43 million willful violations. The judgment leaves injunctive relief for later consideration.
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Pentagon bars use of nonpublic information for military bets
A Defense Department directive bars covered personnel from using classified or unclassified nonpublic information in financial transactions tied to military outcomes.
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Chiricahua is now the 64th U.S. national park
The Arizona park’s new designation keeps the monument’s existing boundaries and establishes requirements for Tribal consultation, cultural-site protection and traditional-use access.
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DOJ pilot sets civil FCA terms for health-care disclosures
A six-month federal pilot offers eligible health-care entities a route to seek civil False Claims Act resolutions, with a repayment multiplier and specific HHS terms.
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15 defendants charged in separate L.A.-area health care cases
Federal prosecutors reported eight arrests in cases alleging billing and kickbacks across private insurance, Medicare and Medi-Cal.
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Judge limits DHS election operations in nine states, for now
A preliminary injunction restricts specified DHS election-related field operations, but remained stayed as of October 22 while a $100 bond deadline approached.
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Supreme Court leaves prison-care injunction in place
The Supreme Court left a lower-court injunction blocking a Bureau of Prisons policy for the covered class in place while the legal challenge continues.
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State Department changes how some records requests are filed
Revised State Department rules took effect Oct. 21, changing request procedures and setting online-only channels for electronic requests handled by two directorates.
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30 congregations win more than $9 million for historic properties
The largest grant round in the National Fund for Sacred Places’ 11-year history drew 466 applicants and includes its first Arkansas grantee.
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Labor Department says tipped-work guidance has no 80/20 cap
A Labor Department bulletin withdrew three opinion letters and said current guidance focuses on whether duties relate to a tipped occupation, not a fixed share of work time.
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Democrats sue over voter-roll demands 14 days before Election Day
Democratic groups and leaders filed a federal lawsuit challenging administration actions involving state voter rolls and alleging pressure on election officials. The filing does not change voting procedures.
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HHS kidney plan sets priorities, but changes no care rules now
HHS is focusing on earlier detection, dialysis choice and transplant-system changes. The strategy does not itself create new care requirements.
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Netflix profit rises 44% as ad forecast falls to $2.7 billion
Netflix’s third-quarter profit and operating margin rose, while it lowered its 2026 advertising-revenue forecast by about $300 million. Its full-year revenue outlook remains close to the midpoint of its previous range.
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South Carolina leads AP poll as Big Ten sets nine-team record
South Carolina is No. 1 in the AP women’s preseason poll, while the Big Ten’s nine ranked teams set a conference record.
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Rays win third pennant, set World Series matchup with Brewers
Tampa Bay beat Cleveland 7–3 to win the ALCS in six games. The Rays are scheduled to open the World Series in Milwaukee on October 23.
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Supreme Court leaves 9/11 plea deals withdrawn
The court declined to review a ruling that barred pleas under agreements for three defendants and left the death penalty available on five charges.
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Operation Not Forgotten supported 548 investigations, DOJ says
The six-month Indian Country operation reported 548 investigations supported, 118 arrests and 41 people charged federally.
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CNN warns of court fight over Air Force One pool access
CNN says it may return to court if its journalists keep being excluded from assigned Air Force One press-pool shifts.
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Gasoline drove more than half of September’s 0.6% CPI rise
U.S. consumer prices rose 0.6% in September and 3.7% over the year. The gasoline index jumped 9.1% for the month, while monthly core CPI remained at 0.3%.
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DOT Utility-Corridor Proposal Awaits Next Application Stage
DOT’s utility-corridor RFI closed October 2. The next application stage is not yet open, and project-specific safety, liability and repair arrangements remain to be established.
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Trump orders NIH women’s health division within 90 days
An October 19 executive order directs NIH to establish a Women’s Health Division and creates a White House task force to coordinate federal research and policy.