States face a January deadline as Medicaid work-rule systems move into implementation
CMS is helping states build Medicaid work-rule systems before January 1, 2027, including data checks, notices and exemption reviews for affected adults.
National
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Labor Department Clarifies When Remote-Work Travel Must Be Paid
Two Labor Department opinion letters explain when hybrid commutes, pre-shift calls and travel to a first job may count as paid work under federal law.
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U.S. Replaces Expiring Global Tariff With Duties on 60 Economies
New 10% and 12.5% duties took effect July 24 as a temporary global tariff expired, affecting imports from 60 economies with product exemptions.
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Etched Reaches $10.3 Billion Valuation as AI-Chip Rollout Begins
Etched raised $300 million at a $10.3 billion valuation, but the AI-chip startup still must turn early systems and reported demand into repeatable revenue.
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U.S. Shoppers Are Still Spending. The Next Retail-Sales Report Will Show Whether That Holds
June retail sales rose modestly, but gas prices, inflation and online promotions complicate the picture. July data arrive after the August 12 CPI report.
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FDA confirms Class I recall of Medtronic Harmony delivery catheters
The FDA says certain Medtronic Harmony delivery-catheter lots may shed a tip during valve implantation. The implanted valve itself is not recalled.
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HHS watchdog finds foster children still placed in hotels and offices
A July 2026 HHS inspector general report found 15,705 reported emergency foster-care stays, while incomplete state data limited federal oversight.
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How the CPSC’s New Injury-Tracking System Could Speed Product Warnings and Recalls
The CPSC is replacing its older injury-surveillance process with NEISS-R, a broader electronic system expected to become fully effective in early 2027.
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EPA says some off-grid data centers may fall outside acid-rain rules
A July 16 EPA memo says fully islanded power plants serving private data centers generally may fall outside the Acid Rain Program, but other permits remain.
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Census, BLS set to revise poverty estimates after coding errors
Federal agencies are revising Supplemental Poverty Measure estimates for 2019-2024 after coding errors tied to 2021 methodology changes affected key thresholds.
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DOJ’s Targeted Merger Reviews Could Matter for AI Deals
A DOJ process change may reduce the initial burden in some merger investigations, but AI and platform deals can still face broad antitrust scrutiny.
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Federal court ends oversight of New Jersey women’s prison
A federal court ended oversight of Edna Mahan after DOJ and New Jersey said the prison met reforms addressing staff sexual abuse and retaliation.
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Immigration court backlog falls as mega hearings drive more no-shows
EOIR says the immigration-court backlog is falling, but larger hearing blocks, shorter notice and rising no-shows are increasing in-absentia removal orders.
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New federal student-loan limits take effect for 2026-27
New federal rules now limit some graduate and Parent PLUS borrowing, end new Grad PLUS loans and create new repayment options for affected borrowers.
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Religious Liberty Commission Draft Keeps Pressure on Johnson Amendment
A federal commission recommended repealing the Johnson Amendment, but the tax restriction remains in force for churches and religious nonprofits.
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U.S. measles cases surpass 2025 total as outbreaks continue
CDC data show 2,371 confirmed U.S. measles cases in 2026, already above 2025’s total, as outbreaks and lower vaccination coverage raise back-to-school concerns.
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Home prices remain near records as U.S. sales slow
June sales slowed as the median existing-home price hit a record, giving some buyers more negotiating room without easing monthly housing costs.
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U.S. population growth slows as net migration falls sharply
Census estimates show the U.S. population reached 341.8 million in 2025, while a historic drop in net international migration cut annual growth to 0.5%.
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Student-loan defaults surged as borrowers face new repayment rules
Federal data show about 9 million borrowers in default, while AP finds roughly 9.5 million. New plans offer options, but default risks remain.
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NLRB certifies Hachette workers’ union after 388-130 vote
The NLRB certified Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035 for a defined Hachette unit, starting preparation for first-contract bargaining.
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Supreme Court removes ceiling on coordinated party spending
The June 30 ruling lets parties spend without the former caps alongside federal candidates, but direct contribution limits and disclosure rules remain.
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Federal deficit reaches $1.4 trillion through June as funding fight nears
CBO estimates the federal deficit reached $1.4 trillion through June as senators unveiled a proposal to keep agencies funded through Dec. 11.