HHS proposes changing Medicaid health-care tax rules
The Department of Health and Human Services published a proposed rule on July 23, 2026, to amend Medicaid’s indirect hold-harmless threshold for health-care-related taxes.
National
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HUD schedules $93 million healthcare mortgage-loan sale for August 11
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has scheduled a sealed-bid sale of 14 federally held Section 232 commercial mortgage loans backed by 13 healthcare properties.
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U.S. jobless claims rise to 199,000 as layoffs remain historically low
Initial unemployment claims increased by 1,000 for the week ending August 1, one day before the federal government’s broader July jobs report.
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Restaurant industry lowers 2026 sales outlook after a tougher first half
The National Restaurant Association lowered its 2026 sales-growth projection to 4.3%, citing higher gasoline prices, household budget pressure and uneven customer traffic.
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Senate leaders reach funding deal as lawmakers race to avoid a lapse before August recess
Senate leaders reached a bipartisan funding agreement on Aug. 2, 2026, but the proposal still required Senate action and further legislative steps before it could avert a lapse in federal appropriations.
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MLB schedules 12-game slate across the United States for Aug. 6
Major League Baseball has scheduled a 12-game regular-season slate for Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, with games spread across three U.S. time zones and broadcast information listed for every matchup.
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NOAA warns of prolonged western heat wave and rising drought risk through Aug. 10
NOAA forecasts dangerous heat across broad parts of the United States, with the highest extreme-heat risk in the Great Basin from Aug. 4-6 and rapid-onset drought possible in several agricultural regions.
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Federal wetlands council to review 2026 conservation projects at August 13 meeting
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council is scheduled to review and approve 2026 projects from Canada, Mexico and the United States at an August 13 meeting in Fargo, North Dakota.
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ATF public comment closes on proposal to allow more remote, same-state firearm sales
The ATF’s proposed rule would permit certain same-state firearm transfers through licensed dealers without an in-person buyer appearance, while retaining identity verification, background checks and recordkeeping requirements.
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USTR Extends Exclusions From China Tariffs Linked to Forced-Technology-Transfer Investigation
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative extended exclusions from certain Section 301 tariffs on covered imports from China, giving affected businesses more certainty while broader trade measures remain in place.
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DOE opens about $147 million in SBIR and STTR Phase II funding for small technology companies
The Energy Department opened approximately $147 million in fiscal-year 2025 Phase II opportunities for eligible American small businesses developing technologies with commercial potential.
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USDA gives farmers until Aug. 31 to seek base-acre increases under major farm programs
Eligible landowners and producers in USDA’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs can review and consider base-acre increases through Aug. 31, 2026.
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EPA proposes two-year extension for PFOA and PFOS drinking-water compliance
The EPA is proposing to keep federal limits for PFOA and PFOS while allowing eligible public water systems to request more time to comply. A separate proposal would rescind standards for four other PFAS categories.
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FERC orders six regional grid operators to justify rules for connecting data centers
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opened proceedings requiring every regional grid operator under its jurisdiction to defend or revise tariffs for data centers, factories and other large electricity users.
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FTC Seeks Public Comment on Policy Addressing AI Accuracy and Consumer Harm
The Federal Trade Commission has opened a public-comment process for a proposed policy statement focused on AI-system behavior, accuracy claims and potential consumer harm.
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Federal judge dismisses challenge to makeup of Trump Religious Liberty Commission
A federal judge dismissed the Interfaith Alliance’s challenge to the composition of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, leaving the panel’s structure in place as its advisory recommendations move forward.
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New federal student-loan plans and Workforce Pell take effect nationwide
New repayment options for federal student-loan borrowers and a pathway for short-term workforce programs to seek Pell Grant eligibility began July 1, 2026.
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IRS Expands Business Tax Account Access to Tax-Exempt Organizations
The IRS says tax-exempt organizations can now use its Business Tax Account, while new guidance sets annual information requirements for central organizations with subordinate groups.
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IRS releases 2022-23 state and county migration data as U.S. population shifts continue
The Internal Revenue Service has released state and county migration data covering calendar years 2022-23, offering a new federal source for examining where Americans moved.
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CFPB Seeks Public Input on Changes Intended to Expand Access to Mortgage Credit
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau opened a request for information on potential mortgage-credit regulatory changes, but has not adopted a new rule.
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States Ask Supreme Court to Keep Trump Mail-Voting Order Limits in Place Before 2026 Midterms
States challenging the Trump administration’s mail-voting order are asking the Supreme Court to leave lower-court limits on implementation in place while the legal dispute continues ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
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GAO says many federal programs still lack clear goals and useful performance data
A Government Accountability Office report says agencies often lack the goals and data needed to judge whether taxpayer-funded programs are achieving their intended results.