Senate leaders announce funding agreement as lawmakers seek to avoid another shutdown
Senate leaders announced a bipartisan funding agreement on Aug. 2, but the measure still faced a Senate vote, House consideration and possible presidential action.
National
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More Than 24 States Sue Over Federal Conditions Attached to Disaster Funding
A multistate coalition filed suit on July 30 challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to tie disaster and other federal funding to compliance with federal policy demands.
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USPTO moves AI trademark tools into agency-wide use after 250,000 applications processed
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says its Trademarks organization has fully adopted an AI tool and used a separate system to analyze 250,000 applications, while human examiners remain responsible for decisions.
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USITC Sets August 21 Deadline for Report on Revoking China’s Permanent Trade Status
The U.S. International Trade Commission is examining how ending permanent normal trade relations treatment for Chinese products could affect the U.S. economy, industries and product sourcing.
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Best Buy recalls Insignia gas ranges over fire hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission posted a recall July 9 for Insignia gas ranges sold by Best Buy, warning that a fire hazard could cause serious injury.
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GAO Says Many Federal Programs Lack Clear Goals and Data to Show Whether They Work
A new Government Accountability Office review of 15 programs at five federal agencies found that many lack clearly defined goals or useful data for measuring results.
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Interior Opens 2026–2028 Cycle for Wildlife Rules and Federal Public-Lands Decisions
The Interior Department has published its 2026–2028 regulatory cycle, including wildlife proposals and reviews that could affect access and management on federal public lands.
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FERC orders western grid operators to submit joint coordination plan as electricity demand rises
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directed California ISO and Southwest Power Pool to prepare a joint report on grid coordination, market boundaries and reliability challenges.
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FTC seeks public comment on policy targeting AI systems that suppress accuracy
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a proposed policy statement addressing whether AI companies manipulate system behavior in ways that undermine accuracy and consumer expectations.
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Justice Department issues first major update to federal religious-liberty guidance since 2017
The Justice Department’s updated guidance directs federal agencies to review religious-liberty implications in rulemaking, employment, enforcement, grants and contracts.
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DHS begins sending some asylum cases to immigration court without interviews
A new interim final rule allows USCIS to refer certain affirmative asylum applications to immigration court without first conducting an interview, while preserving interviews before asylum is granted or denied.
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Education Department finalizes accountability rules for low-earning college programs and launches Workforce Pell
New federal rules tie aid eligibility more closely to graduate earnings while making Pell Grants available for qualifying short-term workforce programs beginning July 1, 2026.
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IRS Requires Central Nonprofits to Use New Annual Group-Ruling Form
The IRS says central organizations covered by group exemption rulings must begin using Form 15644 for annual submissions about affiliated subordinate organizations.
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Average 30-year mortgage rate reaches 6.66%, highest level in a year
The national average 30-year mortgage rate rose for a fourth straight week, while home prices continued to increase in May, adding pressure to buyers and refinancers.
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Census Bureau documents major shifts in the size and origins of the U.S. foreign-born population
A new Census Bureau analysis traces changes in the foreign-born population from 1850 onward, while newer estimates show net international migration falling in every state and most counties.
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Administration ends temporary Medicare drug-plan subsidy, setting up higher Part D costs in 2027
The Trump administration is ending a temporary Medicare Part D subsidy that reduced average premiums by about $16 in 2026, a change expected to raise costs for many older adults in 2027.
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BLS set to release July jobs report as wage growth outpaces inflation
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release its July 2026 employment report on Aug. 7, while its latest data show median weekly earnings rose 4.6% year over year in the second quarter.
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Supreme Court Strikes Down Limits on Coordinated Party Expenditures in FEC Case
The Supreme Court held June 30 that federal limits on coordinated expenditures by political parties violate the First Amendment, a decision that could reshape campaign spending before the 2026 midterms.
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CBO schedules Aug. 10 budget review as federal deficit reaches $1.2 trillion
The Congressional Budget Office says the federal deficit totaled $1.2 trillion through the first eight months of fiscal year 2026, with revenues up $174 billion and outlays up $57 billion.
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FDA Updates Cyclospora Investigation Tied to Iceberg Lettuce Recall
The FDA updated its Cyclospora outbreak investigation on July 24 after Taylor Fresh Foods removed iceberg lettuce sourced from Guanajuato, Mexico from the U.S. market.
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DOJ announces proposed $400 million settlement with Alaska Native health consortium
The Justice Department says the proposed civil agreement would resolve allegations involving federal health-care claims and provide funding for health-care costs at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
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National Park Week Set for Aug. 22-30, With Free Entry on Aug. 25
The National Park Service says entrance fees will be waived for U.S. citizens and residents on Aug. 25, 2026, during National Park Week.