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.
Politics & Government
Elections, public policy, government decisions, budgets, regulation, ethics, civil rights, and public administration.
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Georgia court hears bid to ban five opposition parties
Georgia’s Constitutional Court began hearings on a case seeking to ban five opposition parties. Opening-day decisions were procedural; the court has not ruled on the requested bans.
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Des Moines weighs tenant-requested radon tests for rentals
A proposed rental-code change could let tenants request radon testing, but the City Council has not adopted it.
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Decatur approves $37,500 study of Pershing-22nd TIF proposal
The council approved a feasibility study for a possible TIF effort near Pershing Road and 22nd Street. The study is expected to take about six months before public review and another council vote.
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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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Spokane city-limit nonemergency calls switch to 311 Oct. 27
Starting Oct. 27, nonemergency police and fire calls for incidents inside Spokane city limits are scheduled to move from Crime Check to 311. Emergencies remain 911 calls.
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Worcester council opposes Question 8 before Nov. 3 vote
The City Council voted 6-0 to oppose Question 8, with five councilors abstaining. Massachusetts voters decide the measure Nov. 3.
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Nebraska gives fuel haulers temporary rule relief through Nov. 18
An Oct. 19 executive order gives covered fuel carriers hours-of-service relief and lets them exceed weight limits by up to 10%.
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Cherokee County seeks input on hazard plan; Wells listed
Cherokee County is gathering public input for a Hazard Mitigation Plan update and has linked to a risk-assessment survey. Wells was among seven cities listed for a related meeting scheduled in Rusk.
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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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Portland council takes up $350K shelter plan at first reading
The proposed 2026–27 winter shelter funding still needs another council reading, and the site and operating details remain unsettled.
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WITN estimates nearly 200 at New Bern No Kings rally
Nearly 200 people gathered across four downtown locations for a New Bern No Kings demonstration during early voting, according to WITN.
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Andrea Cortez named Elk Grove deputy city manager
City Manager Jason Behrmann appointed Cortez to oversee three city teams and take on special projects.
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Pritzker committee spent nearly $23.8 million in third quarter
JB Pritzker’s campaign committee reported about 25.3 times Darren Bailey’s third-quarter spending, according to campaign-finance filings.
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Ocala seeks $190,936 for fire vehicles after missed discount
Ocala staff are asking City Council to authorize $190,936 beyond its original approval for four fire vehicles after the city missed a vendor prepayment discount.
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Colorado judge hears challenge to Amendment 87 signatures
A 10-hour Denver hearing ended without resolving a lawsuit that challenges 9,849 signatures used to qualify the graduated-tax measure for Colorado’s November ballot.
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Pembroke Pines voters weigh moving city elections to November
Early voting runs through Nov. 1 as voters consider a charter change that would shift future city elections and extend current officials’ terms during the transition.
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TPS protection continues for Ukrainians and Sudanese as decision awaits
People covered by Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine and Sudan retain protection, including work authorization, while DHS considers a later decision.
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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.
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X Hale liquor-license transfer listed for review in Fords
Woodbridge Township’s October 20 agenda lists a proposed transfer of liquor license 1225-33-024-013 to X Hale at 85 Lafayette Road in Fords.
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FTC proposes five-year safeguards for Publicis-LiveRamp deal
The FTC opened an antitrust case over Publicis’s planned $2.2 billion LiveRamp acquisition and proposed five years of access, data-protection and audit requirements. The deal has not been completed.
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San Diego committee advances Midway Rising deal, seeks housing revision
A unanimous committee vote sends the proposed $4.223 billion Midway Rising redevelopment agreements to the City Council, with affordable-housing terms still to be revised.