Augusta Advances Proposed Rules for Future Data Centers
Augusta is reviewing its first comprehensive data-center ordinance, with proposed rules for zoning, noise, utilities, emergency access, stormwater and compliance.
Politics & Government
Elections, public policy, government decisions, budgets, regulation, ethics, civil rights, and public administration.
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Two New Members Join Columbus City Council During 2026 Transition
Two newly elected members appeared at the July 14 Columbus City Council meeting after special elections filled the District 1 and citywide District 9 seats.
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Tallahassee’s Open Mayoral Race Heads Toward Aug. 18 Primary
Four candidates are seeking Tallahassee’s open mayoral seat in a nonpartisan Aug. 18 primary, with a Nov. 3 runoff possible if no one wins a majority.
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Grand Prairie schedules Turner Park grant public hearing
Grand Prairie posted a July 21 notice for a Turner Park grant hearing. The city calendar listed an Aug. 4 council meeting for follow-up oversight.
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Des Moines Opens Online Tool for 2027 Budget Priorities
Des Moines residents and business owners can weigh city-service tradeoffs online as officials begin gathering input for upcoming 2027 budget discussions.
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Huntsville Sets Aug. 25 Municipal Election for Council, School Board
Huntsville’s 2026 municipal election is set for Aug. 25, with City Council seats and School Board Districts 2, 3 and 4 included on the ballot.
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McKinney council approves mosque expansion in 7-0 vote
McKinney City Council approved an expansion of an existing mosque on Aug. 5 after residents opposed the project during a contentious public debate.
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Scottsdale Council Race Leaves Two Seats for November
Scottsdale voters reelected Solange Whitehead in the July 21 primary, while two City Council seats remain undecided until the November 3 general election.
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West Allis Fire Merger Enters Implementation Phase
West Allis and Wauwatosa have begun implementing Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue after approving a joint department agreement in February.
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Meriden prepares for Aug. 11 primary with early voting
Meriden voters can cast ballots early at City Hall before the Aug. 11, 2026, primary, which will also use new vote tabulators.
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Stonecrest council seeks probe after City Hall confrontation
Stonecrest’s City Council asked for outside help investigating a July City Hall confrontation and is considering whether to censure Mayor Jazzmin Cobble.
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Corvallis council sets Aug. 6 session on 2027 meeting calendar
Corvallis City Council scheduled an Aug. 6 work session to consider its 2027 meeting calendar, with housing and sheltering items also ahead.
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Santa Cruz Council Sets Aug. 11 Meeting on Housing, Water and Budget
Santa Cruz’s Aug. 11 council meeting is scheduled to address local-preference housing policy, coastal hazards, water plans and the FY2027 budget.
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Supreme Court strikes down limits on coordinated party spending in federal elections
The Supreme Court ruled June 30 that limits on coordinated spending by national and state party committees violate the First Amendment, changing the campaign-finance landscape before the November 2026 elections.
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Providence expands civilian access to police records
The Providence City Council unanimously approved broader records access for civilian police oversight, including direct access to body-camera video.
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Oxnard voters will decide Measure O renewal in November 2026
Oxnard voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to extend the city’s half-cent Measure O sales tax, which supports about $20 million in annual services.
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Little Rock Board Election Filing Period Closes
Little Rock’s 2026 filing period for city Board of Directors candidates ended Aug. 5, setting the next phase of the local election cycle.
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Fayetteville sets Aug. 10 hearing on data-center ordinance
Fayetteville City Council is set to hear a draft data-center ordinance Aug. 10 and could vote, amid debate over utility and environmental impacts.
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Santa Clarita City Council Candidate Filing Deadline Is Friday
The filing period for Santa Clarita City Council seats in Districts 2, 4 and 5 closes Friday ahead of the Nov. 3 municipal election.
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Norfolk Council to Consider 1% School Construction Tax Referendum
Norfolk City Council is scheduled to consider putting a 1% retail-sales-tax referendum before voters to fund school construction and renovations.
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European Commission proposes EU asset freezes and travel bans for migrant smugglers
The European Commission proposed an EU sanctions framework on July 9, 2026, targeting migrant smuggling, human trafficking and related organized crime.
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Senate Panel Votes 8-5 to Hold Anthony Fauci in Contempt
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-5 on August 6 to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt after he declined to answer questions at a July 29 hearing.