Senate Judiciary panel advances Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12–10 to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination, as senators questioned assurances tied to a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund.
Politics & Government
Elections, public policy, government decisions, budgets, regulation, ethics, civil rights, and public administration.
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USDA will require SNAP retailers to stock more staple foods beginning in fall 2026
A final USDA rule will require SNAP-authorized retailers nationwide to carry seven varieties of staple foods across four categories, while increasing perishable-food requirements and closing loopholes for some snack foods.
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Senate approves short-term funding bill to avert a federal shutdown before the election
The Senate approved a temporary federal funding measure on Aug. 8, 2026, but the bill still needs House approval after the August recess before it can reach President Donald Trump.
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VA to Narrow Chapter 35 Education Benefits for Some High-School Programs in 2026
Starting Aug. 1, 2026, new periods of training generally will not qualify for Chapter 35 benefits covering high-school coursework, GED-level training, tutoring or academic remediation.
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HUD Inspector General Finds Deficiencies in Nearly Half of Single-Audit Reviews
A HUD inspector general review found report-quality, data-quality or timeliness deficiencies in 23 of 51 single-audit reporting packages covering federal housing and community-development oversight.
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Senate Committee Votes to Hold Anthony Fauci in Contempt Over COVID-19 Testimony
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted to hold former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci in contempt after he declined to answer questions at a COVID-19 hearing.
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GAO Says Federal Agencies Lack Goals and Data Needed to Judge Whether Many Programs Work
A Government Accountability Office review of 15 federal programs at five agencies found weaknesses in goals, performance data and the use of information to assess results.
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GAO Says Federal Agencies Struggle to Match Data Used to Check Award Eligibility
A new Government Accountability Office report says agencies face data-quality and interoperability problems when checking whether recipients qualify for federal awards and payments.
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Justice Department backs mosque’s claim that New Jersey zoning rules treat houses of worship unequally
The Justice Department says Sayreville’s zoning code may impose burdens on religious assemblies that do not apply to comparable secular uses.
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Justice Department Updates Guidance to Strengthen Religious-Liberty Protections
The Justice Department’s July 23 guidance says federal agencies should recognize religious conduct in daily life and reasonably accommodate it when practicable and legally permitted.
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CBO estimates Trump’s 2027 budget proposals would reshape federal spending through 2036
A new Congressional Budget Office analysis places the president’s fiscal 2027 budget request against a federal deficit projected at $1.9 trillion this year and rising debt burdens through 2036.
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Greg Behning takes over as Davenport police chief
Greg Behning became Davenport’s police chief June 14, succeeding Jeffery Bladel after serving as interim chief and completing 31 years with the department.
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Avondale schedules hearings for proposed operations warehouse
Avondale will hold hearings on a proposed 9.03-acre city operations warehouse near Lower Buckeye Road and 4th Street in August and September.
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Boca Raton Keeps Police Headquarters Plan Alive After Bond Defeat
Boca Raton officials are continuing to plan a possible police-facilities bond referendum after voters rejected a $175 million proposal on March 10.
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California Budget Advances Plans for New Tracy Courthouse
California’s 2026–27 budget includes funding to advance a new Tracy courthouse, a state-managed project intended to restore local court services.
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Wichita Falls Candidate Filing Open Through Aug. 17 for 2026 Election
Wichita Falls candidates can file for mayor and three City Council districts through Aug. 17. Write-in filings are due Aug. 21.
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Chico council delays proposed four-year police union contract
A 4-2 vote kept a proposed four-year Chico police union contract unsettled, including raises of 3% in 2026 and up to 4% in later years.
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Federal Judge Rejects Bid to Block West Covina Communications Policy
A federal judge denied a West Covina councilmember’s request to pause the city’s communications policy, leaving the April 15 protocol in effect.
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Indianapolis Data-Center Moratorium Advances Amid Community Opposition
A proposed Indianapolis pause on new data-center construction advanced in committee as residents debated infrastructure, tax-base growth and neighborhood impacts.
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Raleigh Moves Toward Youth Curfew After Council’s First Step
Raleigh City Council has begun the process of considering a youth curfew. Further discussion was expected after the council’s mid-August recess.
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Baltimore Mayor Scott Adds Infrastructure to Second-Term Plan
Mayor Brandon Scott’s second-term action plan names infrastructure modernization as a sixth governing pillar alongside public safety and economic development.
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Portland, ICE Facility Landlord Return to Court Over Land-Use Dispute
Portland says federal records show 25 alleged detention-limit violations at an ICE facility as the city’s land-use dispute with its landlord continues.