Federal deficit reaches $1.99 trillion, highest since 2021
The fiscal 2026 shortfall grew by $217 billion as spending rose twice as fast as receipts, which reached a record $5.40 trillion.
Politics & Government
Elections, public policy, government decisions, budgets, regulation, ethics, civil rights, and public administration.
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Lamont backs Connecticut housing law, offers no new funding pledge
Gov. Ned Lamont praised Connecticut’s housing-growth law at a New Haven conference. His response to a question about continued investment was a general assurance, not a specific funding decision.
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Colorado roadmap lists 49 recommendations, urges 19 actions now
The Governor’s Competitiveness Council’s 49 recommendations span six policy areas; 19 are actions it recommends pursuing now.
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Arkansas sues OpenAI over ChatGPT safety and minors’ data
Arkansas alleges OpenAI misrepresented ChatGPT’s safety and collected or retained minors’ information without required notice or consent.
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Wisconsin commission backs polling-place law-enforcement guidance
The Wisconsin Elections Commission voted 5-1 to send clerks guidance for possible law-enforcement encounters at polling places.
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Modesto advances bike rules with fines up to $5,000
The City Council advanced proposed restrictions on dangerous bicycle and e-bike riding, including escalating fines, possible impoundment and a 15-mph limit in parks and on trails.
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Spokane approves 0.1% sales tax for safety campus
The tax, approved 6–1 by the City Council, is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and will fund public-safety and behavioral-health programs.
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17 groups ask Montana court to review utility climate orders
The organizations challenge Montana regulators’ denial of requests to address climate costs and risks in utility decisions.
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Judge blocks Forest Service headquarters move to Salt Lake City
A preliminary court order temporarily halts the planned headquarters relocation and specified USDA reorganization actions, with exceptions.
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Tennessee says poll-worker notations alone do not void ballots
Secretary of State Tre Hargett rejected a social-media claim about poll-worker marks as Tennessee early voting began.
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Texas says voter-registration backlog cleared before early voting
The Secretary of State’s office said Oct. 15 it knew of no county with delayed voter-registration applications still pending. Early voting was scheduled to begin Oct. 19.
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Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy plans 2027 re-election bid
Terry D’Arcy says he intends to seek another term. Joliet’s petition filing period is scheduled for Nov. 16–23, 2026.
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New York updates voter guidance on AI election misinformation
The updated guide urges voters to verify election details with official boards and warns that AI fakes may be harder to spot.
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Rhode Island early voting runs through Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.
In-person early voting for Rhode Island’s Nov. 3, 2026, election began Oct. 14 and is scheduled to continue through 4 p.m. Nov. 2.
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Denton audit cites 2025 plan proposal; 2024 revision unreconciled
The October 2026 follow-up says the resource-plan update was delayed by Council direction and recounts DME’s June 2025 Integrated Resource Plan proposal. It does not reconcile that account with the city’s report of an approved 2024 revision.
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DHS cuts refugee-status response deadline from 30 days to 10
A federal rule shortens the time to challenge a proposed refugee-status termination. Mailed notices allow 13 days, and DHS is accepting comments through Nov. 13.
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Security Council renews Haiti sanctions for one year
The 14-0-1 vote extended existing measures and directed the sanctions committee to consider an expedited list update.
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Riverside weighs data-center moratorium and code interpretation
The Land Use Committee sent two data-center policy options to the City Council on Oct. 13, but enacted neither. One would pause approvals; the other would formalize staff’s interpretation of current code.
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Kansas sets Chiefs STAR Bonds district across six cities
Kansas published boundaries for the Chiefs stadium financing district, identifying six cities where the state says future incremental sales-tax revenue will be pledged.
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Orlando approves $12.62 million Pulse memorial contract
The updated agreement sets a guaranteed maximum price of $12,624,837. Construction still depends on permits, and the schedule’s listed start date is not confirmed.
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Iowa absentee voting begins Oct. 14; ballot requests due Oct. 19
In-person absentee voting begins Oct. 14, and county auditors may begin mailing ballots already requested that day. Mailed-ballot applications must reach auditors by 5 p.m. Central Time Oct. 19.
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Alaska revises maps of 5.7 million acres it may relinquish
State land-selection maps remain preliminary; the update did not relinquish land or change ownership or access.