Federal Voter-Data Fight Intensifies Before 2026 Midterms
DOJ is seeking statewide voter lists as courts block key parts of a proposed federal voter-list and mail-ballot system before the midterms.
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Maryland lawmakers advance redistricting amendment—not a new 2026 map
Maryland lawmakers are advancing a constitutional redistricting amendment, but Maryland’s existing congressional map remains in place for the 2026 election.
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Spokane man booked on suspicion of arson in Old Trails Fire
Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested Monday in connection with Spokane’s Old Trails Fire as three area wildfires had destroyed at least 700 buildings and prompted about 67,000 evacuations.
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Champlin Officials Respond After Vance Boelter Sentencing in Lawmakers’ Shooting Case
Champlin Police Chief Glen Schneider and Mayor Ryan Sabas issued statements after Vance Boelter received two consecutive life terms plus 40 consecutive years in federal prison. The Hennepin County prosecution, including charges tied to the Hoffman family attack in Champlin, remains pending.
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Virginia primary proceeds under old congressional map after court rulings
Virginia voters are casting August 4 congressional primary ballots under pre-referendum district lines after the state Supreme Court voided the proposed map.
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Missouri map referendum deadline arrives as voters cast primary ballots
Missouri voters are casting primary ballots under new congressional lines as Secretary of State Denny Hoskins faces an August 4 deadline on a referendum petition.
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New Jersey asks court to pause gun ruling as mandate approaches
New Jersey is seeking to delay the effect of a Third Circuit ruling on semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding more than 10 rounds while it considers further review. The court has not been reported to have ruled on the request as of Aug. 3.
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Charleston’s ACE Basin bridge dispute moves toward another permit fight
A July appeal and stay request keep the proposed Bay Light Bridge near Meggett in court while DES’s permit review remains active unless a stay is granted.
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xAI sues Minnesota over new law targeting AI-generated nude images
xAI is challenging Minnesota’s new AI nudification law, which took effect August 1 and allows depicted people to sue while authorizing state penalties of up to $500,000 per unlawful access, download or use.
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Texas Supreme Court sets Aug. 5 deadline as Corpus Christi mayor-removal hearings approach
The Texas Supreme Court stayed the mandamus proceedings involving Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo and ordered a response by Aug. 5. City Council hearings with possible removal action are scheduled for Aug. 6 and Aug. 7.
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Florida court orders DHS to restore SAVE voter-verification access as appeal continues
A Northern District of Florida judge ordered DHS to restore SAVE bulk-upload and Social Security-number search features, but conflicting federal rulings leave the system’s legal and technical status unsettled.
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Colorado’s new gun restrictions take effect. What changes for firearm buyers and owners
Colorado’s restrictions on specified semiautomatic firearms took effect August 1, 2026. Here are the covered firearms, required sheriff and training steps, fees, deadlines and pending lawsuit.
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Judge narrows NCAA eligibility order as new five-year model begins
A federal judge preserved an extra-season path for some athletes but said the order does not reopen transfer windows or override pro-contract rules.
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Justice Department Sues Milwaukee Over Federal Officer Mask Ordinance
The Justice Department sued Milwaukee over its officer-mask and identification ordinance, asking a federal judge to block enforcement against federal law-enforcement officers.
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Federal judge keeps USCIS asylum-processing policies vacated in Rhode Island case
A federal judge denied the government’s July 15 stay request, leaving four USCIS processing policies vacated while an appeal proceeds. The ruling does not automatically approve individual cases or guarantee immediate decisions.
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Springfield courthouse project faces legal challenge after Liberty Street award
The proposed courthouse replacement at 125 Liberty Street remains contested after John Barros withdrew from the selected team and losing bidders continued their legal challenge.
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New Mexico judge dismisses federal lawsuit seeking private voter data
A federal judge dismissed the DOJ’s effort to compel New Mexico’s unredacted voter file, but a July 23 appeal keeps the dispute active before the November 3, 2026, election.
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Columbus judicial center nears completion after $207.5 million project
Columbus’ 342,000-square-foot John D. Allen Judicial Center is nearing completion, with construction expected to finish in September and court-related moves to follow later.
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Brooklyn Park man faces charges in two home-invasion sexual-assault cases
Darius Olson-Baker, 25, of Minneapolis, faces 10 felony counts tied to two alleged Brooklyn Park incidents reported July 17 and July 22, 2026.
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July 8 order pauses Surprise ICE facility conversion pending environmental review
A federal court order bars detention operations and physical conversion work at the proposed Surprise ICE facility while environmental review proceeds.
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California sues five local governments over housing-plan violations
California filed housing-law lawsuits against Calexico, Costa Mesa, Half Moon Bay, Ridgecrest and Turlock, seeking court orders, rezoning and possible penalties while the cases remain unresolved.
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Tucson downtown shooting suspect held without bond after 10 people were wounded
David Leroy French appeared from a hospital bed July 23 and was ordered held without bond after the July 19 downtown Tucson shooting. He faces 19 reported charges, while a possible Aug. 3 hearing remains tentative.