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.
Government Accountability
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Pentagon AI rollout races ahead of oversight deadlines
The Pentagon is expanding AI use across classified systems while key oversight documents required by a June memorandum remain publicly unverified.
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Roseville council compensation measure would raise monthly pay to $2,550
Roseville voters will decide Measure A on November 3, 2026, on whether to amend the city charter and allow councilmember compensation of up to $2,550 per month, with a 5% annual CPI cap and no city-paid health benefits.
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VA watchdog finds gaps in fiduciary-benefit misuse investigations
A July VA OIG review estimated that staff recorded allegation dates incorrectly in 350 cases and failed to advance about 240 cases for investigation.
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GAO: Federal Programs Still Lack Data to Show What Works
A July GAO assessment says many federal programs track spending and services but lack the goals and outcome data needed to show whether they work.
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EPA Audit Finds More Than $1 Billion in Water Earmarks Unawarded
A July EPA inspector general audit found about 44% of fiscal 2022 and 2023 water earmarks remained unawarded by September 2025, citing staffing and oversight gaps.
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Colorado officials allege Victor Marx campaign accepted about $78,000 in excess contributions
An open Colorado campaign-finance case alleges Victor Marx’s gubernatorial campaign accepted about $78,000 in excess contributions. A state administrative hearing is scheduled for September 8.
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Providence schools are back under local control. Procurement is the first accountability test
Providence schools returned to local control on July 1, 2026. A tiered procurement framework is intended to speed routine purchases while keeping stronger city review for major, multi-year and sole-source contracts.
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DOJ sues Milwaukee over rules requiring federal officers to identify themselves
The Justice Department is challenging Milwaukee’s mask and identification rules, setting up a federal court fight over accountability and federal authority.
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DOJ watchdog flags FBI safeguards still awaiting full verification
A DOJ watchdog found FBI interview questions could sweep in protected activity. The FBI agreed to safeguards, but the OIG has not verified full implementation.
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Federal judge keeps Trump administration bound by records law during appeal
A June 30 order leaves the Trump administration under a Presidential Records Act injunction while the Justice Department challenges the law’s constitutionality.
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Proposed OMB grant rule raises concerns over presidential control
A proposed OMB grant rule would formalize federal requirements and add political review and termination powers, prompting concerns from Congress, states and cities.
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GAO: Agencies canceled $17.8 billion in federal awards
A GAO review found four agencies approved $128 billion in awards, canceled $17.8 billion and had not decided on $33.6 billion as of varying dates.
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ICE Plans $776 Million Camp East Montana Contract Extension
ICE plans to extend Camp East Montana’s no-bid contract through September 30, 2027, after GAO found waste, missing safeguards and open oversight recommendations.
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Schedule Policy/Career puts presidential control against civil-service protections
OPM’s July 23 guidance makes Schedule Policy/Career operational, while a pending lawsuit challenges whether it weakens protections Congress created.
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Heber-Overgaard Unified exits formal financial noncompliance but still has deficiencies to fix
Heber-Overgaard Unified School District is listed by the Arizona Auditor General as no longer in formal USFR noncompliance, but outstanding financial-control and procurement deficiencies remain, and a July 2026 board agenda scheduled an exit review.
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Oklahoma governor orders statewide review of public-school spending ahead of Aug. 31 deadline
Gov. Kevin Stitt has directed a statewide review of transparency in public-school spending, with a completed report due to his office by Aug. 31, 2026.
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South Dakota closes fiscal year with a $69 million surplus as $7.5 billion budget begins
South Dakota ended FY2026 with a $69 million surplus, but the money moved to reserves rather than automatic tax cuts or new ongoing spending.
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Indiana Inspector General Stops Publishing Individual Investigation Summaries
Indiana’s inspector general has ended publication of individual investigation summaries, narrowing public access to cases that do not lead to criminal charges or State Ethics Commission action.
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Illinois Auditor Finds Repeated Compliance Problems at Public Health and Guardianship Agencies
July 23 examinations found persistent control weaknesses involving Illinois public-health vehicles, overtime, personnel files and voucher processing. Both agencies agreed to recommendations, but follow-up remains pending.
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Colquitt County approves audit of Moultrie airport authority
Colquitt County reportedly approved an eight-year forensic audit of the Moultrie airport authority after questions about T-SPLOST spending and oversight.
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California Telework Bill Heads to Senate Hearing as Four-Day Office Rule Takes Effect
AB 1729 is scheduled for a Senate Appropriations hearing on August 3, but the pending proposal would not change California’s current four-day in-person default unless it passes and is signed into law.