U.S. job openings held at 7.6 million in May as hiring stayed sluggish
United States Jobs and Hiring Watch – May JOLTS showed 7.6 million openings, while hires and separations barely moved, signaling a selective hiring market.
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White House declares fertilizer emergency, suspends some Morocco duties
United States Breaking National Politics – The White House says the temporary move is meant to keep phosphate fertilizer available for U.S. farmers.
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Judge vacates revamped SAVE voter-check database in election-administration setback
United States Fast Follow on Elections and Democracy – A federal judge vacated the Trump administration’s revamped SAVE voter-check system, saying the overhaul violated privacy and administrative law and could wrongly flag citizens.
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Supreme Court strikes down party spending caps before 2026 midterms
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that federal limits on political-party spending coordinated with candidates violate the First Amendment.
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Boston judge blocks Trump election order on voter lists, mail ballots
A federal judge in Boston said key parts of Trump’s election order are legally void in 23 states and Washington, D.C., and the legal fight is expected to continue on appeal. ([media-cdn.rollcall.com](https://media-cdn.rollcall.com/documentlink/2026/06/VaZtPnDe.pdf))
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HHS announces more than $700 million in behavioral-health funding opportunities
United States National Reader Impact Fast Follow – HHS announced more than $700 million in behavioral-health grant opportunities tied to clinics, 988, addiction care, and homelessness.
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DOJ health-care fraud sweep: 455 charged, $6.5B in alleged false claims
DOJ says its 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown charged 455 defendants tied to more than $6.5B in alleged false claims. The rollout is continuing.
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DOJ, EPA announce proposed $450 million Chemours PFAS settlement
DOJ and EPA announced a proposed Chemours PFAS settlement, with public comments open through July 29, 2026.
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Supreme Court: Geofence warrants for Google location history are searches
In Chatrie v. United States, the Supreme Court held police conduct a Fourth Amendment search by getting Google location-history data via a geofence warrant, then remanded the case.
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OSHA proposes $3.5M after Channelview spill cleanup injuries
United States Labor Workers and Federal Enforcement – OSHA says three companies exposed cleanup workers to hazardous conditions after a Channelview sulfuric-acid spill.
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States and D.C. sue CMS over Medicaid work/community-engagement limits
On June 29, 2026, states and D.C. sued CMS over Medicaid work and community-engagement rules, saying CMS will narrow the “medically frail” exemption before Jan. 1, 2027.
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FTC files proposed Kochava order limiting sale of sensitive location data
United States Technology Privacy and Federal Regulation – The FTC filed a proposed June 26 order in Kochava that would sharply limit sales of sensitive location data, but the case is still pending until a judge signs off.
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DOE reopens comment window on distribution-transformer efficiency standards
DOE opened a June 15, 2026 RFI on distribution-transformer efficiency standards; comments are due July 15, 2026, as utilities weigh supply-chain risk.
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May PCE inflation hit 4.1%, keeping pressure on the Fed
United States Prices and Inflation Watch — BEA said May PCE prices rose 4.1% year over year and core PCE rose 3.4%, leaving price pressure and Fed policy in focus. ([bea.gov](https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/personal-income-and-outlays-may-2026))
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Retail sales rose in May, but June sentiment shows consumers are still cautious
United States Small Business and Main Street Economy – May retail sales climbed, and June sentiment improved, but shoppers are still watching prices and gas costs.
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Housing bill awaits Trump as House prepares to start the clock
Congress passed a bipartisan housing package, but as of June 29 it still had not been signed, leaving renters, buyers and builders waiting on the next step.
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Supreme Court keeps mail-ballot grace periods in place ahead of midterms
United States Breaking National Politics – The Supreme Court’s 5-4 Watson ruling lets states keep counting some mailed ballots that arrive after Election Day.
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Michigan wins another court fight over DOJ access to voter data
On June 24, the 6th Circuit affirmed a district court ruling blocking DOJ from Michigan’s unredacted voter file—birth dates, driver’s IDs and partial SSNs.
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Supreme Court backs Trump’s FTC firing, keeps Fed’s Cook in office for now
United States Fast Follow on Courts and Constitutional Law – The Court expanded presidential removal power at the FTC, but left the Federal Reserve carveout intact for Cook.
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War Powers Vote Meets $87.6B Iran Supplemental: Congress’s Oversight Test
After a June 23 Senate vote curbing Iran war powers, the White House sent Congress an $87.6B supplemental request for House review—raising the oversight fight.
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DOE’s $17.5B conditional nuclear loans: grid impact and what’s still uncertain
DOE’s June 23 conditional $17.5B loan package aims to speed 10 AP1000 reactors by up to 3 years—if technical, legal and financial reviews clear.
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DOJ sues four states for SNAP data—what changes and what to watch next
DOJ filed suits June 26 to seek injunctions requiring Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Minnesota to turn over “last five years” SNAP applicant data.