July Housing Data Show Why More Permits Have Not Produced More Homes
July permits rose, but starts, completions and new-home sales fell, showing why authorized projects have not yet become available housing.
United States
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Forest Service proposal would end national roadless rule for about 59 million acres
The Forest Service proposed rescinding the 2001 roadless rule. No logging or road project is approved, but future decisions could shift to individual forests.
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Deloitte to Pay $21.5 Million in DOJ Federal-Contract Case
Deloitte agreed to pay $21.5 million to resolve DOJ allegations that five entities used race and sex in federal-contract employment practices.
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States renew fight over Trump mail-voting rules before 2026 midterms
Twenty-four states, D.C. and Pennsylvania’s governor sued USPS over ballot-mail procedures as courts weigh whether new rules can apply before the November 3 election.
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Federal award reshapes Cleveland-Cliffs’ $1 billion Ohio steel upgrade
A revised DOE-backed plan will rebuild Cleveland-Cliffs’ Ohio blast furnace, preserve about 2,300 jobs and maintain automotive-grade steel production.
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Emerald AI Raises $150 Million in Series A for Grid Software
Emerald AI’s $150 million Series A signals investor interest in software that could help data centers manage power demand as U.S. grid constraints grow.
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SBA Proposal Could Add 114,541 Eligible Small Businesses
The SBA’s proposed size-standard overhaul could expand federal loan and contracting eligibility for 114,541 firms, but current rules remain in effect.
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Cuisinart Grill Brush Recall Expands to 3,625,800 Units
Conair expanded the Cuisinart wire-bristle grill brush recall by 1,905,805 units after reports of detached bristles and three medical-treatment cases.
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GAO says DOE lacks clear standards for nuclear cleanup contractors
A new GAO report says DOE lacks measurable standards for judging contractor oversight at nuclear cleanup sites, leaving accountability gaps across a mission lasting decades.
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State Watchdog Finds Gaps in USAID Program Transfer
A July 2026 State Department watchdog report found staffing, training, IT and award-guidance gaps as officials managed 1,504 transferred USAID awards.
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NHTSA Presses AV Developers Over First-Responder Safety
NHTSA says driverless vehicles have entered emergency scenes and blocked responders. Developers face meetings and possible enforcement, but no new rule yet.
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EPA Proposal Could Give States More Control Over Public Input on Minor Air Permits
EPA has proposed letting state and local agencies decide more of the public-participation process for minor air permits. Comments are due August 21.
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Trump Extends Jones Act Waiver for Energy and Farm Cargo
A 90-day waiver begins August 17, allowing case-by-case exemptions for foreign vessels carrying energy and selected farm cargo between U.S. ports.
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Court keeps White House record-preservation order in force during appeal
A federal judge paused further trial-court proceedings but kept a Presidential Records Act preservation injunction in force during the administration’s appeal.
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Wisconsin Judge Finds Paper-Only Absentee Voting Denies Some Disabled Voters Equal Access
A Wisconsin judge found the paper-only absentee system denies some voters with print disabilities privacy and independence, but left the remedy unresolved.
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Judge Leaves Courthouse Arrest Policies Vacated During Appeal
A federal judge refused to pause a nationwide vacatur of expanded courthouse arrest policies, leaving the rules out of effect while the administration appeals.
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Federal school-safety grant review begins before 2026 awards
The Education Department will review state applications Aug. 17-28 for an estimated $93 million school-safety competition. Awards are expected by Dec. 31.
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Faith-Based Groups Remain Eligible for DOJ Victim-Legal-Service Grants
Qualifying faith-based organizations could compete for part of $45 million in DOJ legal-assistance grants, but the FY 2026 application window is now closed.
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CMS Seeks Public Input on Making Hospital Prices Easier to Compare
CMS is seeking public comments on clearer hospital price files, bundled services and online estimates before the August 31, 2026, deadline.
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Foreclosure Filings Rose 21% in Early 2026. Why It Is Not 2008
U.S. foreclosure filings rose 21% in the first half of 2026, but the increase reflects a gradual normalization of mortgage distress—not a return to 2008.
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Student-loan delinquencies rose again as household debt stayed near a record
Student-loan balances 90 or more days past due rose to 10.6% in Q2 as U.S. household debt stayed near a record and new repayment plans took effect.
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Tennessee’s redrawn Memphis map gets its first election test
The August 6 primary produced a Pearson-Taylor race in Tennessee’s new 9th District and an Ogles defeat as a federal redistricting case continues.