HHS watchdog finds foster children still placed in hotels and offices
A July 2026 HHS inspector general report found 15,705 reported emergency foster-care stays, while incomplete state data limited federal oversight.
United States
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How the CPSC’s New Injury-Tracking System Could Speed Product Warnings and Recalls
The CPSC is replacing its older injury-surveillance process with NEISS-R, a broader electronic system expected to become fully effective in early 2027.
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EPA says some off-grid data centers may fall outside acid-rain rules
A July 16 EPA memo says fully islanded power plants serving private data centers generally may fall outside the Acid Rain Program, but other permits remain.
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Census, BLS set to revise poverty estimates after coding errors
Federal agencies are revising Supplemental Poverty Measure estimates for 2019-2024 after coding errors tied to 2021 methodology changes affected key thresholds.
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DOJ’s Targeted Merger Reviews Could Matter for AI Deals
A DOJ process change may reduce the initial burden in some merger investigations, but AI and platform deals can still face broad antitrust scrutiny.
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Federal court ends oversight of New Jersey women’s prison
A federal court ended oversight of Edna Mahan after DOJ and New Jersey said the prison met reforms addressing staff sexual abuse and retaliation.
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Immigration court backlog falls as mega hearings drive more no-shows
EOIR says the immigration-court backlog is falling, but larger hearing blocks, shorter notice and rising no-shows are increasing in-absentia removal orders.
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New federal student-loan limits take effect for 2026-27
New federal rules now limit some graduate and Parent PLUS borrowing, end new Grad PLUS loans and create new repayment options for affected borrowers.
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Religious Liberty Commission Draft Keeps Pressure on Johnson Amendment
A federal commission recommended repealing the Johnson Amendment, but the tax restriction remains in force for churches and religious nonprofits.
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U.S. measles cases surpass 2025 total as outbreaks continue
CDC data show 2,371 confirmed U.S. measles cases in 2026, already above 2025’s total, as outbreaks and lower vaccination coverage raise back-to-school concerns.
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Home prices remain near records as U.S. sales slow
June sales slowed as the median existing-home price hit a record, giving some buyers more negotiating room without easing monthly housing costs.
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U.S. population growth slows as net migration falls sharply
Census estimates show the U.S. population reached 341.8 million in 2025, while a historic drop in net international migration cut annual growth to 0.5%.
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Student-loan defaults surged as borrowers face new repayment rules
Federal data show about 9 million borrowers in default, while AP finds roughly 9.5 million. New plans offer options, but default risks remain.
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NLRB certifies Hachette workers’ union after 388-130 vote
The NLRB certified Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035 for a defined Hachette unit, starting preparation for first-contract bargaining.
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Supreme Court removes ceiling on coordinated party spending
The June 30 ruling lets parties spend without the former caps alongside federal candidates, but direct contribution limits and disclosure rules remain.
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Federal deficit reaches $1.4 trillion through June as funding fight nears
CBO estimates the federal deficit reached $1.4 trillion through June as senators unveiled a proposal to keep agencies funded through Dec. 11.
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FDA links recalled lettuce supplier to 1,947-case Cyclospora outbreak
The FDA says recalled iceberg lettuce reached food-service customers in 28 states as a Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell exposures remains ongoing.
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DOJ watchdog says DEA medical-registration controls leave gaps
A DOJ inspector-general audit found gaps in DEA renewal reviews, practitioner investigations and verification of required opioid-treatment training.
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FAA Extends O’Hare Flight Limits Through October 2027
The FAA will keep Chicago O’Hare’s 2,708-daily-operation limit in place through October 30, 2027, as construction continues at the major hub.
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Seventh Circuit upholds Illinois assault-weapons ban as Supreme Court review looms
A divided Seventh Circuit restored Illinois’ assault-weapons restrictions, leaving the law enforceable as the Supreme Court prepares to hear related cases.
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U.S. tariffs on Brazil test agricultural and industrial supply chains
A 25% U.S. surcharge on selected Brazilian imports is in force, while exemptions and a separate 12.5% forced-labor tariff complicate supply-chain planning.
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Senate funding deal puts federal grant control at center of fight
A proposed Senate stopgap could avert a shutdown and delay political review of competitive grants, but the deadline, final text and House response remain unsettled.