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.
United States
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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.
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DOJ says USDA “socially disadvantaged” fee waivers violate equal protection
DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel says USDA ‘socially disadvantaged’ fee waivers tied to race/sex violate equal protection—what farmers should watch next.
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Student-loan repayment changes start July 1: RAP, Tiered Standard, autopay rate cut
July 1, 2026 is the date for new federal student-loan repayment plans—and a temporary 1% autopay interest-rate cut for eligible borrowers.
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GAO warns U.S. fiscal health is deteriorating—urges Congress and the White House to act
A new June 11, 2026 GAO report warns U.S. debt is outpacing the economy, with net interest projected to reach nearly 10% of GDP by 2056.
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Supreme Court narrows Alien Tort lawsuits in Cisco human-rights case
On June 23, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in Cisco v. Doe that ATS can’t create new private rights and the TVPA won’t reach aiding-and-abetting.
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U.S. strikes 10 Iranian targets again as ceasefire is strained
United States Evening Breaking National Update – The U.S. says it struck 10 Iranian targets again after a drone hit the Kiku near the Strait of Hormuz.
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Supreme Court refuses to pause Haiti and Syria TPS terminations
On June 25, the Supreme Court lifted lower-court interim pauses of DHS’s Haiti and Syria TPS endings, clearing the way to follow Federal Register dates.
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OpenAI and Anthropic face a new “trusted partner” gate for frontier AI
United States White House and Federal Power Watch — Late-June reports say OpenAI is limiting GPT-5.6 (Sol) to approved customers and Anthropic gets a “trusted” Mythos 5 release as a classified process ramps toward August.
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Supreme Court asylum ruling clears way to revive border metering
Supreme Court in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado (June 25, 2026) clarified when asylum seekers are treated as “arrived,” shaping border metering decisions.
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FERC orders grid operators to speed data-center power hookups—without cost shifting
United States Infrastructure and Power Grid – On June 18, 2026, FERC issued show-cause orders asking regional grid operators to justify or revise interconnection tariffs for very large loads.