EPA Extends Nationwide Fuel Waiver Through August 8: What Drivers Need to Know
EPA’s nationwide fuel waiver runs through August 8, widening supply flexibility for 9%-15% ethanol gasoline while leaving E15 availability and pump prices uncertain.
United States
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New DHS Rule Would Cap Many Student and Exchange Visits at Four Years
A DHS rule would replace duration-of-status admissions with fixed end dates for many students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists starting September 15.
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USDA Forecasts: Food Prices Still Expected to Climb in 2026—Budget Takeaways
USDA’s ERS updated its food-price outlook on July 24. It expects groceries and dining out to rise again in 2026 and stay pressured into 2027.
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BLS earnings update: Q2 2026 median usual weekly pay +4.6%—job seekers
United States Jobs and Hiring Watch – BLS reports Q2 2026 median usual weekly pay hit $1,251, up 4.6% from a year ago. Here’s how to use it when negotiating.
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June CPI report: Inflation cooled, but core and gasoline still matter for budgets
June CPI-U fell 0.4% in June on gasoline/energy drops, while core (less food & energy) was flat. Here’s what that means for budgets.
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Federal Register: DHS IIRIRA waiver for Tucson-sector barrier/road work
July 21, 2026 DHS waiver lets barrier/road construction proceed in a Tucson Sector border segment—bypassing multiple federal environmental and historic-preservation requirements.
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U.S. Section 301 forced-labor tariffs start July 24: exemptions, TRQ
White House and USTR finalized Section 301 forced-labor “responsive action” for 60 economies. Exemptions and a textile TRQ apply starting July 24.
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DOJ: Samuel Davis Sentenced to 10 Years After Turning Off Body-Worn Camera
July 23, 2026: DOJ says Samuel Davis, 28, turned off a body-worn camera before assaulting a handcuffed man in 2023, leading to a 10-year sentence.
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Senate HELP postpones CDC vote for Erica Schwartz—what changes next
Senate HELP had set an executive-session vote on CDC nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz for July 23, but the committee delayed it—next week is the key step.
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Supreme Court docket: Mahmoud Khalil seeks extra time to file cert in detention/removal habeas-jurisdiction dispute
A procedural docket request asks to extend Mahmoud Khalil’s cert filing deadline from Aug. 20 to Sept. 21 in a detention/removal habeas dispute.
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CBO: US deficit hit $1.4T in first nine months of FY2026 as net interest rises
CBO says the FY2026 deficit reached $1.4T in nine months, widening as outlays outpaced revenues—and net interest rose $98B, adding future pressure.
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White House Section 338 proclamation adds 50% duty on some Canadian auto imports (Aug. 19)
A July 20 White House Section 338 proclamation adds a 50% duty on certain Canadian motor-vehicle imports effective Aug. 19 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
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FCC modernizes EAS/WEA alert security—what changes, what stays local
FCC adopted new EAS/WEA security rules on June 25, released June 29, and corrected effective-date wording July 2—for phone alerts and WEA delivery.
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FTC final order halts TruHeight kids’ height claims—what the order requires
July 15, 2026: The FTC’s final order against TruHeight (Vanilla Chip LLC) restricts “clinical tests prove” kids’ height claims unless the Order’s strict human-clinical evidence standard is met.
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Wisconsin case asks court to count late mail ballots via provisional voting
Plaintiffs in Dane County ask for an emergency order allowing late-received absentee voters to cast provisional ballots in person.
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GAO: Regulators’ decennial banking burden reviews lack follow-through
GAO says federal banking agencies’ decennial reviews meant to cut paperwork burdens often don’t show clear, documented follow-through to rule changes.
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What DOL’s new FLSA opinion letter says about paying for commuter travel during the workday
DOL’s July 22, 2026 opinion letter says optional mid-day home-to-office travel can be ordinary commuting—not paid work time under the FLSA.
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ED eliminates CTE MOA Guidelines in Title VI rules—effective July 23, 2026
ED/OCR says a final rule rescinds CTE “Methods of Administration” Guidelines in Appendix B to Title VI rules—effective July 23, 2026—without ending OCR enforcement.
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EPA proposes to loosen “minor” air permit notice/comment—comments due Aug. 21
EPA’s July 1 proposal would remove the federal minimum for public notice and comment in SIP-based “minor” air NSR permits. Comments due Aug. 21, 2026.
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FTC seeks comments on “suppression of AI accuracy” under Section 5
The FTC opened a comment period on a proposed policy statement about “suppression of accuracy” in AI. Federal Register notice: July 7, 2026; comments due July 31.
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SBA seeks proposals for $9M SCALE supply-chain grants: Aug. 7 deadline
SBA is seeking proposals for $9 million in SCALE supply-chain grants, including about 20 awards up to $500,000. Deadline: Aug. 7, 4 p.m. ET.
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Freddie Mac: 30-year mortgage rate rises to 6.58%—what higher costs mean
Freddie Mac’s PMMS for the week ending July 23 shows the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.58%—up from 6.55—tightening affordability for buyers and refinancers.