Watson decision: What it changes for 2026 mail-ballot deadlines
June 29, 2026’s Watson v. RNC ruling limits a strict “received by Election Day” push—states may count postmarked ballots within their receipt window.
United States
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DOJ Religious Liberty Commission draft comment period closes July 13—what to watch next
United States Religion Government and Civil Rights – DOJ says the Religious Liberty Commission’s 224-page draft comment period closed Monday, July 13, 2026.
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GAO: VA Disability Benefits Modernization, AI Pose Accuracy Risks—What VA Must Fix Next
GAO says VA’s disability-claims tech modernization could speed decisions, but oversight gaps—plus generative-AI transparency/accountability risks—could undercut accuracy.
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Former deputy U.S. marshal sentenced for assault on a shackled federal prisoner
Joshua Firmin was sentenced to 45 months after DOJ says he assaulted a shackled federal prisoner and falsified a use-of-force report.
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United States: OMB M-26-10 adds monthly IT contract transparency (July 10 cycle)
OMB memo M-26-10 creates CIO-led monthly IT contract reporting, with the next report due July 10 for June 1–June 30. It requires vendor utilization/pricing disclosures.
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Fifth Circuit vacates 90-day immigration detention bond rule for en banc review—what it changes for due process now
The Fifth Circuit vacated a July 2, 2026 90-day bond-hearing rule for some immigration detainees after en banc review was granted July 10.
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DOJ letters warn states: criminal risk over noncitizens on federal rolls
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division sent letters July 7 to state election officials, asking for a five-day compliance explanation on noncitizens in federal votes.
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DOE closes up to $3.26B loan for AEP Texas transmission modernization
DOE says it closed an up-to $3.26B loan for AEP Texas grid modernization—about 100 projects across 2,800 miles—with an estimated $685M savings claim.
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FDA recall: PEDIGREE 13.2‑oz wet dog food two lots may contain sharp metal and plastic—check lot codes 613C3KKCFC & 613C1KKCFC
FDA posted July 2, 2026: two PEDIGREE 13.2‑oz wet dog food lots (613C3KKCFC, 613C1KKCFC) may contain sharp metal/plastic—stop feeding.
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CDC AFM surveillance update: confirmed cases stayed low (2020–2025), but test for polio
United States Public Health and Disease Watch – CDC’s July 9, 2026 MMWR finds confirmed AFM stayed low in 2020–2025, but stool tests for poliovirus are still required.
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FTC remedy for Aurobindo–Lannett generic-drug merger heads to public comments
FTC remedy for the Aurobindo–Lannett generic-drug merger heads to public comments: divest four products to Quagen. Deadline July 23, 2026.
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HUD Grant Fraud Settlement: Former Santa Fe Executive Agrees to Pay $735,000
The July 8, 2026 HUD grant civil settlement resolves allegations that a former Santa Fe executive concealed conflicts and sought ineligible rental aid—$735,000.
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Supreme Court lets Texas app-age-verification law stand after denial
On July 6, 2026, the Supreme Court denied a request to lift a stay in CCIA v. Paxton—so Texas app age checks and parent consent stay in force.
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Grand Staircase–Escalante Monument shrinks: 60-day reopening clock at 9 a.m.
A July 13 proclamation excludes about 1.69 million acres; excluded lands reopen at 9 a.m. ET after the 60-day clock. What to watch next.
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Supreme Court limits TPS challenges in Mullin v. Doe (June 25, 2026)
June 25, 2026: The Supreme Court ruled that most statutory (non-constitutional) TPS termination challenges face major judicial-review limits—making stays harder to win.
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First Circuit upholds CDC six-month age rule for imported dogs
First Circuit affirmed CDC foreign-quarantine rules requiring imported dogs be at least six months old, rejecting a challenge by Caribbean rescue groups.
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5th Circuit partly enforces NLRB order vs. Starbucks after union dispute
June 23, 2026: the 5th Circuit enforced part of an NLRB order against Starbucks, but rejected the discharge theory and dismissed review of a “second election.”
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FDA’s proposed “hub-and-spoke” drug registration rule: what it could change
FDA proposes “hub-and-spoke” networks register as one and clarifies foreign reporting; expedited updates include 5/30/120-day timelines. Comments due Sept. 11, 2026.
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OCR launches national K-12 push against “passing the trash”—parent checklist
On July 10, 2026, OCR launched a national K-12 initiative with 20 directed investigations tied to 2023–24 CRDC—plus guidance for Title IX compliance.
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EEOC rescinds 1979 affirmative action guidance: hiring and compliance changes
United States Midday Congress and Agency Update – On July 6, 2026, EEOC rescinded 1979 affirmative action guidance and removed 29 CFR Part 1608.
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FTC requires Amazon to pay $2.25M over identity-theft victims’ FCRA records requests
FTC says Amazon violated FCRA Section 609(e) by refusing or delaying identity-theft record requests. Proposed settlement: $2.25M + victim notice.
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IRS Working Families Tax Cuts: “No tax on tips” and “No tax on overtime”
IRS guidance updated July 1 and July 6 explains the ‘no tax on tips’ and ‘no tax on overtime’ deductions—and what to track in your pay records.