Washington Republicans reverse war powers vote after Trump confrontation

 

Senate Republicans held an emergency late-night vote Wednesday in Washington to reverse their previous support for a war powers resolution that had passed the chamber one day earlier. The original measure was intended as a rebuke of the Trump administration’s handling of the ongoing military conflict in Iran. According to...

DOJ and Kansas Seek Court Ruling on Tuition Eligibility

 

Topeka, Kansas. On Wednesday the U.S. Justice Department sued Kansas, asking a federal judge to invalidate the state law that grants certain undocumented residents in-state college tuition; Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined the DOJ’s filing seeking an order to bar universities and state officials from enforcing HB 2145 this...

Utah Wildfires Grow, Residents Return After Evacuations Friday

 

Utah this week saw multiple large wildfires burn across the state, including the Cottonwood Fire that ignited June 22 and the Iron Fire near Eureka. Fire officials said the Cottonwood Fire more than doubled midweek to over 60,000 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations and mobilizing crews from local, state and federal...

Local governments approve 2026-27 budgets with varied measures

 

United States. Local school boards and municipal councils approved fiscal 2026-27 budgets this week: DuBois Area School Board unanimously approved a $79.4 million general fund plan, Selma Town Council adopted a $32.9 million spending plan on June 23, Peabody approved a $101.9 million school budget, and Harlingen passed a $198.3...

Spurs Select Tennessee Guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie At 42

 

San Antonio — The San Antonio Spurs selected Tennessee guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie with the No. 42 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, adding a 6-foot-1 perimeter shooter and playmaker who averaged 18.4 points and 5.4 assists while starting all 37 games for...

USDA publishes FY2025 SNAP error-rate state rankings

 

United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released fiscal year 2025 SNAP payment error-rate data this week, showing a national error rate of 10.62% and wide variation among states; South Dakota registered 2.47% while Alaska recorded the highest rate of 23.15%, with Maryland at 13.08% and Illinois at 14.7%. The report,...

Florida Everglades detention camp to close after year

 

OCHOPEE, Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the Everglades detention center dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" will close after nearly a year of operation; contractors have been ordered to begin full demobilization this week and detainees were relocated earlier as officials cited hurricane-season safety concerns. Federal authorities coordinated transfers and state...

Louisiana lawmakers approve fund diversion for teacher stipends

 

Baton Rouge. Louisiana lawmakers approved Gov. Jeff Landry's executive order this week to redirect $168 million from the state's K‑12 funding formula to provide one-year stipends of $2,000 for teachers and $1,000 for qualifying support staff; both chambers recorded supermajority votes on the measure on June 24. The vote follows voters...

Local festivals, traffic closures, and emergency service reports

 

Pleasanton hosted its 13th annual Fourth of July Bash on Saturday, June 27, featuring live performances, inflatable attractions, a rock wall and a barbecue competition starting at 6 p.m.; the event schedule listed children's activities, face painting, animal exhibits and multiple musical acts throughout the afternoon and evening. Elsewhere this week,...

Great American State Fair Opens on National Mall

 

Washington — The Great American State Fair opened on the National Mall on June 24–25, 2026, as a 16-day semiquincentennial celebration organized by Freedom 250. The event installed exhibits from all 50 states and U.S. territories, rides including a 110-foot Ferris wheel, and stages for patriotic performances and ceremonies. On opening...