Richmond, a Tazewell Circuit Court judge on Tuesday struck down a proposed constitutional amendment that would have let Virginia Democrats redraw congressional maps, ruling the measure invalid for procedural violations including improper special-session inclusion, failure to publish three months before the election and not completing required legislative steps. The decision...
United States — Local and state governments proposed and advanced tax changes this week. Colorado’s Department of Revenue opened the 2025 income tax filing season on Tuesday, with an April 15 deadline and guidance for online filing. Los Angeles City Council directed drafting of hotel tax options and measures targeting...
Sacramento — California officials this week asserted state authority to investigate federal agents after two fatal shootings in Minnesota, issuing a Jan. 27 bulletin that reaffirmed concurrent jurisdiction and urged timely access to evidence. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta said federal actions impeded Minnesota probes and pledged...
Austin, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies and public universities on Tuesday to freeze new and renewal H‑1B visa petitions until May 31, 2027, unless the Texas Workforce Commission grants exceptions. Agencies controlled by gubernatorial appointees must report H‑1B counts, filings, job classifications, visa expirations and recruitment efforts by...
Minneapolis: Federal immigration officers shot and killed two residents this month, prompting protests and policy responses. On Jan. 24, Border Patrol officers fatally shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti during an enforcement action; activists noted an earlier fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good. This week ICE issued internal guidance asking Minnesota officers...
Tampa — Rep. Vern Buchanan announced Tuesday that he will retire at the end of his term, ending nearly 20 years in Congress. Buchanan represents Florida’s 16th District and has served since being elected in 2006. He is vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired a health...
United States — Fire departments across states responded to structure fires this week, extinguishing blazes and investigating causes. Crews contained a Walla Walla home fire on January 25 caused by an installed wood stove that gutted home. Local departments reported a Grimes County house rendered a total loss after a...
Minneapolis, U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz ordered Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to personally appear in federal court Friday or face contempt for repeatedly ignoring court orders, court records show. The order responds to a Jan. 14 ruling requiring a bond hearing for a detained immigrant who remained in...
Sacramento — State officials and cybersecurity experts are investigating alleged political content suppression on TikTok after the company announced a U.S.-majority ownership restructuring on January 22, 2026. The new TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, led by CEO Adam Presser, reports 80.1% American ownership and 19.9% retained by ByteDance, with Oracle...
DES MOINES — President Trump visited Iowa on Tuesday to promote affordability and energy initiatives, delivering remarks at the Horizon Events Center in Clive and meeting a local small business. White House officials said the trip highlights tax cuts, energy policy and economic gains since his return to office. Republican...
