Switzerland talks on US-Iran deal postponed after strikes

 

A newly signed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, has encountered immediate implementation challenges after extensive Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The 14-point agreement was ratified by Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei despite his reservations about long-term alignment with Washington. On...

California Billionaire Tax Measure Advances Toward November Ballot

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced Wednesday night that petitioners have collected more than the roughly 875,000 signatures required to place a proposed one-time 5% tax on individuals with net worth exceeding $1 billion on the November ballot, and the measure is slated to qualify on June 25...

Vienna watchdog to supervise U.S.-Iran nuclear implementation

 

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is preparing to define specific verification steps for implementing the newly signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding on Iran’s nuclear program, Director General Rafael Grossi said on June 18, 2026. The move follows Wednesday night’s formal signing of a framework peace deal by U.S. President...

Municipal governments advance local e-bike and excavation rules

 

Fernandina Beach, Fla. City commissioners on Tuesday advanced a revised ordinance regulating e-bikes, scooters and personal mobility devices on a second reading, with a third reading scheduled for July 7; Police Chief Jeff Tambasco said the measure mirrors Florida statutes and sets speed limits of 10 mph on sidewalks and...

France hosts G7 backing Iran ceasefire accord

 

Meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France, G7 leaders on Wednesday demanded an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and endorsed an interim memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. Signed earlier this week and due for formal unveiling near the Swiss border on Friday, the accord extends an April ceasefire by 60...

Georgia GOP Pauses Immediate Redistricting After Court Ruling

 

ATLANTA — Georgia's Republican legislative leaders on Wednesday rejected Governor Brian Kemp's call to redraw congressional and state legislative maps during a special session convened after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The leaders said they would not consider new maps this month, and the session opened...

Jackson secures GOP nomination, will face Bottoms November

 

Atlanta — Businessman Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Georgia’s Republican runoff Tuesday, securing roughly 52–53% of the vote and the party’s gubernatorial nomination to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms on Nov. 3. Jackson, who largely self-funded his campaign with more than $101 million, led once precincts completed...

Virginia leaders set retail cannabis sales for July 2027

 

RICHMOND, Va. On Tuesday, June 16, Governor Abigail Spanberger and state lawmakers announced a budget compromise to create a regulated recreational cannabis market in Virginia, setting retail sales to begin July 1, 2027. Senator Lashrecse Aird and Delegate Paul Krizek joined the announcement, and officials said the Cannabis Control Authority...

Indiana Granted Federal Waiver To Reallocate Education Funds

 

Indianapolis — The U.S. Department of Education approved on Tuesday Indiana's waiver to consolidate five federal education funding streams into a single block grant, allowing the state to combine about $50 million in federal dollars. Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the approval at an event in Indiana with State Secretary...

Ohio Governor urges abolition of state's death penalty

 

Columbus, Ohio — On Tuesday Gov. Mike DeWine urged the Ohio Legislature to abolish the state's death penalty, saying at a June 16 press conference that he no longer believes capital punishment deters murder and that the moral justification he once held no longer exists; he recalled co-sponsoring the 1981...