Politics and government news

What government is actually doing — laws and executive action, budgets and taxes, housing, schools, health, courts, public safety, transport, energy, voting and campaigns — across Washington, the states and city hall. Filter below or page through the full archive.

152 stories · page 2 of 6

News · FL

Miami-Dade chase suspect held without bond

Public safety

A court ordered the suspect in a Miami-Dade carjacking case and police chase to remain in custody without bond.

The Ballot Florida DeskSep 30, 2026

News · WY

Cheyenne Council rejects Hereford Ranch zoning change

Housing

The Cheyenne City Council turned down a proposed zoning change connected to Hereford Ranch, leaving the request without council approval.

The Ballot Wyoming News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · VT

Burlington details progress on three-part housing plan

Housing

The city is updating affordability programs, putting new zoning rules to use and planning a larger public role in housing.

The Ballot Vermont DeskSep 30, 2026

News · VT

Burlington lieutenant resigned during investigation

Elections and voting

A Burlington lieutenant was under investigation when he resigned, separating the personnel process from his departure.

The Ballot Vermont Policy DeskSep 30, 2026

News · OK

I-40 infrastructure approved near possible Buc-ee’s site

Elections and voting

The approval advances infrastructure for an Oklahoma City location under consideration for Buc-ee’s, but it does not confirm a store.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · WV

ACLU-WV challenges West Virginia school aid formula

Education

The lawsuit brings West Virginia’s method for calculating school aid before the courts but does not itself change the formula.

The Ballot West Virginia DeskSep 29, 2026

News · GA

Atlanta police reforms offer a reference point for ICE

Public safety

Atlanta’s use-of-force changes could give ICE a framework for reviewing its own public-safety practices.

The Ballot Georgia News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CA

California relaxes rules for students learning English

Education

The state is reducing education barriers tied to repeated testing and rules that could slow students’ progress.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · NY

Mayor Mamdani opens Jobs NYC Center for public careers

Economy and jobs

The center is intended to connect New Yorkers with career opportunities in public service.

The Ballot New York News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · WI

Family sues Milwaukee over fatal police chase

Public safety

The civil case brings a fatal police chase involving Milwaukee before a court and raises a public-safety question about legal responsibility.

The Ballot Wisconsin Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · TX

Women win suit for air conditioning in Texas prisons

Public safety

The women called the “lionesses” prevailed in a lawsuit seeking air conditioning across the Texas prison system.

The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · DC

Mistrial declared in Trayon White bribery case

Elections and voting

The current trial involving D.C. Councilmember Trayon White ended without a verdict after a mistrial was declared.

The Ballot District of Columbia DeskSep 29, 2026

News · DC

Mistrial declared in Trayon White bribery case

Elections and voting

The mistrial ended the current proceeding without a verdict, leaving the case’s next steps to the court process.

The Ballot District of Columbia Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · VT

Burlington mayor reports progress on housing strategy

Housing

The mayor’s announcement concerns Burlington’s people-first housing strategy and is not directly connected to an election or candidate race.

The Ballot Vermont Policy DeskSep 28, 2026

News · IL

Chicago council approves campaign ethics rule changes

Elections and voting

The City Council approved changes to Chicago’s campaign ethics rules as election activity increased.

The Ballot Illinois News DeskSep 28, 2026

News · MN

DOJ sues Minnesota and Twin Cities over handgun waits

Public safety

A federal lawsuit challenges 30-day handgun waits that the Justice Department says can extend to nearly 60 days.

The Ballot Minnesota DeskSep 27, 2026

News · ME

Portland addiction debate centers on action, not blame

Elections and voting

An opinion piece argues that scrutiny of Portland’s mayor must be paired with concrete policy decisions on addiction.

The Ballot Maine Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WA

Seattle leaders challenge mayor’s proposed budget

Economy and jobs

Seattle city leaders are pushing back on the mayor’s budget proposal, signaling disagreement before a final spending plan is settled.

The Ballot Washington Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · TX

Houston City Council passes campaign finance ordinance

Elections and voting

The council approved a municipal campaign finance measure that is not tied to a specific election, race or candidate.

The Ballot Texas DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MN

Justice Department sues Minnesota over gun waiting periods

Public safety

The lawsuit challenges gun-purchase waiting periods involving Minnesota and its two largest cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Ballot Minnesota News DeskSep 26, 2026

News · AR

Federal grant to support Port of Little Rock road work

Economy and jobs

The federally supported road construction will take place near a proposed Google data center at the Port of Little Rock.

The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 26, 2026

News · MN

Justice Department sues Minnesota and Twin Cities

Public safety

The legal challenge targets Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul over a waiting period for firearm purchases.

The Ballot Minnesota DeskSep 26, 2026

News · PA

Philadelphia Council calls for ban on Flock cameras

Elections and voting

City Council approved a resolution demanding that Philadelphia ban Flock cameras, putting the issue before city officials for further action.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskSep 26, 2026

News · IL

Chicago data center moratorium ordinance proposed

Elections and voting

A proposed Chicago ordinance would pause certain data center activity, but it has not yet become city law.

The Ballot Illinois DeskSep 26, 2026

News · IL

Chicago data center moratorium ordinance proposed

Elections and voting

A proposed Chicago ordinance would establish a moratorium involving data centers, placing the issue before city policymakers.

The Ballot Illinois Policy DeskSep 26, 2026

News · GA

Atlanta mayor calls for new surveillance rules

Elections and voting

Atlanta’s mayor is seeking new city rules for surveillance, opening a policy discussion over how the technology should be governed.

The Ballot Georgia News DeskSep 26, 2026

News · MN

DOJ sues Minnesota and two cities over firearm wait periods

Public safety

The Justice Department is challenging firearm purchase waiting periods in Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Ballot Minnesota Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

News · TN

Tennessee lawmakers challenge Nashville oversight rules

Elections and voting

The dispute focuses on rules for state oversight of downtown Nashville’s tourism district, not on an election or candidate contest.

The Ballot Tennessee Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

News · PA

Philadelphia Council urges state ban on Flock cameras

Elections and voting

City Council approved a resolution asking Pennsylvania leaders to prohibit Flock cameras statewide.

The Ballot Pennsylvania News DeskSep 25, 2026

News · HI

School and office closures set for Hawaii, Maui counties

Education

Tropical Storm Nolo prompted closures Thursday and Friday on Hawaii Island and Friday across Maui County.

The Ballot Hawaii DeskSep 25, 2026