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.

301 stories · page 2 of 11

News · NY

New York approves electric lawn equipment rebates

Elections and voting

The state program will offer rebates for electric lawn equipment to landscapers and municipalities.

The Ballot New York Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · OH

Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax pause into law

Economy and jobs

The governor has approved an Ohio gas tax measure that creates a temporary 90-day pause.

The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · TN

Tennessee senator sues over Jan. 6 phone records

Foreign policy

A Tennessee senator has taken a dispute over the seizure of phone records connected to Jan. 6 to court.

The Ballot Tennessee News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · DE

Delaware governor vetoes emergency powers bill

Elections and voting

The governor rejected a state of emergency measure whose proposed rules would not have applied to him.

The Ballot Delaware DeskOct 3, 2026

News · AK

Alaska moves to drop land claims near Statehood Act limit

Energy and environment

The state is reviewing up to 5.7 million acres of lower-priority claims as it approaches its federal land entitlement.

The Ballot Alaska Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · AZ

Chiricahua national park bill reaches Trump’s desk

Economy and jobs

Congress approved a bipartisan bill to redesignate Chiricahua National Monument as Arizona’s fourth national park.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · LA

Louisiana AG sues states over abortion-pill shield laws

Health care

Attorney General Liz Murrill is challenging states whose laws protect abortion-pill providers.

The Ballot Louisiana DeskOct 3, 2026

News · ID

Idaho expands federal partnership on forest management

Elections and voting

Gov. Little commented on a broader state-federal effort intended to speed forest management work across Idaho.

The Ballot Idaho Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · MS

Mississippi Democrats weigh a new Senate push

Public safety

A young district attorney is urging party leaders and donors to compete despite a Democratic drought dating to 1982.

The Ballot Mississippi DeskOct 3, 2026

News · FL

Senate blocks Moody anti-fraud division bill

Health care

Senate Democrats stopped Florida Sen. Ashley Moody’s effort to pass an anti-fraud measure after a corresponding bill cleared the House.

The Ballot Florida News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · AZ

Senate backs Ciscomani bill for fourth Arizona national park

Elections and voting

The measure would add a fourth national park in Arizona if it completes the remaining federal process.

The Ballot Arizona DeskOct 3, 2026

News · TN

Tennessee halts executions after Christa Pike attempt

Health care

Christa Pike remained alive after Tennessee administered two doses of pentobarbital, prompting an outside review of the failed execution.

The Ballot Tennessee Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · KS

Kansas City Council sends some stadium measures to voters

Elections and voting

A council-approved ordinance requires certain stadium measures to receive a public vote.

The Ballot Kansas Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · DC

Trump Orders D.C. Campaign Against Mosquitoes and Ticks

Elections and voting

The order sets 2028 pest-reduction targets and directs agencies to consider sterilization, genetic modification and beneficial bacteria.

The Ballot District of Columbia DeskOct 3, 2026

News · DC

Trump sets 2028 targets for mosquito and tick control

Elections and voting

The order directs federal agencies to cut invasive mosquitoes and ticks in Washington and consider genetic and sterilization tools.

The Ballot District of Columbia Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · WI

Wisconsin DOJ highlights election protections

Elections and voting

The department reminded Wisconsinites that state and federal laws provide separate layers of protection for elections.

The Ballot Wisconsin DeskOct 3, 2026

News · SD

Kristi Noem files for divorce; comedians respond

Elections and voting

Kristi Noem filed for divorce from Bryon Noem after 34 years of marriage, prompting jokes about the couple’s split.

The Ballot South Dakota Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania enacts measures to fight human trafficking

Elections and voting

Multiple acts aimed at fighting human trafficking have been signed into Pennsylvania law.

The Ballot Pennsylvania DeskOct 3, 2026

News · TN

Tennessee governor orders probe of Piker execution

Elections and voting

The governor called Christa Piker’s botched execution a tragedy and directed the state to investigate what happened.

The Ballot Tennessee News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · OK

Trump urges Oklahoma voters to back Republicans before rally

Elections and voting

The president released a campaign video before an Oct. 1 rally at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant.

The Ballot Oklahoma Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · AL

Senate passes Britt bill on clergy and Social Security

Economy and jobs

The measure would give clergy another opportunity under Social Security but must complete the federal lawmaking process.

The Ballot Alabama News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · OH

Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax suspension

Economy and jobs

The new state law pauses Ohio’s gas tax for 90 days in an effort to reduce fuel costs.

The Ballot Ohio News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · MO

Missouri senator proposes new bill concerning Flock

Foreign policy

The measure would have to complete Missouri’s legislative process before it could change state law.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · NM

What to know about New Mexico’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Voters will decide a U.S. Senate seat, three U.S. House seats and several statewide offices on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot New Mexico Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · OH

Ohio school cuts Anduril tax bill despite funding need

Economy and jobs

The school approved a tax reduction for Anduril while facing its own need for more money.

The Ballot Ohio DeskOct 3, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania House passes bill to end closed primaries

Elections and voting

The measure cleared the state House, but Pennsylvania’s primary election rules have not changed yet.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania House passes bill on unaffiliated primary voting

Elections and voting

The measure would let Pennsylvania voters without a party affiliation participate in primary elections.

The Ballot Pennsylvania News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · MO

Sports event contracts ordered to end in Missouri

Elections and voting

Prediction market companies must stop offering sports-related event contracts covered by a Missouri order.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MS

Mississippi Democrats weigh a new Senate push

Elections and voting

A young district attorney is urging Democratic officials and donors to compete for voters despite the party’s long Senate drought.

The Ballot Mississippi Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OK

Lizzy’s Law proposal targets supervised visitation safety

Foreign policy

An Oklahoma senator has proposed Lizzy’s Law, a measure intended to improve safety during supervised visitation.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskOct 2, 2026