News · LA
Louisiana sheriff indicted after New Orleans jailbreak
Public safetyLouisiana’s attorney general says a sheriff faces 30 felony counts following a 2025 jailbreak in New Orleans.
The Ballot Louisiana DeskOct 4, 2026
Politics and government news
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20 stories · page 1 of 1
News · TN
Tennessee cancels executions after failed Pike injection
Elections and votingThe state canceled executions after officials were unable to execute Christa Pike by lethal injection.
The Ballot Tennessee DeskOct 3, 2026
News · DE
Meyer vetoes bipartisan emergency-powers measure
Elections and votingThe veto blocks a bipartisan measure that sought to add checks on the use of emergency powers in Delaware.
The Ballot Delaware Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · AR
Arkansas launches Rapid DNA at booking stations
Public safetyThe Arkansas State Crime Laboratory has begun using Rapid DNA technology at participating booking stations, making Arkansas the third state to do so.
The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · AR
Arkansas starts Rapid DNA testing at booking stations
Public safetyThe new system can create and search DNA profiles from qualifying arrestees in about 90 minutes.
The Ballot Arkansas News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · MI
Claim targets Mike Rogers’ public safety funding votes
Public safetyThe Michigan Independent says Rogers repeatedly opposed funding measures, but the claim does not identify the bills or roll-call votes involved.
The Ballot Michigan DeskOct 1, 2026
News · CO
Colorado sues over ICE site as midterm monitoring looms
Public safetyColorado’s lawsuit over a Hudson ICE facility joins questions about midterm poll monitors and a criminal case involving a former sheriff’s deputy.
The Ballot Colorado Policy DeskOct 1, 2026
News · NM
Flash Flood Emergency issued over McLeod Dam threat
Energy and environmentThe National Weather Service acted after operators reported that McLeod Dam in south-central New Mexico faced imminent failure.
The Ballot New Mexico DeskSep 30, 2026
News · LA
Officials announce Gator Task Force in Shreveport
Public safetyThe federal, state and local effort will focus on violent crime and gangs in Shreveport and across North Louisiana.
The Ballot Louisiana Policy DeskSep 30, 2026
News · CA
California governor signs 10 firearm-related laws
Public safetyThe governor described the 10 new laws as gun-safety measures, while Guns.com characterized them as restrictions on guns.
The Ballot California DeskSep 29, 2026
News · HI
Nor’easter, hurricanes affect East Coast and Hawaii
Elections and votingNew York and New Jersey prepared emergency declarations as a nor’easter hit the East Coast and hurricanes moved toward Hawaii.
The Ballot Hawaii Policy DeskSep 28, 2026
News · CA
Why California declared an emergency ahead of El Niño
Energy and environmentGov. Gavin Newsom’s order lets California prepare state personnel, equipment and infrastructure for possible winter flooding and landslides.
The Ballot California DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
California sheriff ordered to return confiscated ballots
Elections and votingThe return order changes who holds ballots seized during a voter-fraud inquiry but does not establish that fraud occurred.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
Why California Declared an El Niño State of Emergency
Energy and environmentGov. Gavin Newsom’s order allows California to prepare resources, personnel and infrastructure for possible winter flooding and landslides.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 24, 2026
News · MT
DOJ announces mail-ballot crime amid search for more cases
Elections and votingThe Trump administration is expanding its effort to identify mail-ballot crimes, but the development is not tied to a specific election.
The Ballot Montana DeskSep 24, 2026
News · KY
Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin ordered released from jail
Elections and votingA release order directs that Bevin’s custody end, though it does not by itself confirm that he has left the jail.
The Ballot Kentucky News DeskSep 20, 2026
News · VA
Virginia attorney general creates firearms enforcement unit
Public safetyThe FAIR Unit will investigate gun manufacturers and dealers and may bring civil lawsuits under Virginia’s responsible-conduct law.
The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 18, 2026
News · KY
Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin released from jail early
Elections and votingThe former governor’s release concerns his custody status and is not directly tied to a Kentucky election or candidate race.
The Ballot Kentucky News DeskSep 17, 2026
News · KY
Former Gov. Matt Bevin ordered released from Louisville jail
Elections and votingThe order directs that former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin be released from a Louisville jail.
The Ballot Kentucky DeskSep 17, 2026
News · IA
Iowa City council narrowly approves downtown police unit
Public safetyA closely divided Iowa City council approved a new police unit focused on downtown public safety.
The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 17, 2026