News · CA
Newsom signs California gun-safety bill package
Public safetyThe new laws address firearm storage, protective orders, state reporting, youth cases, violence prevention and 3D-printed guns.
The Ballot California DeskSep 28, 2026
Public safety coverage
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News · AR
Arkansas judge rejects prison board control settlement
Public safetyThe ruling leaves in place an injunction blocking two 2023 laws that moved oversight of the corrections secretary to the governor.
The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · MN
DOJ sues Minnesota and Twin Cities over handgun waits
Public safetyA 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 · CA
Newsom signs California gun-safety legislation
Public safetyThe governor signed new bills focused on preventing gun violence and strengthening California’s gun-safety policies.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 27, 2026
News · AR
Arkansas judge rejects prison board control settlement
Public safetyThe ruling keeps an injunction blocking two 2023 laws that moved oversight of Arkansas’ corrections secretary from the prison board to the governor.
The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · AR
Arkansas judge keeps prison firing-power laws blocked
Public safetyA Pulaski County judge refused to lift an injunction against two laws that gave the governor authority to fire top corrections officials.
The Ballot Arkansas News DeskSep 27, 2026
News · MN
Justice Department sues Minnesota over gun waiting periods
Public safetyThe 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 · MN
Justice Department sues Minnesota and Twin Cities
Public safetyThe legal challenge targets Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul over a waiting period for firearm purchases.
The Ballot Minnesota DeskSep 26, 2026
News · US
COMELEC resolution addresses halt to November election activity
Public safetyResolution No. 26-0842 concerns activities tied to the November 2, 2026 barangay and youth council elections.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 26, 2026
News · MN
DOJ sues Minnesota and two cities over firearm wait periods
Public safetyThe Justice Department is challenging firearm purchase waiting periods in Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The Ballot Minnesota Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · KY
Kentucky Supreme Court to hear fight over parole change
Public safetyThe justices will consider whether a 2024 law requiring more prison time before parole eligibility can apply to people convicted earlier.
The Ballot Kentucky DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CT
Glock challenges Connecticut’s convertible-pistol ban
Public safetyThe gunmaker’s federal lawsuit disputes Connecticut’s ban on pistols that can be readily converted into machine guns.
The Ballot Connecticut Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · US
Senate Republicans block measure to end Iran conflict
Public safetyRepublicans stopped a Democratic war powers resolution as some in the party began distancing themselves from President Trump over the conflict.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · IL
Illinois justices weigh Chicago police discipline rules
Public safetyThe Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments over changes to the rules for Chicago police disciplinary hearings.
The Ballot Illinois DeskSep 25, 2026
News · LA
Silver Alert for Longview man who may head to Louisiana
Public safetyPolice are looking for Ricky Hughes, 69, who has a cognitive impairment and was last seen at a Longview hospital.
The Ballot Louisiana News DeskSep 25, 2026
News · MA
Massachusetts man sentenced for threats against Randy Fine
Public safetyEdwin Guerrero received nine years and 11 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to threatening Rep. Randy Fine and his children.
The Ballot Massachusetts DeskSep 24, 2026
News · FL
Miami-Dade sheriff backs Florida’s Amendment 3
Public safetyRosie Cordero-Stutz supports the proposed amendment as a statewide law enforcement group and other officials raise funding concerns.
The Ballot Florida DeskSep 24, 2026
News · MA
Boston councilors seek tighter police surveillance rules
Public safetyA proposed resolution would expand disclosure requirements for Boston police surveillance tools and the companies that operate them.
The Ballot Massachusetts News DeskSep 24, 2026
News · AR
North Little Rock police install no-thru-traffic signs
Public safetyNorth Little Rock police have posted signs directing drivers not to use designated routes for through travel.
The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 24, 2026
News · CT
Connecticut IG rules 2009 fatal police shooting justified
Public safetyThe inspector general found officers were justified in shooting a man who pointed an unloaded gun at them during a 2009 encounter.
The Ballot Connecticut Policy DeskSep 24, 2026
News · CT
State Clears Officers After 17-Year East Hartford Delay
Public safetyConnecticut’s inspector general cleared three officers in a fatal East Hartford shooting and attributed the delayed finding to a missing report.
The Ballot Connecticut DeskSep 23, 2026
News · GA
Atlanta mayor proposes city surveillance oversight rules
Public safetyThe plan would require reviews, use policies and audits for higher-risk tools, including some license plate readers.
The Ballot Georgia Policy DeskSep 23, 2026
News · KS
Police investigate cut-down Flock camera in west Wichita
Public safetyPolice are investigating after a Flock camera was cut down in west Wichita, making the incident a public safety matter.
The Ballot Kansas News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · AZ
Former Arizona police commander faces multiple charges
Public safetyA former Arizona police commander has been indicted on multiple charges in a matter focused on public safety.
The Ballot Arizona DeskSep 19, 2026
News · ND
Carter County woman sues Fargo over AI-linked arrest
Public safetyThe woman alleges Fargo police wrongfully arrested her after using an artificial intelligence lead.
The Ballot North Dakota Policy DeskSep 19, 2026
News · MD
Wrongfully convicted man sues Baltimore Police
Public safetyThe civil case asks a court to consider police responsibility connected to a wrongful conviction.
The Ballot Maryland DeskSep 19, 2026
News · WA
Seattle mayor signs emergency response order
Public safetyThe mayor took formal city action after scrutiny connected to a mass shooting, with the order’s implementation now the key process to follow.
The Ballot Washington DeskSep 19, 2026
News · WA
Seattle mayor orders protocol for emergency alerts
Public safetyThe mayor directed Seattle to formalize its emergency-alert process after a delayed response to a mass shooting.
The Ballot Washington Policy DeskSep 19, 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 · ME
Judge orders Bath police to release homicide records
Public safetyA Maine judge directed Bath police to release records connected to a 2024 double homicide.
The Ballot Maine Policy DeskSep 18, 2026