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.

1,613 stories · page 34 of 54

News · MT

ExxonMobil sues Montana DOT over Billings cleanup costs

Energy and environment

The lawsuit concerns cleanup expenses connected to a former oil refinery site in Billings.

The Ballot Montana Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs California election protection bills

Elections and voting

The measures seek to guard California elections from Trump interference and increase transparency in election administration.

The Ballot California DeskSep 20, 2026

News · WI

Wisconsin House members vote on high-profile issues

Elections and voting

The U.S. House used its final pre-midterm window to act on major legislation and record members’ votes on high-profile issues.

The Ballot Wisconsin Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · AK

Begich Reaches 14 House-Passed Bills in Freshman Term

Elections and voting

A 14th bill sponsored by Congressman Begich has passed the U.S. House during his first term.

The Ballot Alaska Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

How midterms could shift power in North Carolina

Elections and voting

Legislative election results can reshape how North Carolina’s executive and legislative branches work with—or against—each other.

The Ballot National DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

Merz faces political test in two German state votes

Elections and voting

Two German states are going to the polls, putting fresh attention on Merz and the public response to his political leadership.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

ISW Assessment Is Dated September 19, 2026

Elections and voting

The Institute for the Study of War assessment concerns Russia’s offensive campaign and has no direct connection to a U.S. election.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

Republicans Confront Warning Signs Ahead of Midterms

Elections and voting

The national concern comes 45 days before the midterms but is not tied to a named candidate, race or policy dispute.

The Ballot National DeskSep 20, 2026

News · LA

SpaceX plans raise questions near Louisiana site

Elections and voting

A planned billion SpaceX investment, thousands of rocket launches and confidential negotiations are drawing concern.

The Ballot Louisiana DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

Trump press ban leads CBS Saturday Morning’s 9/19 edition

Elections and voting

The program also examines Apple’s move into retail and features Tex-Mex barbecue on The Dish.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · WI

Wisconsin sisters receive therapy for rare hearing loss

Elections and voting

Two Wisconsin sisters with a rare form of hearing loss have received a newly approved therapy.

The Ballot Wisconsin News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · TX

Texas City sets new rules for license plate reader system

Elections and voting

Texas City’s license plate reader system is subject to new rules, with the written policy central to understanding the change.

The Ballot Texas News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · AZ

Metro Phoenix city plans tighter data center rules

Elections and voting

A Metro Phoenix city is preparing to strengthen data center rules that have been in place for 20 years.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · MT

Daines rural water bill heads to president

Elections and voting

The Senate passed Daines’ measure to preserve a rural water system in Montana, moving it to the president for action.

The Ballot Montana News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · OR

Oregon governor blames Trump for Bonneville rate proposal

Elections and voting

Oregon’s governor says Trump is responsible for a proposed Bonneville rate increase totaling.

The Ballot Oregon DeskSep 20, 2026

News · IL

Illinois lawmaker files bill to repeal prediction-market tax

Economy and jobs

Rep. Travis Weaver’s House Bill 5814 would remove Illinois’ per-wager tax on exchange wagers and set legal rules for fantasy contests.

The Ballot Illinois DeskSep 20, 2026

News · MO

Missouri AG tells unlicensed prediction markets to stop

Elections and voting

Missouri’s attorney general has issued cease-and-desist orders targeting prediction markets described as operating without licenses.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · IL

Doris Turner announces Illinois Grocery Initiative funding

Foreign policy

Sen. Doris Turner announced new funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative, but the amount, recipients and payment schedule were not identified.

The Ballot Illinois Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

ASPCA official urges Congress to pass Goldie’s Act

Elections and voting

Nancy Perry says weak USDA enforcement has allowed systemic abuse of dogs to continue despite the Animal Welfare Act.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters barred from White House

Elections and voting

Reporters from three outlets were denied entry after President Trump announced an immediate ban and criticized their coverage.

The Ballot National DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

Press groups challenge White House ban on three outlets

Education

CNN, MS NOW and Politico said the White House restrictions violate their First Amendment rights and pledged to defend their journalists.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

Trump week spans press ban, Iran war, voting and rates

Elections and voting

The administration faced pressure at home and abroad as four separate issues shaped the political week.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · US

Centcom says Hormuz crude traffic topped 1B barrels

Energy and environment

Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. forces assisted more than 2,000 commercial ship transits during an exchange of strikes with Iran.

The Ballot National DeskSep 20, 2026

News · VA

Virginia early voting begins with mail rules unchanged

Elections and voting

Virginians can begin voting Friday for the Nov. 3 midterms after the Supreme Court kept proposed Postal Service restrictions on hold.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · OR

Democrat blocks bill on data centers and energy costs

Energy and environment

The measure was presented as a way to reduce Americans’ energy costs but did not advance after a Democrat blocked it.

The Ballot Oregon News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · UT

Utah lawmakers weigh data rules amid Salt Lake camera fight

Elections and voting

A dispute over cameras in Salt Lake City is intensifying as Utah lawmakers consider how related data should be governed.

The Ballot Utah DeskSep 20, 2026

News · OK

What comes next for Trump’s Oklahoma aluminum smelter plan

Elections and voting

The proposed smelter cleared a political hurdle in August, but its next formal step and construction schedule remain unsettled.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs 13 California election bills

Elections and voting

The governor said the package is intended to protect voting and ballots from interference, citing concerns involving President Trump.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · SC

Tim Scott’s path from appointment to Senate elections

Foreign policy

The South Carolina Republican entered the Senate by appointment in 2013 and later won elections in 2014, 2016 and 2022.

The Ballot South Carolina DeskSep 20, 2026

News · WV

Mason County under emergency order after landslide

Energy and environment

Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued the order after flooding eroded an Ohio River bank and pushed a landslide close to railroad tracks.

The Ballot West Virginia News DeskSep 20, 2026