Year: 2025
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Trump directs agencies to skip public input to speed certain deregulations
What’s the story? President Donald Trump (R) issued a memorandum on April 9 directing federal administrative agencies to revoke facially unlawful regulations without the 30 to 60-day public notice and comment period the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 (APA) normally requires before agencies adopt, change, or revoke a rule. The memorandum prioritizes regulations that have been deemed…
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State supreme court vacancy count for April 2025
In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from March 31, 2025, to April 30, 2025. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Announced retirements: During April 2025, four justices announced their intent to retire later this year. Candidates nominated,…
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Alabama voters to decide on expanding list of non-bailable offenses under Aniah’s Law in May 2026
Alabama voters will decide at the May 2026 primary election whether to expand a bail law, known as Aniah’s Law, by adding to the list of crimes for which bail can be denied. When a defendant is charged with a crime and not yet convicted, an amount of money—a specific range tied to specific crimes—referred…
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Fannie Mae closes ESG department
Fannie Mae—the Federal National Mortgage Association, a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE)—shut down its ESG department, firing over 30 employees, including Laurel Davis, head of the company’s mission and impact program. The closure follows similar moves at Freddie Mac and reflects a broader shift away from ESG and DEI initiatives promoted during the Biden administration. Leadership changes…
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Rep. Angie Craig announces 2026 run for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota
Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) announced on April 29 2025, that she will run for the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota in 2026 rather than another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat is open since incumbent Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced she would not seek re-election. As of April 29, 2025, independent race…
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Rep. Gerald Connolly announces he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026
Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) announced on April 28, 2025, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. On his retirement, Connolly—who previously announced in November 2024 that he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer—wrote, “After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. ……
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USDA SNAP work requirements press release states: Those who can work, should
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a press release and a memorandum on April 17 that provided guidelines from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stating that able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) should have to work to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The memorandum covers three areas related to SNAP Agency administration of…