Politics

Political power, parties, campaigns, governance, and policy decision-making.

CMS issues interim final rule on Medicaid community engagement requirements

CMS launches nationwide framework to implement Medicaid work requirements

CMS issued an interim final rule on June 1 that sets nationwide standards for states to implement Medicaid work requirements for certain adults, including 80-hour monthly activity rules, exemptions, verification steps and a January 1, 2027 deadline.

Voting starts in Malta parliamentary elections, ruling party set to win

Voting starts in Malta parliamentary elections, ruling party set to win

Voting has begun in Malta’s parliamentary election, with official notices confirming polling hours and Reuters reporting that the ruling Labour Party is favored to win another term.

Zelenskiy says Russia is preparing major new attack on Ukraine

Zelenskiy says Russia is preparing major new attack on Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence indicates Russia is preparing a new major strike on Ukraine, a warning echoed in official statements and same-day reporting from Reuters and CBS News.

Democratic U.S. House of Representatives Candidate Sam Forstag

Sam Forstag touts affordability at Missoula rally with AOC

Sam Forstag held a Missoula rally backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, centering his Montana congressional campaign on affordability, housing, health care and child care ahead of the June 2 primary.

NRCC Statement on Jared Moskowitz Running in FL-25

Jared Moskowitz announces re-election bid in Florida’s new 25th Congressional District

Rep. Jared Moskowitz said he will seek re-election in Florida’s newly drawn 25th Congressional District, setting up an early contest in the redrawn South Florida seat.

Endorsements — Karen Bass

Gov. Newsom endorses Mayor Bass in bid for re-election

Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for reelection days before the June 2 primary, citing progress on homelessness, violent crime and film production.

Egyptian, Qatari FMs discuss developments in US-Iran negotiations

Egypt’s foreign minister held talks with Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister about US-Iran negotiations and broader regional de-escalation, according to official Egyptian and Qatari readouts.

USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Non-Oriented Electrical Steel (NOES) from China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, and Taiwan

Commerce continues antidumping and countervailing duty orders on non-oriented electrical steel

The Commerce Department has continued antidumping and countervailing duty orders on non-oriented electrical steel from Sweden, Germany, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan after the required sunset review process.

FERC Commissioner David LaCerte confirmed for second term

The Senate confirmed David LaCerte for a second term on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on May 18, 2026, extending his appointment through June 30, 2031.

CFTC’s Ex-Leaders Doubt It Can Juggle Crypto, Prediction Markets

CFTC names DJ Hennes director of the Market Participants Division

The CFTC announced on May 18 that DJ Hennes will lead its Market Participants Division. The agency said he brings experience in governance, risk, compliance, enforcement, crypto assets and prediction markets from roles at KPMG and Promontory Financial Group.

NRC Issues Environmental Assessment with 'Finding of No Significant Impact' for Dow and X-energy's Proposed Advanced Nuclear Project in Texas

NRC completes Long Mott environmental review ahead of schedule

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission completed its environmental assessment for Dow and X-energy’s proposed Long Mott Generating Station in Texas and issued a finding of no significant impact, according to company and agency disclosures. The review finished ahead of schedule and keeps the project in the construction permit stage.

Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission

UK pensions commission warns many workers are undersaving

The UK Pensions Commission has warned in an interim report that around 15 million people are undersaving for retirement, with the total potentially rising to 19 million without further action. The report calls for broader reform on pension adequacy and says low earners, the self-employed and women are among the most exposed groups.

Football charity trustees "let down players" after £2.5m is recovered by regulator

Football charity report finds mismanagement and orders trustee ban

The Charity Commission has published a report finding serious mismanagement at The Players Foundation, including improper transfers to the PFA and free use of charity property. It said about £2.5m was recovered during the inquiry and trustee Darren Wilson was banned for four years.

BGSU, Firelands and Terra State Community College form tri-county consortium to strengthen interpersonal violence prevention

BGSU, Firelands and Terra State form tri-county violence-prevention consortium

Bowling Green State University, BGSU Firelands and Terra State Community College say they signed a memorandum of understanding on May 18 to launch a tri-county consortium focused on interpersonal violence prevention and education. The effort is supported by the Ohio Department of Higher Education Campus Collaborative Grant program.

BGSU, Firelands and Terra State Community College form tri-county consortium to strengthen interpersonal violence prevention

BGSU, Firelands and Terra State form tri-county consortium on violence prevention

Bowling Green State University, BGSU Firelands and Terra State Community College signed a memorandum of understanding on May 18, 2026 to create a tri-county consortium focused on interpersonal violence prevention and education.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA proposes rescinding PFAS drinking-water determinations for four chemicals

The EPA proposed rescinding drinking-water determinations and related provisions for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and PFBS mixtures, while separately moving to extend compliance deadlines for PFOA and PFOS.

Long Mott Energy, LLC – Long Mott Generating Station Xe-100 Power Reactor Application

NRC beats schedule on Long Mott environmental review

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said it finished the environmental review for Dow and X-energy’s Long Mott Generating Station ahead of schedule and issued a finding of no significant impact.

First Healthcare Advisory Committee (HAC) Meeting, Open to Public, May 18

HHS Healthcare Advisory Committee holds first meeting and outlines initial scope

CMS held the first public meeting of the HHS Healthcare Advisory Committee on May 18, 2026, where members approved bylaws and began setting the panel’s initial scope.

NRC Issues Environmental Assessment with 'Finding of No Significant Impact' for Dow and X-energy's Proposed Advanced Nuclear Project in Texas

NRC beats schedule for completing Long Mott environmental review

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission completed its environmental assessment for Dow and X-energy’s proposed Long Mott Generating Station in Texas ahead of schedule and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact. The project still needs safety review before any construction-permit decision.

Long Mott Energy, LLC – Long Mott Generating Station Xe-100 Power Reactor Application

NRC completes environmental review for Dow and X-energy’s Long Mott project

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said it completed the environmental assessment for Dow and X-energy’s proposed Long Mott Generating Station in Texas and issued a finding of no significant impact. The project remains under NRC safety review.

Quantum Cyber Launches Quantum Drones Corporation to Advance U.S. Federal Defense Procurement Strategy and Autonomous Warfare Capabilities

Quantum Cyber launches Quantum Drones Corporation

Quantum Cyber said it formed Quantum Drones Corporation as a wholly owned Nevada subsidiary to pursue U.S. defense procurement opportunities in autonomous drone warfare, counter-UAS and homeland security, and named Peter O’Rourke and Robert Liscouski to leadership roles.

Santa Fe County issues ongoing boil water advisory for Valle Vista residents

Santa Fe County plans repairs on Valle Vista water system

Santa Fe County says it will begin water utility repairs in Valle Vista and Pueblo Garcia on June 1, installing isolation valves to limit future outages after February’s water problems.

EU continues to monitor oil market situation and prepares coordinated response to address the jet fuel supply situation

EU says it is monitoring oil markets and preparing a coordinated response to jet fuel supply risks

The European Commission said on May 18 that it is monitoring oil markets and preparing a coordinated EU response to possible jet fuel supply pressures linked to Middle East disruption. Officials said there are no shortages now, but regional constraints could emerge if Strait of Hormuz disruptions persist.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Road Closure of Keedysville Road

TRAFFIC ALERT: Road Closure of Keedysville Road

Washington County says Keedysville Road will close between two bridges on May 19 and May 20, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day for road maintenance.