Office of Governor Jim Pillen · Original source
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen thanked President Donald Trump for signing an executive order at a rally in Grand Island that allows temporary highway use of red dye diesel and defers the applicable federal excise tax. Pillen said the order builds on state measures he enacted weeks earlier and will help farmers facing high diesel prices during the fall harvest. His earlier orders raised truck load capacity and authorized red dye diesel use.
Office of Governor Greg Abbott · Original source
Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed Trasa Cobern of Hurst to the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board for a term set to expire on February 1, 2029. The board works to improve archival and records storage conditions statewide and to preserve permanent records documenting Texas history. Cobern is a vice president at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and advancement chair of Humanities Texas.
Office of Governor Greg Abbott · Original source
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered U.S. and Texas flags at all state buildings lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in solidarity with Israel and in honor of those killed in the October 7 terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas three years ago. Flags return to full-staff at sunset that day. Individuals, businesses, municipalities and other political subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for the same period.
Office of Governor Ned Lamont · Original source
Governor Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong and Office of Early Childhood Commissioner Elena Trueworthy urged the Trump administration to withdraw a proposed HHS rule that would remove most federal Head Start performance standards. Connecticut submitted written opposition, warning the changes would cut requirements on teaching, staffing and group size and reduce the administrative cost cap from 15% to 5%. Head Start serves about 5,600 Connecticut children from birth to age 5.
Office of Governor Ned Lamont · Original source
Governor Ned Lamont secured a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration for Fairfield County and contiguous New Haven and Litchfield counties after flash flooding on September 13, 2026. Homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits can apply for low-interest loans, including up to $500,000 for home repairs and up to $2 million for businesses. Physical damage applications are due December 1, 2026, and a temporary outreach center opens in Bridgeport on October 7.
Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders · Original source
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the eleventh installment of Faces of Arkansas, a monthly series of portraits and profiles displayed at the entrance to the Governor’s office. The October feature is Becky Kay, a labor and delivery nurse in Little Rock for nearly five decades. The profile links her experience to state maternal health efforts, including the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act and the Rural Health Transformation Program.
Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders · Original source
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a proclamation naming Springdale as Arkansas’ Capital for a Day on October 8, 2026, and inviting senior state government officials to join her on a visit. Springdale, which spans Washington and Benton counties, will be the twenty-fifth city honored under the program, which brings state leaders to meet local counterparts. The proclamation also notes the city’s history and poultry-processing industry.
Office of Governor Josh Stein · Original source
Governor Josh Stein toured part of Southeast Raleigh Promise’s 25-unit affordable housing project and highlighted recent state laws aimed at expanding housing supply. Senate Bill 445 eases the way for new homes, apartments and accessory dwelling units, while House Bill 162 removes mandatory minimum parking requirements in most counties. The release says North Carolina is projected to be more than 750,000 homes short through 2029.
Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp · Original source
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp amended last week’s State of Emergency Order to waive state penalties for using off-road “dyed” diesel in on-road vehicles, adding to the suspended state motor fuel tax and lifted weight limits on commercial vehicles. The emergency and suspension now run through November 5. Citing AAA, Kemp’s office said average regular gas prices in Georgia fell about 33 cents and diesel more than 42 cents in a week.
Office of Governor Henry McMaster · Original source
Engineering and manufacturing company Re:Build plans to expand its advanced composites manufacturing operations in York County, South Carolina, with an investment of about $20 million expected to create 150 jobs. The company is adding a 130,000-square-foot facility at 2021 Williams Industrial Blvd. in Rock Hill, with operations expected online in November 2026. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded York County a $100,000 Set-Aside grant for building improvements.
Office of Governor Spencer J. Cox · Original source
Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox signed an executive order setting a pro-human framework for artificial intelligence across state government under the Pro-Human AI Initiative established in December 2025. The order mandates AI literacy training for state employees, directs agencies to use AI to streamline internal processes and citizen-facing services with human review, and adopts the State-Endorsed Digital Identity Framework. The Department of Government Operations will report annually from July 1, 2027.
Office of Governor Wes Moore · Original source
Maryland and Baltimore County announced a $3.7 billion private investment by Anduril Industries in Arsenal-2, a two-million-square-foot software-defined shipyard at Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point to expand America’s submarine industrial base. The facility is expected to support more than 14,000 jobs, including over 3,100 new permanent positions, making it the largest single private investment in Maryland. The state and county committed to match up to 13% through incentives, pending legislative approval.
Executive Office of Governor Ron DeSantis · Original source
Governor Ron DeSantis announced results of Florida’s Medicaid integrity initiative, launched in June to move the state from a “pay-and-chase” model toward preventing fraud. The Agency for Health Care Administration reports more than 400 provider site visits since January, over 150 fraud referrals to the Attorney General’s Office and more than 220 providers terminated. Projected annual Applied Behavior Analysis spending is down nearly $1 billion, to $2.88 billion.
Executive Office of Governor Ron DeSantis · Original source
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 26-202 declaring a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties ahead of Tropical Depression Nine, which is expected to strengthen. The order allows the Florida Division of Emergency Management to stage resources such as generators, fuel, flood barriers and sandbags in Tallahassee and the Santa Rosa area. Forecasts indicate a tropical storm or hurricane could make landfall along the central Gulf Coast later this week.
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom · Original source
Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement calling remarks by President Donald Trump dangerous and saying they put a target on two of California’s biggest cities and one of America’s largest naval hubs. Newsom said he is directing the State Threat Assessment Center to actively monitor the situation in case foreign actors interpret the President’s remarks as an invitation to target California.
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom · Original source
Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Attorney General Rob Bonta urged eligible Californians to watch for their ballots in the mail and return them early, four weeks before Election Day. Citing U.S. Postal Service changes, the release advises mailing ballots at least a week ahead or using drop-off boxes and vote centers instead. It also notes the October 19 registration deadline and new election laws and funding approved this year.
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom · Original source
Governor Gavin Newsom announced California’s adoption of disaster intelligence satellite technology through an agreement with ICEYE and reopened the modernized State Operations Center at Cal OES in Mather. The satellites can provide near-real-time information on floods and wildfires through clouds, smoke or darkness. The upgraded center expands operational seating from 54 to 64 positions as the state prepares for a potentially historic El Niño season.
NASA · Original source
NASA is inviting Phase 1 proposals to design and build an Aerospace Power Systems Laboratory at its Glenn Research Center in Cleveland for testing and developing power systems. NASA says the facility will support power research for the Artemis program, the Moon Base and Mars exploration. Proposals are due by 1 p.m. EST on October 30, 2026, under a full and open competition, with a contract award expected on December 16, 2026.
NASA · Original source
NASA will provide live coverage as Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft departs the International Space Station on Friday, October 9, concluding the CRS-24 commercial resupply mission after delivering more than 11,000 pounds of cargo. Coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. EDT, with release by the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm planned for 12:45 p.m. The spacecraft will deorbit on October 11 for a destructive re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Federal Trade Commission · Original source
The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $100,000 in refunds to 6,205 consumers deceived by GOAT, an online marketplace for sneakers, apparel and accessories. The payments follow a settlement of FTC allegations that GOAT failed to ship priority orders as promised and did not honor its Buyer Protection refund policy. GOAT previously refunded more than $736,000 directly to affected customers in 2025; checks should be cashed within 90 days.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · Original source
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $16 million in grants to 91 community-based organizations that provide adaptive sports programs for Veterans and service members with disabilities. The programs cover activities such as archery, fishing, skiing, cycling and wheelchair sports. VA Secretary Doug Collins said the grants will help thousands of Veterans, and VA says it has awarded more than $150 million since the Adaptive Sports Grant Program began.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Original source
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement after two men it identified as illegal aliens from the Dominican Republic were accused of stabbing an off-duty NYPD detective during an attempted robbery in the Bronx on October 2. ICE identified the suspects as Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo and Sneider Mejia Bautista, who remain at large. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized New York sanctuary policies and called on local authorities to cooperate with ICE.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Original source
The Department of Homeland Security said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more people it described as criminal illegal aliens, including individuals convicted of lewd acts with a child, money laundering and drug trafficking. Those named are nationals of Mexico, South Korea, the Dominican Republic and Colombia, with convictions in California, Massachusetts, Texas and Idaho. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE will continue removing people who enter illegally and break the law.
U.S. Department of the Treasury · Original source
The Treasury Department and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported Fiscal Year 2026 results from efforts to prevent fraud and improper payments under Executive Order 14249. Treasury said about 99 percent of federal programs can now access Do Not Pay data, up from about 4 percent, and new safeguards screened more than 1.1 billion payments worth about $3.7 trillion. Those checks returned roughly 13,500 payments totaling $175 million that would have gone to deceased individuals.
Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice · Original source
Los Angeles-based nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation agreed to pay $1.44 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting, or failing to delete, invalid diagnosis codes to increase Medicare Advantage payments, the Justice Department said. The allegations cover payment years 2017 to 2023. The whistleblower case was brought by former AHF coder Donna Irons, who will receive $259,200; the claims are allegations only, with no determination of liability.
Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice · Original source
Attorney General Todd Blanche and Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 5 expanding Justice Department and USDA cooperation on competition in agricultural inputs such as feed, fertilizer, fuel, seed, equipment and pesticides. The agreement amends and restates a working-level MOU the Antitrust Division entered into in September 2025. The department says the partnership targets anticompetitive conduct that harms American farmers and families.
Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice · Original source
Former TD Bank employee Gerardo Aquino, 40, of Hollywood, Florida, has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and laundering more than $4.8 million to Colombia, according to the Justice Department. Court filings say that from April 2022 to November 2023 he opened fraudulent accounts, issued hundreds of debit cards to co-conspirators and unblocked restricted cards, receiving more than $8,000 in bribes. Sentencing is set for March 23, 2027.
Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice · Original source
David J. Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Virginia, pleaded guilty to a scheme that defrauded the federal government of about $194 million through misuse of his senior executive position at a federal agency, the Justice Department said. Prosecutors say he created fictitious government authorities, including a fabricated Special Access Program, to obtain funds for gold bars, luxury real estate and watches. The FBI recovered 298 gold bars and about $2.1 million in cash; sentencing is set for January 28, 2027.
The White House · Original source
The White House issued a presidential message marking German American Day, recalling the arrival of 13 families from Krefeld on October 6, 1683, who went on to found Germantown, Pennsylvania. The message credits German Americans’ contributions to farming, industry and military service. It also points to the U.S.-Germany relationship and NATO allies’ increased defense commitments since last year’s summit in The Hague, including steps taken by Germany.
Office of the Spokesman, U.S. Department of State · Original source
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, according to a State Department readout. Both sides underscored the U.S.-Mongolia Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership and committed to expanding future cooperation, including on energy security. Rubio thanked Mongolia for its leadership in the Haiti Gang Suppression Force and called on the country to continue upholding religious freedom.
Office of the Spokesman, U.S. Department of State · Original source
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadóttir in Reykjavik to explore new areas of U.S.-Iceland economic collaboration, according to a State Department readout. Topics included ways to increase Iceland’s electricity output, deeper technology cooperation and closer work on pharmaceuticals. The two also discussed Iceland’s inaugural defense and security policy and reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral defense partnership.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State · Original source
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir held a joint press availability in Reykjavik after meetings at Hofdi House and with Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir. Both stressed Arctic and North Atlantic security as the 1951 U.S.-Iceland Defense Agreement marks its 75th anniversary, and discussed cooperation on geothermal energy, data centers and pharmaceuticals. Rubio also took questions on Ukraine and NATO, the Northern Viking exercise and a suspected plague death in Siberia.
