The U.S. is dominated today by a dangerous multi-region heat dome – California, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio and the Mid-Atlantic are under Extreme Heat Warnings, record-warm lows and severe storm threats. Wildfire and air quality remain critical in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Nevada and Washington with over 1 million acres burning in the Northwest. Major legal and political stories lead in several states: Illinois federal court blocking in-state tuition for undocumented students, Connecticut upholding handgun age limits, Delaware and 19 states suing EPA over HFC rules, Tennessee’s landmark trial against Meta over teen safety begins, and Texas hemp THC injunction expires. Public health alerts include cyclosporiasis outbreaks linked to iceberg lettuce in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and a measles clinic in Virginia.
State-by-state top news – July 27, 2026:
- Alabama: Men’s basketball completes 2026-27 schedule as SEC announces 18-game slate, opening at Mississippi State Jan. 2 and closing at Auburn March 6.
- Alaska: Anchorage advances plan for waste-to-energy incinerator to cut landfill and generate power; UAF awarded $15M for new Critical Minerals Accelerator Engine.
- Arizona: Extended extreme heat warning through July 29, Phoenix matched warmest low ever at 97°F on July 24-25 and set tentatively record warm low of 94°F for July 27.
- Arkansas: State announces back-to-school sales tax-free weekend Aug. 1-2, clothing under $100, school supplies and laptops exempt.
- California: Large heat dome brings triple-digit extreme heat statewide – Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, Riverside 100+°F, Coachella Valley 91-122°F with fire risk.
- Colorado: Fort Collins breaks heat records – 101°F high and record-warm low 74°F beating 1936 record; Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 tour stops in Kit Carson and Strasburg today.
- Connecticut: Attorney General Tong wins as federal court upholds Connecticut law restricting handgun purchase/possession for those under 21.
- Delaware: AG Kathy Jennings leads 19-state coalition lawsuit filed July 27 against EPA challenging rule weakening HFC greenhouse gas regulations.
- Florida: AMBER Alert issued July 27 for 13-year-old Juliet Arioso of Marion County, abducted in Ocala; recovered safe by 6:15 p.m.
- Georgia: Cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce grows to under 80 cases in Georgia as part of 4,000+ national cases; Special election for GA-13 set for July 28 after Rep. David Scott’s death.
- Hawaii: Hurricane Fausto weakens to tropical storm and forecast to pass north of islands, but large swells and dangerous surf hit east and north shores starting July 27.
- Idaho: Weather Alert Day for southwest Idaho – Air Quality Advisory from wildfire smoke and Red Flag Warning; Big Grass Fire on OR-ID border at 196,963 acres, 5% contained.
- Illinois: Federal Judge Stephen McGlynn rules July 25 that Illinois RISE Act and DREAM Act providing in-state tuition to undocumented students unconstitutional, blocking enforcement.
- Indiana: Heat Advisory 11am-9pm July 27 with heat index up to 110°F and severe storms possible later; federal review finds Indiana DNR wetlands program out of compliance.
- Iowa: Des Moines to host AAU Junior Olympics July 28-Aug 8, 15,500 athletes, $78M impact; Legislative fundraising filings show Democrats out-raised GOP $1.6M to $791K.
- Kansas: Trial continues in League of Women Voters v. Schwab over signature verification law for mail ballots; MIAA Football Media Day held July 27 at Washburn in Topeka.
- Kentucky: Multi-vehicle crash on I-71 SB in Carroll County July 27 hospitalizes 4, two airlifted; SEC announces UK vs Arkansas at Rupp Arena Feb. 20 vs former coach Calipari.
- Louisiana: House Speaker Mike Johnson announces $26M in federal funds in NW Louisiana including $25M BUILD grant for Bossier East-West Corridor; $17M in unclaimed tax refunds pending.
- Maine: Follow-up to July 13 ICE fatal shooting of 26-year-old in Biddeford continues to dominate debate; Portland Boxing pro-am event held July 27 at Portland Expo.
- Maryland: Fourth fatal crash of year in Washington County investigated as state road deaths hit 226; NWS severe thunderstorm outlook issued for northern/central Maryland for July 27 evening.
- Massachusetts: Opening testimony begins July 27 in Plymouth in trial of Lindsay Clancy, Duxbury mother accused of strangling three children in 2023.
- Michigan: President Trump speaks at GM proving ground in Milford on economy and autos ahead of Michigan primary; severe storms with 60-70 mph winds, hail, tornado risk statewide.
- Minnesota: Minnesota hits 100°F for first time since 2022 on July 27 with 81°F dew points; some Boundary Waters entry points reopen as wildfires exceed 70,000 acres.
- Mississippi: SEC sets Ole Miss vs Mississippi State basketball dates Feb. 13 in Oxford and March 6 in Starkville; flags at half-staff statewide for Korean War Armistice Day.
- Missouri: Dangerous heat dome triggers Extreme Heat Warning for St. Louis with heat index over 110°F until 9pm CDT July 27.
- Montana: Southwest Montana under Heat Advisory and Air Quality Alert July 27 from wildfire smoke across Granite, Missoula, Lewis and Clark counties.
- Nebraska: Nebraska Athletics announces Volleyball Red-White Scrimmage Aug. 16 and Men’s Basketball exhibition in Grand Island; Honda Award winner presentation at 6pm CT July 27 on CBS Sports Network.
- Nevada: Gov. Joe Lombardo and AG Aaron Ford tied in governor’s race poll; Quail Springs Fire in Lincoln County over 1,500 acres; Boring Co. tunnel work near Harry Reid Airport.
- New Hampshire: Fire at The Dive floating bar/restaurant on Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton on July 26 prompts community response, statement from staff July 27.
- New Jersey: Fallout over MV Commission glitch that registered 6,600 noncitizens and led to ∼400 ballots since 2023 dominates letters and DOJ demand for voter data.
- New Mexico: Southern NM lawmakers to sponsor 2027 bill for moratorium on large data centers like $165B Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa until water/energy framework created.
- New York: Gov. Hochul announces 19% drop in gun violence in GIVE communities first half 2026 and completion of MTA Park Avenue Viaduct rebuild 60 months early, $195M under budget.
- North Carolina: MLS All-Star Hometown Heroes Showcase at Carolina Theatre in Charlotte July 27 during All-Star Week; Chatham County commissioners hold packed agenda meeting.
- North Dakota: Peak sunflower season begins, state welcomes travelers for sunflower bloom; ag advisory July 27 urges scouting for pests.
- Ohio: Severe thunderstorm line with potential derecho-like damaging winds, hail forecast July 27 across central Ohio, AEP issues warning.
- Oklahoma: Moore hotel shooting at La Quinta near I-35 and SW 19th leads News9 top 5 things to know July 27; OKC Zoo cuts hours for extreme heat.
- Oregon: 34+ wildfires burning over 1 million acres trigger indefinite air quality advisory for 11 eastern/central counties; I-84 closed Baker City to Ontario.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania added to CDC cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce/Taco Bell; severe storms with 85 mph gusts forecast for Pittsburgh area July 27.
- Rhode Island: Four RI-tied players sign MLB deals ahead of deadline July 26-27 – Brown’s Ryan Oshinskie to Brewers, three to Phillies.
- South Carolina: Memorial services for Sen. Lindsey Graham announced for July 28 DC and July 29 Pickens County/Columbia after July 11 death; special primary filing closes noon July 28.
- South Dakota: First-ever GOP gubernatorial primary runoff set July 28 between Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden after 35% threshold law; heat advisory in Sioux Falls.
- Tennessee: Opening arguments begin July 27 in Nashville in Tennessee vs Meta trial accusing Instagram of being designed as addictive drug harmful to teens.
- Texas: Travis County judge’s injunction allowing smokeable hemp THC sales expires July 27, trial date set for today determining future of flower and joints.
- Utah: Babylon Fire in San Juan County at 107,189 acres 95% contained as part of 235,000+ acres burning in CO-UT region with evacuations.
- Vermont: Army Corps of Engineers hosts first open house July 27 at North Springfield Lake on draft lake master plan revisions.
- Virginia: Southside Health District holds measles immunization/titer clinic July 27 1-6pm in Nathalie due to outbreak; VDOT bridge work on Route 695 in Lancaster County scheduled.
- Washington: Bite of Seattle shooting at Seattle Center July 26 prompts major police response; Kaiser Canyon Fire near Nespelem at 121,417 acres 9% contained threatening Colville Reservation.
- West Virginia: Two dead after catastrophic flooding July 22 in north-central WV with 5+ inches rain in hours, 1,000+ damage reports, National Guard rescues.
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin DHS reports 105 cyclosporiasis cases and 3 hospitalizations since May 1, far above normal 20-30 seasonal cases.
- Wyoming: State Fair & Rodeo travel surge starts July 26 kickoff; economic summary shows leisure/hospitality job growth up 1.8%, mining down 3.8%; former UW football player seeks retrial in sexual battery case.
