Across the U.S. today, emergency management dominates the West as Washington, Nevada and California face extreme wildfires, red-flag warnings, and reservoir lows, while the Southeast braces for severe weather in Tennessee and lingering recovery from Hurricane Lala in Hawaii. Politics and policy are in focus with primary results finalized overnight in Alaska, a major factory surge reported in New York, and new state laws on immigration enforcement in Massachusetts and data-center development in Indiana and Ohio. Other top threads include a statewide impaired-driving crackdown starting today in Iowa and Oregon, health alerts for mosquito-borne illness in Michigan, and infrastructure and education debates from Texas to Vermont.
- Alabama: Alabama and Tennessee announced today they will both wear home jerseys – crimson and orange – for the Third Saturday in October rivalry for the first time since 1970.
- Alaska: In results finalized early morning Aug 19, incumbent Rep. Nick Begich III and Sen. Dan Sullivan advanced from their primaries, setting up general elections against Tom Begich for governor and Mary Peltola for House.
- Arizona: Arizona joined a multi-state lawsuit against USDOT/DHS over a data sweep of 17 million truckers linked to immigration enforcement, while debate continues over universal voucher reforms.
- Arkansas: Today is the final deadline to file a claim for State Farm’s $15.58M total-loss settlement (Chadwick v. State Farm) affecting Arkansas policyholders.
- California: Waymo received approval to expand robotaxi service across 18 California counties, confirmed by Waymo today, and the state held its Joint Cap-and-Trade Auction #48 with Quebec today.
- Colorado: Colorado State University officials reported a young black bear that wandered campus during move-in day on Aug 18 was safely darted and relocated, story trending today.
- Connecticut: State officials announced increased Coastal flood monitoring today as high tides and offshore Hurricane Erin swells impact the Connecticut shoreline this week.
- Delaware: Delaware’s primary filing deadline closed today with competitive races shaping up for Wilmington mayor and statewide offices in the September primary.
- Florida: Florida emergency management is monitoring Atlantic tropics today as Hurricane Erin moves north, while the state continues power restoration efforts in the Panhandle after last week’s storms.
- Georgia: Atlanta Public Schools began its first full week with new cell-phone-free classroom policy today, and Georgia election officials opened logic and accuracy testing for November voting equipment.
- Hawaii: National Hurricane Center today warns of a new disturbance east-southeast of Hawaii with 90% chance of development, as about 20,000 customers remain without power after Hurricane Lala.
- Idaho: Idaho Department of Agriculture reported at 10:30 AM today a 77% drop in Snake River quagga mussels near Twin Falls since first detection in 2023.
- Illinois: Grammy-nominated Wiz Khalifa is headlining the Illinois State Fair Grandstand in Springfield tonight, Aug 19, as part of the fair running Aug 13-23.
- Indiana: Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission voted 6-0 today at 1:59 PM ET to impose a moratorium on new data centers citywide through end of 2027.
- Iowa: Iowa State Patrol and local agencies launched a statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driving crackdown today Aug 19 through Sept 7.
- Kansas: Stafford County held a public hearing at 8:30 AM today at the County Annex to consider a Community Development Block Grant for a new childcare facility in Macksville.
- Kentucky: Kentucky Educational Television announced today CEO Shae Hopkins will retire at end of 2026 after 40 years, including 17 years leading KET.
- Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Health issued a heat advisory today with heat index over 105 degrees statewide, urging precautions as schools resume.
- Maine: Maine Department of Marine Resources opened emergency meetings today over new federal right whale vessel speed rules impacting lobstermen.
- Maryland: Maryland State Board of Elections certified ballot questions today for November, including a major transportation funding measure.
- Massachusetts: Gov. Maura Healey is signing the PROTECT Act (H.5620) into law today in Chelsea, blocking ICE civil arrests in courthouses, schools, childcare centers and hospitals without a judicial warrant.
- Michigan: Michigan DHHS confirmed today a locally acquired human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Roscommon County, the first in Michigan since 2021, with a 30% fatality rate.
- Minnesota: Minnesota United FC celebrates its 10th anniversary in MLS tonight Aug 19 hosting Atlanta United at Allianz Field.
- Mississippi: Gov. Tate Reeves announced today the appointment of Craig Treadway of Olive Branch to Circuit Court Judge for the 21st Circuit District, Place 2.
- Missouri: University of Missouri announced its 7-game home football season ticket slate has sold out for a third straight year, reported today.
- Montana: Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission is meeting today at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena to consider conservation easements and fisheries programs.
- Nebraska: AAF Nebraska welcomes its 2026-2027 Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting today in Omaha.
- Nevada: Gov. Joe Lombardo’s state of emergency remains in effect today for Washoe County over the 17,000-acre Bug Fire (4% contained) and Fred Mountain Fire, with 6,000+ evacuated.
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire DOT announced lane closures starting today on I-93 in Concord for bridge deck replacement work through Labor Day weekend.
- New Jersey: NJ Transit reported delays today due to heat-related speed restrictions, while the state Board of Public Utilities holds hearings today on rising electric rates.
- New Mexico: Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas lease sale offering 26 parcels totaling 20,334 acres across New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas is scheduled today, Aug 19.
- New York: Empire State Manufacturing Survey surged today to 20.6, its highest reading in four years, signaling strong factory growth in August.
- North Carolina: NC DHHS is holding an administrative hearing today in Western NC on four health systems competing for a Certificate of Need for 92 new hospital beds.
- North Dakota: Top Republican lawmakers are proposing tens of millions in a line of credit to restart construction of the State Military Gallery, paused over a month due to fundraising shortfall, top news today.
- Ohio: OpenAI signed a 10-gigawatt data center deal in Ohio with SoftBank’s SB Energy backed by Nvidia, announced Aug 18-19, set to be one of the largest AI hubs in the U.S.
- Oklahoma: National Weather Service warns extreme flash drought has spread across western and north-central Oklahoma today, with severe drought in eastern Oklahoma.
- Oregon: Florence and other Oregon police departments increase patrols today as part of nationwide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign Aug 19 – Sept 7.
- Pennsylvania: PennDOT announced today new construction starts on I-76 in Philadelphia and closure of the Schuylkill Expressway overnight for resurfacing.
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island Department of Health reported today a spike in West Nile virus positive mosquito pools in Providence County, urging repellent use.
- South Carolina: South Carolina Emergency Management is monitoring dangerous rip currents today from Hurricane Erin offshore, with beach warnings posted statewide.
- South Dakota: Attorney General Marty Jackley continues push this week for legislation limiting License Plate Reader data use to legitimate law enforcement with privacy safeguards.
- Tennessee: National Weather Service warns Nashville and Middle Tennessee face strong to severe overnight storms tonight Aug 19 after seven days without rain.
- Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott is in El Paso today for a roundtable with families and taxpayers on education improvements and keeping taxes affordable.
- Utah: Lake Powell, vital reservoir on the Utah-Arizona border, has fallen to its lowest level ever amid worsening Western drought, a major story today.
- Vermont: Lawmakers were briefed today on the $27M Green Mountain Youth Campus proposed secure facility for young offenders in South Burlington.
- Virginia: Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 19 on Aug 18 initiating modernization of Virginia’s emergency preparedness and Unified Readiness Framework, implementation discussed today.
- Washington: Gov. Bob Ferguson’s emergency proclamation today bans most outdoor and agricultural burning statewide through Sept 30 ahead of a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag warning for Eastern Washington.
- West Virginia: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $3 million grant for volunteer fire departments statewide earlier this week, with distribution details released today.
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin State Fair officials report record attendance as the fair closed Sunday, while schools statewide begin fall sports practices today under new WIAA heat rules.
- Wyoming: Wyoming Game and Fish Department is holding public meetings today in Casper and Laramie on proposed changes to elk hunting quotas for the 2026 season.
