Today the nation faces a collision of weather, courts, and politics as Tropical Storm Nolo threatens catastrophic flooding in Hawaii while a nor’easter batters Virginia and the Carolinas, federal judges and the Supreme Court battle over congressional maps in Alabama and Missouri, Texas and Utah grapple with major voter registration failures and federal investigations, high-profile resignations shake Arizona health leadership, energy and AI data center fights dominate in Arkansas, California and Idaho, and college football, tourism records, and local safety crackdowns drive headlines from Tennessee to Mississippi to South Dakota on a day marked by both disruption and resilience.
Top News By State – September 24, 2026:
- Alabama: Attorney General Steve Marshall and Secretary of State Wes Allen filed emergency motions at U.S. Supreme Court Sept 24 to lift injunctions blocking use of GOP-leaning congressional map.
- Alaska: President Trump approved $25 million in disaster aid Sept 24 after back-to-back storms and typhoon remnants displaced about 2,000 people in western Alaska coastal villages.
- Arizona: Two top health officials – ADHS Director Jennie Cunico and AHCCCS head Carmen Heredia – resigned Sept 24 rather than face confirmation hearings, as Gov. Katie Hobbs cited politicization.
- Arkansas: Federal Judge Lee Rudofsky denied Entergy Arkansas’s request Sept 24 to block the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette from publishing confidential documents about power supply for a $4B Google data center.
- California: California began allowing E15 gasoline (15% ethanol) this week after Gov. Newsom signed legislation, expected to save drivers about 20 cents per gallon amid $6.24 average prices.
- Colorado: Colorado received $10.5M in FEMA pre-disaster mitigation grants announced Sept 24, days after FEMA denied portions of disaster declaration for 102,004-acre Aspen Acres Fire that destroyed 850 structures.
- Connecticut: Offshore Connecticut wind farm reported as nearly complete Sept 24, while Justice Department announced dismissal of more than 50 half-century-old desegregation cases including Waterbury, Connecticut.
- Delaware: Delaware Chancery Court upheld voting by LLCs and corporations in small-town municipal elections Sept 23-24, ruling it does not violate state constitution.
- Florida: Florida AG James Uthmeier sued three insulin manufacturers and three PBMs Sept 24, alleging collusion to drive up insulin prices.
- Georgia: New statewide polls released Sept 24 show tight 2026 gubernatorial and Senate races; Georgia Tech and Georgia both posted Week 3 college football wins leading into Saturday slate.
- Hawaii: Tropical Storm Nolo strengthening toward hurricane, prompting tropical storm warnings for Big Island, closure of state offices, public schools and University of Hawaii on Hawaii Island and Maui with forecasts up to 35 inches of rain.
- Idaho: Idaho Liberty Bell Tour launched 12-stop Southwest Idaho leg Sept 24-26 bringing replica bell to schools and city buildings for America 250, as water rights comment deadline closed Sept 24 at 5pm.
- Illinois: Illinois Supreme Court reversed appellate court Sept 24 ruling rideshare wrongful death case not compelled to arbitration; AG Kwame Raoul claimed victory after federal judge in Rhode Island blocked Trump administration rules barring noncitizens from Head Start and shelters.
- Indiana: Indiana became 41st state to gain regulatory authority over nuclear materials after agreement signed with NRC Sept 24 to enable small modular reactors; Amazon announced $100M 585k-sq-ft facility in Greenwood creating 300 jobs.
- Iowa: District Judge Scott Beattie dismissed with prejudice President Trump’s lawsuit against Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer over 2024 Iowa Poll showing Harris leading, ruling poll is protected First Amendment speech.
- Kansas: Kansas Department of Agriculture reported winter wheat planting 40% complete Sept 24, ahead of 5-year average, while Sedgwick County election officials flagged ballot proofing underway for Nov 3 general.
- Kentucky: Gov. Andy Beshear announced Sept 24 $45M federal RAISE grant for Brent Spence Bridge corridor improvements connecting Kentucky-Ohio, as state reports record bourbon tourism.
- Louisiana: Louisiana coastal parishes under high tide and flash flood watch Sept 24 as Gulf disturbance approaches, while Entergy Louisiana filed rate adjustment for data center load growth.
- Maine: Maine lobstermen protested new federal right whale rules at Portland hearing Sept 24, as Dept. of Marine Resources reported catch down 18% year-over-year.
- Maryland: Maryland Board of Public Works approved $30M for Baltimore Key Bridge rebuild planning Sept 24, while state election board reported mail ballot requests up 22% for November.
- Massachusetts: State Ethics Commission found Peru Select Board member Edward Munch violated conflict of interest law by creating town job he then took, imposing $3,000 fine announced Sept 24.
- Michigan: Michigan basketball forward Roddy Gayle Jr. granted preliminary injunction in Niagara County Supreme Court Sept 24 allowing him to remain on U-M team for 2026-27 despite NCAA eligibility ruling.
- Minnesota: Justice Department filed suit Sept 24 against Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul challenging permit-to-purchase law and 30-60 day waiting period as violating Second Amendment.
- Mississippi: Gov. Tate Reeves announced Sept 24 record 45.5 million visitors in 2025 generating record $18.9 billion economic impact per 2025 Tourism Economic Contribution Report.
- Missouri: AG Catherine Hanaway demanded Reign Bar in Columbia submit within 14 days written plan to eliminate nuisance and violence Sept 24, as redistricting fight sent map back to U.S. Supreme Court for third time.
- Montana: U.S. Senate passed resolution Sept 24 to open Montana to more coal mining by overturning Biden-era BLM amendment halting new federal coal leases in Powder River Basin.
- Nebraska: Nebraska Public Power District announced rolling outages averted Sept 24 after wind generation dropped, while Secretary of State reported early voting applications up 15% for general election.
- Nevada: Nevada Gaming Control Board reported August statewide gaming win $1.38B Sept 24, up 3.2%, as Clark County commissioners debated F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix road closures.
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire Secretary of State announced Sept 24 ballot order drawing for Nov 3 municipal elections, while North Country ski resorts announced early snowmaking start due to cold snap.
- New Jersey: NJ Transit announced Sept 24 full restoration of Northeast Corridor service after overhead wire failure, while AG filed consumer protection suit against auto dealer chain over add-on fees.
- New Mexico: Cattle imports resumed at Santa Teresa border crossing at 10:50 a.m. MT Sept 24 after 16+ month shutdown over New World screwworm, with 101 head crossing day one.
- New York: Polymarket sued NY AG Letitia James in Manhattan federal court Sept 24 to block regulation of its prediction market after James sued alleging illegal gambling; state judge ordered Mayor administration to turn over rent freeze emails within 5 days.
- North Carolina: Gov. Josh Stein announced $5M in new Small Business Infrastructure Grants Sept 24 to support small business recovery in western North Carolina, 2 years after Hurricane Helene.
- North Dakota: Domestic absentee ballots for General Election became available Sept 24 per Secretary of State, while Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced creation of new Department of Workforce Development consolidating 300 staff.
- Ohio: 6th Circuit Appeals Court reinstated Ohio law requiring documentary proof of citizenship when registering at BMV Sept 24, pausing lower court block.
- Oklahoma: Sequoyah County Election Board reminded voters Sept 24 that Oct 9 is last day to register for Nov 3 General, as AT&T outage affected 911 service statewide.
- Oregon: Rain and wind forecast to begin evening Sept 24 with 0.5 inch in Willamette Valley and gusts to 30 mph, while 4 voters filed political activity complaints against Portland Police Chief Bob Day.
- Pennsylvania: State Health Dept reported 4 new measles cases associated with international travel cluster Sept 24, urging MMR vaccination, while SEPTA announced schedule adjustments for papal visit planning.
- Rhode Island: Federal judge in Rhode Island struck down Trump administration rules barring noncitizens from Head Start, homeless shelters and mental health programs Sept 24, in case brought by coalition of AGs.
- South Carolina: South Carolina Ports Authority reported record container volume Sept 24, while Gov. Henry McMaster declared state of emergency ahead of nor’easter coastal flooding.
- South Dakota: Game, Fish and Parks approved new elk hunting rules Sept 24, increasing licenses in Custer State Park and allowing unlimited hunting east of Missouri River.
- Tennessee: President Trump confirmed to attend No.1 Texas vs No.13 Tennessee game at Neyland Stadium Saturday Sept 27 with road closures announced Sept 24; state also set to execute Christa Pike Sept 30.
- Texas: Election workers scrambling Sept 24 after Texas DPS failed to transmit tens of thousands of voter registration applications from online portal dating to Oct 2025 – Dallas County ∼40,000, Bexar ∼45,000 incomplete.
- Utah: U.S. DOJ investigating Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson Sept 24 over refusal to provide unredacted voter registration list, citing 1960 Civil Rights Act vs state privacy laws.
- Vermont: Vermont temporarily eased wood-sourcing requirements at McNeil and Ryegate biomass plants Sept 24 after Finch Paper closure stopped taking 2,000 tons/week of pulpwood.
- Virginia: Coastal Flood Warning in effect Sept 23-25 as nor’easter batters coast with 12-ft waves and flooding in Norfolk, Smithfield, Suffolk; federal judge blocked part of new law limiting ICE 287(g) cooperation Sept 24.
- Washington: Washington Dept. of Ecology issued air quality alert Sept 24 for wildfire smoke in Cascades, while Seattle City Council approved $15 minimum wage increase for app-based delivery drivers.
- West Virginia: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $200M federal broadband expansion awards Sept 24 connecting 25,000 homes, while DEP issued permit for new natural gas power plant in Harrison County.
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin Elections Commission reported Sept 24 absentee ballot mailing begins, while UW-Madison researchers announced breakthrough in dairy methane reduction trial.
- Wyoming: Wyoming Game and Fish reported chronic wasting disease detected in new deer hunt area near Laramie Sept 24, while state announced $12M Abandoned Mine Land grant for reclamation projects.
