American politician and public servant
The SAVE America Act has become a central GOP priority as midterms approach. POLITICO polling shows core provisions have some support, notably voter-ID requirements, but overall enthusiasm for the sweeping elections bill remains limited and partisan divides are sharpening ahead of voting.
Deputy Logan Utt has died after being shot responding to a welfare check in Carroll County, Virginia. The suspect, Michael Puckett, has been arrested in Surry County, North Carolina, two days after the incident. A second deputy is recovering with a ballistic vest injury as the manhunt continues.
The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits challenging state laws that bar federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks and restrict 287(g) agreements, arguing these measures threaten federal officers’ safety and interfere with federal operations. Virginia and New York are among the states facing suits; Maryland faces a separate challenge by sheriffs opposing a new immigration-cooperation law.
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order imposing a one-year statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centres that use 50 megawatts or more, directing regulators to complete an environmental impact review and consider rules to make developers pay for power, contribute to grid upgrades and lose tax breaks. The move has drawn praise from community and environmental groups and rebuke from industry and national conservatives.