Wisconsin’s local election clerks asked the state what to do if federal agents show up at their polling places.
The bipartisan commission answered today. Agents must sign in like any other observer, and clerks should ask them to wear plain clothes instead of uniforms. Its Republican chair says he expects this election to go like all the others.
Halfway across the country, Donald Trump’s Justice Department asked a federal judge to stop California election workers from counting more than 20,000 ballots already in the mail from voters it calls likely noncitizens. The names came from Homeland Security, which earlier flagged 185 Nevada voters as possible noncitizens. Every one of them turned out to be a citizen.
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Maryland GOP Rep. Harris tries to eject student reporter and threatens prosecution for recording his post-forum press conference, after lecturing audience on the First Amendment.
Today’s GovBrief News
Canadian Prime Minister Carney says US is trying to break Canada to “own us” as Alberta votes Monday on starting toward a separation referendum.
Source: The Associated Press
October 15, 2026
Former Homeland Security Secretary Noem’s Western Hemisphere envoy title expired last month, but she now advises Deputy Secretary of State Landau on the same portfolio.
Source: CBS News
October 15, 2026
State Department ousts envoy Zampolli, the friend who introduced Trump to Melania, hours after Politico revealed his email war with Deputy Secretary Landau.
Source: Politico
October 15, 2026
White House and Pentagon ready plans to hit Iran with “mother of all bombs,” a week after Trump promised no attack before the midterms.
Source: CBS News
October 15, 2026
Interior Department raises Denali National Park’s road limit to 160 vehicles a day from about 100, citing Trump’s order to cut park recreation restrictions.
Source: The Alaska Beacon
October 15, 2026
Bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission votes 5-1 to tell clerks how to handle ICE, Homeland Security or FBI agents at polls, after clerks asked for guidance.
Source: WISN Milwaukee
October 15, 2026
Envelopes of suspicious white powder hit election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma and Capitol Hill offices, with Ohio’s intercepted, three weeks before the midterms.
Source: UPI
October 15, 2026
Justice Department sues California to set aside mail ballots from voters it calls likely noncitizens, as its 48-hour deadline lapses.
Source: ABC News
October 15, 2026
Texas counties clear more than 500,000 voter registrations stuck for over a year by a Department of Public Safety software error.
Source: WFAA Dallas
October 15, 2026
Voting groups sue Homeland Security Department over voter files from 47 states it combines with commercial data, alleging it breaks federal law.
Source: The Associated Press
October 15, 2026
Trump cancels Defense Secretary Hegseth’s plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter Hasan’s firing squad execution, as poll shows 8 in 10 Americans opposed it.
Source: The Associated Press
October 15, 2026
Federal judge refuses to let crypto firm Gemini and its federal regulator jointly erase the firm’s $5 million fine, as founders back Trump family ventures.
Source: The New York Times [gift link]
October 15, 2026
Federal judge tosses ex-CIA Director Brennan’s bid to preserve “grand conspiracy” probe records as premature, noting his claim investigators who doubted the case were removed.
Source: The Hill
October 15, 2026
Federal judge tosses Justice Department suit against New York City’s sanctuary laws, ruling that forcing local officials into immigration enforcement violates the Constitution.
Source: Gothamist
October 15, 2026
White House press secretary Zacharia failed the California bar exam, a senior official says, days after Trump named her as an “attorney.”
Source: NBC News
October 15, 2026
Veterans Affairs Department again ends union contract covering more than 320,000 workers, citing an appeals court stay the union says gives no such permission.
Source: Federal News Network
October 15, 2026
Federal Aviation Administration seeks ownership stake in the startup behind its AI air traffic tool, months after awarding it a contract worth up to $876 million.
Source: Politico
October 15, 2026
Theme parks close 12 coasters after rider is ejected and killed on Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath, as Cobb County police investigate.
Source: USA Today
October 15, 2026
Trump’s $333 million ballroom donors include a banker’s daughter who pledged $2.5 million four months before Trump pardoned her father, The Washington Post reports.
Source: The Washington Post
October 15, 2026
South Dakota offers first-time homebuyers a 5% down payment boost through a loan forgiven after five years in the home.
Source: South Dakota Public Broadcasting
October 15, 2026
Nine FBI agents who worked Trump’s classified documents case sue Director Patel for their jobs, saying he cited “Article II” to fire them without hearings.
Source: Courthouse News Service
October 15, 2026