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Oklahoma Attorney General Directs Claremore to Waive Exorbitant Public Records Fee for Farmer

Oklahoma Attorney General Directs Claremore to Waive Exorbitant Public Records Fee for Farmer

The Oklahoma Attorney General has intervened in a case where the City of Claremore attempted to charge farmer Darren Blanchard $17,125.44 for a public records request. Blanchard was arrested at a city council meeting in February for exceeding his speaking limit while opposing a proposed 225-acre data center, Project Mustang. He was charged with trespassing, a municipal crime with a $200 penalty. In preparation for his defense, Blanchard and his lawyers requested bodycam footage of the arrest and city records related to previous disturbances at public meetings. Claremore justified the high fee by citing the need for a legal review of 2,800 records to protect privacy and claimed the request was overly onerous. However, Assistant Attorney General Anthony Sykes stated that Oklahoma law only permits charges for direct costs of copying or mechanical reproduction, and Claremore had not publicly posted a schedule of fees as required by the Open Records Act. Sykes also dismissed Claremore's argument that 15 hours o...
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Senator Cory Booker Joins Camden County Commissioners at Cathedral Kitchen for Community Engagement

Senator Cory Booker Joins Camden County Commissioners at Cathedral Kitchen for Community Engagement

U.S. Senator Cory Booker recently visited Cathedral Kitchen in Camden, New Jersey, alongside the Camden County Board of Commissioners. The visit, announced by the Camden County government, included a tour of the facility to learn about its mission to combat food insecurity. Following the tour, Senator Booker participated in assembling sandwiches and preparing care packages with Cathedral Kitchen staff and volunteers, as well as the county commissioners, for distribution to individuals and families in need. Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. highlighted Cathedral Kitchen's role as an invaluable community asset providing critical services. This engagement underscores the ongoing efforts by public officials to support local initiatives addressing social welfare.
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Maryland Lottery Player Wins $4.2 Million Multi-Match Jackpot in Riverdale

Maryland Lottery Player Wins $4.2 Million Multi-Match Jackpot in Riverdale

A Maryland Lottery player in Riverdale, Prince George's County, has won a $4.2 million Multi-Match jackpot. The winning ticket, which matched all six numbers (1, 4, 18, 35, 41, and 42) in the August 31 drawing, was sold at the Town Center Market located at 4705 Queensbury Road. This marks the end of a summer-long period without a jackpot winner for the Maryland-only game, with the last jackpot hit on April 16 for $570,000. The retailer, Town Center Market, will receive a $4,200 bonus for selling the winning ticket. The winner has the option to choose between a $4.2 million annuity, paid in 25 equal annual installments, or an estimated $2.2 million one-time cash payment before taxes. This is the largest Multi-Match win since May 2022, when a Westminster man claimed $5.1 million.
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Stockton Chamber Honors Tiffany Dobson for Extensive Community Service

Stockton Chamber Honors Tiffany Dobson for Extensive Community Service

The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce has recognized Tiffany Dobson, Deputy District Director for congressional Representative Josh Harder, with the city's annual ATHENA Young Professional Award. Dobson was surprised with the award, which honors individuals under 40 for their leadership and community contributions. Her colleagues, including Adam Cheshire, District Director for Harder's Stockton office, and Hector Soto, highlighted her broad and deeply personal involvement in the community. Dobson's service extends beyond her role with Representative Harder, encompassing initiatives such as an annual Little Library crawl and advocacy for urban agriculture and small family farms. Her parents noted that her dedication to service has been evident since elementary school. The award acknowledges her efforts in bridging the needs of Stockton's local nonprofits with Washington, D.C., and fostering a supportive workplace environment.
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Montana Department of Transportation Director Chris Dorrington Resigns for Private Sector Role

Montana Department of Transportation Director Chris Dorrington Resigns for Private Sector Role

Chris Dorrington, the Director of the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), is stepping down from his position on October 1st to pursue a job in the private sector. Governor Greg Gianforte's office announced Dorrington's departure on Monday. Dorrington was appointed to lead the MDT in June 2024. Prior to this role, he served as the director of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for approximately three years, beginning in 2021. He also has a decade of experience within the Department of Transportation's planning division from 2006 to 2016. Governor Gianforte praised Dorrington as a 'changemaker,' highlighting his leadership in reducing permitting backlogs and ensuring effective agency divisions. Dorrington's new private sector role has not yet been disclosed, and he did not immediately respond to requests for comment. His replacement is expected to be announced by the governor's office in the coming weeks.
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Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez to Host Service Academy Information Night in Vancouver

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez to Host Service Academy Information Night in Vancouver

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) will host an information night for students interested in applying to U.S. service academies. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Columbia Room in the Vancouver Community Library. The information night will feature presentations from representatives of various service academies, who will discuss their institutions and application processes. A staff member from Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez's office will also provide details on the congressional nomination process. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to meet directly with service academy representatives. This initiative aims to support high school juniors and individuals aged 17-22 residing in Washington’s Third District who are considering a career in the military through a service academy.
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
County Mayor's request to pause meeting didn't go over well | Exclusive

County Mayor's request to pause meeting didn't go over well | Exclusive

Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter canceled a Wellington Chamber appearance after commissioners opposed pausing a packed meeting for 2½ hours.
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Maryland Regulators Approve Reduced Pepco Rate Increase, Prioritizing Affordability

Maryland Regulators Approve Reduced Pepco Rate Increase, Prioritizing Affordability

Maryland regulators have approved a significantly reduced rate increase for Pepco customers, cutting the utility's requested revenue increase by more than half. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a $50.9 million revenue increase, substantially less than Pepco's original request of $119.9 million. This decision, which took effect on Friday, means that the average residential Pepco customer will see an additional $3.94 on their monthly bill, rather than the $10.24 increase that would have resulted from Pepco's full request. Specifically, this translates to a 2.25% increase for Montgomery County customers and 2.23% for Prince George’s County customers. The PSC stated its aim was to balance the need for infrastructure investments with customer affordability, denying Pepco's request to include projected costs for inflation, labor, and capital spending. Maryland Governor Wes Moore commended the PSC's judgment, emphasizing that utilities should not earn unreasonable profits while residents stru...
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Wall Township, NJ, Launches New Mobile App to Centralize Community Services and Information

Wall Township, NJ, Launches New Mobile App to Centralize Community Services and Information

Wall Township, New Jersey, has officially launched a new mobile application, the Wall Township NJ mobile app, designed to consolidate various township services and information into a single, accessible platform. Mayor Erin Mangan initiated the idea, collaborating with the Wall Township Youth Advisory Council to gather input on features most beneficial to the community. The app aims to make township news, alerts, meeting schedules, events, online forms, payment options, and trash and recycling information readily available to residents of all ages. This development is a direct result of efforts to enhance communication and accessibility for the township's population.
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City of Winston Requests Federal Review of Mail Delivery Concerns, Involving U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle

City of Winston Requests Federal Review of Mail Delivery Concerns, Involving U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle

The City of Winston, Oregon, has formally requested a federal review of ongoing mail and package delivery issues within the 97496 ZIP code. Winston Mayor Christie Knutson sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle's office, asking for assistance in investigating numerous complaints from residents and businesses. These complaints include mail being delivered to incorrect addresses, packages marked as delivered but left elsewhere, and mail intended for one household being delivered to another. The city itself has experienced similar problems, receiving mail meant for other residents or even other Douglas County communities. Some reported incidents involve time-sensitive items like prescription medications. While acknowledging that individual errors can occur, the city highlighted the number and consistency of these complaints, suggesting a broader systemic issue. Residents have also reported that previous attempts to resolve these issues with the local post office were unsuccessful.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Ex-DCS director says contractor used Hobbs ties in pay push | Exclusive

Ex-DCS director says contractor used Hobbs ties in pay push | Exclusive

Former DCS Director Mike Faust told investigators Sunshine Residential CEO Simon Kottoor offered to leverage political influence for higher pay.
1Weather 1Weather
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Tidal Potomac and Chesapeake Bay Areas

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Tidal Potomac and Chesapeake Bay Areas

The National Weather Service has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 632, effective until 10 PM EDT on Thursday, 27 August 2026. The affected areas include the Tidal Potomac River and the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. Current conditions indicate south winds at 10 knots with gusts up to 20 knots, creating waves of 1 to 2 feet. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the evening, with patchy fog reducing visibility to 1 nautical mile or less in some areas. Winds and waves are anticipated to be higher in and near thunderstorms.