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Visa Platinum Cosponsor, National Small Business Week 2026

The SBA announced Visa as Platinum Cosponsor for National Small Business Week 2026. Events run May 3-9, including a Virtual Summit, National Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., and regional events in Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. The announcement highlights SBA programs and Visa's support for small business resources.

NDPC Commissioner Attends IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2026 in Washington

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji led Nigeria's delegation to the IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2026 in Washington, D.C. Dr. Olatunji participated in breakout sessions on 'Governing High-Stakes AI' and 'Age Assurance and Privacy in the Digital Playground,' where he shared insights on Nigeria's ongoing survey on Age Regulation and Online Safety. He also met with Canadian Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne to advance a memorandum of understanding between the two authorities.

NDPC Commissioner Highlights Nigeria's Digital Economy Data Privacy Progress at Global Summit

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, represented Nigeria at the IAPP Global Summit 2026 in Washington, D.C. He participated in a high-level session on data privacy and AI governance in Africa, discussing Nigeria's progress in positioning data privacy as a cornerstone of its digital economy. Dr. Olatunji also led a delegation meeting with Future of Privacy Forum CEO Jules Polonetsky to discuss strategic collaboration on public awareness, capacity building, and technology deployment for compliance and enforcement.

NDPC Discusses Balanced Data Law Approach with U.S. Government Officials in Washington D.C.

Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) National Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji met with U.S. State Privacy Enforcers and senior U.S. Administration officials at IAPP Data Protection Authority Day 2026 in Washington D.C. Dr. Olatunji presented Nigeria's balanced regulatory approach under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act, 2023), emphasizing that the framework protects personal data while supporting digital innovation. The engagement highlighted Nigeria's federal-state coordination in implementing data protection rules uniformly across the country.

DCPSC Schedules Evidentiary Hearing May 12 for Pepco Rate Case Remand

The DC Public Service Commission has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for May 12, 2026, in the remand proceeding for Pepco's electric distribution rates (Formal Case No. 1176). The D.C. Court of Appeals vacated the Commission's prior rate approval in March 2026, determining a formal evidentiary hearing was required to resolve disputed material issues of fact. Parties must file supplemental briefs by April 6, 2026, after which the Commission will issue an order on interim rates.

Wilson Leads 23 States Supporting Trump National Guard Deployment to D.C.

Attorney General Alan Wilson of South Carolina co-led a coalition of 23 state attorneys general in filing a friend-of-the-court brief supporting President Trump's constitutional authority to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C. The brief argues that each state has a vested interest in the capital's safety due to delegates in Congress, federal employees, and citizens who travel there. The Pentagon has announced these troops will remain deployed for the remainder of the President's second term.

Family Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Drugs into D.C. Prison

Three family members pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and smuggling controlled substances into the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility in May 2023. Malique Lewis and his mother Teleka Lewis face up to 20 years in prison; his brother Michael Lewis faces up to one year. Sentencing is scheduled for August 21, 2026.

Trump Administration Welcomes Angel Families to D.C. to Mark One-Year Re-Opening of VOICE Office

DHS announced the one-year anniversary of the re-opening of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office. ICE welcomed Angel Families to Washington, D.C. to commemorate the milestone. The VOICE Office, originally created during the first Trump Administration and closed by the Biden Administration, provides support services to victims of alien crime, including immigration enforcement updates and custody status notifications for criminal aliens.

CFPB Motion Details 68% Workforce Cut While Injunction Stays

CFPB Acting Director Vought filed a motion on March 31, 2026, in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals seeking modification of a preliminary injunction on reductions-in-force, accompanied by a Workforce Restructuring Plan proposing 68% workforce cuts. The CFPB cites funding constraints from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which reduced the annual funding cap to $466.8 million against an agency-estimated need of $677.5 million, and the Supreme Court's Trump v. CASA decision limiting universal injunctions.

GSA Administrator Forst Marks First 100 Days with Key Accomplishments

GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst released a statement summarizing key accomplishments from his first 100 days, including accelerated federal property disposals projected to save over $1.8 billion, significant procurement reforms reducing the FAR by 484 pages, and full implementation of Transactional Data Reporting expected to avoid $50 million in annual costs. The agency also achieved over 500 FedRAMP cloud service authorizations and advanced the America's AI Action Plan through its USAi platform.

Williams v. United States - Fourth Amendment Search Ruling

The DC Court of Appeals affirmed most of Williams's firearms convictions while vacating one charge for possession of a large-capacity magazine feeding device. The appellate court upheld the trial court's denial of Williams's suppression motion, concluding police had reasonable articulable suspicion to seize and frisk Williams during a 2023 encounter.

C.P. v. United States - Sodomy Conviction, SORA Registration Challenge Denied

The DC Court of Appeals affirmed denial of motions challenging a 1980 sodomy conviction under the since-repealed D.C. Code § 22-3502 and lifetime sex offender registration under SORA. The court rejected appellant's Sixth Amendment jury trial argument regarding SORA and substantive due process challenge under Lawrence v. Texas.

EOIR Announces 15 Immigration Judges and 17 Temporary Immigration Judges

The Executive Office for Immigration Review announced the investiture of 15 immigration judges and 17 temporary immigration judges appointed by the Attorney General. The judges will serve in 18 states including California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Virginia. Since January 2025, EOIR reports reducing the immigration court backlog by over 380,000 cases from a high of over 4 million cases during the prior administration.

FY 2026 YSEALI Professional Fellowship

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an amended funding opportunity for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship Program. The program will provide approximately $8,000,000 to design and implement professional exchange cohorts of 220 Southeast Asian emerging leaders per year. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and institutions of higher education.

ICE Arrests Illegal Alien Wanted for Murder in Virginia

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers arrested Marco Tulio Lopez-Romero, 44, in Reston, Virginia on March 31, 2026. Lopez-Romero is an illegal alien from El Salvador wanted for aggravated homicide in his home country. He illegally entered the United States in July 2016 and remained at large until his arrest, which was part of ICE's ongoing efforts to remove criminal alien fugitives from U.S. communities.

State of California et al v. United States Department of Agriculture

The Northern District of California has docketed recent filings in State of California et al v. USDA, a civil action challenging agency decisions under the Administrative Procedures Act. Recent entries include a Second Amended Complaint adding new plaintiffs and defendant Brooke Rollins (USDA Acting Secretary), a joint status report, and procedural orders including pro hac vice admissions for attorneys representing plaintiff states including Washington, Massachusetts, Maryland, D.C., Kentucky, and others.

Attorney General Alan Wilson Joins 32-State Brief Protecting Children from Social Media Harms

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a 32-state amicus brief defending Louisiana's law that protects children from addictive social media harms. The brief was filed in the D.C. Circuit in Murrill v. NetChoice and argues states have authority to protect minors from online dangers without violating First Amendment rights. Platforms reportedly earn $11 billion annually from ads directed at children, including nearly $2 billion from users aged 12 and under.

Alon Refining Krotz Springs v. EPA - Small Refinery Exemption Denial Vacated

The D.C. Circuit vacated EPA denial orders for small-refinery exemption applications under the Renewable Fuel Standard program. The court held that EPA's regulation requiring refineries to meet the 75,000-barrel daily throughput threshold for both the year of exemption and the prior year contradicts the Clean Air Act's plain statutory text. The case was remanded to EPA for further proceedings consistent with the court's opinion.

Deputy Secretary Landau's Meeting with North Macedonia Foreign Minister Mucunski

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with North Macedonia Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski in Washington D.C. as part of the second U.S.-North Macedonia Strategic Dialogue. The meeting highlighted the strong and growing partnership between the two countries, emphasizing shared commitments to regional stability, economic cooperation, energy sector development, and NATO burden-sharing.

HPE $14B Juniper acquisition, Tunney Act hearing analysis

The American Bar Association published an analysis of the March 23, 2026 Tunney Act hearing in United States v. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. and Juniper Networks, Inc., where DOJ's proposed $14 billion acquisition settlement was reviewed. The hearing addressed whether DOJ's dual structural remedies—licensing Juniper's Mist AI Ops source code and divesting HPE's Instant On business—adequately address competitive harms in the enterprise-grade WLAN market. A coalition of twelve states and D.C. intervened to challenge both the remedies and the settlement process.

Helsinki Commission Briefing on Ukrainian Territory in Donetsk

The U.S. Helsinki Commission (CSCE) will hold a briefing on the military importance of Ukrainian-held territory in Donetsk. The event is scheduled for April 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM in Room CHOB 210, Washington, D.C. This is a joint committee meeting providing an informational briefing on current geopolitical developments.

National Small Business Week 2026 Virtual Summit

The SBA and America's SBDC announced the National Small Business Week 2026 Virtual Summit, scheduled for May 5-6, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. The free online event will offer educational workshops on topics including manufacturing, digital marketing, HR, AI, and business planning, along with networking opportunities and information on federal small business resources. Registration is required at cntvhybrid.com/nsbw2026.

Special Envoy Gor Hosts U.S.-Uzbekistan Business Investment Council

The U.S. Department of State's Office of the Spokesperson announced the inaugural Washington D.C. meeting of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business Investment Council (BIC), co-chaired by Special Envoy Sergio Gor and Uzbekistan's Head of the Presidential Administration Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva. The BIC will promote bilateral trade and investment and encourage long-term commercial partnerships between U.S. and Uzbek companies.

U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership Working Group Meeting

The U.S. Department of State announced the first interagency working group meeting of the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, held March 26, 2026, in Washington D.C. The working group brings together officials from State, Commerce, Energy, Defense, and Treasury departments to deepen cooperation on AI, export controls, and technology protection measures under the May 2025 partnership agreement. The UAE reaffirmed its $1.4 trillion U.S. investment commitment and discussed the G42 Regulated Technology Environment as a model for managing sensitive technology transfers.

Small backyard homes could address senior housing crisis

The American Bar Association published an informational article exploring Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a potential solution to the senior housing crisis. The article reviews zoning regulations in California, Virginia, and Washington D.C., and discusses model state legislation drafted by the American Planning Association and AARP to facilitate ADU construction.

Options Market Structure Roundtable Agenda

The SEC announced the agenda and panelists for its April 16, 2026 roundtable on options market structure. The roundtable will be held at SEC headquarters in Washington D.C. and webcast live. Three panels will discuss competition in quote-driven markets, customer experience with listed options, and growth challenges in the options market.

SC AG joins 22-state brief supporting Trump TPS termination

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined 22 states in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the Trump administration's termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from specific countries. The brief argues that under federal law, the Department of Justice's decision to end TPS is not reviewable by courts. The filing was made in the case Trump v. Miot, which arose after the D.C. Circuit paused TPS termination for Haitian nationals.

Coalition Challenges MATS Rule Rollback in Federal Court

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison co-led a coalition of 21 states and local governments in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule. The coalition argues EPA failed to provide a reasoned basis for the rollback and did not adequately consider developments in pollution control technologies. The case seeks to reverse EPA's action and restore updated standards that limit emissions of mercury, arsenic, lead, and other toxic pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants.

Blunt v. Town of Gilbert - Certification of Questions to Arizona Supreme Court

The Ninth Circuit certified three questions to the Arizona Supreme Court regarding the 2022 amendment to Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 38-1102 (Arizona Peace Officers Bill of Rights). The certified questions address whether the presumption against retroactivity bars application of the amendment to at-will employment agreements signed before 2022, and whether such application would violate the Contract Clause of the Arizona State Constitution. The case involves Brian Blunt, a 21-year veteran police officer terminated by the Town of Gilbert.

Attorney General Davenport Co-Leads Amicus Brief Against Trump Administration's Targeting of Law Firms

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals supporting four law firms challenging executive orders issued by President Trump in 2025. The firms—Jenner & Block LLP, Perkins Coie LLP, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale LLP, and Susman Godfrey LLP—were targeted with sanctions for political reasons related to their client work and advocacy.

Andi Gjoci v. Department of State - Diversity Visa Program

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of claims brought by selectees and beneficiaries of the FY2021 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program who challenged the State Department's administration of their visa applications during COVID-19 processing delays. The court upheld dismissal on mootness and standing grounds, incorporating prior circuit precedent that district courts lack authority to order the State Department to continue processing diversity visas beyond fiscal year deadlines.

SEC Speaks 2026: Enforcement Priorities and SOX Group Formation

SEC Commissioners and senior staff outlined enforcement priorities and policy direction at SEC Speaks 2026. Chairman Atkins introduced the ACT Strategy (Advance, Clarify, Transform) as the framework for the SEC's direction, emphasizing reduced regulatory burden and market facilitation. Enforcement Division Director Judge Margaret Ryan resigned on March 16, 2026, less than seven months into the role, with Sam Waldon returning as Acting Director.

Fourth Circuit Blocks West Virginia 340B Contract Pharmacy Law as Preempted

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking West Virginia's S.B. 325, which would have restricted how drug manufacturers implement 340B contract pharmacy policies. The court held that the state law is likely preempted because it impermissibly rewrites the federal contractual bargain Congress struck with manufacturers under its spending power. Manufacturers sued over $50,000 per violation penalties.

AMS Holdings and Brad Stroup - Securities Registration Violation Consent Order

The North Dakota Insurance & Securities Department entered a Consent Order with AMS Holdings, LLC and principal Bradley J. Stroup for operating as an unregistered issuer-dealer, broker-dealer, and agent in North Dakota. Stroup admits to the violations and agrees to an 18-month prohibition from securities registration and all securities-related transactions in North Dakota. The prior July 19, 2023 Cease and Desist Order is rescinded as part of this settlement.

U.S.-Italy Science and Technology Cooperation Joint Commission Statement

The U.S. Department of State announced outcomes from the 15th U.S.-Italy Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation held April 1-2, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Both nations committed to deepened cooperation in quantum sciences, high-performance computing and AI, fission and fusion energy, biotechnology, and advanced materials. Italy announced significant funding for strategic joint research projects in 2027-2028, opening opportunities for U.S. research entities to compete for collaborations.

Mary L. Calkins - Consent to Disbarment

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals issued an order on April 2, 2026, granting the consent motion to disbar attorney Mary L. Calkins (Bar Registration No. 1034406) by her own consent. The court accepted her affidavit consenting to disbarment and the recommendation of the Board on Professional Responsibility, and ordered the filing of certain documents under seal.

Oregon Seeks $2.25M in Kroger Attorneys' Fees for Blocked Merger

Oregon, leading a nine-state coalition, filed a fee petition seeking approximately $10.3 million in attorneys' fees and costs from Kroger following the states' victory in blocking the $25 billion Kroger-Albertsons merger. Oregon's share totals $2,251,375 ($1,806,287 in fees and $445,088 in expenses). A February 27, 2026 court ruling found the states prevailed in FTC et al. v. Kroger and are entitled to recover their legal costs.

Most US States Underfund Highways with Road Tax Revenues

Tax Foundation released research analyzing state highway funding sources for FY 2023. Only Maryland (92.2%) and New Jersey fully cover highway spending through road use taxes, while the remaining 48 states and D.C. rely on general fund transfers. Alaska has the lowest coverage at 17.4%, followed by North Dakota at 26.8%. The analysis examines how gas tax revenues erode due to inflation and electric vehicle adoption.

Forest Service Moves Headquarters to Salt Lake City

The USDA Forest Service announced it will relocate its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah, and implement a sweeping organizational restructuring to position leadership closer to western forests and communities. The move aims to improve mission delivery for an agency whose lands and operational challenges are concentrated in the West, while supporting timber production and fire management.

GLS Financial Statement Audit Initiated for FY 2026 and 2025

The DOT Office of Inspector General has initiated a mandated financial statement audit of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) for fiscal years 2026 and 2025. The audit will be conducted by Allmond & Company, LLC under OIG oversight, in accordance with the Government Corporation Control Act of 1945 and the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990. The audit report is due November 16, 2026.

Secretary of Labor v. Knight Hawk Coal - MSHA Settlement Authority Interlocutory Review

The D.C. Circuit dismissed petitions for review filed by the Secretary of Labor seeking interlocutory review of Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission orders. The court held that nonfinal Commission orders denying the Secretary's motions to settle or modify MSHA citations are not immediately appealable under the collateral-order doctrine. The Secretary must await final decisions before seeking appellate review.

Secretary of Labor v. Knight Hawk Coal - Interlocutory Appeal Jurisdiction

The D.C. Circuit dismissed the Secretary of Labor's interlocutory appeals in consolidated cases (Nos. 24-1293, 24-1294) involving mine operators Knight Hawk Coal and Crimson Oak Grove Resources, finding it lacked jurisdiction to review nonfinal Commission orders. The court held that the Secretary's attempts to modify citations by removing S&S designations or vacating citations without explanation did not meet the collateral-order doctrine exception to the final-judgment rule.

California Medicaid DRG Payment Parameters Update

CMS approved California State Plan Amendment CA-25-0022, updating DRG payment parameters for State Fiscal Year 2025-26 for general acute inpatient services. The amendment affects private hospitals, non-designated public hospitals, out-of-state hospitals, and critical access hospitals. A companion letter clarifies that CMS is not approving payment methodologies that may violate the Asante v. Kennedy circuit court opinion.

Norman Richardson v. United States - FTCA Negligence Appeal

The Fourth Circuit vacated the magistrate judge's summary judgment order in Richardson v. United States and remanded for further proceedings. The court found that both parties erroneously argued Maryland law applied to Richardson's Federal Tort Claims Act negligence claim when D.C. law should have governed because the underlying events occurred in the District of Columbia. The appellate court declined to apply D.C. law for the first time on appeal, instead ordering the lower court to address the choice-of-law issue in the first instance.

National Small Business Week 2026 Award Winners Announced

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the state and territory Small Business Persons of the Year for National Small Business Week 2026. The awards ceremony will take place in Washington, D.C. on May 3, 2026, with Administrator Kelly Loeffler recognizing various honorees. The event aims to celebrate small businesses as key economic drivers.

Court Rulings Affirm Agency Procedural Safeguards for Climate Infrastructure Funds

Federal courts have ruled that agencies must follow procedural requirements when administering climate infrastructure funds. Decisions in Washington and D.C. invalidated agency actions that froze EV-charging funding and terminated DOE grants based on political affiliation, impacting billions in infrastructure projects.

Deputy Secretary Landau Meets Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kaneko

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Republic of the Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko on March 27, 2026. They discussed the success of the Pacific Islands Investment Summit and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Compact of Free Association.

Deputy Secretary Landau Meets with Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairman Bećirović

The U.S. Department of State issued a readout of Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau's meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairman of the Presidency Denis Bećirović on March 26, 2026. The discussion focused on economic cooperation, specifically the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline.

GSA Sells Underutilized Federal Property in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the sale of the GSA Regional Office Building in Washington, D.C. This disposition is part of an initiative to reduce underutilized federal property and is expected to save taxpayers over $200 million in maintenance and $5.5 million in annual operating costs.

SBA Relocates Washington Metro Area District Office to Herndon, Virginia

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has relocated its Washington Metro Area District Office from downtown Washington, D.C., to Herndon, Virginia. This move aims to improve accessibility for small businesses and enhance cost efficiency for taxpayers, aligning with the agency's Main Street First approach.