Good morning, it\u2019s Monday, August 3, 2026. In today\u2019s edition, states confront SNAP error rates; Michigan, Minnesota water systems under cyberattack; new polls in Florida, Michigan:<\/p>\n
Top Stories<\/p>\n
SNAP: State leaders are racing to more accurately calculate food stamp payments to avoid financial penalties set to take effect next year. Beginning Oct. 1, 2027, states that have SNAP payment error rates above 6% must partly cover program costs. States are hiring additional staff, using new AI and data analytics tools and improving outreach to lower error rates. (Pluribus News<\/a>)<\/p>\n HEALTHCARE: States seeking ways to combat rising healthcare costs are using manufacturers\u2019 coupons to lower employee copays or coinsurance and using reinsurance programs for the sickest residents. A Minnesota program covering claims that exceed $50,000 per year helps keep down overall monthly premiums for ACA marketplace enrollees. Kentucky is seeking to expand transparency requirements to commercial insurance markets to keep costs down. (Pluribus News<\/a>)<\/p>\n PUBLIC SAFETY: Michigan and Minnesota have reported cyberattacks on dozens of state water systems amid warnings that Iranian hackers are launching attacks on American infrastructure. Federal officials warned both states about incoming attacks, though officials stressed that water systems remain safe. (MLive<\/a>)<\/p>\n REDISTRICTING: Maryland lawmakers meet today to begin a new mid-decade redistricting push to eliminate the state\u2019s lone Republican-held U.S. House seat. The General Assembly will begin debate on a proposed constitutional amendment to allow lawmakers to redraw map lines. Voters would be asked to approve the amendment in November. (Associated Press<\/a>)<\/p>\n GAMBLING: New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) has sued prediction market company Kalshi, alleging the company violates state laws on illegal gambling. The suit claims Kalshi allows users to wager money on event outcomes without obtaining approval from the state Gaming Commission. (State of Politics<\/a>)<\/p>\n CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Hawaii lawmakers are pushing to return to special session to take up a measure banning government contractors and their families from donating to political candidates, following the indictment of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke (D) on corruption charges. Legislation passed the state House last year but died in the Senate. (Hawaii News Now<\/a>) Luke and three co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges last week. (Associated Press<\/a>)<\/p>\n TAXES: The California Democratic Party has formally endorsed a ballot initiative to levy a one-time 5% tax on billionaire assets to fund healthcare and safety-net programs. The vote comes amid opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and a number of labor unions, including the California Teachers Association. (Los Angeles Times<\/a>)<\/p>\n In Politics & Business<\/p>\n FLORIDA: A new Quantus Insights poll finds U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R) leading the Republican gubernatorial field with 50% of the vote, well ahead of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (R) at 16% and conservative provocateur James Fishback (R) at 12%. More than 60% of the GOP electorate say they are familiar with Donalds, while less than 10% said the same of Collins and Fishback. (Quantus<\/a>)<\/p>\n MICHIGAN: A Mitchell Research & Communications poll finds Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) statistically tied with U.S. Rep. John James (R), 46% to 44%. The poll finds Benson leading businessman Perry Johnson (R) 48% to 43%. The poll found 47% of Michigan voters approve of President Trump\u2019s job performance, while 52% disapprove. (Mitchell<\/a>)<\/p>\n COLORADO: Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx has selected retired Marine Colonel George Markert (R) as his lieutenant governor running mate. Markert ran for U.S. Senate this year but failed to make the primary ballot. (Colorado Sun<\/a>)<\/p>\n ILLINOIS: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias (D) launched his run for mayor of Chicago on Wednesday. Giannoulias has $22 million in his campaign account. Former Chicago Housing Authority chair Mathew Brewer (D), Cook County Board of Review commissioner George Cardenas (D), Comptroller Susana Mendoza (D) and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D) have all entered the race. Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) has not said whether he will seek a second term. (Chicago Tribune<\/a>)<\/p>\n GOVERNORS: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) is the new chairman of the National Governors Association, taking over from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R). Moore\u2019s signature initiative as NGA chair will be a bipartisan push to develop state-based service programs modeled on one he developed in Maryland. (Maryland Matters<\/a>)<\/p>\n By The Numbers<\/p>\n Almost 12%: The increase in electricity costs in Pennsylvania during the six month period beginning in June, according to the state\u2019s Independent Fiscal Office. The average monthly household electric bill has jumped 34.9% in the last four years. (State Affairs<\/a>)<\/p>\n More than 1.8 million: The number of acres that have burned in wildfires in Oregon and Washington this year. Washington has deployed 100 National Guard troops to help fight the fires, while Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) has signed an executive order freeing up more staff to fight fires in her state. (Washington State Standard<\/a>)<\/p>\n Off The Wall<\/p>\n An abandoned construction site in West Hollywood has become home to a new set of tenants: A pack of wild coyotes. The condo building\u2019s construction stalled several years ago, and the coyotes now enjoy themselves lounging on unfinished balconies and howling at the moon. (Los Angeles Times<\/a>)<\/p>\n The tiny Pacific Island nation of Nauru has changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, matching the spelling and pronunciation in the native language. People from the country will be called dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan. Naoero is the third-smallest country in the world, with just 12,000 residents, after Tuvalu and Vatican City. (Associated Press<\/a>)<\/p>\n Jeanne Gibson, who represented the \u201cRosie the Riveter\u201d campaign during World War II, has died at 100. Gibson left her home in Minnesota at 18 to move to Seattle, where she helped build destroyers for the war effort. (Hawaii News Now<\/a>)<\/p>\n Quote of the Day<\/p>\n \u201cCitizens feel their voices are being ignored because city councils and local zoning boards are making decisions outside of the will of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n