Hudson County, New Jersey

Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, 82, president pro tempore of the Senate and chair of the Finance and Appropriations Committee, was indicted and surrendered to federal custody alongside six co-defendants, including two daughters (Lisa Lucas Burke and Theresa Lucas-Lamb) and a grandson (Ryan Eichelberger), on racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, bribery, money laundering and honest-services fraud charges filed by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia. Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel allege Lucas led a "criminal marijuana enterprise" built by family and associates, paying $750,000 for control of a shell company used to obtain a state cannabis license and later receiving a bribery payment, while using her committee chairmanship to shield and benefit the operation. The case follows an FBI raid on Lucas's office in May. Lucas, a longtime cannabis-legalization advocate, denies wrongdoing, calling the case political retaliation and intimidation. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger criticized the indictment's timing as inconsistent with Justice Department norms near elections, though the investigation originated under the Biden administration.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block a new ICE detention facility planned for Hudson, about 30 miles northeast of Denver. The facility would occupy the former Hudson Correctional Facility, closed for 12 years, under a contract between the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and private prison operator GEO Group—the same company that runs the Aurora ICE facility. Plans call for renovating the site into a 1,200-bed private immigration detention center, which would nearly double Hudson's population.

The lawsuit alleges DHS and ICE failed to meet statutory obligations to assess environmental impacts, inform the public, and ensure detention sites are appropriate for civil immigration custody. Weiser's office is asking the court to halt further activity until an environmental review and legal compliance documentation are completed. DHS dismissed the suit as a political effort to obstruct immigration enforcement rather than a genuine environmental concern. The case follows a separate lawsuit filed in July by advocacy groups against the town of Hudson over the same project.

The Libertarian Party of Michigan has formally disavowed its 2025 gubernatorial nominee, Anthony Hudson, after he used a gay slur and profanity attacking the party in campaign videos. The party's executive committee passed a resolution severing "any affiliation, support or political connection" with Hudson, who had already been censured once before. Hudson's name remains on the ballot for the November 3 election, but he will be barred from party funds, events, and mentions on official channels.

Hudson, a former Republican primary candidate, rejected the disavowal, saying he would rather "stand alone" than compromise his principles, and refused to apologize for the slur. Party officials say his positions—supporting deployment of the National Guard against immigrants, restricting transgender athletes, and backing Trump-era tariffs and foreign policy—conflict with core Libertarian values. The party is also contending with separate controversies involving its lieutenant governor nominee, facing embezzlement charges, and a Senate nominee whose policy views diverge from traditional libertarian positions, underscoring ongoing turmoil within Michigan's third-largest party ahead of the election.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday, a day after Gov. Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report from a four-month investigation, led by former Attorney General Christopher Porrino's law firm, substantiating findings of sexual harassment and repeated ethics violations. Investigators found credible evidence that Caldwell made an unwanted romantic advance toward a staffer's friend, sought a promotion for a state employee he was secretly dating, and brought unpaid guests to ticketed events despite prior warnings. Sherrill said the episode reflected a longstanding Trenton culture of overlooking sexual harassment that her administration would no longer tolerate.

Caldwell, who is Black, suggested race played a role in the allegations and disputes the report's findings, saying he resigned to avoid distracting from Sherrill's administration; days later he preached at his church about false accusations. Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu now oversees the Division of Elections ahead of the midterms, while Senate President Nicholas Scutari serves as acting governor when needed. Sherrill has 45 days to name a permanent replacement, with reports suggesting she may favor another Black leader, possibly a woman, for the role.

North Charleston City Council has had full attendance at only three of 26 council and committee meetings so far this year. Councilman Michael Brown Jr., who represents District 7, has missed the most, sitting out 10 meetings and attending roughly 60 percent of sessions. He missed votes on rezoning requests, affordable housing incentives, and budget amendments. Last year he missed 14 of 36 meetings. Council members Brandon Hudson and Michael Brown have perfect attendance this year, while the remaining members and Mayor Reggie Burgess have each missed between two and six meetings.

City officials confirmed there is no formal attendance policy for council members, and the city lacks authority to remove an elected official for missing meetings. Council members are expected to notify the clerk in advance of an absence, but reasons for absences are not recorded. Unlike North Charleston, Folly Beach has an ordinance allowing removal requests after three consecutive unexcused absences. The council has still met quorum at every meeting this year. Brown did not respond to requests for comment.

Beau Parmenter, 45, the Libertarian running mate of Michigan gubernatorial candidate Anthony Hudson, was arrested and arraigned in Shiawassee County's 66th District Court on one count of felony larceny by conversion involving between $1,000 and $20,000. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000 or three times the value of the property allegedly taken.

Parmenter is accused of keeping a $2,500 deposit from a couple in a May 2025 transaction tied to Country Barn Estates, an event venue he owns. He pleaded not guilty and posted a $10,000 cash bond to secure his release. His attorney, Daniel Barnett, denied the allegation, calling the charge "malicious and frivolous" and saying Parmenter had no involvement in the disputed transaction. A warrant for Parmenter's arrest had been issued in March, though Barnett said his client was unaware of it. Hudson declined to comment. Parmenter is next due in court for a probable cause conference September 23, with a preliminary examination set for September 29.

Former state Rep. Kamia Brown and incumbent Commissioner Mike Crabb are headed to a November runoff for Orange County (Fla.) Commission District 2, under newly redrawn boundaries covering Apopka, Clarcona, Lockhart and Ocoee. The League of Women Voters of Orange County hosted a forum where both candidates agreed on protecting the Wekiva River basin, with Crabb citing septic and sewer infrastructure fixes and Brown calling water quality a public health priority.

The candidates diverged on other issues: Crabb emphasized faster traffic-technology upgrades, while Brown focused on transit education and locating affordable housing near public transportation.

A key flashpoint is Florida's Amendment 3, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 and lower the non-homestead assessment cap, requiring 60% voter approval. County officials estimate potential revenue losses of about $165 million in 2027 and $275 million in 2028. Brown called the measure a "tax shift" rather than relief, favoring more time for state action, while Crabb voiced concern over the scale of cuts but said it's premature to decide specifics, noting heavy MSTU reliance for fire services.