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The top Republican in the Arizona House has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate claims that a state contractor used ties to Gov. Katie Hobbs to secure a special rate increase. The request follows a former state official's allegation made more than two months ago, and marks an escalation of the case to a DOJ division under the Trump administration.

The move adds a federal dimension to a dispute that has simmered in Arizona politics for months, raising questions about oversight of state contracting and the governor's office. Separately, Arizona's attorney general said a related investigation into whether Scottsdale officials violated anti-secrecy laws is roughly two months from completion, underscoring broader scrutiny of transparency and contracting practices among Arizona public officials.

Ohio's Republican-controlled legislature convened a special session and passed a bill suspending the state's 38.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax for 90 days, funded through the general fund surplus rather than road-project money, addressing Gov. Mike DeWine's earlier concerns. The Legislative Service Commission estimates average drivers could save up to $55 over the suspension period.

Republicans used procedural moves to keep debate limited to the gas tax bill, blocking Democratic attempts to introduce broader affordability measures, including utility bill relief, a bigger child tax credit, a larger homestead exemption, and a resolution urging President Trump to end the war in Iran, which Democrats blame for rising fuel prices. Democrats also proposed redirecting sports-stadium funds, including money earmarked for the Cleveland Browns' Brook Park stadium, toward consumer relief, and pushed for a data center moratorium sought by advocacy group Conserve Ohio. Senate President Rob McColley said such issues risked derailing the gas tax bill. Democrats call the tax holiday an election-year move benefiting Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who trails Amy Acton in polling.

A 65-year-old Rockland, Maine man, Michael Robinson, pleaded guilty Thursday to two misdemeanor charges for using his snow plow to inundate peaceful political demonstrators with ice, snow, and gravel during a Feb. 21, 2026 protest against the Trump administration. Under a plea deal, a felony charge of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and a misdemeanor driving-to-endanger charge were dismissed. Robinson faces a $600 fine if he completes a two-year deferred disposition, including mental health and anger management evaluations, a weapons ban, and 100 hours of community service; violating terms could bring up to a year in jail.

Several victims gave impact statements, describing injuries and fear of being targeted again, and urged the judge to reject the deal, calling it a politically motivated act of intimidation. Prosecutors said they were not confident they could prove the felony charge. Robinson had been free on bail since his arrest.