Elections

Georgia: Voting Rights Become a Flashpoint in Georgia Governor’s Race by Ben Nadler (Associated Press) for WRAL

Ethics

National: Watchdog: Issues with IRS processing of improper political activity complaints by Naomi Jagoda for The Hill October

National: Facebook Purged Over 800 Accounts and Pages Pushing Political Messages for Profit by Elizabeth Dwoskin and Tony Romm for Washington Post

New York: Assemblyman Joe Errigo Charged with Accepting a Bribe to Eid a Development by Gary Craig and Steve Orr for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

South Carolina: Will SC Lawmakers Close Loopholes Exposed by State House Corruption Probe? by Maayan Schechter for The State

Lobbying

National: From Wall Street to K Street, Companies Gauge the Risks of Doing Business with Saudi Arabia by Mark Landler, Kenneth Vogel, and Kate Kelly for New York Times

Alaska: Alaska Law Says Lobbyists Can’t Fundraise for Candidates. But the Invitations Keep Coming by Nathaniel Hertz for Alaska Public Media

Procurement

Louisiana: Louisiana’s Lucrative Voting Machine Contract Award Canceled by Melinda Deslatte (Associated Press) for Washington Times

Campaign Finance

National: “Out-of-State Donors Pour Cash into Democrats’ State Races” by Rui Kaneya and Joe Yerardi for Center for Public Integrity

National: “The Hidden Money Funding the Midterms” by Derek Willis and Maggie Severns for ProPublica

New York: “Democratic Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Setting Up Illegal Donation” by Barbara Leonard for Courthouse News Service

South Dakota: “Free Speech Group Sues State Ahead of November Election” by Jonathan Ellis for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Elections

National: “Amy McGrath Is Avoiding Attack Ads. Can a Congressional Candidate Win Without Them?” by Michael Tackett (New York Times) for WRAL

Ethics

National: “Rosenstein Faces Congressional Confrontation Amid New Claim He Seriously Suggested Wiretapping Trump” by Matt Zapotosky, Devlin Barrett, Josh Dawsey, and Ellen Nakashima (Washington Post) for Danbury News-Times

National: “Saluting the Trump Administration, Not So Nicely” by Ben Schreckinger for Politico

Michigan: “Detroit City Councilman Leland Indicted in Bribery Conspiracy” by Robert Snell and Christine Ferretti for Detroit News

South Carolina: “SC Attorney General Tried to Impede Statehouse Corruption Probe, Grand Jury Says” by Glenn Smith and Thad Moore for Charleston Post and Courier

West Virginia: “As 1 Supreme Court Justice Survives Impeachment in West Virginia, Others Face Trial” by Phil Kabler (Charleston Gazette) for Governing

Lobbying

Florida: “Lobbying Restrictions Set to Go Before Voters” by Lloyd Dunkelberger (News Service of Florida) for WJXT

Washington: “Kimberly-Clark Lobbyist, Wife Gave Republicans $4K” by Todd Richmond (Associated Press) for Seattle Times

Campaign Finance

California: “LA City Council Favors Reducing Barriers to Campaign Matching Funds” by Craig Clough for Los Angeles Daily News

Oklahoma: “Attorneys Help Bankroll Campaigns of Judges Who Hear Their Cases” by Taylor Brown for Oklahoma Watch

Elections

National: “Trump Campaign Aide Requested Online Manipulation Plans from Israeli Intelligence Firm” by Mark Mazzetti, Ronan Bergman, David Kirkpatrick, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for MSN

Tennessee: “Tennessee Lawmaker Struggles Getting State Help with Anonymous Facebook Survey” by Taylor Whetstone for Knoxville News Sentinel

Ethics

National: “Amid Kavanaugh Uproar, Changes to Congress’s Sexual Harassment Rules Stall” by Elise Viebeck and Gabriel Progrund (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

Lobbying

Arkansas: “Ethics Rule Gets Arkansas Panel’s Support; Senate’s Lobbyist Ties at Issue” by Michael Wickline for Arkansas Online

Missouri: “Missouri Lobbying Rules Fought in Federal Court” by Joe Harris for Courthouse News Service

New Mexico: “New Mexico Legislators Eat, Lobbyists Treat, but Public Left Guessing Who” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican

Campaign Finance

National: “Wall Street Is Booming Under Trump. But Many of Its Donors Are Embracing Democrats.” by Shane Goldmacher for New York Times

Elections

National: “‘We Are Here!’ From a Blue Dot in a Sea of Red Comes a Hopeful Pitch for a Politician’s Visit.” by Stephanie McCrummon for Washington Post

National: “Taylor Swift’s Stunning Statement: Famously apolitical star slams Tennessee Republican, endorses Democrats” by Emily Yahr for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “Trump Team’s Contact with Mueller Targets Could Taint Findings” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

Missouri: “Is Clean Missouri’s Redistricting Proposal Fixing Problem or Power Grab?” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

North Carolina: “Prosecutor Asks SBI to Review Allegations Raised About House Speaker Moore” by Dan Kane for Raleigh News and Observer

Redistricting

Virginia: “Virginia Redistricting Appears Headed to Courts as GOP Cancels Hearing” by Marie Algebis for The Virginian-Pilot

Campaign Finance

National: “FEC Guidance to Limit Impact of Dark Money Court Ruling” by Brian Slodysko for Associated Press

National: “Wall Street Pumping Cash Through Loophole in Anti-Corruption Rule” by David Sirota and Chase Woodruff for Capital & Main

Elections

North Carolina: “Is Elections Board Amendment a Victory for Bipartisanship? Or a Recipe for Chaos?” by Jim Morrill for Charlotte Observer

Ethics

Alabama: “Alabama Ethics Commission Drops Case Against ‘Beach House Sheriff’” by Connor Sheets for AL.com

Colorado: “Moonlighting Criticism in Colorado Secretary of State Race Raises New Questions About an Old Practice” by Lars Gesing for Colorado Independent

Delaware: “New Wilmington Ethics Code Strengthens Financial Disclosures, Reduces Penalties” by Christina Jedra for Wilmington News Journal

Hawaii: “Should Public Have More Input on Legislature’s Sexual Harassment Policies?” by Anita Hofschneider for Honolulu Civil Beat

New York: “New York Regulators Examine the Trump Family’s Tax Schemes” by Russ Buettner, Susanne Craig, and David Barstow for New York Times

Campaign Finance

Alabama: “‘Beach House Sheriff’ Used Pistol Permit Fees to Pay for TV Commercials During Campaign” by Connor Sheets for AL.com

New Mexico: “Patrick Lyons Fundraising for Land Commissioner Campaign Raises Legal and Ethical Questions” by Elizabeth Miller for New Mexico In Depth

Washington: “Washington Court Upholds Fine Against Anti-GMO Group” by Don Jenkins for Capital Press

Elections

National: “Missing in the G.O.P.: Black and Hispanic Nominees for Governor” by Astead Herndon for New York Times

Massachusetts: “Galvin Accused of Mixing Politics with Voter Guide” by Christian Wade for Salem News

Missouri: “Jason Kander Ends Campaign for Kansas City Mayor to Focus on Depression, PTSD” by Steve Vockrodt, Bill Turque, and Mike Hendricks for Kansas City Star

Ethics

National: “Trump Engaged in Suspect Tax Schemes as He Reaped Riches from His Father” by David Barstow, Susanne Craig, and Russ Buettner (New York Times) for MSN

Kentucky: “Beshear Appoints Independent Counsel to Investigate Allegations Against Grimes” by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader

Tennssee: “In Tennessee Senate Race, Financial Missteps Linger in the Background” by Danny Hakim for New York Times

Vermont: “Governor’s Business Ties Violate State Ethics Code, Commission Finds” by Mark Johnson for VTDigger.org

Campaign Finance

Massachusetts: “After Baker Tasked Eversource with Merrimack Valley Response, Executives Cut Checks to His Campaign” by Matt Stout for Boston Globe

Washington: “Pursuit of Campaign-Spending Violations Breaks the Budget” by Jerry Cornfield for Everett Daily Herald

Elections

National: “Alex Trebek Moderated a Gubernatorial Debate in Pennsylvania. It Didn’t Go Well.” by Antonia Noori Farzan for Washington Post

Ethics

Arizona: “This Lawmaker Stands to Earn at Least $11M on His Own Charter Schools. His Votes Helped Lay the Groundwork.” by Craig Harris for Arizona Republic

Maryland: “Lobbyist Who Wrote Draft Bill to Expand Liquor Sales in Pr. George’s Sentenced in Bribery Scheme” by Lynn Bui for Washington Post

New Jersey: “Murphy Still Defends Hiring Ex-Official Jailed for Corruption (Even Though He Was Forced to Resign)” by Brent Johnson (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star Ledger

New Mexico: “Report Finds Gaps in Financial Disclosures in New Mexico Legislature” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican

Lobbying

California: “Gov. Brown Signs Bill Requiring Lobbyists to Receive Sexual Harassment Prevention Training” by Bay City News Service for San Francisco Chronicle

Campaign Finance

California: “Inglewood Mayor’s Campaign Loaned Nearly $160,000 to a Political Ally. None of It Has Been Paid Back” by Benjamin Oreskes for Los Angeles Times

Massachusetts: “State Police Union President Pullman Resigns Amid New Federal Probe” by Andrea Estes and Matt Rocheleau for Boston Globe

Elections

National: “In Mississippi Senate Race, an African American Democrat Faces a Republican Using a Confederate Symbol” by Cleve Wootson Jr. for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “Congressional Democrats’ Lawsuit Alleging Trump’s Private Business Is Violating the Constitution Can Proceed, Federal Judge Rules” by Jonathan O’Connell, David Fahrenthold, and Carol Leonnig (Washington Post) for MSN

New Mexico: “AG: Youngblood abused position in DWI stop” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Texas: “Are Christi Craddick’s Deep Ties with Oil and Gas a Conflict of Interest?” by Asher Price for Austin American-Statesman

Washington: “Rape Allegation by Seattle Woman Against State Sen. Joe Fain Leads to Calls for Investigation” by Joseph O’Sullivan, Heidi Groover, and Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Florida: “Lobbyists Paid to Pressure County Officials Skip Filing Required Disclosures, Audit Says” by Bill Smith for Fort Myers News-Press

Campaign Finance

National: “Former Congressman Claims Vindication after Miami Judge Dismisses Ringer Lawsuit” by David Smiley for Miami Herald

Canada: “B.C. to Review Campaign Finance Laws After Civic Elections” by Ian Bailey and Wendy Steuk for The Globe and Mail

California: “Governor Brown Signs Social Media DISCLOSE Act” by Richard Newman for National Law Review

Oregon: “Oregon Ballot Measure Campaigns Face Nearly $24,000 In Fines for Late Finance Reporting” by Kirk VanderHart for Oregon Public Broadcasting

Ethics

Alabama: “Oliver Robinson Sentenced to Less Than Three Years in Prison” by Ivana Hrynkiw for AL.com

Massachusetts: “Former State Senator Brian Joyce Found Dead at His Home” by Matt Stout and Danny McDonald for Boston Globe

Lobbying

National: “Washington’s FARA Frenzy Fomenting New Legal Business” by Ryan Lovelace for Law.com

Kentucky: “Ethics Bill Seeks to Close Reporting Loophole on Groups Paying for Legislators’ Travel” by Joe Sonka for Insider Louisville

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Cook County OK to Restrict Campaign Cash from Lawyers, Others Seeking ‘Official Action,’ Appeals Court Says” by Jason Bilyk for Cook County Report

Elections

Florida: “Will Florida’s Ex-Felons Finally Regain the Right to Vote?” by Emily Bazelon for New York Times Magazine

Ethics

National: “State Supreme Courts Increasingly Face Partisan Impeachment Threats” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

National: “Feds Turn Focus to UAW Presidents: Did they misspend union dues?” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

National: “Rep. Keith Ellison Calls for U.S. House to Investigate Abuse Allegation Against Him” by Jessie Van Berkel for Minneapolis Star Tribune

California: “Drunken Threat to Lobbyist Draws Reprimand for California Lawmaker” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

Missouri: “Greitens’ Staff Used Secret Texting App with Allies Outside Governor’s Office” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New York: “Crystal Run Did Raise a Red Flag” by Chris Bragg (Albany Times Union) for WRAL

North Dakota: “Groups Speak Out Against N.D.’s Measure 1, Call Anti-Corruption Amendment Poorly Written” by Tracy Briggs (Forum News Service) for Bismarck Tribune

Lobbying

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Hit with Federal Lawsuit Over Gift Rules” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Campaign Finance

National: “Why Are Corporations Pouring Millions into Shoo-In Governor Races?” by Sanya Mansoor, Liz Essley Whyte, and Joe Yerardi for Center for Public Integrity

Elections

National: “For Women on the 2018 Campaign Trail, ‘Sexism’ Is No Longer a Forbidden Word” by Avi Selk (Washington Post) for Connecticut Post

Ethics

National: “DHS Secretary Says FEMA Head Won’t Lose Job Over Travel Investigation” by Associated Press for USA Today

National: “Rod Rosenstein Will Meet with Trump to Discuss His Fate” by Michael Shear, Julie Hirschfeld Davis, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for MSN

Minnesota: “MN Rep. Jim Knoblach Ends Campaign Ahead of MPR Abuse Allegations Story” by Nina Moini and Briana Bierschbach for Minnesota Public Radio

Lobbying

National: “Obama White House Counsel Gregory Craig Under Scrutiny by Prosecutors in Offshoot of Mueller Probe” by Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

Florida: “NRA Sway: For Florida officials, it’s always Hammer time” by Steve Contorno for Tampa Bay Times

Missouri: “St. Louis Aldermen Will Again Consider Banning Lobbyists from the Floor of Their Chambers” by Celeste Bott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

National: Political Nonprofits Seek Answers After Court Decision Targeting ‘Dark Money’ by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post

Ethics

National: Senate Judiciary Panel’s Top Democrat Calls for Delay in Kavanaugh Hearing After New Allegation by Karoun Demirjian, Amy Gardner, and Seung Min Kim (Washington Post) for MSN

National: Rod Rosenstein Suggested Secretly Recording Trump and Discussed 25th Amendment by Adam Goldman and Michael Schmidt (New York Times) for MSN

Iowa: Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Flights on Private Jets Not Improper, Ethics Panel Rules by David Pitt (Associated Press) for Des Moines Register

Missouri: Missouri Proposal to Reform Ethics Laws Is Back on the Ballot After Court Ruling by Alison Kite for Kansas City Star

New York: Percoco Sentenced to Six Years for Corruption by Robert Gavin for Albany Times Union

Lobbying

Canada: Ethics Committee Launches Review of Federal Lobbying and Conflict-of-Interest Laws by Bill Curry for The Globe and Mail

Alabama: Reform Panel to Vote on Changes to Alabama Ethics Law by Mike Cason for AL.com

Campaign Finance

National: “These State Lawmakers Are Running Unopposed, but Still Rake in Campaign Cash” by Sanya Mansoor, Liz Essley Whyte, and Joe Yerardi for Center for Public Integrity

National: “Political Nonprofits Must Now Name Many of Their Donors Under Federal Court Ruling after Supreme Court Declines to Intervene” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee and Robert Barnes (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

Elections

Kentucky: “Ethics Opinion Further Complicates a 2019 Campaign for Alison Lundergan Grimes” by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader

Massachusetts: “Fans of Ranked Voting See an Opportunity in Massachusetts” by Katharine Seelye for New York Times

Ethics

National: “Trump-Proof Aspects of Manafort Deal Rankle Lawyers” by Josh Gerstein for Politico

National: “Christine Blasey Ford Wants F.B.I. to Investigate Kavanaugh Before She Testifies” by Peter Baker, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, and Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) for MSN

Arkansas: “1 Ethics Rule Ditched, 1 Backed; State Senators Reject Disclosure of Less Than $1,000 in Income” by Michael Wickline for Arkansas Online

Florida: “Adam Putnam Hired a Donor’s 27-Year-Old Son to a $91,000 Job. There’s a Publix Connection.” by Steve Contorno for Tampa Bay Times

Missouri: “In Latest Legal Twist, Ethics Reform Question Back on Missouri Ballot” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Missouri: “Former Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison” by Mike Hendricks and Steve Vockrodt for Kansas City Star

New York: “JCOPE Never Probed Cuomo – Is That Legal?” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Lobbying

United Kingdom: “Harry Rich Appointed Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists” by Chloe Smith (MP) for GOV.UK

Campaign Finance

National: “Ted Cruz’s Campaign Marked a Fund-Raising Letter an Official ‘Summons.’ It Wasn’t Against the Rules.” by Liam Stack (New York Times) for WRAL

Elections

National: “Indicted Congressman Chris Collins Reverses Himself, Will Remain on November Ballot” by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

Georgia: “Federal Judge Denies Motion to Force Georgia to Adopt Paper Ballots in Midterm Election” by Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “Embattled FEMA Chief Brock Long Facing Possible Criminal Investigation” by Nick Niroff and William Wan for Washington Post

National: “Trump’s Growing Legal Team Has a Problem: It’s operating partly in the dark” by Maggie Haberman and Michaek Schmidt for New York Times

National: “Hearing Set for Monday to Hear Kavanaugh and His Accuser” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Julie Hirschfeld Davis (New York Times) for WRAL

Florida: “City Attorney Sues Blogger for Libel. Is It ‘a Threat Designed to Silence?’” by Sarah Blaskey for Miami Herald

Lobbying

National: “Foreign Lobbying Overhaul Loses Steam in Congress” by Marianne Levine and Josh Gerstein for Politico

Maryland: “Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh Introduces New Ethics Reforms” by Chase Cook for Capital Gazette