Campaign Finance

Kentucky: “Kentucky Officials Seek Changes in Campaign-Finance Laws” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for Huntington Herald-Dispatch

Montana: “How Big Sky Country Became the Front Line in a Long Battle Over Dark Money” by Christa Case Bryant for Yahoo!News

New Jersey: “Baraka, Ex-Campaign Treasurer Still Face Campaign Finance Accusations” by Rebecca Panico for TAPinto.net

Elections

National: “‘Staying on the Sidelines Is No Longer an Option’: How Silicon Valley is trying to help Democrats capture Congress in 2018” by Tony Romm for Washington Post

Ethics

Florida: “Former City Manager Rick Fernandez Agrees to Settlement with Ethics Commission” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Legislative Issues

Wisconsin: “Last-Minute Surprises and Secretive Moves Hide Wisconsin Lawmakers’ Actions from Public View” by CV Vitolo-Haddad and Dee Hall (Wisconsin Center For Investigative Journalism) for Wisconsin Public Radio

Lobbying

Arizona: “Arizona Commissioner Andy Tobin Texted APS Lobbyists Frequently, Including About Open Rate Case” by David Pomerantz for Energy Policy Institute

Redistricting

Michigan: “Volunteer Movement Helped Carry Redistricting Proposal to the Ballot” by Lauren Gibbons for MLive.com

Campaign Finance

Florida: Undercover FBI Agent May Have Helped Pay for Gillum Fundraising Dinner Gary Fineout (Associated Press) Orlando Sentinel

Ethics

National: ‘My Comrades Will Kill You’: Pipe bombs sent in year of many death threats against politicians by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

National: 9 Hours of ‘Executive Time’: Trump’s unstructured days define his presidency by Eliana Johnson and Daniel Lippman for Politico

California: Newsom’s Business Holdings Could Pose Ethics Bind by The Associated Press for KPIX

South Carolina: SC Rep. Harrison Found Guilty in Public Corruption Case, Gets Prison Sentence by John Monk (The State) for Greenville News

Lobbying

National: Campbell Soup Jettisons Exec Who Peddled Soros Conspiracy Theory About Caravan by Mary Papenfuss for The Huffington Post

Maine: Pro-Offshore Oil Group Chaired by LePage Is Run by Energy Lobbyists by Colin Woodward (Portland Press Herald) for Biddeford Journal Tribune

Pennsylvania: A Powerful Lobby Blocked Changes in Pa. Child Sex Abuse Laws. Here’s Who and Here’s Why. By Candy Woodall for York Daily Record

Campaign Finance

California: “Supervisors Order Destruction of Campaign Money Enforcement Emails” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC

Maine: “Crowdfunding of Collins Opponent in 2020 Likely Faces Legal Challenge” by Kevin Collins (Portland Press Herald) for Lewiston Sun Journal

Maryland: “Prince George’s Approves Matching Funds for Local Candidates – Starting in 2026” by Rachel Chason for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Allentown Mayor Gets 15 Years in Prison on Corruption Charges” by Associated Press for Philadelphia Inquirer

Washington: “Corporate Dollars Gushing into Washington’s Initiative Campaigns Spur Push for New Campaign-Finance Laws” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Elections

Federal: “U.S. Begins First Cyberoperation Against Russia Aimed at Protecting Elections” by Julian Barnes (New York Times) for MSN

Michigan: “Lack of Precedent Clouds Brenda Jones’ Bid for Conyers Seat” by Melissa Nann Burke for Detroit News

Ethics

Alabama: “Former Drummond V.P. and Balch Lawyer Sentenced to Federal Prison” by Ivana Hrynkiw for AL.com

Colorado: “Ethics Commission Votes to Investigate Complaint Against Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper” by Anna Staver for Denver Post

Lobbying

Florida: “Text Messages Raise New Questions Over Andrew Gillum’s Lobbyist Connections” by Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) for WRAL

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “Citing Missing Contributions, Elections Board Refers Charlotte Lawmaker to Prosecutors” by Jim Morrill and Craig Jarvis for Raleigh News and Observer

Elections

Federal: “GOP War Room Blasts Endless Stream of Criticism at Democrats, with Warren Its Latest Target” by Michael Scherer for Washington Post

Federal: “Justice Dept. Accuses Russians of Interfering in Midterm Elections” by Adam Goldman (New York Times) for WRAL

Alaska: “Alaska Governor Says He Quit Reelection Race to Boost Democrat” by The Associated Press for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

Federal: “Trump Appointee Tapped Days Ago to Run Interior Department’s Watchdog Office Resigns Amid Controversy” by Lisa Rein, Josh Dawsey, and Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

Idaho: “Does Idaho Need to Drain the Swamp? State Lags in National Anti-Corruption Ranking” by Kelly Browning for McClatchy DC

Oregon: “Lawmakers Ignored Subpoenas in Sex Harassment Case, Labor Commissioner Says” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

South Carolina: “Should SC Roads Be Named After Lawmakers Who Have Pleaded Guilty to Corruption?” by Avery Wilks for The State

Campaign Finance

Kentucky: “Kentucky AG Defends Campaign Finance Reform in Sixth Circuit” by Kevin Koeninger for Courthouse News Service

National: “How a Billionaire from Another State Could Influence Your Elections” by Liz Essley Whyte for Center for Public Integrity

Ethics

Federal: “Interior Secretary Zinke’s Approach to Wife’s Travels Raised Red Flags, Report Finds” by Juliet Eilperin, Lisa Rein, and Josh Dawsey for Washington Post

Florida: “Andrew Gillum, a Florida Insider Running as a Progressive Outsider” by Matt Flegenheimer and Patricia Mazzei for New York Times

Washington: “No Swamp Here: Washington tops all states in anti-corruption ranking” by Kellen Browning (McClatchy DC) for Bellingham Herald

Lobbying

Alaska: “State Regulators to Alaska Lobbyist: Stop helping candidates raise money” by Nathaniel Hertz for Alaska Public Media

Federal: “Saudi Lobbying in the U.S. Has Tripled Since Trump Took Office” by Alana Abramson for Time

Hawaii: “Why Are City Lawmakers Involved in This Lobbyist’s Backyard Tiff?” by Natanya Friedheim for Honolulu Civil Beat

New Hampshire: “N.H. Legislators Look to Lobbyists for Reliable Source of Re-Election Cash” by Casey McDermott for New Hampshire Public Radio

Elections

“The Legislature Made Unconstitutional Changes to the NC Elections Board, Judges Rule” by Will Doran for Raleigh News And Observer

Ethics

“FBI Official Accepted Free Tickets to Sporting Event from Reporter, Inspector General Says” by Matt Zapotosky and Devlin Barrett for Washington Post

“HUD Appointee Abruptly Moved to Lead Interior Dept.’s Watchdog Unit Amid Zinke Probe” by Lisa Rein, Robert O’Harrow Jr., and Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

“Alaska Lieutenant Governor Resigns Over Comments as Election Day Nears” by Becky Bohrer (Associated Press) for USA Today

“L.A. City Employee Is Fined More Than $16,000 for Dodging Parking Fees” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

“New York Attorney General Expands Inquiry into Net Neutrality Comments” by Nicholas Confessore (New York Times) for WRAL

“Energy Company Executive Draws 14-Month Sentence” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Legislative Issues

“W.Va. Senate Postpones Acting on Impeachment Trial Ruling” by Associated Press  for WTOP

Lobbying

“Law Dictates That Lobbyists Disclose Expenses” by Jessica Holdman for Bismarck Tribune

Campaign Finance

California: “An L.A. Councilman Held an $800-Per-Person Fundraiser. The Next Day, He Announced He Was Stepping Down” by Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

National: “Donors to Dark-Money Groups Mostly Hidden Despite Court Ruling” by Maggie Severns for Politico

California: “Emails Show California Agency’s Cozy Ties to Gas Tax Backers” by Sophia Bollag (Associated Press) for San Diego Union Tribune

Colorado: “Ex-Secretary of State Gessler Appeals Ethics Case to U.S. Supreme Court” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Springs Gazette

Iowa: “Capitol Harassment: Iowa lawmakers admit they lag on curbing sexual misconduct. They’re not alone” by Jason Clayworth for Des Moines Register

New York: “Email Shows Cuomo Donor Contacted Officials During Grant Process” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

West Virginia: “W.Va. Supreme Court Justice Loughry Guilty on 11 Counts, Not Guilty on 10 Counts; Jury Hangs on 1 Count” by Brian McElhinny for West Virginia MetroNews

Lobbying

Maryland: “Baltimore City Council Tightens Restrictions on Lobbyists, Require Forms Go Online” by Luke Broadwater for Baltimore Sun

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Former Democratic Legislator Ernie Newton Wins New Trial in Campaign Finance Case” by Christopher Keating for Hartford Courant

Massachusetts: “Mass. Fiscal Alliance Sues State Over Its Campaign Finance Law” by Bob Katzen for Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise

Elections

National: “Now for Rent: Email addresses and phone numbers for millions of Trump supporters” by Kenneth Vogel and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for MSN

National: “In Senate Battleground, Native American Voting Rights Activists Fight Back Against Voter ID Restrictions” by Gabriel Pogrund and Felicia Sonmez for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “First Came a Flood of Ballot Measures from Voters. Then Politicians Pushed Back.” by Timothy Mitchell for New York Times

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

National: “Wilbur Ross Changes Story on Discussions of Citizenship Question for Census” by Glernn Thrush and Adam Liptak for New York Times

Colorado: “Gov. Hickenlooper Jet-Sets Across the Globe on Private Planes Paid for By Others, New Ethics Complaint Alleges” by David Migoya for Denver Post

New Mexico: “Long Road Brings NM Ethics Commission Proposal to Ballot” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

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