“Otero County Commission is flaunting that process by appeasing unfounded conspiracy theories and potentially nullifying the votes of every Otero County voter who participated in the primary.”

California Assembly Speaker pro Tem Josh Lowenthal, moments before his chamber voted overwhelmingly to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts, a measure that would make California the first U.S. state to match Australia's national prohibition, and that now heads to the Senate with an Aug. 31 deadline. The bill drew bipartisan support, with one Republican saying he changed his vote after thinking about his nieces and nephews, but faces fierce opposition from Meta, TikTok, Snap and civil liberties groups who argue it violates the First Amendment and could cut off LGBTQ+ youth from online communities where they find safety. The bill still needs Senate approval and Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature, who vetoed a similar measure two years ago. (Sacramento Bee)

Patricia "Patty" Solimene, the first female director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which prints the nation's currency, writing in a goodbye email to colleagues after being abruptly reassigned, in what four current and former employees say followed her repeated refusals to design a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump's portrait. Federal law has prohibited living people from appearing on U.S. currency since 1866, and Solimene, a 24-year Army veteran, had told Trump administration officials the project was unauthorized and that new currency typically takes six to eight years to produce. The political appointee who pressed her on the $250 bill has since been named acting director of the bureau she led. (Washington Post)

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Tallian, reacting to the emergence of online prediction markets placing bets on state electoral races, including nearly $80,000 in trade volume on the Republican secretary of state nomination. The campaign chairman for the race's frontrunner shared his own candidate's odds on social media, then added "(Also stop betting on elections, that's really stupid)." (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, calling the 2021 bill legalizing sports betting his "biggest mistake" in office, a rare public admission from a sitting governor about a law he signed. DeWine said more Ohioans are gambling and losing money as a result, and that athletes are being abused online by bettors. (Ohio Capital Journal)