Featured Stories
Washington State Auditor: Onion Creek School District No 30
OLYMPIA, Washington, July 17 -- The office of the Washington State Auditor issued the following performance audit report entitled "Onion Creek School District No 30."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
AUDIT SUMMARY
Results in brief
Based on the procedures performed, nothing came to our attention in the areas we reviewed that caused us to believe the District was not in substantial compliance with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, or had not provided adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources. Had we performed additional procedures, other matters might have come
... Show Full Article
OLYMPIA, Washington, July 17 -- The office of the Washington State Auditor issued the following performance audit report entitled "Onion Creek School District No 30."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
AUDIT SUMMARY
Results in brief
Based on the procedures performed, nothing came to our attention in the areas we reviewed that caused us to believe the District was not in substantial compliance with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, or had not provided adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources. Had we performed additional procedures, other matters might have cometo our attention that would have been reported.
About the assessment audit
This report contains the results of our independent audit of Onion Creek School District No. 30 from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025.
Management is responsible for ensuring compliance and adequate safeguarding of public resources from fraud, loss or abuse. This includes the design, implementation and maintenance of internal controls relevant to these objectives. State law (WAC 392-117-035) also requires school districts to prepare and submit certified annual reports to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) detailing the District's revenues and other financing sources, expenditures and other financing uses, assets, liabilities, financial condition, and fund balances.
This assessment audit was conducted under the authority of RCW 43.09.260, which requires the Office of the Washington State Auditor to examine the financial affairs of all local governments at least once every three years. Assessment audits are risk-based, limited-scope reviews of small local governments, generally defined as school districts with 250 or fewer FTE students. To help minimize audit costs, our work for this engagement was conducted off-site primarily using financial and other information provided by the District.
This assessment audit was limited to the following:
* Reviewing meeting minutes for compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
* Inquiring as to internal controls over assets, revenues, and disbursements
* Verifying that annual reports submitted to our Office were complete and filed timely in compliance with state law
* Reviewing the District's annual revenues and expenditures for unusual transactions or trends
* Corroborating financial information reported by the District by comparing reported revenues, expenditures, and cash and investment balances to third-party sources
* Reviewing expenditures for indications of unusual activities, excessive Board of Directors compensation, conflicts of interest, or procurement requirements
* Evaluating the District's financial information for indications of financial distress
* Using validation queries to verify the completeness and accuracy of WSIPC data
* Reviewing payroll transactions for unusual or excessive payments
* Student enrollment reporting - special education
* * *
The report is posted at: https://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch/Home/ViewReportFile?arn=1040179&isFinding=false&sp=false
Washington State Auditor: Island County Drainage District No 6
OLYMPIA, Washington, July 17 -- The office of the Washington State Auditor issued the following performance audit report entitled "Island County Drainage District No 6."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
REPORT ON UNAUDITABLE GOVERNMENT
State law (RCW 43.09.260) requires the Office of the Washington State Auditor to examine the financial affairs of all local governments at least once every three years. However, as described in the attached finding, Island County Drainage District No. 6 did not submit the annual financial reports to our Office for January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025. As such, we
... Show Full Article
OLYMPIA, Washington, July 17 -- The office of the Washington State Auditor issued the following performance audit report entitled "Island County Drainage District No 6."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
REPORT ON UNAUDITABLE GOVERNMENT
State law (RCW 43.09.260) requires the Office of the Washington State Auditor to examine the financial affairs of all local governments at least once every three years. However, as described in the attached finding, Island County Drainage District No. 6 did not submit the annual financial reports to our Office for January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025. As such, wecould not conduct an audit as state law requires.
Failure to submit required reports represents a violation of state law and a weakness in controls over safeguarding of public resources, which we describe in the attached finding. Because we could not perform an audit, we could not come to conclusions on any other aspect of the District's compliance with applicable state laws or controls over the safeguarding of public resources.
Management is responsible for ensuring compliance and adequate safeguarding of public resources from fraud, loss or abuse. This includes the design, implementation and maintenance of internal controls relevant to these objectives. State law (RCW 43.09.230) also requires local governments to prepare and submit certified annual reports to our Office summarizing items such as revenues received, collections made, amounts receivable or payable, expenditures made and debt owed.
State law (RCW 43.09.230) requires our Office to notify the legislative authority of the county or counties where the District is located as well as the state treasurer of the District's unauditable status. The County may withhold issuance of warrants, or under state law (Chapter 36.96 RCW), may absorb district operations, appoint a new governing body or dissolve the district. The state treasurer may not distribute any local sales and use taxes imposed by a special purpose district to the District until the state auditor has certified its report.
* * *
The report is posted at: https://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch/Home/ViewReportFile?arn=1040181&isFinding=false&sp=false
Washington State Auditor: East Gig Harbor Water District
OLYMPIA, Washington, July 17 -- The office of the Washington State Auditor issued the following performance audit report entitled "East Gig Harbor Water District."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
AUDIT RESULTS
Results in brief
This report describes the overall results and conclusions for the areas we examined. In most of the areas we examined, District operations complied, in all material respects, with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, and provided adequate controls over safeguarding of public resources.
As referenced above, we identified areas where the District could make
... Show Full Article
OLYMPIA, Washington, July 17 -- The office of the Washington State Auditor issued the following performance audit report entitled "East Gig Harbor Water District."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
AUDIT RESULTS
Results in brief
This report describes the overall results and conclusions for the areas we examined. In most of the areas we examined, District operations complied, in all material respects, with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, and provided adequate controls over safeguarding of public resources.
As referenced above, we identified areas where the District could makeimprovements. These recommendations are included with our report as findings.
In keeping with general auditing practices, we do not examine every transaction, activity, policy, internal control, or area. As a result, no information is provided on the areas that were not examined.
About the audit
This report contains the results of our independent accountability audit of the East Gig Harbor Water District from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024.
Management is responsible for ensuring compliance and adequate safeguarding of public resources from fraud, loss or abuse. This includes the design, implementation and maintenance of internal controls relevant to these objectives.
This audit was conducted under the authority of RCW 43.09.260, which requires the Office of the Washington State Auditor to examine the financial affairs of all local governments. Our audit involved obtaining evidence about the District's use of public resources, compliance with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures, and internal controls over such matters.
The procedures performed were based on our assessment of risks in the areas we examined.
Based on our risk assessment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the areas examined were those representing the highest risk of fraud, loss, abuse, or noncompliance. We examined the following areas during this audit period:
* Annual report filing - timeliness and completeness
* Treasury activities - authority to be own treasurer, authorized public depositories and authorized investments
* Accounts payable - general disbursements
* Open public meetings - compliance with minutes, meetings and executive session requirements
* Financial condition - reviewing for indications of financial distress
* * *
The report is posted at: https://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch/Home/ViewReportFile?arn=1040068&isFinding=false&sp=false
TSMC Announces Additional $100 Billion Investment in Arizona
PHOENIX, Arizona, July 17 -- The Arizona Commerce Authority posted the following news on July 16, 2026, from TSMC:
* * *
TSMC Announces Additional $100 Billion Investment In Arizona
Today, TSMC announced another major expansion of its Arizona operations, announcing plans to invest an additional $100 billion to build four more 2-nanometer or more advanced fabs in the state. The announcement brings TSMC's total investment in Arizona to $265 billion -- representing 10 fabs, 2 advanced packaging facilities, and a R&D center, all supporting thousands of high tech jobs.
"TSMC's historic investment
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, July 17 -- The Arizona Commerce Authority posted the following news on July 16, 2026, from TSMC:
* * *
TSMC Announces Additional $100 Billion Investment In Arizona
Today, TSMC announced another major expansion of its Arizona operations, announcing plans to invest an additional $100 billion to build four more 2-nanometer or more advanced fabs in the state. The announcement brings TSMC's total investment in Arizona to $265 billion -- representing 10 fabs, 2 advanced packaging facilities, and a R&D center, all supporting thousands of high tech jobs.
"TSMC's historic investmentfirmly establishes Arizona as the nation's epicenter for advanced semiconductor manufacturing and innovation," said Governor Katie Hobbs. "With America's most advanced chip making technologies, world class education partners, and a fast growing workforce, Arizona is poised to lead the future of AI and next generation technologies. I'm grateful to TSMC, and all our partners for making this transformational moment possible."
"Today's announcement marks a watershed moment for Arizona and America's semiconductor industry -- strengthening U.S. competitiveness and securing critical supply chains for decades to come," said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. "Arizona is America's Semiconductor HQ, home to the country's most advanced and fastest growing semiconductor ecosystem. From leading edge fabs to suppliers and next gen R&D, Arizona is shaping the future of global innovation. We're incredibly grateful to Dr. C.C. Wei and the entire TSMC team for their continued commitment to our state, and thankful for the tremendous support from President Trump, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Governor Hobbs, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and all our federal, state, and local partners."
"The future of advanced semiconductor manufacturing is in Phoenix, and TSMC's additional $100 billion investment reflects the extraordinary momentum and ability we have in Phoenix to support the world's most consequential technologies," said City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. "Phoenix's next-generation innovation will strengthen America's economic competitiveness for decades to come."
Background on TSMC in Arizona
TSMC's first fab in Arizona has been in volume production of N4 Technology since late 2024, with yields comparable to TSMC's facilities in Taiwan.
The construction of its second fab, which will utilize 3-nanometer process technologies, is already complete, with volume production expected to begin in 2027.
Upon completion of its announced fabs, around 30% of TSMC's 2-nanometer and more advanced capacity will be located in Arizona, creating an independent leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing cluster.
TSMC Arizona currently employs more than 3,500 people in the state.
* * *
Arizona: America's Semiconductor HQ
Since 2020, Arizona has attracted more than 70 semiconductor expansions, representing over $314 billion in investment - the most in the nation. Expansions in Arizona span the entire value chain, including leading edge manufacturing, equipment, materials suppliers, advanced packaging, R&D, and workforce development.
To meet the demand for skilled workers, state, regional, and federal partners have launched an unprecedented effort to develop new skills training pathways, with initiatives such as the Future48 Semiconductor Workforce Accelerator and NNME Southwest Node.
* * *
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.azcommerce.com/news-events/news/2026/7/tsmc-announcement/
Okla. A.G. Drummond Settles With 23andMe Over Breach of Oklahomans' Data
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, July 17 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on July 16, 2026:
* * *
Drummond settles with 23andMe over breach of Oklahomans' data
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today that Oklahoma will receive $276,435 as part of a multistate settlement over 23andMe's 2023 data breach. The breach exposed the genetic and personal data of more than 78,000 Oklahomans.
The settlement, negotiated with the bankruptcy trustee overseeing 23andMe's Chapter 11 case, resolves claims that the company failed to protect customers' sensitive
... Show Full Article
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, July 17 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on July 16, 2026:
* * *
Drummond settles with 23andMe over breach of Oklahomans' data
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today that Oklahoma will receive $276,435 as part of a multistate settlement over 23andMe's 2023 data breach. The breach exposed the genetic and personal data of more than 78,000 Oklahomans.
The settlement, negotiated with the bankruptcy trustee overseeing 23andMe's Chapter 11 case, resolves claims that the company failed to protect customers' sensitivegenetic information. Drummond joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general in the agreement, which allows $150 million in total claims but limits actual payouts to $18 million because of the limited funds available in 23andMe's bankruptcy estate.
"When Oklahomans signed up for 23andMe and shared their DNA, they trusted the company to protect some of the most personal information a person can share. Instead, that trust was betrayed," Drummond said. "This settlement won't undo the damage, but it holds 23andMe accountable and puts guardrails in place to prevent this from happening again."
In October 2023, the genetic testing company announced that it had discovered a data breach affecting 6.9 million customers. This data breach exposed a wide range of data about 23andMe customers, including in some cases genetic ancestry information, and subsets of this data were subsequently published for sale on the dark web.
23andMe learned about the breach months after impacted personal information was publicly available. At first, the company denied a breach and then, once it confirmed the breach, blamed consumers for how their accounts were set up or how passwords were used.
A multistate investigation led by state attorneys general found 23andMe had failed to take basic security precautions, including checking passwords against lists of known stolen passwords, requiring extra login verification, monitoring for suspicious login activity, and fixing known security weaknesses even after they were identified.
23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025, and as part of that process, the company's assets, including its customer data, were sold to a new nonprofit, TTAM Research Institute, founded by 23andMe's former CEO, Anne Wojcicki. That nonprofit has since reregistered as 23andMe Research Institute and agreed to stronger data security and privacy protections going forward, including allowing customers to delete their data and creating an outside advisory board to oversee security practices.
Separately, 23andMe has also agreed to pay $46.75 million to settle a related class-action lawsuit for consumers who filed claims by February 17, 2026.
Read the Settlement Agreement (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/july/48357efe-af7a-4643-9161-3e0c2adbb0f8.pdf)
* * *
Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/july/drummond-settles-with-23andme-over-breach-of-oklahomans-data.html
No More Excuses: Gov. Newsom Administration Takes Legal Action Against Five California Local Governments for Defying State Housing Law
SACRAMENTO, California, July 17 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on July 16, 2026:
* * *
No more excuses: Newsom administration takes legal action against five California local governments for defying state housing law
What you need to know: California is suing five cities for repeatedly refusing to plan for their fair share of housing, the latest move in Governor Newsom's push to hold local governments accountable for the state's housing shortage.
-
OAKLAND - Moving to hold five California cities accountable for refusing to comply with state law requiring
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, July 17 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on July 16, 2026:
* * *
No more excuses: Newsom administration takes legal action against five California local governments for defying state housing law
What you need to know: California is suing five cities for repeatedly refusing to plan for their fair share of housing, the latest move in Governor Newsom's push to hold local governments accountable for the state's housing shortage.
-
OAKLAND - Moving to hold five California cities accountable for refusing to comply with state law requiringthem to plan for their share of the state's housing needs, Governor Gavin Newsom today escalated the crackdown on local governments standing in the way of new housing.
* * *
California can't solve the housing crisis while some cities sit on their hands and dare us to do something about it. These five jurisdictions had every chance to follow the law and plan for their fair share of housing. They chose not to, so now they'll answer for it in court. Housing law applies statewide, and no city gets a pass.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
* * *
The actions filed today are part of the state's plan to ensure every last jurisdiction does its part to solve for the state's housing needs. With this sixth housing planning cycle nearing its end, the vast majority of jurisdictions have adopted a compliant housing element and met the requirements of the law. The jurisdictions named in today's legal action are falling behind, with all at least two and a half years past the compliance deadline. The five cities are Calexico, Costa Mesa, Half Moon Bay, Ridgecrest, and Turlock.
"California's housing crisis demands action, not excuses," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. "Jurisdictions that remain out of compliance with our Housing Element Law are standing in the way of the homes Californians need. We are well past the halfway point of the current housing planning cycle, and timely compliance is not optional. As I've said many times, no local government has to solve this challenge alone, but every local government has to do its fair share. Today, we're showing how serious we are about ensuring that every city and county in California adopts a housing element. Restoring the California dream will take an all-hands-on-deck effort."
"The vast majority of California's cities and counties have stepped up to achieve housing element compliance," said Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez. "For the small number that are still falling short, the actions we are taking today should send a clear message: no community is exempt from doing its part to solve our housing crisis. Alongside Attorney General Bonta, Governor Newsom and HCD will continue to hold local governments accountable for complying with state law."
Before making today's referral, HCD gave each jurisdiction repeated chances to fix the problem. That included formal notices of violation, 30 days for each city or county to respond in writing, and two rounds of meetings to work through solutions before the case ever reached the Attorney General's Office. Statewide, HCD's combination of technical assistance and enforcement has pushed housing element compliance above 95% in this cycle.
The state is prepared to file additional writ petitions against any city or county that receives a notice of violation from HCD and fails to act.
The law these cities broke
Since 1969, California has required every city and county to plan for housing at every income level, not just some, through a housing element, a required piece of each jurisdiction's general plan. Each cycle, HCD assigns every city and county a share of the state's housing need, and a jurisdiction's housing element must show, in specific terms, how it will meet that number and clear the barriers standing in the way. HCD reviews and must approve every housing element before it can be adopted. California is in its sixth cycle, with jurisdictions updating their plans every five or eight years.
The stakes aren't small. Under the state's Housing Accountability Act, an out-of-compliance jurisdiction is subject to the "Builder's Remedy," losing its ability to reject qualifying low- and moderate-income housing projects on zoning grounds. And under Senate Bill 1037, signed into law in 2024, jurisdictions are subject to civil penalties for noncompliance that go towards affordable housing in that same community.
The state has worked in lockstep on housing accountability throughout this cycle, an effort that has already produced settlements with Hollister, Artesia, La Habra Heights, Malibu, Fullerton, Coronado and San Bernardino, each committing to bring its housing element into compliance.
Accountability in action: Huntington Beach
Today's action follows a May announcement on Huntington Beach, where the state sued the city in 2023 after it refused to update its housing element, more than four years past its legal deadline. In May 2026, a Superior Court judge ordered the city to pay $160,000 in penalties, with fines climbing to $50,000 a month until it comes into compliance. The case shows the consequences of willfully flouting the law.
More housing. More accountability.
Governor Newsom championed the creation of the Housing Accountability Unit at HCD to ensure cities and counties fulfill their legal responsibilities to plan and permit their fair share of housing. Since its establishment, the Housing Accountability Unit has supported the development of 13,541 housing units, including more than 3,852 affordable units, through enforcement actions and by working with local jurisdictions to ensure compliance with housing law. In 2024, the Unit was expanded to include a focus on homelessness issues, including compliance with state laws related to homeless housing.
In addition to today's announcement and ongoing work to hold local governments accountable to help their residents and improve affordability, Governor Newsom is creating a structural and foundational model that will have positive impacts for generations to come.
The Governor is streamlining and prioritizing the building of new housing, funding new shelters, housing, and supports, holding local governments accountable, addressing mental health and its impact on homelessness through voter-approved Proposition 1, and creating new pathways for those who need it most through updated conservatorship laws and a new CARE court system. California is also addressing encampments statewide to help get people off the streets and into care. All this work is creating positive results.
Last year, as a result of the Governor's strategies to address the housing and homelessness crisis, for the first time in over 15 years, California's unsheltered homelessness decreased by 9.5%. While other states and the nation as a whole continue to see homelessness rising, California is reversing a crisis decades in the making.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/07/16/no-more-excuses-newsom-administration-takes-legal-action-against-five-california-local-governments-for-defying-state-housing-law/
Arizona Auditor General: Arizona Foster Care Review Board--Sunset Review
PHOENIX, Arizona, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Arizona Auditor General issued the following performance audit report (No. 26-104) entitled "Arizona Foster Care Review Board--Sunset Review."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
July 14, 2026
Members of the Arizona State Legislature
The Honorable Katie Hobbs, Governor
Administrative Director Byers
Administrative Office of the Courts
Transmitted herewith is a report of the Auditor General, A Sunset Review of the Arizona Foster Care Review Board. This report is in response to an October 7, 2025, resolution of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. The performance
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Arizona Auditor General issued the following performance audit report (No. 26-104) entitled "Arizona Foster Care Review Board--Sunset Review."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
July 14, 2026
Members of the Arizona State Legislature
The Honorable Katie Hobbs, Governor
Administrative Director Byers
Administrative Office of the Courts
Transmitted herewith is a report of the Auditor General, A Sunset Review of the Arizona Foster Care Review Board. This report is in response to an October 7, 2025, resolution of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. The performanceaudit and sunset review was conducted as part of the sunset review process prescribed in Arizona Revised Statutes Sec.41-2951 et seq. I am also transmitting within this report a copy of the Report Highlights to provide a quick summary for your convenience.
As outlined in its response, the Arizona Foster Care Review Board agrees with all the findings and plans to implement all the recommendations. My Office will follow up with the Arizona Foster Care Review Board in 6 months to assess its progress in implementing the recommendations. I express my appreciation to Administrative Director Byers and Administrative Office of the Courts staff for their cooperation and assistance throughout the audit.
My staff and I will be pleased to discuss or clarify items in the report.
Sincerely,
Lindsey A. Perry
Auditor General
Arizona Foster Care Review Board
Sunset Review
Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) has taken steps to improve its processes in response to our 2023 sunset review and can further improve in some key areas, including continuing to solicit judge feedback, timely submitting local board reports, and analyzing parent and foster parent attendance at local board meetings
Audit purpose
To determine whether FCRB implemented outstanding recommendations from our September 2023 sunset review, including improving its local board reports for juvenile court judges, and implementing its plan to recruit new local board members and policies and procedures for handling public complaints; and to provide responses to the 10 statutory sunset factors.1 Key findings
* FCRB has taken steps to improve its processes in response to our 2023 sunset review, including making efforts to recruit local board members to fill vacancies and timely investigating all public complaints it received in calendar year 2025. As of June 2026, all 14 recommendations from our 2023 sunset review were in process or implemented.
* FCRB established a workgroup that made specific recommendations to improve the usefulness of information it provides to judges in local board reports and can improve its annual survey of judges to ensure prior reported issues have been resolved.
* FCRB finalized a policy to monitor timeliness of local board report submittal to courts but did not submit some priority reports we reviewed within its established time frames.
* FCRB implemented a plan to improve parent and foster parent attendance at board meetings and plans to conduct an analysis to determine if its efforts are improving attendance.
* * *
The report is posted at: https://www.azauditor.gov/sites/default/files/2026-07/1%20-%20FCRB%202026%20Report%20R10_2.pdf