US governors

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell says he will stay on the central bank's board of governors after his term as chair expires next month. The announcement keeps him involved in US monetary policy even as a successor takes over the top role, a move drawing attention amid ongoing debate over interest rates and the Fed's leadership transition.

A six-word remark by former Fed governor Kevin Warsh has altered market discussion around US monetary policy, moving the question from whether the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to how far it might go. Commentators say the comment signals a more aggressive rate outlook than previously expected.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have traded sharply worded remarks over deaths associated with a measles outbreak. Shapiro invoked the 'real-life consequences' of the outbreak and criticized Kennedy's handling of the response, while Kennedy pushed back on the criticism. The exchange has drawn national attention to ongoing disputes over vaccine policy and public health messaging.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of new laws aimed at expanding reproductive freedom and care in the state, which California positions as a national leader on the issue. The measures broaden access to reproductive health services and reinforce the state's protections as other states restrict such care.

Several US states are weighing temporary suspensions of their gasoline taxes, known as gas tax holidays, as the midterm elections approach. With pump prices a major voter concern, governors and lawmakers see tax relief as a way to ease cost-of-living pressure and signal action on inflation before voters head to the polls.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has hinted at a possible run for the US presidency during a visit to a church. The remarks, made in a religious setting, fuel speculation that the Democrat is positioning himself for a national campaign. Details of what exactly he said remain limited, and he has not formally announced any candidacy.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation creating a label for foods that are not ultra-processed, alongside other health bills that officials describe as part of the state's nation-leading healthcare strategy. The move positions California at the forefront of US efforts to regulate ultra-processed foods and give consumers clearer information about what they eat.

Oregon's governor has ordered additional regulation of artificial intelligence, directing state agencies to develop new oversight rules for the technology. The move makes Oregon one of a growing number of US states acting on AI governance amid limited federal legislation. Details of the executive order, including which systems will be covered and enforcement timelines, were not immediately available.

Lisa Demuth, a Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota, has come out against the war with Iran, saying it is hurting Minnesotans. Her comments break with the more hawkish wing of her party and frame the conflict in terms of its costs at home, from economic strain to resources diverted from state priorities.

California's governor has signed legislation aimed at protecting workers from pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, where cross-border sewage and contaminated runoff have long posed health risks to people working in the area. The measure, backed by Senator Catherine Blakespear, addresses worker safety amid ongoing concerns over the pollution crisis affecting communities near the US-Mexico border.