NHL Expansion Watch: The NHL is kicking off talks on a potential Texas expansion, with Houston or Austin on the short list under an agreement with billionaire Dan Friedkin and his family; Bettman says the next step could involve a term sheet over six months and a total price tag around $3.5 billion for an expansion fee plus a new arena. World Cup Diplomacy: The U.S. and Iran traded conflicting claims over nuclear inspections after Switzerland talks, while the U.S. eased travel rules for Iran’s World Cup team to enter the country two days before its Seattle match—another sign tensions may be thawing. Puget Sound Transit: Sound Transit set an all-time light rail ridership record—about 280,000 riders—on June 19 as Seattle hosted both a World Cup match and a sold-out Mariners crowd. State Courts & Rights: Washington’s Supreme Court heard arguments on where a transgender woman in state custody should be housed, as the federal government probes Washington’s treatment of incarcerated trans people. Housing Costs vs Safety: States are loosening building code rules to cut construction costs, including changes that could allow some low-rise apartments to use fewer stairways, drawing safety concerns.