POLITICS
Florida requires teaching Black history. Some don't trust schools to do it justice
Read full article: Florida requires teaching Black history. Some don't trust schools to do it justiceThirty years after Florida required schools to teach African American history, how the subject is taught remains inconsistent across Florida classrooms, a review by The Associated Press has found.
South Texas coal-fired power plant to switch to clean energy after receiving more than $1 billion in federal money
Read full article: South Texas coal-fired power plant to switch to clean energy after receiving more than $1 billion in federal moneySan Miguel Electric Cooperative's plan to turn into a solar and battery plant will leave only 14 coal-fired power plants in the state.
Government funding difficulties create gloom for federal workers before Christmas
Read full article: Government funding difficulties create gloom for federal workers before ChristmasJohnny Zuagar says heās tried to hide his worries about a potential government shutdown from his three boys as he weighs how much to spend on Christmas presents.
Texas lawmaker files bill to reduce āforever chemicalsā in sewage-based fertilizer
Read full article: Texas lawmaker files bill to reduce āforever chemicalsā in sewage-based fertilizerThe bill would require companies to test fertilizer made from sewage sludge for PFAS and meet limits before selling them to Texas farmers and ranchers.
Musk helped kill a congressional spending bill. But much of what he spread was misinformation
Read full article: Musk helped kill a congressional spending bill. But much of what he spread was misinformationPresident Donald Trumpās billionaire ally Elon Musk used his outsize influence on X to help kill a bipartisan funding proposal that would have prevented a government shutdown, spreading multiple false claims in the process.
Biden and the first lady bring holiday cheer to patients and families at a children's hospital
Read full article: Biden and the first lady bring holiday cheer to patients and families at a children's hospitalPresident Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, brought some holiday cheer to patients and families at a children's hospital in Washington.
Trump to nominate the head of Catholic advocacy group as US ambassador to the Vatican
Read full article: Trump to nominate the head of Catholic advocacy group as US ambassador to the VaticanPresident-elect Donald Trump says heās nominating the president of the advocacy group CatholicVote to be the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.
Why were border wall materials put up for auction? Here's what you should know.
Read full article: Why were border wall materials put up for auction? Here's what you should know.Some Texas lawmakers including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick slammed the Biden administration over the auction of wall materials. But the sale was directed by Congress ā and Texas has already bought some of it.
Trump adds Europe to the list of US trade partners he's threatening with tariffs
Read full article: Trump adds Europe to the list of US trade partners he's threatening with tariffsPresident-elect Donald Trump is threatening to add the 27 countries that make up the European Union to the list of trade partners he'll place tariffs on ā unless the group takes steps to import more U.S. goods.
University of California campuses resolve discrimination complaints stemming from Gaza protests
Read full article: University of California campuses resolve discrimination complaints stemming from Gaza protestsThe U.S. Department of Education said Friday it has reached an agreement with the University of California system resolving complaints from Jewish and Muslim students of discrimination and harassment during protests last spring over the war in Gaza.
EPA head Regan, who championed environmental justice, to leave office Dec. 31
Read full article: EPA head Regan, who championed environmental justice, to leave office Dec. 31Michael Regan, who has led the Environmental Protection Agency throughout President Joe Bidenās four-year term, said Friday he will be leaving the agency Dec. 31, about three weeks before Bidenā leaves office.
Government shutdown is averted just after deadline as Congress rejects Trump's debt limit demands
Read full article: Government shutdown is averted just after deadline as Congress rejects Trump's debt limit demandsThe Senate has rushed through final passage of a bipartisan plan to fund federal operations and prevent a government shutdown.
US military orders new safety guidelines for key Osprey part after near-crash
Read full article: US military orders new safety guidelines for key Osprey part after near-crashThe military has ordered new safety guidelines for a key part in all Osprey aircraft after a recent accident revealed the same problem that had caused a fatal crash in Japan last year.
The Latest: Schumer says Senate on course to pass bill before funding lapses at midnight
Read full article: The Latest: Schumer says Senate on course to pass bill before funding lapses at midnightWith hours to go before a midnight government shutdown, the House has approved a new plan from House Speaker Mike Johnson that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but dropped President-elect Donald Trumpās demands for a debt limit increase into the new year.
Trump was poised to inherit a strong economy. Then things got rocky and he added to the uncertainty
Read full article: Trump was poised to inherit a strong economy. Then things got rocky and he added to the uncertaintyDonald Trump seemed poised to inherit a relatively strong economy when he begins a second term in the White House in January.
Cartels turn to social media to lure Americans into human smuggling as Texas enforces stricter laws
Read full article: Cartels turn to social media to lure Americans into human smuggling as Texas enforces stricter lawsThousands of people have been arrested under Texasā human smuggling law. Now they face at least a decade in prison under sentencing guidelines that took effect this year.
Texas House panel may never hear Robert Robersonās testimony after new legal move
Read full article: Texas House panel may never hear Robert Robersonās testimony after new legal moveAttorney General Ken Paxton sought to delay legal proceedings until Jan. 13 ā the day before the committee disbands ā even as lawmakers vowed to continue fighting to hear from Roberson.
Internal divisions doom Michigan Democrats in their final days of legislative control
Read full article: Internal divisions doom Michigan Democrats in their final days of legislative controlMichigan Democrats are ending their final days in control of the state government bogged down with disunity and inaction.
White House starts scrapping pending regulations on transgender athletes and student debt
Read full article: White House starts scrapping pending regulations on transgender athletes and student debtPresident Joe Bidenās administration has started to withdraw pending regulations that wonāt be finalized by the time he leaves office.
US drops $10M terrorism bounty offered for capture of Syrian rebel leader who ousted Assad
Read full article: US drops $10M terrorism bounty offered for capture of Syrian rebel leader who ousted AssadThe Biden administration says it has decided not to pursue a $10 million reward it had offered for the capture of a Syrian rebel leader whose forces led the ouster of President Bashar Assad.
A lynching in the family inspired Michigan's first Black woman elected justice to pursue the law
Read full article: A lynching in the family inspired Michigan's first Black woman elected justice to pursue the lawJustice Kyra Harris Bolden is the first Black woman to be elected to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Democratic governors hammered Trump before the election. Now they're hoping to work with him
Read full article: Democratic governors hammered Trump before the election. Now they're hoping to work with himA handful of prominent Democratic governors are quickly adjusting their approach to President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January.
Attorney General Ken Paxton files motion to block death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying
Read full article: Attorney General Ken Paxton files motion to block death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifyingThe motion escalates a tense standoff between Paxton and a bipartisan Texas House committee, which had subpoenaed Roberson to testify at the Capitol on Friday.
RFK Stadium site provision removed from federal spending bill, a blow to the Commanders and NFL
Read full article: RFK Stadium site provision removed from federal spending bill, a blow to the Commanders and NFLA provision to transfer the land that is the site of the old RFK Stadium from the federal government to the District of Columbia is no longer included in Congressā short-term spending bill that lawmakers are racing to pass before a government shutdown.
Pentagon warns that a government shutdown will cost troops their pay over the holidays
Read full article: Pentagon warns that a government shutdown will cost troops their pay over the holidaysThe Pentagon is warning that Republicansā decision to abandon a congressional spending plan will cost more than 2 million troops their paychecks over the holidays unless some agreement is reached before Fridayās deadline to prevent a government shutdown.
Chinese national charged with acting as Beijing's agent in local California election
Read full article: Chinese national charged with acting as Beijing's agent in local California electionA Chinese national has been charged with acting as an illegal agent for Beijing when serving as the campaign manager for an unnamed local California politician.
Texasā latest effort to deter migrants is a billboard campaign in Mexico, Central America
Read full article: Texasā latest effort to deter migrants is a billboard campaign in Mexico, Central AmericaGov. Greg Abbott announced the new strategy, which will cost an estimated $100,000, during a press conference in Eagle Pass.
Texas regulators shelve an electricity market reform proposal they say does too little to shore up grid
Read full article: Texas regulators shelve an electricity market reform proposal they say does too little to shore up gridThe Public Utility Commission found that the performance credit mechanism, a financial tool the Legislature capped at $1 billion, would only marginally improve reliability of the state power grid.
What to know about the debt ceiling debate as a government shutdown looms in Washington
Read full article: What to know about the debt ceiling debate as a government shutdown looms in WashingtonA debate over the debt ceiling is at the center of a dispute over funding that is pushing the possibility of a federal government shutdown to the brink in Washington.
New House GOP budget proposal revives Farm Bill extension and aid money but drops ethanol provision
Read full article: New House GOP budget proposal revives Farm Bill extension and aid money but drops ethanol provisionAmerican farmers are hoping that aid to agriculture will be revived as Congress struggles to avert a looming partial government shutdown.
DC leaders, NBA commissioner celebrate the start of an $800M downtown arena renovation
Read full article: DC leaders, NBA commissioner celebrate the start of an $800M downtown arena renovationWashington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and other area leaders celebrated the start of an $800 million downtown arena renovation Thursday.
Texasā citrus industry ā once an agricultural powerhouse ā is on the brink of disaster
Read full article: Texasā citrus industry ā once an agricultural powerhouse ā is on the brink of disasterA hurricane and winter freeze devastated the South Texas industry. A lack of water is preventing a full recovery.
White House says Biden will visit Pope Francis, Meloni in final international trip of his presidency
Read full article: White House says Biden will visit Pope Francis, Meloni in final international trip of his presidencyPresident Joe Biden will travel to Italy next month to meet with Pope Francis and top Italian officials for what is expected to be the final international trip of his presidency.
U.S. House members want answers on Texasā decision to not review maternal deaths after near-total abortion ban
Read full article: U.S. House members want answers on Texasā decision to not review maternal deaths after near-total abortion banU.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas led a letter calling for a briefing on why the state wonāt review 2022 and 2023 deaths.
Closures, Social Security checks, furloughs: What a government shutdown might mean
Read full article: Closures, Social Security checks, furloughs: What a government shutdown might meanCongress has until midnight Friday to come up with a way to fund the government, or federal agencies will shutter.
Millions of people may get expanded Social Security benefits. Who are they and how would it happen?
Read full article: Millions of people may get expanded Social Security benefits. Who are they and how would it happen?Nearly 3 million people could receive a boost in Social Security payments under legislation that's set for a final vote in the Senate.
House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertain
Read full article: House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertainThe House has resoundingly rejected President-elect Donald Trumpās new plan to fund federal operations and suspend the debt ceiling a day before a government shutdown.
Prosecutor Fani Willis is removed from the Georgia election case against Trump and others
Read full article: Prosecutor Fani Willis is removed from the Georgia election case against Trump and othersA state appeals court has removed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others.
A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the states
Read full article: A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the statesDemocrats in North Carolina were celebrating big wins in the swing state after the November election, including victories for governor and other top statewide offices.
Blinken announces aid for Sudan and talks about AI risks at UN Security Council
Read full article: Blinken announces aid for Sudan and talks about AI risks at UN Security CouncilSecretary of State Antony Blinken has announced $200 million in humanitarian aid for conflict-torn Sudan during his likely final trip to the United Nations while in office.
Texas Republicans want voters to provide proof of citizenship. Arizonaās law holds lessons.
Read full article: Texas Republicans want voters to provide proof of citizenship. Arizonaās law holds lessons.A Votebeat analysis shows how such requirements risk disenfranchising key voter groups, including Native Americans and college students.
As landowners resist, Texasā border wall is fragmented and built in remote areas
Read full article: As landowners resist, Texasā border wall is fragmented and built in remote areasAt least a third of landowners approached by state officials have refused to let wall be built on their properties. Thatās forced the state to largely build on ranchland in remote areas, or erect sections that are full of gaps.
Biden, on his way out, sets 'ambitious' climate goal: Cut US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%
Read full article: Biden, on his way out, sets 'ambitious' climate goal: Cut US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%President Joe Biden is pledging to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035.
A key Trump ally on immigration explains how mass deportations could work
Read full article: A key Trump ally on immigration explains how mass deportations could workA Kansas official whoās an informal adviser to President-elect Donald Trumpās transition team on immigration issues doesnāt expect mass deportations to prompt arrests of migrants at sensitive locations such as schools and churches.