POLITICS
Senate readies for vote on defense bill to raise troop pay, bar trans care coverage for minors
Read full article: Senate readies for vote on defense bill to raise troop pay, bar trans care coverage for minorsThe Senate is voting on final passage of a sweeping defense bill that will authorize significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members and boost overall military spending to $895 billion.
EPA grants California authority to ban sales of new gas cars by 2035. Action faces reversal by Trump
Read full article: EPA grants California authority to ban sales of new gas cars by 2035. Action faces reversal by TrumpThe Environmental Protection Agency has granted two requests from California to enforce strict standards for vehicle emissions, including a rule aimed at banning sales of new gasoline-powered cars in the state by 2035.
China has expanded its nuclear force and strengthened ties to Russia, the Pentagon says
Read full article: China has expanded its nuclear force and strengthened ties to Russia, the Pentagon saysA Pentagon report says China is expanding its nuclear force, has increased military pressure against Taiwan and has strengthened its ties with Russia over the past year.
Biden honors the memory of his late first wife and baby daughter who died in a 1972 car crash
Read full article: Biden honors the memory of his late first wife and baby daughter who died in a 1972 car crashPresident Joe Biden is remembering his first wife and baby daughter who were killed in a car crash in Delaware in 1972 weeks after he was first elected to the Senate.
US repatriates 3 Guantanamo Bay detainees, including one held 17 years without charge
Read full article: US repatriates 3 Guantanamo Bay detainees, including one held 17 years without chargeThe Pentagon has transferred two Malaysian detainees at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. military prison to their home country.
Democracies across the globe are at a crossroads, as authoritarians seek to chip away at freedoms
Read full article: Democracies across the globe are at a crossroads, as authoritarians seek to chip away at freedomsThe past year has been both a glass half empty and half full for the world's democracies.
Trumpās promise of mass deportation throws undocumented Texans into fear, uncertainty
Read full article: Trumpās promise of mass deportation throws undocumented Texans into fear, uncertaintyAs Republican Texas leaders show support for Trumpās mass deportation plans, undocumented people ā some who have lived in America for decades ā are weighing their options amid mounting fears.
Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.
Read full article: Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.Many rural Texans in the region say they lack quality information on the skills required to get good jobs and build a lasting career.
Musk and Trump are viewed roughly the same by Americans, an AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Musk and Trump are viewed roughly the same by Americans, an AP-NORC poll findsElon Muskās attachment to President-elect Donald Trump has created an unprecedented alliance between Americaās most powerful politician and its richest businessman.
RFK Stadium site provision included in federal spending bill, a win for the Commanders and NFL
Read full article: RFK Stadium site provision included in federal spending bill, a win for the Commanders and NFLThe Washington Commanders are another step closer to the possibility of returning to the franchiseās old home in the nationās capital.
After investigating Jan. 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz Cheney
Read full article: After investigating Jan. 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz CheneyWrapping up their report on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, House Republicans have concluded itās former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney who should be prosecuted for her work probing the riot.
Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education services
Read full article: Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education servicesThe request comes after an audit found Texas improperly billed the federal government for reimbursements related to Medicaid-eligible students.
Texas GOP threatens House members who support Dustin Burrows in speaker race with attack mailers
Read full article: Texas GOP threatens House members who support Dustin Burrows in speaker race with attack mailersThis is the latest example of the Republican Party of Texas spending its resources attacking its own members.
A couple hundred North Korean troops killed, wounded in battles with Ukrainian forces
Read full article: A couple hundred North Korean troops killed, wounded in battles with Ukrainian forcesA senior U.S. military official says a couple hundred North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine have been killed or wounded in battle in the Kursk border region.
Trump sues Des Moines Register, pollster for 'election interference' after pre-election poll
Read full article: Trump sues Des Moines Register, pollster for 'election interference' after pre-election pollPresident-elect Donald Trump is accusing the Des Moines Register newspaper and its pollster of ābrazen election interferenceā for publishing a poll the weekend before the election that showed Democrat Kamala Harris was leading by three percentage points in the midwestern state.
Energy chief Granholm warns against 'unfettered exports' of liquefied natural gas
Read full article: Energy chief Granholm warns against 'unfettered exports' of liquefied natural gasEnergy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says the incoming Trump administration should proceed cautiously as it considers proposals for new natural gas export terminals.
A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?
Read full article: A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability.
Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second time
Read full article: Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second timeThe new subpoena comes after lawmakers say Ken Paxtonās office stalled a previous effort to get Robersonās legislative testimony about his conviction in āshaken babyā case.
What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?
Read full article: What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January.
Trumpās lawyers allege juror misconduct in latest bid to get his hush money conviction dismissed
Read full article: Trumpās lawyers allege juror misconduct in latest bid to get his hush money conviction dismissedPresident-elect Donald Trumpās lawyers are alleging that his hush money conviction was tainted by juror misconduct, opening a new front in their fight to overturn the verdict and throw out the historic case.
Archivist says Equal Rights Amendment can't be certified as Democrats push Biden to recognize it
Read full article: Archivist says Equal Rights Amendment can't be certified as Democrats push Biden to recognize itThe archivist and deputy archivist of the United States have issued a rare joint statement to say that the 1970s-era Equal Rights Amendment cannot be certified without further action by Congress or the courts.
Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid
Read full article: Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aidCongressional leaders have unveiled legislation that will keep the federal government funded through March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency aid to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and other natural disasters.
Lawsuit accuses State Department of creating loopholes for Israel on military aid and human rights
Read full article: Lawsuit accuses State Department of creating loopholes for Israel on military aid and human rightsA lawsuit by a group of Palestinians in Gaza and American relatives accuses the State Department of giving Israel a pass when it comes to a U.S. law meant to limit military aid over human rights abuses.
Boston plans to renovate a crumbling stadium for its new women's soccer team. Not everyone is happy
Read full article: Boston plans to renovate a crumbling stadium for its new women's soccer team. Not everyone is happyBoston is planning to renovate a crumbling stadium in one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods for its new professional women's soccer team.
Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC pollA new poll finds that Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump's victory.
Kamala Harris tells students to 'stay in the fight' after the election
Read full article: Kamala Harris tells students to 'stay in the fight' after the electionVice President Kamala Harris is urging anyone disappointed over her loss in last month's election to āstay in the fightā as Donald Trump prepares to take office.
Texas regulators report more than 250 new cases of groundwater contamination
Read full article: Texas regulators report more than 250 new cases of groundwater contaminationAn annual report documents 2,870 active cases of groundwater contamination around the state. Groundwater provides more than half of the stateās water supply.
After learning hard lessons in Austin, Greg Casar to take Congressional Progressive Caucus in new direction
Read full article: After learning hard lessons in Austin, Greg Casar to take Congressional Progressive Caucus in new directionThe freshman congressman will lead the influential progressive caucus next year with plans to focus on working class and economic issues instead of culture wars.
Americans' trust in nation's court system hits record low, survey finds
Read full article: Americans' trust in nation's court system hits record low, survey findsAt a time of heightened political division, Americansā confidence in their countryās judicial system and courts dropped to a record low of 35% this year.
Jill Biden says she has closed the book on teaching at Northern Virginia Community College
Read full article: Jill Biden says she has closed the book on teaching at Northern Virginia Community CollegeJill Biden says she has closed the book on teaching at Northern Virginia Community College.
Judge rejects Trumpās bid to toss hush money conviction because of Supreme Court immunity ruling
Read full article: Judge rejects Trumpās bid to toss hush money conviction because of Supreme Court immunity rulingA judge has refused to dismiss President-elect Donald Trumpās hush money conviction because of the U.S. Supreme Courtās recent ruling on presidential immunity.
Trump says it was 'stupid' for Biden to let Ukraine use US weapons to strike deeper into Russia
Read full article: Trump says it was 'stupid' for Biden to let Ukraine use US weapons to strike deeper into RussiaPresident-elect Donald Trump says he might reverse President Joe Bidenās decision to permit Ukrainian forces to use American long-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory.
Two charged in connection with Iran-backed drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle East
Read full article: Two charged in connection with Iran-backed drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle EastTwo men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, have been arrested on charges that they exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other servicemembers.
What's behind rising autism rates: A broader definition of autism and better screening
Read full article: What's behind rising autism rates: A broader definition of autism and better screeningPresident-elect Donald Trump seemed to entertain the discredited theory that vaccines cause autism as he answered questions from journalists Monday at his Mar-a-Lago club.
TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it's sold
Read full article: TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it's soldTikTok is asking the Supreme Court to step in on an emergency basis to block the federal law that would ban the popular platform in the United States unless its China-based parent company agrees to sell it.
Trump says he's a 'believer' in polio vaccine, and other news conference takeaways
Read full article: Trump says he's a 'believer' in polio vaccine, and other news conference takeawaysPresident-elect Donald Trump has held a wide-ranging news conference in which he took questions from reporters for the first time since winning the election.
As he prepares to leave leadership, McConnell challenges Trump on foreign policy
Read full article: As he prepares to leave leadership, McConnell challenges Trump on foreign policySenate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is challenging President-elect Donald Trump to reject the isolationist voices within their party and build his foreign policy around military strength.
Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-Lago
Read full article: Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-LagoPresident-elect Donald Trump told reporters that he would consider pardoning embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams, said the country was ānot going to loseā the polio vaccine and weighed in on the flurry of drone sightings over New Jersey during a freewheeling press conference Monday at his Mar-a-Lago club.
Supreme Court declines appeal from Peter Navarro; Trump White House aide to return after prison term
Read full article: Supreme Court declines appeal from Peter Navarro; Trump White House aide to return after prison termThe Supreme Court has turned back an appeal from Peter Navarro, the former Trump White House official who is set to return in his second term after serving prison time on contempt of Congress charges.
Japan's SoftBank plans to invest $100 billion in US projects over the next four years.
Read full article: Japan's SoftBank plans to invest $100 billion in US projects over the next four years.President-elect Donald Trump joined SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son to announce plans by the Japanese company to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects over the next four years.
Growing oil industry support for methane reduction rule could help it survive Trumpās return
Read full article: Growing oil industry support for methane reduction rule could help it survive Trumpās returnTexas regulators are taking public comment about how they should implement an EPA rule to reduce methane leaks from the oil and gas industry.
Biden establishes a national monument for Frances Perkins, the 1st female Cabinet secretary
Read full article: Biden establishes a national monument for Frances Perkins, the 1st female Cabinet secretaryPresident Joe Biden has signed a proclamation establishing a national monument honoring the late FDR-era Labor Secretary Frances Perkins.
Journalists anticipate a renewed hostility toward their work under the incoming Trump administration
Read full article: Journalists anticipate a renewed hostility toward their work under the incoming Trump administrationWhen Donald Trump takes office as president for a second time, many journalists anticipate a hostile climate toward them and their work.
2024 was big for bitcoin. States could see a crypto policy blitz in 2025 in spite of the risks
Read full article: 2024 was big for bitcoin. States could see a crypto policy blitz in 2025 in spite of the risksThe new year will usher in the bitcoin-friendly administration of President-elect Donald Trump and an expanding lobbying effort in statehouses.