(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee’s House expels 2 of 3 Democrats over guns protest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In an extraordinary act of political retaliation, Tennessee Republicans on Thursday expelled two Democratic lawmakers from the state Legislature for their role in a protest calling for more gun control in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Nashville. A third Democrat was narrowly spared by a one-vote margin.
DA Bragg calls House GOP subpoena an 'unprecedented campaign of harassment'
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, an ally of Donald Trump, has escalated his probe into the Manhattan district attorney's prosecution of the former president.
www.nbcnews.com
Ukrainian officials say they won't concede territory to Russia, including Crimea
Beijing's "top priority" is to push for an end to the war in Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping told EU Commission Chief Ursula Von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.
House Republicans subpoena former prosecutor in Trump case
House Republicans have subpoenaed one of the former Manhattan prosecutors who had been leading a criminal investigation into Donald Trump before quitting last year in a clash over the direction of the probe.
apnews.com
Clarence Thomas report spurs new calls from Democrats for Supreme Court code of ethics
Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was accused of failing to report a litany of lavish gifts from GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow.
Secret Service officials to testify before grand jury in Trump documents probe, source says
The grand jury proceedings are part of special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the Mar-a-Lago search.
www.cbsnews.com
Justice Thomas reportedly took undisclosed luxury trips
ProPublica is reporting that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has for more than two decades accepted luxury trips nearly every year from Republican megadonor Harlan Crow without reporting them on financial disclosure forms.
apnews.com
Report on trips Justice Clarence Thomas accepted from GOP megadonor reignites calls for reform
Democrats said the findings underscore the need for a written code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, who are not covered by binding ethics rules.
www.cbsnews.com
Who were the Tennessee Democratic lawmakers at the center of expulsion?
After a day-long hearing, the House voted to expel Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, but not Rep. Gloria Johnson.
Biden decries expulsion of Tennessee lawmakers as ‘shocking’ and ‘undemocratic’
President Biden blasted the expulsion of two Tennessee lawmakers Thursday as “shocking” and “undemocratic,” saying that GOP lawmakers chose to expel lawmakers instead of par…
thehill.com
Biden vetoes bill that sought to toss EPA water protections
Defending his administration’s actions on clean water, President Joe Biden on Thursday vetoed a congressional resolution that would have overturned protections for the nation’s waterways that Republicans have criticized as overly intrusive.
apnews.comWho is Harlan Crow? The real estate magnate and GOP megadonor's relationship to Clarence Thomas
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow, a billionaire and Republican megadonor, have been friends for decades.
Democrat lawmaker suggests she avoided expulsion from Tennessee legislature because she is White
A Democratic lawmaker in Tennessee claimed she survived a vote to expel her from the state legislature while her colleague didn't because she is White and he is Black.
State Dept. should've done more to prepare for worst-case scenario of Afghanistan withdrawal, Blinken says
The secretary unveiled the results of an after-action report in a hastily organized event on Thursday.
www.politico.com
Tennessee's Republican-led House expels 2 Democratic lawmakers over gun reform protest, fails in bid to oust a third | CNN
In an extraordinary, emotionally charged session marked by tense exchanges and punctuated by boos and chants from onlookers, Tennessee’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to expel two Black lawmakers – but failed to oust a third representative – a week after the three...
www.cnn.com
Idaho becomes one of the most extreme anti-abortion states with law restricting travel for abortions
A bill that prohibits people in Idaho from helping pregnant minors leave the state to obtain abortions became law on Wednesday.
www.nbcnews.com
US needs more air power to avoid 'bloodbath' with China, general says
U.S. Air Force officials lack the air power needed to prevent a potential war with China from settling into “the kind of bloodbath” on display in Ukraine.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
China sanctions Taiwan’s de facto US ambassador over Tsai trip
Hsiao Bi-khim and family members barred from China after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s US visit.
House GOP’s Plan to Cut Food Stamps Faces a Tough Vote
WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro, a former mayor who flipped an open seat in New York’s Hudson Valley last year and helped the GOP take back the House, frequently tells the story of how his mother relied on food stamps and subsidized school lunches to keep him fed as a child. Now, as...
Bragg hits back at House GOP over subpoena for ex-prosecutor in Trump case
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) hit back at House Judiciary Republicans on Thursday, after Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) subpoenaed a former prosecutor involved in his investigati…
thehill.com
'Buckle up': DeSantis escalates Disney dispute, eyes hotel taxes and road tolls
The DeSantis administration is also examining if a recent agreement approved between a Central Florida board that had been controlled by Disney and the company runs afoul of the state’s growth laws, according to senior administration officials.
www.politico.com
Biden proposal would bar schools from enacting outright bans on trans athletes
A new rule proposed by the Biden administration would prevent schools and colleges from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes, but it would allow certain exceptions to promote fairness or reduce injuries.
apnews.com
GOP lawmakers in Tennessee expel two Democrats over mass shooting protest
Lawmakers voted to expel two young Black representatives, but the motion to expel a White legislator failed by one vote.
www.cbsnews.com
GOP's DeSantis visits Whitmer's Michigan, the 'anti-Florida'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the central Michigan community of Midland for a county GOP event Thursday before heading to speak at Hillsdale College. Michigan is a battleground state transformed by Democratic majorities.
apnews.com
Bragg rips House Republicans in response to subpoena of former investigator
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg responded forcefully to House Republicans on Thursday after they subpoenaed a former prosecutor involved in the criminal investigation of former President Donald Trump.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Raskin accuses Comer of withholding information and misrepresenting witnesses
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) accused House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) of withholding information from committee Democrats or misrepresenting the committee's findings in the investigation into the Biden family.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
What to know about ‘the Tennessee three’ after two Dems are expelled
Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were both booted from the state House, while the vote to expel Rep. Gloria Johnson failed.
www.politico.com
Congressional Black Caucus heaps criticism on Tennessee lawmakers for expelling Black lawmakers
The Congressional Black Caucus blasted the Republican-controlled Tennessee state legislature on Thursday after two out Black Democratic state lawmakers were expelled for participating in a protest …
thehill.com
Tennessee's GOP-led House votes to expel Democrat Justin Jones from legislature for his role in gun protest
Tennessee's Republican-led House on Thursday voted to expel Democratic Rep. Justin Jones for his role in last week's protest calling for gun control.
Supreme Court justices, including Clarence Thomas, are their own ethics police
The latest questions about Supreme Court ethics were raised by a ProPublica article alleging that Justice Clarence Thomas went on lavish trips funded by a conservative billionaire.
www.nbcnews.com
Wagner advances in Bakhmut as Ukraine gears up for counterattack
Russian mercenaries say they have seized the centre of Bakhmut as Ukraine’s troops train for new offensives.
Indiana and Idaho enact bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth | CNN Politics
Indiana Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill Wednesday to ban gender affirming care for minors in the state, following a growing trend of GOP-led states restricting transgender youth’s access to such treatments after Idaho enacted similar legislation earlier in the week.
www.cnn.com
Tennessee GOP expels 2 Black Democratic lawmakers for anti-gun violence protests. A white legislator survived her vote.
Republicans voted on whether to remove the Democratic legislators for participating in an unauthorized gun safety protest on the House floor last week.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden Title IX proposal takes aim at blanket bans on transgender athletes
Blanket bans on transgender athletes participating on school sports teams consistent with their gender identity would constitute a violation of Title IX under a set of proposed changes unveiled Thu…
thehill.com5 Lessons for Democrats From Victories in Wisconsin and Chicago
Victories by a liberal judge and a progressive mayoral candidate in two Midwestern states this week offered a glimpse of the mood of the electorate five months after the midterms, and it is a promising one for Democrats. Janet Protasiewicz, the judge, won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court by...
Donald Trump case: Courts step up security after death threats to judge and family
Threats surfaced after Trump attacked Juan Merchan over his handling of a previous case, despite warnings from the judge against incitement.
www.usatoday.com
Israel stages rare strikes in Lebanon, also hits Gaza Strip
Israel has launched rare strikes in southern Lebanon and pressed on with bombing targets in the Gaza Strip. Friday's strikes marked a widening escalation in the region following violence this week at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site.
apnews.com
Atlanta DA investigating Trump in Georgia fires back after former president's criticism: 'Ridiculous'
Georgia Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said Trump's accusation of racism is "ridiculous" during an interview with a local TV outlet.
Microsoft turns to court order to take down ransomware hacking tool that targeted hospitals
A bootleg version of "Cobalt Strike" has been used in 69 ransomware attacks on health organizations in more than 19 countries, according to Microsoft.
www.cbsnews.com
‘Keep showing up,’ says Rep. Johnson after failed Tennessee House vote
Tennessee House Republicans have failed to vote out Democratic State Representative Gloria Johnson as lawmakers did not get the necessary two-thirds vote they needed to kick her out.
www.nbcnews.com
China sanctions Reagan library, others over Tsai's US trip
China is imposing sanctions against the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and other U.S.- and Asian-based organizations in retaliation for the closely watched meeting this week between the U.S.
apnews.com
Biden administration blames chaotic Afghan pull-out on Trump
A report says President Biden was "severely constrained", but implies evacuations could have begun sooner.
www.bbc.com
Former Michigan House speaker charged with accepting bribes for cannabis licenses
All four defendants signed plea deals admitting guilt to the charges.
www.politico.com
King Charles’s ‘Harry and Meghan problem’ grows as coronation nears
Kingdoms, heirs, and “spares” seldom amalgamate well. Neither do recalcitrant English dukes who have lost their way. In an echo of history, but with a Meghan Markle twist 87 years later, Prince Har…
thehill.com
Analysis: McCarthy had a chance to criticize Biden over China. He didn't take it.
By declining to take a partisan shot during his meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy flexed his leadership muscles.
www.nbcnews.com
White House denies 'chaos' during Afghanistan withdrawal: 'Didn't see it from my perch'
The White House pushed back on the idea President Joe Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan was chaotic, defending its summary of administration-wide after-action reports that transfers much of the responsibility to former President Donald Trump.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Kansas lawmakers advance bill allowing parents to bar their kids from LGBTQ lessons
Kansas lawmakers approved a bill Thursday that would allow parents to opt their children from lessons on LGBTQ topics in school. The Republican-controlled Kansas House passed the bill with a 76-46 …
thehill.com
King Charles III supports investigation into monarchy's links to slavery, Buckingham Palace says
In his recent memoir "Spare," Prince Harry wrote that the monarchy rests upon wealth generated by "exploited workers and thuggery, annexation and enslaved people."
www.cbsnews.com
Ex-head of Michigan medical marijuana board and former state House speaker admits he took bribes
Rick Johnson, the former head of a Michigan medical marijuana licensing board, admits he took $110,000 in bribes.
www.cbsnews.com
Few details in SF stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee
There is little information from police on how technology executive Bob Lee came to be fatally stabbed in downtown San Francisco early Tuesday. Friends and family are mourning Lee, whom they called brilliant, kind and unlike others in the industry.
apnews.com
Top lawmakers invite South Korean president to address Congress
The move comes as the U.S. continues efforts to strengthen its relationships with parts of Asia amid worsening tensions with China.
www.nbcnews.com
Progressive Democrats call for Clarence Thomas impeachment after reported undisclosed gifts from GOP megadonor
Some progressive Democrats have called for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to be impeached over reports he failed to disclose gifts from a Republican donor.
What the US could do about Social Security to avoid the same fate as France
The scene abroad is unfolding as the United States will soon have to address its own retirement system.
Civil rights probe launched after fatal Park Police shooting
The Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights investigation after a U.S. Park Police officer fatally shot a 17-year-old who had driven away with an officer in the back seat after the teenager was found asleep in a suspected stolen car in Washington.
apnews.com
'Undemocratic': Tennessee legislature expels 2 lawmakers over gun violence protest
The Republican-controlled Tennessee State House of Representatives will convene Thursday to vote on ousting three Democratic lawmakers.
Justice Clarence Thomas accepted lavish gifts from GOP donor for two decades, reports say
Justice Clarence Thomas reportedly accepted gifts from GOP megadonor Harlan Crow, including trips on a superyacht and to a private resort in New York.
www.usatoday.com
Democrats express outrage over Clarence Thomas luxury travel report
Democrats are voicing outrage following a report that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxury trips for more than two decades from a Republican mega-donor without disclosing them. Pro…
thehill.com
Lawmakers shrug off China’s ‘saber rattling’ in push to harden Taiwan
As Beijing warned Thursday of “resolute measures” in response to Wednesday’s meeting between Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, a bipartisan group of lawm…
thehill.com
Israel-Palestine updates: Israel strikes target Gaza, Lebanon
Two Israeli settlers killed after gunmen opened fire on a vehicle in occupied West Bank.
High court: Trans girl can run girls track in West Virginia
The Supreme Court is allowing a 12-year-old transgender girl in West Virginia to continue competing on her middle school’s girls sports teams while a lawsuit over a state ban continues.
apnews.com
Macron counting on Xi to 'bring Russia to senses'
The French president urges his Chinese counterpart to use his influence to end the Ukraine war.
www.bbc.com
House GOP announces second Afghanistan hearing amid pushback on White House report
The House Oversight Committee will hold a second hearing on the chaotic withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan amid pushback from congressional Republicans on the White House’s release of a report largely blaming the Trump administration for its shortcomings.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Arkansas House OKs bill allowing permitless concealed carry
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A permit would not be required to carry a concealed handgun in Arkansas under a bill lawmakers sent Thursday to Republican Gov.
apnews.com
IRS pledges more audits of wealthy, better customer service
The IRS is outlining how it plans to use an infusion of $80 billion for improved operations. The agency is pledging to invest in new technology, hire more customer service representatives and expand its ability to audit high-wealth taxpayers.
apnews.com
Biden administration proposal would bar full ban on transgender athletes but allow exceptions
The proposed rule sends a political counterpunch toward a wave of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports that align with their gender identities.
www.cbsnews.com
Biden admin review of Afghanistan withdrawal repeatedly blames Trump
The White House on Thursday released its review of the Biden administration's 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan, repeatedly blaming the Trump administration.
Biden review of chaotic Afghan withdrawal blames Trump
President Joe Biden’s administration is laying the blame on his predecessor, President Donald Trump, for the deadly and chaotic 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that brought about some of the darkest moments of Biden’s presidency.
apnews.com
Biden White House largely blames Trump for troubled troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
A new report from the National Security Council largely blamed former President Donald Trump's administration for the breakdown that occurred after U.S. troops withdrew.
www.nbcnews.com
Here’s how the IRS will spend its $80 billion funding boost
A large-scale refurbishment of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is underway following an allotment of $80 billion to the agency in Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act passed last year. The Treasur…
thehill.com
Only a third of American say Biden deserves re-election as president: poll
Two-thirds of Americans say that President Biden doesn’t deserve to be re-elected in 2024, according to a new national poll.
660-mile rescue flight highlights Alaska's unique challenges
The Alaska Air National Guard this week traveled nearly 660 miles to rescue a pregnant woman on a small island 2 miles from Russia. The trip reflects the challenges patients face in the nation's largest state, where there may be no roads and hospitals can be hundreds of miles away.
apnews.com
Jacinda Ardern delivers emotional final speech to New Zealand Parliament: "You can be a mother ... you can lead, just like me"
Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation as prime minister in January after more than five years as New Zealand's leader – and now has her sights set on combating environmental issues and online extremism.
www.cbsnews.com
Expulsion vote thrusts Tennessee politics onto the national stage, could set precedent
The Democrats could become political martyrs if expelled from the legislature. The move shows the GOP's power and could set a precedent.
www.usatoday.com
Biden admin releases new Title IX regulations on transgender issues in schools
The Biden admin. unveiled a plan to update Title IX so that schools and colleges across the U.S. would be forbidden from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes.
Oklahoma attorney general wants to vacate conviction of high-profile death row inmate
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) took a massive step in favor of the state's highest-profile death row inmate, Richard Glossip, urging an appeals court to vacate his murder conviction.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
3 Alaska Native tribes sue to block major gold mine project
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Three Alaska Native tribes have sued to block what they say would be one of the largest gold mines in the world, arguing that federal agencies failed to properly analyze health and environmental concerns for the project in southwest Alaska.
apnews.com
Stormy Daniels says she's 'absolutely' willing to testify in Trump hush money trial | CNN Politics
Stormy Daniels is “absolutely” willing to testify in Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial, she said in an interview with Piers Morgan, her first comments since the former president pleaded not guilty to charges related to a hush-money payment scheme intended to silence the adult film star.
www.cnn.com
Russian girl who drew antiwar sketch leaves orphanage
The Kremlin's children's rights commissioner says a Russian girl sent to an orphanage after drawing an antiwar sketch at school has been picked up by her mother.
apnews.com
Judge in Trump's criminal case has received dozens of threats, police sources say
Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the criminal case against Trump, has received dozens of threats in recent days, police sources told ABC News
Daniels says Trump should be jailed if guilty in other cases, but not hers
Adult film star Stormy Daniels said former President Trump should be sent to prison if he is convicted in the other cases in which he is being investigated but not for the case involving her. …
thehill.com
'Vicious cycle': Inside the police recruiting crunch with resignations on the rise
Police departments across the country are facing a "vicious cycle" of retirements, resignations, and fewer hires.
Troubles shadow lingers as N Ireland marks 25 years of peace
This month marks 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement largely ended three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland that left 3,600 people dead. Northern Ireland is observing the anniversary with a reunion of key players and a visit from U.S.
apnews.com
What a Trump fundraising surge would mean for 2024: 'Smaller donors tend to be voters'
An influx of small-dollar donations to former President Donald Trump after his indictment could bolster the case for his 2024 electability ahead of what could be a competitive Republican primary campaign.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ron DeSantis' long-haul strategy against Trump comes into view
Although he hasn't yet announced a presidential bid, the Florida governor's team has already had internal discussions about delegate strategy.
www.nbcnews.com
McCaul calls Kirby’s comments on Afghanistan withdrawal ‘disgraceful and insulting’
The GOP chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday blasted the White House for dismissing the idea that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was chaotic and shifting blame on the T…
thehill.com
Biden administration blames Trump in part for chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal
The White House blamed former President Donald Trump for two factors that played a major role in the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2021.
www.cbsnews.com
Buenos Aires airport turns into unofficial homeless shelter
The Jorge Newbery International Airport in Argentina's capital has practically become a homeless shelter at night. It’s a stark reflection of the rising poverty in a country where one of the world’s highest inflation rates is making it difficult for many to make ends meet.
apnews.com
$35 political contribution to Democrats raises fresh scrutiny of Judge Merchan | CNN Politics
Judge Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal case in New York, donated $35 in political contributions to Democrats in 2020, including a $15 contribution to the campaign of Trump’s opponent, President Joe Biden.
www.cnn.com
Biden administration to restrict bans on transgender athletes, setting up showdown with red states
The Department of Education released a new regulatory proposal for Title IX on Thursday that will curb a number of state laws requiring athletes to compete based on their biological sex if the rules are finalized in their current form.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden admin roasted over new transgender Title IX regulations: 'Insane injustice'
Critics ripped the Biden administration following its unveiling of new proposals to Title IX rules expanding the meaning of sexual discrimination to include gender identity.
The daughter who fled North Korea to find her mother
Reunited in Seoul after a decade apart, Songmi asks her mother why she left her behind in the north.
www.bbc.co.uk
Ukrainian groups learn about DNA use to identify war victims
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Representatives of Ukrainian civil society and rights groups have visited an organization that uses high-tech DNA techniques to identify people who go missing in conflicts and natural disasters, a move intended to boost cooperation during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
apnews.com
Inside the 3 so-called 'catch and kill' payments in Trump's indictment
Three "catch and kill" accusations involving the suppression of negative stories comprise the pattern of behavior alleged in the indictment of former President Trump.
Tennessee Republicans expel two of three Democratic lawmakers who protested on House floor
The Tennessee state House voted Thursday to expel state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, both Democrats, over their protests in favor of gun reform on the House floor after the recent Nashville school shooting.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
CBC lawmakers call on DOT to address racial inequity in traffic enforcement | CNN Politics
Over two dozen members of the powerful Congressional Black Caucus are calling on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to address concerns about the safety of Black motorists.
www.cnn.com
Juror in Proud Boys case fears she might be being followed: report
A member of the federal jury in a case regarding five Proud Boys connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol is worried that she may be being followed, CNN reported Thursday. The news netw…
thehill.comTennessee's GOP-led House votes to expel Democrat Justin Jones from legislature for his role in gun protest
Tennessee's Republican-led House on Thursday voted to expel Democratic Rep. Justin Jones for his role in last week's protest calling for gun control.
Catholic church in Maryland slammed after sex abuse report
While the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore has touted its transparency in publishing the names of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse, a report released this week by the Maryland attorney general raises questions about whether the church’s list is incomplete.
apnews.comGOP lawmakers in Tennessee expel two Democrats over mass shooting protest
Lawmakers voted to expel two young Black representatives, but the motion to expel a White legislator failed by one vote.
www.cbsnews.com
Nashville police saw 'terrible things' at school shooting
The police officers who took down the Nashville school shooter recall their harrowing experience.
www.bbc.com
Polish-Ukrainian friendship masks a bitter, bloody history
Poland has emerged as one Ukraine’s most ardent supporters during Russia’s invasion despite historical grievances between the neighboring nations that stir up bad feelings to this day.The tensions between the country at war and its staunch ally were acknowledged Wednesday when Ukrainian...
apnews.com
California dermatologist indicted on charges of poisoning tea with drain cleaner
A California dermatologist was indicted on Wednesday on charges of repeatedly poisoning her husband by putting drain cleaner in his tea.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Supreme Court refuses to reinstate West Virginia ban on transgender student sports participation
The Supreme Court has denied West Virginia's request to reinstate a law banning trans students from participating in sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
France's Macron, EU chief call on China to mediate in Ukraine war
Two of Europe's top political heavyweights on Thursday held talks with China's President Xi Jinping at a time when the EU-Sino relationship is at a crossroads.
Samsung flags 96 percent plunge in profit amid chip slump
South Korean tech giant says it will make ‘meaningful’ cuts to chip production amid global economic slowdown.
Microchips or microgreens? Oregon tweaks farm protection law
Oregon is changing a half-century-old land-use law to make room for semiconductor development and gain an edge in attracting the multi-billion-dollar industry, upsetting farmers who see their livelihoods at risk.
apnews.com
Biden vetoes bill that sought to toss EPA water protections
Defending his administration’s actions on clean water, President Joe Biden on Thursday vetoed a congressional resolution that would have overturned protections for the nation’s waterways that Republicans have criticized as overly intrusive
Dirty money: Ex-lawmaker gets 2 years for cesspool bribes
A former Hawaii lawmaker has been sentenced to two years in prison in a federal corruption case that’s drawn attention to a perennial problem in the islands: the tens of thousands of cesspools that release 50 million gallons of raw sewage into the state’s pristine waters every day.
apnews.com
Outright bans on trans student athletes would be barred under proposed Title IX changes
A Department of Education rules change would stop categorical bans on transgender student athletes.
Asian stocks follow Wall Street up ahead of US jobs update
Asian stock markets are following Wall Street higher ahead of a U.S. job market update that traders hope might encourage the Federal Reserve to ease off plans for more interest rate hikes.
apnews.com
Rep. Byron Donalds endorses Trump in 2024 election
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) endorsed former President Trump’s 2024 White House bid on Thursday, taking sides in a race that will likely pit the ex-president against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), t…
thehill.com
Grief wracks parents after Brazilian ax attack kills 4 kids
They sent their seven-year-old to day care Wednesday and plunged into the deepest nightmare of any parent’s life. A man with a hatchet jumped over a wall and burst into a children’s center in southern Brazil, killing Larissa Maia Toldo and three other children who were buried Thursday.
apnews.com
2 former teachers sue Kanye West and Donda Academy, allege wrongful termination
Two former teachers at Ye's Donda Academy are suing the recording artist and entrepreneur and private school, alleging they were wrongfully terminated.
Politics and parenting: Children of liberal parents more likely to be depressed
Children of politically liberal parents are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, lack a sense of life meaning, and have substance abuse issues, according to a family physician with more than 30 years of experience.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Whitmania: Dems eye Michigan gov’s sister for battleground House race
If Liz Whitmer Gereghty runs against the Republican who shockingly upset Democrats’ campaign chief last cycle, her family ties could bring a dose of star power.
www.politico.com
Dramatic photos show how storms filled California reservoirs
FOLSOM, Calif. (AP) — Water levels fell so low in key reservoirs during the depth of California's drought that boat docks sat on dry, cracked land and cars drove into the center of what should have been Folsom Lake.
apnews.com
Alabama lawmakers approve harsher penalties for trafficking fentanyl
Lawmakers in Alabama approved harsher penalties for trafficking fentanyl. The bill would make crimes punishable by up to life imprisonment.
Maine Mom: School wrong to help, hide gender transition
A Maine woman is suing a school district saying a counselor encouraged her teen’s social gender transition without consulting her. The federal lawsuit argues parents’ rights trump state statutes allowing school counselors to keep student gender and sexuality information private.
apnews.com
Supreme Court declines West Virginia's request to enforce transgender athlete ban
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, saying the issue is one that "this court is likely to be required to address in the near future."
www.cbsnews.com
House Judiciary chair subpoenas former prosecutor on Trump's criminal case
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan subpoenaed Mark Pomerantz related to his role in investigating Trump
XXXTentacion's convicted killers sentenced to life in prison
Three men convicted in the 2018 killing of star rapper XXXTentacion were sentenced Thursday to life in prison. Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and Trayvon Newsome were each convicted last month of first-degree murder and armed robbery by a jury following eight days of deliberations.
apnews.com
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 408
As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its 408th day, we take a look at the main developments.
One Romanian family's fatal attempt to reach the US
What drove the Iordache family to make a desperate bid to reach the US from Canada?
www.bbc.com
Fear, grief after killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee: 'Everybody is talking about it'
"You have people talking about carrying pepper spray," a local employee said.
EPA proposal takes on health risks near US chemical plants
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed that chemical plants nationwide measure certain hazardous compounds that cross beyond their property lines and reduce them when they are too high.
apnews.com
Clarence Thomas has accepted undisclosed luxury trips from GOP megadonor for decades, report says
Thomas has previously come under fire from ethics experts and other critics over the political activities of his wife, Ginni Thomas.
In India, mangrove trees make way for booming city of Kochi
KOCHI, India (AP) — Burrowed between mangroves and a bustling skyline, 70-year-old Rajan, who only uses one name, reminisces about his old home.
apnews.com
White House highlights crisis hotline for 'LGBTI+ kids' in response to state bans on transgender treatments
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre encouraged "LGBTQI+ kids" to contact the national crisis hotline if they are distressed by recent laws banning transgender procedures for children.
Bill to limit Gov. Cooper's sway on key panels clears Senate
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina General Assembly would get to choose many more members of several powerful state commissions, under legislation approved by the Republican-controlled Senate on Thursday.
apnews.com
New data raises concerns over global sea level: study
A new study into how quickly ice sheets melted at the end of the last ice age is raising alarm over how quickly sea levels could rise in today’s warming world. Parts of a large, ancient ice s…
thehill.com
Man kills hostage at California park after wounding officer
Authorities say a man fleeing police in Northern California took two hostages at a public park, killing one of them before surrendering, after earlier wounding a California Highway Patrol officer.
apnews.com
Thousands flee into Thailand amid renewed Myanmar fighting
Unrest has deepened in Myanmar since the military seized power from the elected government in February 2021.
ICE arrests retired Salvadoran military officer accused of involvement in massacre
More than 1,000 adults and children were killed there in 1981 by the military searching for an alleged training camp.
www.nbcnews.com
Maryland lawmakers approve AG prosecution powers over police
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland General Assembly approved a measure on Thursday to give the state’s attorney general independent authority to bring criminal charges against police officers after investigating deaths when officers are involved.
apnews.com
Jordan subpoenas former prosecutor in Trump hush money investigation
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Thursday subpoenaed a former Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecutor who had worked on the office’s investigation into hush money payments from …
thehill.com
Most Detroit residents support reparations ahead of task force meeting
A Michigan survey found that the majority of Detroit residents support reparation payments amid new calls from the city's reparation task force to begin presenting plans.
Fentanyl caused ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper Coolio's death
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office says “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper Coolio suffered an accidental death from the effects of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine last year.
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Here's the real reason to turn on airplane mode when you fly | CNN
Is it true our phones are dangerous for aircraft navigation? An expert explains.
www.cnn.com
Bottle battle: Boston talks of banning tiny bottles of booze
A Boston city councilor has proposed barring city liquor stores from selling the single-serve bottles that hold 100 milliliters or less of booze - both as a way to address alcohol abuse and excessive litter.
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Can Trump run for president from prison? Yes, and it’s been done before.
He could follow the playbook of the socialist firebrand Eugene V. Debs, who in 1920 received nearly a million votes while behind bars.
www.politico.com
Search underway for man convicted of murder who left Atlanta correctional facility
A manhunt is underway in Georgia for a man convicted of murder who apparently left an Atlanta correctional facility while on parole.
Harris promotes huge community solar deal in Georgia visit
The Biden administration has unveiled what it calls the largest community solar effort in U.S. history, enough to power 140,000 homes and businesses in three states.
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China imposes further sanctions on Taiwan's U.S. representative
"Wow, the PRC (People's Republic of China) just sanctioned me again, for the second time," Hsiao tweeted in response to the announcement.
Fear of economic ‘lost decade’ hangs over world leaders in Washington
Tensions are rising, with rich nations furiously hiking interest rates to kill inflation but creating crushing debt burdens in the developing world.
www.politico.com
In Bahamas, conch fishing is way of life. But for how long?
The potential loss of conch in the Bahamas reflects the threat overfishing poses around the world to traditional foods. Nowhere is as synonymous with a seafood as the Bahamas is with conch, a marine snail whose shell and image are seen throughout the island nation.
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House GOP fires off first subpoena in probe of Trump indictment
The summons sparked a fresh rebuke from Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s office, which called it part of “an unprecedented campaign of harassment and intimidation.”
www.politico.com
Supreme Court blocks West Virginia from implementing 'Save Women's Sports' law as state battles ACLU
The Supreme Court denied an appeal from West Virginia to keep a law in place that bans biological boys from playing on girls' sports teams while the state fights the American Civil Liberties Union in court.
Israel hits Gaza as Netanyahu vows to extract ‘heavy price’
It was the latest signs of rising tensions during a sensitive holiday period. Similar fighting in 2021 led to an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas.
www.politico.com
LSU's national championship women's team honored with parade
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU star forward Angel Reese sat in the back of an orange convertible Corvette, waving to thousands of fans lining the roadside — and also waving her hand in front of her face from time to time, repeating a gesture that caused a stir at the end of the national championship ga
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Jerry Brown Is Angry: Why Is America Barreling Into a Cold War With China?
The ultimate elder statesman sees huge economic consequences to a superpower decoupling: “Another serious banking failure, mortgage meltdown . . . We can’t stabilize the world economy without China.”
www.politico.com
Stormy Daniels on watching Trump indictment: 'The king has been dethroned'
Former adult film actress Stormy Daniels sat down for a 90-minute interview with Fox Nation and referred to former President Trump as a "king" who has been "dethroned."
Champion LSU women accepting Biden invitation to White House
LSU’s national champion women’s basketball team will accept an invitation from President Joe Biden to visit the White House. University spokesman Michael Bonnette confirmed LSU’s intentions on the matter on Thursday, a day after Tigers star forward Angel Reese suggested during a podcast...
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Covid origins: Chinese scientists publish long-awaited data
A peer-reviewed study connects the virus with animals sold in the market linked with early cases.
www.bbc.com
What to know about the XBB.1.16 COVID variant causing concern in India
The WHO is monitoring a new COVID-19 subvariant that has been spreading in India and is beginning to pop up in the United States.
CDC asks doctors to look out for potential cases of a deadly Ebola-like disease
The CDC sent an alert to U.S. clinicians and public health departments about Marburg virus because of outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.
www.nbcnews.com
FDA forces unproven premature birth drug Makena off market
The Food and Drug Administration is ordering an unproven drug intended to prevent premature births off the market. The decision announced Thursday follows years of delays by drugmaker Covis Pharma, which repeatedly asked the FDA for more time to study the drug.
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Eating too much 'free sugar' has 45 negative health effects, study finds | CNN
A large study has found links between added sugar consumption and 45 negative health outcomes. Here’s how to reduce your intake.
www.cnn.com
Florida lawmakers, and DeSantis, charge ahead on 6-week abortion ban
The governor's support may seem politically risky, especially after Tuesday’s Supreme Court election in Wisconsin. But he's been backing restrictive abortion policy for years.
www.politico.com
A new approach to a Covid-19 nasal vaccine shows early promise | CNN
Scientists in Germany say they’ve been able to make a nasal vaccine that can shut down a Covid-19 infection in the nose and throat, where the virus gets its first foothold in the body.
www.cnn.com
No Wisconsin wake-up call: Republicans go full steam ahead on abortion restrictions
Party operatives are growing openly worried.
www.politico.com
Novel treatment shows promise against rare cancer in kids
A novel treatment using supercharged immune cells appears to work against tumors in children with a rare kind of cancer. Researchers reported the finding Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
apnews.com
Starbucks customers are complaining about stomach issues from new olive oil-infused coffee
For those unfamiliar, the new coffee drinks, which debuted Feb. 21 in limited markets, are infused with Partanna cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.
www.nbcnews.com
Idaho governor signs 'abortion trafficking' bill into law
Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed a bill into law that makes it illegal for an adult to help a minor get an abortion without parental consent. The law is the first of its kind in the U.S. and creates a new crime of “abortion trafficking,” barring adults from obtaining abortion pills for a minor...
apnews.com
US health officials aim to 'transform' Alzheimer's disease research with $300 million data platform | CNN
The US National Institute on Aging is moving forward with efforts to build a real-world Alzheimer’s disease database as part of its aim to improve, support and conduct more dementia research.
www.cnn.com
Brain scans show how different factors can influence obesity in men and women
Understanding the differences, researchers say, could have implications for more targeted approaches to weight loss.
www.nbcnews.com
Gun violence in the US has become more lethal, research suggests | CNN
A record number of people are dying from firearm injuries in the US, and new research suggests that shootings are becoming more lethal, too.
www.cnn.com
