Messages: Officer often fed information to Proud Boys leader
WASHINGTON (AP) — A police officer frequently provided Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio with internal information about law enforcement operations in the weeks before other members of his far-right extremist group stormed the U.S. Capitol, according to messages shown Wednesday at the trial of Tarrio and four associates.
White supremacist gets life in prison for Buffalo massacre
A white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket has been sentenced to life parole.
apnews.com
CBO says U.S. will breach debt ceiling ‘between July and September’
But the Treasury Department will make the final decision, and it is currently sticking with a June 5 deadline set by Secretary Janet Yellen to raise the debt ceiling or risk default.
www.nbcnews.com
Nikki Haley calls for politicians over 75 to face 'mental competency tests'
While announcing her campaign for president, Nikki Haley called for politicians over the age of 75 to take “mental competency tests” to hold public office.
Senate Democrats propose adopting McConnell's 2011 plan to deal with debt ceiling
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) proposed adopting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's 2011 plan to solve the debt ceiling crisis.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
China threatens US entities over downing of balloon
China says it will enact measures against U.S. entities related to the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the American East Coast.
apnews.com
MSU suspect's handguns were legally purchased
Updates on the mass shooting that took place at Michigan State University on the night of Feb. 13, 2023.
Americans’ dissatisfaction with gun laws at new high: Gallup poll
A majority of Americans surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with current gun laws in the U.S. amid a recent string of mass shootings affecting the country, according to a new Gallup poll. The poll, …
thehill.com
Haley calls for generational change in launching 2024 bid
Republican Nikki Haley has kicked off her 2024 presidential campaign. She's highlighting her biography while trying to sidestep the looming presence of her onetime boss, former President Donald Trump.
apnews.com
Study shows 'striking' number who believe news misinforms
A new survey shows fully half of Americans indicate they believe national news organizations intend to mislead, misinform or persuade the public to adopt a point of view.
apnews.com
U.S. could default as soon as July if the debt limit isn't addressed, Congressional Budget Office report says
In January, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sent a letter to congressional leaders telling them the U.S. had hit the $31.4 trillion debt limit.
www.cbsnews.com
EU announces new Russia sanctions package; Ukrainian children sent to Russian 're-education' camps, study says
A new report from the Conflict Observatory details the Kremlin's systemic efforts to abduct Ukrainian children.
Black conservatives rally around Kari Lake for refusing to stand for Black national anthem at Super Bowl
Black conservatives Larry Elder and Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, defended Kari Lake over her decision not to stand for the Black national anthem ahead of Super Bowl LVII on Sunday.
Under pressure, Biden considering speech on Chinese spy balloon, other objects shot down
The president has yet to extensively address the Chinese spy balloon or the three unidentified objects taken down over North American airspace.
Turkey earthquake: How are people reacting to state response?
As people wait to see what they’ll be able to reclaim of their lives, their reactions range from anger to understanding.
Ukraine aid support softens in the US: AP-NORC Poll
Support among the American public for providing Ukraine weaponry and direct economic assistance has softened as the Russian invasion nears a grim one-year milestone.
apnews.com
Judge to Trump: Too late to offer DNA to rebut rape claim
A New York federal judge says former President Donald Trump missed his chance to use his DNA to try to prove he didn't rape a longtime magazine advice columnist.
apnews.com
Clarence Thomas called an 'Uncle Tom' by Georgia lawmaker during statue vote
A black Democratic lawmaker from Georgia called Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas an "Uncle Tom" who “sold his soul to the slave master” during a vote over whether to erect a statue in the judge's home state.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Al Sharpton says Ron DeSantis trying to 'erase Black history' amid AP course controversy
Rev. Al Sharpton led an event in Tallahassee, Florida to protest Ron DeSantis' rejecting the College Board's AP African American Studies high school course.
Debt ceiling negotiations leave GOP few options. Where can they cut (and where can't they)?
Even with an aggressive approach, Congress will have trouble trimming more than $50 billion as social security and Medicare are protected.
www.usatoday.com
A view from the town bearing the brunt of Russia's grinding assault
NBC News’ Richard Engel reports from Bakhmut, a city being shelled relentlessly by President Vladimir Putin's forces.
www.nbcnews.com
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene rejects ‘Bush in heels’ Haley
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) labeled former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley a “Bush in heels,” likening the newly-minted presidential candidate to former President George W. Bush — who repre…
thehill.com
Biden outlines plans to cut U.S. deficit by $2 trillion over the next decade
Wednesday's speech is the latest in a string he's given on his plan to, in his words, "build an economy from the bottom up and the middle out."
Sam Brinton, nonbinary former Biden nuclear official, released without bail in luggage theft case
Sam Brinton, a nonbinary former Biden administration nuclear waste official, was released without bail in a luggage theft case Wednesday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Buffalo mass shooting gunman apologizes, sentenced to life without parole
An avowed white supremacist on Wednesday apologized to the families of the 10 Black people he fatally shot last year at a western New York grocery store before being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole during a chaotic and emotional hearing.
Harris on China balloon episode: I don’t think it impacts our relations
In an interview, the VP also addressed judicial reforms in Israel, the state of the war in Ukraine, and her future on the Democratic ticket.
www.politico.com
Infographic: How much have NATO members spent on Ukraine?
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the 30 members of the alliance have committed at least $80bn of aid to Kyiv.
'He’s young': Palin calls on DeSantis to sit out 2024 and stay governor
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) encouraged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to sit out the 2024 presidential battle and continue serving as governor.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
GOP subpoenas tech CEOs as part of probe into censorship
Subpoenas have been sent to the chief executives of the five largest tech companies as congressional Republicans moved to investigate what they assert is widespread corporate censorship of conservative voices.House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan issued the subpoenas Wednesday as the latest in a serie
apnews.com
Ohio train crash leaves small town fearful of toxic fumes and confused
People in East Palestine question their safety after the community was exposed to noxious chemicals.
www.bbc.comAs Lawmakers Spar Over Social Security, Its Costs Are Rising Fast
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden scored an early political point this month in his fight with congressional Republicans over taxes, spending and raising the federal debt limit: He forced Republican leaders to profess, repeatedly, that they will not seek cuts to Social Security and Medicare. In...
Ukraine pounded by missiles, Russia eyes capturing Bakhmut by April
Russia rained missiles across Ukraine on Thursday and struck its largest oil refinery, Kyiv said, while the head of the Wagner mercenary group predicted the long-besieged city of Bakhmut would fall within a couple of months.
Pence says he will fight subpoena as far as Supreme Court
Former Vice President Mike Pence says he'll challenge a subpoena by the special counsel overseeing investigations into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
apnews.com
Why Nikki Haley thinks she can beat Trump in Republican race
She's banking on Republicans looking for something different, but can she pull it off?
www.bbc.comWitnesses in Georgia Trump probe suspected of lying, raising more questions in closely watched inquiry
The Georgia grand jury that investigated former President Donald Trump reported concerns witnesses "may have lied under oath," according to judge.
Debt limit forecast says US could be in default by summer. Here's how that could impact you
The Treasury will run out of money to pay US bills llike Social Security and military paychecks this summer; there's no exact day yet, the CBO said.
www.usatoday.com
Russian bombers intercepted by NORAD near Alaska
Several Russian strategic bombers and fighter jets were intercepted by North American air defence forces as they flew over international airspace near Alaska, the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) said, in routine incidents unrelated to tensions over the war in Ukraine.
Parkland dad slams Biden: 'Don't use my daughter's death to advance your political agenda'
Ryan Petty, whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland, Florida, shooting, slammed President Biden for using the fifth anniversary of the massacre to push gun control measures.
US tracked Chinese balloon from launch, may have accidentally drifted: Official
U.S. agencies tracked the Chinese spy balloon from launch and watched as it may have been inadvertently blown into U.S. airspace, a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News.
Russian journalist gets 6 years in penal colony over Ukraine war
The Kremlin has banned the spread of ‘false information’ or criticism about the Russian army during the war in Ukraine.
FEC tells George Santos to name campaign treasurer or face ban on fundraising and spending
Santos has faced bipartisan calls to resign since admitting he lied about key details of his biography. He is being investigated by numerous entities.
Rep. Gaetz says no charges for him in sex trafficking case
Rep. Matt Gaetz says the Justice Department has ended a sex trafficking case with no charges against him.
apnews.com
Trump campaign ties Haley to Hillary Clinton and Paul Ryan after 2024 launch speech
Former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign wasted no time going after his first official major GOP rival Nikki Haley following her campaign kick-off speech Wednesday.
www.washingtonexaminer.comWho is Fani Willis, the 'pit bull' prosecutor weighing Trump charges?
Fani Willis, the district attorney in Georgia's Fulton County who is pursuing a criminal investigation of Donald Trump over his contacts with state officials concerning the 2020 U.S. election, has been described as a "pit bull in the courtroom." That would be the kind of tenacity Willis, 51...
Sex-trafficking investigation into Republican Matt Gaetz dropped
The US justice department will not bring charges after a two-year investigation into the congressman.
www.bbc.com
Confusion abounds on UFO origins
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense & National Security Defense & National Security The Big Story More questions than answers on UFOs It’…
thehill.comTesla agrees to open chargers to public amid White House electric vehicle push
Drivers of rival carmakers’ vehicles will be able to use at least 7,500 Tesla chargers by the end of 2024 under the deal administration officials announced Wednesday.
www.politico.com
George Santos was interviewed by police in 2017 international credit card fraud probe
The investigation began when another man was caught removing a skimming device from a Seattle ATM.
www.cbsnews.comThe workers who are supposed to lead the US response to the climate crisis are feeling 'burned out'
Workers at the Environmental Protection Agency say a staffing crisis undercuts the Biden administration's climate agenda.
GOP senators point to Biden admin cost-cutting measures, ask Buttigieg for answers after Ohio train derailment
Senators JD Vance and Marco Rubio sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asking whether government policies may have led to the Ohio train derailment.
Michigan State students' training kicked in during shooting
When the texts began coming in about a shooter at Michigan State University, training that many students started receiving as schoolchildren automatically kicked in.
apnews.com
Woman who allegedly harassed Latino family to appear in court after Ring video goes viral
A woman who has been accused of harrassing a Latino family will appear in court.
Russia claims minor Ukraine progress; Kyiv readies offensive
Russian forces are claiming some battlefield success as Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine labors to gain momentum almost a year after it began.
apnews.comFact check: False claim Biden asked Chinese president for permission to down spy balloon
A White House spokesperson told USA TODAY there's no truth to the claim Biden asked permission from China's president before the U.S. shot the balloon
UN likely to vote Monday on call for Israel to stop settlements, diplomats say
The United Nations Security Council is considering a draft resolution that would demand Israel "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory."
Rep. Jim Jordan subpoenas 5 tech CEOs, including Zuckerberg, Cook, over alleged suppression
Rep. Jim Jordan, a key House Republican chairman, subpoenaed CEOs of tech companies Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft on Wednesday.
www.usatoday.com
Judge says 'no mercy,' victim's families vent their anger as Buffalo mass shooter sentenced to life
The teenager who murdered 10 people in a racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo is set to be sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison,
Jim Justice crushes Joe Manchin in 2024 Senate contest: Poll
Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) may be the GOP's trump card in the long-standing race to unseat Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Brazilian police seize assets from illegal Amazon gold mining
Police operation comes as President Lula da Silva promises to crack down on illegal commercial activity in the Amazon.
War in Ukraine at 1 year: Pain, resilience in global economy
One year after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the global economy is still enduring the consequences — crunched supplies of grain, fertilizer and energy along with more inflation and economic uncertainty in a world already contending with too much of both.
apnews.com
Two Democrats want McConnell’s 2011 debt-ceiling fix proposal to be adopted
Two Democratic senators called on Congress to adopt a proposal that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) made in 2011 to address a standoff over raising the debt ceiling, which would gran…
thehill.comHunter Biden's art dealer to House Republicans: Ask president's son about painting sales
Hunter Biden's artwork prices, as well as who purchased his paintings, are focuses of a House GOP investigation into President Joe Biden's family.
Biden refers to Maryland's first Black governor by racially-charged term during remarks on economy
President Biden on Wednesday referred to Wes Moore, the Black governor of Maryland, as "boy" during his remarks on the economy before an audience of IBEW workers.
States' push to define sex decried as erasing trans people
A bill in Kansas and similar legislation in at least seven other states have LGBTQ-rights advocates worrying about a sweeping Republican-led effort to erase the legal existence of transgender men and women.
apnews.com
Nikki Haley swipes at 'faded names' in bid for Republican 2024 nomination
Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley took a veiled swipe at her former boss Donald Trump as she made her first stop in a campaign for the 2024 presidential nomination.
Dem compares Clarence Thomas to an 'Uncle Tom' as Georgia Senate approves statue of SCOTUS justice
The Georgia Senate approved a proposal to install a statue of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the Georgia state Capitol, triggering backlash from Democrats.
Charges dismissed against reporter arrested at Ohio train derailment
Trespassing and resisting arrest charges were dismissed Wednesday against NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert.
Top police official slams bill calling for ban on use of K-9s on racial grounds
A leading national police official has attacked California lawmakers over a new bill seeking to ban police dogs in situations involving arrests or crowd control on racial grounds.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Antarctica Doomsday Glacier: ‘We should all be very concerned’
Melting of the Florida-sized glacier is of grave concern, with the potential for significant global sea level rise.
UN agencies seek $5.6B to help Ukraine, its refugees abroad
The U.N.’s humanitarian aid and refugee agencies say they are seeking $5.6 billion to help millions of people in Ukraine and 10 countries that have taken in fleeing Ukrainians in the wake of Russia’s invasion of their country nearly a year ago.
apnews.comBally's Casino Proposal May Hinge on Removal of One Word: Trump
For years, anyone going across the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge in New York has had to cast their eyes on former President Donald Trump’s surname, emblazoned in paving stones at the entrance to the public golf course he controls in the Bronx. For most New Yorkers, it is a peculiar, particular affront...
Ohio cleaning up toxic train derailment as pollution 'plume' moves downstream
Cleanup is moving quickly after a train carrying toxic materials derailed in Ohio 11 days ago, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said on Tuesday, while residents and observers questioned the health impacts of pollution that spilled into the Ohio River.
House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan subpoenas big tech CEOs over user speech
House Republicans have been trying to glean information from the biggest tech companies for months.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump celebrates Scottish leader’s plan to resign: ‘Good riddance’
Former President Trump on Wednesday celebrated Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon’s surprise announcement that she’s stepping down after eight years in power, saying “good riddance” as she leaves the …
thehill.com
The town that didn't collapse: How a tiny Turkish city avoided the earthquake's destruction
Residents and officials say Erzin suffered no deaths and saw no buildings collapse, and they credit a long-standing policy not to allow construction that violated the country’s codes.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden's empathy shapes policy, but some voters don't feel it
President Joe Biden often frames his public words and policies as aimed at easing the struggles of everyday Americans, speaking often of parents who strive to pay the bills and provide stability for their children.
apnews.com
Liberals, NAACP activists target Nikki Haley with debunked claim that she avoids 'brown-person-sounding' name
Liberal activists are ramping up attacks on Nikki Haley after her highly anticipated presidential announcement, posting false claims that she is hiding behind an ethnic name to fit in.
Texas sheriff tells Congress nearly 2,000 Mexican drug cartel drones are swarming US skies
AUSTIN, Texas — A county sheriff plans to sound the alarm before Congress about mass incursions of unidentified flying objects illegally entering U.S. airspace from Mexico, piloted by cartels and used to spy on federal agents working near the international border.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
DeWine on company behind Ohio chemical spill: We will ‘hold their feet to the fire’
The train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3 was operated by Norfolk Southern, a rail corporation based in Atlanta.
www.politico.com
Trump parts with TV ad maker as firm’s partner goes to Haley
Jamestown Associates made ads for Trump in 2016 and 2020 — but not 2024.
www.politico.comIn jab at Trump and Biden, Nikki Haley calls for 'mental competency tests' for politicians over 75
In a not-so-subtle dig at former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley proposed "mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old" during Wednesday's announcement that she was seeking the Republican presidential nomination.
Ukrainian Olympic head on Russian rival: 'He is my enemy'
The presidents of Ukrainian and Russian Olympic committees fought together as teammates at the 1992 Barcelona Games and won a gold medal in fencing for the post-Soviet Unified Team.
apnews.com
The IRS has already issued nearly $16 billion in tax refunds, but your refund may be smaller than last year's
More tax-filers are trying to get their refunds earlier this year as they contend with a difficult economic environment, experts say.
www.nbcnews.com
58 million Americans across 20 states on alert for severe weather
Eighty million Americans across 25 states are on alert for severe weather as a major winter storm brings heavy snow, high winds and tornado threat.
Nicola Sturgeon quits to let new leader build case for Scottish independence
Nicola Sturgeon resigned as Scottish first minister on Wednesday, saying her dominance over her party and the country was no longer the asset it once was in the fight for an independent Scotland.
Messages: Officer often fed information to Proud Boys leader
A jury has heard testimony about Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio's private communications with a police officer who provided him with internal information about law enforcement operations in the weeks before members of Tarrio's far-right extremist group stormed the U.S.
apnews.com
Buffalo shooting: Relative lunges at gunman before sentencing
Family members affected by the shooting in Buffalo, NY, speak before a life sentence is handed down.
www.bbc.com
Nikki Haley’s Israel advocacy defined her tenure at UN: Advocates
The former US envoy to the UN, who is seeking the White House in 2024, has a history of lauding and defending Israel.
Unemployment likely to surge this year, CBO says
U.S. debt is projected to almost double to $46.4 trillion in 2033, partly due to higher costs for Social Security.
www.cbsnews.comHow do you challenge Trump for the nomination? With Nikki Haley in, let's count the ways.
There's the Anti-Trump, the Next-Generation Trump, the Trump-Without-The-Baggage. Like him or not, former President Donald Trump defines the field.
'I'm gonna stop 'em': Biden savages GOP economic plans in campaign-like speech
President Joe Biden continued his 2024 soft rollout Wednesday in Maryland, where he touted his economic successes and accused Republicans of undermining the post-pandemic recovery.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Distrust over GOP plans for Social Security, Medicare marks rocky start to budget talks
Republican leaders vowing to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits as part of the coming budget battles are running into a wall of skepticism across the aisle, lending a rocky start to the …
thehill.com
Guaranteed income embraced by leaders of some of largest US counties
The Counties for Guaranteed Income hopes to expand cash assistance programs nationwide.
Skinny robot documents forces eroding Doomsday Glacier
A pencil-shaped robot is giving scientists their first look at the forces eating away at the Thwaites glacier in Antarctica.
apnews.com
Some transgender people would be disqualified from military service under new GOP bill
GOP's Marco Rubio and Jim Banks are introducing a "military readiness" bill that would reinstate Trump-era regulations that disqualify certain individuals who identify as transgender.
What are the flying objects shot down by the U.S.? Possible theories explained
Weather balloons, civilian drones and other non-military aerial gadgets are all possible explanations for the mysterious objects the U.S. military has shot out of the sky in the past week, say scientists and atmospheric experts.
China and Mexico refuse to cooperate with US against fentanyl suppliers, federal officials say
China and Mexico have stonewalled “information-sharing” and other “basic" steps to counteract the fentanyl crisis in the United States, according to federal officials.
www.washingtonexaminer.comHaley looks to move past Trump with a style that predates him
The former South Carolina governor is testing the proposition that GOP politics haven’t been irrevocably changed by the president she once served.
www.politico.com
Things to know about Nikki Haley, GOP presidential hopeful
Republican Nikki Haley has joined the 2024 race for president. The 51-year-old is the first major rival to former President Donald Trump, with whom she has had a hot-and-cold relationship.
apnews.com
Nikki Haley leaps into 2024 GOP presidential primary at packed campaign rally
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley formally kicks off her 2024 Republican presidential campaign, joining former President Donald Trump as the only major GOP contenders in the race
Ted Cruz calls McConnell's dispute with GOP Sen. Rick Scott 'petty bickering' as GOP senators urge them to mend their rift
Scott said McConnell has taken "Biden's position" on his legislative plan. Ted Cruz and other Republican senators are tired of the "petty bickering."
FTX founder's bail signatories include 2 family friends
Two Stanford University academics signed on to FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's $250 million bail package, enabling him to live with his parents while awaiting trial on fraud charges.
apnews.com
Ukraine shoots down Russian ‘reconnaissance’ balloons
Russia may be using balloons to preserve its decreasing stocks of reconnaissance drones as attrition rates soar.
Justice Department declines to charge Rep. Matt Gaetz in sex trafficking probe
Career federal prosecutors informed witnesses of the decision Wednesday.
www.cbsnews.com
How people survive for days under earthquake rubble as survivors are found in Turkey, Syria
As more survivors are found following the catastrophic earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, experts reveal how people can survive while trapped for days under rubble.
CBO projects higher unemployment, slow exit from inflation
The Congressional Budget Office says it expects the U.S. economy to stagnate this year. It projects that the unemployment rate will jump to 5.1% — a bleak outlook that was paired with a 10-year projection that publicly held U.S. debt would nearly double by 2033.
apnews.comSkies over North America go quiet after 3 days of shootdowns, Austin says
The White House says three objects downed over the weekend are likely "benign."
www.politico.com
Warm water melts weak spots on Antarctica's 'Doomsday Glacier,' say scientists
Scientists studying Antarctica's vast Thwaites Glacier - nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier - say warm water is seeping into its weak spots, worsening melting caused by rising temperatures, two papers published in Nature journal showed on Wednesday.
Deficit set to hit $1.4T this year amid persistent inflation, federal experts say
The Congressional Budget Office predicted inflation will remain above the target rate of 2 percent until 2026, as the deficit widens due to increased spending.
www.politico.comA transgender pharmacist says she felt 'dehumanized' after an Arkansas GOP lawmaker asked her about her genitalia during a public hearing
Republican state Sen. Matt McKee asked pharmacist Gwendolyn Herzig, "Do you have a penis?" during the hearing.
Trump welcomes Nikki Haley into the 2024 race: ‘The more the merrier’
Former President Trump said he is “glad” Nikki Haley is running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination and said she should “not be bound” by her promise not to run against him.
Rep. Barbara Lee files to enter Democratic primary for Feinstein’s seat
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has filed paperwork to run in the California Senate race in 2024, joining what’s expected to be a crowded Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Dianne Feinst…
thehill.com
Alaska carbon plan: Boost state coffers without cutting oil
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is calling for the state to build off its oil and gas expertise to tap into the developing industry of carbon storage as a way to generate new revenue without curtailing the extraction industries that underpin Alaska’s economy.
apnews.com
Ohio train derailment: Officials say water safe to drink after tests
Ohio officials announced that the water in East Palestine was safe to drink after testing was conducted. The announcement comes amid concerns over the impact of the recent train derailment.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Some Democrats call on White House to tell the public more about flying objects
Several Democrats agreed with Republicans that more information should be made available following classified briefings about the flying objects and China.
www.nbcnews.com
Lamar Johnson freed 28 years after wrongful murder conviction
Lamar Johnson's supporters cheered in the courtroom when his murder conviction was overturned.
www.bbc.com
Pence confirms he'll resist subpoena from special counsel in Trump probes
Pence called the subpoena "unconstitutional" and "unprecedented."
www.cbsnews.com
Disinformation Inc: Left-wing groups funneled millions to entity blacklisting conservative news
This is part of a Washington Examiner investigative series on self-styled "disinformation" tracking organizations that are secretly blacklisting and taking steps to defund conservative media outlets. Here is where you can read other stories in the series.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Retail sales jump as Americans defy inflation and rate hikes
America’s consumers rebounded last month from a weak holiday shopping season by boosting their spending at stores and restaurants at the fastest pace in almost two years, underscoring the economy’s resilience in the face of higher prices and multiple interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
apnews.com
Black leaders rally in Tallahassee against Florida’s denial of race studies course
Civil rights activist Al Sharpton led a rally with several hundred people from a local church to the Capitol to protest the DeSantis administration’s objections to the course and recent moves.
www.politico.com
Trump attacks Haley on Medicare, Social Security cuts
Former President Trump on Wednesday attacked new Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, his former United Nations ambassador, for her previous support of cutting Medicare and Social Securit…
thehill.comHouse Republican who pushed 'Marshall Law' to keep Trump in power after January 6 endorses Nikki Haley's 2024 presidential bid
Rep. Ralph Norman went further than other Republicans in his support for Trump. Now, he says the GOP needs "new leadership with a new vision."
New Jersey embraces ‘woke’ label and calls out DeSantis for AP snub
Democratic Party politicians in New Jersey are positioning the state as a "woke" haven and are contrasting the Garden State's education efforts with Republican-controlled Florida.
www.washingtonexaminer.comOhio Republican invites Buttigieg to East Palestine town hall after train derailment: 'I'll save a seat'
An Ohio Republican is calling on Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to attend a town hall meeting in East Palestine, Ohio, to discuss the recent train derailment.
Biden says GOP plans would drive US debt up by $3 trillion
President Joe Biden says Republican policies would blow up the national debt by $3 trillion over 10 years, taking direct aim at GOP lawmakers who say their priority is a balancing the federal budget.
apnews.com
United Nations report identifies new al Qaeda leader with $10 million bounty
Correction: The State Department is offering a $10 million bounty for Saif al-Adel. A previous version of this article contained incorrect information. The United Nations this week identified a new…
thehill.com
Rescues continue after massive earthquake strikes Turkey and Syria
A pre-dawn earthquake, followed by several powerful aftershocks toppled buildings on both sides of the border in southern Turkey and northern Syria.
IRS nominee Werfel faces questioning on 'thankless' job
Senators who have been arguing over how much money to give the IRS and how it should be spent found at least one point of unanimity as they considered President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the agency on Wednesday.
apnews.com
New Jersey governor to set leading clean power target and follow California ban on gas-powered cars
Many of the goals stretch well beyond the time that Murphy, a two-term governor, has left in office.
www.politico.com
Arkansas lawmaker, at a hearing, asks transgender woman if she has a penis
Gasps could be heard from the gallery after the Republican state senator asked a trans health care professional about her genitalia.
www.nbcnews.com
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has "full confidence" Japan will ban LGBTQ discrimination
Activists are urging the government to enact anti-discrimination legislation before Japan hosts the G-7 summit of industrialized nations in Hiroshima in May.
www.cbsnews.comBiden's IRS nominee pledges no tax audit hike on earnings up to $400,000
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden's nominee to run the Internal Revenue service pledged on Wednesday not to raise tax audit rates for U.S. households and small businesses earning less than $400,000 a year as the agency implements $80 billion in new funding for tax compliance. Danny...
El Salvador vows to keep gang crackdown as citizens support safer streets
Some constitutional rights have been suspended under the state of emergency, but the vast majority of people say they approve of the hard-line approach and feel safer.
www.nbcnews.com
High-profile Democrat tells Biden to remove ‘kid gloves’ in dealing with Mexican fentanyl
A senior Senate Democrat frustrated with the Mexican government’s laxed response to the fentanyl epidemic called for the Biden administration to take serious actions against its southern neighbor and force cooperation in the war on drug cartels
www.washingtonexaminer.com
California debates what to do with water from recent storms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Weeks after powerful storms dumped 32 trillion gallons of rain and snow on California, state officials and environmental groups in the drought-ravaged state are grappling with what to do with all of that water.
apnews.com
Rep. Nancy Mace slams Mary Trump for 'racist AF tweet' about Nikki Haley
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., on Wednesday lambasted former President Donald Trump's niece, Mary Trump, for what she described as a racist tweet about 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
Senate Democrats unveil resolution condemning Republicans’ national sales tax proposal
Two Senate Democrats introduced a resolution on Wednesday condemning a proposal that House Republicans issued last month to raise sales taxes to 30 percent and repeal other taxes like income, payro…
thehill.com
Jordan subpoenas Big Tech CEOs for records on 'collusion' with Biden admin to 'suppress free speech'
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan subpoenaed the chief executive officers of Google, Amazon, Facebook and more for documents on “collusion” with Big Tech companies.
Musk + Biden = Tesla chargers for all
www.politico.com
How is fentanyl smuggled in the US? Lawmakers are asking tough questions to stem the flow
Lawmakers are seeking ways to stem the flow of fentanyl into the country as most of the fentanyl in the country is being trafficked into the U.S.
www.usatoday.com
In Iowa, Mike Pence vows to resist special counsel's subpoena in Trump 2020 investigation
In Iowa, former VP Pence vowed to resist special counsel Jack Smith’s subpoena in an investigation into Trump’s efforts to subvert the 2020 election.
www.usatoday.com
West Virginia advances campus gun bill despite student alarm
West Virginia lawmakers have approved a bill that would allow people with concealed carry permits to bring firearms on state college and university campuses.
apnews.comColumn: I don't call myself Latinx, but the conservative war against it is ludicrous
In recent months, GOP members have employed "Latinx" as a wedge issue, with the idea it will drive more Latinos toward their side.
Trump's DNA will not be used in suit by writer who accused him of rape, judge rules
The judge denied an eleventh-hour bid by the former president's lawyers to possibly make his DNA an issue in the case.
www.nbcnews.com
Paul Whelan’s sister speaks out against critics of Brittney Griner swap
Paul Whelan's sister, Elizabeth Whelan, spoke out Wednesday against critics of President Joe Biden's prisoner exchange to secure Brittney Griner's release from Russian detention.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon resigns after 8 years
Sturgeon said she wrestled with the decision, but that the pressure of the job was relentless and that she is a human being as well as a politician.
www.nbcnews.com
Elizabeth Smart recalls her abduction 2 decades ago: 'It couldn't actually be real'
In an exclusive conversation with ABC News, Elizabeth Smart described the night of her abduction from the childhood bedroom she shared with her sister.
Three women, two children pulled from rubble in Turkey, some aid reaches Syria
Two women were pulled from the rubble in Turkey's southern city of Kahramanmaras and a mother and two children were rescued from the city of Antakya on Wednesday, as rescue efforts shifted to getting relief to survivors nine days after a deadly earthquake.
Lawmakers discuss foreign policy tools to stem fentanyl crisis
Lawmakers discussed potential foreign policy changes to counter the fentanyl crisis during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday, emphasizing the need to crack down on Chine…
thehill.com
Party foul: Dem-led NY Senate rejects gov’s top judge pick
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's Senate rejected Gov. Kathy Hochul’s nominee to be the state's chief judge Wednesday, an extraordinary defeat for the state's top Democrat delivered by legislative leaders in her own party.
apnews.comThey're Trying to Topple Trump. But They Barely Utter His Name.
Nikki Haley’s leap into the 2024 presidential campaign this week included a nod to the historic nature of her candidacy, as a woman of color and the child of immigrants making a White House run as a Republican. But beyond biography, the former South Carolina governor’s entry to the race Tuesday...
U.S., Iran holding indirect talks on a possible prisoner exchange
At least three U.S. citizens are being held by Tehran, along with an unknown number of legal U.S. residents.
www.nbcnews.com
‘WE’RE CONSTRAINED’: Pete Buttigieg blames Trump for Ohio train derailment in face of criticism
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg partially blamed the recent derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals on the Trump administration reversing a safety rule.
How China’s spy balloon spurred a rapid shift in US sky patrol
The downing of a Chinese spy balloon over U.S. airspace has forced a rapid recalibration in how the military monitors, tracks and responds to threats from above. The Defense Department said that af…
thehill.com
WATCH: Homeless encampment at Washington's McPherson Square cleared
The National Park Service cleared one of the largest homeless encampments in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, vacating more than 70 people from a large park just blocks from the White House.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Club for Growth defends Rick Scott from McConnell’s ‘false attacks’
The Club for Growth, a prominent conservative advocacy group, is backing Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-Fla.) reelection bid and pushing back against what it says are the “false attacks” of “establishm…
thehill.com
Possible Louisiana gubernatorial candidate resigns from DOTD
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, who is considered a possible Democratic gubernatorial candidate, informed Gov.
apnews.com
Biden’s call to ban assault weapons slammed by 16 attorneys general
President Joe Biden's demands for a ban on assault weapons were called irresponsible and unconstitutional by 16 state attorneys.
www.washingtonexaminer.comRevealed: Mississippi bill would carve out separate judicial district for 80% of white residents in majority-Black city
Republican-proposed jurisdiction fuels allegations of ‘apartheid in Jackson’
Space Force, Space Command pass the buck on UFOs as US airspace security questions swirl
NORAD and NORTHCOM have been taking the lead on information related to the UFOs, while involvement by U.S. space-focused military agencies is not clear.
Unlikely that Kim Jong Un’s daughter is being groomed as successor, South Korea says
Experts question speculation that 10-year-old Kim Ju Ae will one day inherit power in patriarchal North Korea, despite her frequent appearances in public recently.
www.nbcnews.com
Twitter becomes first major social platform to allow weed ads
Mainstream advertising platforms have been reluctant to serve a federally illegal industry, in part due to concerns about existing advertisers not wanting to be positioned next to cannabis ads.
www.politico.com
Justice Department drops sex trafficking probe of Rep. Matt Gaetz without charges, lawyers say
The investigation coincided with Matt Gaetz’s rise to prominence as a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and antagonist to congressional Democrats.
www.usatoday.com
Georgia senators advance bill to restrict vaping in public spaces
Senators in Georgia have advanced a bill that will restrict vaping in public spaces. The bill states that vaping will go under Georgia's 2005 Smokefree Air Act.
North Korea seen launching new ICBM military unit amid troop refurbishment
North Korea may have launched a military unit tasked with operating new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in line with its recent restructuring of the military, state media video footage suggested.
New Jersey to require all new car and truck sales be zero-emission by 2035
Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) said he will move to make all new car and truck sales to be zero-emission by 2035, joining a handful of other states in adopting the ambitious electric vehicle target first set by California.
www.washingtonexaminer.comLauren Boebert Tried To Throw Shade At Rachel Maddow And Got A Stark Reminder
“In a world of Lauren Boeberts, be a Rachel Maddow,” one Twitter user snapped back at the Colorado Republican.
Sharpton to DeSantis: Stop censoring Black history
The Rev. Al Sharpton has led a march to Florida's Capitol to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis’ rejection of a high school African American history course.
apnews.com
How a women's group is spurring 'revolution' in Iran, 45 years after the Islamic Revolution
About 45 years after the Islamic Revolution, a women-led diaspora in France is aiding the current revolution in Iran from afar.
Palin on 2024 race: DeSantis should ‘stay governor’
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) said on Tuesday that she thinks Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) should “stay governor” for the time being, as he continues to attract speculation about a potential …
thehill.com
Kari Lake explains why she only stood for the true national anthem
EXCLUSIVE — Kari Lake should be applauded for standing only for the national anthem. She should be commended for her refusal to acquiesce to outlandish leftist demands.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Illinois governor slams 'demagogues' who attack schools, libraries
JB Pritzker's comments are the latest front in an ongoing feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
www.politico.com
GOP presidential candidates avoid abortion as the 2024 campaign kicks off
Neither former President Donald Trump nor Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, mentioned abortion in their campaign launches.
www.nbcnews.comGavin Newsom Offers Theory On What Happened To His Ex-Wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle
California's Democratic governor said Guilfoyle, now engaged to Donald Trump Jr., was a "different person" when they were married.
Here’s who is running for president in 2024
The 2024 presidential primaries are still months out, but the race for the White House is already underway. Former President Trump became the first candidate to jump into the contest when he announ…
thehill.com
NORAD tracks suspected spy balloons, nuclear missiles and Santa. What to know.
The unique U.S.-Canadian command works to protect the North American continent is now formally known as the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
www.usatoday.com
Trump pick Malpass stepping down as head of the World Bank
David Malpass is stepping down as president of the World Bank, four years after former President Donald Trump picked him to run the 189-nation agency.
apnews.com
Christie on potential DeSantis White House bid: ‘None of us really know who he is’ on national stage
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) says he is not sure how Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) would perform in a presidential contest if he joins the race, saying that “none of us really know who…
thehill.com
NORAD conducts air defense exercise days after Russian aircraft intercepted over Alaska, objects shot down
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, which intercepted four Russian aircraft on Monday, said Wednesday it is holding a planned “air defense” exercise.
California’s lower-income communities enduring more frequent wildfires: study
While California’s wealthy have long been considered most at risk from wildfires, new research suggests that lower-income communities experience such events most frequently. Wildfire managers typic…
thehill.com
Big field, little field: Trump, DeSantis, and the GOP challengers
BIG FIELD, LITTLE FIELD: TRUMP, DESANTIS, AND THE GOP CHALLENGERS. There's been a lot of talk among Republicans about the effect a big primary field might have on the 2024 presidential nomination race. The short version is that a big field is thought to benefit former President Donald Trump, who,…
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Serbian right-wingers rally against Western plan for Kosovo
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Hundreds of Serbian nationalists rallied in Belgrade on Wednesday, demanding that President Aleksandar Vucic rejects a Western plan to normalize ties with breakaway Kosovo and pulls out of negotiations.
apnews.com
House, Senate Republicans battle over possible defense cuts in effort to curb spending
Republicans in the House and Senate have been split over whether or not the defense budget should be on the table as they look for ways to rein in federal spending.
Japan is muscling up and locking arms with allies to face China
Japan seems to have gotten tired of getting pushed around.
thehill.com
Mom arrested after 6-year-old son allegedly brings semi-automatic handgun to school
A mother has turned herself in to police after her 6-year-old son allegedly took a semi-automatic handgun from her room and brought it to his elementary school.
Landlords trade group hires Invariant
The National Apartment Association taps Invariant to help lobby on housing affordability and supply, consumer reporting and fair housing policy, according to the filing.
www.politico.com
Justice strongest candidate against Manchin, GOP poll says
The two-term governor hasn't officially entered the race yet, but a Republican poll shows he's the only one that would beat the incumbent Democrat.
www.politico.com
Republicans push plan tightening Indiana mail voting rules
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Republicans endorsed a new attempt Wednesday to toughen laws on mail-in voting amid the national specter of voter fraud claims despite opponents arguing the steps would unnecessarily add hurdles for people seeking to legally cast election ballots.
apnews.comD.C. police lieutenant delivered pre-Jan. 6 tips from Tarrio to Capitol Police, Proud Boy's lawyer says
The messages were the latest twist in the trial on charges that Tarrio and four other Proud Boys leaders conspired to violently prevent the transfer of power.
www.politico.com
Ukraine claims Russian balloons shot down over Kyiv
Six Russian balloons were spotted over the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, with most shot down by the city’s air defenses, according to Kyiv’s military administration. It’s unknown when the balloons fle…
thehill.com
CNN executive producer for Jake Tapper ousted after affair with subordinate: Report
An executive producer for The Lead with Jake Tapper on CNN has been terminated after it was discovered that he had been engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
What we know so far about the Chinese spy balloon and the other objects the U.S. shot down
The giant spy balloon, taller than the Statue of Liberty, was shot down in U.S. airspace in early February. Three other objects were shot down in the ensuing days.
www.cbsnews.com
Nikki Haley targets Biden administration during 2024 campaign launch: 'Not leading at all'
Nikki Haley took aim at President Biden, who she said is "not leading at all," during a 2024 campaign event in South Carolina on Wednesday.
Blinken off to Europe amid soaring tensions with China
Secretary of State Antony Blinken leaves Washington this week for meetings in Germany, Turkey and Greece.
apnews.com
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' budget proposal will include tax cuts, plan to keep the Brewers in their stadium
Tony Evers will announce a budget proposal that is expected to include a plan to keep the Brewers in their stadium for 20 more years. It will also address tax cuts for the middle class.
Tesla to open part of charging network to other EVs, as Biden officials announce latest steps in expansion of charging stations
The Biden administration announced rules for EV chargers and new commitments from Tesla, GM and others.
www.cbsnews.com
Grassley rips Senate’s sleepy work schedule under Dem leadership: ‘Things need to change’
Sen. Chuck Grassley on Wednesday criticized the Senate's work schedule and said working roughly a half a week each week isn't enough time to manage the government.
Nikki Haley locks down endorsement from key Trump ally after announcing 2024 run
Nikki Haley has secured the endorsement of a key ally of former President Donald Trump.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Israel approves law to strip Arab attackers of citizenship
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a law to strip Arabs convicted in nationalistic attacks of their Israeli citizenship or residency and deport them if they have accepted stipends from the Palestinian Authority.
apnews.com
Appeals court blocks California ban on mandatory arbitration for workers
A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday blocked a California law that prohibited employers from requiring their workers to resolve legal disputes in private arbitration, ruling that it conflicts with a federal arbitration statute.
US officials say it wasn't 'clear' Chinese spy flight 'was coming to' America
U.S. officials told Fox News Digital it was "not clear" that the Chinese spy flight "was coming to" America after tracking the spy balloon since its launch.
338Canada: What happened to Wexit?
Alberta’s new premier has a harness on grievance politics, disarming a minority who want the province to leave Canada.
www.politico.com
Raquel Welch: US actress and model dies at 82
Golden Globe winner Welch has been credited with paving the way for action heroines in Hollywood.
www.bbc.com
Hollywood sex symbol Raquel Welch dies at 82
Raquel Welch, whose emergence from the sea in a skimpy, furry bikini in the film “One Million Years B.C.” would propel her to international sex symbol status throughout the 1960s and ’70s, has died at 82.
apnews.com
WHO to ‘push until we get the answer’ on COVID origins
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says it is ‘crucial’ to know how the coronavirus pandemic started.
Panel backs moving opioid antidote Narcan over the counter
U.S. health advisers say the overdose-reversal drug naloxone should be made available over the counter.
apnews.com
Moderna CEO to testify in senate on proposed vaccine price hike
Senator Bernie Sanders said on Wednesday Moderna Inc's chief executive officer Stéphane Bancel will testify next month in front of the senate on the drugmaker's plans to raise the price of its coronavirus vaccine.
New study suggest people previously infected with COVID-19 could have increased risk for diabetes
A study out of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai suggests that people who have had COVID-19 could stand at an increased risk for new-onset diabetes.
www.cbsnews.com
Governments target medical debt with COVID relief funds
An increasing number of municipal, county and state governments are using federal pandemic relief funds to pay residents’ burdensome medical debt.
apnews.com
Insight: Bird flu spreads to new countries, threatens non-stop 'war' on poultry
Veterinarians and disease experts warn it is now a year-round problem.
Cholera racks the world again
www.politico.com
Red states join push to legalize magic mushrooms for therapy
Lawmakers throughout the United States are weighing proposals to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for people.
apnews.com
Covid infections down, says EU watchdog
Covid-19 infections have fallen significantly in the European Union, the continent's medicines watchdog said Wednesday.
Doctors at Florida hospital say patient care has suffered since HCA's cost cuts
Doctors allege unsanitary surgical instruments, an overflowing ER, roaches in the OR and anesthesiology errors that resulted in patients waking up during surgery.
www.nbcnews.com
Paxlovid Doesn’t Increase Risk of Rebound COVID Infection: Study
People who took the antiviral Paxlovid to treat COVID-19 infections were not more likely to get back-to-back bouts of the virus, a new study shows.
Many Face Months of Lingering Symptoms After COVID Hospital Discharge
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 15, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Most people hospitalized for COVID-19 are taking months to bounce back, a new study confirms.
Three years into the pandemic, nursing home residents are still in Covid’s crosshairs
Scaling back on vaccine clinics and not updating staff vaccine requirements has slowed down booster rates at nursing homes, advocates say.
www.politico.com
Taking a one-time pill may help curb binge drinking, study finds
The medication, Naltrexone, is already approved by the FDA to treat alcohol use disorder.
California Democrats propose $25 minimum wage for health workers
A new bill would set the minimum wage for heath workers and support staffers in the state at $25 per hour.
www.cbsnews.com
COVID-19 effects on California will linger for years | Dan Walters
DAN WALTERS: Gov. Gavin Newsom will soon lift the state of emergency he declared nearly three years ago due to COVID-19, but the negative effects will linger on for many
Idaho woman shares 19-day miscarriage on TikTok, says state's abortion laws prevented her from getting care
Carmen Broesder, 35, from Nampa, Idaho, shared her 19-day long miscarriage on TikTok after she said she was denied care due to Idaho's new abortion ban.
People are using life-saving diabetes drug Ozempic to lose weight. Now it's in short supply.
Social media buzz is driving up demand for the drug, with celebs like Elon Musk hyping its ability to control weight.
www.cbsnews.com
Black patients face historically longer waiting times for kidney transplants due to outdated test
Historically, Black patients have had to wait longer for kidney transplants than other races, in part because of an outdated test that overestimated their kidney function. Now, a new national rule will remove the test, which is seen as racially bias, in determining who gets a transplant. NBC...
www.nbcnews.com
