In The News

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued its first public safety alert in six years in an attempt to stop the sale of deadly, fake fentanyl pills being sold on social media and e-commerce platforms.  “The amount of fentanyl... Read More

HARTFORD, Conn. — On Dec. 1, Connecticut began accepting applications from residents who want to participate in the state’s new paid family and medical leave program. Claims are being accepted for qualifying events that are happening on or after Jan.... Read More

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new congressional district map approved by California’s independent redistricting commission late Monday night appears to favor Democrats while making it slightly harder for Republican incumbents to get reelected. "We have reached the finish line for the... Read More

WASHINGTON — The blue economy is a critical subset of the ocean economy, according to Jason Scorse, director of the Center for the Blue Economy. And while some people may use the terms blue economy and ocean economy synonymously, he... Read More

WASHINGTON — Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., the first Mexican American woman and the first Latina Democrat elected to Congress, will not seek re-election in 2022. In a statement released Monday night, Roybal-Allard said serving her constituents “has been the single... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday will unveil an aggressive plan to address the stunning surge in highly infectious new omicron variant cases, including getting up to 1,000 military medical professionals to help in overwhelmed hospitals and making 500... Read More

WASHINGTON — Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., among the most prominent of House moderates since flipping a battleground district four years ago, announced Monday she will not seek reelection in 2022. In a video message to her constituents, Murphy said she... Read More

NEW YORK — Goldman Sachs downgraded its growth forecast for the U.S. economy in the wake of Sen. Joe Manchin’s announcement during a televised interview that he will not support President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan. In a note... Read More

DAVOS, Switzerland — For the second year in a row, the coronavirus is wreaking havoc on the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos. The organization, which has been hosting the high-profile networking event for business executives, world leaders and... Read More

WASHINGTON — Over 227 million Americans play video games, according to a survey of the Entertainment Software Association. But while people want to play games for fun, industry sees games as a powerful communication tool that can inspire players to... Read More

Moderna said Monday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine should offer protection against the rapidly spreading omicron variant. Moderna said lab tests showed the half-dose booster shot increased by 37 times the level of so-called neutralizing antibodies able... Read More

DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — Stacey Abrams, who built her national reputation by advocating for voting rights, is calling on Congress to take action on federal voting rules as the Democrat launches a second bid to become Georgia's governor. Senators including Georgia Democrat... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said Sunday he cannot back his party's signature $2 trillion social and environment bill, seemingly dealing a fatal blow to President Joe Biden's leading domestic initiative heading into an election year when Democrats'... Read More

ATLANTA (AP) — Johnny Isakson, an affable Georgia Republican politician who rose from the ranks of the state legislature to become a U.S. senator known as an effective, behind-the-scenes consensus builder, died Sunday. He was 76.  Isakson's son John Isakson... Read More

SAN ANTONIO — Although the last Child Tax Credit payments were issued on Wednesday, social justice scholars like Rajni Shankar-Brown of Stetson University believe the program’s benefits far outweigh its costs. The Child Tax Credit was expanded earlier this year... Read More

LANSING, Mich. — A number of media organizations are suing Michigan’s redistricting commission over its members’ decision to hold a closed-door meeting in October and then bar disclosure of several memos citing attorney-client privilege.  The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press,... Read More

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The November general election in Ohio ended with 18 local races in ties, meaning they had to be decided by either a coin flip or some similar method, the Ohio secretary of state’s office announced Friday. The... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration should extend tariffs on solar panel modules and cells an additional four years to safeguard U.S.-based solar panel manufacturers, a U.S. trade panel said. Former President Donald Trump established the duties on Chinese-made photovoltaic modules... Read More

WASHINGTON — Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has rejected a plan by Democrats to include several immigration policy reforms in the $2 trillion Build Back Better Act currently on hold in the chamber. MacDonough ruled against providing work permits and protections... Read More

NEW YORK — New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams will square off against Rep. Thomas Suozzi, D-N.Y., and incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022’s gubernatorial primary election. A Brooklyn native, Williams received a bachelor of arts degree in political... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communication Commission hosted an opening meeting on Wednesday to consider proposed rule changes to the Emergency Alert System, E-Rate program and spectrum sharing for low-earth orbit satellite systems. The meeting was attended by FCC Chairwoman Jessica... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday permanently removed a major obstacle for women seeking abortion pills, eliminating a long-standing requirement that they pick up the medication in person. Millions of American women will now be able... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Joe Manchin’s reluctance to endorse the Biden administration’s expanded child tax credit program is rippling through his home state of West Virginia. Manchin, a moderate Democrat, is one of the last holdouts delaying passage of President... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Thursday announced a plan to increase the number of commercial truck drivers in a bid to alleviate supply chain gridlock. The plan includes assistance to state motor vehicle departments to issue more commercial licenses,... Read More

FAUQUIER COUNTY, Va. — A Virginia judge ruled last week that a hospital has no authority to block a family’s choice to be treated for COVID-19 with the controversial drug ivermectin. The drug is not approved by the Food and... Read More

ATLANTA — People getting vaccinated against COVID-19 should be offered Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots rather than those containing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to an increased risk of blood clots in young and middle-aged women, a Centers for Disease... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Government Accountability Office released a report Thursday detailing the use and oversight of less-lethal force by federal agencies during last year’s riotous civil demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon.  The report, which was commissioned by the... Read More

WASHINGTON – After nearly 10 years in Congress, Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., has decided not to run for re-election in 2022. “It is time to pass the baton,” Lowenthal said in a statement to his constituents. “It is time to... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has signed a bill raising the debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion, setting aside with the stroke of his pen the daunting prospect that the nation  would default on its debts. The White House announced the... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week despite signs that the U.S. labor market is rebounding from last year's coronavirus recession. Jobless claims rose by 18,000 to a 206,000, still low by historical... Read More