This Week

2024-03-18 21:13:54
by Tom Ramstack
US Judicial Conference Policy Seeks to Limit Judge Shopping

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Judicial Conference announced a policy last week intended to limit "judge shopping" by activists trying to... Read More

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Judicial Conference announced a policy last week intended to limit "judge shopping" by activists trying to win rulings by judges likely to be biased in their favor. Allegations of judge shopping have been lodged most commonly... Read More

Jones Act Reform Is Not a Party Issue

Many political disagreements divide neatly along party lines, but the protectionist Jones Act isn’t one of them.  In Congress and... Read More

Many political disagreements divide neatly along party lines, but the protectionist Jones Act isn’t one of them.  In Congress and state Capitols across America, politicians from the two major political parties can be found arguing for and against the law, which... Read More

2024-03-18 18:49:01
by TWN Staff
Senators Propose Legislation to Promote Geothermal Energy

WASHINGTON — Members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee have introduced the bipartisan Geothermal Energy Optimization Act designed to... Read More

WASHINGTON — Members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee have introduced the bipartisan Geothermal Energy Optimization Act designed to accelerate the adoption of geothermal energy nationwide. Sens. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev. and Mike... Read More

2024-03-18 18:03:02
by Dan McCue
EPA Finalizes Ban on Ongoing Use of Asbestos

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday finalized a rule to prohibit the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos, the... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday finalized a rule to prohibit the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos currently used in or imported into the United States. The ban is the first to... Read More

Biden to Sign Executive Order Aimed at Advancing Study of Women's Health

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order Monday aimed at advancing the study of... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order Monday aimed at advancing the study of women's health in part by strengthening data collection and providing easier and better funding opportunities for biomedical research. Women make... Read More

A Supreme Court Ruling in a Social Media Case Could Set Standards for Free Speech in the Digital Age

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a busy term that could set standards for free speech in the digital age, the Supreme... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a busy term that could set standards for free speech in the digital age, the Supreme Court on Monday is taking up a dispute between Republican-led states and the Biden administration over how far the federal... Read More

2024-03-15 20:27:03
by Dan McCue
New Report Says There’s Biomass Aplenty to Support Future Aviation Fuel Demand

WASHINGTON — A new analysis from the Department of Energy has found that the United States could sustainably triple its... Read More

WASHINGTON — A new analysis from the Department of Energy has found that the United States could sustainably triple its production of biomass to more than 1 billion tons a year — more than enough to satisfy future demand for... Read More

2024-03-15 20:24:49
by Tom Ramstack
Senate Told Growing Wildfire Threat Needs New Strategies

WASHINGTON — The number of wildfires driven by climate change has grown but the U.S. effort to control them has... Read More

WASHINGTON — The number of wildfires driven by climate change has grown but the U.S. effort to control them has not, according to emergency response officials at a Senate hearing Thursday. At least not fast enough to prevent disasters like... Read More

2024-03-15 20:06:35
by Dan McCue
DOE to Provide Conditional $2.26B Loan for Lithium Project in Nevada

WASHINGTON — The Department of Energy is extending a conditional $2.26 billion loan to Lithium Americas Corp. to support its... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Department of Energy is extending a conditional $2.26 billion loan to Lithium Americas Corp. to support its effort to build a lithium carbonate processing plant in Nevada. Once operational, the plant, which will be located in Thacker... Read More

2024-03-15 19:11:47
by Dan McCue
EPA Sets Tougher Limits on Gas Used to Sterilize Medical Devices

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized tougher restrictions on ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas commonly used to... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized tougher restrictions on ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas commonly used to sterilize medical devices. The new standards specifically target commercial sterilization facilities. The agency called them “the strongest measures in U.S.... Read More

2024-03-15 18:09:41
by Dan McCue
EPA Proposes New Limits on Gas Distribution Facilities

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized a rule strengthening toxic air pollution standards at gasoline distribution facilities,... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized a rule strengthening toxic air pollution standards at gasoline distribution facilities, including storage tanks, loading operations and equipment leaks.  The action — from which gas stations are exempt — is expected... Read More

2024-03-15 17:00:32
by Dan McCue
Feds Finalize Wind Energy Area in the Gulf of Maine

WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has designated about 2 million acres in the Gulf of Maine the... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has designated about 2 million acres in the Gulf of Maine the nation’s latest wind energy area. On Monday, BOEM will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to... Read More

College Swimmers, Volleyball Players Sue NCAA Over Transgender Policies

ATLANTA (AP) — Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among more than a dozen college athletes who filed a lawsuit... Read More

ATLANTA (AP) — Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among more than a dozen college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on Thursday, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing transgender woman Lia Thomas to... Read More

AP Decision Notes: What to Expect in the Tuesday Presidential and State Primaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — Voting in the races for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations happens again Tuesday, a week after President... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Voting in the races for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations happens again Tuesday, a week after President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured enough delegate support to become their parties’ presumptive nominees. Three states also... Read More

Across the US, Batteries and Green Energies Combine for Major Climate Solution

In the Arizona desert, a Danish company is building a massive solar farm that includes batteries that charge when the... Read More

In the Arizona desert, a Danish company is building a massive solar farm that includes batteries that charge when the sun is shining and supply energy back to the electric grid when it's not. Combining batteries with green energy is... Read More

2024-03-15 14:08:49
by Dan McCue
Fani Willis Can Continue Case Against Trump With Single Condition, Judge Rules

ATLANTA — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue to pursue an election interference case against former President Donald... Read More

ATLANTA — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue to pursue an election interference case against former President Donald Trump and several others — as long as the prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship steps aside, a... Read More

Protect American Data Instead of Bailing Out Mega Stores

The recent announcement of the Capital One-Discover merger has been escalating public attention on the ever-changing credit card payments industry. As consumer... Read More

The recent announcement of the Capital One-Discover merger has been escalating public attention on the ever-changing credit card payments industry. As consumer and lawmaker attention to this issue grows, proponents of a harmful new credit bill are using this opportunity to insert their own... Read More

2024-03-14 21:51:27
by Dan McCue
Schumer Calls for New Elections in Israel

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Thursday called on Israel to hold new elections, strongly criticizing Prime... Read More

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Thursday called on Israel to hold new elections, strongly criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for becoming an obstacle to peace in the region. Speaking for roughly 40 minutes on the Senate... Read More

Prosecutors Say They're Open to Delaying Donald Trump's March 25 Hush-Money Trial for a Month

NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors said Thursday they are open to delaying the start of Donald Trump's hush-money criminal... Read More

NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors said Thursday they are open to delaying the start of Donald Trump's hush-money criminal trial by a month “in an abundance of caution” to give the former president's lawyers time to review evidence they received... Read More

2024-03-14 20:08:15
by Tom Ramstack
Jewish Group Sues UN Relief Agency Saying It Supports Hamas Terrorism

WILMINGTON, Del. — A Jewish advocacy group sued a United Nations relief agency Wednesday in Delaware for allegedly helping Hamas... Read More

WILMINGTON, Del. — A Jewish advocacy group sued a United Nations relief agency Wednesday in Delaware for allegedly helping Hamas in its war with Israel and the murders of Israelis and Americans. The National Jewish Advocacy Center says U.N. relief... Read More

What's Pi Day All About? Math, Science, Pies and More

Math enthusiasts around the world, from college kids to rocket scientists, celebrate Pi Day on Thursday, which is March 14... Read More

Math enthusiasts around the world, from college kids to rocket scientists, celebrate Pi Day on Thursday, which is March 14 or 3/14 — the first three digits of an infinite number with many practical uses. Around the world many people... Read More

The United States Has Its First Large Offshore Wind Farm, With More to Come

America's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm is officially open, a long-awaited moment that helps pave the way for a succession... Read More

America's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm is officially open, a long-awaited moment that helps pave the way for a succession of large wind farms. Danish wind energy developer Ørsted and the utility Eversource built a 12-turbine wind farm called South... Read More

Storm Carrying Massive 'Gorilla Hail' Hits Parts of Kansas and Missouri

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Massive chunks of hail pelted parts of Kansas and Missouri on Wednesday night, bringing traffic to... Read More

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Massive chunks of hail pelted parts of Kansas and Missouri on Wednesday night, bringing traffic to a standstill along Interstate 70, as storms unleashed possible tornadoes and meteorologists urged residents to stay indoors. There were three... Read More

Part D Redesign Could Threaten Organ Transplant Recipients’ Second Lease on Life

For more than 40 years, Glenda Daggert has lived with Type 1 diabetes and resulting kidney failure. She finally received... Read More

For more than 40 years, Glenda Daggert has lived with Type 1 diabetes and resulting kidney failure. She finally received her second chance — a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant — in 1999. She is one of the lucky ones.... Read More

2024-03-13 21:13:18
by Tom Ramstack
Georgia Judge Dismisses Some Charges Against Trump

ATLANTA — Former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants facing criminal prosecution in Georgia for trying to overturn the 2020... Read More

ATLANTA — Former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants facing criminal prosecution in Georgia for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election won a partial court victory Wednesday. A Georgia judge dismissed six of the 41 charges against the former... Read More

Alabama’s Embryo Ruling and the Links to Adoption in America

This February the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children and thus need to be protected. When embryos are... Read More

This February the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children and thus need to be protected. When embryos are destroyed, which is inevitable during standard in vitro fertilization procedures, this now constitutes murder in the state of Alabama. In... Read More

2024-03-13 20:45:54
by Dan McCue
140 of DC’s Beloved Cherry Trees to Be Axed in Tidal Basin Renovation

WASHINGTON — Catch them while you can. One hundred and forty of the District of Columbia’s beloved cherry trees —... Read More

WASHINGTON — Catch them while you can. One hundred and forty of the District of Columbia’s beloved cherry trees — long a magnet for tourists and even local sightseers — will be cut down in May as part of a... Read More

2024-03-13 18:08:55
by Dan McCue
Idris Elba Helps Bring 1st Wind Farm to Sierra Leone

LONDON — The actor and producer Idris Elba is partnering with the United Kingdom’s Octopus Energy to establish the first... Read More

LONDON — The actor and producer Idris Elba is partnering with the United Kingdom’s Octopus Energy to establish the first wind farm in the West African nation of Sierra Leone. The project, which is expected to begin producing power later... Read More

CDC Team Joins Response to Seven Measles Cases in Chicago Shelter for Migrants

CHICAGO (AP) — Seven people living at a Chicago shelter for migrants have tested positive for measles since last week,... Read More

CHICAGO (AP) — Seven people living at a Chicago shelter for migrants have tested positive for measles since last week, prompting the arrival of a team with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to guide city and state officials'... Read More

2024-03-13 16:49:07
by Dan McCue
FDA Believed Poised to Approve First Med for a Serious Liver Disease

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration appears poised to approve the first medicine developed specifically to treat the serious... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration appears poised to approve the first medicine developed specifically to treat the serious liver disease known as MASH later this week.  Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis -- formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis — is often... Read More

2024-03-13 16:46:30
by Dan McCue
Researchers Identify Brain Connections Associated with ADHD

WASHINGTON — After examining more than 8,000 functional brain images of young people with ADHD, researchers have discovered their systems... Read More

WASHINGTON — After examining more than 8,000 functional brain images of young people with ADHD, researchers have discovered their systems are tied to atypical interactions between the brain’s frontal cortex and the information processing centers deep inside the brain. The... Read More

Mississippi to Allow Quicker Medicaid Coverage During Pregnancy to Try to Help Women and Babies

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A new Mississippi law will allow earlier Medicaid coverage for pregnant women in an effort to... Read More

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A new Mississippi law will allow earlier Medicaid coverage for pregnant women in an effort to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies in a poor state with the nation’s worst rate of infant mortality. The “presumptive... Read More

House Passes Bill That Would Lead to TikTok Ban if Chinese Owner Doesn't Sell. Senate Path Unclear

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company's current ownership structure is a national... Read More

2024-03-12 22:04:37
by Dan McCue
Ken Buck to Retire Next Week, Narrowing GOP's House Majority

WASHINGTON — Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., stunned many of his colleagues on Tuesday, announcing that he’d moved up his pending... Read More

WASHINGTON — Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., stunned many of his colleagues on Tuesday, announcing that he’d moved up his pending departure from the House from the end of his term to the end of next week. Buck’s decision was the... Read More

2024-03-12 21:20:37
by Dan McCue
House Subcommittee Marks Up 19 Health-Related Bills

WASHINGTON — A House subcommittee advanced 19 health care-related bills on Tuesday, setting the stage for a further markup by... Read More

WASHINGTON — A House subcommittee advanced 19 health care-related bills on Tuesday, setting the stage for a further markup by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and, with any luck, a vote on the House floor in coming weeks. Rep.... Read More

2024-03-12 19:32:11
by Tom Ramstack
Defense Analysts Say Threats to US Have Risen to Dangerous Levels

WASHINGTON — Defense analysts repeated warnings Tuesday about a dangerous world the United States cannot afford to ignore in a... Read More

WASHINGTON — Defense analysts repeated warnings Tuesday about a dangerous world the United States cannot afford to ignore in a second Senate hearing this week leading to a vote on an annual military budget. Russia is trying to expand its... Read More

Biden Is Taking Aim at the Wrong 'Junk'

Imagine this: a president was elected with a razor thin majority of the vote. He then spent the ensuing three... Read More

Imagine this: a president was elected with a razor thin majority of the vote. He then spent the ensuing three years reducing the production of domestic energy while spending newly created money at historic levels, causing catastrophic and painful inflation.... Read More

2024-03-12 15:58:48
by Dan McCue
Report Underscores Impact of Pets on Sense of Community, Well-Being

WASHINGTON — Nine in 10 pet owners say their pets contribute to their having a stronger sense of community, while... Read More

WASHINGTON — Nine in 10 pet owners say their pets contribute to their having a stronger sense of community, while 83% of adults say they’ve interacted with people they otherwise would not have due to their pets, according to a... Read More

2024-03-12 15:45:23
by Dan McCue
Charging Company Opens Global Headquarters in Maryland

BOWIE, Md. — Blink Charging Co., one of the nation’s fast-growing makers of electric vehicle charging devices, celebrated the grand... Read More

BOWIE, Md. — Blink Charging Co., one of the nation’s fast-growing makers of electric vehicle charging devices, celebrated the grand opening Monday of its 15,000 square-foot global headquarters in Bowie, Maryland. The site, along with a new, 30,000 square-foot LEED... Read More

2024-03-12 15:30:06
by Jesse Zucker
Improve Your Balance, Improve Your Health

WASHINGTON — Losing your balance and taking a fall is a common occurrence. Sometimes it’s no big deal and you... Read More

WASHINGTON — Losing your balance and taking a fall is a common occurrence. Sometimes it’s no big deal and you get right back up. Other times, it could lead to an injury. Older adults have a higher risk of falling... Read More

2024-03-12 15:11:06
by Jesse Zucker
What to Know About Mindfulness

WASHINGTON — Our brains are constantly busy. We’re always taking in new information, processing it, thinking about our to-do list,... Read More

WASHINGTON — Our brains are constantly busy. We’re always taking in new information, processing it, thinking about our to-do list, worrying and planning. When you experience mental or physical health challenges, you add a new layer of stress and there... Read More

In New York City, Heat Pumps That Fit in Apartment Windows Promise Big Emissions Cuts

NEW YORK (AP) — For 27 years, the heat in Regina Fred’s Queens apartment building came from a noisy steam... Read More

NEW YORK (AP) — For 27 years, the heat in Regina Fred’s Queens apartment building came from a noisy steam radiator that she couldn't control and sometimes didn't come on at all, leaving her shivering. Sometimes, the radiators ran so... Read More

Hur Said Biden Couldn’t Recall When His Son Died. The Interview Transcript Is More Complicated

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House knew it had a political problem on its hands when a special counsel report questioned President... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House knew it had a political problem on its hands when a special counsel report questioned President Joe Biden’s memory last month, but Biden saw a much more personal affront as well. Robert Hur, who had been... Read More

Climate, a Major Separator for Biden and Trump, Is a Dividing Line in Many Other Races

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The race for the White House isn’t the only one with big stakes for climate policy.... Read More

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The race for the White House isn’t the only one with big stakes for climate policy. In campaigns for Congress and for governor around the country, candidates are talking about how green the grid should be,... Read More

US, Canada and Indigenous Groups Announce Proposal to Address Cross-Border Mining Pollution

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S., Canada and several indigenous groups announced a proposal on Monday to address pollution from... Read More

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S., Canada and several indigenous groups announced a proposal on Monday to address pollution from coal mining in British Columbia that officials say has been contaminating waterways and harming fisheries on both sides of the... Read More

Poland's President Calls on NATO Allies to Raise Spending on Defense to 3% of GDP

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland's president on Monday called on other members of the NATO alliance to raise their spending... Read More

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland's president on Monday called on other members of the NATO alliance to raise their spending on defense to 3% of their gross domestic product as Russia puts its economy on a war footing and pushes... Read More

George Soros' Open Society Foundations Name New President After Years of Layoffs and Transition

NEW YORK (AP) — George Soros' Open Society Foundations announced a leadership change Monday with its president Mark Malloch-Brown stepping... Read More

NEW YORK (AP) — George Soros' Open Society Foundations announced a leadership change Monday with its president Mark Malloch-Brown stepping down in June, set to be replaced by a senior leader, Binaifer Nowrojee. She will be the first woman from... Read More

The First-Ever European Climate Risk Assessment Finds a Continent Unprepared for Growing Extremes

Europe is facing growing climate risks and is unprepared for them, the European Environment Agency said in its first-ever risk... Read More

Europe is facing growing climate risks and is unprepared for them, the European Environment Agency said in its first-ever risk assessment for the bloc Monday. The agency said Europe is prone to more frequent and more punishing weather extremes —... Read More

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