All USA
First LookCongress passes funding bill, averting a government shutdownCongress has pushed through final passage of a bipartisan plan to fund federal operations and prevent a government shutdown. It now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to quickly sign it into law.
First LookFueled by enormous wealth, Elon Musk rockets into the spheres of political influenceElon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, is proving his outsized influence on American politics. His railings against Congress’ bipartisan budget deal contributed to killing the stopgap measure designed to prevent a partial government shutdown.
First LookTrump and Musk helped derail a bipartisan spending deal. What comes next?A new spending plan put forth by Donald Trump, and pushed by Elon Musk, was resoundingly rejected by House Democrats and a few dozen Republicans. The debate in the House chamber grew heated as lawmakers blamed each other for the mess.
The ExplainerBiden promised to transform the federal judiciary. Did he succeed?President Biden has appointed 233 federal judges, more than any one-term president since Jimmy Carter. Some 60% are women, and 60% are people of color.
First LookAnother Trump indictment falters as Fani Willis is removed from Georgia election caseDonald Trump’s team has long cited prosecutor Fani Willis’ romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade as a conflict of interest. The ruling follows a string of other cases against Mr. Trump that have been put on hold or abandoned.
How a California neighborhood’s holiday lights bring a community togetherHomeowner light displays draw California crowds – and create Christmas traditions that brighten dark December nights.
Why J. Edgar Hoover’s biographer worries about Kash Patel running the FBIAn author who studied J. Edgar Hoover’s complicated legacy at the FBI says she sees warning signs in the overt political statements by Trump nominee Kash Patel.- Why J. Edgar Hoover’s biographer worries about Kash Patel running the FBIAn author who studied J. Edgar Hoover’s complicated legacy at the FBI says she sees warning signs in the overt political statements by Trump nominee Kash Patel.
Trump isn’t back in office yet, but is already causing chaosWhen President-elect Trump called a bipartisan funding bill a bad deal, it collapsed. The result could be a government shutdown – reflecting a pattern of Mr. Trump sometimes throwing Congress into upheaval.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers Q&A: How faith shaped her path in CongressReligiosity among the U.S. public is falling, yet Congress remains steeped in spiritual traditions. One longtime congresswoman speaks about how her faith informed her two decades in national politics.
First LookWhy do prosecutors see the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO as an act of terrorism?Luigi Mangione, charged with the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, was also accused of terrorism on Dec. 17. Investigators believe anger at the health care system motivated Mr. Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad.
Elon Musk now calls himself a ‘cultural Christian.’ What does that mean?Some famous atheists have now adopted the term “cultural Christian” to describe themselves. What does it mean, and how is that playing out in an increasingly secular America?
As Trump lawsuits unravel, hush money conviction is an exceptionA judge rejected Donald Trump’s challenge to his criminal conviction, saying the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity doesn’t apply.
FocusTracing fentanyl’s path into the US starts at this port. It doesn’t end there.Fentanyl is an urgent U.S. drug threat. People from port staff to IRS agents are tracing how the synthetic opioid gets into the country – and tracking it down once inside.
First LookTeenage girl student identified in Wisconsin Christian school shootingA 15-year-old girl opened fire at a Christian school she attended in Madison, Wisconsin, on Dec. 16. There have been 322 school shootings in the United States this year. Only 3% of all U.S. mass shootings have been perpetrated by women.
Mysterious drones raise oversight questions. What can be done?Reports of drones flying near U.S. military installations have prompted questions about whether laws provide strong enough oversight. Proposed legislation could strengthen officials’ options, and a security expert says there’s more that can be done.
The ExplainerCan DOGE cut $2 trillion in federal spending? Not directly, but it has Trump’s ear.Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading efforts by the incoming Trump administration to cut the size of the federal government. But they can only make recommendations.
First LookSome school districts lack busses and drivers. Ridesharing apps are filling the gap.State and local governments have been cutting back on school bus service, with only about 28% of U.S. students taking the bus compared to 36% in 2017. Ridesharing startups have stepped in with creative solutions for students.
First LookWhy are there mysterious drones flooding New Jersey’s airspace?Dozens of people across New Jersey have reported seeing drones with unknown origins and operators since last month. Officials say they do not appear to pose a threat, but several agencies are investigating.
Malibu’s wildfire threatens my community. It’s also bringing us together.Our writer reflects on honing priorities as the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, looms.
