WEATHER ALERT
Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients
Read full article: Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipientsIn an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures โ which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone.
America's port communities fear efforts to reduce pollution are at risk under Trump
Read full article: America's port communities fear efforts to reduce pollution are at risk under TrumpAmerica's ports have long struggled with dirty air that chokes nearby neighborhoods and jeopardizes the health of people living there.
Pursuit of glory? Cold, hard cash? A new poll breaks down why people fill out March Madness brackets
Read full article: Pursuit of glory? Cold, hard cash? A new poll breaks down why people fill out March Madness bracketsAs March Madness takes over this week, how many people are filling out NCAA Tournament brackets and why.
Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold
Read full article: Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes holdU.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount.
More than half of US adults don't want legal betting on college sports in their state: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: More than half of US adults don't want legal betting on college sports in their state: AP-NORC pollMost U.S. adults think betting on professional sports should be legal but they donโt feel the same way about college sports, according to a new AP-NORC survey.
AP Exclusive: US and Israel look to Africa for moving Palestinians uprooted from Gaza
Read full article: AP Exclusive: US and Israel look to Africa for moving Palestinians uprooted from GazaThe U.S. and Israel have reached out to officials of three East African governments to discuss using their territories as potential destinations to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Fewer Americans file for jobless claims last week, signaling a still-healthy US labor market
Read full article: Fewer Americans file for jobless claims last week, signaling a still-healthy US labor marketThe number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week, indicating a still-healthy U.S. labor market.
Greenland's election winners push back against Trump's wish to take control of the island
Read full article: Greenland's election winners push back against Trump's wish to take control of the islandA party that favors a gradual path to Greenlandโs independence from Denmark has won a surprise victory in parliamentary elections.
US job openings rose to 7.7 million in January, a sign Trump inherited a strong labor market
Read full article: US job openings rose to 7.7 million in January, a sign Trump inherited a strong labor marketU.S. job openings rose at the start of the year, another sign the job market was solid when President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
Unions ask court to stop DOGE from accessing Social Security data of millions of Americans
Read full article: Unions ask court to stop DOGE from accessing Social Security data of millions of AmericansA group of labor unions are asking a federal court for an emergency order to stop Elon Muskโs Department of Government Efficiency from accessing the sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans.
Trump order would deny student loan relief to nonprofit workers engaged in 'improper' activity
Read full article: Trump order would deny student loan relief to nonprofit workers engaged in 'improper' activityPresident Donald Trump is ordering changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that would disqualify workers of nonprofit groups deemed to have engaged in โimproperโ activities.
What to know about Social Security office closures driven by Musk's DOGE
Read full article: What to know about Social Security office closures driven by Musk's DOGEAcross-the-board cuts at the Social Security Administration are prompting questions about how the benefits of millions of recipients may be affected.
A judge in the nation's capital declines to block DOGE from Treasury systems
Read full article: A judge in the nation's capital declines to block DOGE from Treasury systemsA federal judge in the nationโs capital is refusing to block employees of Elon Muskโs Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury systems containing sensitive personal data for millions of Americans.
Trump's interior and energy secretaries cheer on natural gas export industry in Gulf Coast
Read full article: Trump's interior and energy secretaries cheer on natural gas export industry in Gulf CoastThe planned expansion of a massive liquefied natural gas facility in southeast Louisiana is a beacon for U.S. energy policy, according to two members of President Donald Trump's cabinet who spoke to workers there.
US employers add a solid 151,000 jobs last month though unemployment up to 4.1%
Read full article: US employers add a solid 151,000 jobs last month though unemployment up to 4.1%U.S. employers added solid 151,000 jobs last month, but the outlook is cloudy as President Donald threatens a trade war, purges the federal workforce and promises to deport millions of immigrants.
Rep. Al Greenโs response after being censured for disrupting Trumpโs joint address to Congress
Read full article: Rep. Al Greenโs response after being censured for disrupting Trumpโs joint address to CongressIn the days leading to the censure, Green has doubled down on his actions saying on X, "Democrats will never abandon the fight to make sure every American has a safe, healthy, and financially secure life."
FBI committed to bringing home American hostages held in foreign countries, director says
Read full article: FBI committed to bringing home American hostages held in foreign countries, director saysFBI Director Kash Patel says the bureau will work to โzero outโ the population of Americans detained or held hostage in foreign countries.
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits falls as labor market remains sturdy
Read full article: The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits falls as labor market remains sturdyApplications for U.S. jobless benefits fell last week as the labor market remains sturdy ahead of an expected purge of federal government employees.
Texas ranked among highest tax rates in the US, WalletHub says
Read full article: Texas ranked among highest tax rates in the US, WalletHub saysโTexas residents also donโt pay income tax, but spend 1.58% of their income on real estate taxes, one of the highest rates in the country,โ the report claimed.
Michael Bloomberg tops the list of Americaโs biggest donors for the second year in a row
Read full article: Michael Bloomberg tops the list of Americaโs biggest donors for the second year in a rowFor the second year in a row, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg gave the most to charitable causes, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropyโs exclusive Philanthropy 50 list of the Americans who donated the largest sums to nonprofits last year.
GOP pushes ahead with citizenship voting bill. Some state election officials say it's problematic
Read full article: GOP pushes ahead with citizenship voting bill. Some state election officials say it's problematicThe centerpiece election legislation from congressional Republicans would require voters to prove their citizenship when registering.
City of Houston chief medical officer answers questions about Texas measles outbreak
Read full article: City of Houston chief medical officer answers questions about Texas measles outbreakFor the first time in years, Americans are in the midst of an outbreak of the measles virus. Earlier this week, an unvaccinated child in Texas was the first person to die from the virus in a decade, and more than 100 people have confirmed infections.
A good rapport but mixed signals on Ukraine: Takeaways from Keir Starmer's trip to Washington
Read full article: A good rapport but mixed signals on Ukraine: Takeaways from Keir Starmer's trip to WashingtonPrime Minister Keir Starmer has landed back in Britain with the satisfaction of a tricky mission not quite accomplished, but off to a flying start.
Number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rises to 242,000, highest level in 3 months
Read full article: Number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rises to 242,000, highest level in 3 monthsApplications for U.S. jobless benefits rose to a three-month high last week but remained within the same healthy range of the past three years.
Inflation, looming trade war take a toll as confidence of the U.S. consumer tumbles
Read full article: Inflation, looming trade war take a toll as confidence of the U.S. consumer tumblesU.S. consumer confidence plummeted in February, the biggest monthly decline in more than four years, a business research group said Tuesday.
Trump moves with light speed and brute force in shaking the core of what America has been
Read full article: Trump moves with light speed and brute force in shaking the core of what America has beenPresident Donald Trump is moving with light speed and brute force to reshape America at home and abroad.
Backlash leads Republican attorneys general to declare support for a landmark disability rights law
Read full article: Backlash leads Republican attorneys general to declare support for a landmark disability rights lawRepublican state attorneys general have declared their continued support for a landmark civil rights law that protects disabled peopleโs rights.
European troops, US support are part of an emerging plan for Ukraine. But it faces many hurdles
Read full article: European troops, US support are part of an emerging plan for Ukraine. But it faces many hurdlesPolitical and military leaders in Europe are fleshing out details of a plan for European forces to help ensure Moscow does not attack Ukraine again once the guns fall silent.
Sightly more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain relatively low
Read full article: Sightly more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain relatively lowSlightly more Americans applied for jobless benefits last week, but layoffs remained in the same recent healthy range.
Americans' confidence in air travel safety dips slightly after Washington plane crash: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Americans' confidence in air travel safety dips slightly after Washington plane crash: AP-NORC pollA new poll finds Americansโ confidence in air transportation and the federal agencies tasked with maintaining air safety has slipped a little from last year, following a recent crash in Washington.
Russia and US agree to work toward ending Ukraine war in a remarkable diplomatic shift
Read full article: Russia and US agree to work toward ending Ukraine war in a remarkable diplomatic shiftRussia and the U.S. have agreed to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties.
European leaders want a say in talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The US is brushing them off
Read full article: European leaders want a say in talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The US is brushing them offEuropean leaders have insisted their governments must have a say in talks between the U.S. and Russia to end the war in Ukraine, as both Moscow and Washington said there was no role for Europe in the negotiations that could shape the future of the continent.
US retail sales plunged along with temperatures in January after a bustling holiday season
Read full article: US retail sales plunged along with temperatures in January after a bustling holiday seasonU.S. retail sales dropped sharply last month, in part because cold weather kept more Americans indoors and dented sales at car dealers and most other stores.
Including people without legal status in census has had little impact on House seats, study finds
Read full article: Including people without legal status in census has had little impact on House seats, study findsRepublicans are trying to exclude people who are in the U.S. illegally from the numbers used to portion out congressional seats among the states.
Many Americans think Valentine's Day is romantic and fun โ not outdated or stressful: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Many Americans think Valentine's Day is romantic and fun โ not outdated or stressful: AP-NORC pollSome U.S. adults consider Valentine's Day outdated, according to a new AP-NORC poll โ but many more say they love the romance and fun of quality time with partners, friends and extended family.
The number of Americans seeking jobless benefits falls as employers continue to hold on to workers
Read full article: The number of Americans seeking jobless benefits falls as employers continue to hold on to workersU.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week as employers continue to retain workers despite resurgent inflation and elevated interest rates.
Judge removes key legal hurdle for Trumpโs plan to trim federal workforce with deferred resignations
Read full article: Judge removes key legal hurdle for Trumpโs plan to trim federal workforce with deferred resignationsA federal judge has removed a key legal challenge in the way of President Donald Trumpโs plan to downsize the federal workforce with a deferred resignation program.
House Republicans unveil blueprint to extend $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and lift the debt ceiling
Read full article: House Republicans unveil blueprint to extend $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and lift the debt ceilingHouse Republicans have set the stage for advancing many of President Donald Trumpโs top domestic priorities.
Labor unions sue to block DOGE access to sensitive information at US agencies
Read full article: Labor unions sue to block DOGE access to sensitive information at US agenciesA coalition of labor unions filed a lawsuit Monday asking a federal court to stop Elon Muskโs team from accessing private data at the Education Department, the Treasury Department and the Office of Personnel Management.
Democrats ask for an investigation into DOGE's access to Treasury's payment systems
Read full article: Democrats ask for an investigation into DOGE's access to Treasury's payment systemsDemocratic lawmakers are seeking a Treasury Department investigation of the access that Elon Muskโs team was given to the governmentโs payment system.
US applications for jobless benefits rose to 219,000 last week, but layoffs remain relatively low
Read full article: US applications for jobless benefits rose to 219,000 last week, but layoffs remain relatively lowMore Americans filed unemployment claims last week, but the labor market remains healthy and layoffs relatively low.
Trump won't rule out deploying US troops to support rebuilding Gaza, sees 'long-term' US ownership
Read full article: Trump won't rule out deploying US troops to support rebuilding Gaza, sees 'long-term' US ownershipPresident Donald Trump has suggested that displaced Palestinians in Gaza be permanently resettled outside the war-torn territory and proposed the U.S. take โownershipโ in redeveloping the area.
Trump's tariff threat sends crypto prices falling, including his own meme coin
Read full article: Trump's tariff threat sends crypto prices falling, including his own meme coinCryptocurrency prices took a hit from the prospect of a trade war between the U.S. and its major trading partners, with some well-known digital assets and President Donald Trumpโs own meme coin taking big hits.
How to deal with fresh health insurance deductibles in the new year
Read full article: How to deal with fresh health insurance deductibles in the new yearMany Americans with high-deductible health insurance face a cold reality at the start of every year: Those deductibles will have to be paid before most insurance coverage starts.
US military conducts airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in Somalia
Read full article: US military conducts airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in SomaliaThe U.S. military has conducted coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in Somalia, the first attacks in the African nation during President Donald Trumpโs second term.
About half of Americans approve of using weight-loss drugs to treat obesity, AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: About half of Americans approve of using weight-loss drugs to treat obesity, AP-NORC poll findsA new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows about half of U.S. adults believe it is a good thing for adults to use weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and other brands if they are struggling with obesity or have a health condition tied to weight.
Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits last week as labor market shows continued strength
Read full article: Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits last week as labor market shows continued strengthThe number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell last week in a sign that the labor market remains strong.
Things to know about the Trump administration order on miles per gallon for cars and pickups
Read full article: Things to know about the Trump administration order on miles per gallon for cars and pickupsHours after being sworn in as the new U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy took aim at the main way the federal government regulates miles per gallon for cars and pickup trucks โ also a principal way that it controls air pollution and addresses climate change.
Netanyahu hopes to meet Trump in Washington as soon as next week, US officials say
Read full article: Netanyahu hopes to meet Trump in Washington as soon as next week, US officials sayIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington as early as next week.
Federal agencies begin removing DEI guidance from websites in Trump crackdown
Read full article: Federal agencies begin removing DEI guidance from websites in Trump crackdownSeveral federal agencies have begun removing resources for underrepresented Americans from their webpages following President Donald Trumpโs executive order cracking down on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
2024 US home sales hit lowest level in nearly 30 years with ownership increasingly out of reach
Read full article: 2024 US home sales hit lowest level in nearly 30 years with ownership increasingly out of reachSales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in 2024 to a nearly 30-year low for the second year in a row as elevated mortgage rates, rising home prices and a low level of properties on the market kept many prospective homebuyers out of the market.
What Americans think about Trump and Musk's plans for the federal government: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: What Americans think about Trump and Musk's plans for the federal government: AP-NORC pollAmericans see the federal government as rife with corruption, inefficiency and red tape โ but theyโre less sure about whether Elon Musk is the right person to fix it.
Texas spent over $11 billion in taxpayer money for border patrol, now Gov. Abbott asks Congress for reimbursement
Read full article: Texas spent over $11 billion in taxpayer money for border patrol, now Gov. Abbott asks Congress for reimbursementGov. Greg Abbott Thursday sent letters to U.S. Congressional Leadership and the entire Texas Congressional Delegation requesting the federal government to reimburse Texas for the more than $11.1 billion in Texas taxpayer money spent to increase border security.
More Americans file for unemployment benefits last week, continuing claims highest in 3 years
Read full article: More Americans file for unemployment benefits last week, continuing claims highest in 3 yearsJobless claims applications ticked up modestly last week, but the total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits rose to their highest level in more than three years.
US adults want border security action but mostly oppose arrests in schools, churches: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: US adults want border security action but mostly oppose arrests in schools, churches: AP-NORC pollAn AP-NORC poll finds many U.S. adults support the idea of beefing up security at the southern border and undertaking some deportations.
Trump vexes New Zealanders by claiming one of their proudest historical moments for America
Read full article: Trump vexes New Zealanders by claiming one of their proudest historical moments for AmericaU.S. President Donald Trump's declaration in an inauguration speech that Americans โsplit the atomโ prompted vexed social media posts on Tuesday by New Zealanders, who said the achievement belonged to a pioneering scientist revered in his homeland.
Biden pardons the late Black nationalist Marcus Garvey as well as 4 others and commutes 2 sentences
Read full article: Biden pardons the late Black nationalist Marcus Garvey as well as 4 others and commutes 2 sentencesPresident Joe Biden has posthumously pardoned Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X and other Black civil rights leaders and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s.
With a US ban on TikTok hours away, Trump says he 'most likely' will grant an extension
Read full article: With a US ban on TikTok hours away, Trump says he 'most likely' will grant an extensionPresident-elect Donald Trump says he โmost likelyโ will give TikTok 90 more days to work out a deal that would allow the popular video-sharing platform to avoid a U.S. ban.
TikTok refugees are pouring to Xiaohongshu. Here's what you need to know about the RedNote app
Read full article: TikTok refugees are pouring to Xiaohongshu. Here's what you need to know about the RedNote appA rare wave of U.S.-China camaraderie broke out online in recent days as โrefugeesโ from the popular short video platform TikTok poured onto a Chinese social media platform to protest a now-delayed ban on the service.
As Biden warns of an 'oligarchy,' Trump will be flanked by tech billionaires at his inauguration
Read full article: As Biden warns of an 'oligarchy,' Trump will be flanked by tech billionaires at his inaugurationThe super-rich have long played a role in U.S. politics but have an unusually prominent spot in incoming President Donald Trump's new administration.
Trump's EPA nominee stays vague on plans as senators press him on climate views
Read full article: Trump's EPA nominee stays vague on plans as senators press him on climate viewsLee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency, is promising to preserve a clean environment โwithout suffocating the economy.โ.
More Americans file for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain historically low
Read full article: More Americans file for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain historically lowThe number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week, but layoffs remain historically low and the job market broadly healthy.
Jack Daniel's parent Brown-Forman is cutting its workforce and closing its barrel-making plant
Read full article: Jack Daniel's parent Brown-Forman is cutting its workforce and closing its barrel-making plantSpirits giant Brown-Forman Corp. says itโs reducing its global workforce by about 12% and closing its barrel-making plant in Louisville.
Biden speaks with relatives of Americans held by Taliban, but deal to bring them home still elusive
Read full article: Biden speaks with relatives of Americans held by Taliban, but deal to bring them home still elusivePresident Joe Biden has spoken with relatives of three Americans the U.S. government is looking to bring home from Afghanistan, but no agreement has been reached on a deal to get them back.
Greenland's leader says his people don't want to be Americans as Trump covets territory
Read full article: Greenland's leader says his people don't want to be Americans as Trump covets territoryThe prime minister of the Greenland says the people of his mineral-rich Arctic territory don't want to be Americans but that he's open to greater cooperation with the United States.
US finds no 'Havana syndrome' link to foreign powers, but 2 spy agencies say it's possible
Read full article: US finds no 'Havana syndrome' link to foreign powers, but 2 spy agencies say it's possibleA U.S. intelligence report finds no evidence linking a foreign power to the mysterious โHavana syndromeโ injuries experienced by U.S. personnel.
Surging job market could prove costly for households, businesses as odds of quick rate cuts fade
Read full article: Surging job market could prove costly for households, businesses as odds of quick rate cuts fadeU.S. hiring picked up unexpectedly in December as employers added 256,000 jobs, another sign of the economyโs resilience in the face of high interest rates.
Participate or keep it quiet? Recent sing-alongs tap into larger discussion on moviegoing etiquette
Read full article: Participate or keep it quiet? Recent sing-alongs tap into larger discussion on moviegoing etiquetteAs movie theaters have worked to entice Americans back to the silver screen, the industry has marketed blockbuster films like โณWickedโ as cultural events.
All post offices to be closed on Thursday in honor of former President Jimmy Carter
Read full article: All post offices to be closed on Thursday in honor of former President Jimmy CarterThe U.S. Postal Service says all post offices will be closed on Thursday in honor of former President Jimmy Carter.
US Justice Department sues six major landlords accused of scheming to keep rents high
Read full article: US Justice Department sues six major landlords accused of scheming to keep rents highThe U.S. Justice Department is suing several large landlords for allegedly coordinating to keep Americansโ rents high.
How removing unpaid medical bills from credit reports could help consumers
Read full article: How removing unpaid medical bills from credit reports could help consumersLenders soon won't be able to consider unpaid medical bills as a credit history factor when they evaluate potential borrowers in the U.S. for mortgages, car loans or business loans.
US job openings rise unexpectedly to 8.1 million in November, a sign the labor market is resilient
Read full article: US job openings rise unexpectedly to 8.1 million in November, a sign the labor market is resilientU.S. job openings rose unexpectedly in November, showing companies are still looking for workers even as the labor market has cooled overall.
Immigration is a higher priority for Americans than it was a year ago, an AP-NORC poll shows
Read full article: Immigration is a higher priority for Americans than it was a year ago, an AP-NORC poll showsMore Americans say immigration should be a top focus for the U.S. government in 2025, as the country heads toward a new Republican administration in which President-elect Donald Trump has promised the mass deportations of migrants and an end to birthright citizenship.
Biden issues ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters. Trump vows to undo it
Read full article: Biden issues ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters. Trump vows to undo itPresident Joe Biden is moving to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters.
China protests US sanctions for its alleged role in hacking, complains of foreign hacker attacks
Read full article: China protests US sanctions for its alleged role in hacking, complains of foreign hacker attacksChina has slammed a decision by the U.S. Treasury to sanction a Beijing-based cybersecurity company for its alleged role in multiple hacking incidents targeting critical U.S. infrastructure.
Border shelters relieved the pressure during migrant surges. Under Trump, they could become a target
Read full article: Border shelters relieved the pressure during migrant surges. Under Trump, they could become a targetRepublicans are stepping up their scrutiny of dozens of shelters run by aid groups on the U.S. border with Mexico.
Surgeon General calls for new label on drinks to warn Americans of alcohol's cancer risk
Read full article: Surgeon General calls for new label on drinks to warn Americans of alcohol's cancer riskAlcohol is a leading cause of cancer, a risk that should be clearly labeled on drinks Americans consume, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy proposed on Friday.
Republicans' trust in accuracy of US elections jumps after Trump's win, AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Republicans' trust in accuracy of US elections jumps after Trump's win, AP-NORC poll findsA new poll finds that Republican voters are more confident in the accuracy of U.S. elections now that Donald Trump has won.
US unemployment claims fall to 211,000, the lowest level since March
Read full article: US unemployment claims fall to 211,000, the lowest level since MarchThe number of Americans applying for unemployment checks dropped last week to the lowest level since March, suggesting that most workers enjoy unusual job security.
Schauffele says Ryder Cup pay for Americans is going to charity and 'we're going to take crap'
Read full article: Schauffele says Ryder Cup pay for Americans is going to charity and 'we're going to take crap'Xander Schauffele says the plan is for Americans to give their Ryder Cup compensation to charity.
Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds
Read full article: Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll findsMost Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcareโs CEO โ although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger.