US Coast Guard searches for survivors of boat strikes as odds diminish days later
The U.S. has not said how many people jumped into the water.
Politics
President Trump orders divestment in $2.9 million chips deal to protect US security interests
The order cast a spotlight on a deal that drew scant attention when it was...
Minnesota must provide documents to US government in child care fraud probe by next week
The Administration for Children and Families provides $185 million in child care funds annually to...
As Supreme Court pulls back on gerrymandering, state courts may decide fate of maps
State judges are poised to play a pivotal role in legal challenges to the maps.
Maduro open to US talks on drug trafficking, but silent on CIA strike
Venezuela is open to reaching an agreement with the United States to combat drug trafficking,...
Trump wants to overhaul the ‘president’s golf course.’ He hasn’t played there yet
The White House says the project's cost, and when work will start, hasn't been determined...
Trump and top Iranian officials exchange threats over protests roiling Iran
President Trump and top Iranian officials have exchanged dueling threats as widening economic protests swept...
Candidate in Pa. House special election in Lehigh Valley drops out in frustration
One candidate says he is withdrawing from the Pa. House 22nd District special election to...
Trump vilifies Kennedy family hours after Tatiana Schlossberg’s death
No sooner had John F. Kennedy’s granddaughter died of leukemia at age 35, than President...
Chief Justice says Constitution remains ‘firm and unshaken’ with major Supreme Court rulings ahead
Roberts released his annual letter to the judiciary on Wednesday.
US imposes sanctions on 4 Venezuelan oil firms and 4 more tankers in Maduro crackdown
The action Wednesday is part of the Trump administration’s pressure campaign on Maduro.
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
Farmers say the aid won’t solve all their problems as they continue to deal with...
US military strikes three more alleged drug boats, killing 3 and possibly leaving survivors
U.S. Southern Command did not reveal where the attacks occurred.
Trump administration terminates lease for Washington’s 3 public golf courses
President Donald Trump has another opportunity to put his stamp on the nation’s capital.
Capitol riot ‘does not happen’ without Trump, Jack Smith told Congress
The Dec. 17 deposition was held privately despite Smith’s request to testify publicly.
Trump says he’s dropping push for National Guard in Chicago, LA and Portland, Oregon, for now
Trump said in a social media post that he’s removing the Guard troops for now.
Department of Justice is reviewing more than 5.2 million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
The DOJ has run over a week past a deadline set in law by Congress.
Deep cuts made 2025 a difficult year for National Park Service
The year has been a steady flow of bad news for NPS staff and services.
A rough year for journalists in 2025, with a little hope for things to turn around
It's likely to be the deadliest year on record for journalists across the world.
These bipartisan bills were noncontroversial — until Trump vetoed them
The vetoes effectively punished backers who had opposed Trump’s positions on other issues.
Trump isn’t the 1st president to want more room to entertain, longtime White House usher says
The longest-serving White House chief usher says presidents before Donald Trump were interested in having...
Trump made lots of tariff threats in 2025. Here’s some that never materialized
While many threats led to a barrage of new import taxes, others never materialized.
Zohran Mamdani to become NYC’s next mayor with a midnight oath underground
Mamdani's office expects thousands of people to attend the block party and says there will...
Allentown budget in limbo after council fails to override mayor’s veto of plan that removed tax hike
Tuerk said the failed override vote leaves intact his original budget with a 4% tax...
Trump administration says it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota after series of fraud schemes
The announcement comes after the $300 million scheme at the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.
Judge temporarily halts Trump’s move to end protected status for South Sudanese immigrants
The termination was set for January 2026, affecting about 300 South Sudanese nationals.
US commits $480M in health funding to Ivory Coast, the latest to sign ‘America First’ health deals
The signing covers areas such as HIV, malaria, maternal and child health, and global health...
ICE doesn’t plan to detain Abrego Garcia again as long as judge’s order banning it stands
An order unsealed on Tuesday sheds new light on the case.
SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1
SNAP recipients in five states will see new limits starting Thursday.
In a tumultuous year, US health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.
RFK Jr. reshaped the HHS, cutting research funding and promoting discredited views on vaccines.
Judge blocks White House’s attempt to defund the CFPB, ensuring employees get paid
This decision comes days before the bureau would have run out of money.
‘Trump’s EPA’ in 2025: A fossil fuel-friendly approach to deregulation
Critics argue Trump’s approach abandons the agency's environmental mission.
Surge in federal officers in Minnesota focuses on alleged fraud at day care centers
Trump labeled Minnesota Somalis as “garbage.”
After quiet off-year elections, Democrats renew worries about Trump interfering in the midterms
Democrats point to a number of developments over the past year as warning signs that...
Without pennies, should retailers round up or down? States offer their 2 cents
Businesses and states are grappling with the fallout of the federal government’s quick elimination of...
New 2026 laws are among the first of their kind to tackle climate change, drunken driving
The new year will begin with some first-of-their-kind laws in several states.
Iran’s president says answer to attack would be harsh in apparent response to Trump warning
Trump suggested Monday that he could order another U.S. strike against Iran.
National Guard to patrol New Orleans for New Year’s a year after deadly attack
The Guard is expected be confined to the French Quarter area popular with tourists.
US military carries out 30th strike on alleged drug boat
The strike killed two people.
These former members of Congress are seeking comebacks in 2026
There’s a long list of former members from both parties who want back in Congress.
Trump administration rolls out rural health funding, with strings attached
Money from the Rural Health Transformation Program won't be distributed equally.
Homeland Security says a fraud investigation is underway in Minneapolis
Secretary Kristi Noem said officers were 'conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant...
Left-leaning Allentown advocates blast Lehigh County Democrats over candidate selection in Pa. House special election
Chair Lori McFarland defended the selection process, saying that it is dictated by state law...
In escalating tensions with Venezuela, Trump says the US ‘hit’ a coastal drug loading facility
Trump declined to say if the military or CIA was involved or where it occurred.
Trump warns Iran of further US strikes if it reconstitutes nuclear program during Netanyahu visit
Netanyahu's visit comes at another critical moment in Gaza.
US pledges $2 billion for UN humanitarian aid as Trump warns agencies must ‘adapt or die’
The money is a tiny fraction of what the U.S. has contributed in the past.
US offers Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee as part of peace plan, Zelenskyy says
Details of the security guarantees remain undisclosed.
Federal judge to hold hearing on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being vindictively prosecuted
A federal judge canceled the trial of the Salvadoran man who was mistakenly deported.
Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building
The venue’s president Richard Grenell said he would seek $1 million in damages.
Trump overturned decades of US trade policy in 2025. See the impact of his tariffs, in four charts
His double-digit taxes on imports from almost every country have disrupted global commerce.
Virginia offshore wind developer sues over Trump administration order halting projects
The developers of a Virginia offshore wind project are asking a federal judge to block...
What to know about the militants targeted by US airstrikes in northwest Nigeria
Donald Trump said the “powerful and deadly” strikes were carried out against IS militants. Here...
At least $18.7M poured into this year’s critical Pa. Supreme Court retention races
Supporters of the three justices — all elected as Democrats — outspent opponents by millions.
US launches strikes against Islamic State group in Nigeria after attacks target Christians
Trump said the airstrikes were launched against Islamic State militants “who have been targeting and...
Trump-Zelenskyy talks will address security guarantees and reconstruction, Ukraine leader says
A 20-point plan under discussion 'is about 90% ready,' the Ukrainian president said.
Trump warns against infiltration by a ‘bad Santa,’ defends coal in jovial Christmas calls with kids
Trump defended “clean, beautiful coal” as a Christmas gift.
Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert canceled after Trump name added to building
Scholars say the name change violates the law.
Pediatrics group sues HHS for cutting funds for children’s health programs
The suit alleges HHS made the cuts in retaliation for speaking out against Trump actions.
Federal judge upholds Hawaii’s new climate change tax on cruise passengers
Officials expect the tax to generate nearly $100 million annually.
After missing deadline, DOJ says it may need a ‘few more weeks’ to finish releasing Epstein files
It further delays compliance with a Dec. 19 deadline set by Congress.
More than a third of states sue HHS over a move that could curtail youth gender-affirming care
Most major medical organizations oppose restrictions on transgender care and services for young people.
Judge blocks Trump effort to strip security clearance from attorney who represented whistleblowers
A federal judge is halting the enforcement of a March presidential memorandum that revoked the...
How a fast-moving $50 cash relief program buoyed needy families when SNAP payments were paused
The “man-made disaster” of the government shutdown required something different.
Zelenskyy says he’s open to creating demilitarized zone in Ukraine’s industrial heartland
It offered another potential compromise on control of the Donbas region.
EU warns of possible action after the US bars 5 Europeans accused of censorship
The European Commission condemned on Wednesday the U.S. decision and says the EU is within...
Trump approves deployment of 350 National Guard members to New Orleans
Landry had asked Trump to send a 1,000 federally funded troops to Louisiana cities.
Nvidia gains, hospitals hurt: Congress winners and losers
The Republican-controlled Congress has been very good to most of corporate America this year.
Trump administration moves to overhaul how H-1B visas are granted, ending lottery system
Supporters say the program drives innovation and growth, while critics argue it fills entry-level positions.
US bars five Europeans who allegedly pressured tech firms to censor American viewpoints online
Secretary of State Marco Rubio identified them only as “radical” activists and “weaponized” nongovernmental organizations.
Voters sue to suspend Missouri’s new congressional map until a referendum
Opponents submitted over 300,000 petition signatures earlier this month for a statewide referendum next fall.
Oklahoma college instructor is fired after giving failing grade to essay on gender
The instructor denied that she had “engaged in any arbitrary behavior regarding the student’s work.”
Supreme Court keeps Trump’s National Guard deployment blocked in the Chicago area, for now
The high court order is not a final ruling but it could affect other lawsuits.
Voluminous new Epstein document release includes multiple Trump mentions, but little revelatory news
Many of the mentions of Trump in the file came from news clippings.
Student loan borrowers in default may see wages garnished in 2026
The department said it will send notices to approximately 1,000 borrowers the week of Jan....
Federal judge says Trump administration must restore disaster money to Democratic states
The ruling solidified a win for the coalition of 12 attorneys general.
DOJ sues Illinois’ governor over laws protecting immigrants at courthouses and hospitals
When signing the bills, Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged that they might be challenged in court.
US stocks rose again in 2025 after overcoming turbulence from tariffs and Trump’s fight with the Fed
It was a great year for anyone with the stomach to stick through the swings.
Former Nebraska US Sen. Ben Sasse reveals advanced pancreatic cancer diagnosis
Sasse learned of the disease last week and is “now marching to the beat of...
Medicaid paid more than $207 million for dead people. A new law could help fix that
The inspector general report suggests that a new mandate in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill...
FCC bans new Chinese-made drones, citing security risks
Chinese-made drones have become a dominant player in the U.S.
The Trump administration is suing the District of Columbia over its gun laws
It’s the second such lawsuit the administration has filed this month.
White House rebuffs Catholic bishops’ appeal for a Christmas pause in immigration enforcement
The appeal was issued by Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
US signs new health deals with 9 African countries that mirror Trump’s priorities
The deals mark a sharp departure from how the U.S. has provided health care funding.
21 Democratic-led states sue White House over consumer protection bureau funding
They argue that the White House's decision to withhold funds from the agency is unconstitutional.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk vetoes City Council’s 2026 budget, saying 4% tax increase needed
If City Council fails to override Tuerk's veto or find another budget compromise by Dec....
Trump announces plans for new Navy ‘battleship’
It's part of a larger vision to create a 'Golden Fleet.'
Trump warns Maduro against playing ‘tough’ as US escalates pressure campaign on Venezuela
The U.S. Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean...
Trump removes nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial positions
All of them had taken up their posts in the Biden administration.
Nicki Minaj surprises conservatives with praise for Trump, Vance at Arizona event
The rapper called the president and vice president 'role models' for young men.
Judge chides Ghislaine Maxwell for mentioning victim names in papers seeking to overturn conviction
Protecting victim identities has been a key sticking point in the Justice Department’s ongoing release.
US pursuit of third oil tanker intensifies Venezuela blockade
The Trump administration’s military deployment in the Caribbean is the largest in the region in...
Trump’s appointment of envoy to Greenland sparks new tension with Denmark
Trump’s announcement on Sunday that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry would be the U.S. special envoy...
Josh Siegel prepares to take helm in Lehigh County as youngest Pa. county executive
At 32, Josh Siegel is the youngest person ever elected as a county executive in...
Ryan Mackenzie’s move on ACA subsidies shows how health care could dominate 2026 midterms in Pa.
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s move last week underscored the powerful political force that health care costs...
Trump move to reclassify marijuana stokes fresh debate on legalization in Pa.
The reactions of two prominent lawmakers showed the issue remains a polarizing one.
Michael Jackson, other celebrities included in Epstein photo dump
Photos of Michael Jackson and other celebrities were made public during the records release.
Head of group suing over White House ballroom says she trusts Trump-picked chairman to do his job
Carol Quillen said Friday that she takes Will Scharf “at his word.”
Photos of Bill Clinton included in newly released Epstein files
Several White House officials made social media posts Friday highlighting the photos.
A timeline of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the fight to make the government’s files public
The release is the culmination of a yearslong fight over the records.
Trump announces lower drug price deals with 9 pharmaceutical companies
New drugs made by those companies will also be charged at the so-called “most-favored-nation” pricing.