Nation

Lawyer: Case against Smollett based on testimony of 'liars'

By Don Babwin, Sara Burnett, Associated Press

Neny Uche said during his closing argument Wednesday that prosecutors' case against Smollett is “built like a house of cards.” Smollett is charged with staging a racist, anti-gay attack against himself in January 2019 and lying to Chicago police about…

Tensions rise among lawmakers, parents as Louisiana debates vaccine mandates in schools

By Roby Chavez

After seven and a half hours of testimony, a Louisiana House panel overwhelmingly rejects the contentious COVID vaccine proposal for Louisiana schools. The governor vows to move the proposal forward.

As U.S. reaches 200 million vaccine milestone, COVID cases continue to spike

By Sophia Tareen, Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press

The U.S. has reached a COVID-19 milestone of roughly 200 million fully vaccinated people, but cases and hospitalizations are still spiking, even in highly immunized pockets of the country like New England.

Dole honored with events in D.C., his hometown, Kansas capital

By Associated Press

Dole’s casket will lie in state Thursday at the U.S. Capitol. A public memorial service is set for Saturday morning in Dole’s hometown of Russell, Kansas, and followed by a private afternoon ceremony at the Kansas Statehouse.

California plans to be abortion 'sanctuary' if Supreme Court overturns Roe

By Adam Beam, Associated Press

The California Future of Abortion Council, made up of more than 40 abortion providers and advocacy groups, released a list of 45 recommendations for the state to consider if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade — the 48-year-old decision…

WATCH: Senate Indian Affairs committee hearing on violence against Native American women

By News Desk

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee oversight will hold a hearing on violence against women in Native communities on Wednesday. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET. Watch in the player above. Testimony is expected from Department of…

Thousands of Afghans wait at U.S. bases after frantic evacuation

By Ben Fox, Associated Press

The Department of Homeland Security and refugee resettlement agencies say they hope to have the Afghans off the bases and into American communities by Feb. 15.

Looted Gilgamesh tablet, one of world's oldest surviving works of literature, returns to Iraq

By Associated Press

The Gilgamesh tablet is part of a section of a Sumerian poem from the Epic of Gilgamesh. It is one of the world’s oldest works of literature, and one of the oldest religious texts.

Congressional leaders reach elaborate deal to raise debt ceiling

By Kevin Freking, Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press

Congress approved a $480 billion increase in the nation’s debt limit in October. That’s enough for the Treasury to finance the government’s operations through Dec. 15, according to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's projection.

WATCH: Trial of Kim Potter, ex-officer who killed Daunte Wright — Day 1

By Steve Karnowski, Amy Forliti, Associated Press

Jurors at the trial of the former suburban Minneapolis police officer who killed Black motorist Daunte Wright are hearing starkly different versions of events.