Feb 09 Transgender rights leaders play ‘a defense game’ against a wave of hostile legislation By David Crary, Associated Press For decades, the plotline for LGBTQ+ activism in the U.S. was one of advances — often slow but moving forward. Faced with unprecedented legislative attacks, transgender rights leaders are now playing defense. Continue reading
Feb 09 Ed Dwight was supposed to be the 1st Black astronaut. At 90, he’s finally getting his due By Jake Coyle, Associated Press An accomplished Air Force pilot, Ed Dwight was groomed by John F. Kennedy's White House to be the first Black astronaut. But in training, he faced discrimination that detoured his path. Now 90, Dwight is widely celebrated as a pioneer… Continue reading
Feb 08 WATCH: In surprise appearance, Biden angrily pushes back at special counsel’s report By Eric Tucker, Zeke Miller, Lindsay Whitehurst, Colleen Long, Associated Press The report from special counsel Robert Hur resolves a criminal investigation that had shadowed Biden's presidency for the last year. But its bitingly critical assessment of his handling of sensitive government records and unflattering characterizations of his memory will spark… Continue reading
Feb 08 6 takeaways from the special counsel’s report on Biden’s classified documents By Aamer Madhani, Steve Peoples, Colleen Long, Associated Press Biden can breathe easier knowing he won't face criminal charges for his handling of the documents. But the Hur report nonetheless does damage to Biden's case that he brings normalcy to the presidency after the chaos of Trump's tenure. Continue reading
Feb 08 Watch 5:10 News Wrap: Israel steps up strikes in Gaza as White House warns against invasion of Rafah In our news wrap Thursday, Israel stepped up air strikes on Rafah, a city near the Egyptian border packed with refugees, Secretary of State Blinken is heading home from Israel after failing to make much headway toward a cease-fire and… Continue watching
Feb 08 Watch 8:22 Half of American renters pay more than 30% of income on housing, study shows By Stephanie Sy, Mike Fritz Rental prices are unaffordable for a record number of Americans with half of all renters paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Stephanie Sy reached out to… Continue watching
Feb 08 Watch 5:26 St. Paul makes history as 1st major U.S. city to elect all-female city council By Fred de Sam Lazaro, Sam Lane In the last election, the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, did something it had never done before: elect an all-female city council. The state’s capital became one of the largest American cities to hold that distinction. Special correspondent Fred de… Continue watching
Feb 08 Near-total abortion ban rejected by Virginia House panel By Associated Press The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that on a bipartisan 8-0 vote Wednesday night, a House subcommittee rejected a bill that would have prohibited abortions except in cases necessary to save the mother's life. Continue reading
Feb 08 More Republicans support spending on child care, saying it’s an economic issue By Moriah Balingit, Associated Press As federal pandemic aid dries up, Republican state lawmakers are embracing plans to support child care as a workforce issue — and even making it central to their policy agendas. Continue reading
Feb 08 Nevada’s Republican caucuses give Trump another chance to demonstrate his hold on the GOP base By Michelle L. Price, Jonathan J. Cooper, Gabe Stern, Associated Press Donald Trump is expected to sweep Nevada's Republican caucuses. And if that's how it plays out Thursday, it'll give him a third straight win in the presidential primary and deliver more delegates he needs to clinch the nomination. Continue reading