Aug 18 Watch 4:28 The growing debate over big money influence in American politics By Geoff Bennett, Jonah Anderson Voters in Alaska are considering a ballot measure that aims to reduce the influence of big-money donors in state and local elections. It’s part of a wider conversation about money in politics, sparked by a Supreme Court decision that struck… Continue watching
Aug 18 Watch 9:09 South Korea relationship shift highlights Trump's transactional approach to allies By Geoff Bennett, Dan Sagalyn President Trump is straining one of America’s closest alliances after scaling back joint military exercises with South Korea. He cited their cost, his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Seoul’s refusal to join the Iran war. It's… Continue watching
Aug 18 Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism investigations targeting universities By Eric Tucker, Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press The complaint alleges that the investigations into some of the nation's most prestigious academic institutions were designed to strong-arm the schools into cutting deals for political purposes. Continue reading
Aug 18 Watch 7:15 'The party is in charge of everything,' freed pastor says of China's crackdown on religion By Nick Schifrin China recently took a rare step by releasing a detainee at the United States' request. Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri was picked up by Chinese authorities last October, one of dozens of Christians targeted by the Chinese Communist Party, which only… Continue watching
Aug 18 Judge blocks the Trump administration from moving FBI headquarters out of Maryland to DC office building By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press The ruling is the latest development in a yearslong battle over where to house the main office for the nation's premier law enforcement agency. Continue reading
Aug 18 Trump cast a mail ballot in Florida's primary despite spreading falsehoods about mail voting fraud By Amy Sherman, PolitiFact Each election, tens of millions of Americans vote by mail, and evidence from court records and studies shows only a tiny fraction of those ballots are fraudulent. Continue reading
Aug 18 Why is Trump threatening to bomb Oman? By Cara Anna, Associated Press President Donald Trump has made plenty of threats against Iran. Now he's venting his frustration at Oman, too. Continue reading
Aug 18 Sen. Slotkin presses Hegseth, Caine to commit to keeping U.S. military out of the midterm elections By Ben Finley, Associated Press “I’d ask you to confirm a simple statement: the Department of Defense will not send Federal troops to the polls or to seize election materials of any kind,” Slotkin wrote to Hegseth and to Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of… Continue reading
Aug 18 Trump is taking credit for sharply declining drug prices. The reality is more complex By Ali Swenson, Associated Press New federal data that shows U.S. prescription drug prices fell 0.8% in July and are down 3.1% from a year ago, the steepest year-over-year drop since 1963. Continue reading
Aug 18 ABC sues FCC over challenge to broadcast licenses By Jocelyn Noveck, Mike Catalini, Associated Press ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights. Continue reading