Feb 26 WATCH: House Democrats poised to pass $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package By Alan Fram, Associated Press The relief bill would provide millions of people with $1,400 direct payments. It contains billions of dollars for vaccines and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and local governments, the ailing restaurant and airline industries and emergency jobless benefits while providing tax… Continue reading
Feb 25 Kentucky Senate passes bill to restrict no-knock warrants By Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, Associated Press Under the bill, no-knock warrants would only be issued if there was "clear and convincing evidence" that the "crime alleged is a crime that would qualify a person, if convicted, as a violent offender."… Continue reading
Feb 25 AP report: Parliamentarian says COVID-19 bill must lose minimum wage hike By Alan Fram, Associated Press The Senate parliamentarian has dealt a potentially lethal blow to Democrats' drive to hike the minimum wage, deciding that the cherished progressive goal must fall from a massive COVID-19 relief bill the party is trying to speed through Congress. Continue reading
Feb 25 U.S. bombs facilities in Syria used by Iran-backed militia By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The U.S. was retaliating for a rocket attack earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops. Continue reading
Feb 25 Biden directive expands jobless aid to more unemployed By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Those eligible include people who have turned down job offers because they believed the employers weren't providing sufficient protection from the coronavirus. Continue reading
Feb 25 European court says governments must prove climate change effort By Barry Hatton, Associated Press A top European court is forcing 33 governments to prove they are cutting emissions in line with the requirements of the 2015 Paris climate accord. Continue reading
Feb 25 Watch 11:30 How a minimum wage increase could impact people's livelihoods By Stephanie Sy, Saher Khan, Matt Loffman, Ian Couzens More than 17 million Americans could see their income rise if the $15 minimum wage now in the COVID relief bill passes Congress. We hear from some of those who would be impacted by a minimum wage increase, and Stephanie… Continue watching
Feb 25 House votes to expand legal safeguards for LGBTQ people By Kevin Freking, Associated Press The bill passed Thursday by a vote of 224-206 with three Republicans joining Democrats in voting yes. The Equality Act amends existing civil rights law to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identification as protected characteristics. Continue reading
Feb 25 WATCH: Biden pushes his COVID-19 rescue plan to nation's governors By Associated Press Addressing the National Governors Association Winter Meeting, Biden touted his progress on getting 500 million COVID vaccine shots into arms since he took office. And he urged the governors for bipartisan help moving forward. Continue reading
Feb 25 How 4 history-making Black politicians are paving the way for future generations By Candice Norwood During a time of nationwide discussions about racial injustice, diversity and equity, four Black politicians whose elections were historic firsts spoke with the PBS NewsHour. Continue reading