Feb 20 Constitutional ban on high fines applies to states, Supreme Court rules By Mark Sherman, Associated Press The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that the Constitution's ban on excessive fines applies to the states, an outcome that could help efforts to rein in police seizure of property from criminal suspects. Continue reading
Feb 20 Rural and urban political divisions also split the suburbs, poll finds By Nicholas Riccardi, Hannah Fingerhut, Associated Press America's suburbs are today's great political battleground, long seen as an independent pivot between the country's liberal cities and conservative small towns and rural expanse. Continue reading
Feb 20 Chicago prosecutor recuses herself from Jussie Smollett case By Don Babwin, Associated Press Chicago's top prosecutor recused herself from the investigation into the attack reported by "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett shortly after police requested another interview with the actor. Continue reading
Feb 20 Civilians evacuated from last Islamic State holdout in Syria By Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press A convoy of trucks carrying hundreds of civilians, including men, women and children, left the last enclave held by Islamic State militants in eastern Syria on Wednesday, signaling a possible end to a standoff that has lasted for more than… Continue reading
Feb 20 Trump to name Jeffrey Rosen for deputy attorney general By Michael Balsamo, Associated Press President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he intends to nominate Jeffrey Rosen, a longtime litigator and deputy transportation secretary, to replace Rod Rosenstein as deputy attorney general. Continue reading
Feb 20 AP Analysis: Sanders may not need 2016 magic to be 2020 force By Steve Peoples, Associated Press Can Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders recapture the magic that fueled his first presidential campaign? To win the nomination, he may not need to. Continue reading
Feb 19 Trump orders creation of Space Force, but within Air Force By Darlene Superville, Associated Press President Trump initially said he wanted a Space Force that was "separate but equal" to the other military services. The current proposal falls short of that goal and faces some skepticism among lawmakers. Continue reading
Feb 19 Judge orders Roger Stone to court over Instagram post By Michael Balsamo, Associated Press On Monday, Stone posted a photo of U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson with what appeared to be crosshairs near her head. Continue reading
Feb 19 N.C. poll workers say some votes were counted before Election Day By Emery P. Dalesio, Associated Press North Carolina's State Board of Elections heard the testimony as part of a hearing that could result in either a new election being called for the 9th District or the Republican candidate being declared the winner. Continue reading
Feb 19 USA Gymnastics hires NBA executive Li Li Leung as new CEO By Will Graves, Associated Press Li Li Leung spent two years watching USA Gymnastics struggle through the aftermath of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. A former college gymnast at the University of Michigan who still considered herself "embedded" in the sport while serving as… Continue reading