Apr 09 EPA proposes gutting rules for handling toxic coal ash, a move that threatens groundwater By Michael Phillis, Alexa St. John, Associated Press The Trump administration on Thursday proposed weakening rules for the disposal of ash produced by burning coal that can contain hazardous heavy metals and contaminate groundwater. Continue reading
Apr 09 In this era of political violence, candidate security costs are higher, new report says By Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press Security spending for congressional and presidential campaigns has jumped fivefold over the past decade as an increasingly hostile political environment has led to escalating threats against public officials, ranging from doxing to assassination plots, according to a report released Thursday. Continue reading
Apr 09 Watch 2:31 In rare public address, Melania Trump denies close relationship with Epstein By Liz Landers, Doug Adams In a rare public address from the White House, First Lady Melania Trump today denied allegations she had a close relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. White House Correspondent Liz Landers reports. Continue watching
Apr 09 Watch 5:00 Trump's Iran strategy and rhetoric face scrutiny as Congress returns from recess By Lisa Desjardins, Kyle Midura Democrats in Congress tried unsuccessfully to limit President Trump’s war powers in Iran. While Republicans blocked the move, it highlights an issue to take up when Congress returns from recess. There is growing concern among Democrats and some of the… Continue watching
Apr 09 Fact-checking Trump and Hegseth's claims of U.S. 'victory' in the Iran war By Louis Jacobson, Amy Sherman, PolitiFact Based on available information, the U.S. and its military partner, Israel, achieved significant battlefield wins, experts said. However, they said that calling it a "total victory" overlooks significant strategic setbacks for the U.S. Continue reading
Apr 09 'Why is this so high?' Electric bills in West Virginia now top mortgages despite Trump's promises By Margie Mason, Associated Press West Virginians are angry and perplexed over soaring utility costs in one of the most energy-rich, yet poorest, corners of America, where families have been forced to choose between paying for food or heat. Continue reading
Apr 09 Appeals court decides against Anthropic in latest round of its AI battle with the Trump administration By Associated Press The ruling followed another judge's order that forced President Donald Trump's administration to remove a label tainting the company as a national security risk. Continue reading
Apr 09 Pro-Iran groups deploy AI to troll Trump, influence the war narrative By Sam McNeil, Associated Press Analysts say the memes appear to be coming from groups linked to the government in Tehran and are part of a strategy of leveraging its limited resources to inflict damage on the U.S., even indirectly. Continue reading
Apr 09 WATCH: First lady Melania Trump denies any ties to Jeffrey Epstein and calls for survivors' testimony By Collin Binkley, Will Weissert, Associated Press Trump is denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his sex crimes, saying Thursday that the “stories are completely false” and calling accusations that she was somehow involved “smears about me.”… Continue reading
Apr 09 'We got our butts kicked.' Republicans rattled by Democratic momentum ahead of midterms By Scott Bauer, Jeff Amy, Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Simmering discontent could boomerang on Republicans just two years after Trump harnessed voters' anger with his comeback presidential campaign. Continue reading