Senate holds historic hearing on DC statehood
June 21 By Zach Merchant The fight for D.C. statehood continues this week at the U.S. Capitol as proponents prepare to make their case in front of a Senate committee. The hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs starts at 10…
Biden Says ‘America Is Back,’ But US Allies Aren’t So Sure
June 20 By Rob Garver In his meetings with G-7 and North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in Europe last week, President Joe Biden missed no opportunity to repeat his assertion that “America is back” on the world stage and ready to take the lead in…
AP FACT CHECK: Putin’s Twisted Tale on Rival; Biden GOP Jab
June 19 By HOPE YEN Russian President Vladimir Putin faulted his imprisoned political rival for leaving Russia without legal permission, omitting the vital detail that the departure was, literally, an unconscious decision: Alexei Navalny was in a coma. After meeting President Joe Biden in Geneva,…
Alaska House Fails Key Vote Affecting Dividend, Programs
June 19 By Becky Bohrer The Alaska House passed a state budget late Tuesday but failed to garner sufficient support for a roughly $1,100 dividend for residents this year, which was the higher of two potential payouts under the package. Dividends typically have been paid…
Climate Change Batters The West Before Summer Even Begins
June 18 By Brad Plumer A heat dome is baking Arizona and Nevada, where temperatures have soared past 115 degrees this week and doctors are warning that people can get third-degree burns from the sizzling asphalt. At Lake Mead, which supplies water for 25 million…
Biden Signs Bill Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday
June 17 By Kevin Freking President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president. Biden signed into law a bill to…
Biden Gives Putin Custom Aviator Sunglasses
June 16 By Annie Feidt President Joe Biden marked his first presidential summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin with a gift, presenting his counterpart with a pair of custom aviator sunglasses. Biden is so known for wearing aviator shades that he’s sometimes parodied over them. He…
Alaska House passes budget over Republican opposition, but many elements remain uncertain
June 15 By James Brooks The Alaska House of Representatives narrowly approved a compromise state budget on Tuesday night, but Republican opposition meant two key procedural votes failed, leaving significant uncertainty. Unless lawmakers successfully revote, one of the failed votes will cut this year’s Permanent…
Putin likens Capitol rioters to political dissenters for U.S.
June 15 By Fiona Harvey Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is to meet President Joe Biden at a summit Wednesday, has suggested that the hundreds of people arrested for rioting at the U.S. Capitol are being subjected to “persecution for political opinions.” Putin is likely…
G7 leaders to discuss climate change, pandemic and vaccines at summit
June 14 By Tom Smith The G7 Summit kicks off Friday in Cornwall where G7 leaders will discuss climate change, recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and vaccines. After meeting with US President Joe Biden Thursday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson – who is hosting the…
New US Intel Report Warns of More Violence by QAnon Followers
June 14 By Michael Kunzelman A new federal intelligence report warns that adherents of QAnon, the conspiracy theory embraced by some in the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, could target Democrats and other political opponents for more violence as the movement’s false prophecies don’t…
Alaska lawmakers reach tentative deal on budget, dividend
June 13 By Becky Bohrer Alaska budget negotiators reached a tentative agreement Sunday on a state spending package that includes an estimated $1,100 dividend for residents this year. But the check size could be cut to $525 a person if the House or Senate fails…