Washington — The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, lowering the target range to 3.5 to 3.75 percent. Jerome Powell-led Federal Open Market Committee said uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated, job gains have slowed, and downside risks to employment have risen....
WASHINGTON — AAA projected that a record 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during the year-end holiday period Dec. 20 through Jan. 1. The forecast, up 2.2% from 2024, surpasses last year’s 119.7 million. AAA expects 109.5 million travelers to drive, about 89 percent, aided by national...
Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved six state waivers on Dec. 10 that will change the SNAP definition of “food for purchase” to exclude sugary beverages and select sweets, effective in 2026 in most states nationwide. States include Tennessee, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Hawai'i and Virginia; implementation...
WASHINGTON — Oil companies offered $279.4 million Wednesday for offshore drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico in the first of 30 lease sales planned under the Trump administration’s energy agenda. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management received roughly 219 bids from 30 companies, including Chevron and BP, for tracts...
Jennings, Louisiana and Washington, D.C. — Louisiana State Rep. Troy Romero submitted a resignation effective December 14 to accept a federal agriculture position, prompting Speaker Phillip DeVillier to schedule a special primary for Feb. 7, 2025, with a March 14 runoff if necessary; in Washington, D.C., a judge ruled an...
WASHINGTON U.S. Customs and Border Protection published a Federal Register notice this week proposing that Visa Waiver Program travelers provide five years of social media history and additional data, including certain biometrics, as mandatory elements of ESTA applications. The agency opened a 60-day public comment period on the proposal, which...
San Francisco, a federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Trump administration to stop deploying California National Guard members in Los Angeles to protect federal facilities and return command to Gov. Gavin Newsom. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer granted a preliminary injunction after California officials challenged federal Title 10 calls that...
RALEIGH, N.C. Gov. Josh Stein announced Wednesday that his administration will restore Medicaid reimbursement rates that were reduced Oct. 1 by 3% to 10%. The move follows judicial rulings requiring some rates be returned and legal challenges to the cuts. Stein cited ongoing funding shortfalls after a summer stopgap left...
United States postal operations reported increased package volumes and localized delivery disruptions. USPS officials and facility managers deployed new High Output Parcel Sorters, robots, and artificial intelligence to clear peak-season backlogs and process millions of parcels. State and local officials logged complaints, prompting a senator to request an Inspector General...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The state Senate approved Senate Bill 56 Tuesday, sending legislation to Gov. Mike DeWine that would limit intoxicating hemp sales to licensed dispensaries, cap THC levels in cannabis products, restrict public consumption and ban possession of out-of-state purchases. The bill passed on a 22‑7 party-line vote after...
