Maine's Secretary of State is investigating the discovery of 250 blank election ballots in an Amazon order, coinciding with a report of 250 missing absentee ballots in Ellsworth. Secretary Shenna Bellows has partnered with federal and state agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Postal Service, to probe the incident. While...
The Trump administration is delaying mass layoffs of federal workers amid a government shutdown due to growing political concerns. While initially planning swift firings as leverage against Democrats, administration officials and Republican lawmakers now recognize the potential backlash. The White House hopes the threat of future layoffs will still pressure...
The Trump administration plans to use tariff revenue to fund the WIC program for nearly 7 million women and children during the government shutdown. The program was facing a funding shortfall due to the lack of an approved federal budget. While welcomed by WIC advocates, questions remain about the amount...
House Speaker Mike Johnson is reportedly delaying the swearing-in of newly elected Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva until Democrats agree to end the government shutdown. This move has been criticized as an "extraordinary power play" and a deviation from previous practices, where members have been sworn in during pro forma sessions. Johnson's...
The Director of National Intelligence has ordered a review of random polygraph exams for intelligence agency employees, focusing on questions about leaks to the press. This directive aims to curb unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information, echoing past administrations' efforts. While reinforcing existing policies, the move could face criticism over press...
Legal challenges are emerging against the Trump administration over partisan language blaming Democrats for the government shutdown on federal websites and emails. A complaint, filed by a former state legislator, argues this violates the Hatch Act's prohibition on executive branch employees engaging in partisan activities. A federal workers union...
Rutgers University professor Mark Bray is temporarily relocating to Europe due to intensified threats following accusations by a student group affiliated with Turning Point USA. The group claims Bray, an expert on antifascist movements, threatens conservative students and is calling for his termination. Bray denies being part of any organization,...
Actress Cheryl Hines, known for "Curb Your Enthusiasm," is adjusting to life as a political spouse to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In her memoir "Unscripted," Hines reflects on the anxieties of his presidential campaign and the ongoing vaccine debate, which presents differing views within their relationship. She also...
USC faculty overwhelmingly rejected a Trump administration offer to provide funding preference in exchange for adhering to conservative education goals. During an Academic Senate meeting, speakers denounced the compact as "egregiously invalid" and "antithetical to academic freedom." The offer, which demands policy shifts on admissions, diversity, and free speech, has...
France faces political turmoil as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government collapsed before its formal swearing-in, marking the shortest premiership since 1958. President Macron's third premier appointment since last year's snap elections leaves him with limited options, potentially leading to further early parliamentary votes and rising borrowing costs. Lecornu's failure to...
