JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 954

TOPEKA, Kansas — State lawmakers this week implemented SB 244, requiring state-issued IDs and government facility use to match sex assigned at birth; the law immediately invalidated roughly 1,700–1,800 previously updated driver's licenses and birth certificates and prompted a same-day lawsuit challenging constitutional rights. KDOR sent notices to affected residents, and plaintiffs seek an injunction. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. Federal and state officials announced Thursday that Walmart agreed to pay $100 million to settle allegations that its Spark Driver program misrepresented drivers' pay and customer tips, deceiving drivers and shoppers. The settlement resolves claims brought by the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from 11 states, including Arizona and North Carolina, and requires payments to drivers, affected states and the FTC plus compliance measures. State attorneys general said affected drivers will receive restitution and Walmart must report payment practices annually. The settlement will bar future misrepresentations about earnings nationally. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss major housing investments and other city concerns. Mamdani presented a mock New York Daily News front page and posted a photo and message calling the meeting productive. The White House declined detailed comment; the mayor’s office did not release full proposal. Reports indicate discussions touched on federal grants for housing, student detention by immigration authorities, and continued talks in the weeks ahead. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — President Donald Trump said this week he faces a 'big decision' on whether to attack Iran, expressing frustration with nuclear negotiations as U.S. military forces surged to the Middle East. Indirect talks in Geneva continued Feb. 27–28, with U.S. delegations seen leaving the site and Oman reporting a mediator breakthrough on uranium stockpiling. Trump emphasized a preference for diplomacy but said military options remain possible, while Iran insists on its enrichment rights. The U.S. positioned carrier strike groups and extra fighter squadrons; the USS Gerald R. Ford arrived off Israel's coast. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Chappaqua, New York. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared Thursday for a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee in its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to appear Friday. The couple agreed to testify after Republican subpoenas and a committee vote recommending criminal contempt for initially refusing in-person questioning. Lawmakers asked about travel on Epstein's plane and ties to associate Ghislaine Maxwell. At least ten Republican members planned to attend. The depositions followed months of negotiation. A public hearing remains possible. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Los Angeles — Netflix declined to raise its offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery on Thursday, effectively ceding the lead to Paramount Skydance after the target's board identified Paramount's revised proposal as a company superior proposal. Netflix said the revised price made the transaction no longer financially attractive and reiterated its December agreement valued at about $82.7 billion. Paramount offered about $31 per share with additional fees, valuing the bid significantly higher overall. Warner's board maintained its recommendation for shareholders to consider the Netflix agreement and set a shareholder vote for March 20. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — Vice President J.D. Vance announced Wednesday that the Trump administration will temporarily halt $259.5 million in federal Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota as part of an investigation into alleged fraud connected to daycare centers. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz joined the announcement, saying the pause aims to ensure state stewardship of federal funds. Gov. Tim Walz called the move political retribution and warned of harm to veterans, families and disabled residents. The action follows a State of the Union pledge to pursue a “war on fraud.” Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Los Angeles. Federal agents served search warrants Wednesday at Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho's San Pedro home and a third property in Southwest Ranches, Florida. The U.S. attorney said warrants were judicially approved and affidavits remain sealed; the district is cooperating and the Board scheduled a closed session to discuss Carvalho's employment. Carvalho unveiled AllHere AI chatbot "Ed" in March 2024; the startup later collapsed, declared bankruptcy and its founder was indicted. Carvalho was reappointed in 2025; records and relationships tied to the failed project are under review. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The Justice Department this week said it is reviewing whether it improperly withheld records from the Jeffrey Epstein file release after news outlets flagged missing FBI interview summaries tied to a woman who accused President Donald Trump of sexually abusing her as a minor. Congressional Democrats, led by Rep. Robert Garcia, say more than 50 pages appear absent and have called for a parallel probe, while the department says withheld material may be duplicative, privileged, or part of an ongoing investigation. NPR and other outlets reported gaps that prompted DOJ review. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON, the U.S. Treasury said it will authorize companies to seek licenses to resell Venezuelan oil to Cuba, allowing commercial and humanitarian shipments to the Cuban people and private sector while prohibiting sales to Cuban government, military or intelligence-linked entities. The change follows U.S. control of Venezuelan export flows in early January and halted Mexican deliveries; trading houses Vitol and Trafigura handle major exports and storage. The measure aims to ease Cuba's acute fuel shortages. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.