JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 968

MADISON, Wis. — The state Assembly approved expansion of postpartum Medicaid Thursday, extending coverage for low-income mothers from 60 days to 12 months and passing a bill requiring insurance to cover additional breast cancer screenings for women with dense tissue. The measures cleared the state Senate and moved through the Assembly with bipartisan support after Speaker Robin Vos relented following years of delay. Gov. Tony Evers is expected to sign the bills next week, which will make Wisconsin the 49th state to provide one-year postpartum Medicaid coverage, leaving Arkansas as the sole holdout. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey sued Apple on Feb. 19, alleging the company allowed child sexual abuse material to be stored and shared via its iCloud service and citing internal communications calling iCloud the “greatest platform for distributing child porn.” McCuskey said Apple prioritized user privacy over child safety and filed the complaint in Mason County Circuit Court, seeking legal remedies and reporting requirements. Apple denied wrongdoing and highlighted tools and features to protect children. The filings follow prior private lawsuits and broader public debate over scanning cloud data. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington: The United States has deployed warships, F-22 and F-35 fighters, and support aircraft to the Middle East this week across allied bases as part of the largest buildup since 2003. President Donald Trump told the inaugural Board of Peace on Feb 19 he expects a decision on possible strikes within ten days. The administration convened diplomats and pledged $10 billion while reporting Omani-mediated talks in Geneva continued. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued stern warnings to Iran. U.S. media reported forces could be ready to strike as early as this weekend. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Fort Washington, Pa. Coventry announced on Feb. 19, 2026 that it will serve as the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ exclusive Gold sponsor in the life settlements category. Coventry will support NAIFA’s national initiatives and events in 2026, including the FSP Institute, the Congressional Conference, the National Leadership Conference, and Life Happens programming. The sponsorship aims to provide NAIFA members with educational resources and practical perspectives on life settlements within financial planning. NAIFA confirmed scheduled collaboration and event support, and Coventry described the agreement as category-exclusive and national in scope. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — Forecasters warn a coastal low may move near the U.S. East Coast early Sunday and exit northeast by Monday. Models vary: some deepen the low offshore and draw in colder air, producing accumulating snow; others keep a marginal profile with rain or mixed precipitation. Regions from Maine to the Mid‑Atlantic and Delmarva face differing outcomes: Maine expects Friday into Saturday snowfall (2–7 inches ranges by area), Philadelphia models show a 70% chance of light snow and a 30% chance of heavier snow, and D.C.-area forecasts emphasize a rain-to-snow transition late Sunday. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Indianapolis — Indiana lawmakers advanced legislation Thursday to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority aimed at enabling a Chicago Bears relocation. The House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 27, which the Indiana Senate had passed 46-2 on Jan. 28, following a first reading in the House Feb. 2. The authority would acquire land, finance facilities and lease a stadium near Hammond’s Wolf Lake; financial terms and tax details remain unspecified. Illinois and Iowa meanwhile proposed competing incentives, including Illinois’ $850 million plan. Legislators, municipal leaders signaled negotiations with the Bears. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Richmond, Va. — A Tazewell Circuit Court judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking Democrats from preparing an April 21 referendum to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps, after the Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee and two GOP congressmen sued over the measure’s timing and ballot language. The order halts state and local election actions related to the vote pending ongoing litigation and is in effect through March 18; early voting is slated to begin March 6. Virginia officials have vowed to appeal, and the state Supreme Court allowed the referendum to proceed. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge will hear arguments Thursday on whether to extend protections barring arrest and deportation of certain refugees, following a Jan. 28 temporary restraining order that paused Operation PARRIS. DHS and USCIS issued a Feb. 18 memo authorizing re-inspection and detention of refugees one year after admission while they pursue green cards. Refugee groups sued in January seeking to block the policy; plaintiffs say the government likely acted unlawfully. The restraining order expires Feb. 25 unless a preliminary injunction issues. Federal courts will determine whether expanded detention authority can proceed. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

ATLANTA — President Donald Trump traveled to northwest Georgia this week to promote his economic agenda and campaign for the Republican candidate in a March special election. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the visit would highlight measures to make life more affordable for working people. Trump will appear in Rome, Georgia, where early voting has begun for the March 10 special election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene. He has endorsed Clay Fuller over Colton Moore, and during related remarks he floated deploying the National Guard and discussed potential action regarding Iran. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump hosted the inaugural Board of Peace meeting Thursday, gathering representatives from over two dozen countries to coordinate Gaza reconstruction and security. Members pledged roughly $5 billion overall, while nine countries later pledged $7 billion and the United States announced a $10 billion pledge; leaders also committed thousands of personnel for an international stabilization and police force. Attendees emphasized rebuilding Rafah as a deployment focal point amid a fragile ceasefire. The board stems from Trump’s 20-point peace plan and will seek additional funding and operational details in coming weeks. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.