Monitor - USA News Widget

Ronald and Roxy are a piglet and a hedgehog who meet in Sequoia National Park, in a new kids TV show about the wonder and history of nature in America.

In the show ‘Wowsabout,’ Muppets meet the national parks Read...

A lawsuit filed in federal court in Boston marks a latest push by immigrant advocates to challenge the Trump administration’s moves to tighten legal migration pathways, amid a decline in naturalizations overall.

Immigrants pulled out of their naturalization ceremonies are now suing Read...

As many as 19 majority-minority districts, many in the South, could theoretically be redrawn. But states that might look to redistrict are facing imminent deadlines on the election calendar.

Voting rights ruling amps up redistricting contests. Will states move before November? Read...

With a deadline at hand for Iran war authorization at hand, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seeks a funding boost for his department amid rising tensions in Congress.

Congress presses Hegseth on Iran war justification, spending, and conduct Read...

As Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary, The Christian Science Monitor travels its length to discover what American stories the road can tell us today.

Iconic Route 66 is turning 100. What can it still tell us about ourselves? Read...

Lawmakers passed items including a bill to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown ahead of a one-week recess and multiple impending deadlines.

Congress ends DHS shutdown amid flurry of action before taking a break Read...

High prices at the pump pose a direct hit to many Americans’ wallets, and are a driver of other costs. Some GOP strategists worry that even if the Iran war ends soon, voters may not feel an improvement in their finances before the midterm elections.

As high gas prices squeeze voters, Republican midterm challenges deepen Read...

The Trump administration’s staggering defense budget accelerates the push into drone warfare, reshaping the U.S. military.

Drones, missiles, battleships: What’s in Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense spending ask Read...

In a major voting rights case, the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, calling it an unconstitutional race-based gerrymander. This continues a decadelong trend of the high court reinterpreting the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Supreme Court redefines how states can factor race into congressional maps Read...

Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood is a spring stunner because of one woman’s vision for planting magnolia trees in the 1960s.

Magnolia trees signal spring in Boston, thanks to one woman’s beautification drive Read...

Some corners of the MAGA movement are questioning official accounts of two suspected assassination attempts on President Donald Trump – despite a range of video and forensic evidence.

Conspiracy theories arise around the near misses for Trump in Butler and Washington Read...

An uptick in left-wing extremist attacks, including against President Trump, comes after years when right-wing attacks were far more prevalent. But categorizing acts of political violence is complex.

Why violence against the political right appears to be growing Read...

The Supreme Court will decide whether the Trump administration can end protections from deportation for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian immigrants.

Supreme Court to decide on end of deportation protections for Haitians, Syrians Read...

Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, a company he co-founded, claims its leaders went back on a promise to be a nonprofit. The trial begins April 27.

Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI seen as a ‘test case’ for AI ethics Read...

A man armed with guns and knives charged toward the hotel ballroom where the White House Correspondents Dinner was being attended by President Donald Trump and top U.S. officials on Saturday night. The suspect is in custody and he is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Shots fired as gunman charges toward ballroom at White House correspondents' dinner Read...

As a veteran of more than 20 White House correspondents’ dinners, I was struck by how lax security seemed on Saturday – particularly given the attendance of President Donald Trump. The assassination attempt is prompting calls for better security protocols.

After the gunfire: Moments of grace at White House correspondents’ dinner Read...

The Trump administration’s charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center highlight concerns about how informants operate within extremist groups.

What’s ethical for undercover operatives? Anti-hate group entered gray zones. Read...

Over 4,000 graduate students, who teach classes, grade papers, and conduct research went on strike at Harvard on Tuesday morning. They are demanding higher wages and more protections.

Already pressured by Trump, Harvard faces grad student workers strike Read...

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug, following President Donald Trump’s call for a more “common sense” policy. But many Americans have been growing more skeptical of the drug’s effects on users and on U.S. society.

Trump administration reclassifies marijuana, as public polls give mixed signals Read...

Most U.S. states have some form of voter ID, but their laws vary. President Trump is pushing for national voter ID requirements.

In charts: Trump puts voter ID, election laws at center stage as midterms near Read...

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s rhetoric is raising concerns about the impact that Christian nationalist ideas are having on military unity and the freedom of religion.

Pete Hegseth’s religious rhetoric stirs debate in military Read...

In the absence of renewed talks, the U.S. and Iran are wrangling over the Strait of Hormuz. But the main dispute between the two is still Iran’s nuclear program. Here’s a look at the 2015 JCPOA.

A nuclear deal could end the Iran war. What was Obama’s version Trump rejected? Read...

The $500 million bailout for Spirit Airlines could save thousands of jobs. But the deal, which could give the government a 90% stake, is sparking criticism over “quasi-nationalization” and federal interference in private industry.

Trump’s move to bail out Spirit Airlines sparks Republican criticism Read...

Senate Republicans are trying to end the DHS shutdown by using reconciliation to get past Democratic opposition to funding immigration law enforcement.

Will ‘reconciliation’ end the DHS shutdown? How an old tool is seeing creative uses. Read...

President Donald Trump’s desire to end the war quickly and reach a deal he can sell as a win has given Tehran leverage. Amid an impasse over dueling blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, efforts to return to the negotiating table remained on hold.

In Trump’s war with Iran, ‘The Art of the Deal’ cuts two ways Read...

Legislators say fundraising and attention-getting are eroding norms of policymaking and consensus as the institution cedes its constitutional role.

Congress is not the same, retiring lawmakers say. Can the institution still do its job? Read...

Citing logistical and financial issues, pro-Trump areas are pushing back against the administration’s new immigrant detention centers planned nearby.

How planned ICE mega-jails are testing the small-town Southern welcome Read...

Hampshire College stood out for its nontraditional style, with no grades or majors. The recent announcement of its upcoming closure underscores the financial and demographic pressures facing many small liberal arts colleges.

What drove Hampshire College to shutter, despite raising $55 million Read...

Ahead of Tuesday’s vote on redrawing Virginia’s congressional districts, the first few months of Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s term have made clear how difficult it is to govern from the center when your party controls the state legislature and politics remain so polarized.

As Virginia redistricting looms, Spanberger struggles to keep ‘moderate’ image Read...

A section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, designed to help head off terrorist attacks, is also seen as a threat to civil liberties if misused. Members of Congress have been split across party lines as they wrestle with what to do ahead of a Monday deadline.

Why the surveillance powers in FISA roil Congress – across party lines Read...

For decades, perceptions of U.S. power did not rely on the use of America’s unrivaled military might. In the Iran war, a militarily inferior adversary used asymmetric warfare to resist that might, and America’s allies are voicing concern over the state of U.S. strategic thinking and planning.

What Trump’s handling of the Iran war has done to perceptions of US power Read...

“Sheltered workshops” are often charged with exploiting workers diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. But many workers and their caregivers support such workshops and the sense of purpose and community they can bring. Our multimedia reporter spoke to people in both camps and visited workers at three sites for this short documentary.

The wages are subminimum. But is the offer of something more? (video) Read...

When Bobbi Gibb sprang out of the bushes and into the Boston Marathon, she proved women could run 26.2 miles. A new sculpture she crafted at the race start marks her legacy.

The first woman to complete the Boston Marathon sculpts her own legacy Read...

America’s military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has choked off shipping – a move to force Iran to negotiate. The strategy could escalate tensions.

As US blocks Strait of Hormuz, Navy prepares for showdowns Read...

Rising gun ownership among Democrats is reshaping U.S. gun culture and recalibrating the debate between gun rights, civic safety, and government control.

More liberals are buying guns. Why? Read...

More than 1.7 million acres have burned across the United States so far this year – more than double the 10-year average for the same period.

Wildfires already active in Florida and US put focus on managed burns Read...

President Donald Trump’s broadsides against the pope, alongside controversial memes, reveal cracks in his support from religious conservatives. That discontent is amplified by some policy disappointments, particularly around abortion.

Beyond Jesus memes: Trump’s Christian supporters also fret about abortion, inflation Read...

With Virginia and Florida poised to follow other states in midcycle redistricting next week, the partisan impact nationwide appears to be a wash. But the new maps may make the next U.S. House even more polarized.

Neither party may win the redistricting wars. But the House could still lose. Read...

Fallout from the Epstein scandal and a changing media environment might be contributing to a new push for sunlight and accountability on Capitol Hill. This week’s unusual resignations could be followed by even more.

With Swalwell and Gonzales out, is Congress entering a new accountability era? Read...

While many Americans are enjoying new tax breaks, the Internal Revenue Service has fewer people to collect taxes. And most people say wealthy citizens aren’t paying their fair share.

The IRS has shrunk. So has public trust in tax fairness. Read...

US-Iran talks failed over the weekend, with Tehran’s nuclear program a key obstacle. President Trump has ordered a Navy blockade to press Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

US moves to blockade Iran after peace talks break down Read...

President Abraham Lincoln had a mixed record on immigration, but championed newcomers’ “right to rise.”

The evolution of Lincoln’s immigration ideals: A historian assesses his legacy Read...

The Artemis II mission has concluded with a safe return to Earth. The mission rekindled “moon joy” for the public and made scientific advancements, which NASA aims to expand during the next phases of the ambitious Artemis program.

With Artemis II back on Earth, what’s next for NASA? Read...

As he leads the U.S. delegation in Pakistan to try to reach a peace agreement with Iran, Vice President JD Vance’s longtime anti-interventionist stance could help build trust. But Mr. Vance also could end up taking the blame if talks fall apart.

JD Vance heads into the toughest assignment of his career Read...

As some colleges offer full degrees in hip-hop and others expand course offerings, educators and students believe career paths will keep opening.

From music to majors: Hip-hop advances in academia Read...

The United States and China are leading a global competition to build a permanent presence on the moon. Scientific research, national pride, and potentially lucrative lunar mining operations are at stake.

As Artemis II hurtles home, a global space race accelerates Read...

With relatively little daylight between Gov. Janet Mills and oysterman Graham Platner on issues, the Democratic nomination fight seems to be coming down to experience and style – and who can win.

In Maine, Senate primary puts Democrats’ generational tensions on display Read...

Immigration hard-liners are calling for workplace raids to take the White House’s mass deportation campaign to a new phase.

Still eyeing mass deportations, hard-liners push White House to expand targets Read...

There was little doubt going into the war that America’s armed forces could beat Iran’s. The question was at what cost – and to what end?

The US and Iran are both claiming victory, but what wins peace? Read...

The Artemis II crew made history Monday, reaching the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth. NASA and its commercial partners aim to also pioneer a new space economy through the Artemis missions.

Artemis II reignites deep-space travel. Will it also boost a lunar economy? Read...

ICE is trying to open new detention centers to hold immigrants that it hopes to deport. Not all communities are happy about it.

ICE wants to expand detention. Here’s why it needs more beds. Read...

President Donald Trump’s latest threat to destroy Iran’s civilization marks a new level of brinkmanship, as the deadline looms for a deal with the Iranian regime.

With dire threats against Iran, Trump finds new ways to up the rhetorical ante Read...

Virtually all of the refugees let into the U.S. over the past six months are from South Africa. President Trump prioritized white South Africans after dramatically cutting the program’s annual cap.

Almost all US refugees are now from South Africa, as Trump focuses on Afrikaners Read...

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is keeping quiet about her political future. But in a tumultuous political environment, the young, charismatic lawmaker could be well-positioned to mount a White House bid.

President AOC? With voters hungry for change, buzz builds about a possible run. Read...

Iran ceasefire talks continue as President Trump’s deadline looms, and questions mount over whether strikes on infrastructure could be war crimes.

If US bombs Iranian infrastructure, could it be a war crime? ‘Not at all,’ Trump says. Read...

Whether President Trump opts for ground forces, walks away from the war, or cuts a deal with Iran, one cost of his war of choice will be the further decline of U.S. alliances. The strain has been unrelenting, as has the acrimony.Trump’s war in Iran puts new strain on alliances. Why this time it’s different.

Trump’s war in Iran puts new strain on alliances. Why this time it’s different. Read...

President Donald Trump threatened strikes on Iranian infrastructure, while Iran struck infrastructure targets in Gulf Arab countries.

Trump threatens Iran infrastructure; details of US aviator's rescue emerge Read...

Amid the ongoing Iran war, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Gen. Randy George and other leaders, fueling concerns around military politicization.

With US at war, Hegseth’s Army leadership purge raises questions Read...

From a ballroom to the dollar bill, Trump is making his mark on history Read...

Several prominent conservatives say Republicans should embrace solar energy, despite President Donald Trump working to elevate fossil fuels over renewables.

Trump has shunned solar power. Some of his supporters want to MAGA-fy it. Read...

If Virginia voters approve a redistricting plan and it survives in court, Democrats could counter Republican gains made through redistricting elsewhere.

In rural Virginia, excitement and dread grows over Democrats' redistricting referendum Read...

Recent Jeffrey Epstein files releases have brought his New Mexico property, Zorro Ranch, into focus as investigators try to determine whether crimes occurred there.

What happened at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch? Two investigations aim to find out. Read...

In the first endeavor to orbit the moon in more than half a century, four astronauts launched on the Artemis II mission from Cape Canaveral. A Monitor journalist watched the historic step toward a lunar mission from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Letter from mission control: 4 astronauts soar toward moon ‘for all humanity’ Read...

The attorney general’s dismissal comes on the heels of Kristi Noem’s firing from the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump has now pushed out two Cabinet members – both women – as he faces growing challenges over the Iran war and the economy.

Trump pushes out Pam Bondi, as political problems mount at home Read...

Critics say traders appear to be getting confidential information about major news that will move markets, and then placing trades just before it happens, winning a big payoff. It’s sparking a wave of legislation in both houses of Congress.

Insider trading? Why well-timed market plays are raising alarms in Washington. Read...

The U.S. is one of about three dozen countries that provide for unrestricted citizenship at birth. The Supreme Court will consider President Donald Trump’s effort to reinterpret the Constitution’s guarantee of automatic citizenship at birth.

Which countries offer birthright citizenship? Here’s how the US compares. Read...

In one of the biggest cases of the year, Supreme Court justices sounded wary of the government’s argument that the Constitution does not guarantee birthright citizenship. In a first, the president of the United States attended the oral argument.

After more than 100 years of birthright citizenship, Supreme Court appears skeptical of change Read...

As more ground forces head to Iran, shifting threats and end goals could either baffle opponents and lead to success, or pull the U.S. into another forever war.

Deterrence or escalation? What the surge of US troops might mean in Iran. Read...

President Donald Trump’s executive action got TSA agents paid, but it challenges Congress’ power of the purse.

Trump paid TSA agents while Congress was gridlocked. Can he do that? Read...

The Artemis II mission will take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time in 50 years. This next era of the U.S. space program marks a step toward building a permanent presence in outer space.

The Apollo missions sent astronauts to the moon. With Artemis, NASA wants them to stay. Read...

Accusations that Cesar Chavez sexually abused girls and women while he led a transformational labor movement complicate the legacy of a man hailed by millions.

Cesar Chavez allegations force a reckoning: Role model, or something less? Read...

An estimated several million people at more than 3,000 events across the U.S. turned out to protest against President Trump, whose job approval is sinking.

‘No Kings’ protests draw millions. Can they turn momentum into change? Read...

Iran warned the U.S. against a ground invasion – including strikes on universities in the region – as diplomats gather in Pakistan in a push to end the war.

Iran warns US ground troops would be at risk as diplomats gather for peace talks Read...

Loan servicers will offer borrowers 90 days to pick new repayment plans as part of President Trump's efforts to end Biden-era student debt relief.

Education Department directs student borrowers in SAVE plan to prepare for repayment Read...

President Donald Trump has extended a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks against its power plants. More U.S. troops are headed toward the region.

With ceasefire proposal stalled, Trump faces uneasy military options in Iran Read...

Baltimore’s high number of violent crimes prompted city officials to embrace a new policing strategy, which is credited with bringing crime down.

Baltimore, brought low by crime, uses a new approach to begin a turnaround Read...

Lower taxes, gentler winters, and more affordable housing are drawing newcomers, often Midwesterners, to the South, changing how locals speak and live.

The South is ascendant. So, my goodness, why is its accent fading? Read...

Opening day in baseball heralds the arrival of spring as surely as the northern migration of geese. It also showcases the value of sport in uniting humanity in the common pursuit of teamwork and excellence.

From the batter’s box to the bleachers, baseball binds across national boundaries Read...

The number of domestic terror threats in the United States has gone up, but the practice of notifying everyday Americans of those dangers has dropped off.

US fights a war abroad, faces terror threats at home Read...

Despite major tactical successes in degrading Iran’s military, U.S. forces still confront the challenge of reopening oil trade in the Strait of Hormuz. And Iran’s regime remains in place.

In Iran, a US win will take more than just claiming victory Read...

Legal sports gambling is flooding broadcasts with ads during major sporting events like March Madness and reaching a younger audience.

Concern on campus as legal sports gambling grows during March Madness Read...

Juries in California and New Mexico found that social media platforms are harming children by creating addictive feeds. Meta and YouTube plan to appeal the verdicts.

Juries find social media platforms are harming teens’ health Read...

Parts of Boston Harbor are clean enough for recreational shellfishing for the first time in a century. To mark the moment, we dig into the history and debates around New England clam chowder.

A brief history of clam chowder – and a recipe – as Boston Harbor opens to shellfishing Read...

ICE personnel arrived at more than a dozen U.S. airports Monday as TSA staffers worked without pay, and travelers still faced long security lines.

ICE arrives at clogged airports. But security lines, DHS shutdown persist. Read...

Maine has been welcoming to immigrants for decades. Amid a federal immigration enforcement surge there, communities showed their support in numerous ways.

In Maine, immigrants have built community. Federal agents’ arrival revealed unexpected bonds. Read...

President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying the U.S. will hold off on power plant strikes for five days. Mr. Trump said the U.S. and Iran have had “very good and productive conversations” that could yield “a complete and total resolution” in the war.

Trump delays Iran power plan strikes for 5 days, extending deadline on Hormuz strait Read...

The justices heard arguments on a case that could affect the 2026 midterm elections by restricting the counting of late-arriving mail-in ballots.

In mail-in ballot case, Supreme Court asks what ‘Election Day’ really means Read...

Over 2,000 U.S. Marines are headed toward the Persian Gulf. A possible goal: to gain leverage over Iran by seizing Kharg Island, with its oil-shipping infrastructure.

High risk, high reward? US considers taking Iran’s Kharg Island. Read...

At least six states are considering legislative proposals that protect the First Amendment rights of student journalists. Over the past year, tension between administrators and student newspapers has emerged at several universities.

From shuttered print editions to firings, student journalists clash with universities Read...

Federal judges in the United States traditionally express their views only through their written opinions. That stance has shifted recently, amid physical threats and criticism by public officials, including the president.

Facing threats, judges who normally talk only through writings are speaking up Read...

Polls show that President Donald Trump’s war against Iran has strong support among MAGA voters, despite criticism from conservative commentators. How long the president can maintain that support, as war costs rise and gas prices mount at home, is unclear.

MAGA crackup? Influencers pan Iran war, but base backs Trump – for now. Read...

The giant U.S. Navy is ill-prepared for removing sea mines, and allies have been reluctant to help with opening the Strait of Hormuz amid war in Iran.

US Navy lags in minesweeping, despite years of warnings and big defense budgets Read...

For the third time since last fall, Transportation Security Administration employees are working without pay during a government shutdown.

Gift cards and donations: Homeland Security standoff has TSA workers seeking relief Read...

Sen. Markwayne Mullin fielded fierce questions about his conduct from a fellow Republican during his confirmation hearing for Homeland Security secretary. Mr. Mullin offered a slightly more conciliatory tone on immigration enforcement than his predecessor.

Mullin faces sharp criticism as DHS nominee – and tests softer immigration tone Read...

The U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran have had wide impacts on the Middle East and beyond. They've also burned through a chunk of U.S. weapons stockpiles.

War shakes the Middle East – and the US budget Read...

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard deflected congressional questions about whether the intelligence community had warned the Trump administration that Iran would attack its Gulf neighbors and close the Strait of Hormuz, bringing oil shipments to a halt.

Tulsi Gabbard offers threat assessment – and walks a careful line on Iran Read...

Senate Republicans could use a talking filibuster to try to pass the SAVE America Act, but Majority Leader John Thune has said he won't use the strategy.

What is a talking filibuster and why are Senate Republicans split over using it? Read...

A leadership change is underway at the Department of Homeland Security. Republicans are counting on Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a former wrestler and plumbing business owner, to lead the department at a critical time for the agency.

Wrestler, senator, tribal citizen: Who is Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s pick to lead DHS? Read...

President Donald Trump’s appeal for help reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the vital Persian Gulf shipping lane that Iran has closed, has received a cool reception from U.S. allies that feel mistreated and weren’t consulted before Mr. Trump’s decision to go to war.

Strait of Hormuz: Why no one, so far, is rushing to help US open vital passage Read...

From soaring oil prices to depleted interceptors, the Iran war’s impacts reverberated quickly in the Ukraine conflict. And the needs of the Mideast combatants – intelligence and anti-drone measures – have created diplomatic and strategic openings for both Russia and Ukraine.

For Ukraine and Russia, widening Iran war presents peril and possibility Read...

The Iran war hasn’t yet come to the forefront of American culture or drawn people together around a shared goal in the same way that other U.S. wars have.

Yellow ribbons and flags united Americans in past wars. Iran is different. Read...

President Donald Trump’s supporters say the attack on Iran reflects his leadership style of swift, unilateral action. Others see it as impetuous. As the president hints at an endgame, huge questions remain.

Iran endgame tests Trump’s govern-by-instinct style Read...

The U.S.-Israel war against Iran is disrupting the flow of fertilizers that American farmers need now, and the price of those essential ingredients is rising.

As Iran pinches the Strait of Hormuz, American farmers are getting squeezed Read...

As more information about Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to institutions of higher education comes out, some prominent academics have resigned and several schools are tightening their fundraising practices.

Epstein scandal prompts universities to rethink donor ties Read...

The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill to address housing affordability, but the legislation faces hurdles in the House.

America needs a housing fix. Congress has ideas – but has hit a snag. Read...

The number of U.S. representatives and senators who are leaving office or not running for re-election is nearing a record, and it could impact the midterms.

Leaving Congress: Why are so many representatives, senators saying goodbye? Read...

The defense secretary’s statements about the war in Iran are galvanizing to supporters, but critics hear a glorification of violence that runs counter to professional soldiering.

Hegseth fuels debate with brash rhetoric on Iran Read...

The U.S.-Israel war against Iran is exposing divisions within the Iranian diaspora about the military action and the future Tehran government.

For Iranians abroad, no single vision for their homeland’s future Read...

The 17 candidates competing in Tuesday’s special election for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District run the gamut from a trash hauler to a hot dog slinger. The large field reflects a somewhat splintered Republican coalition, as former Representative Greene keeps lobbing a steady stream of criticism against her onetime ally, President Donald Trump.

In race to succeed Marjorie Taylor Greene, candidates steer clear of Trump rift Read...

U.S. officials say they are investigating a strike that hit an Iranian elementary school last week, raising questions about targeting and intelligence for Operation Epic Fury.

US investigates fatal air strike on Iranian girls’ school Read...

Kristi Noem’s firing as Secretary of Homeland Security is President Donald Trump’s first Cabinet shakeup of his second term. The challenges she faced leading a critical agency at a time of public polarization remain for her successor to navigate.

Kristi Noem stoked controversy at Homeland Security. Why she lost Trump’s trust. Read...

Trump criticized GOP hawks. Why did he choose war with Iran anyway? Read...

The Iran conflict is generating strong criticism from many prominent MAGA commentators, who say President Trump has lost touch with what his voters really want. As the GOP starts looking toward a post-Trump era, it has the potential to reshape the MAGA coalition.

America First? War in Iran threatens to split Trump’s MAGA coalition. Read...

Once again, a crisis in the Middle East has the U.S. appealing for military help from the stateless Kurds, this time as boots-on-the-ground proxies in Iran. Affecting any desire to contribute is the memory of letdowns after vital roles played in Iraq and Syria.

US wants Kurdish boots on the ground in Iran. Why it’s not an easy ask. Read...

President Trump claims success in stemming immigration at the southern border, but one year in, his enforcement push is roiling the country’s interior.

Coast Guard patrols a quiet southern border as enforcement action moves inland Read...

James Talarico, a Texas state representative, won the Democratic nomination against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. On the Republican side, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn is headed to a May runoff with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

In Texas, Democrats coalesce around a Senate candidate while GOP fight drags on Read...

The U.S. is now securing limited flights for Americans stranded in the Middle East after initial confusion following the first strikes on Iran.

Evacuate? Some Americans living in the Middle East wish they could. Read...

Congress is more often letting a president take the lead on decisions about war, raising questions about checks and balances, and the Founding Fathers' intent.

Senate rejects bill to curb Trump on Iran. That fits a long pattern on war powers. Read...

Artificial intelligence is being marketed as a helpful problem-solver for daily life. A one-week experiment revealed some flaws.

I trusted AI with daily decisions. The way it dived in, experts say, raises flags. Read...

The U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran are sending political ripples through Congress beyond whether members back the action. A key debate now is whether lawmakers should quickly fund the Department of Homeland Security.

Members of Congress clash over funding for Homeland Security after US strikes on Iran Read...

The U.S. and Israeli offensive against Iran will have to rely on a coordinated operation to maximize firepower and mitigate retaliation risks.

Initial Iran strikes over, what strategy will define the next US moves? Read...

The primary battle for the Republican nod in Texas’ U.S. Senate race illustrates tensions between factions of the GOP. Some national Republicans are concerned the seat could be at risk.

In Texas, a contentious Republican primary goes down to the wire Read...

The U.S.-Israel air war on Iran has not been a regime change operation a la Iraq. Rather, President Donald Trump is calling on the Iranian people to rise up and finish the job. It is not at all clear they have the tools to do so.

In Iran, Trump is trying something untested: Outsourcing regime change Read...

This week’s blizzard across much of the Northeast might make you wonder what cities do with the abundance of snow. In Boston, our reporter set off to find out – and ended up with an appreciation for the people who make it disappear.

Where does Boston put all its snow? I hiked 7 miles through the city to find out. Read...

Congress didn’t vote on the strikes in Iran, and public opinion has been opposed to military action there. President Trump’s decision to use force carries political risks.

Congress didn’t authorize Iran strikes. Trump’s move to do so carries political risks. Read...

President Donald Trump has issued orders to tighten rules around voting and demanded states turn over voter rolls. Last month, the FBI raided an election center in Georgia. Most of these moves are being fought over in court, as the fall midterm elections approach.

Trump is trying to exert more control over elections. Will he succeed? Read...

In politically red Texas, Democrats rarely have hope. But their U.S. Senate primary race features two candidates whose contrasting styles and online reach are giving the party a jolt of energy.

Texas primary sizzles as two very different Democrats face off in Senate race Read...

For former President Bill Clinton, who left office 25 years ago, the impact of the Epstein scandal may only further damage his image, particularly among younger Democrats, amid changing mores around sexual misconduct by powerful men.

As Clinton testifies on Epstein, his legacy is already diminished Read...

President Trump says he wants a diplomatic solution in Iran, but the U.S. has the option to use force. Some in Congress want a vote on a war powers resolution.

As Trump weighs Iran strike, some lawmakers say Congress needs a role Read...

Prominent U.S. universities face steep endowment tax hikes in fiscal year 2026, as a law passed by Congress takes hold. Schools like Yale and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are making cuts now in preparation.

Wealthy universities, facing steep endowment tax hikes, cut PhDs and libraries Read...

As tech companies and governments fill the night sky with satellites, some astronomers are urging caution about creating a “dumping ground’’ in orbit.

Satellite data centers might help Earth. But what about space? Read...

This State of the Union speech offered relatively few new policy proposals. But the goal was clear: To convince voters that they’re better off now than when President Donald Trump returned to office 13 months ago.

Trump portrays a “winning” America: Will that translate into GOP midterm votes? Read...

President Donald Trump’s brief mention of Iran in his State of the Union address was still short of a complete argument for how and why striking Iran, which would risk a wider Middle East conflict, would further U.S. interests.

Why would Trump strike Iran? How lack of clarity imperils a diplomatic deal. Read...

Who’s in the Epstein files, from the former Prince Andrew to Lawrence Summers Read...

A Defense Department dispute with Anthropic and warnings from artificial intelligence researchers have thrust AI safety issues into the spotlight.

As AI leaps forward, concerns rise that innovation is leaving safety behind Read...

With more than half of America’s undergraduates now reporting food or housing insecurity, a new model of support is taking hold on college campuses.

3 in 5 US undergrads struggle with basic needs. How some colleges are helping. Read...

The Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration’s use of an emergency economic law to set broad tariffs, reasoning that the 1977 law did not grant the president such sweeping power. President Donald Trump vowed to use other laws to keep tariffs up.

Why did the Supreme Court rule against tariffs? Here’s what the justices said. Read...

As U.S. governors convene in Washington this week, many Democrats among them will be in the spotlight as top contenders for their party’s 2028 presidential nomination. One reason: They found ways to fight back against the Trump administration.

Democratic governors take on Trump – with an eye to 2028 Read...

An unusual interpretation of immigration law has pitted refugees in Minnesota against the Trump administration over their legal status.

How a legal battle in Minnesota could affect refugees Read...

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in court on a hot issue for U.S. families: the risks of social media, especially for teenagers.

Is Instagram addictive? Mark Zuckerberg faces questions in court. Read...

President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is convening amid doubts about this approach to diplomacy. Muslim and Arab countries, hoping to influence Gaza’s path forward, have signed on. Western democracies, wary of further weakening international institutions, are staying away.

Trump’s Board of Peace meets, facing wariness and an immediate test: Gaza Read...

Support for tribal members has surged across the Twin Cities, as Native Americans allege incidents of targeting during immigration raids there.

In Minneapolis, Native Americans see racial targeting patterns – and push back Read...

Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday, fought for equality as a civil rights protester, a presidential candidate, and a champion of Black voting.

Jesse Jackson’s journey from a South Carolina protest to presidential runs Read...

Deteriorating conditions in a Cuba cut off from Venezuelan oil are feeding a debate in Washington: Regime change or a deal? Experts say the latter is more likely, while a bigger strategic goal might be to curb China’s presence on the island.

In Cuba, is Trump seeking ouster of Communist leaders, or of China’s presence? Read...

U.S. military boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean Sea to target illicit oil connected to Venezuela.

US military boards another oil tanker in Indian Ocean, tracked from Caribbean Read...

The statement marks the latest in a string of federal immigration shootings where evidence has contradicted initial accounts.

ICE official says officers appear to have lied regarding shooting of immigrant Read...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a less aggressive tone with allies about the Trump administration’s intent to reshape the trans-Atlantic alliance.

Rubio’s speech to European allies takes softer tone but keeps firm stance Read...

Recent votes on tariffs and blunt public criticisms signal a GOP that’s more willing to defy President Donald Trump – and worried about this fall’s midterm elections.

Is Trump’s Teflon fading? Amid slumping polls, the president faces new pushback. Read...

At meetings this week, NATO officials and European allies grapple with the Trump-driven reality that they must now take charge of their own defense.

With trust in US wavering, NATO allies meet in Brussels and Munich to forge new ties Read...

Democrats demand immigration enforcement reforms before they will agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Funding ends as of Saturday morning, with no deal imminent.

Democrats press for immigration enforcement reform as DHS shutdown nears Read...

Reenactors portraying George Washington and Ben Franklin say America’s 250th is a chance to tell the true, complex story of America’s founding.

America at 250: What would Ben Franklin say? Reenactors aim to spark reflection. Read...

The last arms control treaty between the United States and Russia has expired, but no one really wants an end to arms control. They want it to change.

Russia is finding post-START arms control a harder, multipolar project Read...

The nonprofit venues offer low- or no-cost opportunities for families to learn and ski together. Some noted Olympians, such as Mikaela Shiffrin, got their start on small slopes.

Ski for free? Community-run hills help to offset costs and barriers to the sport. Read...

The release of documents surrounding sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has stirred massive media attention, but much of the evidence is inconclusive. The challenge is sifting facts from a frenzy of speculation.

A guide to the Epstein files: Will any new charges result? Read...

Thousands of dogs and people convened in Golden, Colorado, recently, to bask in the joy of what’s billed as the “world’s largest unofficial gathering” of golden retrievers.

These dog lovers get a Golden break from a ruff news cycle Read...

Republicans in Congress have a new strategy to advance the SAVE America Act, which would significantly change how Americans vote in federal elections.

What is the SAVE America Act, and how could it change US voting? Read...

As prediction markets boom, target events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics show why this form of online betting is both popular and polarizing.

Prediction markets are booming. Why are their ads banned from the Super Bowl? Read...

The 18th-century poet Phillis Wheatley praised revolutionary ideals and inspired generations of Black educators and students with her tenacity.

Phillis Wheatley wrote poetry while enslaved. Now, she graces a postage stamp. Read...

It’s rare for a federal judge to resign over the actions of a president. Mark Wolf, a district court judge in Massachusetts appointed by President Ronald Reagan, made that choice.

A ‘Reagan conservative’ explains why he resigned from the federal judiciary Read...

Reforms during the post-Watergate period boosted the independence of the Justice Department and restored public confidence. Amid President Donald Trump’s pressure on the DOJ, polls show half of Americans doubt that federal law enforcement is fair and impartial.

As firewall between White House and DOJ erodes, Americans are losing trust Read...

America’s recent use of missile interceptors has left supplies low. An Iranian counterattack would deepen the dent. The U.S. is now trying to restock.

With missile stockpiles low and tensions with Iran high, US moves to increase weapons Read...

Concerns about electricity bills and local impacts are fueling bipartisan opposition to the massive data centers that power the digital economy, from cloud services to AI chatbots. In Wisconsin, as in other states, the tussles are personal – and fraught.

As tech companies race to build data centers, more communities are pushing back Read...

Republicans and Democrats in Congress voted to end the shutdown, but remain divided on their next big task: Whether to reform how the Department of Homeland Security conducts immigration enforcement. Democrats are pushing for more accountability; the GOP is pushing back.

Congress ends the shutdown. Now, Democrats eye immigration enforcement reforms. Read...

In cases that haven’t gotten a national spotlight, U.S. citizens and legal residents say they’ve been tackled, kicked, or injured by federal immigration enforcement personnel.

Beyond Minneapolis, claims of excessive force by immigration agents are rising Read...

Schools are imposing new nutrition guidelines and reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test as they adjust to the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda in federal policy.

Goodbye, granola bars. Hello, whole milk. How MAHA is reshaping school programs. Read...

Meta and Ray-Ban have teamed up for the latest smart glasses. Our reporter tries them and reflects on ways high-tech lenses might enhance daily life.

Vision and vibe: New smart glasses offer our reporter a glimpse of future computing Read...

Billy Bragg, who just wrote and released the song “City of Heroes,” talks with the Monitor about the impact of protest songs.

Minneapolis inspires protest songs, from The Boss to Billy Bragg Read...

A new tranche of files on millionaire financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released Friday have revealed some details of his communications with wealthy and powerful contacts.

Largest batch yet of Epstein files released. They may not satisfy. Read...

A partial government shutdown that began Saturday is expected to be brief, but it sets the stage for a debate over immigration enforcement policies and funding.

Government shutdown may be short, but with immigration enforcement talks ahead Read...

President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh to head the Federal Reserve calmed markets, but the former governor could also set the Fed on a new course.

Trump taps Warsh, a Fed insider and outsider, to lead central bank Read...

Josh Shapiro’s book tour may be laying the groundwork for a presidential run. At an event with reporters, the governor also showed his Pennsylvania roots.

Monitor BreakfastWhat’s a ‘Yinzer’? Our reporters’ roundtable with Gov. Josh Shapiro. Read...

In the U.S., protests against oppressive government actions, and even civil disobedience, have contributed to shifts in thinking – and changes in policy.

How Minneapolis protests fit into the larger struggle for civil rights Read...

After the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, members of the public and lawmakers are looking for more information about when local and federal law enforcement can use force and how incidents are investigated.

When can law enforcement use force, and how is it investigated? 3 questions answered. Read...

Immigration enforcement involves a slew of federal agencies. Amid some calls to “abolish ICE,” here’s more information about the roles various departments play.

Who does what? Decoding ICE, Border Patrol, and other immigration enforcement. Read...

The newest National Defense Strategy is gaining attention for pledging “more limited” U.S. support to allies. It envisions deterring China “through strength, not confrontation.”

New US defense strategy shifts focus to the Americas, rattling allies Read...

President Donald Trump’s border czar outlined a “drawdown” of immigration agents in Minnesota, while Maine’s GOP senator said the enhanced enforcement campaign there would also end. It represents a notable shift in response to public outrage over the killing of two U.S. citizens by federal agents.

In Minnesota and Maine, Trump administration signals a shift on immigration Read...

Donald Trump is axing environmental regulations at home and slamming green efforts abroad. But is he ceding the future of energy production to China?

Trump’s energy policy focuses on today, while China builds for tomorrow Read...

The FBI searched a Georgia election headquarters on Wednesday, escalating President Donald Trump’s efforts to challenge his 2020 loss to Joe Biden.

FBI raid shakes Georgia as Trump weighs lawsuits over 2020 election loss Read...

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro – who is seen as a likely Democratic presidential candidate in 2028 – was the guest at a Monitor Breakfast event on Thursday. He talked about what he thinks voters want from their government, and how President Donald Trump is making America less safe.

Why rising antisemitism pushes Josh Shapiro ‘to be more open about my faith’ Read...

Senate Democrats are demanding immigration enforcement reforms before they’ll vote to fund the government. The deadline to avoid a shutdown is Friday.

Shutdown ahead? Democrats oppose funding bill, demanding immigration enforcement reform. Read...

Alex Pretti was a lawful gun owner, and not brandishing his weapon, when he was disarmed and then fatally shot by federal agents. The resulting controversy focuses on an incident that appears to contradict decades of conservatives’ efforts to legitimize public gun carry.

Gun-rights uproar encroaches on Trump immigration crackdown Read...

Witness videos contradict the Trump administration’s description of Alex Pretti’s death in Minneapolis. Now, the administration is shifting course.

Videos showed Alex Pretti’s death – and undercut the government’s version of events Read...

Donald Trump isn’t the first U.S. leader to upend the status quo. Populism can awaken a nation to concerns ignored by elites. But it can also unravel institutions – from the rule of law to international alliances – that can take generations to rebuild.

It’s an unusual populist moment, but America has faced such turbulence before Read...

A second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal agents in Minneapolis has sparked protests and calls for investigation. Ongoing immigration enforcement efforts are also upending everyday lives for many Twin City residents.

‘It’s difficult to live like this.’ Twin City residents on edge amid mounting turmoil. Read...

The killing of Alex Pretti has raised uncomfortable questions about the GOP’s core positions on issues ranging from gun ownership to states’ rights and trust in the federal government.

After Minneapolis killing, GOP calls grow for investigation into ICE tactics Read...

Monitor BreakfastRahm Emanuel for president? A Monitor event with Chicago’s former mayor. Read...

The Trump administration is exerting influence over the U.S. military’s independent newspaper, which has spoken for American troops for a century.

Move by Trump officials is testing the independence of military paper Stars and Stripes Read...

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara is urging people to remain peaceful after federal immigration officers shot and killed a man Saturday in Minneapolis.

Immigration officers’ latest deadly shooting in Minneapolis tests frayed nerves Read...

Voters still broadly favor securing the southern border, and they give President Trump credit for that. But 6 in 10 now disapprove of the president’s handling of immigration.

Immigration boosted Trump in the election. Now, it may drag the GOP down. Read...

Jack Smith said publicly for the first time he had enough evidence to show President Trump broke the law in trying to overturn 2020 election results.

In hearing marked by partisanship, Jack Smith defends Jan. 6 charges against Trump Read...

With an eye on a possible presidential run, Rahm Emanuel says Democratic hopes in the midterms hinge on showing voters the party can address economic issues like affordable health care, education, and housing.

Rahm Emanuel to fellow Democrats: Admit mistakes, win on economic issues Read...

A majority of Supreme Court justices appeared wary of President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove a member of the Federal Reserve Board, given the central bank’s importance to the U.S. economy.

Supreme Court seems skeptical of Trump’s firing of Fed board member Read...

Organizations that bestow awards for good governance are adjusting to the Trump administration’s staff cuts and criticism of traditional civil servant values.

These awards honor the best US civil servants. What ‘best’ means may be changing. Read...

The president is showing a new willingness to invade or attack other countries, while running roughshod over long-standing agreements. Lately, his focus on Greenland has shaken the NATO alliance and put the entire world on notice.

In second term, Trump takes boundary-pushing to the world stage Read...

Two high-speed trains collided in Spain, killing at least 40 people and shaking a nation at the forefront of rail transport.

Investigation begins in Spain after fatal high-speed rail crash Read...

Universities experienced a federal funding freeze over alleged antisemitism and their policies on diversity. Some cut deals; Harvard sued.

How Trump has battled universities over antisemitism and DEI Read...

The “America First” vision emphasizes spheres of influence, not the alliances and international institutions that rose from the ashes of World War II.

For Trump, a year of shattering foreign policy norms Read...

So far, predictions that President Trump’s tariffs would drive up inflation have not been borne out. But expect to hear more political debate about affordability this year.

The Trump economy: No recession, but no boom either Read...

Beyond policy specifics, Donald Trump has in many ways raised the bar for how much power a president can wield unilaterally. Controversy has followed, regarding both the policies and the approach to power.

In one year, Trump has shaken up everything. With what effect? Read...

Protests and crackdowns in Iran may prompt a U.S. response. President Donald Trump appeared to hint at military action, but has recently changed his message.

US has options to act in Iran. The world is watching Trump’s next move. Read...

The Trump administration says public statements by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey may have hindered federal ICE efforts.

Justice Department probes whether Minnesota leaders impeded immigration enforcement Read...

President Trump threatens to use the Insurrection Act as protesters clash with ICE in Minnesota. The 1807 act allows presidents to deploy a military presence on U.S. streets in rare circumstances.

Presidents rarely use the Insurrection Act. How Trump might invoke it in Minnesota. Read...

Some local store owners in Minneapolis and other cities targeted by immigration enforcement campaigns are protesting the Trump administration’s deportation crackdown by barring Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from shops without a judicial warrant.

In Minneapolis and beyond, businesses ban ICE officers as outrage grows Read...

There’s a difference between constitutionally protected free speech and acts of civil disobedience that could lead to arrests. Still, it’s not clear that Renee Good in Minneapolis was interfering illegally with ICE operations. And civil disobedience isn’t terrorism under traditional definitions.

Protest, lawbreaking, or terrorism? ICE opponents face ‘extremist’ label. Read...

The United States has long worked with Denmark on Greenland’s security – so much so that it’s dubious that direct control would be better for U.S. defense.

Does the US need to own Greenland to be secure? History suggests not. Read...

The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex, faces a deadline to comply with a White House demand looking for “improper ideology.”

What do Trump demands mean for Smithsonian’s independence? Read...

Immigration is a federal responsibility, yet opposition to federal enforcement has been rising in some states and cities. Now, a Trump administration crackdown is increasing the strains.

In Minnesota, state-federal fissures take center stage Read...

The Supreme Court is considering whether states can ban transgender women athletes from competing on school sports teams for girls and women.

Can states bar trans athletes from school sports? Supreme Court to weigh in. Read...

The killing of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday has reignited a national debate over the appropriate use of force by federal agents in carrying out immigration raids.

ICE policy limits use of lethal force. Minnesota shooting tests those constraints. Read...

President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from dozens of global organizations – many focused on climate issues and human rights – was swiftly condemned by U.S. allies. One power that increasingly has stepped into the leadership breach is China.

Trump exits global bodies in the name of ‘America First.’ Who benefits? Read...

Spurred by a citizen reporter’s video alleging fraud in Minnesota, the White House launched big federal penalties despite doubts about the report’s validity.

How an influencer’s unverified report on Minnesota fraud sparked White House action Read...

The measure requiring congressional approval for future military operations is essentially symbolic. Still, it hints at new pushback from the GOP-controlled legislative branch toward the Trump administration.

In war powers vote on Venezuela, Senate offers rare rebuke of Trump Read...

After 20 years of stand-your-ground laws, spreading to most U.S. states, experts see an accompanying rise in shooting deaths. South Carolina offers a lens on the issue.

As stand-your-ground laws expand, so do firearm fatalities Read...

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis driver on Wednesday, stirring outcries from residents. The city’s mayor called the shooting reckless and unnecessary.

ICE officer kills Minneapolis driver amid Trump immigration operation Read...

Donald Trump campaigned on “No forever wars” and “America First,” and these remain core tenets for many in his MAGA base. His administration’s intervention in Venezuela could test those promises.

Trump’s foray into Venezuela carries political risk at home Read...

New York City and other urban centers are hoping rent control rules will ease the housing crunch. But deeper solutions – including building millions more homes – will not be easy.

Housing crisis puts rent control in spotlight, in New York and beyond Read...

The U.S. military’s removal of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela to face trial in a U.S. courtroom raises a host of legal questions. We look at what international law, domestic law, and historical precedent imply about the legal basis, or lack thereof, for the Trump administration’s actions.

Maduro’s capture was dramatic, but was it legal? 4 questions. Read...

What was behind the seizure of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro? The Trump administration’s hemispheric strategy recalls the 1904 Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which asserts a U.S. right to intervene in Latin America in cases of “chronic wrongdoing.”

Seizing Venezuela’s Maduro, Trump implements his corollary to Monroe Doctrine Read...

The legal authority for an attack plucking Venezuela’s sitting leader from office was not clear. The U.S. says Nicolás Maduro will face charges in New York. He was indicted in 2020 on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges.

Trump says Venezuela’s Maduro has been captured to face US charges Read...

The Trump administration’s ouster of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro deposes an unpopular world leader. It also raises important legal and geopolitical questions for the Western Hemisphere.

Trump says US will now ‘run’ Venezuela, serving a warning to other world leaders Read...

New York Muslims were subjected to surveillance and fear after 9/11. Now, many welcome the mayorship of Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor.

Mamdani’s rise reflected in Muslim neighborhood that was targeted after 9/11 Read...

Our White House correspondent reflects on a momentous and tumultuous year covering a president determined to flex his power, shake up the federal bureaucracy, and leave his mark on the nation’s capital.

My year covering the historic start of Trump 2.0 Read...

President Donald Trump says Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever before” to a peace deal, even as Russia launched another round of attacks on Ukraine while Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy flew to the United States.

Trump says Ukraine-Russia peace ‘closer than ever’ after talks with Zelenskyy Read...

Education reporter Ira Porter covered a range of issues in 2025 – a year that saw U.S. colleges and universities go head-to-head with the government over funding. His favorite assignment? One that took him to Japan, to explore the influence of studying abroad on Black men.

‘The best reporting assignment of my year.’ A journalist finds joy in Japan. Read...

Efforts to stop Venezuela’s oil exports signal that U.S. goals go beyond the narcotics trade to include pressure on the Maduro regime.

With ‘blockade’ against tankers, Trump escalates Venezuela standoff Read...

Erika Kirk, leader of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, endorsed Vice President JD Vance as the Republican nominee for the 2028 presidential election during the group's annual AmericaFest convention. Talk of future campaigns is complicated by President Donald Trump's occasional musings about seeking a third term.

What comes after Trump? Turning Point USA endorses Vance amid party discord. Read...

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, with more than 55,000 members, earned federal recognition from Congress after decades of attempts. The status will open more government benefits for tribal members and fulfills a campaign promise by President Donald Trump.

How the Lumbee Tribe earned federal recognition after a decadeslong effort Read...

Experts say a thwarted New Year’s Eve attack in the Los Angeles area shows politically-motivated violence isn’t confined to a “pure ideology.”

Foiled LA terror plot highlights ‘mishmash’ of beliefs that can fuel violence Read...

In Boston and other cities, some lawful permanent residents are having their naturalization ceremonies canceled, amid a Trump administration review of applicants from 19 countries identified as posing high security risks.

The next step was citizenship. Then these immigrants were pulled out of line. Read...

After three Americans were killed, President Donald Trump threatened retaliation. How a U.S. response might impact the new U.S.-Syria partnership.

After strike on American troops, what’s next for the US in Syria? Read...

Teachers are grappling with how to incorporate artificial intelligence into education. A handful of schools are structuring their programs around the new technology, including a charter school in Hawaii which offers a paradigm shift around AI’s role.

Most schools are wary of AI. This one is embracing it. Read...

Under President Trump, U.S. policy in Latin America has shifted toward more military action. The move is welcomed by many in the Cuban diaspora.

Many in Cuban diaspora find anti-Castro soulmate in Marco Rubio Read...

Participants in California's deliberative democracy model prioritized permitting, resilience and financial support as foundations of fire recovery.

For California, a first: Formal role for public in fire-recovery policymaking Read...

Criminal cases over a “fake elector” scheme to keep Donald Trump in office after his 2020 election loss have mostly run aground. In Wisconsin, a case involving three key figures in the effort might be headed for trial.

No one has faced trial for 2020 ‘fake electors’ plan. In Wisconsin, it might happen. Read...

With his approval rating for economic leadership dropping in polls, President Trump has tried to downplay voters’ concerns about affordability. The same problem that tripped up Joe Biden is now dogging Mr. Trump.

As inflation weighs on voters, Trump is paying a high price, too Read...

It’s been a big month for politics in Texas, after the Supreme Court approved redistricted congressional maps and top candidates solidified running plans. The Senate race emerged as a marquee race with distinct choices in both the Democratic and GOP primaries.

Texas Senate race sets up moderates vs. fighters – in both parties Read...

Study abroad benefits can be life-changing, in terms of retention, economic capital, and upward mobility. So why do so few Black men get that opportunity?

Only 2% of US students who study abroad are Black men. Meet Tremaine Collins, of Tokyo. Read...

Tracking pandemic aid fraud: Five years on, the toll continues to grow Read...

Some in Congress want to ban members from trading in stocks to counter possible insider trading. At present, the rules mostly cover disclosure issues.

Congress considers ban on member stock trades, going beyond transparency Read...

President Trump has expanded the use of pardons in his second term. Critics say some of his clemency grants could amount to a threat to democracy.

How Trump’s use of pardon power is breaking the mold Read...

The US is on track to record the lowest level of mass killings, including deadly shootings, in two decades. Causes of violence are complex, but prevention programs and community health may play a role in the shift.

US mass killings drop to 20-year low. Some policy shifts might be helping. Read...

With military leaders in the spotlight over drug boat attacks, how do troops know when to follow orders and when to push back?

Salute or push back? When a military order’s legality is in question. Read...

For nearly a century, U.S. Supreme Court precedent has restricted the president’s ability to fire heads of independent federal agencies. That precedent could soon be overturned.

90 years ago, the Supreme Court limited who presidents can fire. Trump wants to reverse that. Read...

Finding and keeping educators for America’s youngest learners can be a challenge. In San Francisco, an apprenticeship model is boosting teaching ranks, while also improving access to child care.

Educators for young children are in short supply. How one city is changing that. Read...

For political opponents to find common ground on immigration matters seems rare. Yet, in Arizona, a progressive activist and a Republican district party chair are uniting around a detained woman who has been a positive force in her community.

In Arizona, a Democrat and a Republican fight to free an ICE detainee Read...

As U.S. and Russian negotiators met, and European leaders scrambled to make a peace deal palatable to Kyiv, Ukrainians were wary bystanders to talks over their future. But their view is firm: Yes to compromise, No to capitulation.

Warily watching US-Russia talks, Ukrainians vow not to surrender Read...

Bipartisan inquiries are emerging amid reports that the U.S. military fired twice on a suspected drug boat, killing survivors. The strike may violate rules of war, some legal experts say.

Trump’s boat strikes already stirred debate. This ‘second strike,’ even more. Read...

A new feature on the social media platform X reveals that many popular accounts featuring inflammatory content about U.S. politics are located abroad. While it’s hard to know who is behind them, experts say many are just trying to profit from outrage.

Many divisive X accounts are foreign-based. What does that tell us? Read...

For many people, it sounds like a dream: Living above a library. A number of major U.S. cities are experimenting with such mixed-use buildings as a way to add affordable housing – and cultivate community.

Writing a new chapter, Boston stacks homes above libraries Read...

A Trump deportation campaign was already underway before Nov. 26. But the shooting of National Guard members has prompted stepped-up measures to limit entry and to scrutinize Afghan and other immigrants already in the U.S.

After attack on Guard members, Trump’s immigration crackdown grows Read...

The U.S. Army is updating its forces with 1 million drones a year, expanding its arsenal of unmanned weapons, and training its troops to use them.

Drones are changing how wars are fought. The US is trying to catch up. Read...

New York’s financial community has long been a key voice in how the city runs. With Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist whose proposals are anathema to many business leaders, collaboration will likely require concessions from both sides.

Mamdani and New York business leaders begin a wary rapprochement Read...

President Trump’s remarks after an assault on National Guard members underscore his intention to reshape the immigration system and increase scrutiny of migrants already in the U.S.

Trump calls for review of Afghan immigrants after National Guard shooting Read...

Polling shows that Americans say expressing gratitude can relieve the stress that sometimes comes with the holiday season – and beyond.

What are you grateful for? In difficult times, these Americans say naming it can help. Read...

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the missing dog of a homeless person sparked a debate about how to help pets – and their people – living on the streets.

Can homeless people care for their pets? A Santa Fe controversy points to solutions. Read...

Two National Guard members were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House. A suspect is in custody, and President Trump has ordered 500 more National Guard troops to Washington.

Two National Guard members shot in DC, suspect in custody Read...

President Trump’s estimated net worth has doubled to more than $6 billion since early 2024. His allies deny conflicts of interest. Watchdog groups disagree, and see a troubling breakdown in ethical norms.

As Trump’s power has risen, so has his wealth – all in plain sight Read...

They evoke Hallmark movies and simpler times. But in rural locations, general stores are a lifeline to the community, providing access to groceries and serving as a social hub. In Vermont, towns are fighting to keep theirs alive.

Now serving community: Vermonters rally to preserve the general store Read...

Why the government’s case against James Comey is in peril Read...

Republican state lawmakers from Indiana have rejected pressure from the White House to conduct a mid-cycle redrawing of their congressional maps. One state senator describes why his conservative values led him to oppose the effort.

Why this Indiana Republican bucks Trump on redistricting Read...

Attempts to control the drawing of congressional districts to benefit a party or candidate stretch back nearly to the country's founding. This year's spurt of redistricting has cast renewed interest in what gerrymandering is and how it works.

When Gerry met a salamander: The 1812 roots of today’s gerrymandering battles Read...

The public falling-out between U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and President Donald Trump has brought splits in the MAGA movement into the open. In Ms. Greene’s solidly Republican district, voters are weighing their populist allegiances.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s split with Trump is the talk of her Georgia district Read...

After the deadliest fire in 100 years of U.S. history, houses are rising from the ground once again in Hawaii. But the people of Lahaina are trying to do more than rebuild buildings – they are also trying to rebuild their culture.

Regaining a sense of place: People and culture come first after Lahaina wildfire Read...

President Trump is trying to end cashless bail. The reform was to help low-risk, low-income defendants, but it opened a window for repeat offenders. Here’s why it’s a political football.

The fight over cashless bail: What you need to know Read...

The House is set to pass a bill calling to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. It represents House Republicans’ first major rebuke of President Trump this year – a divide that’s hidden somewhat by his last-minute support for the measure.

House to vote as Trump struggles to defuse Epstein issue Read...

The U.S. Border Patrol is playing a leading role in immigration enforcement activities far from U.S. borders. Critics say the agents’ borderland ethos results in overly aggressive tactics in urban centers – while the agency proclaims it is protecting Americans.

Why is Border Patrol leading immigration raids far inside the US? Read...

Federal workers return to their jobs after the government reopens, and as they catch up with missed tasks, they know another shutdown is possible soon.

‘A mad rush’: Federal workers return to backlogs – and another shutdown deadline Read...

Immigration courts play a significant role in deciding who can stay in the United States. The Trump administration is transforming this system to speed up removal proceedings and detain more people in the process.

What is immigration court? How it works and how it’s changing under Trump. Read...

With the government shutdown over, the next steps come into view: Turning the federal government back on after six weeks might not be easy, or fast.

After 43 days, the government reopens. How quickly will the damage be undone? Read...

Across the United States, scholars are working to preserve the history of the Black press before the brittle pages are lost forever. In a basement at Howard University, uncovered treasures have included Frederick Douglass’ newspaper, The North Star.

‘We don’t even know all of what we have.’ Howard fights to preserve Black newspapers. Read...

Emails sent from the disgraced financier, Jeffrey Epstein, referencing President Donald Trump have been made public. The White House says the emails were “selectively leaked” to “create a false narrative.”

House Democrats release Epstein emails saying Trump ‘knew about the girls’ Read...

Fallout over Tucker Carlson’s interview with Nick Fuentes, a purveyor of antisemitism, is revealing divides in the conservative movement, shaped by an information environment with far fewer gatekeepers.

An uproar over antisemitism roils Heritage Foundation – and the GOP Read...

The Trump administration claims it has legal justification for killing alleged “narcoterrorists.” Here’s why many experts, including conservatives, remain skeptical based on what the administration has shared so far.

US keeps striking suspected drug boats, killing dozens. Is it legal? Read...

Eight Senate Democrats joined Republicans in a vote to reopen the government, which has been shut down since Oct. 1. A House vote is next.

Democrats’ unity cracks as Senate agrees to end shutdown. Next the House votes. Read...

President Donald Trump's efforts to deploy the National Guard in cities like Portland, Oregon, have faced legal hurdles. The Insurrection Act could give him another tool for putting troops in U.S. streets.

Presidents rarely use the Insurrection Act. Here’s how Trump might invoke it. Read...

Airlines cut over 1,000 U.S. flights as the government shutdown forces the FAA to reduce service amid unpaid air traffic controllers calling out, causing long lines and limited disruptions that could worsen if the shutdown continues.

FAA fallout: Travelers face delays, cancellations at nation’s busiest airports Read...

Some Republicans might grow wary of creating new congressional maps that give them pickup opportunities but make some GOP seats slightly less safe. Democrats might feel emboldened to push for redistricting in states beyond California.

How Tuesday’s elections could scramble both parties’ redistricting plans Read...

Business owners and local leaders in three Michigan towns say their hopes for economic recovery are challenged by tariffs and the government shutdown.

In battleground Michigan, tariffs cast a long shadow over the economy Read...

On Monday, the first Head Start centers started to close, a result of the now record-setting government shutdown. The program serves 715,000 children and their families a year.

As shutdown sets record, Head Start preschools start closing Read...

The idea of federal subsidies to help more people afford health insurance was baked into the Affordable Care Act from the start. But they’ve grown, as has the strain of overall health care spending on federal budgets.

End the shutdown? That’ll point Congress back to Obamacare’s rising costs. Read...

Democrats, after election night wins, say President Trump must negotiate to help end the shutdown. The president appeared to be shifting his tone.

Democrats’ election wins caught Trump’s attention. Will shutdown negotiations follow? Read...

The sweeping victories in states from Virginia to California show the depth and breadth of Democratic strength one year after President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory – and provide a glimpse into the mood of the electorate one year out from the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats ride economic anxiety, anti-Trump groundswell to big wins Read...

South Carolina’s Daufuskie Island retains a Lowcountry heritage as a home to descendants of enslaved people. Amid development pressures, residents are trying to chart their future.

On a South Carolina island, could local control help preserve Gullah heritage? Read...

Former President George W. Bush says Dick Cheney, who served as his vice president, was a “decent, honorable man” whose death is “a loss to the nation.” Mr. Cheney was a hard-charging conservative who was a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq.

Remembering Dick Cheney, a powerful and polarizing vice president Read...

Dozens of states have passed laws directing a “science of reading” approach to helping struggling students. But who is teaching the teachers how to make that happen?

America’s kids need help reading. How about helping their teachers? Read...

Election Day on Tuesday features several key contests: for governor in Virginia and New Jersey, mayor in New York, and redistricting in California.

It’s Election Day: Here’s what to expect, from California to Virginia Read...

After lower courts struck down the legal argument for the Trump administration’s most sweeping tariffs, the Supreme Court now takes up the matter. The case is important not only for the economic policy of the United States, but for the Constitution’s separation of powers.

Trump touts tariffs. Now, the Supreme Court will decide whether they’re legal. Read...

Zohran Mamdani, who heads into Election Day with a commanding lead, could be the first New York mayor in more than half a century who didn’t win an outright majority. And New York is a place where it’s difficult to implement big changes.

Mamdani is favored to win New York’s mayoral race. The hard part comes next. Read...

The prospect of rising disruptions – from airports and national parks to programs such as SNAP – might test public patience with the government shutdown.

Most Americans have avoided shutdown woes. That might change. Read...

The Trump administration’s move to withhold funding for the massive Gateway tunnel project raises the stakes in the closely contested governor’s race in New Jersey.

Trump stalled a New Jersey tunnel – and GOP momentum in this year’s biggest election Read...

The USS Gerald R. Ford’s deployment to the Caribbean escalates U.S. military presence in the region. It might be about more than counternarcotics operations.

US flexes its military power, but regime change in Venezuela wouldn’t be easy Read...

Chicago residents are grappling with “Operation Midway Blitz,” an aggressive federal immigration enforcement campaign. A major apartment raid in South Shore, a historically Black neighborhood, surfaced empathy and lingering resentment over city support for migrants.

Chicago’s South Shore bristled at migrants. A federal raid has changed some minds. Read...

California’s congressional redistricting plan goes to voters Nov. 4. It aims to cancel out Texas’ effort to gain Republican seats in the U.S. House.

California puts redistricting on the ballot in response to Texas Read...

As China and Russia try to weaken NATO nations through cyberattacks, the alliance is responding with plans for better coordination – including for counterattack.

With Russian cyberattacks on the rise, NATO nations ready to play offense Read...

Zohran Mamdani has shifted emphasis from socialist ideals to the high cost of living. His success in New York could alter the Democratic Party.

In Zohran Mamdani’s campaign, democratic socialists find their voice Read...

Detroit has seen violent crime fall to historic lows, property values rise, and its population inch upward. Community cooperation has been key.

As violent crime continues to fall, Detroit residents hail community bonds Read...

Connie Bell's husband died a month before the LA wildfires destroyed her Malibu home. Now, she charts her future, with exhilarating and daunting choices.

She lost her husband, then LA fires took her home. How will she shape her future? Read...

Voters in one Arizona district have been without a voice in Congress for a month due to a dispute over when Adelita Grijalva will be sworn in. Two lawsuits accuse Speaker Mike Johnson of playing politics.

Adelita Grijalva has waited since September. What to know about the House-seat delay. Read...

Virginia is one of two states holding a competitive race for governor this fall – a closely watched test of whether Democrats can find their footing after last year’s election losses.

Democrats are hungry for a comeback. Will Spanberger lead the way in Virginia? Read...

The East Wing is being replaced by a $250 million gilt ballroom. On display is how President Trump’s public and private personas have merged.

Ballroom build begins: It’s not just norms Trump’s bulldozing in Washington Read...

As schools combat chronic absenteeism, one solution gaining traction is offering elective courses that are too interesting to skip. The result is a better attitude toward school – and toward the rest of the subjects in it.

Public schools have an absenteeism problem. Esports and architecture are helping. Read...

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has won plaudits for modernizing the agency and rooting out corruption. But she and mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani hold different views about how best to fight crime.

She overhauled the NYPD. But can Jessica Tisch work with Zohran Mamdani? Read...

People in Three Rivers, Michigan, set aside political partisanship to work together, urging city leaders to move more quickly on a water quality issue.

How one Michigan town is putting partisanship aside in pursuit of clean water Read...

Republicans and Democrats aren’t talking. They’re pressuring each other to give in as effects of the weekslong government shutdown are taking hold.

Government shutdown drags on as Republicans, Democrats dig in Read...

With tourists already inside, police say thieves entered a window, smashed display cases, and fled with nine pieces from Napoleon's jewel collection, all in seven minutes.

Napoleon's jewels missing: Thieves strike Louvre in daring heist, closing museum Read...

Without congressional approval, the Trump administration is building up military forces in the Caribbean, mainly in Puerto Rico, suggesting a land operation might follow.

Amid ‘drug boat’ strikes, US military ramps up presence near Venezuela. Why? Read...

Saying U.S. President Donald Trump is testing the nation’s balance of power, protesters gathered in the nation’s capital and across the U.S. for “No Kings” demonstrations.

‘No Kings’ protests against Trump bring a street party vibe to cities nationwide Read...

Thursday’s indictment of former national security adviser John Bolton is the latest example of the Trump Justice Department going after people President Donald Trump says have done him wrong.

‘Lawfare’ hits new levels, as Trump pursues those who pursued him Read...

President Donald Trump appears to have drawn a lesson from the Hamas-Israel ceasefire: Peace requires leaning heavily on the combatants. Now, he’s applying that to Ukraine.

After strong-arming a ceasefire in Gaza, Trump tries to do it again in Ukraine Read...

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a tourism icon and a vital economic resource for this Appalachian region. Hurricane recovery has been roiled by geography and the government shutdown.

Reopening the Blue Ridge Parkway: How geography and government challenge recovery efforts Read...

With former federal employees looking for jobs, Maryland saw an opportunity to support its schools. A new program is offering them three months of teacher training – and the opportunity to make a difference in the classroom.

Maryland needs teachers. It’s filling classrooms with laid-off federal workers. Read...

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case which asks whether using race as a factor in drawing congressional maps is a violation of the Constitution. The decision could render toothless the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Supreme Court appears poised to weaken key portion of Voting Rights Act Read...

President Trump announced his administration has “identified funds” to pay U.S. troops on Oct. 15. Other federal employees are set to miss paychecks that day because of the government shutdown.

Trump says U.S. troops will be paid despite government shutdown Read...

While many Americans aren’t feeling the impacts of the government shutdown, federal workers just missed their first paycheck – the latest blow in a tough year.

Shutdown hits government workers already reeling from Trump’s cuts Read...

The White House budget office says mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers. The “RIFs (reduction-in-force plans) have begun,” Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, posted the social media platform X.

Mass federal layoffs begin amid shutdown, White House says Read...

America’s troops are set to miss their first paycheck on Oct. 15. For military families, paychecks are a vital support in a career of service and risk.

Military families often live by the paycheck. They are about to miss one. Read...

To get the breakthrough allowing a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, negotiators decoupled a emotional first phase of the Trump plan from a far more complex second. Much hard work remains to get Israelis and Palestinians to peace.

With ceasefire and hostage deal, Gaza clears a hurdle. Taller ones remain. Read...

The government shutdown might not yet be having a visible effect on air traffic controller staffing levels, but it could hurt efforts to hire and train more workers.

Shutdown spotlights a persistent problem: Too few air traffic controllers Read...

Agreement by the two warring parties in Gaza after months of tense negotiations and near-deals brought widespread relief, raising hopes that a war that was sparked by Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack will finally be brought to a close.

Gaza breakthrough: Israel and Hamas approve first phase of Trump plan Read...

The president has been openly campaigning for the prize, which will be announced this Friday, since his first term. Recent signs of progress in Ukraine and especially Gaza could give him a legitimate claim.

Trump really wants a Nobel Peace Prize. His prospects may be rising. Read...

The Trump administration is using public funds for private investments, saying it bolsters U.S. security and access to key resources. Critics see a risk to the economy’s free-market foundations.

Bucking tradition, Trump pushes the US as an investor in for-profit companies Read...

As artificial intelligence intertwines itself with people’s lives, some students are pushing back. Their reasons range from profound to practical, and speak to a desire to preserve a sense of community – and humanity.

Meet the students who are just saying no to AI Read...

At the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Portland, Oregon, the Monitor finds security and free speech concerns from law enforcement and protesters.

Portland’s ICE office is already federally protected. So why is the National Guard needed? Read...

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a pause in fighting and a release of hostages and prisoners, in an agreement that President Donald Trump says is a step toward peace.

Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of Gaza peace plan, Trump says Read...

In its new term, the Supreme Court will hear several cases on LGBTQ+ rights, including on transgender athletes and conversion therapy for minors.

In first big case of the term, Supreme Court tackles free speech and LGBTQ rights Read...

Negotiating the obstacles to President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza could take time. But with so much riding on a deal, not least a chance at elusive Mideast peace and perhaps a Nobel, he’s likely to show patience.

Eye on the (peace) prize: Why Trump might show more patience with Gaza diplomacy Read...

As President Donald Trump pushes to deploy the National Guard in Democratic cities, a battle is escalating over the use of troops to support a crackdown on illegal immigration – testing the balance of powers between the executive and judicial branches.

Trump ramps up pressure on judges as he deploys more troops in US Read...

Republicans say Democrats won’t agree to a budget until they get health care for unauthorized immigrants. Here are facts related to the claim.

GOP hits Democrats over health care, unauthorized immigrants. What’s behind the claim? Read...

Some might think that the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen is all in the past. But there is a generation of students at famed HBCU Tuskegee University who are poised to rise to the standard of their predecessors.

The Tuskegee Airmen were legendary. This year, the program takes off again. Read...

From tariffs to the 14th Amendment, the new Supreme Court term is full of cases that will determine whether President Trump’s expansive view of presidential power is constitutional.

The Supreme Court has given Trump his way. Now, it must explain why. Read...

Federal workers say the uncertainty in a shutdown is always stressful. But this one already feels harder, coming after months of interagency upheaval and layoffs. And many are wondering what will happen when it ends.

For federal workers, a year of turmoil and uncertainty just got worse Read...

Washington’s wrangling over Medicaid reverberates in rural communities, such as Spruce Pine, North Carolina, where hospitals struggle to cover costs.

The shutdown looms large in rural America – with Medicaid under debate Read...

Portland, Oregon, is the latest city where President Donald Trump is activating National Guard troops for novel use in a fight against crime and illegal immigration. Here’s a big-picture look at how the U.S. government has directed the National Guard this year.

From LA to Portland: Tracking Trump’s expansive use of the National Guard Read...

High-ranking women say they are watching the gains they spent their careers building being erased. Despite Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech on Tuesday, they are determined to keep serving their country.

‘If I leave ... what is left?’ Why officers battle Hegseth for women’s right to fight. Read...

Prospects for peace were not encouraging in Northern Ireland 30 years ago. And that is not the only common factor between it and Gaza.

Echoes of Northern Ireland peace plan in Trump's ideas for Gaza Read...

A partial government shutdown is underway amid partisan spending disputes. What’s different this time: President Donald Trump is pledging to further reduce the federal workforce.

Trump threatens mass layoffs as shutdown begins. Can he do that? Read...

Two deadly attacks this past weekend are renewing concerns about whether disaffected or radicalized veterans pose a unique threat to the country.

Two attacks highlight role of military veterans in mass shootings Read...

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told roughly 800 military leaders that the military is in “decay” and that service members will be held to the “highest male standard.”

Hegseth tells military leaders US is falling short, must improve to ‘prevent war’ Read...

If Republicans and Democrats don’t reach a deal by Tuesday night, the Trump administration says it will use the shutdown to fire significant numbers of federal employees.

A government shutdown looms. This time, the impact could last. Read...

Russia’s continued flying of drones and jets over Europe is prompting NATO’s review of how effectively it can defend against military moves by Moscow.

Russia’s repeated flights over NATO countries prompt calls for action Read...

Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread destruction in North Carolina. How getting federal aid has become more quixotic.

A year after Hurricane Helene, a region still awaits help, but marks recovery Read...

Part of the Trump administration’s immigration clampdown involves encouraging unauthorized immigrants to “self-deport” by offering cash and other incentives. A growing number are deciding to leave the U.S. on their own.

The US is paying immigrants to leave. Who is choosing to go? Read...

The indictment of former FBI director James Comey comes amid threats of more prosecutorial action, which could have a chilling effect across government. President Donald Trump says he is seeking justice, not revenge.

With Comey indictment, Trump shatters norms of US justice system Read...

James Comey has been charged with making a false statement to Congress and obstruction of a criminal proceeding. The charges come in a criminal case filed days after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute the former FBI director and other perceived political enemies.

Former FBI director James Comey indicted after Trump urges prosecution Read...

Supporters of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk are promising to expand his conservative youth movement. Our reporter attends a Turning Point USA campus event and hears from students about their vision for Mr. Kirk’s legacy.

Charlie Kirk’s campus tour continues. Will students carry on his legacy? Read...

Greenbelt, Maryland, is showing resilience amid federal worker layoffs and the Trump administration’s plans to close an agricultural research center.

Letter from Greenbelt, Maryland: Amid setbacks, our new home shows resilience Read...

President Trump was rude to almost every country that attended the U.N. General Assembly this week. Except one. Could his diplomatic silence about China suggest his next diplomatic initiative?

At UN, clues Trump is gearing up for new diplomatic drive on China Read...

The annual U.N. General Assembly, UNGA, draws the usual grousing about the usefulness and focus of such a giant gathering. But a quick look behind the curtain finds cooperation.

Beneath the surface at UN gathering, remarkable moments of progress Read...

The impacts of comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s six-day suspension may linger – as an example of the Trump administration’s efforts to suppress speech, as well as what successful pushback might look like.

Jimmy Kimmel is back on air – but the free speech battle isn’t over Read...

The U.S. Defense Department’s proposed name change marks a clear shift in military messaging. Less clear is whether it means a policy change as well.

What’s in a name: Will Trump’s ‘Department of War’ actually be more warlike? Read...

Two detainees died, and another has been hospitalized, officials said. The suspected shooter, who authorities say opened fire from an adjacent building, is also dead.

Dallas shooting comes amid mounting violence around ICE Read...

Columbia and Brown universities have already made deals with the Trump administration to settle claims brought by the government. Harvard, Cornell, and UCLA are in negotiations. Where will the money end up?

Universities are paying the U.S. millions of dollars. Where will the money go? Read...

President Trump told the United Nations General Assembly that immigration and green hoaxes are the key threats to international peace and prosperity.

Trump brings American culture wars to the global stage at the UN Read...

President Donald Trump says antifa is a domestic terror group. But the movement lacks organizational structure, making it a difficult target for that label.

Antifa lacks a structure, so Trump’s terror group label might not stick Read...

Tamir Rice was killed at age 12 by a Cleveland police officer. His mother is determined to create a legacy that will honor her son’s memory and help other children.

Tamir Rice was killed by police in 2014. His mother is determined to help other children. Read...

The memorial service for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk showcased his influence in both the political and religious spheres and underscored how his message will continue to shape the Republican Party.

Kirk memorial blends religious revival with partisan politics Read...

Unlike in his first, widely disrespected address to the United Nations eight years ago, President Donald Trump will face the globe’s preeminent multilateral institution as the standard-bearer of a post-multilateral era of big-power competition.

Trump to address United Nations as voice of a shifting world order Read...

On his first trip to Tokyo, staff writer Ira Porter experienced a sea of skyscrapers and had new adventures with sushi. But the trip’s real legacy? Instilling his children with a love of exploration.

Tokyo with a family: Big sights, big flavors, and a celebration of travel Read...

Funding the government is ultimately a must-pass priority for Congress. It’s also an opportunity for the minority Democrats to seek leverage. Their base is pushing them to take a stand against President Trump.

Why a government shutdown looms as Congress splits town Read...

The Chicago operation began Sept. 8 and has led to the arrests of nearly 550 people. The aim is to enforce President Trump's immigration policies in a city known for strong laws against local cooperation with federal immigration efforts.

ICE denies using excessive force as it broadens immigration arrests in Chicago Read...

The sidelining of comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show could signal a wider chilling effect on free speech, under pressure from President Donald Trump and regulators under him.

Kimmel silenced, as political and corporate pressures converge Read...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is opposing President Donald Trump with actions and a new online tone, earning him more national support among Democrats.

Newsom takes on Trump, rising in Democratic eyes – at least for now Read...

The French-Saudi initiative at the United Nations supporting an independent Palestine, while symbolically important, is not risk-free and is unlikely to lead soon to that long-sought goal. Yet it’s worth it, supporters say, to keep the discussion alive.

What French-Saudi move at UN means for a future Palestinian state Read...

Republicans have long railed against “cancel culture” on the left. Now, they are catching criticism on the same grounds – and potentially going further by invoking the power of government to target perceived offenders.

Republican support for free speech wavers after Charlie Kirk assassination Read...

Karen Attiah, an award-winning journalist, was reportedly fired from The Washington Post for a series of Bluesky posts in the aftermath of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk’s death.

Is free speech really free? The First Amendment, US history, and Fannie Lou Hamer. Read...

History shows the loss of a charismatic leader can propel a political movement into something even more powerful – or mark the beginning of its decline. For now, Charlie Kirk’s allies are vowing to continue what he started.

Charlie Kirk built a movement of young people. Where will it go from here? Read...

Since May, Massachusetts bar advocates have refused to take new cases, leaving more than 6,000 defendants without counsel. The State Legislature raised their pay, but a deeper question remains: Can states build systems strong enough to fully uphold the Sixth Amendment?

‘You have a right to an attorney.’ Massachusetts bar strike and the Sixth Amendment. Read...

For months, President Trump hasn’t enforced a law banning TikTok unless the app’s Chinese owner sells it. Now, the administration says it has a deal with China.

Trump ignored TikTok ban, then announced a deal. Here’s what it means. Read...

Republicans say crime rates justify National Guard rollouts to Democrat-led cities like Memphis. But many higher-crime cities are in Republican-led states, a reminder that crime’s causes – and solutions – are complex.

Trump sends National Guard where crime is highest. It’s a blue city in a red state. Read...

The fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has pushed Utah Gov. Spencer Cox into the spotlight – along with his calls for civil discourse as an off-ramp to violence.

Utah governor asks Americans to ‘disagree better.’ With Kirk’s killing comes a test. Read...

The U.S. has entered a new age of political violence, evidenced by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Those who work in conflict resolution say Americans need to engage in the hard work of seeing those we disagree with as fully human and worthy of respect.

‘The American spirit will choose light.’ Why civility matters even more now. Read...

Videos of violent acts are quick to spread on social media, where many Americans get their news, and where children can see them. This week’s gruesome videos of the killings of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutskaa, a Ukrainian refugee, have renewed debate about whether safeguards for online content are needed.

‘I couldn’t look away.’ Videos of killings prompt calls for social media guardrails. Read...

More than 7,000 leads and tips had poured in as authorities responded to the latest act of political violence to convulse the United States.

Suspect in Charlie Kirk’s shooting is in custody Read...

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at a Utah university. While the motive remains unknown, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called it “a political assassination.”

Charlie Kirk’s killing sparks calls to temper the violent tones of US politics Read...

As artificial intelligence starts to transform the job market, college students are the first to feel it – and are adapting their coursework and career planning.

AI goes to college: How new tech is driving majors and jobs Read...

The number of Canadian cars traveling to Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire dropped 32% in July. The U.S. is the only country of 184 expected to experience a drop in tourist spending this year.

Oh, Canada. New England tourism misses its northern neighbors. Read...

Russia says it didn’t plan to fly drones over Poland, but NATO's leader calls it a “reckless” move that will only strengthen the alliance's resolve.

Russian drones, downed over Poland, prompt pushback from NATO alliance Read...

U.S. 12th graders’ reading and math scores fell to their lowest levels on record in 2024, according to the test dubbed “the nation’s report card.”

‘We can’t not pay attention.’ Student scores hit new lows on nation’s report card. Read...

KSUT, a radio station serving a remote community in Colorado, exemplifies the new challenges many rural public broadcast stations face and what that means for listeners who depend on them.

‘A lifeboat in an angry sea’: Listeners rally to a rural radio station amid funding cuts Read...

A missile attack against an alleged crime boat symbolizes how the Trump administration is using new and controversial tactics against drug cartels. U.S. military assets are formidable, but so are the challenges.

Trump opens a military campaign against drug cartels. It’s not an easy fight. Read...

The Trump administration has cut the State Department workforce seeking efficiency, but might also be weakening Washington’s foreign expertise.

State Department cuts raise a question: What is the US national interest? Read...

As President Trump considers intervening in additional U.S. cities to address crime, a takeaway from Washington, D.C., is that immigration enforcement is likely to play a leading role.

Immigration is key to Trump’s urban crime crackdown. DC is a case study. Read...

Prosecutors typically have little difficulty securing indictments from grand juries. In Washington and Los Angeles, where President Donald Trump has surged troops and federal agents, juries have issued a string of rare rejections.

Grand juries usually approve indictments. In LA and DC, they’re pushing back. Read...

A sizable number of young adults in the U.S. are not in school or employed. In Las Vegas, a coalition is working to reconnect 30,000 of them by 2030. Doing so could grow the Nevada economy by $17 billion.

No job, no degree? No problem. Las Vegas has answers for ‘disconnected youth.’ Read...

Police say no one raised alarms before a shooter opened fire on a Minnesota church. The state’s red flag law could have been used to prevent the attack.

Stop me, Minnesota shooter wrote. Missed clues sidelined state’s red flag law. Read...

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took heated questions on vaccines from members of both parties in a Senate hearing, but many in the public also share his distrust of health agencies.

RFK Jr. faces a trust gap. So do the health agencies he’s aiming to change. Read...

Americans – especially young adults – are seeking more in-person connection. Board game clubs are all the rage. To create community bonds, more are turning to team sports from softball to kickball.

Why so many Gen Zers are saying, ‘Play ball!’ Read...

The Department of Homeland Security conducted an immigration raid in Georgia where an estimated 475 workers were detained. Special Agent Steven Schrank cited the operation as the “largest” enforcement operation in the department’s history.

Hundreds detained in immigration raid on car factory in Georgia Read...

President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Sept 5. to rename the Department of Defense to “Department of War.” The change reflects Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desire to boost “warrior ethos” for the department’s mentality.

Why Trump plans to rename Department of Defense as ‘Department of War’ Read...

Armed troops patrol streets in the nation’s capital, and many residents shrug their shoulders. President Trump’s ability to normalize such dramatic actions is at play – but isn’t the end of the story.

Armed troops in US streets? For many, Trump makes that seem normal. Read...

Were Donald Trump’s gains among Hispanic voters an anomaly – or the beginning of a more permanent realignment? The New Jersey governor’s race this year will provide an early test.

Are Trump’s gains among Latino voters fading? New Jersey is the first big test. Read...

President Donald Trump wants to create a national ‘quick reaction force.’ Experts say his order raises legal issues around the military acting as police.

Here are legal issues raised by Trump’s order for national ‘quick reaction force’ Read...

When President Trump sent the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, he violated an 1878 law prohibiting the use of military personnel for domestic law enforcement activities, a judge ruled Tuesday.

How the National Guard court ruling in LA affects Trump’s plans for other cities Read...

National conservatives, or NatCons, elevate tradition and culture over liberal democracy. They gather this week for their annual convention amid growing power in Europe and as a strong part of President Trump’s coalition.

Nationalist conservatives from US, Europe gather, touting different view of democracy Read...

The judge ruled Sunday after their lawyers said the youngsters were loaded onto planes in violation of laws affording protections for migrant kids. The judge, in Washington, says the children need to be taken off the planes while the legal process plays out.

Judge bars Trump administration from deporting Guatemalan children, for now Read...

The tragic shooting of children at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota comes after a political assassination of a state legislator rocked the state earlier this summer. The elevated violence has surfaced divides over how to lower gun violence – and a universal desire to emerge from the turbulence stronger.

‘Doesn’t comport with our reality’: Gun violence shakes Minnesota ideals Read...

As classes get started on college campuses across the U.S., schools and students are absorbing the changes that the recent law will bring to everything from educational loans to taxes on endowments.

What changes will Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ bring for colleges and students? Read...

The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis was the third such tragedy involving a Christian school in as many years. Security has long been top of mind at Jewish and Muslim schools; now there are growing efforts within Christian school communities to fortify their institutions.

Minnesota shooting highlights risks to religious schools, amid push for more security Read...

Whether or not sending a U.S. naval force off the coast of Venezuela is mere posturing, it has revived regional anxiety over U.S. militarism. Does the display of power advance U.S. interests, or give China a greater opening to the region?

Trump sends ships off Venezuela’s coast. What’s behind the show of force? Read...

The role of outside money in elections has grown exponentially ever since the Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that political spending is a form of speech. Now, some advocates of campaign finance reform hope to impose limits though the states.

As campaign spending flows unchecked, some states are trying to impose limits Read...

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons talks about the agency’s collaboration with District of Columbia police and its arrest of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, with plans to deport him as an alleged criminal.

‘We’re set up for success.’ ICE chief defends immigration enforcement practices. Read...

A shooting Wednesday at a Minneapolis school has killed two children as they prayed and injured 17 other people, 14 of them kids. The police chief says the shooter also died in the violence Wednesday at the Annunciation Catholic School.

‘Absolutely incomprehensible’: Two dead, 17 injured in Minneapolis school shooting Read...

The standard of Federal Reserve independence is under strain, as President Trump presses for lower interest rates and seeks to oust Lisa Cook from the central bank’s board.

Lisa Cook, mortgage fraud, and tension over Federal Reserve independence Read...

A lawsuit by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice is unprecedented in that it sues all the federal District Court judges in Maryland at once. The potentially high-stakes case concerns deportation and the Constitution’s separation of powers.

Trump takes on the federal judiciary – of an entire state Read...

Boston’s housing crisis has college students and community members vying for space. As Northeastern University expands, both groups are asking, What makes a good neighbor?

Room for a dorm? How a Boston neighborhood and college cope with a housing crisis. Read...

U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit against all 15 federal judges in Maryland over an order by the chief judge that stopped the immediate deportation of migrants challenging their removals.

Court says Trump lawsuit against Maryland federal judges would ‘offend rule of law’ Read...

A recent survey of U.S. professors found that 75% were looking for work outside the country. The result is an exodus that has not been seen since European scientists sought refuge on U.S. shores during the World War II era.

The US used to be a haven for research. Now, scientists are packing their bags. Read...

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran who was mistakenly deported, returned to the U.S. and then released from jail to await trial, may be deported again.

US says it will send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he refused plea deal Read...

After Hurricane Katrina, the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, New Orleans continues to build on its recovery through music and culture.

‘The sense of joy is unmistakable’: The soul of New Orleans, 20 years after Katrina Read...

US says it will send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he refused plea deal Read...

Sending federal troops to Washington to guard a city with falling crime rates has raised questions. Experts say community investment is more effective.

Where crime persists in Washington, residents don’t see federal troops as the answer Read...

Donald Trump’s tendency to change his mind and trust his instincts has led foreign leaders to try appealing to his personal feelings, not geopolitics.

‘Thank you, thank you, thank you’: A diplomat’s guide to dealing with Trump Read...

Student lunch debt has been rapidly increasing. Now, changes to SNAP and Medicaid could reduce automatic eligibility for free and reduced-price meals. How are schools responding to prevent hunger and save their budgets?

No free lunch? School districts work to feed students as meal debt soars. Read...

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser is walking a political tightrope as she navigates President Donald Trump’s effort to use troops to stamp out crime in the U.S. capital.

In Trump’s DC safety crackdown, conflict and compromise play out in tandem Read...

Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans have arrived in the United States. As the Trump administration tightens immigration policies, some Afghans are questioning whether their status in the U.S. is secure.

They fled after Kabul fell. Now, Afghans in the US worry about their future. Read...

Georgia’s Folkston detention center will be one of the nation’s largest deportation centers. But a local economy boost could come at a steep cost.

Can ICE detention centers boost rural America? Some Georgia residents are skeptical. Read...

Accompanying Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a business-like gathering with President Donald Trump, seven European leaders showcased a united front that made Europe a party that henceforth can’t be easily ignored on the Ukraine issue.

At White House, Europeans make case they have role to play on Ukraine Read...

At least six European and NATO leaders say they will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Aug. 18 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

European leaders will join Zelenskyy for Washington meeting Read...

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., at the Trump administration’s request.

West Virginia governor sends National Guard members to D.C. Read...

Redistricting has long represented zero-sum politics. But this summer has seen new heights in partisanship. The fight in Texas and efforts it has inspired in California and other states show that the gloves are off.

In Texas redistricting fight, are hardball politics proving a winning strategy? Read...

Trump and Putin end ‘productive’ summit, but with no ceasefire Read...

The meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders could lead to peace. But both Presidents Trump and Putin face big challenges in achieving their objectives.

Trump and Putin will meet in Alaska to seek end to Ukraine war. At what cost? Read...

As the school year begins, Los Angeles and other school districts are adding bus routes and crisis managers to encourage the children of immigrants to come to class.

Back to school gears up: Will immigrant children be there? Read...

Frustrated Democratic voters describe their party as “weak” and “tepid.” As Democrats try to regain their footing ahead of next year’s midterm elections, some call for fresh faces and fresh thinking.

As Trump’s approval ratings fall, Democrats are doing even worse. Why? Read...

President Donald Trump’s takeover of the D.C. police department and deployment of the National Guard has opened a new chapter in the district’s relationship with the federal government.

With DC crackdown, Trump reorients balance of power between city, feds Read...

A new diploma gives Indiana students the option to earn different “seals” depending on whether they want to go straight to work, serve in the military, or head to college. A major challenge: Finding a balance between workforce skills and academic preparedness.

High school is getting a workforce makeover in Indiana. A model for other states? Read...

In 2022, the U.S. Army missed its recruiting goal by 25%. Now pay raises, a path to citizenship for immigrants, and a patriotism surge may be drawing new soldiers.

After years of sluggish enlistments, the US military gets a surge of recruits Read...

One in 3 U.S. counties no longer has a single full-time reporter, depriving communities of a reliable mirror. Meet Margaret Coker and the other journalists fighting to keep local news alive.

What keeps local reporters going? ‘We live here and we want a better society.’ Read...

Trayvon Martin’s killing launched the movement that became Black Lives Matter. Whether the protests have brought lasting change to the U.S. remains an open question. But in Sanford, Florida, change has taken root. Part of a series.

How the birthplace of Black Lives Matter rebuilt trust after Trayvon Martin’s killing Read...

Democratic lawmakers from Texas have decamped to a suburban hotel in Illinois to block a Republican gerrymandering bill back home. For now, it’s working – but the pressure is growing.

Holed up near the Windy City, Texas Democrats brace for the coming storm Read...

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s imminent shutdown, as Republicans in Congress cut funding, resets key aspects of the U.S. media landscape.

As Corporation for Public Broadcasting shuts down, what will that mean on airwaves? Read...

Common Cause has long argued against partisan redistricting. Now the group faces internal pressure to relax its stance in California, amid concerns that democracy confronts bigger challenges.

Top gerrymandering foe faces internal crisis as Trump pushes to redraw the maps Read...

From a gilded Oval Office to a paved-over Rose Garden, President Donald Trump has been busy with various renovation projects. But his plan for a massive new White House ballroom is raising eyebrows.

A big, beautiful ballroom? Trump puts his imprint on the White House. Read...

The Trump administration is expanding National Guard support at immigration detention sites. Florida activated troops on Tuesday.

National Guard takes new role aiding immigration operations in GOP states Read...

Why a diverse range of voices says a pandemic reckoning is needed – and how to get there.

The pandemic divided the US. Could a full accounting help the nation heal? Read...

After an era pushing the world toward open trade, the U.S. under President Trump has just pivoted toward higher tariffs and bilateral brinkmanship.

Trump’s tariff map takes shape, reordering global trade Read...

The president has recently touted a trade deal with the EU, strong second-quarter growth, and a new stream of tariff revenue coming into the U.S. Treasury. But the overall economic outlook is uncertain.

Trump claims economic wins, as tariff policy defies naysayers – for now Read...

Trump lands his former attorneys in top positions as he leans on the judiciary Read...

Braille and talking book libraries are a lifeline for people who are blind. But budget cuts mean these services face an uncertain future. How are staff working to help patrons stay connected to reading, education, and daily life?

Braille libraries offer community. What happens when funding cuts close them? Read...

In a letter to readers, correspondent Francine Kiefer offers a fresh take on how reporters do their jobs and what really matters in the end.

A veteran Monitor correspondent’s farewell letter: ‘It was love at first write’ Read...

The Trump administration faces pressure to release additional files from investigations of sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. Here’s what’s known from two decades of lawsuits and what could come from efforts to reveal more.

What 20 years of investigations tell us about the Epstein files Read...

The Trump administration argues that with increased political violence, masks keep law enforcement officers safe. Others say they erode public trust.

Immigration police say they mask to stop retribution. They may be risking trust. Read...

The pandemic exacerbated growing distrust between elites and citizens. That has made it hard to take stock of why the United States fared worse than many other countries. Those calling for a pandemic reckoning say it could help rebuild trust.

Other nations had a pandemic reckoning. Why hasn’t the US? Read...

Since 2006, the party controlling the White House has always lost House seats in the midterms. DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene told a Monitor Breakfast how the “big, ugly bill” will work to Democrats’ advantage.

Monitor BreakfastInside Democrats’ plans for retaking the House Read...

Under President Trump’s new AI plan, America’s strategy has moved from cautious to bold, though critics are concerned that key safeguards are missing.

Embracing loose AI policies, Trump seeks edge in US race against China Read...

At President Trump’s request, Republicans in Texas and possibly other states are eyeing redistricting plans that could add seats to their U.S. House majority. Democrats are warning they might retaliate, in an escalating battle for House control.

Trump has opened up ‘a nuclear arms race’ on gerrymandering Read...

As President Donald Trump tries to quell an uproar within his base over his handling of the Epstein files, he’s using a tactic – diversion – that has bailed him out of difficult spots before. But this time, he may be promising revelations he can’t or won’t deliver on.

Trump leans on diversion tactics again. But Epstein files may test their limits. Read...

In a push to meet President Donald Trump’s goal of deporting 1 million unauthorized immigrants, the administration is enlisting agencies not typically involved in immigration enforcement.

From IRS to HHS: Trump immigration crackdown taps a host of agencies Read...

Volunteer-led efforts to support immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are similar to those happening around the United States. For many of the people stepping up, it’s a way to help fellow community members have some control over their lives.

‘Standing with the vulnerable’: Why communities are rallying around immigrant neighbors Read...

Republican efforts to redraw districts could backfire, and Democrats are well positioned to net the three House seats they need to take power in the 2026 midterm elections, says Rep. Suzan DelBene at a Christian Science Monitor Breakfast with reporters.

Monitor BreakfastDemocrats in ‘strong position’ to retake the House, says campaign chair Read...

A police officer involved in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor in 2020 got a 33-month sentence Monday. The Department of Justice’s approach to the case points to a retreat from police reform efforts.

What the sentence in Breonna Taylor’s death says about police reform under Trump Read...

President Donald Trump started his second presidency with a burst of executive actions on issues core to his electoral success, such as the economy and immigration. Public support for him on those issues is starting to slip.

From immigration to bombing Iran: How Trump fares in polling after half a year. Read...

The court reached the end of June having issued almost twice as many emergency orders as it did merits opinions. Is this an anomaly, or the start of a new normal?

The Supreme Court may have entered a new phase. Call it the emergency era. Read...

As colleges and the Trump administration battle over federal funding, more questions arise about the obligations around grants and other financial arrangements – and what’s at stake if those systems falter.

How intertwined are the federal government and US colleges? Read...

The World Series of adaptive-sport beep baseball is about to kick off – offering blind players the opportunity to hit, field, and build community while participating in the national pastime.

Beep Ball World Series is a home run for blind players. ‘I want to play forever.’ Read...

As people, Elon Musk and Russ Vought could hardly be more different. But they share a determination to shrink government. And Mr. Vought’s power to do it, as the Trump administration’s budget director, is enormous.

Monitor BreakfastOur breakfast with Trump budget mastermind Russ Vought Read...

President Trump has held his MAGA coalition together for a decade. But many supporters say his refusal to release information on the Jeffrey Epstein case means he’s acting more like the deep state they want to tear down.

‘A huge deal’: Why Trump’s MAGA base rejects his Epstein case explanation Read...

Congress provided more than $170 billion to assist President Trump’s deportation campaign. Scaling up immigration enforcement efforts comes with steep logistical challenges.

Trump’s deportation push is now flush with cash. Here’s how it might be spent. Read...

At a Monitor Breakfast, President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget director took a victory lap – and pledged more government cuts to come.

Monitor BreakfastAs Congress codifies government cuts, Russell Vought promises more to come Read...

Elon Musk says he’s starting the America Party to focus on cutting government spending, which he views as essential to U.S. security. But the hold that Republicans and Democrats have on the political system is a formidable barrier.

Americans say they want a third party. Musk may find it a tricky liftoff. Read...

Experts warn of an era of “normalized violence,” impacting state and local officials along with national politicians – who are increasingly being attacked at home.

In aftermath of Minnesota shootings, tracking a disturbing rise in political violence Read...

An effort to clean up Oakland started small: one man trying to make a park safe for a little boy to play in. Today, volunteers say the cleanups are meant to remind people of the importance of community.

‘What community looks like’: Oakland volunteers haul away 25 tons of trash Read...

The HBCU Swingman Classic in Atlanta brought out Hall of Famers, comedians, and fans for an afternoon celebrating the sport and its players.

Can Ken Griffey Jr. and the HBCU Classic bring Black players back to baseball? Read...

Multiple investigations have detailed the breakdowns that occurred a year ago during the assassination attempt against Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Under a new leader hired by Mr. Trump, Secret Service has been pushing to address those problems.

One year after Trump assassination attempt, Secret Service has changed – but questions linger Read...

As recovery efforts continue in Texas, details are emerging about how the area could have been better prepared. Political will is growing for statewide action.

Amid flood tragedy, Texas officials promise improvements ‘will be made’ Read...

Los Angeles is at the center of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts. As a judge weighs in, how the standoff is resolved could have implications for the rest of the U.S.

Trump's immigration raids roil LA. How it plays out could matter in other cities. Read...

Colleges and universities are concerned about enrollment numbers. More campuses are finding ways for military veterans and people who’ve been in the workforce to fast-track degrees.

Credit for life experience? More colleges woo students with path to degrees. Read...

A New Hampshire judge issued a ruling pausing President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. He also certified a class action lawsuit on behalf of children who would be affected by the president’s order.

Federal judge blocks Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship Read...

It’s been a roller coaster week for Ukraine, with U.S. military aid first paused, then reinstated. The shifts follow President Donald Trump’s frosty signals to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Why Trump made a U-turn on military aid to Ukraine Read...

For a club of women walkers in Las Vegas, even the desert heat doesn’t deter their weekly gathering. Many of them have sought out the conversation and companionship – a sneaker-clad effort to strengthen the social fabric of the area.

Walking, talking, and bonding: Why social strolls are on the upswing Read...

Boston’s tight-knit Tibetan community is a microcosm of Tibetans living in exile around the world – communities that have fostered a sense of cultural resilience across generations.

In Boston and beyond, Tibetans in exile keep their culture alive Read...

The Trump administration has reduced the staff of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and scaled back the amount of aid it delivers, saying states should take the lead.

In Texas flood response, a scaled-back FEMA gets an early test Read...

Following catastrophic flooding in central Texas, residents are launching donation drives and bringing supplies to hard-to-reach neighbors.

‘This is Texas.’ Amid flood despair, locals mobilize to help. Read...

Illegal border crossings between Mexico and the U.S. have dropped precipitously, yet left-behind items still linger. One property owner sees border security through the objects left on his property.

Southern border crossings are down. A sea of shoelaces remains. Read...

While the two leaders have made efforts to emphasize their cooperation, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu offer different visions of Gaza and Iran. Nevertheless, the White House dinner Monday night presented a harmonious tableau.

Despite differences on Gaza and Iran, Trump and Netanyahu project unity Read...

Nine years ago, Valerie Castile lost her son, Philando, at a traffic stop gone horribly wrong. She is determined that his life will not be forgotten. Part of an occasional series.

‘That’s the warrior spirit.’ Why Valerie Castile is determined to honor her son. Read...

European nations have pledged more NATO funding partly through a novel redefinition of “defense.” Is it gimmickry or a more holistic approach to security?

When does a bridge count as military spending? Inside NATO’s new defense plans. Read...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump will meet to discuss Middle East tensions and celebrate their progress in Iran, including the strikes on nuclear facilities. Questions remain on how Mr. Trump plans to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump welcomes Netanyahu at the White House. Can he get a ceasefire in Gaza? Read...

More than two dozen children from a girls’ camp and many others are still missing while search and rescue efforts were continuing in the Texas Hill Country. Authorities say more than 1,000 rescuers are on the ground.

Searchers sweep Texas Hill Country for child campers after flash floods Read...

One North Carolina city offers a window into how Medicaid cuts may affect national efforts to address opioid addiction and overdose deaths.

How Medicaid cuts may endanger US progress battling opioid addiction Read...

The Senate passed President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” to keep low tax rates from expiring – maintaining a status quo. The bill also tightens eligibility for Medicaid and nutrition assistance.

Republican challenge: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has big costs, provides few new benefits Read...

It’s no surprise that news outlets are struggling for both dollars and trust. In Camden, Maine, a local newspaper opened a café to welcome in the community.

‘Fresh brewed news’: Community café offers locals a chance to sip with reporters Read...

Most fired USAID workers were officially taken off the payroll this week. One employee grapples with the abrupt loss of a 17-year career – and tries to figure out what’s next.

His USAID career over, one worker wonders if he can still serve his country Read...

First-time voters and young voters turned out in droves for the New York mayoral primary. Their choice for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, may or may not herald a wider tea party-like revolt. But his win serves as a repudiation of the political establishment.

Zohran Mamdani upended New York politics. Is a Democratic tea party next? Read...

A record-low U.S. birth rate is sparking a movement to encourage people to have more babies. A challenge is unlocking why people are having fewer children than they say they want.

Trump sees budget bill promoting a baby boom. Others say more is needed. Read...

President Donald Trump is touting Florida’s unusual immigration detention facility in the Everglades – part of a wider effort to create spaces to hold people caught up in the administration’s deportation campaign.

As ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ opens, detention centers quietly expand across the US Read...

Senate Republicans narrowly passed President Trump’s $4.5 trillion bill with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance. It extends tax cuts and cuts Medicaid, while adding nearly $3.3 trillion to the deficit. The bill now returns to the House.

Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ passes Senate by tie-breaking vote Read...

The Getty Villa Museum in Los Angeles, notable for its ancient art, has reopened to the public after post-wildfire cleanup and restoration of its grounds.

A lift for LA as iconic Getty Villa Museum reopens, scarred but intact after fires Read...

The Senate is expected to grind through a rare weekend session as Republicans race to pass the package of tax breaks and spending cuts by his July Fourth deadline.

Senators prep for a weekend of work to pass Trump’s tax and spending bill Read...

The Supreme Court ruled on June 28, 2024, that banning camping for homeless people did not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. In the year since, California’s cities and its homeless population have navigated a new legal landscape.

Supreme Court allowed cities to ban camping. Here’s what happened next in California. Read...

“Alligator Alcatraz” is what Florida officials are calling their new migrant detention center in a remote part of the Everglades. The project faces strong opposition from environmental activists and Native American tribes who say the land is sacred.

‘Alligator Alcatraz’: Why Florida’s Native Americans oppose a new migrant facility Read...

A Honduran mother and her two children are suing the United States over their courthouse arrest, calling it unconstitutional despite entering legally through a Biden-era asylum app. The lawsuit is believed to be the first involving children.

First lawsuit including children challenges ICE arrest policy at courthouses Read...

Whether the courts will allow President Trump to redefine birthright citizenship through executive order remains to be seen. But the Supreme Court on Friday offered his White House a big win.

Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions – a win for Trump administration Read...

In a closely watched case about religious freedom and public education, the Supreme Court sided with parents who wanted to opt their children out of LGBTQ-themed materials.

Citing religious liberty, justices allow book opt-outs in public schools Read...

It’s been a decade since the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a right to same-sex marriage. Public acceptance has grown since then, but some conservatives aim to challenge that ruling in an echo of what happened with Roe v. Wade.

10 years after same-sex marriage ruling, these conservatives aim to roll it back Read...

Some in Congress question whether President Trump’s Iran strikes align with the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, but Republicans mostly stick with the president.

Trump attacked Iran. Should Congress have had a say? Read...

In his second term, President Donald Trump has unleashed a diplomatic style that jettisons all the norms of traditional diplomacy in favor of commands, threats, and shows of force.

In Mideast and at NATO summit, Trump models norm-busting diplomacy Read...

Ten years ago, the Supreme Court issued the landmark decision Obergefell v. Hodges, making same-sex marriage a constitutional right. Jim Obergefell remembers that day, and what the fight meant for him and his late husband.

Q&A: Jim Obergefell reflects on the case that bears his name Read...

Iran attacked a U.S. military base in response to the bombing of its nuclear sites. American bases in the Middle East remain on high alert amid a hoped-for truce.

As Israel and Iran weigh truce, US troops in region remain on alert Read...

The Supreme Court has permitted the Trump administration to deport migrants to countries other than their own. The decision opens the door to faster removals of people in the U.S. without authorization.

Speeding up Trump agenda, Supreme Court allows third-country deportations Read...

In New York City, the battle to secure the Democratic nomination for mayor has turned into a generational confrontation, and a test for a polarized electorate.

New York’s down-to-the-wire mayoral primary tests deep Democratic divide Read...

The University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Policing Leadership Academy is using improv theater techniques to teach listening skills to police captains. The academy hopes the approach will increase community engagement and improve officer morale.

Can improv theater reduce violent crime? Comedians and police captains team up. Read...

Texas now mandates the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public classroom. Supporters say the biblical strictures are foundational to understanding the law. Opponents say the new requirement violates the Constitution, prioritizing Christianity over other religions.

New Texas law mandates Ten Commandments in public schools. Next stop, the courts. Read...

Despite tensions over Iran and disagreements over Ukraine, European members of NATO think they can deliver enough of what President Trump wants at the summit to keep him committed to the alliance and European security.

At NATO summit, anxious Europeans extend a hand to placate Trump Read...

President Trump’s decision to strike Iran inserts the U.S. squarely into the kind of conflict he vowed to avoid, but he has prioritized neutralizing Iran’s nuclear program.

Trump bombs Iran despite MAGA warnings Read...

As President Donald Trump considers whether to involve the U.S. in a conflict with Iran, longtime ally Steve Bannon is making news – breakfasting with the Monitor and lunching with the president.

Monitor BreakfastAs Trump weighs bombing Iran, Steve Bannon has his ear Read...

An appeals court ruled it was lawful for President Trump to keep National Guard troops in L.A. – a move that hasn’t happened without a governor’s consent since 1965. Governor Newsom criticized the ruling but welcomed the court’s rejection of unchecked presidential power.

‘Big win’ for Trump: Appeals court upholds National Guard deployment in LA Read...

Uncertainty caused by policy shifts and arrests is taking a toll on America’s workplaces, making many immigrants – with and without legal status – hesitant to go to work.

US economy faces reckoning as some immigrants avoid workplaces Read...

States are now more involved in tracking student data, but with the extent of a federal role increasingly less clear, the door is opening for talk of reform.

Student data is key to learning. The best way to collect it is less clear. Read...

MAGA influencer Steve Bannon is warning against the Trump administration getting involved in a lengthy conflict in Iran, lighting into Republicans and conservative talking heads whom he describes as beating the drums of war.

Monitor BreakfastSteve Bannon warns Trump against heavy US involvement in Iran Read...

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law prohibiting gender-transition care for minors. Chief Justice Roberts noted transgender policies should be set by elected officials and the democratic process.

In major transgender rights case, Supreme Court sides with state over parents Read...

Attacks on Minnesota lawmakers are part of a wave of political violence that has local officeholders grappling with how to increase their security.

As political violence hits home, local lawmakers struggle with how to stay safe Read...

Courts are hearing hundreds of cases involving the Trump administration. Here’s an overview of where courts are restraining or approving of the president’s actions.

The Trump administration faces hundreds of lawsuits. Here’s where key cases stand. Read...

Immigration raids in Los Angeles are keeping immigrant communities on edge, leading many workers and customers to stay home. Business owners say sales are dropping sharply and the local economy is suffering.

‘It’s worse than COVID.’ ICE raids empty LA produce markets and restaurants. Read...

While Washington hosted a military parade, large crowds gathered across the country Saturday to peacefully protest President Donald Trump’s policies. The threat of violence – and news of a political assassination in Minnesota – added to tensions.

Troops in the streets and political violence: Americans grapple with a charged moment Read...

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says a state lawmaker and her husband were shot and killed in a politically motivated assassination. A second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded Saturday as well.

Two lawmakers shot, one killed, in what is deemed a politically targeted shooting Read...

Tanks, troops, and marching bands rolled through Washington in a parade of American military power, a show met by thousands of citizens who showed another kind of power: protest.

After day of nationwide protests, Trump’s military parade rolls through D.C. Read...

A United States appeals court temporarily allowed President Trump to keep National Guard troops in Los Angeles. This ruling paused a lower court’s decision that declared the deployment unlawful and gave control back to California’s governor.

As Marines arrive in Los Angeles, courts battle over executive power to deploy military Read...

As tech companies battle copyright lawsuits, Microsoft and OpenAI have increasingly looked to libraries for material to train chatbots. Harvard-based Institutional Data Initiative aims to forge partnerships between archive keepers and AI developers.

AI needs more data. Will library stacks be their next frontier? Read...

Nationwide protests are planned for Saturday during a military parade in Washington. The parade marks the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s birthday.

‘No Kings’ protests to counter Trump’s military parade. Where are they happening? Read...

As the U.S. Army celebrates 250 years since its founding, a grand parade overseen by President Trump comes amid signs of strain for the military. The latest source of turmoil: his efforts to deploy troops on domestic soil.

Army parade collides with protests over Trump’s deployment of military on US soil Read...

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has long invested in helping Americans understand the ongoing relevance of Nazi-era lessons. He says it’s never been more important.

How JB Pritzker’s faith and Holocaust work are powering his dire warnings about Trump Read...

The LA protests are playing to the president’s strengths around security and law enforcement, and bringing the politics of immigration front and center.

Immigration has been a winning issue for Trump. This week may be a pivotal test. Read...

Donald Trump and others have stirred discussion of whether paid “troublemakers” are trying to foment chaos. But it’s difficult to determine in real time whether actions have been planned by an organized group.

Outside ‘agitators’ in protests have a long history – in myth and fact Read...

Most of the 13 Fulbright scholarship board members resigned over the Trump administration’s interference with the award selection procedure. Many selected award recipients were denied funding, while others are undergoing an unauthorized review process.

Trump administration ‘meddling’ prompts nearly all Fulbright board members to resign Read...

The attack hit multiple sites and killed the head of the Revolutionary Guards. It appeared to be the most significant attack on Iran since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Israel launches major attack on Iran’s nuclear program Read...

Concern over immigration enforcement officials wearing face masks largely cleaves into two camps: those who worry over threats against law enforcement and those who see masking as creating a culture of impunity.

Masks on ICE agents ignite pushback. When can officials block their faces? Read...

The hurricane season is forecasted to be above normal, while cuts to FEMA could leave states and citizens under-resourced. Aid groups are attempting to fill the gaps and form stronger relationships with state and local governments to prepare.

As Trump phases out FEMA, aid groups work to shore up local resilience hubs Read...

The Army is changing the names of seven bases back to their original ones by renaming them for soldiers with the same last names from other war eras. The move reverses the Biden administration’s efforts to remove names honoring Confederate leaders.

Army changes base names that honored Eisenhower, Black soldiers, and women Read...

It’s not the Great Recession, but with tariffs, hiring freezes, and the advent of artificial intelligence, the job market has college graduates wondering where they fit.

‘Did I do enough?’ College grads face a tough job market. Read...

California has filed a lawsuit, while the Trump administration is now deploying the Marines. Both sides are sparring over whether the federal government is putting out a fire – or pouring on gasoline.

As more troops enter Los Angeles, dueling narratives over how to keep the peace Read...

Defying local officials, President Trump sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles as violence accompanied anti-ICE protests. The action comes amid broader skirmishes between Mr. Trump and California.

Trump escalates a battle around immigration – and California Read...

Nebraska is a leader in the U.S. in terms of classroom inclusion for students with disabilities. What does that mean for their academic success?

Students with disabilities are struggling. How one Nebraska district helps them succeed. Read...

President Trump is deploying California National Guard troops to Los Angeles after clashes between protesters and federal immigration authorities in riot gear.

Trump deploys National Guard to quell LA protests despite governor’s objections Read...

Elon Musk brought a chainsaw, audacity, and close ties with Donald Trump to his DOGE actions. But the effort failed to slash federal deficits.

Mr. Musk went to Washington – and found it’s a hard place to change Read...

The falling-out between two alpha males made for astonishing social-media theater, but didn’t come as a surprise. From tariffs to the national debt, differences between the erstwhile allies were hardly hidden.

End of a bromance: Why the Musk-Trump partnership blew up Read...

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose mistaken deportation became a political flashpoint, is leaving El Salvador to face criminal charges by the Trump administration related to transporting people in the country illegally.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is returning to the US to face criminal charges Read...

Losing Elon Musk’s backing could threaten Donald Trump’s growing influence among tech donors, social media audiences, and younger male voters. For Mr. Musk, the break could intensify scrutiny of his business practices and government contracts.

From biggest supporter to biggest critic: Musk and Trump break up Read...

The U.S. president can seem like a “chairman of the board,” atop a massive bureaucracy that often runs itself. But the Trump and Biden administrations, in different ways, have shown how much the person with the highest executive power matters.

As power shifts toward the executive branch, presidents matter more than ever Read...

New U.S. defenses against potential missile strikes are seen by some experts as “absolutely necessary.” They also come with big costs and geopolitical risks.

Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ defense plan: Would it work? Is it worth it? Read...

Decades-long suspicion of elite universities has evolved under President Trump into a full-scale war – punctuated this week by curbs on the flow of international students to Harvard.

What’s behind Trump’s assault on Harvard and crown-jewel US universities? Read...

A sweeping travel ban issued by the Trump administration will prohibit individuals from Sudan to Myanmar from entering the United States. International aid groups and refugee resettlement organizations roundly condemned the new ban.

Trump travel ban blocks citizens from 12 countries. What does that mean? Read...

President Donald Trump’s new travel ban draws on lessons from his first term. He cites national security justification for the restrictions, while critics point to legal and moral problems.

Trump revives a travel ban. Could it be legal this time? Read...

The Federalist Society helped President Donald Trump shift the judicial branch much younger and more conservative. Now, the president is expressing his discontent with some of those judges.

A MAGA judiciary? Trump rift with Federalist Society signals a search for loyal judges. Read...

Ukraine’s asymmetric drone attack caught the world’s attention and dealt a significant blow to Russia’s defense. Peace prospects may hinge on how Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump respond.

Ukraine drone strike exposed Russian vulnerability, and sent a signal to Trump Read...

Groups like the newly formed Civic Match are pairing laid-off federal workers with local government roles, although demand may outpace the number of jobs available.

Laid off by DOGE, federal workers are finding roles in state and local government Read...

More Than Words is a bookstore, but one that does more than sell $3.8 million worth of merchandise a year. It serves young people who are dealing with homelessness or legal challenges and gives them a place where they belong.

‘A sense of belonging.’ How this Boston bookstore changes lives. Read...

During a critical period in the international student application process, the Trump administration has targeted foreign students and paused all new student visa interviews. Universities across Europe and Asia are taking action to attract new students.

As the US halts student visas, global universities roll out the welcome mat Read...

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Eagle Pass, Texas, became an epicenter in the immigration debate. Now, the Trump administration’s crackdown on border crossings has brought a new reality to the area.

Eagle Pass, Texas, once boiled with border crossings. Now it’s quiet. Read...

As China expands its influence in Latin America, the Trump administration looks to a Monroe Doctrine 2.0 to claim the hemisphere as America’s domain.

As China’s influence grows in the Americas, Trump hints at a Monroe Doctrine 2.0 Read...

As the housing crisis spreads, Santa Clara County is pioneering a private-public model. It keeps families in their own homes instead of waiting for them to become homeless to help.

Santa Clara’s new way to stop homelessness: Keep people in their homes Read...

Elon Musk exits the White House, leaving investors hopeful that he will renew focus on his companies, Tesla and SpaceX. Mr. Musk gave nearly $300 million in contributions to the U.S. presidential election campaign.

Elon Musk leaves the Trump administration. He vows to spend less money on politics. Read...

As complex and daunting a problem as Iran’s steadily advancing nuclear program may be, for now it still may offer President Donald Trump the best option for burnishing his self-image as a deal-maker and peacemaker.

US-Iran nuclear talks benefit from Trump’s desire for a peace deal Read...

National Public Radio and three of its local stations are suing President Donald Trump. The 246-station network, which provides the backbone for emergency alert systems across the country, says the funding cuts are unconstitutional.

Trump claims NPR is too liberal. NPR fights federal cuts with a lawsuit. Read...

The 1,000-page domestic policy bill passed by the House of Representatives contains a paragraph that would gut the power of the courts to hold the executive branch in contempt.

A hidden provision in Trump’s ‘big bill’ could weaken the judicial branch Read...

Harvard University agreed in a settlement to transfer photographs of enslaved people to an African American history museum. Tamara Lanier sued the Ivy League in 2019 for the exploitation of those she identifies as her ancestors.

A 15-year legal battle ends. Harvard relinquishes images of enslaved family. Read...

Today’s eighth graders are shaped by pandemic learning and issues with student engagement that followed school shutdowns. What do they have to say about their education – and how it looks moving forward?

A pivotal grade at a pivotal time: What is it like being an eighth grader today? Read...

President Donald Trump pledged to deport millions of unauthorized immigrants. A new arrest tactic to advance that goal is ringing due process alarms.

New phase of Trump deportation push: ICE arrests at immigration court Read...

The federal government could soon garnish wages or seize tax refunds of delinquent student loan borrowers. At the same time, Education Department staff cuts, reduced repayment options, and administrative slowdowns are causing confusion.

Student loan borrowers face turmoil, as collection push begins Read...

From lean staffs to aging technology, U.S. air traffic control systems are under stress. Here’s what to know about planned fixes from the Trump administration as summer travel season dawns.

As FAA faces strains, are control towers ready for summer travel season? Read...

Renewed deliveries of food and supplies are beginning in Gaza. Western help hasn’t yet resulted in enough practical support on the ground, aid groups say.

World leaders sharpen their calls for Gaza aid as hunger crisis mounts Read...

The U.S. Constitution allows habeas corpus to be suspended in situations such as an invasion. The administration says illegal immigration meets that description.

Trump officials say the president might suspend habeas corpus. Can he do that? Read...

The years since the pandemic have seen renewed interest among some educators for scribbled answers between powder blue covers as a way to thwart cheating and make sure students are thinking for themselves.

A blast from finals past, blue books enjoy a resurgence in an AI world Read...

As the Trump administration seeks to enact its mass deportation pledge, government lawyers have been quick to transfer people to areas where judges may rule in the White House’s favor.

The geography of Trump deportations: DOJ is seeking friendly courtrooms Read...

Republicans say the 1,000-page-plus bill is what voters sent them to accomplish. Critics say it adds to deficits while harming poor Americans.

House Republicans pass Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and program cuts Read...

The Harvard community is processing the loss of $3 billion in funding from the Trump administration. But ahead of graduation, students, faculty, and local businesses share what is unifying them – and fueling their pride in the school.

‘We’ve never been as united.’ Harvard community rallies despite Trump funding cuts. Read...

A divided 4-4 high court let stand an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling prohibiting the first religious public charter school in the U.S. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself.

A deadlocked Supreme Court rejects religious charter schools – for now Read...

The end of the academic year has brought a crescendo of laws in the U.S. aimed at restricting cellphone use in K-12 schools. The efforts reflect an increasing sense that student well-being and success depend on tech and social media guardrails.

Should cellphones be in class? More states are saying no. Read...

Team of economic rivals? The eclectic adviser mix steering Trump’s trade policy. Read...

Five years ago, the murder of George Floyd by police sparked a nationwide protest movement. Today, Ben Crump, the lawyer who represented Mr. Floyd’s family, says it’s “more daunting than ever to hold police accountable.”

George Floyd’s family lawyer thinks the path to justice is ‘more daunting than ever’ Read...

Defense Department schools for service members’ children are removing books the Trump administration says focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Some parents are suing to keep the books.

Some military parents say DEI purge hurts their kids’ schools. They’re suing. Read...

President Trump’s second-term legacy rests on whether he can persuade enough Republican lawmakers to support his priorities. He has more to do to close the deal.

Trump strong-arms House Republicans. They’re not ready to cave (yet). Read...

George Floyd’s murder prompted Americans to reexamine their communities – and themselves. In Kansas City, Missouri, residents still confront a wall of racial separation.

George Floyd’s murder sparked a reckoning on race. But did America change? Read...

A law enforcement official said the person believed responsible for the attack posted online ramblings including a belief that the world should not be populated.

FBI investigating explosion at a California fertility clinic as act of terrorism Read...

The Trump administration is expanding the military role at the border through new national defense areas, raising questions about militarization of the border.

The military now controls zones at southern border. Here’s how that looks to locals. Read...

Republicans in Congress have an incredibly slim majority to pass a funding bill for a Trump-led agenda that includes cutting taxes, boosting immigration enforcement, and shrinking other programs.

Trump suddenly needs Congress – and his ‘big, beautiful bill’ is on the rocks Read...

Boeing just won a huge contract from Qatar. But the company is troubled on several fronts – the latest being delays on new Air Force One jets for the U.S. president.

Trump’s Qatari plane controversy puts a spotlight on Boeing Read...

Nationwide injunctions have become more prevalent over the past 20 years, with lawyers

Supreme Court hears birthright citizenship case. What were the key takeaways? Read...

President Donald Trump’s Mideast agenda indicated that business would take priority. Yet the outlines of an emerging Trump foreign policy are visible.

In Mideast, Trump finds his comfort zone: Business first, then policy Read...

More states are going all in on offering free tuition. How far will the move go to help with the difficulties higher education has faced in recent years – and a predicted pending enrollment cliff?

Colleges in the US are facing hurdles. More are hoping free tuition will help. Read...

Four years after two incarcerated men sought ways to help their peers face mental health issues, Los Angeles County is expanding their successful efforts.

‘Motivated and inspired’: California inmates are improving mental health behind bars Read...

Much is at stake as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a birthright citizenship case May 15, including whether an executive order is applied uniformly across the country.

Birthright citizenship reaches the Supreme Court. What’s at stake? Read...

As water management problems arise – and in some cases go unaddressed – in places such as Alabama, Michigan, and Mississippi, our columnist wondered, Is there a link between civil rights protests of the past and the environmental injustices of the present?

An Alabama county fought for civil rights. Now it’s facing an environmental crisis. Read...

Despite some pushback, Florida is deputizing local law enforcement with immigration powers in one of the most muscular policing movements in modern times.

Beat cops to game wardens, Florida expands ‘army’ of immigration enforcers Read...

After a frenzied start, cost-cutting and efficiency efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency have run up against public opinion and the courts.

With their staffs cut to as low as 1 person, agencies push back on DOGE Read...

Top investors in the meme coin $TRUMP will get to dine with President Donald Trump. Some Democrats call his family crypto ventures “profoundly corrupt,” while his press secretary says he is abiding by all laws regarding conflicts of interest.

Trump meme coins raise money. They also buy access. Read...

As Donald Trump fights the courts over Kilmar Abrego Garcia, targets law firms, and tests the rule of law, democracy experts warn they’ve seen this before.

They’ve watched democracies fail. They see it happening under Trump. Read...

National security officials are using commercial apps over secure communications systems that feel burdensome. New apps offer privacy, but are easier to hack.

Why security officials keep using the Signal app despite risks Read...

Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court case that found a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, turns 10 in June. More than two-thirds of Americans consistently support marriage equality. But one attorney who argued the case likens the right to a “split screen” in the Trump era.

Ten years ago, SCOTUS said same-sex couples could marry. Why do they worry today? Read...

Proposed budget cuts at NOAA reflect the Trump administration’s frustration with climate research, but also threaten the quality of National Weather Service forecasting.

How Trump cuts could affect your weather reports Read...

President Donald Trump is pressing the Canadian government over immigration and drug flows across the border with the United States. Stricter policies are welcomed by U.S. Border Patrol agents, yet community tension also brews.

What US-Canada border security looks like through the eyes of a Border Patrol agent Read...

For half a century, Eugenia Phillips has been ushering schoolchildren to safety at intersections across the Windy City. That’s 50 years of Chicago winters. Fifty years of new student faces.

‘Bless that corner.’ A Chicago crossing guard marks 50 years. Read...

President Donald Trump met Prime Minister Mark Carney amid high tensions over trade and tariffs. The Canadian Prime Minister expressed hope for launching a constructive dialogue.

Trump leans on Carney, but Canada has its own leverage in US trade talks Read...

The Constitution prohibits election to more than two presidential terms. But Trump supporters hope there are loopholes, and the president has both dismissed and encouraged the speculation.

Trump denies he’ll run for a third term – but that won’t stop the chatter Read...

The new levies are like a slow-motion wave that’s about to break – causing U.S. consumers to experience higher prices and out-of-stock items.

Empty shelves? Tariffs are about to hit US shoppers in a variety of ways. Read...

The first property in Altadena, California, to start rebuilding after the wildfires offers hope, despite hurdles. Officials have eased permitting, and locals are acting fast.

Destroyed by LA fires, this community is showing how to rebound – and rebuild Read...

The newly unveiled statue in Columbia, South Carolina, honoring decorated athlete and coach Dawn Staley represents her basketball legacy, as well as her ongoing fight for equality.

Set in bronze: Dawn Staley statue honors her basketball legacy, and her mission Read...

President Trump removed his embattled national security adviser, but kept him in his Cabinet, in his first major shake-up of top roles since Inauguration Day.

Trump shuffles his Cabinet: Waltz moves to UN, Rubio will do double duty for now Read...

What makes someone courageous? The Monitor spoke with Chris Cassidy, one of the leaders of the National Medal of Honor Museum, about recipients of the U.S. award – and how available courage is to everyone.

In the new Medal of Honor museum, courage lives in every room Read...

As America marks the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary, both nations continue to seek ways to partner beyond the legacy of a complicated conflict.

US soldiers left Vietnam 50 years ago. How do these nations cooperate now? Read...

What do a court’s contempt charges actually mean? If President Donald Trump and his administration are found guilty, consequences may be hard to enforce.

What happens if a judge charges the Trump administration with ‘contempt’? Read...

President Donald Trump’s second term has put plenty on the line after 100 days. A lesson Mr. Trump learned from his first term is to be more aggressive in pursuit of goals.

100 days of Trump unleashed: Big moves, but long-term impact unknown Read...

LA County supervisors are expected to approve a $4 billion settlement to thousands of survivors of alleged sexual abuse in juvenile centers. The largest such settlement in U.S. history includes an apology and validation of the harm done.

For thousands abused as juveniles, LA County’s historic settlement opens new era Read...

The Supreme Court will hear a case Wednesday that would establish the first religious charter school in the U.S. Opponents include advocates for charter schools and some conservative Christians.

Supreme Court case would allow religious charter schools. Why charters object. Read...

Many U.S. military officials welcome the idea of strategic reforms. But they worry now about upheaval without strong civilian leadership.

Disarray at Pentagon puts spotlight on civilian leadership’s crucial role Read...

RFK Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiatives are controversial, but tap into a postpandemic skepticism of the medical establishment and a desire for more natural solutions.

‘Make America Healthy Again’: A movement rallies around RFK Jr.’s agenda Read...

What can history tell us about the social contract between the U.S. government and the American people? Our columnist interviews author Justene Hill Edwards about the Reconstruction-era Freedman’s Bank.

When government promises are broken, how is trust restored? Read...

Peru received $135 million in USAID funding in 2024. Substantial contributions were for areas ranging from democratic governance to minority rights.

What USAID cuts mean for Peru as it battles cartels on coca, gold trade Read...

Even as ongoing defamation lawsuits find no evidence of a fraudulent election, President Donald Trump keeps insisting that the 2020 vote was rigged. He’s issuing orders targeting officials and lawyers whose work undercut his claims, and demanding states tighten voting rules to prevent alleged fraud.

Four years on, Trump is still focused on his 2020 loss Read...

The Trump administration wants to take away federal funding from sanctuary cities; two in Massachusetts are suing. As they observe increased immigration enforcement, some immigrants say the policies aren’t effective.

As cities fight to retain ‘sanctuary’ status, some immigrants question the policy Read...

A federal case out of Rhode Island could set a precedent in governments’ power over private developments. Can eminent domain be used to halt development in the name of public good?

They wanted to build affordable housing. The town took their land. Read...

The oldest university in the United States is now leading a charge to protect not just research but also the First Amendment, with other colleges and universities lining up behind it.

Why Harvard and other colleges are fighting for ‘essential freedom’ Read...

On Saturday, the court told the administration not to remove Venezuelans held in the Bluebonnet Detention Center “until further order of this court.”

Supreme Court blocks, for now, Trump deportations under 18th-century wartime law Read...

U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with the Vatican’s No. 2 official after a remarkable papal rebuke of the Trump administration’s crackdown on migrants.

JD Vance visits the Vatican for Easter after papal rebuke over Trump's migrant crackdown Read...

The Trump administration is ignoring court orders to bring back a Maryland man sent in error to a Salvadoran prison. Courts’ ability to enforce the orders is being directly tested.

Amid deportation dispute, Trump and courts square off on who has last word Read...

U.S. military branches are being told to find budget cuts to offset the proposed $50 billion increase in defense spending. One challenge is that identifying some unnecessary spending requires leaders to predict what the military may be needed for in the future.

Trump seeks record military budget, but the search is on for spending cuts, too Read...

President Trump’s cultural agenda is reminiscent of a Stalin-esque playbook to some. Others say it’s a needed correction to “woke-ism.” Can he succeed in reshaping U.S. culture?

How Donald Trump is upending American culture Read...

After years of epidemic, the good news on overdose deaths is both pronounced and widespread. Not only did 46 states report a decline, the total number of deaths dropped by more than 27,000 in one year.

Remember the opioid crisis? 46 states recorded a decline in overdose deaths. Read...

Just as President Trump’s vision for America has intensified in his second stint in Washington, so, too, has his strongest supporters’ admiration.

Some decry Trump disruptions. These voters exult in them. Read...

The leaders of the United States and El Salvador say they can't be forced to return a man deported in error from the U.S., setting up a struggle between the executive branch and the courts.

How a deportation case is turning into a tussle over presidential authority Read...

Mr. Khalil, detained last month under a protest crackdown, remains in Louisiana custody as his attorneys appeal his deportation and consider an asylum claim.

Explained: The Legal Fight to Stop Mahmoud Khalil’s Deportation Read...

President Trump has tapped existing but rarely used laws to aid his immigration actions. Supporters see pragmatism, while critics warn of overreach.

To speed deportations, Trump revives rarely used laws Read...

Everyone has read about the protests and encampments on campuses in response to the war in Gaza. What hasn’t gotten headlines are the more than 100 universities that have launched civility initiatives in their wake.

After Gaza protests, more colleges try out an old-fashioned ideal: Civility Read...

President Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs buoyed stocks. But the U.S. has come to look like a source of uncertainty more than order.

Markets got a tariff pause. But damage to global confidence in US could last. Read...

Some conservative student groups on college campuses say they’re seeing increased interest in their activities since President Donald Trump’s campaign and reelection.

Meet ‘the loud majority.’ College conservatives are silent no longer. Read...

As more schools use technology to monitor student threats, educators weigh how to balance it with human-led solutions. Part 2 in a series.

AI vs. human connection: Which do schools most need to thwart threats? Read...

From hosting a pro golf tournament this past weekend to joining the cryptocurrency industry, Trump family businesses are in full swing alongside Donald Trump’s presidency – raising concerns among ethics watchdogs.

As guardrails fall, Trump blurs lines between presidency and personal profits Read...

“We are in survival mode,” international students say of the landscape under the Trump administration. A Tufts University student’s arrest has had a chilling effect.

They came to the US for degrees. They fear being deported without them. Read...

Saturday’s protests were a show of force and solidarity for those opposed to President Donald Trump’s policies. But it may take more than rallies to change things.

Is the anti-Trump ‘resistance’ starting to find its voice again? Read...

Cyberattacks increasingly threaten the public and private sectors alike. The Trump administration is considering tougher action against nations that sponsor hacking.

US cybersecurity concerns are rising, with China topping the list Read...

Maya Angelou’s autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” was among nearly 400 volumes removed from the Naval Academy’s library after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office ordered the school to get rid of those promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In Navy library’s DEI purge, books on feminism, racism, Holocaust Read...

As the Trump administration claims broad authority to deport “alien enemies” and others, questions rise about whether immigrants have rights in court.

More immigrants face deportation: What due process are they owed? Read...

From tariff policy to DOGE downsizing of government, Donald Trump’s second administration appears certain that mistakes or even a recession are OK if larger goals for the nation are being served.

Some collateral damage with disruption? In Trump 2.0, that’s OK. Read...

America has a bedrock legal principle: Every defendant has the right to a lawyer, and every lawyer has the right to pick whom they represent. Is this principle in danger?

Trump targets Big Law. Why that matters to the rest of us. Read...

Los Angeles area residents say public officials are not leading effectively after the wildfires. But others are stepping in to begin shaping the recovery.

LA voters fault Mayor Bass, other officials after fires. Here’s who is leading now. Read...

In a closely watched Wisconsin court race, Democrats posted a strong win, and while Republicans held on in two Florida special elections, Democrats made gains there, too.

Democrats’ big election night gives them first hope since Trump’s victory Read...

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stresses “lethality” as the U.S. military’s sole focus. But downplaying rules of engagement can come with consequences for those doing the fighting.

As Hegseth touts ‘warriors’ and ‘lethality’ to flex power, some weigh risk to soldiers Read...

Volunteers in West Virginia are on a mission to reengage struggling readers. They are among those modeling the idea that it takes a community, and a cultural shift, to develop strong readers.

US children are struggling with reading. Can communities help? Read...

In deep-red Florida, two special elections to fill House seats are proving tighter than expected as voters assess moves by the White House and GOP-dominated Congress.

Florida’s two US House races offer early verdict on Trump agenda Read...

Wisconsin's attorney general asked the state Supreme Court to block Elon Musk from handing out checks to voters amid a tightly contested election.

Wisconsin attorney general asks state Supreme Court to halt Musk payments Read...

The U.S. Constitution divides power among three branches – executive, congressional, and judicial. Presidents have sometimes tried to claim more power, as President Trump is doing now. But when does it become a crisis?

So, how do you know if a country is in a constitutional crisis? Read...

What happens when the Trump administration’s effort to streamline government affects the Social Security system? The question is coming to the fore in places like Georgia.

Will Trump’s push to cut waste hit Social Security? The view from Georgia. Read...

Tuesday’s state Supreme Court race in Wisconsin has drawn record sums of money and will be an early test of which party is more energized.

The biggest election since Donald Trump’s win is here – and Elon Musk is at its center Read...

The disclosure that senior Trump administration officials used a commercial messaging app to discuss secret military attacks has drawn bipartisan criticism – and risks hurting U.S. military morale.

‘There will be consequences.’ Signal group chat leak threatens US military morale. Read...

Universities are reckoning with cuts of billions of dollars of in grants. Their research can lay the groundwork for what the private sector delivers to the marketplace – and its loss could have lasting consequences.

What will happen to grad school? Research universities face tough choices. Read...

Planned limitations on Canadian access to the Haskell Free Library & Opera House, which spans the U.S.-Canada border, symbolize a fraying relationship between towns with traditionally close ties.

Are we still friends? US-Canada border towns face a strange new reality. Read...

Attacks on Tesla cars and dealerships exemplify a wider challenge of homegrown political and extremist violence. The solutions may be as diverse as the threats.

Why extreme violence in the US has police trying new tactics Read...

The curmudgeonly Vermont senator, with his populist message, is drawing large crowds. This week he’s joined by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

As Democrats look for a fighter, Bernie Sanders is striking a chord – again Read...

Democratic voters reeling from Mr. Trump’s sweeping cuts and head-spinning policies are growing more incensed at their own party’s lack of response.

Panicked Democratic voters are turning on their own leaders Read...

Actions by the Trump administration have been pushing back on transgender inclusion, amid sharp public divides and emotional debates over things like women’s sports and care for children.

Debate over transgender rights grows more fraught in new Trump era Read...

As President Trump implements his agenda at lightning speed, courts see mixed results as they demand that some actions be rolled back until lawsuits are heard.

‘Move fast and break things?’ Judges are telling Trump to put them back together. Read...

Ezra Levin, the co-founder of the grassroots progressive organization Indivisible, talks to the Monitor about why the Democratic base thinks Sen. Chuck Schumer needs to go, what’s driving the movement, and where things go from here.

Why a top progressive group says Chuck Schumer should resign from leadership Read...

President Trump fired six military leaders after taking office, raising questions about whether he is choosing new leaders based on politics or military merit.

As Trump molds military leadership, do politics outrank merit? Read...

Confusion over the timing of a deportation operation to El Salvador has led to questions about whether the administration defied a judge’s order, in removing people the White House says are members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Trump claims sweeping power to deport migrants – as legal fight escalates Read...

Late Friday, Democrats helped pass a Republican funding proposal that allows President Donald Trump to continue slashing the federal government, unleashing a torrent of frustration on Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

Despite fury in party ranks, Democrats help GOP avert government shutdown Read...

After a flurry of litigation, a federal judge on Saturday stalled the Trump administration's plan to carry out mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a sweeping 18th century law that expands the president's powers. The president had invoked the law just hours earlier, describing the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as an invading force.

Judge bars Trump from using wartime authority to carry out mass deportations Read...

As President Donald Trump raises tariffs, other nations are fighting back. They want to force negotiations, but it’s a high-stakes game of chicken for the global economy.

As trade wars roil markets, what do retaliatory tariffs accomplish? Read...

A government shutdown could happen March 14. After the House passed a Republican bill to fund the government, Senate Democrats face few good options.

Democrats wrestle with ‘truly abhorrent’ options: Shut down government or enable Trump Read...

A controversy in Kansas illustrates the dark history of U.S. Indian boarding schools. Can Indigenous peoples like the Shawnee control their story?

In Kansas, the Shawnee vie for control of their history Read...

With threats against and violence toward judges doubling in recent years, the rule of law now feels more vulnerable to intimidation than ever.

Threats to judges mount, challenging independence, norms, and rule of law Read...

The cuts come after President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to shutter the Education Department. Critics argue cutbacks are less about improving student outcomes and more about instituting a conservative agenda.

Education Department cut by half. Will Trump still try to shut it down? Read...

The Trump administration says deportation can be a tool to combat antisemitism and terrorism. Critics see violations of free speech and immigrant rights.

Columbia protester arrest ignites free speech tug-of-war Read...

Schools are turning to AI-powered surveillance technology to monitor students on school-issued devices to help keep them safe. But that is raising questions about privacy and security.

Schools use AI to monitor kids, hoping to prevent harm. An investigation found security risks. Read...

The World Health Organization declared a global COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. Our reporters see wide lasting effects.

Five years ago, the world shut down. COVID’s imprint lingers from politics to schools. Read...

Affordable housing is an issue for many older Americans. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are searching for solutions that allow them to live both safely and with dignity.

For LGBTQ+ elders, a search for safe housing Read...

Under pressure from Congress and the Trump administration, Washington has begun to remove its Black Lives Matter mural. But Black history endures.

DC’s Black Lives Matter mural will be erased, but the idea can’t be Read...

“Eyes on the Prize” was a landmark documentary about the Civil Rights Movement. Dream Defenders’ Phillip Agnew, who is part of a new six-part series, talks about what the documentary means at this time of political upheaval.

A civil rights activist on what ‘Eyes on the Prize III’ means at this moment Read...

The Trump administration has made ridding U.S. college campuses of diversity, equity, and inclusion a top priority. What can be learned from a university in Texas, where a state DEI ban is already in place?

Dismantling DEI on campus is messy. Here’s how it looks at one university. Read...

President Donald Trump touted his accomplishments on the border and going after government waste. On the economy, he warned of ‘a little disturbance.’

After wild six weeks, Trump tells Congress ‘We are just getting started’ Read...

In Colorado, some sheriffs are pushing for closer cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Others are telling immigrant populations their departments “are always here for you.”

Should law enforcement work with ICE? Sheriffs in a ‘sanctuary’ state are torn. Read...

The Supreme Court left in place a lower court’s decision to pause the Trump administration’s spending freeze. The administration had appealed U.S. District Judge Amir Ali’s deadline to give the federal government until Feb. 26 to pay out $2 billion in aid.

Supreme Court orders Trump to release $2 billion in foreign aid payments Read...

Do U.S. arms manufacturers bear responsibility for the guns fueling cartel violence in Mexico? Mexico is arguing that case before the Supreme Court.

Mexico faces US gunmakers in Supreme Court, saying they fuel cartel crime Read...

After President Donald Trump’s public rebuke of Ukraine’s president, European leaders are attempting to step up their defense of Kyiv and adjust to shifting security norms.

How will Europe defend itself? 3 ways Trump is forcing the continent to adapt. Read...

Andrew Cuomo has formally entered the race to be New York City’s mayor. The former governor seeks to make a comeback after resigning in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations.

Andrew Cuomo announces New York City mayoral bid Read...

President Trump is scaling back enforcement efforts against white-collar crimes. Could that become an invitation to corruption and tax evasion?

Trump has reduced US safeguards against corruption and white-collar crime Read...

As President Trump aims to broker peace, a potential U.S. deal over mineral rights has implications for Ukraine’s security and U.S. posture in Europe.

Here’s what a Trump-Zelenskyy minerals deal could mean for Ukraine – and the US Read...

With a governor’s race underway and a high percentage of federal government employees, Virginia offers clues on how the Department of Government Efficiency is affecting politics at the state level.

Could DOGE backfire on Republicans? Virginia election is a test case. Read...

A hoped-for deal between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy collapsed, with consequences for the future of Ukraine and of U.S. leadership.

Trump and Zelenskyy clash, clouding the path to peace in Ukraine Read...

New York’s Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection hopes may be fading, given his recent legal tangles. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo leads a pack in the hunt to replace him.

As Mayor Adams dodges removal, New York eyes a Cuomo in race to replace him Read...

As the Department of Government Efficiency upends decades of tradition in Washington, more scrutiny is being cast on the structure and authority of the initiative.

DOGE administrator is named – and it’s not Musk. How this ‘department’ works. Read...

Would being able to say whatever you want, whenever you want, make a difference in where you attend college? In Texas, the University of Austin experiments in its first year with blending radical free speech with higher education.

University of Austin was founded on free speech. How’s its first year? Read...

The new visa would replace the EB-5 program, which offers U.S. visas to investors who spent around $1 million on an American company that employs at least 10 people. Other nations offer similar “golden visas.”

Trump floats ‘gold card,’ new pathway to U.S. citizenship that costs $5 million Read...

President Trump is using his reelection as a green light to bypass what America’s founders envisioned as the other co-equal branches of government: Congress and the courts. So far, only some courts have checked his power.

How Trump skirts checks and balances unlike any modern-day US president Read...

The lawsuit, brought by a group of religious organizations and refugees, came in response to President Donald Trump’s order suspending the refugee program. The president’s authority “is not limitless,” a federal judge said in his ruling.

Judge blocks Trump’s order halting the U.S. refugee admissions system Read...

This Black History Month, our commentator interviews a civil rights leader about his past with the sit-in movement and what lessons can be learned for today.

65 years ago, sit-ins were born. Has their time come again? Read...

Each year, the U.S. government may be losing $233 billion or more to fraud. One way to address the problem: better up-front tracking of payments.

Trump and Musk cite fraud, but what does a government audit really look like? Read...

The unsigned order keeping on job the head of the federal agency that protects government whistleblowers is the court’s first word on President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Supreme Court halts Trump attempt to fire head of whistleblower office – for now Read...

In an email, Elon Musk told hundreds of thousands of federal workers they have until just before Tuesday to explain what they accomplished over the last week. Some departments told employees not to respond.

Musk gives all federal workers 48 hours to explain what they did last week Read...

A White House rebuff to The Associated Press – over the name “Gulf of America” – comes on top of Trump lawsuits against major TV news networks. Some see rising pressure for news media conformity.

A gulf widens between Trump and the press, with high stakes for free speech Read...

President Donald Trump fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday. The move sidelines only the second Black general to serve as chairman.

Trump fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and two other military officers Read...

President Trump credits Elon Musk with leading efforts to disrupt, shrink, and overhaul the federal bureacuracy. Mr. Musk has major business interests intertwined with the very government he is remaking.

In Musk, an unprecedented blend of political and financial power Read...

Major legacy media companies are being removed from their workspaces as Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration bring more conservative reporters into the Pentagon press corps.

CNN out, Breitbart in: Our reporter on what the new Pentagon ‘rotation’ means Read...

The Justice Department’s effort to dismiss an indictment against New York’s mayor is igniting charges that U.S. courts are increasingly politicized.

Uproar over Mayor Adams deepens concern about Justice Dept. politicization under Trump Read...

One month after inauguration, President Trump’s flurry of executive action on immigration has dramatically changed U.S. policy. Critics say justice is at risk.

Here’s how Trump has remade US immigration policy in just 1 month Read...

Among the second chances offered in U.S. prisons is the first in-person bachelor’s program inside a maximum security yard. Early in the spring semester, its future is suddenly in doubt.

Pelican Bay offers a model for prison education. Its future is in doubt. Read...

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed presidential power to steadily expand in recent decades. Now the court may review Trump administration efforts to expand executive branch authority.

The Supreme Court has helped presidential power expand. Trump may test its limits. Read...

President Trump has tasked his new “border czar” with significant responsibilities. The country’s next immigration chapter may well be shaped by his aggressive plans.

He’s ‘in charge’ of mass deportations. Why Trump listens to Tom Homan. Read...

At the Munich Security Conference, Vice President Vance said German political coalitions that refuse to work with far right parties violate democracy.

Vice President Vance tells Europe's leaders: Stop building a 'firewall' to block far right Read...

Only Donald Trump can make the call to launch U.S. nuclear-armed ICBMs. Our reporter visits the subterranean world of the missileers who’d launch them.

Deep underground, missileers watch over America’s nuclear weapons Read...

Shut out of power in Washington, the Democratic Party is struggling to find a comprehensive message. The biggest challenge may be getting voters’ attention.

As Trump steamrolls Washington, Democrats search for a strategy – and a voice Read...

Many voters don’t object to the Trump administration shuttering agencies in Washington, but political winds may shift if local communities feel the effects of cuts, frozen funding, and stalled loan guarantees.

Farmers cast their votes for Trump. Now Musk’s cuts are hitting them. Read...

The government efficiency team assembled by Elon Musk is moving at breakneck speed, raising cybersecurity and other national security concerns.

A ‘national security nightmare.’ Why Musk’s DOGE is triggering alarm bells in the intel world. Read...

President Trump is hiking tariffs on steel and aluminum, and pledging to impose more. The question is whether this leads to a widening conflict or not.

Risk of a trade war rises as Trump boosts tariffs globally Read...

With survival of the humanities on the line, colleges are pivoting to make offerings like languages and philosophy more relevant to job seekers. Are students – and their parents – buying in?

Need a job? Try majoring in the humanities, more colleges say. Read...

Congress and the courts are a check on presidential power. But what if the executive branch, charged with enforcing laws and rulings, doesn’t heed them?

As judges say ‘stop,’ the question is whether Trump will comply Read...

Our columnist talks with one of Black History Month’s modern-day keepers about the work it takes to remember the past – and to carve out space for the future.

Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and the origins of Black History Month Read...

As Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency pushes to cut jobs and bureaucracy, many who chose careers in public service say it’s an intensely difficult time.

‘We are ... being demonized’: Federal workers grapple with a demoralizing assault Read...

Donald Trump’s appearance at Super Bowl LIX will be a presidential first. His presence comes as the league removes “End Racism” slogans, a move some see as aligning with his broader rollback of diversity initiatives.

Donald Trump and the NFL: How his presence at the Super Bowl fuels controversy Read...

The hard math of fiscal responsibility: Elon Musk’s disruption of entire federal agencies, even if it works, would leave the biggest drivers of federal deficits untouched.

Musk aims to slash deficits. Trump has put key solutions out of reach. Read...

From accessing computers to halting spending and firing workers, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are testing the legal limits of executive branch power.

But is it legal? Musk’s DOGE is stripping agencies before judges can rule. Read...

Part of President Trump’s remolding of the federal workforce is an in-person work requirement. Already most federal employees aren't eligible for remote work.

Federal return-to-work deadlines are here. Who is coming back to the office? Read...

New Orleans started the new year with a terror attack that shook the U.S. One month later, 125,000 people are flying in for Super Bowl LIX. The city says it’s ready.

New Orleans one month after terror attack: Bring on the Super Bowl Read...

While President Trump has ridiculed past U.S. military deployments and nation-building efforts, he has consistently been drawn to Mideast diplomacy. But his proposal to “own” and develop the Gaza Strip and displace its population has many questioning how serious he is.

Trump’s plan for Gaza ridiculed as unserious. So why did he float it? Read...

President Trump is wrong when he says China controls the Panama Canal. But the U.S. rival does have influence there, and the administration is moving to counter it.

Panama Canal and Trump: How much influence does China really have? Read...

Possible widespread firings of FBI agents are raising concerns about the agency’s ability to keep the public safe and to be politically independent.

Trump pledges FBI reform, but big purge of agents could backfire Read...

People ages 18 to 34 who say they drink fell from 73% in the early 2000s to 59% in 2024, according to Gallup. That’s the lowest this century.

Party like a grandpa? Sober as a student? Generations flip script on alcohol. Read...

In postponing some threatened tariffs but not others, U.S. President Donald Trump is sowing uncertainty for businesses and consumers in his own country and abroad. His tactics could score some wins, but also carry big risks.

Tariffs on China but not Mexico, Canada? The stakes in a potential trade war. Read...

Trump efficiency czar Elon Musk is taking drastic steps to tame bloated government. Critics say the Constitution is being shredded in the process.

Elon Musk and his DOGE: Fixing government or dismantling the Constitution? Read...

President Trump sees diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as discriminatory and counterproductive. But his tactics to end them are drawing criticism.

Trump is attacking DEI in government and beyond. What will be the impact? Read...

President Trump’s new tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China are sending shock waves into global markets and dismaying allies. Economists warn they could boost U.S. inflation.

With tariffs, Trump wields leverage and sows disruption like no other U.S. president Read...

In San Francisco, an approach that gifts cellphones to homeless people – with someone on the other end – helps to forge human connection.

‘Whenever I call, Ben picks up’: A friendship born from loneliness Read...

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told Panama’s president in a face-to-face meeting that the Central American ally must reduce alleged Chinese influence over the Panama Canal or the Trump administration will take “measures necessary” to do so.

Rubio pushes Panama to reduce Chinese influence over canal Read...

Three of President Trump’s controversial Cabinet nominees faced confirmation hearings Thursday. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. look most at risk.

Why Republicans blasted Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. – and bear-hugged Kash Patel Read...

The Trump administration’s temporary freeze in U.S. foreign aid raises anew the issue of how, in a competitive world, Washington helps itself by helping others.

Trump review of foreign aid reopens debate: How reliable is the US? Read...

President Donald Trump revoked the landmark Equal Employment Opportunity rule signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. The action shows an alarming tendency to conflate DEI with equal opportunity for all, our columnist writes.

Why ‘equal opportunity for all’ and DEI are not the same thing Read...

President Donald Trump is pushing to root out disloyal government employees and seemingly exact retribution against those who’ve crossed him, roiling the federal workforce.

Trump goes to war with the federal workforce Read...

President Trump’s order curtailing birthright citizenship faces lawsuits over the 14th Amendment. This may be prelude to other efforts to end it.

Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship could upend 150 years of law Read...

President Trump’s allies say his second administration knows what he wants and how to get it done. But confusion reigned over a federal spending freeze, causing the White House to backpedal.

Understanding the Trump chaos: It’s about wielding executive power Read...

On Monday, a group of Societies of Friends sued the Trump administration over an immigration directive that no longer considers churches “protected areas.” The churches argue it infringes on their religious liberty.

‘People will be afraid to go to church.’ Congregations sue for sanctuary. Read...

Is it possible to move the balance of discourse – in the halls of power, on social media, and at dinner tables – back toward some semblance of civility and respect?

An uncivil union: Can America break its addiction to violent rhetoric? Read...

Wednesday’s fatal crash of a civilian plane and military helicopter at Reagan National Airport may reflect rising stresses on air-safety systems.

DC plane crash raises questions about strained resources, military use of air spaces Read...

President Trump’s use of the U.S. military for border security and immigration enforcement are pushing boundaries on the role of armed forces.

Trump taps the military for immigration crackdown. Are there limits to using troops? Read...

Every two years, America’s schoolchildren get a report card on math and reading. The latest results show students falling further behind. But officials say it can’t all be blamed on the pandemic.

‘The news is not good.’ Nation’s report card shows US students slipping further behind. Read...

Utah Sen. John Curtis doesn’t always agree with President Trump. But his approach is aimed at consensus – and shows how the Senate GOP has changed.

Meet Mitt Romney’s replacement – who could make or break the Trump agenda Read...

The U.S. military reports increased mental health distress among service members. The Navy is expanding its chaplain corps to offer help.

With missiles flying in the Middle East, US Navy focuses on mental health Read...

Colombian President Gustavo Petro agrees to receive undocumented migrants as President Donald Trump steps up deportation efforts. Mr. Petro initially rejected two groups of migrants sent to Colombia because they were not treated with “dignity.”

Colombia refused flights carrying deported migrants. Then Trump ordered tariffs. Read...

John Bolton, President Trump’s former national security adviser, says Mr. Trump pulled his security detail out of vengeance. Now, he worries that Kash Patel could help a retribution campaign if confirmed to head the FBI.

John Bolton says he’s faced Trump’s retribution. He worries what Kash Patel might do. Read...

Americans strongly support deporting criminals, and many favor targeting other unauthorized immigrants, while wanting paths to legal status for law-abiding people.

‘People are scared’: As ICE raids begin in Chicago, residents are wary Read...

Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote Friday night, only the second time a vice president has done so on a Cabinet confirmation.

Hegseth sworn in as defense secretary after narrow confirmation Read...

President Trump’s executive order required the release of classified documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Trump promised during his reelection campaign to declassify the documents.

‘Everything will be revealed.’ Why did Trump declassify JFK, RFK, and MLK files? Read...

In the wake of President Trump’s pardons for the Jan. 6 rioters, police question the long-term effect on police and public safety.

Police say Jan. 6 pardons carry future risk for law enforcement Read...

Donald Trump’s first-week executive orders back up his campaign promises. But some drew criticism, and the momentum may be hard to sustain.

Inside the ‘Trump-quake’: What a week of furious activity means – and doesn’t Read...

Librarian of Year John Szabo, of the Los Angeles Public Library, talks about the fires and why libraries are so important in these political times.

How the Librarian of the Year is helping his beloved Los Angeles Read...

President Donald Trump is rolling back the government’s decades-long push for diversity, equity, and inclusion. DEI’s supporters say it ensures historically marginalized groups are included, while critics have long condemned it as discriminatory.

Trump uses all tools available to roll back federal DEI initiatives Read...

The LA fires burned synagogues, churches, and mosques. But their congregations are still there, and are working to help others.

LA fires claimed places of worship, but congregations still are helping others Read...

Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s “only legitimate president,” warned at a Monitor Breakfast that American interests would be at risk should her country fall under Russia’s sway.

Monitor BreakfastFrom the Republic of Georgia, a president’s plea to the West: Stop Russia here Read...

OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank formed Stargate, a new venture investing up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure in Texas. President Donald Trump talked up the partnership on Jan. 21, calling it ”a resounding declaration of confidence in America’s potential.”

What is Stargate, the $500 billion Trump-supported AI investment project? Read...

The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, even as President Donald Trump tries to negotiate a deal to keep it operating.

Banned or not? What’s next for TikTok in the US. Read...

President Donald Trump signed a historic number of executive orders on Day 1. Here’s what he did, and how it reflects his goals for the economy and more.

From immigration to DEI, here are Trump’s Day 1 executive orders Read...

As the pool reporter Jan. 20, I watched the Bidens greet the Trumps for tea, attended inaugural balls, and covered a slew of controversial pardons.

Up close with President Biden, then President Trump. What I saw on a historic day. Read...

What resources and time will Donald Trump’s “America First” administration devote to keeping the Israel-Hamas deal on track? The challenges may appear overwhelming, but the idea of a grand deal is enticing.

Will Trump keep Gaza ceasefire afloat? A guide to his calculations. Read...

Donald Trump and his MAGA movement are in power again, and this time they look more like insiders, at the vanguard of a cultural and political shift.

‘We’re the majority now’: MAGA returns to Washington, with a whole new vibe Read...

A moment with his boys reminds our columnist of how Dr. King was passed down to him. “I can remember a particularly cold Atlanta morning as a preteen, when some of my friends from church and I hopped on a bus from Augusta and took the two-hour drive,” Ken Makin writes.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a reflection on sons, fathers, and daughters Read...

In his return to the White House, Mr. Trump’s political grievances have taken on a personal note, with him seeing himself as a persecuted figure.

Trump moves from ‘American carnage’ to ‘a horrible betrayal’ in second inaugural Read...

Joe Biden’s eleventh-hour preemptive pardons for his family and Trump critics are raising further questions about the use of presidential pardons.

Do Biden’s preemptive pardons offer a safety valve or set bad precedent? Read...

Immigration officers may target more than 300 people with criminal histories after President-elect Donald Trump takes office Monday, an official said.

Chicago prepares for deportation arrests of hundreds after Trump takes office Read...

Our reporter surveys fire damage in her neighborhood around Altadena and Pasadena and ponders the future of this microcosm of Greater Los Angeles.

Driving through Altadena, I found a community gutted but determined to rebuild Read...

At the second inauguration of Donald Trump, the Monitor surveys the president’s promises for Day 1.

On Day 1, how will Trump fulfill his promises? Read...

With the inauguration of the nation’s 47th president, Americans prepare for the promises and perils of Trump 2.0.

What Trump’s return says about this moment in America Read...

President Joe Biden says the Equal Rights Amendment should be considered a ratified addition to the Constitution. The national archivist disagrees.

Biden says Equal Rights Amendment should be considered ratified Read...

One in 6 Americans now feels lonely all or most of the time, a new Pew survey finds. And young people report feeling the most isolated and pessimistic.

America’s loneliest generation? It may not be the one you expect. Read...

Two years ago, a former American president faced four criminal trials. Three of them didn’t happen. The fourth gave no penalty. Was justice served?

As Trump cases end, what next for presidents and the law? Read...

Refugee groups are preparing for funding cuts and a lowered refugee admissions cap during President-elect Donald Trump’s second term.

Trump cut the refugee program before. Refugee groups prepare for Round 2. Read...

President Biden is leaving office after a single term that many Americans regard as unsuccessful. But it could be viewed more favorably over time.

Joe Biden served just one term. What will his legacy be? Read...

Voters rejected a trio of school choice ballot measures in November. But momentum seems anything but stalled, especially with an advocate returning to Washington.

With Trump returning to the White House, what’s next for school choice? Read...

Participants in the vigils argue there has been a miscarriage of justice that they hope will be righted when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Outside the DC jail, where Jan. 6 rage and devotion live on Read...

Democrats in Congress are struggling to find their footing on immigration – a big issue behind their election loss. The Laken Riley Act is test of their repositioning.

Democrats are squabbling over their immigration stance as Trump returns to power Read...

Defense nominee Pete Hegseth faces questions about how he'd treat female soldiers, at a time when the armed forces are struggling with recruitment and with reducing sexual assault.

These women fought sexual assault in the military. They’re wary of Pete Hegseth. Read...

Special counsel Jack Smith’s report about Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results was released on Jan. 14. Mr. Smith believes Mr. Trump would have been convicted if he had not been reelected to the White House.

Jack Smith report: Trump’s 2020 election actions were an ‘unprecedented criminal effort’ Read...

Two-thirds of voters in Darien, Georgia, voted for Donald Trump. The town also elected its first Black sheriff, a Democrat.

Darien, Georgia, loves its history. How this small town sees inauguration. Read...

Democrats raised doubts about Pete Hegseth but Republicans closed ranks around the Trump nominee for Defense secretary, at a contentious confirmation hearing.

Republicans rally around Hegseth at hearing, setting him up for confirmation Read...

Young men are more likely to show up at church on Sundays than young women – to the point where they have erased a long-standing gender gap.

America’s changing pews: Who shows up at church on Sunday? Read...

The incoming Trump White House and “sanctuary” jurisdictions have staked out opposing ground on immigration. A core underlying question is how best to keep communities safe.

What is a sanctuary city? A primer on the immigration showdown. Read...

The more than 120-page report released on Jan. 10 outlined the scope and impact of the attack that left as many as 300 people dead. Investigators found federal reports written just days after it happened, in 1921, but no evidence prosecutors evaluated them.

DOJ concludes Tulsa Race Massacre was horrific. But there’s no one left to prosecute. Read...

In Columbus, Ohio, police are rethinking how to manage unruly Gaza street protests. Their “dialogue unit” could become a model for other U.S. cities.

This police unit put away its riot gear. Now it walks and talks with protesters. Read...

Vanessa Prata and her father, Aluizio, posted to an Altadena community group on Facebook to say they were willing to check on the homes of people who had evacuated their property. They visited more than two dozen homes Friday and Saturday.

A woman and her dad help Calif. evacuees learn if their homes survived the fires Read...

While California is no stranger to major wildfires, they have generally been concentrated in inland areas that are not densely populated. That’s far from the case this time.

LA county wildfires are likely the costliest in US history, surpassing $120 billion Read...

The judge in Donald Trump’s hush money case sentenced the president-elect to an “unconditional discharge.’’ His conviction stands, but with no more penalties.

New York judge gives Trump an unconditional discharge sentence, but a felon label Read...

As the Los Angeles wildfires enter their fourth day, another fire started late Jan. 9, but an aggressive response prevented it from spreading. The fires have burned more than 10,000 homes. Here are ways you can support recovery efforts.

The National Guard has arrived to help Los Angeles. How you can help from afar. Read...

President-elect Donald Trump’s idea of acquiring Greenland comes as the Arctic region grows in strategic importance for economic and military reasons. He’s already meeting resistance.

Here’s why it’s hard for Trump to acquire Greenland – and what’s at stake Read...

The Supreme Court will hear the TikTok case Friday, ahead of a Jan. 19 ban. What’s at stake for the media platform and its users in the United States?

Public safety or free speech? What’s at stake in the TikTok case. Read...

Jimmy Carter and Demetrius Young both died Dec. 29. The two men shared a life of service, a love of Georgia, and a care for the needs of everyday people.

Jimmy Carter and Demetrius Young died the same day. Georgia will miss them both. Read...

Elon Musk’s efforts to influence European politics raise questions about the degree to which he speaks for himself or President-elect Donald Trump.

Elon Musk aims his digital megaphone at Europe. Why? Read...

Polls show Americans’ views have softened toward Jan. 6 rioters and Donald Trump’s role that day. But his vow to issue pardons doesn’t sit well.

Four years after Jan. 6 Capitol riot, polls show some attitudes softening Read...

Why Indian Americans are shifting right – and poised to serve in top Trump roles Read...

A winter storm will produce snow and ice starting in the central U.S. and moving east through early next week, forecasts say, and travel disruptions are likely.

Winter storm to bring snow and freezing rain to much of the US this weekend Read...

Despite faltering for a time during voting Friday, Mike Johnson won the House speakership again – thanks in good measure to Donald Trump’s support.

Johnson survives House speaker’s vote. Now comes the hard part. Read...

What kinds of workers are winning H-1B immigration visas? The answer may inform the next steps for Republicans and incoming President Trump.

Should the US give visas to highly skilled immigrants? Unpacking the debate. Read...

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen who plowed a truck through New Year’s revelers in New Orleans, faced money and marital pressures. Authorities and relatives are still piecing together the reasons behind his attack that killed 14 and injured 30 others.

Money and marriage troubles trailed New Orleans attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar Read...

When Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20, his agenda includes disbanding the federal Department of Education. What is his motivation – and what would that change mean?

Why does Trump want to dismantle the Department of Education? Read...

A mélange of new members will join the 119th Congress. Here are seven who are poised to make their mark – and who symbolize larger political forces that will shape the legislative branch.

New faces: 7 lawmakers to follow as Congress convenes Read...

New Year’s Day attacks show a changing threat matrix for U.S. cities, amid the rising use of vehicles as weapons and the embrace of political violence by some Americans to address grievances.

New Orleans attack intensifies watch against US terrorism, political violence Read...

The narrow Republican majority in Congress makes reelecting House Speaker Mike Johnson harder – and reveals fissures within the GOP.

Electing a speaker is first test for GOP with razor-thin control of House Read...

In an era when TikTok and podcasts reign, what role do radio icons from the Black community play? Leaders in Memphis, Tennessee, offer an example of how true legacy media survives and thrives.

These Memphis icons bolster Black radio – and their communities Read...

The driver of a truck that killed 15 New Orleans pedestrians on New Year’s Day was killed in a shootout with police. An flag representing the Islamic State group was found on the vehicle, the FBI said.

Fatal attack on New Orleans pedestrians is being investigated as act of terrorism Read...

Who is responsible for the health of young people? Tobacco bans in Massachusetts towns have residents weighing public health concerns against individual freedoms and considering what it means to have a “nicotine-free generation.”

Massachusetts towns ban nicotine for a generation. Public health win or overreach? Read...

On nine different visits to the Monitor Breakfast, the former president displayed his keen intellect and trademark decency. He also made news.

Monitor BreakfastJimmy Carter and Monitor Breakfasts: A long, storied history Read...

President Carter, who died Sunday at age 100, defined his faith as “inextricably entwined with the political principles I have adopted.” It would infuse the decisions he made at every stage of his career in ways both good and bad, historians say.

For Jimmy Carter, a life of service, defined by faith Read...

Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to pause the potential TikTok ban until his administration can pursue a political resolution.

Trump to Supreme Court: Delay TikTok ban until after inauguration Read...

The rift laid bare the tensions between wealthy members of the tech world – including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers – and people in President-elect Trump’s MAGA base who championed his hard-line immigration policies.

Trump’s tech allies and MAGA base clash over visas for skilled workers Read...

President-elect Trump has revived calls for the United States to buy Greenland and complains of high fees at the Panama Canal. Some experts say his words hark back to an aggressive style he used in business.

Trump’s expansionist overtures stir pushback from Greenland, Panama Read...

President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment mere weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

President Biden’s act of clemency: 37 death row inmates avoid execution Read...

The U.S. military says two U.S. Navy pilots have been shot down over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident. Both pilots were recovered alive. The incident came as the U.S. military conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

US Navy shoots down its own fighter jet amid fresh airstrikes on Houthi rebels Read...

Luigi Mangione, charged with the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, was also accused of terrorism on Dec. 17. Investigators believe anger at the health care system motivated Mr. Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad.

Why do prosecutors see the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO as an act of terrorism? Read...

Some famous atheists have now adopted the term “cultural Christian” to describe themselves. What does it mean, and how is that playing out in an increasingly secular America?

Elon Musk now calls himself a ‘cultural Christian.’ What does that mean? Read...

A 15-year-old girl opened fire at a Christian school she attended in Madison, Wisconsin, on Dec. 16. There have been 322 school shootings in the United States this year. Only 3% of all U.S. mass shootings have been perpetrated by women.

Teenage girl student identified in Wisconsin Christian school shooting Read...

Fentanyl is an urgent U.S. drug threat. People from port staff to IRS agents are tracing how the synthetic opioid gets into the country – and tracking it down once inside.

Tracing fentanyl’s path into the US starts at this port. It doesn’t end there. Read...

A judge rejected Donald Trump’s challenge to his criminal conviction, saying the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity doesn’t apply.

As Trump lawsuits unravel, hush money conviction is an exception Read...

State and local governments have been cutting back on school bus service, with only about 28% of U.S. students taking the bus compared to 36% in 2017. Ridesharing startups have stepped in with creative solutions for students.

Some school districts lack busses and drivers. Ridesharring apps are filling the gap. Read...

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading efforts by the incoming Trump administration to cut the size of the federal government. But they can only make recommendations.

Can DOGE cut $2 trillion in federal spending? Not directly, but it has Trump’s ear. Read...

Reports of drones flying near U.S. military installations have prompted questions about whether laws provide strong enough oversight. Proposed legislation could strengthen officials’ options, and a security expert says there’s more that can be done.

Mysterious drones raise oversight questions. What can be done? Read...

Dozens of people across New Jersey have reported seeing drones with unknown origins and operators since last month. Officials say they do not appear to pose a threat, but several agencies are investigating.

Why are there mysterious drones flooding New Jersey’s airspace? Read...

FBI Director Christopher Wray, who said he will resign in January, received a standing ovation from bureau workers after delivering the news. The move is not unexpected, as President-elect Donald Trump has already tapped Kash Patel as his successor.

FBI Director Christopher Wray reluctantly resigns saying, ‘I love our mission’ Read...

Our writer reflects on honing priorities as the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, looms.

Malibu’s wildfire threatens my community. It’s also bringing us together. Read...

As President-elect Donald Trump decries his foes, the Biden administration considers preemptive pardons for those who have provoked Republican ire.

Preemptive pardons could protect Trump targets, but veer into politics Read...

Rural students enroll in and complete college at lower rates than their urban and suburban peers. What are colleges and universities doing to get more of them to apply?

Small-town students can be overlooked. Colleges are now looking their way. Read...

The fall of Bashar al-Assad has created challenges and opportunities for the United States in Syria. But the dissonance between the current and future U.S. administrations is confusing major players in the Middle East.

How fall of Assad showcases the Biden-Trump policy divide in the Mideast Read...

President Joe Biden said he is commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoning 39 others. Are preemptive pardons for Trump's foes next?

Biden just issued historic pardons. Will preemptive ones be next? Read...

In an effort to solidify Fox News’ conservative leaning, Rupert Murdoch tried to entrust the entirety of his media empire to his son, Lachlan. A judge rejected his attempt, saying that the pair had acted in “bad faith.” All four of his children are currently heirs.

Rupert Murdoch wants to preserve Fox News’ conservative leaning. A judge intervened. Read...

The fall of Bashar al-Assad has opened the playing field for a stronger U.S. hand in shaping what’s to come.

In Syria free-for-all, US aims to break ISIS and protect allies Read...

Some say violence is valid political speech. But the investigation of a CEO’s killing – with a citizen-led capture – sparked a different response.

After CEO killing, police used high-tech tools. But a civilian cinched the dragnet. Read...

As of Dec. 10, Boston has reported just 22 homicides – a little over half of the 40 it had just two years ago.

Boston broke a record last year for fewest homicides. It’s on track to do it again. Read...

With limited exceptions, the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship to people born in America. But President-elect Donald Trump wants to end a century of legal precedent and eliminate birthright citizenship.

Why birthright citizenship matters and how it could change under Trump Read...

The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has sparked a wave of frustration over the insurance industry. Patients are sharing personal stories, with many hoping the amplified voices lead to change in an industry often criticized for prioritizing profits over people.

UnitedHealthcare tragedy sparks conversations about insurance reform Read...

Pete Hegseth is the second Trump Cabinet pick meeting resistance from some Senate Republicans. But here’s why other controversial nominees may not face similar opposition.

Hegseth is in trouble. That doesn’t mean RFK Jr., Gabbard, or Patel will face the same. Read...

Almost two years after national protests sparked by the police killing of Tyre Nichols, the U.S. Department of Justice has validated citizen concerns. Its new report finds Memphis police officers use excessive force and discriminate against Black people.

Memphis police discriminate, protesters said. A new Justice Department report agrees. Read...

A masked man shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the early morning of Dec. 4 in Manhattan. After mounting a bike, he vanished into Central Park. Police, who say the shooting was targeted, are still searching for any trace of his whereabouts.

He gunned down a CEO and escaped by bike. Who killed Brian Thompson? Read...

Recent instances of suspected sabotage in Europe don’t necessarily have proven ties to Russia. But it is clear that Vladimir Putin makes a strategy of churning up uncertainty and fear.

How to fight Russian sabotage: With ‘psyops’ and undersea drones. Read...

As states mandate Bible lessons and posting the Ten Commandments in public schools, religious conservatives challenge separation of church and state.

Reading, writing, and the Ten Commandments? Why some public schools teach the Bible. Read...

A blanket pardon for the president’s son, Hunter Biden, comes amid wider signs that federal justice isn’t immune from the political divisiveness that has gripped America’s public square.

As Joe Biden pardons his son, politicized justice is a rising concern Read...

Driven by political scandals, Californian voters course-corrected – overhauling local government in LA and voting out tainted politicians statewide.

High-profile scandals lead to high-profile local reforms in California Read...

Nationwide, Native American students miss school far more frequently than their peers, but not in Oklahoma. At Watonga High School, educators collaborate with several Cheyenne and Arapaho programs that aim to lower Native student absenteeism.

In Oklahoma, purpose and care from teachers coax Indigenous students back to school Read...

While the pandemic caused lasting absenteeism among all schoolchildren, the problem has been most pronounced among Native American and Alaska Native students. Of 34 states, half had absenteeism rates for Indigenous children at least 9% higher than average.

After the pandemic, more Native American students don’t want to return to school Read...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was on good terms with Donald Trump during his first term as president. Now the governor is suiting up for battle.

Newsom vs. Trump: When big states take on the White House Read...

Despite pledging as recently as early November he would not go through with it, President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden on the night of Dec. 1. He said he “believe[s] raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.”

President Biden pardons Hunter Biden, sparing him a possible prison sentence Read...

Georgian citizens’ protests against their pro-Russian government entered a fourth day after the ruling Georgian Dream party canceled negotiations to join the European Union. Tensions around a disputed election result have been simmering for months.

A disputed election and pause on EU accession has led Georgian citizens to the brink Read...

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the biggest transgender rights case in its history. The decision in United States v. Skrmetti has the potential to be a seismic one.

Supreme Court will hear largest transgender rights case in US history Read...

Tulsi Gabbard’s comments about U.S. adversaries Russia and Syria are raising questions about how she would approach intelligence gathering and sharing, if confirmed as director of national intelligence.

Russian TV calls Tulsi Gabbard ‘our girlfriend.’ Can she keep US secrets? Read...

Donald Trump has put together a Mideast team charged with building on his first term’s successes. But in a region shaken by the war in Gaza, can the deal-making president achieve a historic peace agreement with a pro-Israel team?

Trump’s Mideast team: A familiar look for a transformed region Read...

Toys that incorporate artificial intelligence can help children learn. But researchers say that good human relationships may still teach best.

Storytelling bears. Wary parents. AI toys step cautiously toward Christmas. Read...

President-elect Donald Trump announced Nov. 25 he would impose sweeping new tariffs on countries he says have allowed illegal immigrants and drugs to enter the United States. If the import tax were implemented, prices could spike for Americans.

How Trump’s proposed tariffs could dramatically raise prices on consumer goods Read...

Following in the steps of Ford, Harley-Davidson, and Lowe’s, Walmart rolled back some of its DEI policies after conservative backlash. It’s the largest company so far to reverse course since Supreme Court ended affirmative action in college admissions.

Why is Walmart the biggest company yet to cut its DEI policies? Read...

The president-elect’s economic team will face a minefield of fiscal and economic challenges, with no clarity as to how American workers will fare.

The Trump economy: How will tariffs, taxes, and big debt affect workers? Read...

Temporary protected status covers many U.S. immigrants. President-elect Trump says he’ll challenge its use, particularly for Haitians in Springfield, Ohio.

Trump targets temporary protected status. What that could mean for Haitians in the US. Read...

While Bible-based lessons will not be mandatory, schools that incorporate them will receive additional funding. Boosters say the Bible is a core feature of American history, while critics point out the lessons will alienate students from other religions.

After Oklahoma and Louisiana, Texas will be next to try for Bible lessons in schools Read...

Donald Trump has tapped Scott Bessent as treasury secretary, Russell Vought for the Office of Management and Budget, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as labor secretary, and Scott Turner as housing secretary.

Trump chooses Bessent, Vought, Chavez-DeRemer, and Turner for cabinet Read...

The first election of Donald Trump fueled major protests, including the Women’s March. This time around, the self-dubbed “resistance” movement appears less energized.

‘I’m exhausted by him.’ Why Trump resistance 2.0 is fizzling. Read...

Freshman enrollment declined at colleges for the first time since 2020. But some historically Black colleges and universities are experiencing record increases. What’s behind their success?

In the race to attract students, historically Black colleges sprint out front Read...

President-elect Trump’s allies say the Constitution allows him to make recess appointments for top offices, by forcing the Senate out of session. Such a move could mean a Supreme Court fight.

Can Trump bypass the Senate to ram through controversial nominees like Matt Gaetz? Read...

Matt Gaetz drops bid for attorney general, the first setback for Trump’s presidency Read...

Some states are passing antimask laws, citing public safety concerns. Critics see a threat to privacy and to the ability to protest anonymously.

The pandemic roar subsided, but mask wars rumble on Read...

Transgender Day of Remembrance is marked by vigils, memorials, and a sense of unease among advocates after this year’s election result. Transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violence.

Transgender Day of Remembrance raises awareness of violence against trans people Read...

Kamala Harris hoped to declare victory at Howard University on election night. Today, students at one of America’s top HBCUs wrestle with the fallout.

Howard University hoped to make history. Now it’s ready for a different role. Read...

Millions of Americans in rural areas lack access to fast, reliable broadband internet. It's an equity problem that communities are starting to solve.

Millions in rural America lack reliable internet. How Massachusetts towns got online. Read...

Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles to attack Russia comes as both sides are positioning for peace talks once Donald Trump becomes president.

Ukraine fires US long-range missiles at Russia. What that means for the war. Read...

The Biden administration is working to solidify the outgoing president’s legacy before he leaves office in January. Current moves include infrastructure spending, pushing toward environmental goals, sending aid to Ukraine, and confirming judicial picks.

Trump takes office in January. Here’s how Biden is spending his final days as president. Read...

Spirit Airlines, known for its rock-bottom fares and hidden fees, is filing for bankruptcy following a heavy decline in revenue. In the coming months, it says customers can continue to book and fly as it navigates the bankruptcy process.

Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy as it struggles to recover from pandemic losses Read...

President-elect Trump and key immigration advisers are preparing to follow through on his promise of mass deportations. But the effort faces legal and logistical uncertainties.

Trump plans the ‘largest deportation’ ever. Here’s how it might start. Read...

The pandemic turned many people against public health experts – creating the opening that has resulted in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Cabinet nomination.

Nomination of RFK Jr. reflects a broader shake-up in the politics of health Read...

Voters stuck with the status quo on Election Day, ensuring that Republicans will hold onto a thin majority in the House and producing barely any change to the makeup of the chamber.

Makeup of the US House hardly changed, leaving GOP to work with a slim majority Read...

President-elect Donald Trump says he’ll pardon many of those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol – a potentially controversial precedent.

Trump promised to pardon Jan. 6 felons. Where does that stand now? Read...

Experts on aging want to change how we talk about people who are growing older. They’ve gotten the Oxford English Dictionary to agree.

‘Elderly’ or ‘older’? Advocates and a dictionary address language on aging. Read...

As more women enter skilled construction trades, they are laying a foundation to succeed in a rough-and-tumble world of labor union brotherhoods.

Women in construction find solidarity as ‘sisters in the brotherhood’ Read...

The Onion bought Alex Jones’ Infowars after he filed personal bankruptcy. Families of Sandy Hook Elementary School victims successfully sued Mr. Jones and his company for defamation and emotional distress, with judges awarding them $1.5 billion in damages.

The Onion has purchased Infowars. How it’s the latest twist in Alex Jones’ legal saga. Read...

A U.S. Forest Service archeologist has sent a letter to federal officials detailing illegal behavior by North Carolina forest managers, the latest development in a whistleblower case. He alleges they have damaged Native American historic sites for years.

A bulldozer turned up an ancient Indigenous site. Now a forester fights to save it. Read...

Donald Trump’s controversial Cabinet choices came after other picks that were deemed more credible. It’s now a litmus test for Republican senators.

Trump’s eye-popping Cabinet picks show his top priority: Loyalty Read...

Donald Trump’s pick of Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense, coupled with reports of a possible review board to oust some military leaders, sends ripples of concern throughout the defense establishment.

Worries rise over a Trump ‘warrior board’ to remove officers ‘unfit for leadership’ Read...

Republican senators reacted with shock and incredulity to the news that Donald Trump wants Matt Gaetz to be attorney general.

GOP senators are already balking at Trump’s pick of Matt Gaetz for attorney general Read...

By picking South Dakota Sen. John Thune as majority leader, Senate Republicans elevated an institutionally minded, old-school conservative. Mr. Thune promised to enact President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.

John Thune’s leadership win shows limits of MAGA’s reach in Senate Read...

Books covering racism in America, the Holocaust, and LGBTQ+ issues have been pulled from shelves in Florida schools. Recent changes to state law have allowed parents and residents authority to challenge school library books.

Florida residents ramp up efforts to pull ‘sexually explicit’ books from school shelves Read...

After pleading guilty to the most consequential national security breach in years, Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira faces 15 years in prison. He leaked secret reports of the war in Ukraine on the social media platform Discord.

Classified military documents leaker Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison Read...

A Baltimore neighborhood reported no homicides in over a year. Officials credit the Baltimore anti-violence program Safe Streets, which employs mediators rather than police to de-escalate conflicts.

A violent Baltimore neighborhood passed a year with no homicides. How did they do it? Read...

The richest person in the world is taking aim at the federal bureaucracy, looking to cut waste and reduce regulations. Will Musk bring real change or just a slew of conflicts of interest?

Elon Musk helped Trump win. How much influence will he wield now? Read...

President-elect Donald Trump is an unpredictable actor on the world stage. While that brings uncertainty, some analysts say his style might prove beneficial in addressing some global conflicts.

How Trump will tackle security flash points from Ukraine to China Read...

Donald Trump has vowed that on his first day in office, he’ll begin mass deportations, pardon Jan. 6 rioters, and start dismantling the “deep state,” among other things.

Trump’s Day 1 promises are ambitious – and controversial Read...

Among Donald Trump’s picks for key roles in his second administration are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Elise Stefanik for United Nations ambassador, and Tom Homan and Stephen Miller for a pair of roles that will include immigration enforcement.

Donald Trump’s new White House begins to take shape Read...

As the U.S. struggles with housing shortages, veterans are seeing a drop in homelessness. The story of Thomas Hilado shows how a “One Team” Veterans Affairs program is supporting progress.

‘Circling the drain.’ How one Georgia veteran fought off homelessness. Read...

They gave Kamala Harris full support, but in a backlash, California voters turned tough on crime, turning down progressive criminal justice reforms.

California backlash hands defeat to progressive criminal justice reform Read...

The prospect of lower taxes and deregulation has pushed stock prices to new records. But mass deportations and tariffs may slow economic growth.

Giddy with Trump promises, markets downplay deportation, tariff threats to growth Read...

Donald Trump has now twice defeated a seasoned female candidate for president. For some discouraged women voters, this latest loss raises stark questions about why America hasn’t shattered its highest glass ceiling.

‘A slap in the face.’ For many US women, Harris loss to Trump feels personal. Read...

Susie Wiles, a political strategist known to curb some of Donald Trump’s worst impulses, has been appointed White House chief of staff by the president-elect. Mr. Trump has publicly praised Ms. Wiles’ leadership of what he said was his “best-run campaign.”

Trump has picked his first cabinet member and she’ll be the first woman chief of staff Read...

Polls show most Americans view climate change as a threat, but they put pocketbook concerns first. A test for the clean energy transition is to succeed by tying it to economic benefits.

A lesson of Election 2024: There is no ‘climate voter’ Read...

Working-class voters abandoned Kamala Harris in droves. Democrats are fighting about what went wrong – and where to go from here.

Democrats begin soul-searching – and finger-pointing – after devastating loss Read...

Processing fees for cashless payments for school lunches disproportionately affected low-income families across the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said those fees will be waived starting in 2027.

School lunches cost low-income families 10x as much. So the USDA banned processing fees. Read...

The FBI has arrested two people who officials say were planning an attack on Election Day. The Justice Department claims that Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi of Oklahoma City, inspired by the Islamic State, had been planning to buy weapons and ammunition.

Afghan man arrested by FBI for allegedly planning to attack crowds on Election Day Read...

The lawsuits, filed Oct. 8, resemble how states previously organized against the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries. “They’ve chosen profit over the health and safety, well-being and future of our children,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Tiktok lawsuit: Endless scrolling, face filters, instant gratification harms kids Read...

Voters will decide whether Ohio becomes one of the few states where an independent citizens commission, rather than politicians, draws district maps.

On Ohio ballot, a retired justice’s crusade to make politics competitive again Read...

Tampa Bay hasn’t been in the direct path of a major hurricane in over a century, but Hurricane Milton may change that. Hurricane scientists say Tampa Bay is “the city to worry about most” due to high vulnerability to flooding from climate change.

Florida residents brace for massive Hurricane Milton Read...

Our reporter traveled with Kamala Harris as she barnstormed two must-win states and began a media blitz, including with “60 minutes,” “Call Her Daddy,” and Howard Stern.

On the plane with Harris – but is she really opening up to the press? Read...

After Roe v. Wade was overturned, ballot measures for abortion rights have won and fueled Democratic turnout. Now Florida will test the long-term strength of this political backlash.

Trump vs. Harris? In Florida, abortion is the biggest question on the ballot. Read...

At a time when many people default to demonizing those who believe differently than they do, U.S. interfaith groups are working to acknowledge shared humanity and ask, What can we learn from one another?

‘Salaam. Shalom. Peace.’ How US interfaith groups work for peace in a time of war. Read...

A Colorado county courthouse has stepped up security after threats were made against staff and a judge who sentenced former county clerk Tina Peters to prison in a data breach scheme tied to denial of 2020 election results.

Colorado judge receives threats after sentencing election denier official to prison Read...

Donald Trump and others have spread claims suggesting officials are withholding assistance from Republican storm victims. And that's forcing public officials, including members of Mr. Trump's own party, to set the record straight.

Misinformation from Trump, far-right hampers Helene recovery efforts Read...

As the world faces more extreme weather, what should preparing for education in the aftermath of a natural disaster look like?

Hurricanes and wildfires are closing schools. How can students get back on track? Read...

A $12 million legislative package of reparations for slavery's effects is an incremental first step by California, and considered a national model.

Apology but no cash payments: California reparations for slavery start incrementally Read...

Project 2025 is mentioned often on the campaign trail and is viewed negatively by a majority of U.S. voters. We help decode what’s in the conservative planning document.

What is Project 2025? Inside the wishlist Trump disavows. Read...

As colleges and universities move toward institutional neutrality policies in the wake of the war in Gaza, a new title is heading many prestigious schools: acting president.

So, who wants to be a college president? Anyone? Read...

Is a judge unsealing the 165-page brief from special counsel Jack Smith a politically timed move? It comes in the final weeks of an election campaign, but the case itself has been going on for months.

Big development in Jan. 6 case against Trump. Why now? Read...

Supreme Court justices are set to grapple with cases involving transgender rights, “ghost guns,” and fallout from the court’s decisions to weaken federal agencies. And then there’s the election.

Transgender rights, ghost guns – and an election? The Supreme Court returns. Read...

JD Vance used the vice presidential debate to show an empathetic side. Tim Walz called out Mr. Vance for avoiding a question on the 2020 election outcome. Both showed a level of civility now rare in national politics.

Vance shows polish, Walz hits him on Jan. 6 in notably civil VP debate Read...

Local election officials in Georgia are scrambling to avoid chaos after a hard-right state election board reset rules in ways that could lead to delays and distrust in the 2024 vote.

Why Georgia’s new election rules have local officials worried Read...

The state’s abortion law, which took effect in 2022, was deemed in violation of Georgia’s constitution. Judge Robert McBurney wrote in his order “liberty in Georgia includes ... the power of a woman to control her own body.”

Georgia judge strikes down state’s abortion ban as unconstitutional. Will it last? Read...

The U.S. is pursuing a strategy of deterrence and diplomacy in the Middle East, as conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates.

What the US can do to deter a wider war in the Middle East Read...

Plains is a politically divided town in the battleground state of Georgia. But the ethos of a peacemaker president is tangible on front porches here.

Jimmy Carter’s century: A spirit of community softens Georgia’s political rifts Read...

Unions have regained the clout to challenge employers. Now a strike by dockworkers over pay and automation is putting the economy – and Democrats – on edge before the election.

Dock strike threatens economy before election and holidays Read...

Students had a decisive impact in several battleground states in 2022. Trends from prior years show that their habits are changing over time.

College students voted in big numbers in 2020. Are they ready to do it again? Read...

In what may be the final direct clash between the two presidential campaigns, vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance will meet on Oct. 1. Historically, the position has never been very influential, but this year the debate could tip the scales.

In a race of razor thin margins, how the VP debate could make a difference Read...

After a term in which Chief Justice John Roberts wrote landmark opinions benefiting former President Donald Trump, some court watchers are reevaluating his institutionalist image.

Entering a new Supreme Court term, John Roberts is as enigmatic as ever Read...

A new respite room at the Marine Corps museum lets veterans grapple with wounds of war – a big step for a military branch known for bravado.

‘We’re going to take care of you.’ Marine Corps museum offers veterans respite. Read...

Young women have lurched left on abortion, the environment, and guns, in contrast to young men – shifts propelled by news events and social media.

Young women and men are diverging on politics. Why this gender gap matters. Read...

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has recently announced a flurry of new tariff proposals on imports from Mexico. Economists say tariffs are a mostly inefficient way to raise funds and increase jobs, and the burden often hits consumers.

‘Tariff Man’ Trump proposes even bigger tariffs on foreign goods. Will they deliver? Read...

A corruption indictment against Eric Adams, New York City’s Democratic mayor, creates bad optics for his party right before the November elections.

NYC Mayor Adams indicted: Democrats brace for impact Read...

Key details are emerging from both a House hearing and a Senate report on Secret Service lapses in security for presidential candidates. A bipartisan effort in Congress aims to identify and fix systemic problems.

Congress uncovers major Secret Service failures – and urges change Read...

Georgia GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger warns that last-minute rule changes by the state’s right-wing election board are undermining voter trust in one of the country’s key battlegrounds.

Raffensperger: Election board ‘destroying voter confidence’ in Georgia Read...

One execution was held on Sept. 20 and two more on Sept. 24. If the two remaining – set for Sept. 26 – take place, it will mark the most in one week in the U.S. since July 2003. Marcellus Williams was put to death in Missouri despite objections by the victims’ family.

Why are death penalty executions scheduled in 5 states this week? Read...

The presidential campaign is light on policy details. For hints of what Kamala Harris might do as president, we look at her track record in public office.

How would Kamala Harris govern? Her past career offers signals. Read...

After a surge during the pandemic, the FBI found violent crime decreased in almost every category in 2023. While not a drastic decrease, it confirms another report from the Council on Criminal Justice that crime levels are returning to 2019 levels.

Violent crime has been an election focal point. But data shows numbers are dropping. Read...

Over a 10-year period, officers using tactics meant to subdue resulted in around 1,000 deaths. To reduce the risk of death, a group of police leaders have created new guidelines that focus on de-escalation strategies over the use of force.

Police don’t always need to use force. New guidelines lay out a different approach. Read...

Under the U.S. Welcome Corps program, American citizens can apply to sponsor refugees directly. Here’s how the Biden initiative is going, after reversing cutbacks to the country’s refugee admissions program under Donald Trump.

Biden vowed to revive US refugee program. Everyday Americans are helping. Read...

Presidential candidates make many promises that never come to fruition. So we looked at what Donald Trump actually prioritized and achieved during his four years in office, for a sense of how he might govern again.

What would a second Trump term look like? The first one provides clues. Read...

At a Monitor Breakfast, Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan – chair of two major committees – talked Trump assassination attempts, the race for the Senate, and his frugal habits.

Breakfast with a key Senate Democrat in the thick of things Read...

At a Monitor Breakfast last week, Sen. Gary Peters – chair of two key committees – talked Trump assassination attempts, the race for the Senate, and his frugal habits.

Breakfast with a top Dem on Trump assassination attempts, battle for Senate Read...

After a controversial measure requiring proof of citizenship to vote – pushed by conservative Republicans – was dropped, bipartisan negotiations began in earnest, with leadership agreeing to extend government funding into mid-December.

Speaker Johnson drops controversial citizen voting measure to avert shutdown Read...

Dozens of families, from Tennessee to California, are lobbying the federal government to bring their adopted Haitian children to the United States. Rampant gang violence puts orphanages – and the children who live there – at continued risk.

Adoption is challenging. But these parents try to evacuate Haitian kids from a war zone. Read...

Smartphones may still be ascendant, but trends suggest some young people may be freeing up time by putting their high-tech phones down.

‘Dumbphones’ a smart move? Some young people seeking free time and friends say yes. Read...

Nebraska’s high court is ruling on whether a new law, letting those with felony convictions vote, is constitutional. How U.S. voting rights are shaking out.

They paid their debts to society. Nebraska still might not let them vote. Read...

Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, is a committed Republican. He also says Donald Trump’s policies from immigration to tariffs would hurt his city.

A Republican mayor talks about the border – and why he supports Harris Read...

Solidifying his legacy as perhaps the greatest baseball player ever, Shohei Ohtani became the first to pass 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season in MLB history. His two-way ability to pitch and hit at an elite level has made him a fan favorite.

Why Shohei Ohtani may have just passed Babe Ruth as the greatest baseball player ever Read...

An emergency spending bill heads to President Biden today to ensure veterans continue to receive benefits. A rapid rise in disability claims drives the surge in costs for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Why 30% of military veterans get disability benefits, forcing Congress to scramble Read...

Springfield, Ohio, found itself thrust into the national spotlight as the latest backdrop for heated immigration rhetoric, based on a discredited rumor. Then the bomb threats began.

The rumors targeted Haitians. All of Springfield is paying the price. Read...

Prince George’s County, Maryland, is one of the wealthiest majority-Black counties in the U.S. Yet it struggled during the Great Recession and pandemic. Since then, it has emerged as an economic bright spot.

How an overlooked county landed the new FBI headquarters and tech jobs Read...

Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan also said at The Monitor Breakfast that former President Donald Trump’s recent comments about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, which has been facing bomb threats, shows that “words have power.”

Dem Homeland Security Chair: Details of Trump Assassination Attempt ‘Very Troubling’ Read...

National Hispanic Heritage Month will be celebrated across the United States for the next four weeks. Recognized since 1988, the events provide an opportunity to understand the multifaceted history and culture of Latinos in the U.S.

Hispanics have lived in the US for centuries. Autumn events honor their stories. Read...

At the Monitor Breakfast, Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said that he believed Democrats’ personal brands would prevail in Ohio and Montana – allowing his party to overcome an unusually difficult Senate map and maintain its majority.

How Democrats’ campaign chair thinks they can still win the Senate Read...

Prosecuting a former and would-be leader may be the ultimate stress test of a nation’s justice system. Donald Trump’s criminal cases are all delayed.

Special treatment? How judges are handling Trump ahead of election. Read...

An apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump Sunday adds impetus – and evidence – for probes on how well the Secret Service is protecting political leaders amid rising threats.

Second Trump assassination attempt: This time, Secret Service did better Read...

Florida’s 2023 law requires hospitals to ask patients for their legal status. Though identifying information is not shared with the state, advocates say it created an “extra barrier” for an already vulnerable group, with some avoiding needed care.

Texas to follow Florida law that has patients report immigration status Read...

President Joe Biden won a historic surge in funding for roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. But there’s little sign of political gain for Kamala Harris and Democrats in the election campaign.

Biden poured money into public works. But will that help Harris in Michigan? Read...

The Harris-Trump presidential race is on track for record fundraising that can play a pivotal role. Big donors dominate, but small gifts are a rising force.

Why it’s not just billionaires raising record money for Harris-Trump race Read...

The arrest of the father of a 14-year-old school shooting suspect in Georgia may suggest a shift in thinking about responsibility.

In a gun-friendly state, parental liability looms following school shooting Read...

For the first time this fall, all Massachusetts residents can attend one of its 15 community colleges for free. Since 2017, tuition-free community college has spread from a pioneering experiment to nearly half of states.

Massachusetts needs more workers. It’s making community college free. Read...

Springfield residents on both sides of the political divide are ready for politicians to stop using their city as a talking point for immigration reform. State leaders would rather address some of the real challenges facing their community.

In Springfield, Ohio, Haitian residents confront fallout of Trump’s false claims Read...

Florida residents say police are showing up at their homes to question whether they indeed signed a petition to put abortion rights on the ballot, but the deadline to challenge signature validity has already passed. Critics called the investigation voter intimidation.

Florida voters signed a petition for abortion rights. Then the police knocked. Read...

Republicans are pushing to require proof of citizenship to vote, because of concerns over voter fraud and illegal immigration. It is already illegal and rare for noncitizens to vote, Democratic critics say.

Are noncitizens really voting in US elections? Read...

Kamala Harris successfully got Donald Trump to waste valuable time litigating things like crowd size rather than zeroing in on the economy.

Harris baits Trump over and over at presidential debate Read...

Putting aside bipartisan acrimony, Republican and Democratic lawmakers joined to honor 13 service members who died in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.

As US marks 9/11, a divided Congress unites to honor 13 fallen in Afghanistan Read...

A professor’s lament on social media about her college students got us thinking about the best way to encourage the joys of reading. To find out more, we asked the experts: teachers.

‘It doesn’t have to be scary.’ How to get students to love reading. Read...

Faced with a recruiting crisis, the U.S. armed forces take a gentler, more supportive approach to training new soldiers. Will it work?

No pushups? No problem. The Army builds a steppingstone to boot camp. Read...

The first freshman class since a Supreme Court ruling ended affirmative action in higher education is starting college. Experts say it will take years to see the full impact on enrollment, but some colleges are reporting fewer incoming Black students.

Students return to campus while affirmative action does not. What’s the impact? Read...

The Harris-Trump debate, hosted by ABC News, comes as polls show a neck-and-neck race in the states that will determine who wins in November.

Why Harris has more at stake in Tuesday’s debate than Trump Read...

Hunter Biden’s winding legal saga may soon be over. On Sept. 5 he pled guilty to tax evasion charges to avoid going to trial. He now awaits sentencing with the possibility of prison time. Here’s how the story has played out so far.

‘I will not subject my family to more pain’: Hunter Biden pleads guilty to tax charges Read...

A school shooting in Georgia has left four people dead. It also highlights how efforts to prevent and respond to threats are improving but incomplete.

Backdrop for Georgia mass shooting: Both gaps and progress on school safety Read...

A New York judge agreed to postpone the sentencing of former President Donald Trump in a criminal case involving falsified records on hush money.

Judge delays Trump’s hush-money sentencing until after November election Read...

Stress is now considered a major health risk for parents. The U.S. surgeon general says asking for help is the first line of defense.

Parent stress is a national health issue: Asking for help is a strong first step Read...

Did the summer offer a reset to roiled college campuses? As classes resume, students face new rules around protesting – and some flux around financial aid, artificial intelligence, and the viability of higher ed.

College students are back. Here are 4 issues to watch on campuses. Read...

The Justice Department is aiming at Russian attempts to sway US voters. It has seized 32 websites and issued sanctions. Nearly 2,000 videos posted by a Russian-funded media company have reached more than 16 million views on YouTube alone, prosecutors say.

Biden administration cracks down on Russian fake news sites ahead of election Read...

Columbia University, the epicenter of last spring’s campus movement against Israel’s war in Gaza, is bracing for the return of protests this fall. Administrators say they seek to ease tensions, while student organizers continue to push for their demands to be met.

At Columbia, a new academic year brings a renewed focus on protests Read...

A network of fake online accounts, linked to a Chinese disinformation campaign, mimic Americans to spread fake or inflammatory news about US politics.

What is Spamouflage? How a Chinese disinformation group uses fake accounts to confuse US voters. Read...

What should students in the United States learn about Asian and Asian American culture and history? With hate crimes on the rise, more states are turning to classroom lessons to help foster tolerance and understanding.

Asian American history can be scarce in schools. States are trying to change that. Read...

Colorado officials have increasingly gone on record about the alleged presence of a gang called Tren de Aragua. Police and politicians here are boosting efforts to address security concerns.

Is a Venezuelan gang growing in the US? Colorado feels the threat. Read...

$Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was arrested the morning of Sept. 3 along with her husband at their home on Long Island. Prosecutors say Ms. Sun pushed China’s priorities, among other infractions.$

New York governor’s aide, Linda Sun, arrested on charges of ties to Chinese government Read...

Questions about Kamala Harris’ ease at mingling with the public have swirled since she became the Democratic nominee. Our reporter got to observe the candidate up close in Georgia.

Is Kamala Harris at ease on campaign trail? My two days with the VP. Read...

This Labor Day, the fastest-growing part of the workforce is also the oldest – people well past “retirement age” seeking both income and activity.

The job market needs workers. The newest ones are over 75. Read...

Federal law and Pentagon policies do not allow political activities in Section 60 of the cemetery, which is considered hallowed ground. An official was abruptly shoved aside, the U.S. Army said. And videos were taken by Donald Trump’s campaign and used in ads.

What happened at Arlington National Cemetery? And did Trump’s campaign break the law? Read...

Republicans protested Joe Biden’s narrow win of Wisconsin in 2020. A battle over trust in elections in that key swing state hasn’t really ended.

Will the 2024 election results be accepted by all? Wisconsin is a key test. Read...

Tutoring emerged as a leading strategy to mitigate pandemic-related learning loss. Now, evidence suggests it’s helping reduce absenteeism as well.

Tutoring is getting kids excited about school. Educators want to make it permanent. Read...

Some of Florida’s liberty-seeking transplants seek out the state’s wildness. Others seeking freedom are finding politics stifling.

Florida woman kills wild boar with mango. (This is not a meme.) Read...

Hype and hope are perennial features of political conventions. But our longtime politics reporter sees some unusual plot twists as she recaps the DNC and RNC, with the presidential race moving toward the home stretch.

Political conventions can be a bubble. Then it’s back to the real world. Read...

Intelligent drones equipped with AI offer military advantages while raising ethical concerns about autonomous computer warfare.

Why military ‘drone swarms’ raise ethical concerns in future wars Read...

A Pennsylvania newsroom takes on journalism’s trust problem, fueled by real and perceived media bias, by trying to reengage its community. It is also taking a stand against misinformation.

How one NPR station is trying to win conservative listeners – by listening Read...

Five takeaways from the Democratic National Convention Read...

‘I’m speaking.’ How Kamala Harris transformed as a politician and found her voice. Read...

Democrats spent over a year attacking Robert F. Kennedy Jr., worried he’d draw votes away from their nominee. Now, his exit may benefit Donald Trump, not Kamala Harris.

RFK Jr.’s impending exit is the first good news for Trump in a month Read...

As students head back to school, leaders in the United States and Canada are in a battle to keep kids away from social media.

Back to school – in a phone-free classroom? Read...

School choice, civil rights, and a possible Project 2025 agenda are fueling debates in the U.S. about public schooling. How is the undercurrent of education playing out in the 2024 presidential race?

As former teacher Tim Walz takes center stage, will education, too? Read...

As Tim Walz takes center stage at the DNC, his career arc spans from representing rural conservatives to signing bills that move Minnesota leftward.

Liberal or moderate? Depends which Tim Walz you’re talking about. Read...

Intense scrutiny of veteran politicians has prodded America toward greater awareness of how unchallenged ageism affects everyone, not just presidents.

Biden says he’s ‘too old to stay as president.’ It shows the pull of ageism. Read...

Many predicted major clashes at the Democratic convention – a repeat of 1968’s DNC. But so far, protests in Chicago have been small and mostly peaceful.

Forget 1968. The DNC is underway in Chicago with minimal disruption. Read...

The opening night of the Democratic National Convention features a bittersweet moment as Joe Biden speaks. The party shoved him aside, but he’s also deeply respected and known for resilience.

Don’t call it a farewell: Joe Biden to give keynote address to Democrats Read...

A last-minute ticket swap has unfolded remarkably smoothly, with Democrats closing ranks around Kamala Harris as their convention opens in Chicago.

Democrats arrive at convention energized by a transformed race Read...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bipartisan package of 10 bills aimed at curbing retail theft, targeting professional crime rings, and repeat offenders. The new laws, signed on Friday, focus on cracking down on repeat shoplifters, auto thieves, and those reselling stolen goods.

California tightens laws on retail theft, targeting repeat offenders Read...

With momentum on Vice President Kamala Harris’ side, Republicans are advising former President Donald Trump to focus on policy, not personal attacks.

Urged to attack Harris on policy, Trump keeps reverting to his old shtick Read...

New York Mayor Eric Adams proposes broad rezoning that could make the city more affordable for the middle-class workers who keep it running.

High-rent New York needs affordable housing. Can the mayor deliver? Read...

J.D. Vance’s attacks on “woke capital” go beyond ordinary populism: He’s said Jeff Bezos supported riots and companies don’t want workers having kids.

JD Vance: Amazon funded Black Lives Matter so riots would destroy rival retailers Read...

President Joe Biden is set to sign an order designating the 1908 Springfield, Illinois, race riot site a national monument. This comes 5 1/2 weeks after Sonya Massey, a Black woman, was shot by a white sheriff’s deputy in her home in Springfield after she called 911 for help.

Biden to designate 1908 Springfield race riot site as national monument Read...

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned Aug. 14 after a short and tumultuous tenure that included student protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Her decision comes just days after three deans also stepped down.

Columbia’s Minouche Shafik resigns after backlash around Israel-Hamas student protests Read...

Deportation rates have picked up under Joe Biden. Donald Trump calls for the largest mass deportation in U.S. history. Here’s how deportation works and why it’s a complicated process.

Deportation 101: How removing people from the US really works Read...

While no evidence of fraud has arisen, Ukraine has struggled with corruption. Experts are urging the U.S. to guard the billions spent on defense aid.

US weapons help Ukraine advance. Will concerns about corruption put that at risk? Read...

Donald Trump pledges the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, raising questions about how and whether this immigration policy could be carried out.

Trump calls for mass deportations. How would that work? Read...

California, which has America’s largest homeless population, is taking a harder tack on enforcement – but some cities are pairing that with more support.

After Supreme Court ruling, California strengthens homeless camp enforcement Read...

Recent days have seen false allegations of AI meddling, actual AI meddling, and reports of old-style hacking all involving the election campaign. From Iran to artificial intelligence, how big a risk is cyber chaos for the Trump-Harris race?

Iran hacking Trump? AI deepfakes? Cyber side of 2024 election heats up. Read...

Local and tribal governments are aiming to reduce overdose deaths as they start to receive billions of dollars from legal settlements with opioid manufacturers.

Can $18 billion in opioid settlement funds turn an overdose tide? Ask North Carolina. Read...

Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, might be staying in orbit longer than they planned. NASA is deciding how and when to bring them home after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that launched them experienced several mechanical failures.

Stuck in space? Why the return date of two NASA astronauts is up in the air until early next year. Read...

Many young voters are feeling “fired up” by the presidential ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. The shift could buoy Democrats in swing states.

Young voters have new energy: How big a boost for Harris-Walz ticket? Read...

A bill in Congress, already passed by the House, would honor 60 diplomats who helped Jews secure safe passage out of Nazi-controlled countries.

A different gold medal – for Gentile diplomats who quietly saved Jews Read...

President Biden is trying yet again to keep the Middle East from a war that seemed imminent, if widely unwanted, even as his relationship with Israel’s leader appears to have deteriorated.

Biden mobilizes, again, to calm Mideast even as he wrangles with Netanyahu Read...

A year after deadly fires incinerated the Hawaii town of Lahaina on Maui, many are looking to dial down tourism. Is the island of Molokai a model?

A year after Hawaii’s Maui fires, a question of identity Read...

Republican attacks against Harris running mate Tim Walz could put questions of law, order, and the George Floyd protests at the campaign forefront.

As Harris picks Walz, George Floyd riots resurface as election issue Read...

With abortion on the ballot for several states, a new report indicates abortions have risen since the Supreme Court over turned Roe v. Wade. Laws protecting prescribers who see patients in states with abortion bans may have been a major driver for the increase.

After Dobbs, some states rushed to protect abortion access. Now numbers of procedures are rising. Read...