Northern California blazes now largest in state history
Twin Northern California blazes fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather grew Monday to become the largest wildfire in state history.
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Hurricane Hector closing in on Hawaii and volcano
Forecasters are closely watching Hurricane Hector, a powerful category 4 storm that’s about to cross into Central Pacific waters.
Republicans to press ahead with Kavanaugh conformation despite National Archives delay
The National Archives says it will take months to process the records Republicans have asked to see from Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s previous government work, throwing a curveball at the GOP, which had hoped to review the documents, hold hearings and confirm him to the Supreme Court before October.
Lawmakers defuse Trump’s shutdown threat by passing partial spending bills ahead of deadline
Congress is taking big strides to defuse President Trump’s shutdown threat, working to pass as many spending bills as possible before next month’s deadline so most of the government will remain open no matter what Mr. Trump demands on border security.
Holding It Steady: Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged Amid Positive Growth Talk
It’s steady as she goes for the Fed this time around, as many investors had pretty much baked in. After a June hike of the benchmark federal-funds rate to a range between 1.75% and 2%, the Fed concluded this week’s meeting Wednesday by standing pat and keeping rates right there.
Trump administration considering tax break on capital gains
The Trump administration is studying the idea of implementing a big tax break for wealthy Americans by reducing the taxes levied on capital gains, but no decision has been made yet on whether to proceed.
Congress set to dodge tick-tock of shutdown clock
Four months after President Trump warned he would ‘never again’ sign a massive federal spending bill containing areas he wants to cut, Congress has finally made some progress reforming its long-broken process of appropriating annual government funding and trying to get it done on time.
Second-quarter GDP jumps 4.1% for best pace in nearly four years
Gross domestic product grew at a solid 4.1 percent pace in the second quarter, its best pace since 2014, boosting hopes that the economy is ready to break out of its decade-long slumber.
Trump Willing to Shut Down Government Over Border Security
President Donald Trump said Sunday he’d be willing to shut down the government if Democrats refuse to vote for changes he seeks to the U.S. immigration system, including building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Paul Ryan Rejects Republicans’ Move to Impeach Deputy AG Rosenstein
House Speaker Paul Ryan came out strongly against his House Republican colleagues’ push to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Thursday.
Trump exhorts his voters to stay the course on trade wars
President Trump is urging Americans feeling the pinch from international trade policy disputes, as well as congressional Republicans who fear his tariffs will wipe out the economic boom right before the midterm elections, to endure the pain just a little bit longer.
Rod Rosenstein accused of hiding info from Congress in impeachment articles
Conservative House lawmakers introduced articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Wednesday, saying he’s led the Justice Department in ‘hiding’ information from Congress on investigations into Russian election meddling and Hillary Clinton’s secret emails.
Farm groups praise $12 billion aid package, urge pullback on trade fights
Key agricultural trade associations praised the Trump administration Tuesday for providing $12 billion to support farmers hurt by an ongoing trade war, but urged the administration to dial back that fight.
Trump considering pulling security clearances of critics
Six former national security officials are being targeted by President Donald Trump for their criticism of his administration. In an unprecedented move, the president is considering revoking their security clearances, making them ineligible for access to the nation’s closely held secrets.
FISA warrant application supports Nunes memo
The weekend release of a highly-redacted version of the FBI’s application for a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant to wiretap onetime Trump foreign policy adviser Carter Page has renewed the argument over the Nunes memo — the brief report produced by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes detailing problems in the application.
Judge orders extension of aid for Puerto Rico storm evacuees
A U.S. judge on Thursday ordered another extension of a temporary assistance program for hundreds of Puerto Rico families who fled the hurricane-ravaged island in 2017 and are living in hotels across the United States.
White House cheers House’s $5 billion border wall bill
The White House on Wednesday backed a House spending bill that includes $5 billion to build a border wall, saying it will pay for another 200 miles of physical barrier on the border with Mexico.
Texas fetal tissue burial law on trial at U.S. court
A court hearing on a Texas law requiring the burial or cremation of aborted fetal tissue opened on Monday with the state arguing the requirement was a matter of dignity, while abortion providers called it unnecessary and aimed at impeding clinic operations.
DOJ Indicts 12 Russian Officials For Hacking The DNC In 2016
The Department of Justice has indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers for hacking the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 election.
Feds Collect Record Individual Income Taxes Through June; Still Run $607B Deficit
The federal government collected a record $1,305,490,000,000 in individual income taxes through the first nine months of fiscal 2018 (October 2017 through June 2018), according to the Monthly Treasury Statement released today.