Drugs killed almost 72,000 people last year, a record
More people than ever are dying from drug overdoses, with death tolls surpassing 72,000 in 2017, according to preliminary data out Wednesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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U.S. and Mexico to set up joint team to fight drug cartels
U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities will set up a joint team based in Chicago targeting the leaders and finances of drug cartels that ship opioids into the United States, aiming to stanch a spike in overdose deaths, officials said on Wednesday.
Evacuations, rescues as ‘historic’ floods hit northeastern U.S.
New Jersey declared a partial state of emergency on Tuesday as forecasts for further heavy rainfall posed new danger in parts of that state, New York and Pennsylvania, where rescuers hauled people from waterways, flooded cars and homes.
Trump signs new defense policy bill that rebuilds military, boosts troop pay
President Trump signed a $716 billion defense bill Monday that authorizes hundreds of new planes, ships and tanks — and delivers a substantial victory to the administration by watering down penalties on a Chinese telecom company.
Trump Admin Upholds Religious Freedom for Federal Contractors
The Trump administration has issued a directive that protects religious freedom as a defense for federal contractors in situations where they’ve been charged with job discrimination.
California’s largest wildfire destroys dozens of residences
The largest of several wildfires burning throughout the state of California destroyed nearly 30 homes over the weekend, fire officials said Sunday.
Bipartisan Bill Moves to Protect Religious Foster Care
Lawmakers are considering a bill to protect religious foster care and adoption agencies in response to recent crackdowns on religious charities by state and local governments.
Man arrested at New Mexico compound is son of imam with possible link to 1993 World Trade Center bombing
The man arrested at a squalid New Mexico compound is the son of a controversial Brooklyn imam who was on a list of people who ‘may be alleged as co-conspirators’ to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, according to court documents released by prosecutors Wednesday. Siraj Wahhaj, who shares a name with his son who was arrested Saturday, testified as a character witness for Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, the notorious ‘blind sheikh’ who was convicted in 1995 of plotting terror attacks in the U.S.
Battling 18 blazes, California may face worst fire season
The largest wildfire ever recorded in California needed just 11 days to blacken an area nearly the size of Los Angeles — and it’s only one of many enormous blazes that could make this the worst fire season in state history.
Trump takes victory lap, ignoring blue warning signs
President Trump declared victory in Ohio’s 12th Congressional District on Tuesday night, as Republicans he endorsed won their primaries and possibly a critical special election.
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.
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.