3.3 million file unemployment claims in U.S., five times over prior record
Nearly 3.3 million Americans filed unemployment claims last week, a record number as businesses were forced to shut down to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Texas
US and Mexico agree to block all nonessential travel at shared border, exempting trade
The Trump administration announced on Friday a ban on recreational and tourist travel at the U.S.-Mexico border as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Oil falls 24% in 3rd worst day on record, sinks to more than 18-year low
Oil dropped 24% to a more than 18-year low on Wednesday as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sap demand for crude, and as rising worries about a global recession lead to fears of longer-term demand destruction.
Trump administration to start $175M, 30-foot-tall border wall project in high traffic Texas region
The Trump administration awarded a $175 million contract to a construction company to build 15 miles of border wall in an area of southeastern Texas where no barrier exists, according to the federal agency overseeing wall projects.
Biden wins Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Idaho; close race in Washington
Former Vice President Joe Biden won primaries Tuesday in Michigan, Missouri, Idaho and Mississippi to take command of the Democratic presidential primaries.
Border chief: Wall cuts illegal crossings 80%
A 20-mile section of new border wall built near El Paso, Texas, cut illegal crossings by more than 80%, the government’s top border official told Congress on Thursday.
US Military Orders Company to Stop Putting Bible Verses on Military Dog Tags
The official US motto is ‘In God We Trust,’ but a Texas company is under fire for printing scripture on military dog tags.
Trump to Transfer $3.8B From Military to Fund Border Wall
The Trump administration is transferring $3.8 billion in recently passed military funding to finance construction of the president’s long-sought U.S.-Mexico border wall, angering not just Democrats but also GOP defense hawks.
GOP Wins Special Election That Had Become a Bellwether for Democrats in Texas
Republicans won handily a closely watched special election Tuesday to keep hold of a suburban Houston district that President Donald Trump won easily four years ago, fending off a national blitz by Democrats in a Texas legislative race.
House Democrats conceal testimony of 18th witness from Trump team
Democrats clamoring for more witnesses at President Trump’s impeachment trial are concealing one of those questioned in the House investigation, President Trump’s defense team says.
United Methodist Church to split into separate conservative and liberal denominations
The United Methodist Church is planning to split over the issue of same-sex marriage and gay clergy, church officials said Friday.
FBI data underscores rising threat to places of worship
When a machete-wielding attacker walked into a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, during Hanukkah and a gunman fired on worshipers at a Texas church 14 hours later, the two congregations in different regions of the country joined a growing list of faith communities that have come under attack in the US.
Texas pastor thankful parishioners had ‘opportunity to protect ourselves’ during church shooting
A minister at a Texas church where a parishioner shot and killed a man who opened fire on the Sunday congregation thanked state leaders for granting the man the right to carry a firearm to the service.
Gunman opens fire in White Settlement, Texas church, leaving 2 dead
Two people were killed and one person critically injured in a Texas church shooting Sunday morning, with one person having died on the way to the hospital and been revived.
Supreme Court to hear Louisiana abortion case in 2020
A case testing abortion access in Louisiana will come before the Supreme Court early next year, giving President Trump’s two appointees their first chance to leave a mark on the topic.
Court voids Obamacare mandate — but not the whole law
A federal appeals court on Wednesday struck down Obamacare’s individual mandate in a decision that immediately thrusts the health care law to the forefront of the 2020 elections.
‘Bible-Believing’ Texas Judge Warned Over Refusing Same-Sex Marriages Responds With Lawsuit
Texas judge Dianne Hensley has decided to fight back after receiving a public warning last year on the subject of officiating same-sex marriages, announcing a lawsuit against the state.
House Republicans and Democrats Spend Marathon Session Arguing Over Articles of Impeachment
House Democrats say President Trump should be impeached because one, he abused his power, and two, he obstructed Congress.
Federal judge blocks billions in Pentagon funding from paying for border wall
A federal judge has blocked President Trump from diverting Pentagon funds from various military projects toward building a wall on the United States’ southern border.
‘Bible-Believing’ TX Justice of the Peace in Trouble for Declining to Perform Same-Sex Marriages
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley, a devout Christian, has received a public warning by Texas’ State Commission on Judicial Conduct for refusing to perform same-sex marriages.