WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, spent a second day Tuesday on Capitol Hill, meeting privately with Republican senators amid rising questions about his ability […]

Democrats stick with Schumer as leader. Their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect […]

Is Enron back? If it’s a joke, some former employees aren’t laughing
HOUSTON — An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in American corporate fraud and greed after it […]

Trial begins for a man charged in the killing of a University of Mississippi student
A University of Mississippi student who disappeared in 2022 was a happy person who spoke with his mother daily and called her every year to sing happy birthday, his mom […]

To save a dying swamp, Louisiana aims to restore the Mississippi River’s natural flow
GARYVILLE, La. — Louisiana has long relied on a vast levee system to rein in the Mississippi River and protect surrounding communities from flooding. But cutting off the natural flow […]

New Jersey council says ban on ‘props’ can include ‘performative’ use of US flag, constitution
EDISON, New Jersey — A New Jersey township council’s decision to bar people from using “props” — which officials say can include the U.S. flag and Constitution — when addressing […]

Judge weighs whether to order Fani Willis to comply with lawmakers’ subpoenas over Trump case
ATLANTA — A judge is weighing whether a Georgia state Senate committee has the right to subpoena testimony and documents from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as it looks […]

Trump and Republican senators plan agenda for first 30 days
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump dialed in to what was described as a “love fest” Tuesday with Senate Republicans as they begin laying the groundwork for control of government in […]

FACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consent
Social media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling, claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a […]

Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the DEA, withdraws name from consideration
NEW YORK — Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the […]