Issues
Trump signs executive action targeting public service loan program
The program forgives the loans of borrowers who work in public service. The executive action would exclude those who work for certain organizations.
Trump administration cancels $400 million in federal dollars for Columbia University
The administration said it was cancelling grants and other federal awards for Columbia for an alleged failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.
A former Olympic snowboarder makes the FBI’s Most Wanted list
Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder-turned-alleged-drug trafficker, "went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine," the FBI says.
Immigration bills make headway in Montgomery
Immigration is one of the major issues of the moment at the national level. Alabama lawmakers are not far behind by taking up several bills intended to fight illegal immigration. We hear about some of those measures plus other action this week in Montgomery from Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
The job market is still pretty solid — but there are warning signs ahead
U.S. employers added 151,000 jobs in February, while the unemployment rate inched up to 4.1% from 4% in January.
Farmers strongly back Trump. A new trade war could test their loyalty
American farmers have stood firmly behind President Trump even when his trade policies hurt them. The latest trade war, which could be even worse for their sector, promises to test those ties again.
Trump is set to speak to crypto founders and investors at the White House on Friday
President Trump signed an order late Thursday creating a cryptocurrency strategic reserve using bitcoin seized through court proceedings, directing officials to find "budget-neutral" ways to grow it.
‘Queen of the Ring’ star Emily Bett Rickards on wrestling pioneer Mildred Burke
In Ash Avildsen's new film Queen of The Ring, Emily Bett Rickards plays the role of Mildred Burke, a single mother who defied the odds in the 1930s to become the first million-dollar female athlete in the male-dominated world of professional wrestling.
Five takeaways: China’s foreign minister slams Trump’s ‘two-faced’ policies
China's top foreign policy official addressed the escalating trade war with the U.S. and promoted China as an "anchor" on the global stage as America retreats from international involvement.
Trump’s latest tariff twist: a break for Mexico and Canada
Trump put 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico on Tuesday. Markets tanked. And by Thursday, he had decided to broadly lift them.
At a housewares expo in Chicago, talk keeps turning to price hikes from tariffs
The Inspired Home Show in Chicago draws housewares industry insiders from all over the country to network and show off their latest gadgets. This year, they're making plans to cope with tariffs.
As Canadians cancel trips due to Trump, the U.S. tourism industry could lose billions
The Trump administration's attacks on its northern neighbor have been met with confusion and anger by some Canadians who are now cancelling their trips to the U.S. in protest.
State Supreme Court races can be costly, competitive and combative. Why?
Wisconsin is on track to break spending records once again in a high court contest that's at times turned heated. But these races weren't always like this.
Trump prepares order dismantling the Education Department
The draft executive action, obtained by NPR, acknowledges the department and its signature responsibilities were created by Congress, and cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.
By the numbers: Does LeBron James’ new points record shake up the GOAT debate?
LeBron James has been so good for so long, there's a famous running joke about when he might slow down. At age 40, where does his 50,000 career points record put him in the GOAT debate?
In a first, the 2026 World Cup final will include a halftime show
Like the Super Bowl mid-game spectaculars, the 2026 final game slated to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will include the World Cup's very first halftime show.
Bill would ban drag performances in public schools and libraries
Some Alabama lawmakers want to ban drag performances in public libraries and schools. But opponents fear the bill might have broader implications when it comes to self-expression and First Amendment rights.
A star generation of women’s soccer has retired. A new series shows who to watch next
A trailblazing generation of players is retiring. In a new docuseries from Prime Video, we hear from a new group of players and coaches vying to be the next best in American women's soccer.
‘God walks with us through the ashes.’ A poignant Ash Wednesday after LA wildfires
On Ash Wednesday, Christians hear the words "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Those words ring differently for many whose churches and homes burned in the Los Angeles fires.
In Key West, testing shows cruise ships stir up as much sediment as a hurricane
Tests in Key West show sediment stirred up by cruise ships, which can harm marine life, routinely exceed federal standards. Key West has responded by suspending the tests.
China’s parliament opens with confidence about the economy despite tariffs, headwinds
China will aim for economic growth of around 5% this year, the same as last year. This comes despite deep domestic challenges and fresh tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S.
American businesses reel as Trump tariffs start to bite
Business owners across the U.S. worry they will also suffer the impact from President Trump's tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China.
Canada, China say fentanyl crisis is only a “pretext” for Trump’s new tariffs
Canadian and Chinese officials say they were already helping reduce fentanyl smuggling. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said fentanyl crossing the northern border is "near zero."
4 things to know about Trump’s plan for a ‘crypto strategic reserve’
The prospect of a federal strategic reserve is a major step in President Trump's vision to establish the U.S. as the crypto capital of the world and could be a game changer for the industry.
Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Trump’s secretary of education
The White House has been clear that it intends to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and that it will be McMahon's job to oversee that effort.
Trump says 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will go ahead
Trump's threats to put tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico have weighed on markets, even though there has been considerable uncertainty over whether he would make good on his threat.
Pope Francis has acute respiratory crises, the Vatican says
Pope Francis experienced more respiratory problems and went on noninvasive ventilation on Monday, the Vatican said, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church battles double pneumonia in the hospital.
‘I was devastated’: Jordan Chiles recounts 2024 Olympics in new memoir
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles shares her up-and-down journey to the 2024 Paris Games and what happened afterward, in her new memoir, "I'm That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams."
Foreign students say the threat of Trump’s executive orders is getting real
President Trump warned international students that if they support groups the U.S. deems terrorist organizations, "we will find you, and we will deport you." It's left many student activists anxious.
For Lakers president Jeanie Buss, life was pretty much a comedy already
A new Netflix comedy series starring Kate Hudson, Running Point, is based on the life of L.A. Lakers' president Jeanie Buss, who inherited the team from her flamboyant father and had to contend with her brothers in the front office.
Alabama governor commutes death row inmate Rocky Myers’ sentence to life in prison
Myers will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole instead of being executed later this year. Ivey noted that was the sentence jurors recommended at his 1994 trial.
Pope Francis experiences respiratory relapse
The Vatican says Pope Francis's condition has worsened after a breathing crisis in hospital on Friday - two weeks after he was first admitted to hospital in Rome with bronchitis.
