Trump
Trump picks Casey Means for surgeon general, after first nominee withdraws
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat withdrew her nomination for Surgeon General after questions about her credentials. Dr. Casey Means has a medical degree from Stanford and a best-selling book on metabolic health.
Trump administration plans to deport migrants to Libya
A U.S. official has confirmed to NPR that the Trump administration is planning to deport migrants to Libya, another step in a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Word of the Week: Before the Birdman of Alcatraz, the island was known for its birds
The origin story of Alcatraz's name is a complicated mix of language, a history that dates back to the first Europeans to explore the coast of California, and, a flock of seabirds.
U.S. and Chinese officials will meet in Geneva in first sign of thaw in trade war
The superpowers have been locked in a geopolitical blinking contest, waiting for the other side to reach out. The talks in Switzerland are the first concrete sign of a potential thaw in the deadlock.
States win a legal injunction against President Trump, pausing library funding cuts
A federal judge Tuesday wrote that President Trump's executive order dismantling the IMLS "disregards the fundamental constitutional role of each of the branches of our federal government."
After paying people to leave, one federal agency is scrambling to fill positions
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has opened up 73 jobs to internal candidates. They include roles just vacated by people who are receiving full pay and benefits through September.
China mulls U.S. overtures on trade talks, but demands tariffs be canceled
Exporters, importers and recent government statistics all suggest that trade in both directions is slowing sharply as a result of the tariffs. Neither side appears willing to be seen giving ground.
Fired, rehired, and fired again: Some federal workers find they’re suddenly uninsured
Commerce Department employees caught up in a legal battle over their mass firings are now learning that their health care coverage was cut off weeks ago, even though they were paying their premiums.
Russia launches airstrikes on Kyiv as Trump pushes for Kremlin-favored peace deal
The Ukrainian military says Russia launched at least 215 drones and missiles at Ukraine, most aimed at the capital.
Trump was once seen as an asset to right-wing populists abroad. No more
In some countries, including those facing national elections soon, political leaders who've advocated a homegrown style of MAGA are suddenly scrambling to distance themselves from the U.S. president.
Head Start advocates brace for possibility of Trump eliminating funding
A Trump administration document, cited by news reports, proposes eliminating funding for Head Start, which is dedicated to early child care services. An advocate says the move would be "catastrophic."
VA officials acknowledge the need for privacy for telehealth therapy
The VA looks like it is changing course on a plan that would have threatened the privacy of veterans receiving mental health care via telehealth, according to documents obtained by NPR.
Italy’s Meloni will test her mettle as EU-U.S. bridge when she meets with Trump
Meloni secured the meeting at a critical juncture in the trade war. As the right-wing leader of her party she has, in a sense, been "knighted" to represent the European Union in meetings with Trump.
Hong Kong post office will stop shipping parcels to the U.S. over tariffs
Hong Kong is caught in the middle of the trade disputes between the U.S. and China despite being a free port. The former British colony has trade and customs policies different from mainland China's.
Higher ed war heats up as Trump threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status
The president's comments came after the administration froze $2 billion in federal grants for Harvard after the university rejected what it saw as illegal government demands.
Harvard rejects Trump administration’s demands for deep changes
The university refused to make changes it said would "dictate what private universities can teach" and "whom they can admit and hire," among other things.
Trump’s geographic renaming plans leave mapmakers pondering what to do next
Mapmakers and teachers are re-thinking what to call the gulf of water between Mexico, the United States and Cuba after President Donald Trump ordered it renamed from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. There's no agreed-upon scheme to name boundaries and features shared by countries. And map lines are inherently political.
Alabama Democrats Celebrate Biden Victory
Alabama Democrats celebrated the news that Joe Biden was declared the winner in the 2020 presidential race.
As Sessions Falls out of Favor, More Voters Look to Byrne, Tuberville
Alabama voters heard from two of the three leading GOP candidates for U.S. Senate over the weekend. Three weeks away from the March 3 Alabama primary, a clear favorite in that race hasn’t yet emerged.
Trump Addresses Iran’s Attacks On Bases With U.S. Troops
President Trump is speaking to the nation following attacks on military bases in Iraq where U.S. troops are stationed. Trump tweeted on Tuesday night that "All is well!" and that an assessment of the casualties was underway. Iran said the missiles were launched as an act of self-defense after the U.S. killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq.
Birmingham-Area Republicans Gather for Trump Reelection Watch Party
Area Republicans gathered Tuesday night to watch President Trump's televised rally in Florida launching his reelection campaign. Many there say they've already made up their minds no matter who else joins the race. They'll support Trump.
Alabama Farmers Uncertain About Tomato Tariffs Effect
The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on Mexican tomato imports could take effect as early as this week. Some say it’ll help Alabama tomato growers. Others say the plan could backfire.
Postal Workers Rally to Oppose Privatization
The White House has proposed privatizing the U.S. Postal Service in a move to cut costs. Postal workers rallied in opposition in cities across the country, including Birmingham.
Where Trump and Roy Moore Intersect (Hint: It isn’t Religion)
What do President Donald Trump and Roy Moore have in common? The president isn't particularly religious. But Moore, whose evangelical Christian base carried him to victory Tuesday in the Republican primary for US Senate, might not need a Bible-toting president to win votes in the December general election.
Moore Defeats Strange in GOP Senate Runoff
In a blow to the Republican Washington establishment, Alabama voters on Tuesday handed a victory to controversial former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in the race to fill the Senate seat […]
Election Commission to States: Hold Voter Info Pending Legal Ruling
President Trump’s election commission sent a letter today asking Secretaries of State to hold off on submitting the voter data it requested pending a federal judge’s ruling on a legal challenge. […]
