Politics

Scott Bessent visited a Yorktown diner with Rep. Mike Lawler and described the recent spike in gas prices as a "temporary blip" while promoting administration tax policies; the March CPI showed a record 21.2% monthly jump in gasoline prices.

President Trump told NBC News he was "very optimistic" a peace deal with Iran was possible as a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance prepared to travel to Islamabad; the tentative ceasefire already showed signs of strain with ongoing strikes in southern Lebanon.

A federal judge in Massachusetts has postponed the planned end of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopians, finding the earlier termination attempt unlawful. The Department of Homeland Security had announced in December that protections would end on Feb. 13.

Washington lowered the top estate tax rate from 35% to 20% and included rollbacks of certain sales tax increases on services as part of legislation that also creates a new state income tax.

Portland city council approved a $56 million housing spending plan on an 8-4 vote after staff discovered about $106 million in unspent housing bureau funds; roughly $56 million was available for new initiatives and will fund a loan program, rent assistance, debt relief and a transfer to the general fund.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin visited Chimney Rock, North Carolina, where residents are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. He said he intends to reform FEMA’s role and the agency is working to speed approvals ahead of the June 1 hurricane season.

A small number of Republican lawmakers publicly criticized President Trump's statement that "a whole civilization will die tonight"; key GOP leaders largely remained silent.

U.S. strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, 2026 coincided with a drop in public attention to missing Justice Department pages from FBI interviews of a woman who said she was abused as a minor; former AG Pam Bondi is scheduled to testify before Congress on April 14 about the handling of those files.

Congress is out of session while President Trump posted a public threat toward Iran; House Democratic leaders have urged the House to return to Washington to hold hearings and consider War Powers measures.

The U.S. has set a deadline for Iran to accept a deal by 8 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday; Iran has rejected temporary ceasefire offers and talks continue through intermediaries.

Washington recently enacted a state income measure that imposes a 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million, effective Jan. 1, 2028, with first payments due April 2029. Business owners and commentators told media they fear the measure could drive activity out of the state and that future tax changes might affect smaller businesses.

Some family members did not attend Marine Corps graduations at Parris Island after notices about federal immigration personnel; base officials said federal officers assisted with security and the Department of Homeland Security said ICE would not be making arrests.

A U.S. F-15 was shot down, two crew ejected, one was rescued and one remains missing after a U.S. search-and-rescue operation inside Iran. Undetermined at this time.

On Sine Die, Georgia legislators approved a package that includes a $38.5 billion budget with pay raises and literacy coaches, transit and tax changes, and other measures; the bills now head to Gov. Brian Kemp, who has 40 days to act.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 752, which creates criminal penalties for knowingly entering a bathroom designated for the opposite sex; the law takes effect July 1.

The Hillsborough County Commission voted to schedule a public workshop on the proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium and approved a review of whether the Community Investment Tax can be used to finance the project.

The Diocese of Des Moines reported a 51% rise in new Catholics, with 36 converts at St. Anthony's, 25 at Sacred Heart and 24 at Christ the King, and local clergy say interest has grown since COVID and after the election of Pope Leo XIV.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill to rename Loop 202 for Charlie Kirk and said any renaming must follow the state board's process.

Vice President JD Vance will publish Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith, a 304-page memoir about his conversion to Catholicism that he began writing in 2019 and is due in late spring.

The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for minors violates the First Amendment in a case brought by therapist Kaley Chiles; the decision directs lower courts to apply stricter free-speech review and could affect similar laws in more than 20 states.

Bruce Springsteen opened his Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour in Minneapolis, performing his recently released song "Streets of Minneapolis" amid protests and public outcry after the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. He described the tour as political and topical and said it will visit Portland and Los Angeles before ending May 27 in Washington, D.C.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport, with the change slated for July; the renaming still requires Federal Aviation Administration approval and a trademark agreement with Palm Beach County.

Texas has removed candy and sweetened drinks from SNAP benefits for about 3.3 million recipients under Senate Bill 379, and the state will survey SNAP recipients before and after the change to assess its effects.

Pope Leo XIV, an American who spent much of his ministry in Peru, has publicly rejected using God to justify war and has opposed broad deportation policies; the Vatican declined a White House July 4 invitation and the pope planned a trip to Lampedusa to meet migrants.

Reports say U.S. forces have used hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles in strikes related to Iran, a figure described as several times the usual annual procurement. Officials and industry representatives say production capacity is being increased but a full ramp-up will take years.

The Kansas Supreme Court dismissed Gov. Laura Kelly’s petition in a narrow, divided ruling in a dispute with Attorney General Kris Kobach over who may represent the state in certain lawsuits, and both officials issued statements describing the outcome as favorable to their positions.

As U.S. pump prices approach $4 amid tensions with Iran, some lawmakers have proposed temporarily suspending the federal gas tax; the White House says the president has "thought about" it, but Congress would need to approve any suspension.

Dean Roy, a 14-year-old Stowe High freshman who formed the Freedom and Unity Party, qualified to appear on Vermont's general election ballot for governor in November. Vermont's constitution sets no minimum age for the office and requires four years of state residency.

President Trump said he will sign an order directing the Homeland Security secretary to pay Transportation Security Administration agents, while senators worked overnight on a separate package to fund parts of the Department of Homeland Security.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested Americans might be required to complete a period of national service of roughly six months to 18 months, and he did not outline whether that would include military service.