Trump official floats new approach for measuring GDP, as economy shows signs of slowing
The Trump administration’s proposed shake-up comes when economists already have broader concerns about the quality of economic data.
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Education Department softens controversial guidance on race and schools
A new question-and-answer document, posted online late Friday, clearly states that by law the federal government cannot dictate curriculum.
Mass firings hit National Weather Service and NOAA offices
The latest mass terminations follow the removal of thousands of probationary employees across the government as the new administration moves swiftly to shrink the federal workforce.
Federal board halts firings of six probationary employees amid Trump cuts
The move could have wider implications for the thousands of probationary employees fired in recent weeks as the Elon Musk-led U.S. DOGE Service sweeps through federal agencies.
Trump administration tells agencies they can ignore Musk order on email reply
On Monday afternoon, many federal agencies began issuing guidance that their employees did not need to reply to Elon Musk’s email—and asserting that no one would be considered as having resigned, despite what Musk said.
Joann plans to close all stores, cease business operations
Monday’s announcement comes less than two weeks after the retailer announced it would close more than two-thirds of its stores, including two in the Indianapolis area.
Apple announces $500B investment in U.S. over next four years
Apple said Monday that it plans to create 20,000 jobs and open a new manufacturing facility as part of the investment.
Weight-loss drugs aren’t just slimming waists. They’re shifting the economy.
Roughly 16 million people—that’s 6 percent of American adults—are taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, and that number is growing rapidly. Their collective purchasing power has the potential to profoundly reshape the economy.
HUD cuts expected to worsen America’s housing crisis, staffers say
HUD’s entire workforce is projected to drop by about half—from about 8,300 employees to just over 4,000—with deep cuts in field offices nationwide.
Americans are down on the economy, but CEOs are full of optimism
Consumers are jittery, in part because of fears that new tariffs could worsen inflation. Executives, however, are hopeful about fewer regulations and are planning to boost investments.
Judge orders ban on DOGE from accessing sensitive Treasury data
U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas said there’s a public interest in protecting the security of personal information and banking information for Americans.
Trump’s pro-union labor secretary pick highlights GOP tensions
While Trump loyalists have rallied behind Lori Chavez-DeRemer, she faces skepticism from some GOP senators whose support she may need.
USDA tries to reverse mistaken firing of bird flu response workers
Last week, some firings in the Energy Department were also initiated, then paused, after they sparked alarm about the effect on nuclear defense programs.
Women’s basketball players formed an advocacy group. They can’t get a meeting.
The association has at least one rep from every Big Ten team and a majority of SEC programs. Both conferences declined to meet.
U.S. reverses plan to shut down free COVID test program
Internal documents show that officials at HHS had been considering whether to continue the program or dispose of millions of tests.
Calumet subsidiary draws down $782M as part of first Trump-approved energy loan
Montana Renewables said the money will help make it become the biggest producer of sustainable aviation fuel in the world.
Trump casts psychiatric and weight-loss drugs as threats to children
President Donald Trump has instructed his administration to scrutinize the “threat” to children posed by antidepressants, stimulants and other common psychiatric drugs.
Musk’s DOGE seeks access to personal taxpayer data, raising alarm at IRS
The news comes as roughly 150 million taxpayers prepare to file returns by the April 15 deadline.
As Musk reshapes the government, some ask: Where are the guardrails?
In the long term, it’s still possible that many existing fire walls could stop or slow Musk’s efforts to collect mountains of data and slash thousands of federal jobs.
How NIH research funding works, and why universities are worried
At the heart of the debate over support for scientific research is a not-widely-known element of the federal grant process known as the “facilities and administrative,” or indirect costs.