U.S. declares public health emergency over monkeypox outbreak
The announcement will free up money and other resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body.
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Stephen King testifies for government in publishing merger trial
Stephen King didn’t break any legal ground on the stand Tuesday as he testified against his own publisher’s efforts to merge with Penguin Random House. But he did know how to please a crowd and even get the judge to thank him for his time.
U.S. begins court battle against publishing giants’ merger
The government and Penguin Random House are set to exchange opening salvos in a antitrust trial Monday as the U.S. seeks to block the biggest U.S. book publisher from absorbing rival Simon & Schuster. The government’s star witness will be author Stephen King.
Manchin says he has reached deal with Democrats on economy, climate bill
The deal aims to lower health-care costs, combat climate change and reduce the federal deficit, marking a massive potential breakthrough for President Joe Biden’s long-stalled economic agenda.
U.S. Senate passes bill to boost computer chip production in United States
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb praised the Senate’s vote in a written statement. Holcomb and state economic development leaders are rooting for the bill because the state would like to tap federal funding to land a $1.8 billion semiconductor plant at Purdue University.
Republican AGs sue U.S. agency over LGBTQ school guidance
More than 20 Republican attorneys general filed a lawsuit Tuesday against President Joe Biden’s administration over a school meal program that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Biden pushes computer chips legislation in advance of Senate vote
The bill is being closely watched in Indiana, where manufacturers, research universities and economic development officials are rooting for its passage.
Semiconductor maker banking on federal incentives for proposed $1.8B Indiana plant
The announcement for the proposed plant came one day after the U.S. Senate voted to proceed with discussions on a $52 billion federal incentive package for semiconductor manufacturing and workforce development.
U.S. Senate votes to consider $52 billion in semiconductor funding
The 64-34 procedural vote on Tuesday night met the criteria set by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to add research and development initiatives circulated by Republican Todd Young of Indiana and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona to the legislation, which could be passed by the Senate next week.
Republicans warm to $52B computer chip incentives bill
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that chipmakers are making decisions now about where they need to locate plants to keep up with global demand, and that foreign competitors are courting those companies with financial aid.
Biden administration: Docs must offer abortion if mom’s life at risk
The Biden administration on Monday said federal law on emergency treatment guidelines preempts state laws in jurisdictions that now ban the procedure without any exceptions.
Supreme Court limits EPA in curbing power plant emissions
By a 6-3 vote, with conservatives in the majority, the court said that the Clean Air Act does not give the Environmental Protection Agency broad authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming.
Senate makes key breakthrough on gun laws, advancing new restrictions
The legislation would toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged dangerous.
Biden administration moves to expand Title IX protections
The Biden administration proposed a dramatic overhaul of campus sexual assault rules on Thursday, acting to expand protections for LGBTQ students, bolster the rights of victims and widen colleges’ responsibilities in addressing sexual misconduct.
Justice Dept. probe widens focus on invalid Trump electors
Federal agents investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday dropped subpoenas on people in at least two states, in what appeared to be a widening probe of how political activists supporting President Donald Trump tried to use invalid electors.
UPDATE: Biden calls for 3-month suspension of gasoline, diesel taxes
President Joe Biden’s push faces uphill odds in Congress, where many lawmakers, including some in his own party, have expressed reservations. Even many economists view the idea of a gas tax holiday with skepticism.
‘Groundhog Day’ at IRS: Returns pile up, phone delays worsen
After digging out of a daunting backlog from 2021, the agency has an even bigger backup for this tax season than it did a year ago and its pace for processing paper returns is slowing down, according to a watchdog report released Wednesday.
Oil refineries are making a fortune, but that’s not stopping them from closing
A White House desperate to bring down gas prices is having little success persuading refinery owners to expand operations, and more closures are imminent.
Biden says he’s considering gasoline tax holiday
The administration is increasingly looking for ways to spare Americans from higher prices at the pump, which soared last year and surged even further after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Inflation taking bite out of new infrastructure projects
Rising prices for materials such as asphalt, steel and iron pipes are driving up the costs to build roads, bridges, rail lines and water mains. The prices for some infrastructure materials have risen even faster than general consumer prices.