California takes on Florida-style book bans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom and other top California officials Thursday cautioned school administrators against restricting what students read and learn about marginalized groups — marking their most forceful response to a spate of conservative-led book challenges to date. Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and state Superintendent Tony Thurmond warned K-12 leaders...

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Former candidate charged in shooting spree at New Mexico officials' homes

A former GOP candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives has been indicted for his alleged role in a series of drive-by shootings targeting the homes of four elected officials in the state. Following his failed bid for the seat in New Mexico’s 14th District during the 2022 midterm elections, Solomon Peña orchestrated shootings at the homes of two Bernalillo County...

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Worshipper describes fear during gunman’s deadly attack on Pittsburgh synagogue

PITTSBURGH — It was her brother’s active faith that inspired Carol Black to recommit as an adult to being a practicing Jew several years ago, and their shared commitment brought them to the Tree of Life synagogue on the October 2018 day it was attacked. Testifying on the second day of the trial of the man who carried out the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, Black...

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Virginia Dems fume over pipeline's inclusion in debt deal

The MVP project would cut into Virginia. from Politics, Policy, Political News Top Stories https://ift.tt/byc2hdI via IFT...

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Senate advances repeal of Biden’s student debt relief

A Republican-led effort to overturn President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan narrowly cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Wednesday as several moderate Democrats broke with the White House and backed the measure. On a 51-46 vote, the Senate advanced legislation that would repeal Biden’s debt cancellation program and nullify the pause on monthly payments...

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‘Poison in every puff’: Canada to put warning labels on individual cigarettes

In a world first, Canada will soon print health warnings on individual cigarettes. The labels will feature a rotation of warnings — in French and English, like: “Cigarettes damage your organs,” “Cigarettes cause impotence” and “Poison in every puff.” Each warning will appear in bold, black text at the butt of each cigarette. “Tobacco use continues to kill 48,000 Canadians...

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Defense hawks prepare to choke down debt deal — and Biden's Pentagon budget

Republicans have spent months hammering President Joe Biden’s Pentagon budget as insufficient. Now they’re faced with a dilemma: support a debt limit deal that locks in Biden’s budget or try to sink the pact just days before a default. A handful of GOP defense hawks plan to oppose the debt deal between Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy rather than endorse the administration’s...

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