Policy & Law

Negotiators Hopeful for Deal on Spy Powers Amid Messy Battle Over Reforms

Lawmakers extended the Section 702 deadline by 10 days as bipartisan talks continue over whether to require warrants for querying Americans' data.

By Marcus Webb · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

New York Times Alleges FBI Investigated Journalist After Report on Patel Girlfriend

The FBI says it is not pursuing a case against reporter Elizabeth Williamson but was concerned about reporting techniques that "crossed lines of stalking."

By Diane Park · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

Parents Push Congress to Act on Kids Online Safety After Juries Find Meta and YouTube Liable for Harm

Roughly 70 parents traveled to Capitol Hill this week advocating for the Kids Online Safety Act following landmark jury verdicts against Meta and Google.

By Eleanor Cross · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Serial Thief Who Stole Kristi Noem's Handbag Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Mario Bustamante Leiva, a 50-year-old Chilean national, stole $3,000 in cash and sensitive documents including Noem's DHS access badge from a Washington DC restaurant.

By Diane Park · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

US Has Long History of Reshaping Voting Districts for Political Gain, Raising Legal Questions

From colonial-era gerrymandering to modern litigation, both major parties have sought electoral advantage through redistricting.

By Diane Park · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

US Navy Secretary John Phelan Departing Administration Effective Immediately

Pentagon announces departure of latest high-ranking military leader as Trump administration continues leadership shakeup amid Middle East tensions.

By Eleanor Cross · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Incomes Outpacing Rent Hikes for First Time in Years, Zillow Finds

Typical household has $193 more per month as rent growth slows to 1.8 percent, the slowest annual pace since 2020.

By James Callahan · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Johnson Faces Pressure From All Sides as Funding to Pay DHS Workers Dwindles

DHS Secretary warns money to pay employees will run out by first week of May, as House Republicans debate sequencing of funding bills

By Marcus Webb · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Manhattan DA's Office Employee Charged With Sexual Abuse After Alleged Incident on Queens Subway

Tauhid Dewan, a senior investigative analyst at the Manhattan DA's office for nearly four years, faces multiple charges including forcible touching and third-degree sexual abuse.

By Marcus Webb · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

SPLC Revenue Doubled After Charlottesville Rally as DOJ Alleges Informant Ties

The Southern Poverty Law Center's revenue grew from $51 million in 2016 to $133 million by October 2017, following the deadly Unite the Right rally that left one woman dead.

By Eleanor Cross · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 3 min read