Headlines

Scientists say mine plan claiming no swamp harm has errors

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Scientists for the federal government say documents that Georgia state regulators relied upon to conclude a proposed mine won't harm the nearby Okefenokee Swamp and its vast wildlife refuge contain technical errors and “critical shortcomings” that render them unreliable.

Georgia governor signs law curbing transgender care for kids

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia will ban most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender people under 18 with a new bill signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday.Lawmakers gave final approval to Senate Bill 140 on Tuesday, despite impassioned pleas from Democrats and LGBTQ advocates against what has become the most fiercely contested bill of Georgia's 2023 legislative session.

Ron DeSantis Looks Like a Loser

For more than a month now, Donald Trump has been calling his main rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a pedophile. That’s not really an exaggeration. While Trump has refused to settle on a nickname for his primary rival,

House China panel turns focus to plight of Uyghurs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two women who experienced life in Chinese “re-education” camps for Uyghurs will be among the witnesses Thursday as a special House committee focused on countering China shines a light on human rights abuses in the country.

Judge orders anonymous jury in Trump sexual battery trial

A federal judge has ordered an anonymous jury in former President Trump’s sexual battery civil trial next month, citing in part his call for protests as an indictment looms in a separate probe. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled on Thursday that the jurors need protection

How to escape the trap of the 'clean' debt ceiling vote

Republicans have painted themselves into a corner in the debate over the upcoming vote to raise the country’s debt limit. President Biden says he wants a “clean” vote — that is, no discussion or deal on any other issues — while Republicans are loudly on record demanding

Ohio Senate OKs transportation budget with rail safety rules

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio senators reacting to the East Palestine train derailment proposed state oversight of wayside detectors that can spot railway defects, among other safety provisions, in a nearly $13.5 billion transportation budget that passed Thursday with bipartisan support.

DeSantis walks back ‘territorial dispute’ remark on Ukraine

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is walking back his characterization of Russia’s war in Ukraine as a “territorial dispute,” following criticism from a number of fellow Republicans who expressed concern about the potential 2024 presidential candidate’s dismissive description of the conflict.

Lawmakers tell ex-CEOs ‘you must answer’ for bank failures

WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaders of the Senate's banking committee on Thursday warned former chief executive officers at the failed Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank that they expect them to testify before the panel, saying in a letter to each: “you must answer for the bank's downfall.”