Illinois spends $10 mil for free test prep classes for students

A federal judge, Ellen Hollander, has imposed new restrictions on Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), limiting its access to Social Security systems amid concerns from labor unions and retirees about privacy violations and security risks. The injunction permits DOGE staff to access redacted data after training, but questions remain regarding the necessity of such access to detect fraud. The ruling comes in a politically charged environment, following administrative turmoil within the Social Security...

The White House is restructuring the National Security Council (NSC) by appointing aides aligned with President Trump's agenda following the ousting of six staffers, including Brian Walsh. Derek Harvey, a former military intelligence analyst, is expected to become the senior director for intelligence, while retired Lt. Col. Michael Jensen may assume a role focused on Western Hemisphere affairs. Harvey, who previously faced dismissal from the NSC during Trump's first term, is recognized for his strong...

President Trump's administration is significantly downsizing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), cutting approximately 1,500 employees, nearly 90% of its workforce, to around 200. The agency, created post-2008 financial crisis to enforce consumer protection laws, will shift its focus primarily to mortgage issues, while reducing attention to medical debt, student loans, and digital payments. This move has faced criticism from former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, who claims the cuts are aimed at weakening the agency's...

During a press conference in Dallas regarding Karmelo Anthony, accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, chaos erupted as Metcalf's father, Jeff, was escorted out. Anthony, who faces first-degree murder charges, had his bond reduced to $250,000 after the incident at a track meet. The conference, initially addressing fundraising controversies and Anthony's mother's statement, devolved into accusations of racism and bigotry, with organizer Dominique Alexander criticizing Jeff Metcalf's presence and defending the family's integrity regarding...

Debate turns to oil and gas pipelinesThe debate centers on oil and gas pipelines, with Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet accusing Mark Carney of inconsistency regarding pipeline policies in Quebec. He highlights Carney's conflicting statements and criticizes his lack of support for Quebec, while also emphasizing the need for a strong stance against Trump. In response, Carney advocates for building energy infrastructure, including pipelines, and stresses the importance of cooperation with provinces to achieve these...

Donald Trump has made significant moves regarding transgender participation in sports, pledging to eliminate what he terms "transgender insanity" from schools and signed executive orders to reinforce biological definitions of sex, particularly in athletics. His administration's orders empower federal agencies to penalize institutions that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, with a focus on compliance with Title IX. This marks a shift from previous interpretations that included gender identity, and while legal challenges...