“Bone chilling”: Authoritarianism expert alarmed at RNC crowd reaction to bandaged Trump appearance

Court rulings have ordered thousands of fired federal workers to be reinstated due to lack of advance notice and individualized assessments. A U.S. official was absent from recent talks with Russia and Ukraine, as Russian President Putin reportedly did not want him involved. A couple faces over $100,000 in medical bills for services retroactively denied by their health insurance provider, leaving them considering drastic financial measures to clear the debt. Full Article

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced he will vote to keep the government open despite a "very bad" funding measure, citing worse consequences of a shutdown. Some Democrats, including Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Watson Coleman, criticized Schumer's decision, while others like Susan Rice and Rep. Crockett expressed strong opposition. With Senate Republicans lacking full support and needing Democratic votes to advance the measure, the prospect of a government shutdown remains uncertain. Full Article

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has faced criticism over her handling of the Palisades fire, with supporters claiming attacks are partisan and fueled by wealthy oligarchs. Allies have defended Bass, citing her response to the disaster and blaming climate change for the wildfire. Despite facing backlash for decisions like removing the L.A. Fire Chief and a controversial salary for a wildfire recovery czar, Bass's team remains steadfast in their support, emphasizing progress made post-disaster. Full...

Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member, used his court-martial to portray himself as a patriotic whistleblower exposing alleged lies of the Biden administration regarding the war in Ukraine. He pleaded guilty to obstructing justice and sharing classified documents, claiming he aimed to save lives and challenge what he saw as government misinformation. Teixeira's leaks revealed sensitive information about Russia's actions in Ukraine and other countries, prompting a security overhaul and disciplinary actions within...

The Republican-led Congress is willingly ceding its constitutional powers to the Trump administration, allowing for wide discretion in spending and tariff decisions, without oversight or recourse. This shift of authority is unprecedented, with lawmakers actively supporting the president's agenda and relinquishing their traditional role as a check on executive power. Despite claims of future control, the current trend shows a Congress more compliant to the White House than ever before. Full Article

An American Airlines plane was diverted to Denver International Airport due to engine vibrations and caught fire while taxiing to a gate, leading to the evacuation of passengers, with six individuals taken to a hospital for evaluation. The Boeing 737-800 was traveling from Colorado Springs to Dallas, and some passengers used slides to exit the aircraft as smoke and flames were visible. The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, adding to a...