Virginia House candidates debate abortion and affordability as congressional election nears

Severe Storms Impact the SouthSevere storms across the South over the weekend resulted in two fatalities from falling trees and left nearly 150,000 people without power, with significant damage reported from Texas to South Carolina. Mississippi and Georgia each recorded one death due to trees falling on vehicles, while an EF-1 tornado caused injuries and property damage in Arkansas. The National Weather Service anticipates another wave of severe weather, including destructive winds and potential tornadoes,...

Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Return and Federal ChargesKilmar Abrego Garcia's abrupt return to the U.S. to confront federal smuggling charges marked a significant messaging success for the Trump administration, diverting attention from recent Supreme Court rulings against Trump's deportation powers. Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member, faces serious accusations of smuggling thousands of undocumented immigrants and involvement in violent incidents, prompting strong political reactions, including Trump's mockery of Democrats defending him. As the case unfolds, it raises...

SummaryThe Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal includes substantial cuts to higher education funding, notably reducing the maximum federal Pell Grant from $7,395 to $5,710, along with scaling back the federal work-study program. These cuts, aimed at funding a tax and spending bill, could affect millions of low-income students, potentially increasing average student debt by $6,500 and limiting access to college. Critics argue that such measures disproportionately harm those who rely on financial aid,...

'We will have troops everywhere' if protests grow - TrumpDuring a brief statement in Maryland, Donald Trump addressed the civil unrest in California, asserting that while he does not believe an "insurrection" is occurring, the government will deploy troops to maintain order if protests escalate. He emphasized a proactive stance, stating, "We're not going to let this happen to our country," and noted that actions would respond to perceived threats against citizens. Trump also mentioned...

Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, clarified that the Trump administration is not targeting Medicare in its budget proposal but is open to addressing any identified fraud or abuse. He dismissed claims of Medicare cuts as "fake news," while Senate Republicans work on the House-passed budget bill, which includes significant tax cuts and changes to Medicaid. Some GOP senators express concerns over the Medicaid provisions, highlighting the need for careful negotiation...

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the Trump administration will not permit a repeat of the civil unrest seen in 2020, following protests in Los Angeles over ICE activities. President Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to ensure order, a move criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom as unnecessary and inflammatory. Noem emphasized that the National Guard's role is to maintain peace during protests, while concerns about escalating...