WASHINGTON (AP) — The massive coronavirus relief plan working its way to President Joe Biden’s desk includes a plan to temporarily raise the child tax credit that could end up permanently changing the way the country deals with child poverty. It sets up a potential political showdown with Republicans over an issue that Democrats believe…
NEW YORK (AP) — Fully vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing. That’s according to long-awaited guidance from federal health officials. The recommendations were announced Monday. They also say that vaccinated people can come together in the same way with people considered at low-risk for severe…
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Meghan and Harry has produced several revelations, from Meghan saying she experienced suicidal thoughts, Harry saying he felt “trapped” in royal life and the couple revealing the sex of their second child. Meghan, who is biracial, told Winfrey in the interview airing Sunday night in the U.S.…
QARAQOSH, Iraq (AP) — Pope Francis has urged Iraq’s Christians to forgive the injustices committed against them by Islamic extremists. He has made the call on a tour Sunday of the community’s traditional heartland in northern Iraq, which was nearly decimated by the Islamic State group’s rule. Francis prayed for the country’s war dead amid…
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden plans to sign an executive order directing federal agencies to take a series of steps to promote voting access. The order comes as congressional Democrats press for a sweeping voting and elections bill to counter efforts to restrict voting access. Biden will announce the order during a recorded address…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ordered a judge to reconsider adding a third-degree murder charge against a former Minneapolis police officer accused in George Floyd’s death. A three-judge panel said Friday that the trial judge erred when he rejected a motion to reinstate the third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin. The…
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a surprisingly robust 379,000 jobs last month, a sign the economy is strengthening as virus cases drop, vaccinations ramp up, Americans spend more and states ease business restrictions. The February gain marked a pickup from the 166,000 jobs added in January and a loss of 306,000 in December. Yet…
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is steering toward a voting marathon on Democrats’ $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that’s expected to end with the chamber’s approval of the measure. That comes after a Republican foe of President Joe Biden’s top legislative priority forced an extraordinary half-day holdup on the bill. Moments after the Senate took…
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press has learned that the Capitol Police have requested that members of the National Guard continue to provide security at the U.S. Capitol for another two months. And defense officials say the proposal is being reviewed by the Pentagon. The request underscores the continuing concerns about security and the potential…
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress are jamming their agenda forward with a sense of urgency. They’re taking an unapologetically partisan approach to advance the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue, voting rights and other priorities. Their calculation is that it’s better to try to push ahead than risk wasting time courting Republican…