politics

New York’s Metro Transportation Authority (MTA) voted to impose a first-in-the-nation traffic congestion pricing program on Wednesday. The MTA will now charge $15 for vehicles driving in certain areas of the city. The move, which passed on an 11-1 vote, outraged Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., who argues the new policy is nothing more than a “cash grab.” “Today’s vote was …

A divided appeals court said in a late-night ruling that a controversial Texas immigration law cannot go into effect as the state appeals a ruling that blocked it. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down the 2-1 ruling regarding Senate Bill 4 on Tuesday night, just a week after it had previously blocked the law, which – if enforced …

Republican legislators in Kansas advanced proposals Wednesday aimed at preventing individuals and companies from China and other U.S. adversaries from owning farmland or business property, limiting state investments in foreign companies and restricting the use of foreign-made drones. Some GOP conservatives, including state Attorney General Kris Kobach, want the state to enact even tougher restrictions, even as Democratic critics suggest …

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Americans shared whether President Biden should give in to the Mexican president’s demand for $20 billion a year for Latin American countries in exchange for help combating the illegal immigration crisis, with many telling Fox News that complying with a foreign nation’s ultimatum would make the U.S. look weak. “I don’t think we should pay their demands,” …

Legalized statewide sports wagering in North Carolina from smartphones and desktops that began two weeks ago is off to a “strong start,” a state lottery official said on Wednesday, likely buoyed by betting on college basketball at its season’s apex. Preliminary monetary numbers for the first day and first week of sports wagering were presented at a meeting of the …

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called out China’s ramped-up production in solar energy, electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries, calling it unfair competition that “distorts global prices” and “hurts American firms and workers, as well as firms and workers around the world.” GOP LEADERS UNLEASH ON JANET YELLEN OVER $110B ENERGY TAX HIKE Yellen, who is planning her second …

Nick Akerman, a former Watergate prosecutor, said that in his 50-some years in law, he has never seen a gag order like the one imposed on former President Trump in his hush money payments case this week. New York Judge Juan Merchan issued the gag order on Tuesday following a request from Manhattan District AttorneyAlvin Bragg. “This is so unusual,” …

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing the state of Ohio for a law slated to take effect next month that bars gender transition surgeries and hormone blockers for minors. The lawsuit — filed by the ACLU and global law firm Goodwin against Ohio State Attorney General Dave Yost and the state’s medical board — is on behalf of …

U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, Vermont’s first woman and first openly gay person to represent the state in Congress, announced Wednesday that she’s running for a second term. Balint, a Democrat, said in Congress she has focused on making affordable housing more accessible, mental health care for all and protecting the country’s democracy. “When I was first elected to Congress, we …

Former President Obama is holding regular calls with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients amid growing fears that former President Trump will win the 2024 election, the New York Times reported Wednesday. Obama’s calls with Zients and top aides at Biden’s campaign reportedly center around election strategy and relaying advice from Obama’s team. A senior aide on Obama’s team …