US hits $38 trillion in debt, after the fastest accumulation of $1 trillion outside of the pandemic

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — In the midst of a federal government shutdown, the U.S. government’s gross national debt surpassed $38 trillion Wednesday, a record number that highlights the accelerating accumulation of debt on America’s balance sheet. It’s also the fastest accumulation of a trillion dollars in debt outside of the COVID-19 pandemic — the … Read more

After others departed, Pentagon announces ‘new’ press corps filled with conservative news outlets

Several conservative news outlets said Wednesday they had agreed to a new press policy rejected by virtually all legacy media organizations and will take their place in the Pentagon to cover Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the U.S. military. The new Pentagon press corps will include the Gateway Pundit, the National Pulse, Human Events, podcaster … Read more

UN Security Council pressures Haiti’s leaders to hold general election as deadline nears

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — U.N. Security Council members warned Haiti’s leaders on Wednesday that time is running out to restore security and hold general elections as the deadline to install a new government nears. Haiti’s transitional presidential council is tasked with holding general elections before Feb. 7, 2026, … Read more

Appellate court pauses lawsuit over Everglades detention center due to government shutdown

ORLANDO, Fla. — ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A federal lawsuit that temporarily had interrupted operations at an immigration detention in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” was paused Wednesday by an appellate court because of the government shutdown. Earlier this month, U.S. government attorneys had asked the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to stay … Read more

Malicious prosecution lawsuit by Alec Baldwin in ‘Rust’ shooting moves to federal court

SANTA FE, N.M. — SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A lawsuit by actor Alec Baldwin alleging malicious prosecution in the 2021 fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie “Rust” has been reinstated and moved to federal court by the defendants. Baldwin initially filed the lawsuit in state court in January, … Read more

Plan to sell golf course built on slaves’ graves sparks outrage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A dark history long buried under the towering live oak trees and manicured lawns of a country club in Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee is reviving painful memories of the community’s segregated past and fueling some residents’ calls for a public reckoning. Under the rolling hills of the … Read more

California National Guard to support food banks due to expected food assistance delays

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he will deploy National Guard troops to support food banks in November, a move that comes in light of anticipated delays to federal food assistance amid the government shutdown. About 40 million low-income people across the U.S., including roughly 5.5 million in … Read more