Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois A federal judge in East St. Louis on Friday struck down Illinois’ assault weapons ban on the grounds that it violates the Second and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution and issued an order barring the state from enforcing it. That order, however, was stayed …

Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer Gov. Tim Walz made his first official appearance in Minnesota since he lost his bid for vice president on Tuesday, and in a pep-rally-like speech, said he’s going to try to keep an open mind to people who disagree with him politically — a nod to …

Jimmy Williams Racist text messages invoking slavery have sparked alarm across the nation this week after anonymous messages were sent to Black students and residents in multiple states, including New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The threatening messages, some mentioning the incoming presidential administration, prompted an immediate response …

Jimmy Williams In a historic move, President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that Susie Wiles, a veteran Republican strategist and co-chair of his campaign, will serve as his White House chief of staff. Wiles, who has been credited with key victories in Trump’s campaigns over the last decade, will be the …

Ashley Murray President Joe Biden on Thursday reassured the nation that democracy won despite his party’s resounding election losses, and promised his accomplishments will live on, in brief remarks from the White House. “I know for some people, it’s a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it’s …

Kim Lyons and John Cole, Pennsylvania Capital-Star Republican Dave McCormick appeared to win a major upset in Pennsylvania, beating three-term incumbent Bob Casey. The victory would give the GOP a key win in the U.S. Senate, where it now holds 53 seats. The Associated Press called the race on Thursday …

Jimmy Williams Special counsel Jack Smith is assessing steps to wind down the two federal cases against President-elect Donald Trump before his January inauguration, following longstanding Justice Department guidelines that prohibit prosecuting sitting presidents, according to a person familiar with the matter. The cases, one involving allegations of Trump’s attempt …

Jennifer Shutt, Ariana Figueroa Republicans were moving toward unified control of Congress on Wednesday as more House races were called in their favor and GOP candidates continued flipping Democratic seats in the Senate. Democratic leaders were still holding out hope that they would secure a narrow majority in the House …

Jimmy Williams As Donald Trump prepares to be inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2024, his administration is expected to pursue aggressive changes in several key areas, from immigration and the economy to foreign policy and social issues. With the Republicans projected to control the Senate, Trump may have a clear path …

Jimmy Williams Vice President Kamala Harris formally conceded the election to President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, addressing a supportive crowd from Howard University in Washington, D.C., her alma mater. In a speech rich with gratitude, resilience, and unity, Harris rallied her supporters to continue the work they began, acknowledging the …

Ariana Figueroa Vice President Kamala Harris Wednesday afternoon called Donald Trump to concede the 2024 presidential race, according to a senior Harris aide. During the call, the Democratic presidential nominee “discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans,” the senior aide said. …

Jimmy Williams In a significant election outcome on Tuesday, voters across ten states weighed in on abortion rights, with seven passing amendments to protect or expand access. In Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota, however, voters rejected measures that would have protected abortion rights more broadly, ending a consistent streak of …

Candice Norwood Originally published by The 19th Two years ago, the U.S. Senate did not have a single Black woman. And before that, only two Black women had ever served in the upper chamber of Congress. Lisa Blunt Rochester in Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks in Maryland will change the math. …

Jimmy Williams Donald J. Trump has secured his return to the White House, making him the first president since Grover Cleveland in 1892 to serve nonconsecutive terms. In a historic victory, NBC News projected early Wednesday that Trump defeated Democratic opponent Vice President Kamala Harris after a hard-fought campaign focused …

Jimmy Williams North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the state’s gubernatorial race, according to NBC News projections, keeping the governorship in Democrats’ hands. Stein’s win comes after a campaign focused on Robinson’s long history of controversial remarks and Stein’s pledge to invest …