by Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix May 13, 2022 A state trial judge has rejected Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ demand to dismantle Congressional District 5, a sprawling, Black-access congressional district in North Florida, citing language in the state Constitution forbidding diminishment of minority voting strength. Instead, Circuit Judge Layne Smith, sitting in …

The United States Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jerome Powell as the chair of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System until 2026. In an 80–19 landslide vote on the Senate floor on Thursday, U.S. lawmakers confirmed Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve, a position he …

By Andrew Zhang, The Texas Tribune May 11, 2022 A federal appeals court on Wednesday reinstated a Republican-backed Texas law that prohibits large social media companies from banning users over their political viewpoints. The decision hands a win to Republicans who have long criticized social media platforms such as Twitter …

Ten people were killed and three others injured in a racist attack at a Buffalo grocery store Saturday afternoon when a white 18-year-old gunman opened fire. Eleven of the 13 shooting victims were Black. Officials said the suspected gunman, identified as Payton Gendron, traveled several hours to carry out the attack. The shooter reportedly live-streamed …

Errin Haines Originally published by The 19th From the moment the draft opinion leaked, people — many of them women — began gathering on the steps of the high court and in cities across America. Some voiced their outrage at the end of a precedent that lasted generations; others celebrated …

The House Oversight Committee said on Friday that it is launching an investigation into the four largest baby formula manufacturers and seeking answers on how to ramp up production amid a nationwide shortage. “The national formula shortage poses a threat to the health and economic security of infants and families in …

In light of the news of the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade, major activist groups are collectively taking a stance and organizing a rally in support of abortion rights. The rally is set to take place on Saturday, May 14 at noon in D.C. at the Northeast side of …

The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday passed legislation to address the growing ethics crisis at the United States Supreme Court. The “Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2022” (H.R. 7647) would require the Supreme Court to create a code of conduct that would apply to both the justices …

by Jacob Fischler, Florida Phoenix May 12, 2022 WASHINGTON — The U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol subpoenaed five Republican House members Thursday who the panel believes have knowledge of the events leading up to the attack, including communication with then-President Donald Trump. The …

President Joe Biden announced several steps Thursday to address the nationwide baby formula shortage, after meeting with retailers and manufacturers, including Walmart, Target, Reckitt and Gerber, about their efforts to increase production. Infant formula has been in short supply across the U.S. in recent months, the result of ongoing supply chain …

by Jennifer Shutt, Missouri Independent May 11, 2022 WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to provide an additional $40 billion in economic, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine as its troops continue fighting back against Russia’s invasion. The legislation, released just hours before, now goes to the U.S. …

Former President Donald Trump regularly asked White House national security officials if China possessed a “hurricane gun” that could fire damaging artificial storms at the US, according to a report in Rolling Stone. According to three unnamed former officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the one-term president wanted …

Amanda Becker Originally published by The 19th A bill to codify abortion rights failed to move forward in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, with Democratic lawmakers warning that the only way to protect abortion access is to add to their numbers in the November midterm elections. It was the second …

A Florida judge on Wednesday ruled that a congressional map approved by Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and drawn by his staff is unconstitutional because it breaks up a district where Black voters can choose their representatives. “I am finding that the enacted map is unconstitutional under the Fair District Amendment …

Orion Rummler Originally published by The 19th Alabama is now the only state in the country in which physicians can be charged with a felony for prescribing or administering puberty-blocking medication or hormone treatment for transgender youth under 19 after a new law took effect this weekend. The ban was …