US politics

US politics

When it comes to understanding where your tax dollars actually go, the answer might surprise you. According to data from USASpending.gov, total federal obligations per capita can vary dramatically across states, with some receiving more than $24,000 per resident while others receive less than half that amount. These numbers are important because they help shape local economies, influence the cost of living, and quietly determine how far the dollar can stretch across the country.

A far-left Brooklyn pol is hoping the third time's a charm with socialist Zohran Mamdani now NYC mayor as she pushes legislation that could give "young people" carte blanche to commit crimes without fear of being arrested. The legislation, reintroduced for a third time on Jan. 29 by Democratic Councilwoman Crystal Hudson, would require that "young people" be "diverted" to "community-based organizations to receive services in lieu of criminal enforcement."

In a Texas town at the edge of the Rio Grande and a tall metal border wall, rumors swirled that federal immigrationofficials wanted to purchase three hulking warehouses to transform into a detention center. As local officials scrambled to find out what was happening, a deed was filed showing the Department of Homeland Security had already inked a $122.8 million deal for the 826,000-square-foot (76,738-square-meter) warehouses in Socorro, a bedroom community of 40,000 people outside El Paso.

The councilor's comments came a day after it was reported that she was drafting an ordinance that would allow councilors to openly carry weapons while at City Hall, as an extra layer of self defense. Portland city codes prohibit the possession of a loaded firearm in public spaces or vehicles, with exceptions for those with a concealed carry permit, law enforcement officers, and others designated in Oregon law.

A NIST employee tells WIRED that some plans to bring on foreign workers through the agency's Professional Research and Experience Program have recently been canceled because of uncertainty about whether they would make it through the new security protocols. The staffer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, says the agency has yet to widely communicate what the new hurdles will be or why it believes they are justified.

OPB first reported on the councilor's comments and ordinance, and has confirmed Smith's decision to rescind the proposal. "To be clear, I denounce violence. I want to emphasize that violence is not the first and only solution to solving matters," Smith stated in a news release Friday. "And improving our security protocols is the best first action rather than an open carry ordinance."

On MS NOW's The Weekend, Bartlett, who was a State Department appointee in President Donald Trump's first administration, called talk of Trump suppression of an interview between late-night comedian Stephen Colbert and Texas State Representative James Talarico (D) a false narrative. Colbert claimed during a recent broadcast that he was told by CBS lawyers in no uncertain terms that he could not air the Talarico interview because he may violate an equal time rule with the FCC,

California Democrats are prepared to do what's required,

Local and federal officials now say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has in fact purchased a property in Roxbury, New Jersey to use for detention - after days of confusing and outright contradictory statements by the Department of Homeland Security. Roxbury Township's all-Republican governing body said in a statement Friday it "will not passively accept this outcome" and would pursue legal remedies, citing issues including environmental constraints and infrastructure limitations.

"Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE has new funding to expand detention space to keep murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists off American streets before they are removed for good from our communities," the statement continues. "Secretary [Kristi] Noem aims to work with officials on both sides of the aisle to expand detention space to help ICE law enforcement carry out the largest deportation effort in American history."

This absolutely will limit Trump's ability to wield tariffs for geopolitical pressure,

Portland's transition to a new form of government last January brought new practices and procedures for the City Council. Among the largest changes, impacting both the Council and members of the public, was the introduction of eight policy committees. The committees, which considered topics including transportation, climate, finance, homelessness, and public safety, were intended to provide a focused venue for councilors to introduce legislation and hold conversations on specific topics, as well as to hear public testimony.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order promoting the production of glyphosate, the chemical that powers the weed killer Roundup and a longtime target of the MAGA faithful. Glyphosate has also long been one of the main targets of the MAHA movement, which considers it a dangerous carcinogen poisoning the country. (Experts say that the pesticide's danger to the public is minimal, but the scientific community is not in agreement about its health effects.)

We were in unfamiliar territory. That this wasn't Stancil's turf was clear. At one point, he took a left when he should've taken a right, and [The Verge's photographer] Jack had to tell him Cleveland Avenue was actually the other way. A few minutes later, Stancil went the wrong way down a one-way street, accidentally maneuvering us into oncoming traffic. Stancil's driving was, for the most part, erratic.

Jennifer Fasulo, a Spanish teacher at Charles W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, a Syracuse suburb, was placed on a paid leave of absence on Jan. 30, just weeks after she offered to help students establish a Club America, the high school division of the Charlie Kirk co-founded conservative group, her supporters say.

An Economist/YouGov poll, released Tuesday, found that nearly half of Americans believe Trump is "dangerous,""corrupt," "cruel" and "racist" - while a majority disapprove of his handling of his overall job as president.According to the poll, 50% of U.S. adults say Trump is "dangerous," compared to 20% who disagree with the label. While 49% of respondents think he is "corrupt" and 23% do not, he is called "cruel" by a 46% to 22% margin and "racist" by a 47% to 24% margin.

Automakers are facing billions of dollars in additional costs from Trump's tariffs, particularly those levied on imported autos and car parts. Those tariffs, as well as levies targeting steel and aluminum, were implemented under a law that gives the president authority to impose import taxes on national security grounds. The duties were unaffected by the Supreme Court's ruling that struck down Trump's broader import taxes imposed on many countries.

Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil- and human-rights trailblazer who died on 17 February, imagined a version of America where the marginalized became the center. His was a much more progressive vision than what the Democratic party thought possible after the civil rights movement, and through Jackson's National Rainbow Coalition launched after his first presidential campaign in 1984 he laid the groundwork for a new era.

The only interest he has in our parks is the money he can make from them. Case in point is how Socha, as an executive for the hospitality company Delaware North, sued the NPS for $51 million for the naming rights to Yosemite National Park, Ahwahnee, Wawona, etc., claiming they were the company's intellectual property. Twenty-two years as concessionaire entitles them to own and profit from the names? How absurd and disrespectful.

Trump previously said he was implementing the new baseline duty under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which grants the president unilateral ability to impose tariffs. But the untested legal provision puts a 150-day limit on how long the duties can remain in place. Congress would need to approve any extension. The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision handed down earlier Friday, ruled that Trump's use of a decades-old federal emergency-powers law to impose his so-called "reciprocal" tariffs was unlawful.

BILL MAHER: Last issue because I know this is important to you and it comes up every week and I. By the way again talking about taking it on the chin. I do as much as I can here. I apologized. To QAnon a couple of weeks ago I said you know when it comes to this Epstein stuff you had it righter than me. Now they also believe a lot of real batsh*t nonsense. But when it comes to-