Republicans defend their candidate from allegations of fascism, Trump says he'll fire special prosecutor Jack Smith if reelected, and California voters are poised to increase penalties for petty crime.

Trump administration deports hundreds of immigrants, even as a judge orders removals be stopped; Sierra Club sues DOGE over mass firings; Lack of opportunity pushes rural Gen Zers in AZ out of their communities; Fixing one problem, creating another? Ohio's lead pipe replacements.

Trump administration faces legal battles on birthright citizenship; the arrest of a Palestinian activist sparks protests over free speech. Conservationists voice concerns about federal job cuts impacting public lands, and Ohio invests in child wellness initiatives.

Second federal judge orders temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees fired by the Trump administration; U.S., Canada political tension could affect Maine summer tourism; Report: Incarceration rates rise in MS, U.S. despite efforts at reform; MI study: HBCU students show better mental health, despite challenges.

Senate Democrats refuse to support GOP budget bill. The EU and Canada respond to steel and aluminum tariffs and some groups work to counter Christian Nationalism, which they call a threat to democracy.

EPA head says he'll roll back dozens of environmental regulations, including rules on climate change; Environmental groups sue over permit for West Virginia valley fills; Doubling down on care: Ohio's push for caregiver tax relief; Uncertain future of Y-12 complex under Trump administration threatens jobs, economy.

White House downplays stock market plunge, calling it "transitionary." House Republicans pass a stopgap funding bill, and the Department of Education is the latest agency to see mass layoffs.

House Democrats won't back the GOP budget bill. Ontario reacts to Trump trade moves by enacting energy export tariffs, and a new report finds mass deportations don t help the labor market.

Ukraine targets Moscow with large-scale drone rttack; Almost 60% of CA Black women report discrimination at work; MO advocate urges healing over punishment for traumatized juveniles; TN nonprofits plan ahead for end of Summer EBT food program.

Trump declines to rule out recession amid tariffs' effects on markets; SCOTUS to decide future of fund seen as a lifeline for rural broadband; Experts worry as zoonotic disease research is reviewed by Trump administration; Medicaid cuts could threaten school supports in NJ.

Trump whipsaws on tariffs, giving Mexico and Canada a reprieve; New avian flu plan hatched by USDA, but experts are wary; PA teachers' union reacts to DEI lawsuit against Dept. of Education; Bill to increase penalties could overpopulate WV prisons.

3 days in, Trump is backtracking on his tariffs on Mexico and Canada; AL faith leaders call for more congressional oversight of Trump team; Court rules MS Legislature not a 'public body,' allows closed-door meetings; WI group pitches in to help voters share views with reps in Congress.

Trump admin plans to cut more than 70,000 jobs at Dept. of Veterans Affairs, memo says; Industrial farming in NC, US becomes breeding ground for bird flu; Possible closure of US Dept. of Education 'devastating' for VA; Jack Daniel's maker says Canada pulling US alcohol off shelves 'worse than tariff'; Cuts looming for WA tribal public-health funding.

Udder nonsense: Prof says RFK's raw milk claims not backed by science; Democrats make calls to invest in rural, working-class communities in NV; NM conservationists celebrate Aldo Leopold amid cuts to Forest Service.

Trump may restore Ukraine aid pending confidence-building measures, White House says; Cuts to Medicaid considered to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts; Iowans react to nation's first law removing gender identity protections; EBT skimming scandal: no reimbursement for Ohioans who lose SNAP benefits.

Democrats sue to prevent Trump's takeover of the Federal Elections Commission, a privatized postal service could make mail-in voting more difficult, and states move ahead with their own versions of the Equal Rights Amendment.

No last-minute deal for Canada or Mexico to avoid tariffs, Trump says; Rural AZ hotel's solar installation in limbo after federal funding freeze; Maryland medical aid-in-dying bill may pass after a decade; New findings: State workforces suffer when abortion restrictions tighten.

Speaker Johnson calls out Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, while also calling Putin "dangerous." Voting rights advocates are concerned about the SAVE Act's impact on Civil Rights, and some Democrats call for prioritizing rural and working-class people.

Major storm to bring severe weather and create critical wildfire risk for millions; CT families face impacts from the congressional budget proposal; Accountability demanded amid training failures as OH jail deaths scrutinized; SNAP cuts would disproportionately impact Colorado's rural communities.

Trump hosts UK prime minister at White House for critical talks on Ukraine; Low marks for NC Congress members in 2024 conservation scorecard; Why carbon offsets often don't work, explained; Ohio regional transit group plans shift to 'green' hydrogen for bus fleet; 'Egg-citing' ID bill lowers barriers for raising backyard chickens.

U.S. farmers are left twisting in the wind over farm projects the federal funding freeze has stalled, parks and public lands could be a mess for visiting tourists this summer, while money to fight rural wildfires is in jeopardy.

Trump memo tells federal agencies how to conduct mass layoffs; Latinos in NM, nation urged to boycott national retailers over DEI curbs; Advocates await impacts of industrial sludge law a year later; Hearing today in CA on lawsuit to halt firings of federal workers; Push grows to save Dolly Parton's book program in Indiana.

Trump faces backlash for restricting press access. The Defense Secretary's ties to a controversial church spark debate, Speaker Mike Johnson struggles with votes for a budget that includes health care cuts. Arkansas expands school meals, and Western voters push back against cuts to wilderness agencies.

US strikes a deal with Ukraine that includes access to its rare earth minerals, officials say; California researchers explore crops that thrive on salt; Medicaid cuts could hurt low-income Alaskans, damage health care system; MI environmentalists alarmed about potential Line 5 emergency permit status.