Trump's $4 trillion deficit bomb; Report: Medicaid cuts would hobble rural Alaska health care; Lipscomb University master's program would address health care workforce; $6 medical copays block health-care access in Mississippi prisons.

New Epstein documents put heat on Trump, as House Democrats try to force a vote on health insurance tax credits and federal incentives mean more local police are enforcing immigration, despite wrongful ICE arrests in Illinois.

Lawmakers race to end the longest shutdown in history, as food aid and safety net services hang in the balance. Utah's redistricting ruling reshapes that state's congressional maps and the U.S. expands its naval presence in Latin America.

House Democrats release new Epstein emails referencing Trump; IL 'mega clean energy' bill touted for setting strong labor standards; Missouri ranchers disappointed by feds' plan to lower beef prices; Govt. shutdown delays MT heating bill assistance for months.

As a shutdown deal nears completion, Minority Leader Schumer faces blowback from Democrats in Congress. Voting rights groups defend against federal demands for private voter data, and a new poll finds term limits still very popular.

The Senate seems ready to end the government shutdown. Democratic candidates run on the promise of standing up to Trump and election security could be a top issue in the 2026 elections.

Trump pardons Giuliani and others involved in effort to overturn 2020 election; more people living with mental health disorders could lose Medicaid; as shutdown continues, NV leaders call for state to backfill SNAP; Tribal WI school district clambers to fill gaps from delayed federal funds.

Judge orders Trump administration to fully fund food stamps this month; NM's largest city introduces year-round nonviolence campaign; IL organizers call for unity, resistance against escalating ICE efforts; With federal heating aid frozen, MN coalition calls for state action; Therapist: MT insurance costs unsustainable without ACA subsidies.

Farmers are being squeezed by trade wars and the government shutdown, ICE tactics have alarmed a small Southwest Colorado community where agents used tear gas to subdue local protestors and aquatic critters help Texans protect their water.

Key justices cast a skeptical eye on Trump's tariffs; Old farm chemicals haunt Indiana groundwater; Bipartisan opponents speak out against proposal for NV film tax credit; Pennsylvania's early childhood education in crisis, report finds.

Democrats notch key governor race victories, a possible sign of Trump's weaknesses in the midterms. The government shutdown becomes the longest one ever, as California looks likely to move towards redistricting.

California voters resoundingly approved Proposition 50, the ballot measure championed by Democrats to enact new congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms a fight that became as much a referendum on President Donald Trump as a question of redistricting.

Trump administration will provide only half of usual food stamp benefits in November; What's next for 600,000 Coloradans who lost SNAP food assistance; Latino advocates worry about long-term effects of racial profiling; Post-wildfires, toxic smoke a lasting health concern in CA.

Nebraska farmers struggle as the shutdown stalls loans and delays the Farm Bill. Indiana Republicans clash over redistricting and policy experts warn millions could lose Affordable Care Act coverage without tax credits.

Supreme Court confronts Trump and his tariffs in test of presidential power; OR health care workers threaten walkout, demand end to unpaid labor; WI's Door County residents call in-person CAFO hearing a 'win;' Cancellation of digital equity grants hinders ID libraries.

Judge says she'll likely order Trump administration to send SNAP funds to states; IN families face food crisis as federal shutdown drags on; PA faces high-stakes retention vote for Supreme Court justices; IL conservation groups question McDonald's sustainability pledge; TN's Sevier Co. mayor backs FEMA reforms, faster disaster aid.

States like Vermont are learning the hard way that FEMA funds for natural disasters are not guaranteed, folks in the Adirondacks' Lake George have developed a model for reducing salt runoff and microplastics are common in Minnesota's waterways.

Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of destruction across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica; Young plaintiffs take federal climate fight to appeals court; Bill aims to protect VA federal employees from evictions, repossessions; MA families face double whammy of delayed heating and food aid; Colorado voters to decide fate of 'Healthy School Meals for All' program.

Hurricane Melissa plows across Jamaica, its eye now moving toward Cuba; Israel launches strikes on Gaza after Netanyahu orders 'powerful' attacks; HIV outbreak in ME shows risk of federal crackdown on homelessness; Iowans face changes to Medicare plans; WI Farmers Union calls for policy investments in rural Wisconsin.

The eye of Hurricane Melissa struck Cuba's Eastern end; Wyoming ratepayers hold 'people's hearing' on PacifiCorp plan; Ohio foster care pilot returns $4 for every $1 invested; Report: Consolidation harms private medical practices in rural WA.

Hurricane Melissa is now the strongest storm on the planet this year; Hoosier ranchers bristle at Trump's Argentina beef plan; Clean energy politics collide with SD rural development; Dozens of Missouri hospitals at risk as rural health crisis deepens.

The White House says prospects are good for a trade deal with China. The president may ramp up strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug smugglers. Government-run grocery stores grow in popularity, and legal professionals work to protect the rule of law.

Hurricane Melissa nears Jamaica as 'Catastrophic' storm; Report: Child poverty rising in MD following federal cuts; WA county demonstrates success of science-backed youth justice; WV residents seek answers on permit for data center power plant.

The shutdown impacts millions as SNAP benefits are paused, Pentagon schools face a fight over banned books, an FBI raid in Idaho draws civil-rights scrutiny and Congress investigates citizens in immigration detention.