Stories by Associated Press
Legal Showdown as Justice Department Resists Judge’s Demand for More Details on Deportation Flights to El Salvador
| Associated Press
It’s the latest development in a showdown between the Trump administration and the judge who temporarily blocked deportations under an 18th century wartime declaration. President Donald Trump has called for the judge’s impeachment as the Republican escalates his conflict with a judiciary after a series of court setbacks over his executive actions.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Spoke for More Than an Hour as US Seeks Russian Sign-Off on Plan to End Ukraine War
| Associated Press
resident Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a lengthy phone conversation on Tuesday as the White House pushes for Russia to sign off on its 30-day ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Chief Justice John Roberts Rejects Trump’s Call for Impeaching Judge Who Ruled Against Deportation Plans
| Associated Press
In an extraordinary display of conflict between the executive and judiciary branches, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected calls for impeaching federal judges shortly after President Donald Trump demanded the removal of a judge who ruled against his deportation plans.
Yamamoto, Ohtani Deliver in Return to Japan, Dodgers Beat the Cubs 4-1 in Season Opener
| Associated Press
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday in Major League Baseball’s season opener at the Tokyo Dome.
Tariffs on Lumber and Appliances Set Stage for Higher Costs on New Homes and Remodeling Projects
| Associated Press
The Trump administration’s tariffs on imported goods from Canada, Mexico and China — some already in place, others set to take effect in a few weeks — are already driving up the cost of building materials used in new residential construction and home remodeling projects.
Donald Trump Administration Deports Hundreds of Immigrants Even as a Judge Orders Their Removals Be Stopped
| Associated Press
The Trump administration has transferred hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador even as a federal judge issued an order temporarily barring the deportations under an 18th century wartime declaration targeting Venezuelan gang members.
Homeland Security Says Medical Professor Deported to Lebanon With US Visa Supported Hezbollah Leader
| Associated Press
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist, was to start work at Brown University as an assistant professor of medicine.
USPS Agrees to Work With DOGE on Reform, Planning to Cut 10,000 Workers
| Associated Press
USPS listed such issues as mismanagement of the agency’s retirement assets and Workers’ Compensation Program, as well as an array of regulatory requirements that the letter described as “restricting normal business practice.”
From Pelosi to Pritzker, Democrats Push Back on Schumer’s Support of Funding Bill
| Associated Press
After Sen. Chuck Schumer announced Thursday that he would reluctantly support the bill, he bore the brunt of that anger, including a protest at his office, calls from progressives that he be primaried in 2028 and suggestions that the Democratic Party would soon be looking for new leaders.
Don’t Click on Those Road Toll Texts. Officials Issue Warnings About the Smishing Scam
| Associated Press
The texts impersonating state road toll collection agencies attempt to get phone users to reveal financial information, such as credit or debit cards or bank accounts.
Some Universities Are Freezing Hiring as Trump Threatens Federal Funding
| Associated Press
In February, the Trump administration announced deep cuts to National Institutes of Health grants for research institutions, a shift that could reduce the money going to some universities by over $100 million.
Discrimination Cases in Limbo as Education Department Layoffs Gut Its Civil Rights Office
| Associated Press
Seven of the civil rights agency’s 12 regional offices were entirely laid off, including busy hubs in New York, Chicago and Dallas. Despite assurances that the department’s work will continue unaffected, huge numbers of cases appear to be in limbo.
Egg Prices Continue to Hit Records as Easter and Passover Approach, But Some Relief May Be Coming
| Associated Press
If prices remain high, it will be third year in a row consumers have faced sticker shock ahead of Easter on April 20 and Passover, which starts on the evening of April 12, both occasions in which eggs play prominent roles.
Donald Trump Halts Doubling of Tariffs on Canadian Metals, After Ontario Suspends Electricity Price Hikes
| Associated Press
Tuesday’s escalation and retreat in the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada only compounded the rising sense of uncertainty in terms of how President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes affect the economies of both countries.
Education Department Plans to Lay Off 1,300 Employees as Donald Trump Vows to Wind the Agency Down
| Associated Press
The Trump administration had already been whittling the agency’s staff, though buyout offers and the termination of probationary employees. After Tuesday’s layoffs, the Education Department’s staff will sit at roughly half of its previous 4,100, the agency said.
Stock Sell-Off Worsened Monday as Wall Street Wonders How Much Pain Donald Trump Will Accept for the Economy
| Associated Press
The S&P 500 was down 2.1% in midday trading, coming off its worst week since September. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 405 points, or 0.9%, as of 11:20 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 3.6% lower.
Michelle Obama and Her Brother Craig Robinson to Launch a Podcast With Weekly Guests
| Associated Press
Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, will host a new weekly podcast series starting this month featuring a special guest pulled from the world of entertainment, sports, health and business.
Young People Who Aspired to Government Service Dismayed by Donald Trump Ending the Federal Fellows Program
| Associated Press
For decades, the Presidential Management Fellows program was seen as a building block for the civil service with the expectation that the few who earned the position would one day become leaders in the federal workforce. Now the road ahead is uncertain.
Nearing the End of a Short Spring, Cubs and Dodgers Make Final Preparations for Season Opener in Japan
| Associated Press
Shohei Ohtani’s bat is ready for the Los Angeles Dodgers while Shota Imanaga has looked good on the mound for the Chicago Cubs with less than 10 days remaining before baseball’s regular-season opener in Japan.
Donald Trump Isn’t Alone in His Geopolitical Aspirations. Some in Illinois and Oregon Also Want Border Changes
| Associated Press
In the last five years, voters in 33 Illinois counties have been asked if they want to consider separating from Chicago’s Cook County to form a new state. Each time, a majority said yes. Some politicians in neighboring Indiana seem up for the idea.
Fulbright Scholars Stranded in America and Abroad Amid Funding Freeze of State Department Programs
| Associated Press
The funding freeze has sparked panic among grant recipients who are stranded outside their home countries without clarity on the future of their programs or the money needed to support themselves.
What to Know About Social Security Office Closures Driven by Musk’s DOGE
| Associated Press
Across-the-board cuts at the Social Security Administration are prompting questions about how the benefits of millions of recipients may be affected. Here’s a look at cuts to the agency, which serves more than 70 million Americans, and potential effects for recipients.
Thrust Into Unemployment, Axed Federal Workers Face Relatives Who Celebrate Their Firing
| Associated Press
The country’s bitterly tribal politics are spilling into text chains, social media posts and heated conversations as Americans absorb the reality of the government’s cost-cutting measures. Expecting sympathy, some axed workers are finding family and friends who instead are steadfast in their support of what they see as a bloated government’s waste.
Small Business Administration to Relocate 6 Offices in So-Called ‘Sanctuary Cities,’ Including Chicago
| Associated Press
In a statement Thursday, SBA administrator Kelly Loeffler said offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City and Seattle will be relocated to “less costly, more accessible locations that better serve the small business community and comply with federal immigration law.”
Trump Changes Course and Delays Some Tariffs on Mexico and Canada
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs threats have roiled financial markets, lowered consumer confidence, and enveloped many businesses in an uncertain atmosphere that could delay hiring and investment.
Walgreens Agrees to be Acquired by Private Equity Firm for Almost $10 Billion
| Associated Press
Deerfield-based Walgreens said Thursday that Sycamore will pay $11.45 per share, giving the deal an equity value just under $10 billion. Shareholders could eventually receive up to another $3 per share under certain conditions.
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