POLITICS

Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Ride‑Share Fees: A City Council’s New Twist on Driver Income

The city council is once again stirring debate with a fresh proposal that could change how ride‑share companies split fares. Two council members—one from District 2 and another from District 3—are looking at ways to cap the portion of fares that Uber and Lyft keep, hoping to leave drivers with a lar

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Virginia Governor Faces Legal Threat Over Gun Bills

The Department of Justice has warned Virginia’s governor that it will sue if she signs new gun‑control laws. A letter from the Civil Rights Division says any bill that limits law‑abiding citizens’ right to own firearms could trigger a lawsuit. The letter cites an executive order from the Trump

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Food Trucks Move Into Downtown Spokane: A Look at the New Rules

Spokane is thinking about letting food trucks set up shop in more downtown spots. The city council will discuss a small plan that could drop a $60 permit fee for trucks that stay in town more than two weeks each year. That fee is rarely used, so it would cost the city only about $500 a year to keep.

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

A Fresh Path to Keep Alaska’s Workers and Services Strong

Alaska is losing its public workers faster than it can hire new ones. About 3, 000 jobs are empty right now, which is nearly one‑sixth of all state positions. The loss costs the budget a lot of money in temporary help, bonuses and overtime, and it slows down everything from fire fighting to health

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Storms Need All Hands: Why Removing Workers Hurts Us

In the coming months, hurricanes, fires and floods are expected to be stronger than ever. The country is not ready because the federal agency that helps during disasters, FEMA, has lost money and power. The government says local groups should lead rescue work instead of the federal office. At the s

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Crypto Crackdown Reversed: The SEC’s New Playbook

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) once boasted about tackling crypto fraud with 583 cases and $8. 2 billion in penalties last year, claiming it stayed ahead of new threats. That image has shifted dramatically. In a fresh review for 2025, the agency admits it over‑reacted and pulls back on

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

War’s Shadow on a Funeral: A Family Tragedy in Lebanon

A family gathered for a father’s burial when an unexpected strike turned their grief into loss. In the village of Srifa, a house that once held hope for peace was hit by an Israeli attack on the first day of a ceasefire announced between the U. S. and Iran. The goal of that pause seemed distant as m

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Tractors Block Dublin, Police Move In to Clear the Chaos

In early April, a group of farmers and truck drivers took to the roads in central Dublin. They parked tractors and heavy trucks on major routes, stopping traffic for five days to protest the steep rise in fuel costs. The price jump, over 20 percent since tensions began between the U. S. and Israel o

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

A Busy Week of Politics: From Melania’s Surprise Talk to New Jersey Budget Battles

The week started with a shock: Melania Trump, usually silent about politics, stepped forward to deny ties with Jeffrey Epstein and called for a hearing on his victims. Her words came out of nowhere, sparking speculation that she might be trying to protect her husband’s image or to signal a new stanc

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Australia’s Leader Heads to Brunei and Malaysia for Fuel Talks

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to travel from April 14 to 17, stopping first in Brunei’s Bandar Seri Begawan and then in Kuala Lumpur. He will sit down with Bruneian ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss how the two countries can help

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