BUDGET CUTS

Apr 23 2026OPINION

Virginia weighs risky dental cuts in budget squeeze

Virginia lawmakers face tough choices as they look for ways to balance the state budget. One proposal under review would limit Medicaid dental coverage for adults—a move that might seem like quick savings but could actually cost more in the long run. Research shows that when states cut dental benefi

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Apr 22 2026POLITICS

RFK Jr. Outshines Sen. Warnock on Rabies Talk

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stepped onto Capitol Hill for two Senate hearings and turned a sharp moment into a win over Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock, who tried to challenge him on health policy. First, RFK Jr. spoke with the Finance Committee about his agency’s budget and how former President Trump’s dea

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Apr 22 2026POLITICS

Health Budget Talk: What Congress Heard About Vaccines and Money

The Department of Health and Human Services faced a long series of hearings in the Senate and House this week. The main point for lawmakers was how to cut more than a dozen percent of the agency’s budget while still keeping services available. The head of the department said the cuts were painful

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Apr 19 2026POLITICS

Idaho’s Budget Blunder: A Rough Road Ahead

The Idaho Legislature, led by Republicans, opened its session with a modest agenda. Yet, the state’s recent $453 million tax cut—four times larger than what Governor Brad Little claimed was affordable—had already strained finances. Lawmakers had options to cushion the blow: pause certain cuts, tap o

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Apr 17 2026POLITICS

Health Secretary Faces Tough Questions on Vaccines and Budget Cuts

The Health and Human Services chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , spoke to Congress early Thursday about his plans for the 2027 budget and his vision for healthier America. He started by saying that good nutrition is key to ending chronic disease, hoping to shift the debate away from his past vaccine cri

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Apr 17 2026POLITICS

First Capitol Meeting in Half a Year Focuses on Health Budget Cuts

A top health official recently faced tough questions from lawmakers over planned budget reductions that could impact millions. The official, speaking at a Capitol hearing, pushed back on claims about specific policies targeting certain communities. Critics argued that proposed changes might affect v

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Apr 14 2026POLITICS

NASA's funding fight: Why one leader wants more cash for space dreams

A top U. S. senator is pushing back against plans to trim NASA’s budget next year. This isn’t the first time officials have clashed over space spending. Last time cuts were proposed, lawmakers fought back and gave NASA nearly $24. 4 billion instead. Now, the same politician is promising to keep fund

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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 11 2026EDUCATION

Where Fitness Meets Community: What Happens When a Special Program Disappears?

For over forty years, a small but powerful program at Napa Valley College gave people with disabilities a place to move, heal, and belong. Some came to rebuild strength after strokes or surgeries. Others found their first taste of independence in a gym built with ramps and adaptive machines. A 92-ye

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Apr 10 2026SCIENCE

NASA's future in question as budget cuts threaten key missions

The White House's 2027 budget plan proposes slashing NASA's science funding by nearly half, putting over 50 missions at risk. This includes active spacecraft like Juno, which has studied Jupiter for nearly ten years, and New Horizons, which explored Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. Even missions that just

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