Politics

Senate unanimously approves $63.4 billion annual state budget bill
The Senate's $63.4 billion fiscal year 2027 budget will next move into conference committee negotiations with the House, which last month passed a fiscal 2027 budget that included about $50...

Feds predict 'below normal' Atlantic hurricane season for 2026
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association expect eight to 14 named storms to develop during the 2026 hurricane season, which begins on June 1. Up to three could...

Is an energy crisis coming for the global economy?
Europe and Asia are facing fuel shortages. The U.S. is in a fuel deficit. Some experts say the Iran War has caused the largest energy security threat in history. And...
House passes bill banning large investors from buying up single-family homes
The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amended version of the Senate's affordable housing bill.
How Sen. Charles Sumner — who was attacked in 1856 for opposing slavery — was 'ahead of his time'
In 1856, a slave-owning representative from South Carolina used a cane to attack and beat Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner, who was vehemently opposed to slavery and spoke out against it.
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Colorado Democratic governor censured for commuting prison sentence of 2020 election denier
Former county clerk Tina Peters was sentenced for tampering with voting machines during the 2020 election.

Police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 sue over Trump settlement fund
The administration says the fund will help people who say the government unfairly investigated or prosecuted them. But in their lawsuit, the officers say it’s a “slush fund” to “finance...
Some North Carolina swing voters think Trump is out of touch
As Democrats fight to take back the Senate in 2026, North Carolina is a key state to watch.

At Coast Guard commencement in Conn., Trump addresses Iran, as protesters gather nearby
President Trump delivered the address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s commencement ceremony Wednesday morning in New London. A small number of protesters gathered nearby, pausing their anti-Trump chants to...

Council rejects Gov. Healey's Parole Board nominee
Vincent DeMore's nomination failed on a 4-3 vote. DeMore's nomination sparked backlash from critics who said his work as a prosecutor doesn't reflect the “type of multidisciplinary, rehabilitative expertise” needed...

Former Gov. Deval Patrick reflects on the legacy of late Congressman Barney Frank
Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick joined WBUR’s All Things Considered host Lisa Mullins to talk about Frank’s legacy.

The small Utah county fighting a massive data center
A rural county at the edge of the Great Salt Lake. A multimillionaire celebrity businessman. A shadowy state agency. What Box Elder County, Utah’s fight over a 40,000-acre data center...

Boston budget poses a test of powers between Mayor Wu and city councilors
In a battle over Boston's next budget, the city council is trying to flex its power to mitigate cuts made by Mayor Michelle Wu. But councilors are limited in how...

Remembering former congressman and gay-rights trailblazer Barney Frank
Frank was 86 years old and had been receiving hospice care for congestive heart failure.

'Revenge for the Sixties': Book traces Supreme Court Justice Alito's past to present rulings
Justice Samuel Alito has written major opinions that have ended the federal right to abortion and gutted sections of the Voting Rights Act.
DOJ deal gives Trump, his family, and his businesses immunity from IRS investigations
An addendum added to the unusual Department of Justice deal will create a a $1.8 billion fund that would provide payments to people claim they were unfairly investigated or prosecuted.
Another Republican incumbent loses after defying Trump
Trump critic Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, lost his primary on Tuesday.
Why a comedian is posing as an ICE tip line operator
Comedian Ben Palmer has gone viral by posing as a tip line operator for people to report their neighbors to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
New York Times report says U.S. and Israel planned to install former hardline president in Iran
The plan fell apart after Ahmadinejad was injured during an American and Israeli strike, the New York Times reports.
As Trump's allies prevail in primaries, big questions remain
President Trump had another strong night in Tuesday's primaries, beating back a Republican congressman who'd been one of his loudest critics.