Senators explore off-ramps to prevent a shutdown as Democrats lay out DHS reforms
By Sahil Kapur and Scott Wong WASHINGTON — Senators met privately on Wednesday to discuss off-ramps to prevent a government shutdown this weekend, with both parties recognizing that a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security cannot pass in its current form. A recent funding deal that passed the House last week has been upended by the DHS killing of Alex Pretti in Minnesota over the weekend — and the subsequent public outcry, which prompted Democrats and a top Republican to say the department should not be funded without policy changes. The deadline is Friday at 11:59 p.m. ET, leaving little time to hash out a solution that can achieve
Democrats in Texas Senate race call for ICE overhaul hours after Minnesota shooting
By Bridget Bowman Hours after federal immigration agents killed a man in Minneapolis, the top Democrats running for U.S. Senate in Texas appeared on a debate stage together and both called for overhauling Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Just minutes into the debate between Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico, which was hosted by the Texas AFL-CIO and moderated by NBC affiliate KXAN of Austin and The Dallas Morning News, Crockett referenced the shooting by Department of Homeland Security agents. She pointed to the incident to lay out the stakes of the race ahead of the March 3 primary. “Listen, we are not looking at
Trump expresses frustration and says his team has made ‘some mistakes’ after one year in office
By Jonathan Allen President Donald Trump said Tuesday that federal agents “make mistakes sometimes” in enforcing his immigration crackdown, an acknowledgment that comes after weeks of violent confrontations — including the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good — in the streets of Minneapolis. “ICE is going to be too rough with somebody, or, you know, they’re dealing with rough people,” Trump said of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a lengthy White House press room briefing focused mostly on highlighting the milestones of the first year of his second presidency. “They’re going to make some mistakes sometimes,” he said. “It can
Trump threatened GOP senators who voted for war powers resolution in ‘angry’ calls
By Julie Tsirkin Hours after the Senate voted to advance the war powers resolution rebuking the White House’s current and future actions in Venezuela, President Donald Trump placed “angry” calls to each of the five Republicans who crossed the aisle, according to people with knowledge of the calls. Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; and Todd Young, R-Ind., voted with Democrats to require the administration to get congressional approval for future military action in Venezuela. Thursday’s vote was a procedural motion, and it advances the legislation to a full Senate vote that will require a simple majority.
Trump seeks $6.2 million in legal fees from Fani Willis’ office over election interference case
By The Associated Press ATLANTA — President Donald Trump is seeking more than $6.2 million in attorney fees and costs from the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office after the election interference case brought against him and others was recently dismissed. Georgia state legislators last year passed a law that says that if a prosecutor is disqualified from a case because of their own improper conduct and the case is then dismissed, anyone charged in that case is entitled to request “all reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred” in their defense. The judge overseeing the case then is responsible for reviewing the request and awarding the fees
HBCU Storytellers Grant Returns with Coca-Cola & The Emmys
Coca-Cola and the Emmy Awards are once again investing in the future of HBCU storytelling through the 2025–2026 Coca-Cola HBCU Sports Broadcasting Grant. This year, Florida A&M (FAMU) alumnus and nationally recognized comedian Roy Wood Jr. serves as an ambassador for the program, helping spotlight opportunities for student creators. A National Platform for HBCU Student Storytellers Each year, the initiative gives HBCU students a national stage to showcase their creativity. At the same time, it offers $40,000 in grant funding to support student-driven storytelling. Depending on final scores, the program may award funding to one, two, or three winning entries.
Congress returns to Venezuela clash, a shutdown deadline and a health care fight
By Sahil Kapur WASHINGTON — The House and the Senate are scheduled to return this week after the holidays and confront a growing list of tasks and potential agenda items in early 2026. Top of mind for many is President Donald Trump’s decision over the weekend to launch strikes in Venezuela and capture its leader, Nicolás Maduro, in addition to his assertion that the U.S. will “run” the country for the foreseeable future. It’ll add to an already substantial to-do list for Congress in the early part of the year as November’s midterm elections draw closer. Here are five issues facing
Philander Smith University receives largest contribution in school’s 147-year history
Philander Smith University has received a $19 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, marking the school’s largest single contribution in its 147-year history. The donation to the historically black university in Little Rock will help it advance its mission of educating academically accomplished students who are grounded as advocates for social justice, according to a media release. It will also allow university leadership and its Board of Trustees to invest in other priorities including scholarships, academic innovation, infrastructure and long-term financial sustainability, the release stated. Philander Smith President and CEO Maurice D. Gipson said the university is “deeply grateful”
Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate special election
By The Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Democrat Renee Hardman was elected to the Iowa state Senate on Tuesday in a holiday-week special election, denying Republicans’ bid to reclaim two-thirds control of the chamber. Hardman bested Republican Lucas Loftin by an overwhelming margin to win the seat representing parts of Des Moines’ suburbs. It became vacant after the Oct. 6 death of state Sen. Claire Celsi, a Democrat. Hardman, CEO of nonprofit Lutheran Services of Iowa and a member of the West Des Moines City Council, becomes the first Black woman elected to the Senate. Democratic voters outnumber Republicans in the district
Where are the Democratic and Republican parties going next? Watch these primaries to find out
By Bridget Bowman, Ben Kamisar and Alexandra Marquez Hotly contested primaries for Congress and governor next year will not only choose new candidates for important midterm races, but also serve as early battlegrounds in the fight for the future of both parties, as Democrats and Republicans navigate with how to move forward after the 2024 election. Although Democrats have celebrated victories up and down the ballot this year, they are still searching for definition and direction after their 2024 loss to President Donald Trump. The party is divided over which strategies and ideologies to embrace, as well as the question of elevating and embracing a new
