WASHINGTON — U.S. immigration authorities will limit arrests at schools, hospitals and other “protected” areas under guidelines issued Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security, part of a broader effort to roll back the approach to enforcement under President Donald Trump. Agents and officers are being directed to avoid making...
Vatican Nixes Live Broadcast of Biden Greeting Pope Friday
ROME — The Vatican on Thursday abruptly canceled the planned live broadcast of U.S. President Joe Biden meeting Pope Francis on Friday, the latest restriction to media coverage of the Holy See. The live broadcast of Biden’s visit was trimmed to cover just the arrival of the president's motorcade in...
Schools Debate: Gifted and Talented, or Racist and Elitist?
Communities across the United States are reconsidering their approach to gifted and talented programs in schools as vocal parents blame such elite programs for worsening racial segregation and inequities in the country’s education system. A plan announced by New York City’s mayor to phase out elementary school gifted and talented programs in...
Resurgent Demand Drives Caterpillar Sales in Third Quarter
Bustling construction sites, active drilling for energy and re-engagement in mines and other heavy industries doubled third quarter profits at Caterpillar and drove sales up 25% as the global economy emerges from a pandemic. Executives with the heavy machinery company said that sales, which were shy of Wall Street expectations,...
Biden Pitches $1.75T Plan at Capitol, Trying to Unite Dems
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden traveled to Capitol Hill early Thursday to make the case to House Democrats for a dramatically scaled-back domestic policy package, $1.75 trillion of social services and climate change programs the White House believes can pass the 50-50 Senate. Biden was eager to have a deal...
Rockslide on Central Coast Shuts Down Long Stretch of Highway 1
BIG SUR — A rockslide forced the closure of a long stretch of Highway 1 on along California's Central Coast on Wednesday, state highway authorities said. The closure extended from north of the Ragged Point Inn in San Luis Obispo County up to Gorda in Monterey County, Caltrans spokesperson Jim...
Biden Easily Won Virginia. Why is McAuliffe Struggling?
ROANOKE, Va. — As Terry McAuliffe made his case for the Democratic nomination for governor of Virginia this summer, he argued the state wanted “seasoned” leadership. The former governor, like the new President Joe Biden, had broad appeal that would keep up Virginians' enthusiasm for voting against Republicans, his campaign argued....
2,000 Migrants Continue Trek Through Southern Mexico
HUIXTLA, Mexico — More than 2,000 mostly Central American migrants walked along a highway in southern Mexico toward the town of Huixtla Monday where security forces had deployed, possibly signaling that authorities would soon try to break up the group. About 100 National Guard, soldiers and immigration agents waited just...
California’s Unemployment Fraud Reaches at Least $20 Billion
SACRAMENTO — California has given away at least $20 billion to criminals in the form of fraudulent unemployment benefits, state officials said Monday, confirming a number smaller than originally feared but one that still accounts for more than 11% of all benefits paid since the start of the pandemic. State...
First ‘X’ Gender Passport Issued in the United States
DENVER — The United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation, marking a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who do not identify as male or female, and expects to be able to offer the option more broadly next year, the State Department...