WASHINGTON — Facing a likely roadblock from House Republicans on aid for Ukraine, President Joe Biden said Wednesday he’s planning to give a major speech on the issue and suggested there may be “another means” to provide support for Kyiv if Congress continues to balk. “I'm going to be announcing...
McCarthy’s Ouster Leaves House Adrift as Divided GOP Tries to Find a New Leader
WASHINGTON — The stunning removal of Kevin McCarthy as speaker has left the House adrift as Republicans struggle to bring order to their fractured majority and begin the difficult and potentially prolonged process of uniting around a new leader. The House convened briefly Wednesday and then went into recess, with North...
Rangers, Twins, Diamondbacks and Phillies Look to Advance Today in Playoffs
After winning their Wild Card Series openers on the first day of Major League Baseball's playoffs, the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies can advance to the next round with victories Wednesday. As is often the case when postseason play rolls around, pitching was king Tuesday. None...
Biden to Erase $9 Billion More in Student Debt for 125,000 Borrowers
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced another wave of federal student loan forgiveness on Wednesday as borrowers brace for payments to restart after a three-year pause that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Democratic president's latest step will help 125,000 borrowers by erasing $9 billion in debt through existing relief programs....
Today’s Planned Nationwide Emergency Alert Blast Sparks Conspiracy Claims
WASHINGTON — “THIS IS A TEST": If you have a cellphone or are watching television Wednesday, that message will flash across your screen as the federal government tests its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System sends out messages via the Emergency Alert System and Wireless...
Russia Says It Has Foiled a Major Ukraine Drone Attack as Concerns Grow Over Kyiv’s Weapons Supplies
Russian air defenses shot down 31 Ukrainian drones during a concerted nighttime attack by Kyiv's forces on border regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday, as uncertainty grew over Ukraine's future access to weapons and ammunition from its Western allies. The drone attack appeared to be Kyiv’s largest single cross-border...
Kaiser Workers Go on Strike Over Wages and Staff Shortages
LOS ANGELES — Picketing began Wednesday morning at Kaiser Permanente hospitals as some 75,000 health care workers go on strike in California and four other states over wages and staffing shortages, marking the latest major labor unrest in the United States. Kaiser Permanente is one of the country’s larger insurers...
Arizona to End Saudi-Owned Firm’s ‘Unlimited’ Access to State’s Groundwater
WASHINGTON — Arizona governor Katie Hobbs said this week her administration is terminating state land leases that for years have given a Saudi-owned farm nearly unfettered access to pump groundwater in the dry southwestern state. On Monday, Hobbs, a Democrat, said the state had canceled Fondomonte Arizona's lease in western...
SF Giants Start Search for Manager With Internal Candidates
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants hope to begin interviewing internal managerial candidates this week as they seek to replace Gabe Kapler, who was fired last Friday with three games left in a second straight losing season. President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi said discussions are underway about who...
CA Celebrates Water-Filled Reservoirs With a Wary Eye on El Niño
SACRAMENTO — California ended its “miracle” water year on Saturday with enough rain and snow to fill the state's reservoirs to 128% of their historical average, making it among the wettest years in recorded state history. That's a welcome boon to a state that has spent much of the past dozen...