Why it matters: The announcement sent financial markets tumbling in anticipation of a potential trade war between the U.S. and its top trading partners.
President Trump's decision to cancel a major oil deal with Venezuela came amid pressure from Miami's three GOP House members who oppose enriching Nicolás Maduro's dictatorship, four sources tell Axios.
Why it matters: To get their way, the three House members suggested — but never explicitly threatened — that they would withhold votes Trump needed for the GOP budget deal that the House narrowly passed last week.
President Trump signed executiveorders to increase lumber production across national forests and other public lands in the U.S., but wants to sidestep endangered species protections and other environmental regulations.
The big picture: Wildlife species reliant on undisturbed forests could face significant habitat loss, while expedited environmental reviews may reduce oversight on ecological impacts.
Firefighters in North and South Carolina were battling dozens of wildfires over the weekend during dry, windy conditions that saw authorities order some residents to evacuate.
The big picture: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) declared a state of emergency Sunday after officials declared a statewide burn ban the previous day that the governor said would remain in effect indefinitely.
A significant storm system that threatens the South, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic with severe weather — and heavy snow in the Midwest — is set to hit less than a week after NOAA saw layoffs that affected about 800 staff.
Why it matters: This will be the first test of whether the loss of expertise from the cuts and early retirements last week will affect forecast and warning accuracy.
