More than 1,000 incidents involving firearms have shaken America's schools since 2018 — a dramatic increase over any similar period since at least 1970, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database.
Why it matters: The stunning rise in gun violence on school property is reshaping the daily lives of America's youngest generation, putting children at the center of a previously unthinkable number of life-or-death moments.
Behind the deep philosophical differences between President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy lies a more mundane issue — how to get any deal through the House.
Zoom in: The White House seized on Friday's breakdown in debt ceiling talks to argue for its preferred approach to a deal — a bipartisan bill that will rely on a big chunk of Democratic votes. Talks restarted Friday night after Republicans announced a "pause" earlier in the day.
Nebraska lawmakers on Friday approved a bill to ban abortion at 12 weeks of pregnancy and restrict gender-affirming care for trans minors.
What's next: The bill, which is likely the first to combine restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care, heads to the desk of Gov. Jim Pillen (R) for his signature.
The IRS is preparing to test a first-of-its-kind online tool that would allow taxpayers to file federal returns to the agency for free, with a pilot version of the program coming as early as next year, according to the service.
Why it matters: A direct e-file system could reshape how millions of Americans do their taxes, experts say, while potentially disrupting the multi-billion-dollar tax preparation industry, which has resisted such a system for decades.
In the 28 months since a mob of Trump supporters breached the Capitol, more than 1,030 people have been charged in connection to the insurrection and around 570 have pleaded guilty, the Department of Justice said in May.
Dozens of House progressives on Friday warned President Biden that they won’t vote for a “bad deal” to raise the debt ceiling, urging him instead to invoke the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
Why it matters: It ratchets up pressure on Biden from his congressional allies not to compromise as debt ceiling talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) team hit an impasse.
Why it matters: Scott, the most prominent Black figure in the Republican Party and one of the Senate's most formidable fundraisers, enters a crowded GOP field that includes former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former President Trump.
The White House has acknowledged “real differences” with Republicans in the budget and debt ceiling talks and warned that negotiations will be “difficult,” according to a White House official.
Why it matters: While Team Biden wants to signal that a bipartisan compromise remainspossible, they are preparing for a difficult road ahead. They also don’t appear to be racing to restart the talks, even as time is running out to find an agreement.
A grand jury indicted a District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lieutenant for allegedly tipping off former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio about a warrant for his arrest, the Department of Justice said Friday.
Driving the news: The lieutenant, Shane Lamond, 47, of Stafford, Virginia, was charged with one count of obstruction of justice and three counts of making false statements. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison for the obstruction charge and up to five years for each false statement charge.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned the country’s biggest bankers that a potential debt ceiling default will have repercussions beyond the financial system and insisted that the early June X-Date is real, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The Biden administration is sounding the alarm in public and in private about the consequences of default, and the dangers in trying to cut a deal at the last moment.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is about to launch a run for president by touting a far-right cultural agenda that casts restrictions on abortion rights, LGBTQ people — and Disney, one of his state's biggest employers — as a "blueprint" for the nation.
Why it matters: DeSantis' long-expected dive into the Republican race has been tailored to try to scrape enough support from former President Trump's MAGA base to win the GOP nomination.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott's not-yet-official campaign for president is launching a $6 million ad buy in several states early next week.
Why it matters: The move suggests the South Carolina senator will be able to boost his profile with voters as he tries to be heard over better-known GOP contenders such as former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who like Scott is expected to announce his candidacy next week.
Five TikTok creators are suing Montana's attorney general over plans to impose a statewide ban on the popular Chinese-owned social media platform due to security concerns.
Why it matters:The lawsuit argues that the ban that would prohibit Montana residents from using the app infringes on First Amendment rights and is "unconstitutional and preempted by federal law."
The Pentagon overcounted the value of weapons and other military aid it sent to Ukraine by "at least $3 billion," Defense Department officials said Thursday.
Why it matters: The accounting error may lead to "more weapons being sent to Kyiv for its defense against Russian forces," per Reuters, which first reported the news. The news comes as Ukrainian troops prepare to launch a major counteroffensive.
