Likely Republican voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are still playing the field even as former President Trump holds a strong lead in the 2024 GOP race.
Driving the news: Over 75% of likely GOP voters in the two states are either not considering Trump at all, or are still considering him along with other candidates, a CBS News/YouGov poll found.
When Washington and Oregon lowered criminal penalties for drug crimes two years ago, it didn't lead to a sudden rise in overdose deaths in either state, a new study finds.
Why it matters: Critics have tied the states' more lenient approaches to drug crimes to recent rises in overdose deaths. But the researchers found no apparent connection.
Driving the news: Chutkan said in her decision Wednesday that her statements "certainly do not manifest a deep-seated prejudice that would make fair judgment impossible — the standard for recusal based on statements with intrajudicial origins."
The first presidential primaries are still more than three months away, but Wednesday's debate feels like one of the last chances for someone other than Donald Trump to emerge as a major contender for the GOP nomination.
Why it matters: The candidates seem to sense the urgency, too. Once reluctant to take on Trump as they tried to skim support from his MAGA base, several now are taking aim at the Republican frontrunner, who has grown his lead while skipping the debates.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is expected to address his colleagues in Senate Democratic caucus on Thursday after pleading not guilty to explosive federal bribery charges.
Why it matters: The bill's failure would further complicate the already difficult path to keeping the government open, with a shutdown by Sept. 30 growing increasingly likely.
Driving the news: The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is now hosting the former president's 99th birthday celebration on Sept. 30 instead of Oct. 1, his actual birthday. The library and museum could close if lawmakers don't reach an agreement before midnight on Saturday.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal charges in an alleged bribery scheme in a New York City court, multiple outlets reported.
Why it matters: Menendez — who has resisted mounting calls to resign from within his own party — has now been indicted twice in a corruption case in the last decade.
Top House Republicans are openly acknowledging the increasing difficulty they will have in averting at least a brief government shutdown.
Why it matters: Congress is barreling towards the Sept. 30 federal funding deadline with no resolution in sight and Republicans still stuck on discussions about how to maximize their leverage in negotiations with the Senate.
Why it matters: It's the first Biden campaign ad this cycle that takes on Trump directly, and it will air on national cable channels and on TV and digital in Michigan, per the campaign.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has decided to allow Israel to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, according to U.S. officials who briefed reporters.
Why it matters: The Biden administration's decision is a significant upgrade in relations between the U.S. and Israel, which has been trying to join the program for years.
Here's what viewerswill see during primetime on Wednesday as seven candidates clash in the second GOP presidential debate, moderated by Fox News and Univision.
Driving the news: The debate airs starting at 9pm ET from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. — just northwest of Los Angeles.
Americans are still very far apart in their perceptions of barriers that women face in moving up in the workplace, new research from Pew Research reveals.
Driving the news: 55% of those surveyed in July this year say there are too few women in top executive business positions.
Some big-money GOP donors are hoping that Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will jump into the presidential race as a last-ditch Trump alternative — but a shutdown of the federal government could complicate any such plans.
Why it matters: Youngkin hasn't ruled out a presidential run, but his first priority is leading Republicans to win control of Virginia's legislature this November.
Republican hardliners are turning up the heat on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), putting his job in jeopardy as Congress closes in on Saturday's deadline to fund the government.
Why it matters: The right's escalating threats to remove McCarthy if he cuts a deal with Democrats may force the speaker to choose between the leadership position he long coveted — and heading off a government shutdown.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed into law Tuesday a raft of gun safety legislation, including doubling taxes in the state on guns and ammunition and prohibiting the carrying of firearms in most public places.
Why it matters: The legislation that will from July impose an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition sold by gun manufacturers and dealers in the state means California is the first in the U.S. to take such action to fund gun safety programs, per a statement from gun control advocacy group Brady.
House Republicans voted to advance four appropriations bills to the chamber's floor late Tuesday but Speaker Kevin McCarthy's team continued to struggle to round up the votes needed to avert a looming government shutdown.
Why it matters: McCarthy (R-Calif) has faced multiple setbacks in his push to pass a temporary funding measure to keep the government open, and his latest plan to move get a few stand-alone bills and a short-term spending plan through the House still faces significant hurdles.
Millions of more students will gain access to free breakfast and lunch at school, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announced Tuesday.
Driving the news: The expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) will make some 3,000 additional school districts serving more than 5 million students eligible for meals at no cost.
Why it matters: The pro-union Democrat's appearance showed solidarity with thousands of autoworkers who have been leading an unprecedented strike of the Detroit Three automakers.
