Saturday marks 25 years since two students fatally shot 12 classmates, a teacher, and wounded more than 20 others at Columbine High School in Littleton.
Why it matters: Although it wasn't the first, the 1999 tragedy has become a blueprint for other shooters over the last quarter-century, ushering in a new era of school gun violence that has only gotten worse.
The U.S. House on Saturday voted on a bipartisan basis to pass a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific.
Why it matters: The vote puts Congress on track to send long sought-after aid to Ukraine more than two months after similar legislation was sent over from the Senate.
Former President Trump began the fourth day of his historic criminal trial in New York like the other three: angry, railing against the case and people associated with it, and furious with the city where he built his empire.
Why it matters: With Trump's three other criminal trial timelines in limbo, the New York hush money trial is the only one on track to conclude before the election.
President Biden and former President Trump have one big thing beyond old age in common: They duck difficult questioning by reporters, with historic stubbornness.
During his 3+ years in office, Biden has refused to give a single interview to White House reporters for The New York Times, The Washington Post or The Wall Street Journal. But he sat down twice with friendly comedian Jason Bateman and his podcast pals on "SmartLess."
Why it matters: Call it the safe-space election. Biden is more likely to talk to mainstream outlets, and Trump to echo chambers. But both pop up for questioning with sycophants, supporters and sympathetic journalists.
A man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where former President Trump is on trial died Friday night, an NYPD spokesperson told Axios.
The big picture: Maxwell Azzarello did not appear to target anyone in particular, authorities said, but he set himself on fire Friday outside of the high-traffic, high-security criminal trial, where a full jury was announced.
The Senate reauthorized the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a key. U.S. surveillance authority, shortly after it expired in the early hours Saturday morning.
Why it matters: The reauthorization came despite bipartisan concerns about Section 702, which allows the government to collect communications from non-U.S. citizens overseas without a warrant.
The Pentagon is preparing to rush critical ammunition and air defenses to Ukraine in the coming days, delivering a lifeline to frontline forces battered by Russian bombs and demoralized by congressional inaction.
Why it matters: Eight months after President Biden first requested billions of dollars in new funding for Ukraine, the House finally is on the verge of passing a foreign aid package.
The Biden administration on Friday expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students under Title IX, protecting against "discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics."
The big picture: The 1972 civil rights law was more narrowly applied under guidance from former President Trump's administration, but the new regulations reflect a major federal push to combat sex discrimination in schools.
President Biden is tapping former President Obama to help him raise money again, as they appear side-by-side in digital ads making appeals to small-dollar donors.
Why it matters: Biden needs his grassroots base energized — and engaged — to win in November, and polls suggest he has work to do with Black, Latino and young voters in particular.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) on Friday endorsed former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn's bid for a congressional seat in Maryland.
Why it matters: It's the latest signal of the Jan. 6 veteran's frontrunner status in the race as he heavily outpaces his opponents in fundraising and endorsements from members of Congress.
Jury selection in former President Trump's New York criminal hush money trial concluded Friday, with all 18 New Yorkers who will make up the jury panel seated.
Why it matters: Opening statements are now on track to begin in the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) announced Friday he is joining a motion to vacate against House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the third Republican to do so.
Why it matters: It's the latest salvo in a growing GOP rebellion against Johnson that threatens to topple his speakership unless Democrats come to his rescue.
House Democrats on Friday took another rare step to prevent House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) foreign aid package from being blocked.
Why it matters: As Republicans struggle with a razor-thin majority and a rebellious right flank, such bipartisanship on typically party-line procedural votes is becoming more common.
President Biden insists he's committed to cutting federal deficits. The International Monetary Fund doesn't seem convinced he'll go far enough.
Why it matters: Inside the IMF's semi-annual "Fiscal Monitor" report there's a direct warning for the White House and Congress: Check your deficit spending.
House Democrats made an extremely rare break with modern political norms on Thursday to rescue House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) foreign aid package.
Why it matters: It's the starkest evidence to date that the GOP's fractured and tiny House majority has effectively yielded to something resembling a bipartisan coalition.
There's exponentially more quality news and information available to more people than at any point in history. Yet more people than ever seem baffled by what's real, meaningful and trustworthy.
This paradox helps explain everything from tribal politics to general anxiety about the state of America.
Why it matters: Many of you have asked about my media consumption habits. So I want to take a crack at outlining ways you can clean up your news diet so it's safer, healthier, more illuminating.
The U.S. and Israel held a high-level virtual meeting on Thursday about a possible Israeli operation in Rafah, the White House confirmed.
Why it matters: The Biden administration is still concerned that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would lead to massive civilian casualties, the U.S. officials said.
