Politics

A federal judge ordered the U.S. government to facilitate the return of some Venezuelan migrants deported under the Alien Enemies Act, and gave lawyers until Feb. 27 to report who wants to return for court proceedings.

Sen. Mitch McConnell was discharged from the hospital after more than a week for flu-like symptoms and his office says he will work from home this week on doctors' advice; he has not voted since Jan. 30.

Evanston will send $25,000 reparations payments to 44 Black residents and descendants who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969, the city's Reparations Committee announced. The fund has been supported mainly by a local cannabis sales tax and real estate transfer tax.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed a budget measure to refund about 10% of annual property taxes for senior homeowners, an initiative her office estimates would cost roughly $90 million statewide and save the average eligible senior about $345 a year.

A Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness report says federal definitions and one-night counts undercount people who are doubled up and estimates 58,625 people experienced homelessness in Chicago in 2024.

About 6,000 San Francisco public school teachers walked off the job, and the district closed all 120 schools while offering some independent study; negotiators planned to resume talks around midday.

Councilmember Nithya Raman filed a late entry into the Los Angeles mayoral race, surprising many in City Hall and prompting comparisons to New York's Zohran Mamdani.

The United States and India released an interim framework that would lower tariffs, reshape energy ties and deepen economic cooperation while reaffirming talks toward a broader bilateral trade agreement. Separately, the U.S. removed an extra 25% tariff tied to India’s purchases of Russian oil, and officials said they will monitor oil imports for possible reinstatement.

Development Innovation Ventures has been reestablished as the independent DIV Fund after raising $48 million from two private donors, and the new nonprofit plans to grant about $25 million a year to support international development projects.

Gov. Ned Lamont proposed a one-time energy rebate of about $400 per family, and officials said the Department of Revenue Services would deliver payments to residents who filed 2024 tax returns once lawmakers approve the plan.

President Trump announced a prayer gathering on the National Mall for May 17, 2026, and said the Education Department will issue new guidance to protect prayer in public schools.

President Trump said the response in Minneapolis 'could use a little bit of a softer touch,' and the administration announced 700 immigration enforcement officers will leave Minnesota amid protests after reports that federal officers killed two people.

Former Rep. Lee Hamilton, who led the Sept. 11 investigation, died peacefully at his home in Bloomington, Indiana, at age 94, his son said.

Governor Josh Shapiro proposed raising Pennsylvania's $7.25 hourly minimum wage to $15 in his 2026-27 budget address, and his administration estimates the change could lower Medicaid spending by about $300 million in the first full year.

American, Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Abu Dhabi for a second round of trilateral talks while Ukraine reported a recent strike that damaged its energy grid; several core issues remain unresolved.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced the state is joining the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, making Illinois the second U.S. state to do so since the U.S. withdrawal became official; officials said the move connects Illinois to global alerts and international response networks.

House Republican leaders plan a Tuesday vote to pass a Senate-approved funding package after funding lapsed Saturday, and DHS would be held to a two-week stopgap through Feb. 13 while talks continue.

Gov. Josh Shapiro will introduce 'Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development' standards in his budget address that would require data center developers to cover new power costs, commit to transparency and local hiring, and meet water‑conservation standards; he will ask the Legislature to codify the guidelines and link compliance to faster permitting and available tax credits.

EPA chief Lee Zeldin announced restrictions on five chemicals, and supporters of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement have been meeting with the agency after previously influencing federal health policy.

Taylor Rehmet won a special election in a deep-red Tarrant County Texas state Senate district by a double-digit margin. Analysts say many independents and some Republicans voted for him, prompting questions about GOP voter retainment ahead of 2026.

Federal immigration agents have been operating near Columbia Heights and other Minneapolis-area schools, and school officials report several students and family members were detained; district leaders say attendance has fallen and staff have added protective and support measures.

President Trump said he had asked Vladimir Putin to pause strikes on Kyiv and that Putin agreed; hours later Russian forces launched drone and missile strikes and Ukrainian officials reported civilian casualties.

FEMA advanced upfront Public Assistance funding to Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana after a severe winter storm, using amended emergency declarations to reimburse emergency protective measures and sustain response operations.

At the Trump Kennedy Center world premiere of the documentary "MELANIA," President Trump said the first lady has been more outspoken this term and Melania said she is selective about when she speaks.

The Senate agreed to remove the Homeland Security funding bill from a six-bill package, advance five spending bills, and extend DHS funding at current levels for two weeks while talks continue on ICE reforms; the House is not set to return until Monday, making a short lapse possible.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced a run for Minnesota governor after Gov. Tim Walz ended his bid for a third term, and she filed paperwork on Jan. 22 to form a campaign committee.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said outreach crews are working around the clock as the city reports that about seven of the ten recent cold-related deaths involved suspected hypothermia, and City Hall says crews have helped more than 200 people into shelter since last week.

The U.S. Department of the Interior approved the proposed 1.5 million acre-foot Sites Reservoir, clearing a key federal hurdle and allowing Bureau of Reclamation funding. The project aims to store Sacramento River water for use in droughts across large parts of California.

Mayor Mike Johnston announced 2026 priorities that include adding affordable housing, reducing street homelessness and cutting gun-related violence, and he cited past progress such as 5,600 affordable units added since taking office.

At the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg on Jan. 15, Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke with attendees and vendors while accompanied by state police and reporters; some vendors said they did not vote for him and do not plan to in November, and Shapiro said he respected their honesty.