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Amy Davis/The Baltimore Sun/TNS

Maryland panel backs new House map aimed at all-Democratic delegation

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WASHINGTON — A Maryland commission tasked with considering whether to redraw the state’s congressional lines voted Tuesday to recommend a new map that would favor Democrats in all eight of the state’s House districts.

The proposal, which now heads to the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, is the latest in redistricting moves nationwide...Read more

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America/TNS

Timothy Busfield released from jail ahead of trial in child sex abuse case

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Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield was released from jail Tuesday pending trial on child sex abuse charges.

“I don’t find that there’s been sufficient presentation that this defendant may commit new crimes if released pending trial,” ruled Bernalillo County District Court Judge David Murphy, citing a lack of past criminal conduct or ...Read more

Aaron Schwartz/CNP/DPA/Abaca Press/TNS

'You'll find out': Trump hints at Greenland takeover, touts his 2025 accomplishments

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump took command of a White House press briefing Tuesday to tell reporters directly why he believes his first year back in office has been a success — though his showcase at times included false claims and a lack of clarity on his foreign policy agenda.

“I don’t like to do this, to be honest with you, ...Read more

Alex Wong/Getty Images North America/TNS

Trump signs order targeting institutional housing investors

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday seeking to advance his effort to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, before a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he’s expected to lay out his efforts to address affordability concerns.

The executive order details a multipart ...Read more

Leila Navidi/Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS

JD Vance to visit Minnesota this week as federal immigration surge continues

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MINNEAPOLIS — Vice President JD Vance will travel to Minnesota on Thursday, according to a source with knowledge of the visit. Details about Vance’s trip weren’t immediately available.

A source familiar with his plans said Vance will hold a roundtable with stakeholders.

Vance’s visit comes as federal officials have sparred vehemently ...Read more

Chris Leach/Lexington Herald-Leader/TNS

Court issues order on special judge in murder case against former Kentucky sheriff

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Supreme Court has sent back to the lower court a request by former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines to have the special judge in his case removed.

Stines was charged with murder after he shot and killed Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins in Mullins’ chambers in September 2024. The ...Read more

Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald/TNS

Bill filed to ban ICE operations at Massachusetts courthouses

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BOSTON — Emergency legislation has been filed at the State House that would prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agents from detaining or arresting illegal immigrants in Massachusetts courthouses.

Filed by state Sen. Lydia Edwards, D-Third Suffolk, on Tuesday, An Act Protecting Access to Justice (SD. 3607) would ban ...Read more

Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun/TNS

Maryland redistricting panel approved maps. General Assembly to consider

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Maryland’s Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission on Tuesday voted to recommend a new congressional map to Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly, adding fire to an already contentious debate. The General Assembly will decide whether to approve the congressional maps, despite staunch opposition from the Senate’s top ...Read more

Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun/TNS

Appeals court upholds most of Maryland's 'restricted areas' firearms ban

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A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld most of Maryland’s law banning firearms in designated “restricted areas,” rejecting a challenge from the Maryland chapter of the National Rifle Association while striking down select provisions.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the state’s restrictions on where licensed gun owners can ...Read more

David Guralnick/The Detroit News/TNS

Fate of 4 charged in Michigan hyperbaric chamber death awaits judge ruling

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DETROIT — Whether four people will stand trial in a lethal hyperbaric chamber fire that killed a 5-year-old boy last year is in the hands of a Troy judge.

The attorney general's office and each defendant's attorney made closing arguments Tuesday before 52-4 District Court Judge Maureen McGinnis. The arguments came in a preliminary examination...Read more

Barry Williams/New York Daily News/TNS

NYC Mayor Mamdani calls for abolishing ICE as anger grows over Renee Good Minneapolis killing

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NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday he supports abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement as the agency escalates its immigration crackdowns across the country.

Mamdani’s, who’s long been a critic of the agency, told the hosts of ABC’s “The View” that ICE is “terrorizing people.”

“I’m tired of waking up every ...Read more

Lindsey Halligan/CNP/ZUMA Press/TNS

'A cable news talk show': Federal judges seek replacement for Halligan as US attorney

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Federal judges in the U.S. Eastern District Court announced Tuesday that they’re seeking candidates for the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The move comes in the midst of a monthslong standoff between the judges and President Donald Trump’s pick for the job, Lindsey Halligan.

In November, a federal judge ruled ...Read more

Peter Casey/The Virginian-Pilot/TNS

Virginia will rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Spanberger says

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NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia will rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the multistate coalition that aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels as an energy source, Gov. Abigail Spanberger told lawmakers Monday.

“This is about cost savings,” she said in an address to the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate. “RGGI generated hundreds ...Read more

Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul/TNS

After Mamdani reversal, Gov. Hochul proposes 4-year extension of mayoral control over NYC schools

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NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday proposed a four-year extension of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s control of the New York City public schools, after the mayor backed off a campaign promise to end the much-debated educational reform.

The length of the renewal, if approved by the state Legislature, could mean that Mamdani will retain control ...Read more

LEZLIE STERLING/The Sacramento Bee/TNS

State GOP seeks Supreme Court injunction to block California's new, voter-approved congressional districts

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The California Republican Party on Tuesday filed an emergency application asking the U.S. Supreme Court to issue an injunction to stop the congressional districts state voters approved last year from going into effect.

Arguing that the districts created by Proposition 50 violate federal law because the race of voters was considered when they ...Read more

Brittany Murray/Los Angeles Daily News/TNS

Donations sought as Red Cross laments 'severe' blood shortage

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The Red Cross is appealing to past donors and potential new donors as it says a "severe blood shortage" could result in delays for surgeries and other medical procedures.

During a virtual news briefing Tuesday, officials said there was a 35% reduction in blood donations nationally in December. That equates to about 40,000 units of blood. More ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

168 chemicals found in food linked to gut damage and fertility risks, study shows

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Many everyday chemicals can impact your gut health and even male fertility, research shows. Proper food preparation, including washing and peeling fruits and vegetables, can protect from common pesticides.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge tested common chemicals, including many without known health impacts, and found 168 that could ...Read more

Mennatalla Ibrahim/Baltimore Sun/TNS

New Maryland House rural caucus aims to boost rural voices in Annapolis

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The newly formed Maryland House Rural Caucus aims to give rural communities a stronger voice in legislative leadership and policymaking, House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk said Tuesday at the group’s first news briefing, weeks after she announced its creation late last month.

Peña-Melnyk said the caucus will focus on “elevating” views ...Read more

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

U.S. senators tour California City Detention Center, decry conditions and inadequate medical care

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U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff on Tuesday decried the inadequacy of medical care within the state’s newest and largest immigration detention center.

The two California Democrats spent hours conducting an oversight visit of the California City Detention Facility on Tuesday, amid growing concerns over conditions inside and the Trump ...Read more

Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS

Florida to subpoena recreational marijuana campaign about petition fraud

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TALLAHASSEE — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced plans Tuesday to subpoena the group pushing to get recreational marijuana on the 2026 ballot, saying the subpoenas were part of an “escalation” of the state’s investigation into election fraud.

The probe focuses on fraudulent petitions. In order for a proposed amendment to ...Read more