Maine Governor Janet Mills signed an executive order on Friday to create a task force dedicated to examining the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) for the state’s residents, economy, and institutions.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing mounting pressure within his own party as he struggles to navigate a looming government shutdown. His recent attempt to push through a deal with Democrats failed to garner enough support, leaving many Republicans frustrated with his leadership.
President Donald Trump has publicly called for Republican Representative Chip Roy (TX) to face a primary challenge, accusing him of obstructing Republican efforts to secure a victory in the ongoing debate over a new continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government. Trump's comments come in the wake of the collapse of both the Democrats' and Mike Johnson’s government spending bill, which has led Congress to deliberate a new piece of legislation known as the “American Relief Act of 2024.” The bill seeks to prevent a government shutdown while addressing issues such as disaster relief for areas affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as supporting farmers.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which killed 103 people and caused an estimated $53 billion in damages, North Carolina has received significant aid for recovery efforts, including over $1.1 billion in state relief and billions more in federal requests. The storm, considered the state’s worst natural disaster, has prompted both state and federal governments to take action, though criticism has followed regarding the adequacy of those efforts.
