In a surprising move, the judge overseeing the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan instructed the jury on Monday to disregard all testimony from Illinois state Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island. Judge John Robert Blakey gave no explanation for the decision, despite Rita’s brief testimony on October 24.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) called for reforms to the presidential pardon process, saying it "cries out for reform" during an interview on CBS News’ Face the Nation on Sunday. Her comments followed President Joe Biden’s record-breaking 1,500 commutations in one day, which have drawn bipartisan criticism.
A powerful ice storm wreaked havoc across Iowa and eastern Nebraska this weekend, creating hazardous road conditions and causing temporary closures along Interstate 80 as cars and trucks skidded off icy highways.
Travis Timmerman, an American detained in Syria for seven months, has been freed and flown out of the country by U.S. military forces. His release came after rebels overthrew President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and liberated thousands of prisoners, including Timmerman.
Left-wing filmmaker Michael Moore sparked controversy by defending the anger directed at the health care industry following the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in for a second term, Democrats in Congress remain divided over whether to attend the Jan. 20 inauguration.
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is calling for a major overhaul in how public school superintendents are selected, proposing that communities elect superintendents directly rather than relying on school board appointments. Walters argues this change will boost parental influence and weaken what he describes as the hold of “left-wing, woke bureaucrats” on public education.
Russia unleashed a large-scale aerial bombardment on Ukraine early Friday, targeting critical energy and transportation infrastructure in what Moscow described as retaliation for Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on a Russian air base earlier this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the assault one of the heaviest since the war began nearly three years ago.
The Kremlin commended President-elect Donald Trump for opposing Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian targets, hours after Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The attack, one of the largest of the war, underscores escalating tensions as both sides vie for advantage ahead of potential ceasefire talks.
A group of 17 congressional Republicans is urging President Joe Biden to block a proposal at the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that they believe would bolster China’s influence and diminish America’s leadership in global agriculture.