President Biden was sharply critical Thursday of aspects of protests that have swept across college campuses nationwide in response to the war in Gaza, condemning vandalism and trespassing even as he defended the right to peacefully demonstrate. “In moments like this, there are always those who rush in to score political points. But this isn’t a moment for politics. It’s a moment for clarity. So let me be clear … Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is,” Biden said in prepared remarks from the White House. He called out what has occurred at Columbia University and on other colleg ..read more

DES MOINES, Iowa -- On Wednesday Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a piece of legislation that she prioritized in her Condition of the State speech. Senate File 2442 is the bill that gets rid of individual income tax brackets and sets a flat rate of 3.8% starting on January 1, 2025. "As far as we've come, I'm also confident that we are not done yet," said Reynolds, teasing further changes to the state's income tax code. "You know after all, I think Iowa's approach to taxes is defined by a sense of responsibility to the people of Iowa. They deserve a government that constantly exercises the dis ..read more

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the Department of Education is working around the clock to make sure the FAFSA process improves, after major delays and a troubled roll out of the new financial aid form. “We’ve had delays, we’ve had issues with some of the coding that we had to make changes to,” Cardona said. Lawmakers grilled Sec. Cardona about the roll out during a hearing on Tuesday, just one day before May 1, which in normal circumstances is considered college decision day for many high schoolers around the country. “Many of those who have managed to overcome ..read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple-effects across the country. The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreatio ..read more

(NEXSTAR) – Former President Donald Trump maintains a lead over President Biden in multiple key swing states, according to a new poll from Emerson College Polling and The Hill. Voters favored the leading Republican candidate – who is currently balancing court and rally appearances – over Biden in Arizona (48% to 44%), Georgia (47% to 44%), Michigan (45% to 44%), Nevada (45% to 44%), North Carolina (47% to 42%), Pennsylvania (47% to 45%) and Wisconsin (47% to 45%). The poll, which has a margin of error of +/- 3%, did, however, find that Biden gained ground among some undecided voters. “The stat ..read more

Former President Trump is having a busy legal day as the Supreme Court weighed presidential immunity arguments while his criminal hush money case continues in New York. David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, is back on the stand in Manhattan where he continues providing a timeline of his agreement to bury bad news about Trump during the then-candidate's 2016 campaign. Meanwhile, in Washington, the high court heard oral arguments in a historic case that weighs the limits of presidential immunity, which Trump is arguing makes him safe from prosecution in his three other cri ..read more

GOP senators sent a letter to Biden administration officials Tuesday demanding they “restore order” to college campuses amid contentious pro-Palestine protests.  Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and 26 other Senate Republicans sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Attorney General Merrick Garland telling them to “restore order to campuses that have been effectively shut down by anti-Semitic mobs that are targeting Jewish students.” The letter comes as multiple schools, including Columbia University, New York University and Yale University, have seen students create encampments o ..read more

A New York judge is expected to hear arguments Tuesday over whether former President Trump violated a gag order imposed against him in his hush money case. Prosecutors with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office claim Trump has so far violated the order barring him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and the judge’s family 10 times. They’ve asked Judge Juan Merchan to fine the former president $1,000 for each violating post and to remind him that he could be jailed if he continues to skirt the order. They’ve also asked the judge to hold him in contempt. “The defendant is aware ..read more

(NEXSTAR) – A criminal trial against former President Donald Trump is currently underway in New York City courtroom, with prosecutors and Trump’s defense giving their opening arguments Monday. Jury selection had taken just four days last week, though the trial itself could last months. The trial concerns allegations that Trump had falsified business records related to a $130,000 payment made to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who said Trump was reimbursing him for a hush-money payment made to adult film actress known as Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleges she ..read more

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The group gathered inside the conference room, mostly women, fell silent as the audio recording began to play. The male voice, clearly agitated, railed against what he thought had been fraud that cost former President Donald Trump reelection four years ago. “You’re gonna pay for it,” said the man, filling his message with expletives and suggesting his target's throat be slashed with a knife. “We will … take you out. Your family, your life. "Watch your … back." The call had been directed at one of their own, a city clerk who had overseen elections in 2020 in suburban ..read more