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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The United States economy grew at a 2% annual rate in the first three months of 2026, improving from 0.5% growth in the previous quarter. This growth happened mostly before the start of the Iran war in late February, which later affected gas prices and raised concerns about a recession.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 2% in Q1 2026.
This growth rate increased from 0.5% in the previous quarter.
The actual growth was slightly below what economists expected.
The report covers the first three months of 2026.
Most of this period was before the Iran war began on February 28, 2026.
The Iran conflict caused gasoline prices to rise after the first quarter.
There were warnings that the war and price increases might lead to a recession.
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The U.S. Coast Guard is facing serious problems because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown has lasted 75 days. The government has used all emergency money to pay the Coast Guard’s active duty members and bills, and now it may stop paying Coast Guard workers.
Key Facts
The government shutdown has lasted for 75 days.
The shutdown affects the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard has run out of emergency funds to pay its members and cover expenses.
The Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Kevin Lunday, described the situation as a crisis.
Payment to active-duty Coast Guard personnel may stop if no new funding is provided.
The shutdown is causing delays and strain on Coast Guard missions.
The situation is described as "incredibly frustrating" by the Coast Guard leadership.
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A Louisiana sheriff, Susan Hutson, was indicted on 30 charges after 10 inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail. The indictment accuses her of poor management that allowed the escape, though she was not directly involved in the breakout.
Key Facts
Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center through a hole behind a toilet.
The inmates stayed free for months before they were all caught.
Sheriff Susan Hutson faces 30 charges including malfeasance, obstruction of justice, and falsifying records.
The investigation found that poor jail management contributed to the escape.
Hutson lost her reelection and will leave office soon.
Bond for Hutson was set at $300,000; she surrendered her passport and was released on bond.
Bianka Brown, the sheriff’s chief financial officer, was also indicted with similar charges.
The jail has a history of problems including understaffing and unsafe conditions, with federal oversight since 2013.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before Congress to discuss the war with Iran. Lawmakers questioned him about the goals of the war and its high costs, which have reached about $25 billion so far.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified on the war with Iran.
Lawmakers asked about the war’s objectives.
They also raised concerns about the rising cost of the conflict.
A defense official said the war has cost around $25 billion to date.
Hegseth will return to Capitol Hill for more testimony soon.
The discussion included both strategic goals and economic impacts of the war.
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President Donald Trump defended the war with Iran during a White House event celebrating the Artemis II space crew. At the same time, gas prices in the U.S. have risen to their highest level since 2022, with oil prices reaching over $120 per barrel and gas costs increasing by about 30 cents in one week.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke in support of the war with Iran at a White House event.
The event was held to celebrate the Artemis II space mission crew.
Oil prices worldwide rose above $120 per barrel on Wednesday, the highest since 2022.
Gas prices in the U.S. have increased by around 30 cents in the past week.
Rising gas prices are impacting the U.S. economy.
The report was made by CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.
The price rise coincides with ongoing U.S. military actions against Iran.
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Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced that the House Oversight Taskforce will hold a hearing on May 13 about the MK Ultra program. The task force, which she leads, focuses on declassifying federal secrets.
Key Facts
The hearing is scheduled for May 13.
It will focus on Project MK Ultra, a secret government program.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) leads the House Oversight Taskforce.
The task force works on revealing classified government information.
MK Ultra involved controversial experiments in the past.
The hearing aims to review details about MK Ultra.
Luna shared the announcement on the social platform X.
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President Donald Trump wants to build a large ballroom next to the White House that would also serve as a secure bunker. This plan has faced legal challenges and criticism but supporters claim it is necessary for national security. The ballroom reflects Trump’s style of leadership, focusing on grand displays of power and control.
Key Facts
President Trump is pushing to build a "Militarily Secure Top Secret Ballroom" near the White House.
The ballroom is designed to include bulletproof glass and a roof safe from drones.
A judge appointed during the George W. Bush administration blocked construction because Congress did not approve it.
Trump and his allies say the ballroom is urgently needed for national security reasons.
Critics see the ballroom as a symbol of corruption and a show of power rather than practical security.
Some Republicans are trying to pass laws to allow the ballroom’s construction.
Trump has a history of using large buildings and venues to create controlled public events and display power.
The White House Correspondents Association has concerns about holding events inside the White House under Trump due to his attacks on the press.
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The Trump administration has partially reclassified some cannabis products, moving certain medical and FDA-approved cannabis items from the strictest drug category (Schedule I) to a less restrictive one (Schedule III). This change applies only to some products and does not broadly reschedule all cannabis, causing confusion in the cannabis industry about how the rules will work.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche, acting attorney general, signed the order changing classifications for some cannabis products.
Products sold under state medical cannabis licenses and future FDA-approved cannabis drugs are moved to Schedule III, which includes regulated substances like certain painkillers.
The change does not affect existing FDA-approved cannabis medicines.
The move is justified by compliance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, a UN treaty from 1961 that limits cannabis production.
Industry experts say the change complicates an already complex system and creates uncertainty for businesses and consumers.
Some believe the timing of the announcement is politically motivated ahead of upcoming elections.
The new rules treat medical and recreational cannabis differently, even if the products are similar.
While this is seen as a small pro-cannabis sign from the administration, questions remain about how the new classifications will be applied in practice.
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Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania said he is not very popular with other Senate Democrats, even though his win helped give Democrats the Senate majority in 2023 and 2024. He described his relationship with fellow Democrats as “cordial,” meaning polite but not close.
Key Facts
John Fetterman is a Democratic senator from Pennsylvania.
He helped Democrats gain the Senate majority by winning a seat previously held by a Republican.
The Senate majority for Democrats covers the years 2023 and 2024.
Fetterman said he is not very popular among other Senate Democrats.
He described his relationship with Senate Democrats as polite but not very friendly.
These comments came during an interview with Fox News anchor Sandra Smith.
His seat was previously held by Senator Pat Toomey, a Republican.
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A person dressed in a Ku Klux Klan-style white robe and hood was seen walking through West Warwick, Rhode Island, late at night. The police are investigating the incident but said it appears to be isolated and there is no known public safety threat.
Key Facts
The incident happened around 2 a.m. on April 27 in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
Videos showing the individual in white hood and robe were shared by a local business and residents.
The West Warwick Police Department confirmed awareness of the videos and investigation is ongoing.
A local store put up an anti-hate sign in response to the incident.
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is a white supremacist hate group known for violence and racism, mainly targeting Black Americans and other minorities.
The FBI reported 11,679 hate crime incidents in 2024, with most motivated by bias against race or ethnicity.
People with information or additional footage are asked to contact West Warwick Police.
Active KKK groups still exist in several U.S. states in 2024.
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The U.S. government plans to start refunding money collected from some of President Trump’s tariffs around May 11. This follows a court decision that found certain tariffs were invalid. Customs and Border Protection has been preparing to return about $166 billion related to these tariffs.
Key Facts
The refunds are tied to tariffs imposed by President Trump.
A court ruled that some of these tariffs were invalid.
Refunds are expected to begin on or about May 11.
Judge Richard Eaton is overseeing the refund process.
Customs and Border Protection is in charge of issuing the refunds.
The total amount to be refunded is about $166 billion.
The announcement came after a closed court hearing.
The refunds involve the U.S. Court of International Trade.
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The article discusses how President George Washington shaped the role of the U.S. presidency by setting limits on presidential power. Washington showed that a president should focus on duty and avoid overreaching authority.
Key Facts
George Washington was the first President of the United States.
He set examples for how presidents should behave.
Washington believed presidents should not try to do everything or gain too much power.
His approach emphasized restraint and responsibility.
The article suggests current presidents could learn from Washington’s example.
Washington’s leadership helped define the balance of power in the U.S. government.
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Florida’s Republican House leaders rejected a plan by Governor Ron DeSantis to allow parents to exempt their children from certain school vaccine requirements based on conscience. The proposal, called the Medical Freedom bill, did not move forward despite backing from the Republican-led Senate.
Key Facts
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a bill to let parents opt out of some childhood vaccine requirements for schools based on personal conscience reasons.
The Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez quickly announced the House would not consider the bill during a special session.
The Medical Freedom bill would have expanded existing exemptions, which currently only allow medical or religious reasons.
Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo supports ending all vaccine mandates in the state.
A poll in October found 63% of Floridians oppose ending vaccine mandates, with 48% strongly against it.
The House rejection means key vaccinations like measles, mumps, polio, and chickenpox will remain required for schoolchildren.
Some vaccines, such as for chickenpox and hepatitis B, may still face efforts to repeal their mandates by health officials.
Governor DeSantis called the House’s rejection “typical political shenanigans,” expressing frustration at the opposition.
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Jimmy Fowlie, a writer for Saturday Night Live, announced that his sister, Christina Lynn Downer, who went missing in December, has been found dead. The Los Angeles Police Department has changed the case to a homicide investigation after discovering that her phone and social media were used by someone else to hide her disappearance.
Key Facts
Christina Lynn Downer, age 38, was reported missing to the LAPD in December.
Jimmy Fowlie said authorities now consider the case a homicide investigation.
Before going missing, Christina’s phone and social media accounts were taken over by someone else.
The person who took her phone used it to ask for money and made it seem like she chose to disappear.
Jimmy Fowlie shared the update to raise awareness and honor his sister’s memory.
He hopes someone with information will come forward to help solve the case.
The investigation is ongoing and more details may be revealed later.
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The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to weaken a key part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, called Section 2, which helped prevent racial discrimination in voting. The court said states are not required to draw voting districts where minorities are the majority, affecting protections for minority voters.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decision focused on Louisiana’s congressional map.
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act aimed to stop racial discrimination in voting districts.
The court ruled Section 2 does not force states to create majority-minority districts.
The decision was made along ideological lines, with a 6-3 vote.
Some lawmakers fear this ruling will reduce minority voting power and harm civil rights.
The ruling may affect how voting maps are drawn before upcoming elections.
Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito have worked to reduce civil rights protections over time.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's second majority-Black congressional district violated the Constitution by focusing too much on race in its design. This decision limits how states can use race when drawing voting districts and may affect control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 elections. Despite this change, prediction markets still strongly favor Democrats winning the House.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s majority-Black district was unconstitutional due to race being the main factor in its design.
The 6-3 decision tightens limits on how states can use race in drawing voting boundaries under the Voting Rights Act.
This ruling could allow Republican-led states to redraw maps in a way that may reduce Democratic advantages in certain areas.
Prediction markets show Democrats have about an 82-85% chance to control the House after the 2026 elections.
The ruling affects over 300 House districts nationwide, where small changes could impact election outcomes.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the Voting Rights Act must enforce the Constitution without conflicting with it.
President Donald Trump praised the ruling as a victory for equal protection under the law.
Democrats warn the decision weakens protections for minority voters by letting states justify changes based on political reasons instead of race.
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The Supreme Court has weakened the Voting Rights Act by removing key protections against racial discrimination in voting. This change affects how electoral districts are drawn and may reduce the political power of minority voters, especially Black communities.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court removed the main part of the Voting Rights Act that stopped voting practices harming minority voters.
Section 2 of the law prevented race-based district maps that limit minority voting power.
The decision threatens gains made over decades in fair representation for Black voters.
In Louisiana, Black voters were once limited to only one district, but a court had created two districts with Black majorities for 2024 elections—this progress is now in doubt.
The ruling affects many levels of government, including congressional seats, state legislatures, city councils, and school boards.
Losing these protections could reduce minority communities’ influence on important local decisions like school funding and healthcare.
The article references the long struggle by civil rights activists, including Martin Luther King Jr., to secure voting rights and fair representation.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had warned against removing these protections, comparing it to discarding an umbrella during a rainstorm.
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Senator Bill Cassidy is currently in third place among Republican voters in Louisiana’s upcoming primary, based on a recent poll. The poll shows John Fleming and Luke Letlow leading ahead of the primary election.
Key Facts
Senator Bill Cassidy is the current Republican senator from Louisiana.
A new poll by Emerson College shows Cassidy in third place in the GOP primary race.
John Fleming, Louisiana’s State Treasurer, leads with 28% in the poll.
Luke Letlow is also ahead of Cassidy in the poll results.
The poll measures support among likely Republican primary voters in Louisiana.
The results suggest a competitive Republican primary election in Louisiana soon.
The poll was released on a Thursday before the primary election date.
The primary election will determine the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from Louisiana.
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A recent survey found that nearly half of American Catholics think it is okay for Pope Leo XIV to criticize President Donald Trump’s policies, while most Americans disapprove of President Trump criticizing the pope. This comes amid public disagreements between the White House and the Vatican over issues like immigration and foreign policy.
Key Facts
48% of Catholics say it is appropriate for Pope Leo XIV to criticize President Trump’s policies.
Only 21% of Americans think it is appropriate for President Trump to publicly criticize the pope.
69% of Americans and 71% of Catholics say it is inappropriate for the president to criticize the pope.
The survey was done by Verasight from April 21-23 with 2,000 U.S. adults and has a 2.3% margin of error.
Disagreements between the White House and the Vatican include U.S. immigration enforcement and U.S.-Israeli-Iran conflict concerns.
This dispute is notable as Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born pope.
Catholics make up about 25% of the U.S. electorate and are influential in key swing states.
The findings suggest that Americans expect political leaders to avoid attacking religious leaders publicly.
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The Liberal Democrats hope to become the largest party in English local government after the 8 May elections. They are running a major digital campaign focusing on opposing Nigel Farage and contrasting their leader Ed Davey’s criticism of President Trump with Farage’s support for him.
Key Facts
The Liberal Democrats aim to increase their number of local councillors for the eighth election in a row.
They could potentially overtake the Conservatives as the second biggest party, and might become the biggest if Labour loses many seats.
The party focuses on gaining seats in areas they won from Conservatives in 2024, like Surrey.
They are testing new campaigning strategies involving targeted voter outreach and digital advertising.
Their campaign criticizes Nigel Farage’s support for President Trump, contrasting it with Ed Davey’s opposition.
The Lib Dems see strong tactical voting aimed at blocking the Reform UK party, which is linked to Farage.
They mention issues like fuel duty cuts connected to the Iran war to connect with voters’ concerns.
Their campaign strategy is mainly for the next general election but is being tested in these local elections.
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