Trump says he’s fixing affordability problems. He’ll test out that message at a rally
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will road-test his claims he’s fixing Americans’ affordability woes at a nighttime rally in Pennsylvania. The Republican president is heading Tuesday to Mount Pocono, in a county that flipped his way in 2024, helping him win the swing state and return to office. Polls show voter confidence in Trump’s economic leadership has faltered. Trump blames his Democratic predecessor for inflation, but his tariffs haven’t helped prices. Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, says she wants him to “campaign like it’s 2024 again” to help turn out his supporters for midterm elections in November.
Zelenskyy reaffirms his refusal to cede land to Russia as he rallies European support
ROME (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed his refusal to cede territory, resisting U.S. pressure for compromise with Russia. He emphasized Ukraine’s legal and moral stance against giving up land. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. The Vatican has urged continued dialogue for peace. Zelenskyy met with other European leaders Monday to strengthen support amid U.S. pressure. In remarks published Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump again pressed Zelenskyy to accept the U.S. proposal that Ukraine cede territory to Russia, arguing that Moscow has the “upper hand” in its nearly 4-year-old invasion. Both continued to exchange attacks with drones. Energy infrastructure in Ukraine remains a key target.
Supreme Court questions limits on political party spending in federal elections, hearing GOP appeal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Conservative Supreme Court justices appeared to back a Republican-led drive, supported by President Donald Trump’s administration, to overturn a quarter-century-old decision and erase limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president. A day after the justices indicated they would overturn a 90-year-old decision limiting the president’s power to fire independent agency heads, the court on Tuesday took up a 2001 decision that upheld a provision of federal election law that is more than 50 years old. Two hours of arguments showed entrenched divisions between the liberal and conservative justices over campaign finance restrictions. Democrats are calling on the court to uphold the law.
Opponents of Trump-backed redistricting in Missouri submit a petition to force a public vote
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Opponents of Missouri’s new congressional map have submitted thousands of petition signatures calling for a statewide referendum on the plan backed by President Donald Trump. Organizers of the petition drive said they turned in about 300,000 signatures Tuesday to the secretary of state’s office. That’s well more than the roughly 110,000 signatures needed to suspend the U.S. House districts from taking effect until a public vote can be held next year. But the signatures still must be formally verified by election authorities. Republicans hope the new voting districts could help their party win additional seats in Congress in next year’s midterm elections.
Congressional lawmakers hear from retiring Navy admiral overseeing boat strikes
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Navy admiral who is retiring early from command of the campaign to destroy vessels allegedly carrying drugs near Venezuela is speaking to key lawmakers. Congress is seeking more answers on President Donald Trump’s mission, which, in one instance, killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a boat strike. Adm. Alvin Holsey spoke Tuesday about the military campaign with the Republican chair and the ranking Democrat of the Senate Armed Services Committee. It represents another step by lawmakers to demand an accounting from the Defense Department on the threats against Venezuela and the legal basis for the boat strikes.
What to know about the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein files
NEW YORK (AP) — The clock is ticking for the U.S. government to open up its files on Jeffrey Epstein. After months of rancor and recriminations, Congress has passed and President Donald Trump has signed legislation compelling the Justice Department to give the public everything it has on Epstein. And it has to be done before Christmas. A federal judge on Tuesday said the department could release grand jury transcripts and other documents from the sex trafficking case brought against Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. And last week another judge said the department could release transcripts of a grand jury investigation into Epstein’s abuse of underage girls in Florida.
Storm systems bring heavy rain to the Pacific Northwest and a wintry mix to the Upper Midwest
The first of a series of powerful storms is slamming the Pacific Northwest, dumping heavy rain and swelling rivers. KOMO-TV reports that fire crews rescued two people trapped by floodwaters at a campsite in the Gold Bar area of Snohomish County on Monday night. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center expects several days of heavy rainfall in western Washington and northwestern Oregon with the trans-Pacific jet stream bringing heavy rain along the coast and more than a foot of new snow in northwestern Wyoming. Meanwhile, a clipper moving eastward across the Upper Midwest is forecast to bring a range of wintry weather to the region Tuesday.
How a rare drug made from scientists’ blood saves babies from botulism
An infant botulism outbreak has sickened at least 39 babies across the U.S. and underscored the crucial role of a medication that treats the rare disease. BabyBIG, an IV drug, is made from blood plasma donated by a small group of scientists and other volunteers. It was the brainchild of the late Dr. Stephen Arnon. He was a California scientist who first identified the form of botulism that affects babies under age 1 and then spent his 45-year career figuring out how to treat it. It took 15 years and $10.6 million to develop the treatment licensed in 2003.
Raul Malo, the soulful tenor and frontman of The Mavericks, has died at age 60
NEW YORK (AP) — Raul Malo, the soulful tenor and frontman of The Mavericks, has died at age 60. He was battling colon cancer and later leptomeningeal disease, a rare complication when cancer spreads to membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Malo co-founded The Mavericks in 1989, blending genres like alt-country, Americana, and Latin. The band won a Grammy and multiple awards. Malo also released solo albums and collaborated with others. He urged fans to prioritize
Colts sign 44-year-old Philip Rivers to practice squad with 2 quarterbacks injured, AP source says
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers to the practice, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not yet made an official announcement. Rivers took his last NFL snap with the Colts in a playoff loss following the 2020 season. He announced his retirement in January 2021. The move comes less than 24 hours after Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed Indy’s starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, would miss the rest of this season with a torn right Achilles tendon and that backup Riley Leonard injured his right knee.