Breaking News

Local columns

Almanac for June 24, 2026

Today is Wednesday, June 24, the 175th day of 2026. There are 190 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1983, the space shuttle Challenger — carrying America’s first woman in space, Sally Ride — coasted to a safe landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Also on this date: In 1509, Henry VIII was crowned king of England; his wife, Catherine of Aragon, was crowned queen consort. In 1812, French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s Grande Armee began crossing the Niemen River, embarking on a campaign to invade Russia. (Napoleon’s forces would enter Moscow in early ...

How to keep loving America — even when it hurts

The approach of July 4 is making my heart hurt. Love of this country is deep-dyed in my soul, but pondering how or even whether to celebrate the semiquincentennial provokes a riot of mixed feelings. The right — and not just the MAGA right — responds to any queasiness about this particular ...

Judge blocks use of federal database to check citizenship

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administration’s election integrity strategy is unlawful and can no longer be used. U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued ...

Almanac for June 23, 2026

Today is Tuesday, June 23, the 174th day of 2026. There are 191 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law the Education Amendments of 1972, including Title IX, which barred discrimination on the basis of sex for “any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Also on this date: In 1888, abolitionist Frederick Douglass received one vote from the Kentucky delegation at the Republican convention in Chicago, making him the first Black candidate to have his name placed in nomination for U.S. president. In ...

A republic or an empire?

The Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, embraces two value sets. The first is natural rights, and the second is limited government. After 250 years, neither value has survived, and the opposite of each currently prevails in America. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration in three ...

Pressure building for UK leader Starmer to resign

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a career-defining decision: step down or fight a possible challenge from Labour Party rival Andy Burnham. Starmer has publicly vowed to stay in office, but pressure is building as more and more Labour Party colleagues conclude that ...