Latest Government programs News

They made one-of-a-kind quilts that captured the public's imagination. Then Target came along

May. 11, 2024 00:36 AM EDT

Over the past two decades, Gee’s Bend quilts have captured the public’s imagination with their kaleidoscopic colors and their daring geometric patterns. The groundbreaking art practice was cultivated by direct descendants of slaves in rural Alabama who have faced oppression, geographic...

America's debt tops $34 trillion, but a commission to address it appears dead in Congress

May. 11, 2024 00:07 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — For Mike Johnson it was effectively a Day 1 priority. It's well past time, the newly elected House speaker said in October, to establish a bipartisan commission to tackle the federal government's growing $34.6 trillion in debt. "The consequences if we don’t act...

US dedicates $60 million to saving water along the Rio Grande as flows shrink and demands grow

May. 10, 2024 22:25 PM EDT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. government is dedicating $60 million over the next few years to projects along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico and West Texas to make the river more resilient in the face of climate change and growing demands. The funding announced Friday by...

NYC policy on how long migrant families can stay in shelters was 'haphazard,' audit finds

May. 10, 2024 18:48 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City policy imposing 60-day limits on shelter stays for migrant families was rolled out haphazardly over the past six months — with issues such as the city failing to notify pregnant women they may be exempt, a new audit by the city's comptroller has found. ...

Liam and Olivia are still the most popular US baby names, and Mateo makes his debut on the list

May. 10, 2024 11:51 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Liam and Olivia have for a fifth year together topped the list of baby names for brand new boys and girls born in the U.S. in 2023. And Mateo joins the top 10 baby names list for the first time. The Social Security Administration annually tracks the names given to...

Spending on home renovations slows, but high remodeling costs mean little relief in sight for buyers

May. 10, 2024 08:10 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Homeowners have been spending more on home renovations in recent years, as high interest rates and stubbornly high inflation drove up costs for everything from flooring to refrigerators. The home improvement spree got particularly heated early in the pandemic,...

California is testing new generative AI tools. Here's what to know

May. 10, 2024 00:26 AM EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Generative artificial intelligence tools will soon be used by California's government. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration announced Thursday the state will partner with five companies to develop and test generative AI tools that could improve...

Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Wall St rally takes S&P 500 near record

May. 09, 2024 23:05 PM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Stocks in Asia were mixed Friday after a rally on Wall Street that pulled the S&P 500 back within 1% of its record. Benchmarks fell in Tokyo, Sydney and Seoul but rose in China, where investors were focused on the release of April inflation figures. ...

US says Rafah offensive would jeopardize cease-fire talks as Biden threatens to halt more Israel aid

May. 09, 2024 20:39 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States warned on Thursday that Israel will be dealing a strategic victory to Hamas if it carries out plans for an all-out assault on Rafah, the militants' last major stronghold in Gaza. The warning was backed by a new threat from President Joe Biden: He...

California to tap generative AI tools to increase services access, reduce traffic jams

May. 09, 2024 19:22 PM EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California could soon deploy generative artificial intelligence tools to help reduce traffic jams, make roads safer and provide tax guidance, among other things, under new agreements announced Thursday as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to harness the power of new...