UC says federal law prevents it from hiring undocumented students. A lawsuit seeks to change that

Members of the coalition that’s been pushing to get the University of California to hire its undocumented students for campus jobs are now suing the university system, days after Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have made such employment a reality. The suit, filed Tuesday...

California lawmakers advance bill that aims to keep gas prices from spiking

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California state Assembly approved a bill Tuesday backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom aimed at preventing gas prices from spiking, particularly in late summer months when demand for gas goes up. The legislation would authorize state energy regulators to set...

After CalMatters investigation, Newsom signs law to shed light on maternity ward closures

In the face of rapidly disappearing maternity care, Gov. Gavin Newsom this weekend vetoed a bill that was meant to slow closures of labor wards but signed a law that will give communities more time to plan for the loss of that service. At least 56 maternity wards have closed across...

After a chaotic Congress, lawmakers head home to ask voters: How about another term?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is off for the campaign season, as lawmakers from one of the most chaotic and unproductive legislative sessions in modern times try to persuade voters to keep them on the job. The House Republicans led the tumult — painstakingly electing their speaker...

Judge blocks one part of new Alabama absentee ballot restrictions

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a portion of a new Alabama law limiting help with absentee ballot applications, saying it violates the Voting Rights Act’s assurances that voters who are blind, disabled or cannot read can get help from a person of their choice. ...

Congress passes temporary bill to avoid shutdown as lawmakers punt spending decisions to December

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress on Wednesday passed a temporary measure that keeps government agencies funded into December, avoiding a shutdown for now while punting final spending decisions until after the Nov. 5 election. The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 78-18 shortly...

Senate passes bill to keep government funded into December, sending measure to Biden for his signature

House passes short-term bill to avoid government shutdown as lawmakers punt decisions on spending until after election

A year ago Kevin McCarthy was booted as House speaker. Mike Johnson is trying to avoid that fate

WASHINGTON (AP) — One year since Kevin McCarthy was booted from the House speaker's office after Congress voted in a bipartisan way to prevent a federal government shutdown, the new House Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself courting, but so far avoiding, a similar political fate. ...

Senate chairman demands answers from emergency rooms that denied care to pregnant patients

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hospitals are facing questions about why they denied care to pregnant patients and whether state abortion bans have influenced how they treat those patients. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, sent inquiries to nine hospitals ahead of...