Latest Government programs News

Georgia Gov. Kemp wants to limit lawsuits. But would that keep insurance rates from rising?

Jan. 30, 2025 13:00 PM EST

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday reiterated his simple pitch for lawsuit limits: They’ll halt rising insurance costs. The reality, though, is more complicated. Changes could reduce liability insurance costs for businesses and commercial property...

Pennsylvania governor rolls out plan to fast-track and subsidize power plants, hydrogen projects

Jan. 30, 2025 12:24 PM EST

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday that he wants to fast-track big energy projects in Pennsylvania and offer hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks for projects that provide electricity to the grid and make hydrogen. Shapiro's announcement comes a few...

Reeves pushes income tax elimination, opposes Medicaid expansion in State of the State address

Jan. 30, 2025 10:57 AM EST

Amid a likely debate between Mississippi House and Senate leaders over plans to slash state taxes, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves in his Wednesday State-of-the-State Address strongly encouraged the Legislature to pass a law that abolishes the state income tax. “This money does not...

Daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma arrested on terrorism charges over riots

Jan. 30, 2025 10:07 AM EST

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma was arrested Thursday and appeared in a court on terrorism charges for allegedly inciting violence through social media posts before and during riots that shook the country four years ago and left more than 350 people...

Trump White House rescinds memo freezing federal money after widespread confusion

Jan. 29, 2025 21:32 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's budget office on Wednesday rescinded a memo freezing spending on federal loans and grants, less than two days after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country. The memo, which was issued Monday by the Office...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggles to answer questions on Medicare and Medicaid at confirmation hearing

Jan. 29, 2025 18:04 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a contentious confirmation hearing to become the nation's top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid, programs that affect tens of millions of Americans, or to provide details about how he would work to drive down...

Texas man pardoned over Jan. 6 attack is wanted by prosecutors over 2016 charge

Jan. 29, 2025 18:03 PM EST

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas man released from prison under President Donald Trump's sweeping pardons over the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol is wanted by authorities on a 2016 charge of soliciting a minor online, prosecutors say. Andrew Taake, 36, was accused of attacking...

Trump rescinds funding freeze but uncertainty lives on for wide array of environmental programs

Jan. 29, 2025 17:41 PM EST

A chaotic back-and-forth over President Donald Trump's freeze on federal grants and loans has farmers, activists, organizations and businesses wondering whether they will receive the funding they rely on. It's funding that among many other things is being used to address...

Republicans crafting Trump's big bill hit a familiar roadblock: How to pay for it

Jan. 29, 2025 16:48 PM EST

DORAL, Fla. (AP) — After fours years of criticizing growing government deficits under Joe Biden, Republicans now have a math problem of their own — how to offset the multitrillion-dollar cost of extending and expanding the tax cuts they passed in President Donald Trump’s first term. ...

Hamas will free 3 Israelis and 5 Thais in next hostage release Thursday

Jan. 29, 2025 15:13 PM EST

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas will release three Israelis, including two women and an 80-year-old man, as well as five Thai nationals during the next hostage release set for Thursday, Israel and Hamas said Wednesday as their tenuous ceasefire moves ahead. The Israeli women are Arbel...