California 1st to require hourly wages in garment industry

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday approved what he termed a “nation-leading” law requiring the garment industry to pay workers by the hour instead of for each piece of clothing they produce. Piece-rate compensation can be used to pay...

GOP blocks bill to keep government going; new try ahead

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators blocked a bill Monday night to keep the government operating and allow federal borrowing, but Democrats aiming to avert a shutdown pledged to try again — at the same time pressing ahead on President Joe Biden’s big plans to reshape government. ...

Foes of tax cuts, voting law changes ready petition filings

PHOENIX (AP) — Massive income tax cuts passed by the Arizona Legislature earlier this year and a series of election law changes could be put on hold until voters weigh in next year if opponents turn in enough signatures by a midnight Tuesday deadline. A coalition of...

Prison construction, sentencing bill before lawmakers

MONTGOMERY, Ala, (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Monday began a special session on prison construction, and related reforms. Here’s a look at what is up for debate: PRISON CONSTRUCTION The centerpiece of the session is a $1.3 billion prison...

The Latest: Court lets NYC require vaccination for teachers

NEW YORK — A federal appeals panel says New York City may require teachers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals acted late Monday to lift a temporary order issued Friday that blocked the mandate from...

California to mail every voter a ballot in future elections

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Every registered California voter will get a ballot mailed to them in future elections under a bill signed Monday by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. The law makes permanent a change adopted during the pandemic for the 2020 election and the...

Judge blocks Arizona laws banning school, city mask mandates

PHOENIX (AP) — A judge on Monday struck down Republican-passed Arizona laws that block schools from requiring masks and restrict the power of local governments to impose COVID-19 requirements, the latest turn in a nationwide legal battle over pandemic rules. If it...

Judge blocks key NYPD tactic: Scouring sealed arrest records

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge on Monday barred New York City police officers from accessing sealed arrest records without a court order, halting a long-standing practice of plying confidential information in department files to aid investigations, target suspects and shape policing decisions. ...

Senate Republicans block bill to keep federal government funded and lift borrowing cap; Democrats likely to try again

EXPLAINER: What's behind all the drama in Congress?

WASHINGTON (AP) — The drama and deadlines driving action on Capitol Hill right now can be disorienting. Democrats are trying to pass more than $4 trillion in infrastructure and social programs at the center of President Joe Biden’s agenda — and at the same time avert a government...