Senate confirms Noem as Trump's homeland security secretary

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary on Saturday, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on illegal immigration. ...

Democrats and voting groups say a bid to toss out North Carolina ballots is an attack on democracy

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Copland Rudolph cast a ballot in the November election, just as she has for years, with her vote counting on a long list of North Carolina contests that were settled soon after. Nearly three months later, she's still not sure it will count for one of the...

Minnesota high court sides with Democrats in struggle with Republicans over control of state House

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court sided with Democrats on Friday in a power struggle with Republicans in the state House of Representatives but left it up to lawmakers to figure out a way to work together. The justices unanimously agreed with House Democratic leaders...

Democrats' Minnesota House boycott echoes earlier walkouts in other states

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democrats in the Minnesota House who have boycotted daily sessions are using tactics that lawmakers around the country have tried at least two dozen times before to thwart their opponents. It's not even a first for the state. Minnesota Democrats are trying to...

The Minnesota Supreme Court sides with Democrats in a power struggle with Republicans over control of the state House

What is the Laken Riley Act? A look at the first bill Trump will sign

President Donald Trump is poised to sign the first bill of his new administration, and it is named after a slain Georgia nursing student whose name became a rallying cry during his White House campaign. If signed into law, the Laken Riley Act would require the detention of...

Senate advances Pete Hegseth as Trump's defense secretary, despite allegations

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate advanced the nomination of Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump's defense secretary Thursday on a largely party-line vote, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military. ...

Minnesota Supreme Court considers whether it should intervene in partisan legislative power struggle

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday on how deeply it should intervene in a power struggle between Democrats and Republicans over who should control the state House of Representatives. Democratic representatives have stayed away from the state...

The Senate confirms John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA, giving Trump his second Cabinet member

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead America's premier spy agency and his second nominee to win Senate approval. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term and is...

Georgia asks federal appeals court to tighten Voting Rights Act

ATLANTA (AP) — The state of Georgia is seeking another Supreme Court showdown over the Voting Rights Act, asking a federal appeals court on Thursday to interpret the 1965 law in a way that could make it much harder to prove minority votes have been illegally diluted. A lawyer for...