Politics

CBS News reports: The National Park Service (NPS) denied claims that park officials at Denali National Park ordered a construction crew to not fly the American flag over Memorial Day weekend. The claim appears to have originated from a report by Alaska Watchman, a conservative news outlet, which cited an anonymous construction worker. On Friday, Republican Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan …

“I don’t believe anybody deserves absolute immunity. You know, the fact of the matter is that’s the last thing I’d want to do. That sounds a whole lot like the position we got rid of when we fought the Revolutionary War. Kings have absolute immunity. I don’t believe presidents should.” – GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, speaking to CNN’s Manu Raju. …

The Associated Press reports: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a “tragic mistake” had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and killed at least 45 people, according to local officials. “Despite our utmost efforts not to harm innocent civilians, last night, there …

The New York Daily News reports: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has quietly been reaching out to politically influential labor leaders, a move being seen by many as a clear sign the disgraced governor’s plans to engineer a comeback are picking up steam. Multiple labor sources told the Daily News that Cuomo has been in frequent contact with union leaders of …

CNN reports: Rep. Tony Gonzales called his GOP opponent in Texas a “neo-Nazi” and an “anarchist” intent on “burning the place down” — and said Republican hardliners seeking to oust him are a bunch of “scumbags” and MAGA wannabes. In an interview with CNN, the two-term Texas GOP congressman said the outcome of Tuesday’s runoff against gun activist Brandon Herrera …

Axios reports: The Libertarian Party announced Sunday night that its delegates chose former Georgia US Senate candidate Chase Oliver as its presidential nominee, after he saw off former President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Third party candidates have been largely unsuccessful in modern times and the Libertarians’ 2020 candidate received 1.2% of the national vote, but AP notes there’s …

The Hill reports: Former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) endorsed President Biden for the White House over his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s third-party bid. Kennedy, a mental health advocate, appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday to discuss his new book, Profiles in Mental Health Courage. He said Biden has been “the best president we’ve ever had …

Reuters reports: Britain’s Conservative Party will introduce mandatory national service for 18-year-olds if it wins the national election on July 4, comprising military or community participation, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday. Young adults will be able to choose between spending one weekend a month volunteering over the course of a year, or take up one of 30,000 spaces …

The Washington Post reports: The wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. told a Washington Post reporter in January 2021 that an upside-down American flag recently flown on their flagpole was “an international signal of distress” and indicated that it had been raised in response to a neighborhood dispute. Martha-Ann Alito made the comments when the reporter went …

Axios reports: Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) requested a meeting with U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts “imploring” him to ensure Justice Samuel Alito recuses himself from Jan. 6-related cases, Durbin’s office announced on Friday. Alito is facing growing calls from Democratic lawmakers to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election and the Capitol insurrection after …

Politico reports: Donald Trump won’t be speaking to his usual self-selected crowd of adoring red-hatted MAGA fans when he addresses the Libertarian National Convention on Saturday. As delegates gathered at the Washington Hilton on the eve of his speech, the party’s decision to host the former president, which had split the organization, erupted Friday into open revolt. Fuming delegates at …

The Hill reports: A ban on intoxicating hemp products has made it into the House version of the farm bill. If the amendment makes it through a polarized House and divided Congress, it would end America’s brief experiment with nationally legal cannabis. The language added to the House version of the farm bill by Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) in effect …

NBC News reports: The International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to immediately halt its military operations in Rafah, the city in southern Gaza where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge in dire conditions. Israel is unlikely to comply with the order, which the top United Nations court has no power to enforce, but the landmark ruling …

The Associated Press reports: North Carolina’s public university system board voted Thursday to repeal a nearly five-year-old diversity, equity and inclusion policy, meaning its 17 schools will likely join other major universities in cutting diversity programs and jobs. The 24-member University of North Carolina Board of Governors approved its agenda, which included the diversity policy repeal, with two members voting …

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports: Gov. Mike DeWine has taken the rare step of calling a special legislative session, in effect summoning the General Assembly to make sure that President Joe Biden qualifies for the ballot this November. DeWine announced he would be calling the special session for May 28 in a Thursday evening press conference. It marked the first …

The Associated Press reports: The Federal Communications Commission has issued a $6 million fine against a political consultant who sent AI-generated robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice to voters ahead of New Hampshire’s presidential primary. Steve Kramer, who also faces two dozen criminal charges in New Hampshire, has admitted orchestrating a message that was sent to thousands of voters two …

Axios reports: Daily marijuana use has outpaced daily alcohol consumption in the U.S. for the first time, according to a study published Wednesday. Shifting consumption patterns reflect changes in attitudes toward marijuana as states embrace legalization and the Biden administration moves to reclassify it as a less dangerous substance under federal law. Daily or near daily marijuana use grew by …

The Hill reports: TikTok is restricting state-affiliated media accounts, broadening the platform’s efforts to foster “authenticity” and limit their influence heading into elections later this year. The social media platform announced Thursday that accounts “that attempt to reach communities outside their home country on current global events and affairs” will not pop up in the personalized feeds of users. TikTok …

Manchester’s NBC affiliate reports: A man who admitted to sending out robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice on the day of the New Hampshire primary is now facing criminal charges. Ten indictments have been returned against Steve Kramer out of Rockingham County for bribing, intimidation and suppression and impersonation of candidates. The indictments name five people who said they received …

The Florida Phoenix reports: Florida Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody wants the state agency in charge of investigating violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act to inspect Starbucks’ diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Moody announced the complaint against Starbucks on Wednesday during the governor’s guest host stint on “The Sean Hannity Show.” “We’re going to make …