Politics

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 …

Politico reports: Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott launched a bid Wednesday afternoon to succeed Mitch McConnell as the next Republican leader, telling colleagues he wants to make “dramatic change” in the way the conference operates. The first-term senator will face an uphill battle against Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a former whip himself. Scott …

The Guardian reports: Rishi Sunak has called a surprise early election for 4 July in a contest that will see Keir Starmer try to take power for Labour after 14 years of Conservative-led government. The prime minister announced the election will be in the early summer in a high-risk move for the Conservative party as it trails 20 points behind …

The Hill reports: A Tennessee Democrat introduced a resolution in the House to censure Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito after reports showed an upside-down flag was flown outside his residence shortly following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the Capitol. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), a member of the Judiciary Committee, introduced the censure resolution Tuesday, “for knowingly violating the federal …

The Washington Post reports: The Congressional Leadership Fund, an independent group affiliated with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.), plans to reserve $141 million in fall advertising this week, with spending planned for about 30 races that it has identified as likely to decide the balance of Congress. The initial spending plans are nearly $20 million larger than similar reservations …

The New York Times reports: Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, plans next month to fast-track a Senate vote on a bill to protect access to contraception nationwide, the start of an election-year push to highlight Republicans’ record of opposing reproductive rights that voters view as at risk of being stripped away. The Right to …

Politico Europe reports: Ireland, Spain and Norway on Wednesday said they would officially recognize Palestine as a state from next week, in a diplomatic move that triggered fury in Israel. In Dublin, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris [photo] said Palestine deserved the same right to be recognized as a sovereign state that Ireland received after fighting a war of independence …

Axios reports: Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) communications director Raj Shah is gearing up to leave his position, with the former Trump deputy press secretary expected to leave before the end of the summer, Axios has learned. Shah’s planned exit comes on the heels on multiple policy staffers for Johnson — who also worked for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — …

The Associated Press reports: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor who brought a sprawling racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and others, has won the Democratic primary in her bid for reelection. Willis defeated progressive attorney Christian Wise Smith in the primary election and is now set to face off against Republican Courtney Kramer in the …

CBS News reports: State Assembly member Vince Fong, a California legislator backed by former President Donald Trump, has captured a special election to complete the remainder of the term of deposed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which runs through January. Fong — a McCarthy protege who also had the former speaker’s endorsement — defeated fellow Republican and Tulare County Sheriff …

The Huffington Post reports: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told critics to lay off the Supreme Court following the revelation that an upside-down flag flew at the home of Justice Samuel Alito shortly after the Jan. 6 insurrection. The upside-down flag ― a symbol of the “Stop the Steal” movement protesting Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory ― was …

CNN reports: GOP Rep. Greg Murphy announced on Tuesday that he has a likely benign tumor in the base of his skull and will be absent from Congress as he undergoes surgery. His absence further narrows House Speaker Mike Johnson’s historically thin majority to 216 Republicans and 213 Democrats in the chamber — though impending special elections should help extend …