Policy & Law

Meta Faces Federal Trial Over Arguments Its Platforms Harm Children

Four states are presenting their case that Meta's social media products cause mental health and developmental harm to minors.

By James Callahan · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Judge Issues and Then Withdraws Arrest Warrant for Green Party Candidate Jill Stein

The warrant was related to a missed court appearance for an assault charge stemming from a 2024 protest at Washington University in St. Louis.

By Diane Park · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Republican AGs Launch Joint Investigation Into Fauci, Seek State-Level Accountability After Federal Pardon

Three Republican state attorneys general are pooling resources to subpoena documents and pursue legal action that they argue falls outside President Biden's sweeping pardon covering federal offenses.

By Marcus Webb · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

McKinsey Defends Diversity Research as Rep. Brandon Gill Opens Probe Into Firm's Reports

The Texas Republican, leading a House Oversight task force, claims the consulting firm's influential diversity studies may have motivated illegal hiring practices and cost the economy $94 billion.

By Eleanor Cross · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

Ossoff Draws National Attention With Viral Remarks Targeting Trump Aides in Georgia Senate Race

The Georgia Democrat's 5 million-view moment calling out a presidential aide came from a prepared speech, part of a larger strategy to raise his profile while defending a battleground seat.

By Eleanor Cross · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

Sailors Describe Life on Aircraft Carriers as 'a Floating Prison' Amid Retention Challenges

Current and former crew members of the USS Abraham Lincoln and other Nimitz-class carriers report difficult living conditions, long deployments, and low morale as the Navy faces recruiting shortfalls.

By Eleanor Cross · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Policy & Law

Talarico Campaign Hires Former Top Cornyn Staffer as Deputy Policy Director

Jacob Smith, who served as deputy legislative director for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), will join the Democratic state senator's campaign team months ahead of the midterm elections.

By Eleanor Cross · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

DOJ Accuses William & Mary of Discrimination in Scholarships, Student Programs

The Civil Rights Division opened a federal investigation Monday into whether the Virginia public university violated civil rights law through race-based scholarship criteria.

By Diane Park · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

Regulators Approve Steering-Wheel-Free Robotaxi as Liability Questions Remain Unresolved

With Zoox cleared for commercial deployment in Las Vegas, legal experts say current frameworks leave injured passengers without clear pathways to compensation.

By Diane Park · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

Minnesota 'Outstanding Refugee' Honoree Charged With Medicaid Fraud, Tied to Sex-Trafficking Probe

Salman Ahmed Elmi, who received the state's top refugee honor in 2021, faces eight counts of fraud allegedly billing Medicaid for more than $1 million.

By Marcus Webb · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 4 min read