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
Policy & Law

Family Seeks $105 Million From New York City After Teen's Fatal Central Park Carriage Ride

The family of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan alleges stray electrical voltage caused the carriage horse to bolt, as city lawmakers advance legislation named in his honor.

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

Manchin Calls for Election Changes, Citing Lack of Competition in Most Races

The former West Virginia senator told NewsNation that 395 of 435 congressional districts were effectively predetermined ahead of the 2024 election.

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

Ossoff: 'Zero Interest' in Running for President in 2028

The Georgia Democrat, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate, dismissed speculation in an interview with former White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

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

Sanders Defends Decision Not to Endorse Hong in Wisconsin Governor Race, Citing Limited Resources

The Vermont senator's refusal to back Francesca Hong, who lost by under 4,000 votes, has drawn criticism from progressive allies who say his support could have shifted the race.

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

GOP Changes Minds About the Reliability of U.S. Crime Data

Some Republican officials who previously cited FBI and DOJ statistics in policy debates now say those figures may undercount or misrepresent actual crime levels.

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

Massachusetts Expands Abortion Access to Birth Under New Law Signed by Gov Healey

The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act removes the state's 24-week limit, making Massachusetts the 10th state to permit abortion up to birth based on physician judgment.

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

US States Call for Big Changes to Instagram and Facebook as Meta Child Privacy Trial Begins

Attorneys general from multiple states are urging courts to require Meta to implement stricter age verification and data protections for users under 18.

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

Measles Cases Reach Three-Decade High, Raising Alarm Over Vaccination Rates

More than 4,850 infections and three deaths have been recorded since the start of last year as public health officials warn that declining immunization rates leave communities vulnerable.

By Marcus Webb · Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Crowded Republican Primary for Florida's 19th District Draws Candidates From Outside the Area

Several GOP candidates have relocated to the historically conservative district ahead of the August primary, raising questions about residency and political opportunism.

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