Policy & Law

Kenneth Iwamasa Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Matthew Perry Death Case

The former personal assistant, who prosecutors say gave the 'Friends' star fatal ketamine injections, received a lighter sentence for cooperating against four co-defendants.

By Marcus Webb · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

Taxpayer-Funded SPLC Programs Under Scrutiny After Watchdog Report Details $3.85M in Public Support

The NIH-backed University of Michigan grant, which integrated the civil rights organization's curriculum into middle school classrooms, has been discontinued by HHS and is under investigation by House Republicans.

By Eleanor Cross · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

Congress Leaves Washington Without Budget Deal as GOP Rebels Against Trump Anti-Weaponization Fund

The $1.776 billion compensation fund for former DOJ targets has split Senate Republicans, blocking ICE and Border Patrol funding heading into Memorial Day weekend.

By James Callahan · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

DNC Chair Ken Martin Faces Calls to Resign After Releasing Flawed 2024 Election Autopsy

The report, which critics say omits major issues like Gaza and Biden's age, has sparked internal party backlash with some Democrats demanding leadership change.

By James Callahan · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

JD Vance Vows Justice for Medicaid Fraudsters After $90 Million Minnesota Takedown

The DOJ charged 15 people in schemes that officials called two of the largest Medicaid fraud cases in Minnesota history and the largest autism fraud case ever brought federally.

By Marcus Webb · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

San Diego Muslim Community Vows Resilience After Mosque Shooting That Killed Three

Authorities are investigating the May 18 attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a white-supremacist hate crime, with two teenage suspects found dead.

By Eleanor Cross · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Policy Makers Push Phone Bans as Researchers Question Data Linking Screens to Teen Mental Health Decline

At least 37 states have enacted school phone bans following surgeon general warnings, but some studies suggest the causal link between screens and adolescent anxiety remains unproven.

By Diane Park · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

UN Expresses Grave Concern Over Afghan Taliban Marriage Decree With Child Marriage Provisions

Decree No. 18 allows a girl's silence to be interpreted as marriage consent and makes it harder for women to seek divorce than men.

By Marcus Webb · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy & Law

NOAA Predicts Below-Normal Hurricane Season as El Niño Develops

The agency forecasts an 8 to 14 named storms for the Atlantic basin, with El Niño conditions expected to suppress tropical storm formation.

By Eleanor Cross · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 3 min read
Policy & Law

Louisiana's Tough-on-Crime Policies Stand to Cost Taxpayers Millions More for Years to Come

The proposed $798 million corrections budget represents a 9% increase from fiscal year 2024, with experts projecting the prison population could double by 2034.

By Diane Park · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 5 min read