Section
Government & Politics
Federal policy, Congress, and the agencies that shape the nation.
Federal and State Crews Brace for a Long, Dry Wildfire Season Out West
Forecasts point to elevated fire risk across the Mountain West, prompting early staffing and prepositioned resources.
Federal Agencies Get New Guidelines for Buying and Deploying AI
The guidance requires agencies to document risks, test for bias, and keep a human in the loop for consequential decisions.
Rural Broadband Buildout Reaches Communities That Waited Years for a Connection
Federal grants and state partnerships are stringing fiber to towns long stuck on slow or nonexistent service.
Agencies Settle Into a Hybrid Norm After Years of Return-to-Office Debate
Most federal offices have landed on two or three in-person days a week, a compromise that satisfies almost no one entirely but has largely held.
The VA Chips Away at Its Claims Backlog With Automation and New Hires
Faster processing has cut wait times for many veterans, though complex claims still move slowly through the system.
New Census Estimates Show the Sun Belt Still Pulling Americans South and West
Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas led population gains again, while several Northern metros continued a slow decline.
Governors and Washington Clash Over the Division of Immigration Duties
A fresh round of lawsuits tests where federal authority ends and state discretion begins, with border and interior states taking opposite sides.
The Postal Service Bets Its Future on a Modernized Delivery Network
A multiyear overhaul consolidates sorting hubs and rolls out a new vehicle fleet, promising faster mail but drawing scrutiny over rural service.
Lawmakers Press Tech Executives in a Marathon Oversight Hearing
A daylong session on data practices and platform safety produced sharp exchanges but no clear consensus on new federal rules.