Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna announced a House hearing on the CIA’s MKUltra program, which used mind control experiments during the Cold War. The hearing will take place on May 13 to review the program’s history and related documents recently declassified.
Key Facts
MKUltra was a CIA mind control program started in 1953 by Director Allen Dulles.
The program used methods like electroshock therapy, hypnosis, drugs, toxins, and radiation to alter behavior.
Some participants volunteered, some were coerced, and others were unaware they took part.
The program officially ended in 1963 after concerns about non-consensual experiments.
Many records were destroyed in 1973 on orders from the CIA director at the time.
New MKUltra documents were declassified and published in 2024.
The hearing on MKUltra is scheduled for May 13 and will be held by the House Oversight Taskforce.
Anna Paulina Luna is a Republican Congresswoman from Florida’s 13th district and chairwoman of the Task Force on Declassification of Federal Secrets.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Idaho state Representative John Gannon supports a new law called the "Rat Bill" to address the rising rodent problem in the state. He believes it is an important responsibility of the government to manage this pest issue.
Key Facts
Rodent populations are increasing in Idaho.
State Rep. John Gannon is pushing for legislation named the "Rat Bill."
The bill aims to help control rodent infestations.
Gannon says the government has a basic duty to handle pest problems.
The law is meant to protect communities from the effects of rodents.
The specific measures in the "Rat Bill" were not detailed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Cole Allen, the suspect accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, has agreed to stay in jail while awaiting trial. He faces several charges related to the shooting incident that occurred outside the event.
Key Facts
Cole Allen is charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump and two gun-related crimes from the shooting.
Allen made his first court appearance and has not yet pleaded to the charges.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 11.
Allen is held in a "safe cell" with 24-hour lockdown, a condition his lawyer asked the court to ease.
Law enforcement said Allen fired a shotgun near the dinner where President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Cabinet members, journalists, and Congress members attended.
A Secret Service officer was hit in the bulletproof vest but was not seriously hurt.
Prosecutors believe Allen planned the attack carefully and presented evidence including a photo of Allen armed with weapons and ammunition.
Allen’s lawyers stated he has no criminal record, is college-educated, works as a tutor, and is active in his church community.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Cole Allen, the man accused of trying to disrupt the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, has agreed to stay in jail until his trial. He faces three federal charges, including trying to assassinate President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
The incident took place at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Cole Allen is 31 years old.
He is accused of trying to violently disrupt the event.
He faces three federal charges related to the incident.
One of the charges is attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
Allen agreed to remain detained while waiting for his trial.
The WHCA dinner is a formal event for journalists and public officials.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has proposed extending the government’s surveillance powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for 45 days. This short-term extension aims to prevent these powers from ending at the close of Thursday.
Key Facts
The extension is for the surveillance authorities under FISA, specifically Section 702.
Section 702 allows certain warrantless spying for foreign intelligence purposes.
The current FISA surveillance authority was set to expire at the end of Thursday.
John Thune, a Republican senator from South Dakota, is leading this effort.
The proposal is intended as a temporary solution to avoid interruption of surveillance powers.
This move signals ongoing negotiations in Congress about the future of these surveillance authorities.
Surveillance under FISA is used to collect intelligence related to national security.
Without this extension, key intelligence tools could become unavailable.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Trump administration is appealing a court order that blocked Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to reduce vaccine recommendations for children. The court also paused changes to the vaccine advisory committee while the appeal is reviewed.
Key Facts
A judge stopped Health Secretary Kennedy from removing some vaccines from the recommended list for all U.S. children.
Vaccines affected include those for flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and RSV.
The judge also halted a meeting of the vaccine advisory committee that Kennedy had changed.
Kennedy fired the original 17-member vaccine advisory panel and replaced it with new members, including some who oppose vaccines.
A lawsuit by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups challenges Kennedy’s vaccine policy changes.
The administration waited six weeks before appealing the judge’s order.
The appeal follows updates to the committee's rules that could allow Kennedy’s allies to join.
The judge believes the changes to the vaccine panel by Kennedy likely broke federal law.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Louisiana is stopping its U.S. House elections after the Supreme Court ruled the state's congressional map was unconstitutional because it used race improperly in drawing districts. The governor delayed the elections so the state legislature can create a new district map.
Key Facts
Louisiana’s governor suspended U.S. House elections scheduled for May and June after a Supreme Court decision.
The Supreme Court said Louisiana’s map was an "unconstitutional racial gerrymander" for using race improperly.
Early voting was set to start soon, and some absentee ballots had already been sent.
Only House primaries are delayed; other elections and ballot measures will continue on schedule.
The governor and attorney general are working with the legislature to redraw district boundaries.
The redrawn map might reduce the number of majority-Black congressional districts in Louisiana.
President Trump supported the governor’s decision and praised similar efforts in Tennessee.
Lawmakers are expected to address redistricting before the legislative session ends on June 1.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Louisiana has postponed its congressional primary elections scheduled for May 16 because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a majority Black congressional district in the state. State leaders say they cannot hold the primaries using the current voting districts and are working to find a new plan.
Key Facts
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana.
Louisiana's May 16 congressional primaries will not happen as planned.
Early voting was set to start on Saturday before the primaries.
Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the suspension.
The state is legally blocked from holding elections with the current district map.
State officials are working with the legislature and Secretary of State to create a new plan.
Both Landry and Murrill are members of the Republican Party.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump repeated his claim that "86" is a mob term meaning "kill," in response to former FBI Director James Comey’s federal indictment over a social media post showing the numbers "86 47." Comey made his first court appearance after being charged with threatening the president through a now-deleted Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to read "86 47."
Key Facts
President Trump said "86" is a mob term for killing someone and claimed "86 47" means "kill President Trump."
James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury for threatening the president and transmitting a threat across state lines.
The indictment relates to an Instagram post Comey made showing seashells arranged as "86 47," which he captioned as a "cool shell formation."
Comey surrendered to law enforcement and appeared in court but did not enter a plea.
Dictionaries commonly define "eighty-six" as a term to refuse service or remove someone, not as a murder threat.
The origin of Trump’s claim about "86" being a mob term is unclear and not supported by known gangster movie scripts.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis researched the term and found no evidence linking "86" to violent threats.
The case has prompted debate over the meaning of Comey’s post and the legal response to it.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article says people can disagree with court decisions when they affect important freedoms. However, it also stresses that disagreements should be respectful and not harm the courts or judges.
Key Facts
It is acceptable to criticize judicial decisions that affect basic freedoms.
Disagreement should follow principles and remain respectful.
Threatening the courts or judges is not acceptable.
The integrity of the court system must be protected.
Judges and court staff should be kept safe from harm or threats.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Three teenagers in Kent, England, were sentenced to between five and seven years in custody for killing a man they believed was a pedophile. The victim, 49-year-old Alexander Cashford, was attacked on a beach after the teens lured him there through messages, leading to his death from multiple injuries.
Key Facts
The victims were three teenagers: a 16-year-old girl, a 16-year-old boy, and a 15-year-old boy.
They killed Alexander Cashford in August 2025 in Leysdown-on-Sea, Kent.
The girl and one 16-year-old boy were each sentenced to seven years; the 15-year-old boy was sentenced to five years in custody.
Cashford had given the girl his number at an arcade two days before the attack.
The attack involved chasing Cashford and hitting him with rocks and a bottle, causing more than 30 injuries.
The teenagers recorded the attack and shouted accusations of pedophilia at Cashford.
Cashford had previous convictions, including for stalking and driving offenses.
The teenagers will serve half their sentences in custody and the rest under supervision (licence).
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A conservative TV host questioned House Majority Leader Steve Scalise about rising gas prices in the United States. The cost of fuel has increased sharply, reaching its highest point in four years during the ongoing war involving Iran.
Key Facts
The TV host is conservative and appeared on the show ‘Squawk Box.’
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise represents Louisiana and is a Republican.
Gas prices in the U.S. have risen sharply recently.
The increase is linked to the war involving Iran, which has lasted over 60 days.
The national average price for gasoline hit its highest level in four years on the previous Tuesday.
The discussion between the host and Scalise occurred on a Thursday morning.
Rising fuel costs affect many Americans and are a key concern in U.S. politics.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The House of Representatives passed a large farm bill to continue agricultural and food programs for five more years. The bill faced disagreements among Republicans but passed with support from most Republicans and some Democrats.
Key Facts
The House passed the farm bill by a vote of 224 to 200.
209 Republicans and 14 Democrats voted in favor of the bill.
Some Republicans disagreed and voted against the bill.
Most Democrats did not support the bill, with 197 voting against it.
The bill reauthorizes farming and food assistance programs through the next five years.
The legislation faced delays due to arguments within the Republican party.
The bill’s passage means funding for agricultural policies will continue without interruption.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Trump administration proposed cutting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget in half and reducing many climate and environmental programs. Senate Democrats criticized the proposal for ignoring health and pollution problems and said it favors industry over public safety. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the cuts as making the agency more efficient and focused.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants to reduce the EPA budget to $4.2 billion, about half of current funding.
EPA staffing is at its lowest level in decades under Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The proposed budget cuts stop many climate change programs and cancel Biden-era environmental justice grants.
State environmental support and loans for water projects would be sharply reduced.
Democrats say the plan ignores pollution consequences like cancer and asthma.
Zeldin claimed the cuts make the EPA leaner and more accountable.
Zeldin faced tough questioning from Democrats during budget hearings, with heated exchanges.
Congress decides the final budget and has previously rejected most of Trump’s proposed EPA cuts.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new poll shows Rick Jackson and Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones are very close in the Republican race for governor in Georgia. With less than three weeks to go before the primary, Jackson has 27.2% support, and Jones is just 2.4 points behind.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Rick Jackson is a businessman and healthcare executive who joined the race in February.
Burt Jones is the current Lieutenant Governor of Georgia and a Republican.
Jackson leads the poll with 27.2% of support.
Jones is close behind, trailing by 2.4 percentage points.
The GOP primary for governor is scheduled in less than three weeks.
The race is described as very competitive or a "dead heat," meaning it is very close.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Rand Paul had a disagreement during a Senate session. The argument started when Cruz opposed Paul's request to transfer federal land to a local charity, and it escalated into a larger debate.
Key Facts
Senator Ted Cruz is a conservative Republican from Texas.
Senator Rand Paul is a Republican from Kentucky known for libertarian views.
Rand Paul requested unanimous consent to transfer federal land to a Boys & Girls Club.
Ted Cruz objected to this request, causing debate on the Senate floor.
The disagreement grew more intense beyond the initial land transfer issue.
The dispute took place during official Senate proceedings.
The land transfer involved only a few acres of federal property.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana must redraw its congressional districts, weakening a key part of the Voting Rights Act that protected against racial discrimination in voting. As a result, Louisiana postponed its May primaries and plans to create new electoral maps, with other southern states also considering changes before the midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decision stopped Louisiana from using its current voting districts for upcoming elections.
Louisiana postponed its May primary elections because the current maps are no longer valid.
The ruling effectively weakens Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prevents racial discrimination in drawing voting districts.
Louisiana’s Republican governor and attorney general said they will work with the state legislature to redraw the maps.
Other southern states like Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia may also redraw districts to change or remove districts represented by Black Democratic lawmakers.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision was mostly along party lines, with Justice Samuel Alito writing the majority opinion.
The ruling marks a major change in how race can be used in creating voting districts.
Louisiana’s redistricting could affect two districts currently held by Black Democrats.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Louisiana plans to redraw its congressional district maps before the 2026 midterm elections. This move follows a recent Supreme Court decision affecting part of the Voting Rights Act, and current maps are not allowed for upcoming elections.
Key Facts
Louisiana will change its congressional district boundaries before the 2026 midterm elections.
The change is prompted by a Supreme Court decision that impacted the Voting Rights Act.
The state is currently prohibited from using the existing congressional maps for elections.
State officials, including the governor, the legislature, and the Secretary of State, are working together on the new maps.
The update aims to comply with legal requirements and ensure valid elections next cycle.
This is an example of how court rulings can affect election procedures at the state level.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Speaker Mike Johnson must decide whether to bring a Senate-approved bipartisan bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a vote in the House. He faces pressure from both the White House and the Senate as the deadline approaches.
Key Facts
The bill funds most parts of the Department of Homeland Security.
The Senate has passed the bill with support from both parties.
Speaker Mike Johnson is considering whether to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote.
The decision comes amid growing pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration.
Johnson spoke briefly with reporters before the House session on Thursday.
The funding is important to avoid disruptions in DHS operations.
The House GOP holds a majority, so Johnson’s choice will affect the bill’s progress.
The situation is closely watched because DHS covers issues like border security and disaster response.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Americans in Philadelphia and Warren, Michigan are worried about high gas prices. On April 30, 2026, the average gas price in the U.S. was $4.30 per gallon, partly due to rising oil prices linked to possible U.S. military action in the Iran conflict.
Key Facts
The average gas price across the U.S. on April 30, 2026, was $4.30 per gallon.
Philadelphia and Warren, Michigan are among the cities where people expressed concern about gas costs.
Oil prices jumped to their highest level since 2022 following news about a planned military briefing for President Donald Trump on Iran.
Brent crude oil briefly rose about 7% to over $126 a barrel before decreasing.
The increase in oil prices is connected to potential new U.S. military actions involving Iran.
Rising gas prices are affecting daily life and industries dependent on fuel.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) provided the national gas price data.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
