The retired neurosurgeon’s nomination raised eyebrows, given his lack of experience in the field, but the Senate voted 58-41 to confirm him.
Nation & World
Q&A: Education department transparency questioned after University of Alaska investigation
Because the Department of Education hasn’t been answering reporters’ questions, it’s unclear if the latest inactions are a temporary side effect of the Trump administration transition or an actual policy shift.
EPA budget cut could slow permits, slash grants
President Donald Trump’s first budget proposal is expected in mid-March, and it reportedly includes a 25 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s music to the ears of many Republicans, and many Alaskans, who feel the EPA has overstepped its bounds.
Alaska delegation gives good reviews on Trump speech
President Donald Trump gave a restrained speech Tuesday night to Congress. He said there were several issues Republicans and Democrats could agree on. Such as paid family leave and “to invest in women’s health, and to promote clean air and clear water, and to rebuild our military and our infrastructure.”
Racist assault at a child’s birthday party yields long prison terms in Georgia
The defendants, who have three children together, wept as a judge sentenced them to a combined 19 years in prison for their role in a white supremacist group’s rampage.
What 4 voters want to hear from President Trump in his address
Three voted for Trump, one did not. The St. Louis residents all battled to come back from job losses in the wake of the Great Recession, and that experience shaped their view of the new president.
Watch President Trump address Congress
President Trump will address a joint session of U.S. Congress at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Justice Department reverses position on Texas voter ID law case
The Trump Justice Department asked a federal court to dismiss the Obama DOJ’s earlier claim that the ID law was enacted with the intention of discriminating against minority voters.
Bush weighs in on Trump presidency, calling press ‘indispensable to democracy’
Former President George W. Bush repeatedly declined to criticize Obama or offer him unsolicited advice. But on NBC’s Today, Bush weighed in on President Trump’s travel ban, Russia and the media.
LGBTQ advocates fear ‘religious freedom’ bills moving forward in states
The Trump administration hasn’t taken action on its promises to protect religious liberties, which some see as opposing LGBTQ people. But some state legislatures are taking this as support.