Mike Madigan
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Michael Madigan once controlled much of Illinois politics. Now the ex-House speaker heads to trial

Michael Madigan is charged in a multimillion dollar racketeering and bribery scheme, some involving Illinois’ largest utility. The Chicago Democrat was once considered the most powerful force in Illinois politics.

damaged building in Beirut after Israel attacks

Middle East latest: Fears of wider war in Middle East grow as Israel and Iran trade threats

The Middle East moved closer to a long-feared regional war Wednesday, a day after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel and Israel said it began limited ground incursions into Lebanon targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Israel said it intercepted many of the missiles, and officials in Washington said U.S. destroyers assisted in Israel’s defense. Iran said…

Vice Presidential debate
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Vance and Walz keep it civil in a policy-heavy discussion: VP debate takeaways

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice presidential hopefuls Tim Walz and JD Vance focused their criticism on the top of the ticket on Tuesday as they engaged in a policy-heavy discussion that may be the last debate of the 2024 presidential campaign. It was the first encounter between Minnesota’s Democratic governor and Ohio’s Republican senator, following last month’s debate between Vice President Kamala…

Tim Walz and JD Vance
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What to watch as JD Vance and Tim Walz meet for a vice presidential debate

ATLANTA (AP) — Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz will meet Tuesday in the lone vice presidential debate of the 2024 election, bringing together undercards who have spent two months going after each other and the opposing nominees who top the major-party tickets. The matchup, hosted by CBS News in New York, might not carry the same stakes as…

Hurricane Helene
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The Latest: Helene’s death toll rises to more than 100 as supplies rushed to isolated communities

A crisis unfolded in Asheville, North Carolina as officials pledged to get more water, food and other supplies to flood-stricken areas without power and cellular service Monday, days after Hurricane Helene ripped across the U.S. Southeast. The death toll from the storm surpassed 100. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said during a news conference Monday that the death toll in…

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson,
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Congress passes temporary bill to avoid shutdown as lawmakers punt spending decisions to December

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress on Wednesday passed a temporary measure that keeps government agencies funded into December, avoiding a shutdown for now while punting final spending decisions until after the Nov. 5 election. The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 78-18 shortly after the House easily approved it. The bill generally funds agencies…

Senate Republicans again block legislation to guarantee women’s rights to IVF
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Senate Republicans again block legislation to guarantee women’s rights to IVF

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have blocked for a second time this year legislation to establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization, arguing that the vote is an election-year stunt after Democrats forced a vote on the issue. The Senate vote was Democrats’ latest attempt to force Republicans into a defensive stance on women’s health issues…