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Exclusive-Rubio warns top staff against conflicts of interest as Republicans look to 2028

Exclusive-Rubio warns top staff against conflicts of interest as Republicans look to 2028

By Gram Slattery, Humeyra Pamuk and Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has moved to tighten control over the State Department, telling senior officials that staff must stay in their lanes and avoid actions that present conflicts of interest, four people
ReutersReuters
Democrats eye Musk, Miller probes after midterm rout

Democrats eye Musk, Miller probes after midterm rout

By Tim Reid WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Tech megabillionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump's newly appointed White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller, will likely be targets of congressional probes when Democrats take control of Congress in January, a senior lawmaker said on Sunday.
ReutersReuters
Democrats plan probes of Musk, Miller, corporate America after midterm rout

Democrats plan probes of Musk, Miller, corporate America after midterm rout

By Tim Reid WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Tech megabillionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump's newly appointed White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller, and some large companies will likely be targets of congressional probes when Democrats take control of Congress in January, senior
ReutersReuters
How the US was left exposed to the flesh-eating screwworm, years into the outbreak

How the US was left exposed to the flesh-eating screwworm, years into the outbreak

MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - For decades, planes dropped billions of factory-bred sterile flies to keep the flesh-eating New World screwworm out of North America’s cattle. That controls the pest because sterile males mate with wild females – whose eggs then fail to hatch.
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USDA Announces $472.5 Million Food Purchase to Support Domestic Producers and Food Banks

USDA Announces $472.5 Million Food Purchase to Support Domestic Producers and Food Banks

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to purchase up to $472.5 million worth of domestically produced food. This initiative aims to support American agricultural producers while simultaneously providing essential food supplies to food banks and other federal nutrition assistance programs. The planned purchases encompass a wide range of products, including $165.5 million in dairy products, $41 million in pork, and $20 million each in chicken and farm-raised catfish. Additionally, the USDA will acquire rice, legumes, various fruits, nuts, and Pacific whiting. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that these purchases are designed to benefit both the agricultural sector and individuals facing food insecurity. The Agricultural Marketing Service, a division of the USDA, will be responsible for procuring these products, which will then be distributed through charitable organizations and federal nutrition assistance channels across the country. This action comes as part of broader efforts to st...
ReutersReuters
Exclusive-Rubio seeks to impose order at State as Republicans look ahead to 2028

Exclusive-Rubio seeks to impose order at State as Republicans look ahead to 2028

By Gram Slattery, Humeyra Pamuk and Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has moved to tighten control over the State Department, telling senior officials in a recent meeting that staff must stay in their lanes and avoid efforts that present conflicts of
USA TodayUSA Today
'Hit the ground running.' Democrats plan numerous investigations of Trump

'Hit the ground running.' Democrats plan numerous investigations of Trump

Democrats plan widespread congressional investigations of Trump on subjects including the Iran war, tariffs, immigration and pet construction projects
USA TodayUSA Today
Inside how Trump's migrant detention warehouse plan fell apart

Inside how Trump's migrant detention warehouse plan fell apart

The federal government bought massive warehouses for detention centers before answering basic questions about sewage, safety and local support.
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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Unveils USDA Data Modernization Plan at Farm Progress Show

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Unveils USDA Data Modernization Plan at Farm Progress Show

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins introduced the USDA's proposed data modernization plan at the 2026 Farm Progress Show. This initiative aims to enhance technological advancements already in use across the USDA, including satellite-based crop monitoring, geospatial analysis, cloud-based platforms, and improved online reporting tools. The plan also seeks to better coordinate the use of existing administrative data. According to Secretary Rollins, a key objective is to build trust and transparency with farmers by safeguarding producer privacy, clearly explaining data requests and usage, and providing avenues for farmer feedback. Iowa farmer Lance Lillibridge expressed encouragement regarding the USDA's efforts, noting that farmers are actively involved in the process and that improvements to agricultural data collection have long been necessary due to a perceived lack of trust in current reporting methods. Lillibridge emphasized the importance of accurate reporting for food and national security, stating ...
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USDA Presses Judge to Lift Stay on 2,600 Employee Relocations Amid Operational Hindrances

USDA Presses Judge to Lift Stay on 2,600 Employee Relocations Amid Operational Hindrances

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to lift a stay that is currently blocking the relocation of approximately 2,600 employees. Justice Department attorneys, representing the USDA, argue that the October 13 stay "significantly hinders USDA’s operations across the board." This order stems from a lawsuit filed by labor unions, non-profits, and local governments, who contend that the relocation plans are a veiled attempt to reduce the workforce and bypass congressional reorganization safeguards. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz stated in a court declaration that the order impedes the agency's ability to fill 25 critical fire management officer positions and 10 director posts across its 14 avalanche centers, jeopardizing wildland firefighting oversight and avalanche season preparedness. The proposed relocations are part of a broader reorganization effort under the second Trump term, which aims to move employees, though the current s...
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Representative Bobby Scott Demands Federal Agencies Preserve Records Amidst Trump Administration Scrutiny

Representative Bobby Scott Demands Federal Agencies Preserve Records Amidst Trump Administration Scrutiny

Representative Bobby Scott, the top Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee and expected incoming Chair, has issued a stern warning to 10 federal departments and agencies under the committee's jurisdiction. Scott is demanding written assurances that these agencies will not destroy or conceal government records, emphasizing that officials who violate the law could face imprisonment. This directive comes as Democrats anticipate using their congressional majorities for vigorous oversight. Scott's letters, sent shortly after the election, specifically remind agency leaders of their legal obligations under the Federal Records Act of 1950. This act mandates that all executive branch departments and agencies collect, retain, and preserve records documenting 'the transaction of public business' or containing 'informational value.' The agencies targeted include the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), signa...
Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Trump Launches Triumphal Arch Website Right As Judge Blocks Construction

Trump Launches Triumphal Arch Website Right As Judge Blocks Construction

The president's latest vanity project is already on the ropes