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Waymo robotaxis approved to expand across 18 California counties

Waymo robotaxis approved to expand across 18 California counties

Waymo received state approval to expand its autonomous ride-hailing service across 18 California counties, paving the way for gradual growth into dozens of new cities.
AP News AP News
The Latest: Byron Donalds and David Jolly will compete to replace Ron DeSantis as Florida governor

The Latest: Byron Donalds and David Jolly will compete to replace Ron DeSantis as Florida governor

Voters in the Alabama, Florida, and Wyoming primary are deciding which candidates to advance to the general election in races for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House
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President Trump Denounces New York Luxury Second-Home Tax as 'Dangerous Political Experiment'

President Trump Denounces New York Luxury Second-Home Tax as 'Dangerous Political Experiment'

President Trump has publicly criticized Zohran Mamdani’s proposed New York luxury second-home tax, labeling it a 'dangerous political experiment' and threatening to block its implementation. Despite this public disagreement, President Trump and Mayor Mamdani have maintained communication, cooperating on housing and immigration cases. Their continued dialogue was highlighted by a 'warm White House meeting' in February. This interaction suggests that President Trump may hold more respect for politicians who openly challenge him rather than those who avoid confrontation. The proposed tax is part of a broader discussion on global inequality, which was a key topic in the G20’s first-ever inequality report. This report warned that the growing disparity between the rich and poor poses a threat to democracy and social cohesion, while also hindering efforts to address climate change. The context of this tax also involves a California referendum on a one-off 5% levy on residents worth over $1 billion, a measure that...
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President Trump Faces 25th Amendment Calls Following Bizarre Social Media Post

President Trump Faces 25th Amendment Calls Following Bizarre Social Media Post

President Trump has ignited new calls for his removal from office after posting a surreal, AI-generated video on social media. The video depicted him strolling through a supposedly completed White House ballroom alongside a digital representation of George Washington, who has been deceased for 226 years. In the accompanying caption, President Trump invoked an imaginary conversation with Washington, stating, “Thank you, George, for some of your brilliant ideas on this great Military Complex/Ballroom! President DJT.” This post drew a mix of alarm and mockery, with California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring President Trump unfit for office and calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment, which outlines the constitutional process for removing a president unable to discharge their duties. The post also highlighted President Trump's ongoing $927 million ballroom project, which has already involved the demolition of the historic East Wing of the White House. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Colu...
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California Ranks in Top 10 for Women's Equality Amidst Broader U.S. Disparities

California Ranks in Top 10 for Women's Equality Amidst Broader U.S. Disparities

California has secured a spot in the top 10 states for women's equality, ranking ninth in a study conducted by the personal-finance company WalletHub. This report, released ahead of Women's Equality Day on August 26, compared all 50 states across 17 key metrics, including gaps in executive positions, unemployment rates, and income between women and men. While California performed well, the U.S. as a whole ranks 43rd globally for gender equality. The study highlighted that in nearly every state, women earn less than men, with Maryland having the smallest gap (1.40% less) and Utah the largest (26.90% less). Additionally, women represent the highest share of minimum-wage workers in most states, and male lawmakers generally outnumber female counterparts in state legislatures.
USA Today USA Today
Rep. Jimmy Gomez accused of sexual assault amid Capitol Hill reckoning

Rep. Jimmy Gomez accused of sexual assault amid Capitol Hill reckoning

The Democrat has admitted to making "personal mistakes" outside his marriage but insisted the encounters were "consensual in nature."
Westchester County Journal News Westchester County Journal News
New York ranks among the best states for women's equality

New York ranks among the best states for women's equality

New York ranked No. 11 nationally for women's equality, according to a new study examining workplace, education, health and political disparities.
Trendline Trendline
Representatives Bynum and Kim Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Loosen Credit Union Investment Rules

Representatives Bynum and Kim Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Loosen Credit Union Investment Rules

Representatives Bynum and Kim Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Loosen Credit Union Investment Rules
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Connie Chan's Congressional Campaign Faces Scrutiny Over Endorsers' Stock Trading Records

Connie Chan's Congressional Campaign Faces Scrutiny Over Endorsers' Stock Trading Records

Supervisor Connie Chan, a candidate for Congress, is advocating for a ban on congressional stock trading, specifically supporting the 'Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks Act.' However, her campaign is facing criticism because two of her prominent endorsers, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Ro Khanna, have reported significant stock trading volumes. According to a New York Times analysis, Representative Khanna's portfolio traded shares valued between $24 million and $147 million, managed through a family trust. Former House Speaker Pelosi has reported trades between $18 million and $84 million, overseen by her husband, Paul Pelosi. Both Representative Khanna and former House Speaker Pelosi are among the members of Congress with the highest reported stock-trading activity, despite their stated support for regulating the practice. State Senator Scott Wiener, Chan's opponent, has questioned the consistency of her 'working families' candidate branding given these endorsement...
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Representative Jared Huffman Warns Against Christian Nationalism's Threat to American Democracy

Representative Jared Huffman Warns Against Christian Nationalism's Threat to American Democracy

U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, a Democrat from California and co-founder of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, has issued a stark warning regarding the growing influence of Christian nationalism in American politics. Huffman, who is the only self-described humanist in Congress, argues that this movement poses a significant threat to the foundations of American democracy. He contends that Christian nationalism and the Republican Party have become intertwined, suggesting that the attempted coup on January 6, 2021, was fundamentally a religious event, radicalized by groups like the New Apostolic Reformation. Huffman criticizes the 845-page select committee report on January 6 for allegedly omitting the role of Christian nationalism due to intervention from Liz Cheney, stating that this omission leaves the nation less secure.
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Representative Mark Takano Introduces Bill to Mandate Disclosure for Paid Political Social Media Posts

Representative Mark Takano Introduces Bill to Mandate Disclosure for Paid Political Social Media Posts

Representative Mark Takano, a Democratic lawmaker, has introduced a House companion bill to the federal PAID Act. This legislation aims to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act, requiring clear disclaimers on social media posts when a political committee or candidate pays an individual to create and share political content. The bill seeks to extend existing campaign finance rules, traditionally applied to television and radio advertisements, to the realm of social media influencers and content creators. This initiative comes as campaigns increasingly utilize paid endorsements from creators, a practice that currently falls into a regulatory gap where neither the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) nor the Federal Election Commission (FEC) consistently mandates disclosure. The FTC's Endorsement Guides cover commercial speech, but the FEC has not required disclosure for influencers posting political content for a fee, leaving this area largely unregulated.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
New York women's equality ranking: See how the state compares

New York women's equality ranking: See how the state compares

New York ranked No. 11 among the 50 states for women's equality, according to a new study examining workplace, education, health and political factors.