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Trump Administration Policies Lead to NIH Funding Disruptions and Concerns Over Political Influence in Research Grants

Trump Administration Policies Lead to NIH Funding Disruptions and Concerns Over Political Influence in Research Grants

The Trump administration's policies have led to significant disruptions in the funding process at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency with a $47.5 billion budget, over 80% of which is allocated to grants. While Congress has maintained the NIH's budget and existing institutes, the administration's actions have caused delays in grant obligations. In fiscal year 2025, the NIH was approximately 44 days behind its average pace from 2021-2024, and 42 days behind through early July 2026. Jennifer Troyer, a former director at NIH, described a new 'Status 19' that grants would enter, leading to awards being flagged as 'not acceptable' by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Management and Budget, or the White House. These delays have also affected multi-year grants, with renewals often coming 90 or more days late, a rate four to six times higher than in previous years. Furthermore, a new system has flagged grants containing 'disfavored words' such as 'climate change,' 'DEI,' 'ge...
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Rep. Ro Khanna Discusses Democratic Party Fractures Amidst Rising DSA Popularity

Rep. Ro Khanna Discusses Democratic Party Fractures Amidst Rising DSA Popularity

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) has engaged in discussions regarding the internal divisions within the Democratic Party, specifically addressing the increasing popularity of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and growing discontent with billionaires. This conversation comes as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a 'Free Enterprise Express' bus tour to promote free market capitalism, indicating a broader ideological battle in the country. Khanna's insights shed light on the evolving political landscape within the Democratic Party, where progressive movements are gaining traction and challenging traditional party stances. The discussions also touched upon President Trump's support for a full or partial ban on diesel exports, the potential appointment of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as the next White House AI czar, and the Trump administration's removal of approximately 760,000 Obamacare enrollments due to alleged fraud.
Asheville Citizen-TimesAsheville Citizen-Times
What to know about mail-in voting for the 2026 midterms

What to know about mail-in voting for the 2026 midterms

The Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from imposing new rules on mail-in voting before the November midterm elections. That means nothing has changed for voters — and mail-in voting can proceed as planned.
USA TodayUSA Today
Mother of Renee Good, ICE shooting victim, says she voted for Trump

Mother of Renee Good, ICE shooting victim, says she voted for Trump

Renee Good’s mother, Donna Ganger, said that she had voted for Trump and believed that federal immigration officers would “protect” Americans.
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Connecticut Residents Face Rising Home Heating Costs, Rep. DeLauro Attributes Increases to President Trump's Iran Policy

Connecticut Residents Face Rising Home Heating Costs, Rep. DeLauro Attributes Increases to President Trump's Iran Policy

Connecticut residents are bracing for a significant increase in home heating costs this winter, with projections indicating a 30% rise for heating oil, a 9% increase for electric heating, and a 6% hike for natural gas. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) has attributed these escalating prices directly to President Trump's policies concerning Iran, specifically citing the impact on oil production in the Strait of Hormuz. According to DeLauro, the Strait, which previously handled 7 to 8 million gallons of oil daily, is now producing only about 2 million gallons, leading to a supply shortage. President Trump, however, has downplayed the higher costs, suggesting they are a necessary price to pay to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The future of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which assists nearly 6 million households nationwide, including over 90,000 in Connecticut, remains uncertain as President Trump has repeatedly proposed its termination.
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Sylvester Stallone Issues Warning to President Trump Regarding Hollywood Ambassador Role

Sylvester Stallone Issues Warning to President Trump Regarding Hollywood Ambassador Role

Actor Sylvester Stallone has revealed he issued a warning to President Trump after being appointed as a Hollywood special envoy in 2025. Stallone, along with Mel Gibson and Jon Voight, was named by President Trump as a special ambassador to Hollywood, a move intended to 'help' the film industry. Despite being a supporter of President Trump and his MAGA movement, Stallone admitted he was not fond of the role. He expressed his concerns to President Trump, stating that the job was 'not possible' and that Hollywood is a corporate environment where his financial advice would not be welcomed. Stallone also highlighted the fragmented nature of Hollywood, describing it as 'feudal states,' making it difficult for one person to dictate operations to multiple studios. President Trump had announced these appointments in January 2025, aiming to bring Hollywood business back to the U.S., envisioning a 'Golden Age of Hollywood' with these envoys serving as his 'eyes and ears.'
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Jon Stewart Criticizes President Trump's White House Media Ban, Suggests 'Presidenting Better'

Jon Stewart Criticizes President Trump's White House Media Ban, Suggests 'Presidenting Better'

Jon Stewart, host of 'The Daily Show,' has publicly criticized President Trump's decision to ban three major media outlets—CNN, MS NOW, and Politico—from the White House. The ban, announced by President Trump on September 18, stems from his assertion that these outlets consistently publish 'FICTION and LIES' when covering his administration and the United States. Stewart, during his September 21 show, responded to a clip of President Trump complaining about negative press by suggesting, 'Have you tried presidenting better?' He further elaborated that President Trump could either ban the press or 'be a better... president' to provide the media with more positive material. This sentiment was echoed by Jimmy Kimmel on his show, who also condemned the ban as an attack on press freedom and un-American. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle, in a statement, dismissed both Stewart and Kimmel as 'no-talent losers' who spew 'disgusting lies.'
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President Trump Administration Accused of Attempting to Control U.S. Historical Narratives

President Trump Administration Accused of Attempting to Control U.S. Historical Narratives

The President Trump administration is facing accusations of a concerted effort to control and reshape the narrative of U.S. history, particularly through its interactions with the Smithsonian Institution and other national historical sites. Lonnie G. Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian, resigned amidst intense criticism from President Trump and Republican politicians who deemed the institution's focus on diverse historical perspectives as 'woke.' In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order, 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,' which criticized the Smithsonian for promoting 'divisive, race-centered ideology' and narratives that portray American values negatively. This order instructed Vice President JD Vance to remove 'improper ideology' from Smithsonian displays. The administration also attempted to fire Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, and conducted a 'comprehensive internal review' of several Smithsonian museums to ensure alignment with a narrative of 'A...
ReutersReuters
Trump meets Venezuela's Rodriguez for first time since Maduro's capture

Trump meets Venezuela's Rodriguez for first time since Maduro's capture

By Luc Cohen and Marianna Parraga NEW YORK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump met Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez late on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, their first meeting since American forces captured then-President Nicolas Maduro in a January raid.
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President Trump Considers Diesel Export Ban Amid Soaring Prices, Experts Warn of Negative Repercussions

President Trump Considers Diesel Export Ban Amid Soaring Prices, Experts Warn of Negative Repercussions

President Trump is considering a ban on U.S. diesel exports in response to record-high diesel prices, which have surged 83% this year. Republican lawmakers, including Senator Chuck Grassley and Representative Tim Burchett, have publicly called for an embargo on diesel exports to alleviate the financial strain on sectors like farming. President Trump has indicated his support for halting exports, stating, “I’ve said let’s not send out the diesel.” This consideration comes as diesel, a critical fuel for transportation and industry, has seen its price spike above $6.50 a gallon, nearing inflation-adjusted highs not seen since 2008. The price surge is attributed to a combination of factors, including the Iran war disrupting Middle Eastern diesel exports, Ukrainian drone strikes impacting Russian refineries, and export restrictions from Russia and China.
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House Freedom Caucus Faces Transformation as Key Members Depart, Signaling Potential Shift in GOP Ideology

House Freedom Caucus Faces Transformation as Key Members Depart, Signaling Potential Shift in GOP Ideology

The House Freedom Caucus, an influential group of conservative lawmakers, is undergoing a significant transformation as at least ten of its current members will not return for the next term. This exodus includes prominent figures who have been central to the caucus's identity and legislative strategies. Formed over a decade ago by Tea Party-aligned conservatives, the group aimed to push the Republican party further right on fiscal and social policies. Its influence has persisted, with several founders and members, such as Mick Mulvaney, Mark Meadows, and John Fleming, rising to senior roles within President Trump's administration. The departure of these members, including Rep. Chip Roy of Texas and Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, raises questions about the future direction and impact of the caucus within the Republican party. Historically, the caucus has leveraged parliamentary maneuvers to influence legislation and challenge Republican leadership, advocating for a return to a more traditional, member...
AP NewsAP News
The Latest: Trump says US and Iran met shortly after he threatened annihilation in UN speech

The Latest: Trump says US and Iran met shortly after he threatened annihilation in UN speech

President Donald Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials have met, shortly after he threatened in his address to the U.N. General Assembly that he may “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if a deal isn’t reached soon to end nearly seven-month war