Government & Politics
More Georgia locations to offer medical cannabis after state commission awards more licenses to producers
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission unanimously granted provisional licenses to four more companies to produce low-THC oil to help Georgians with a list of severe ailments. The licenses will go to Fine Fettle GA, TheraTrue, Nature’s GA and Treevana Wellness. The companies will have access to Class 2 licenses, allowing them to grow […]
VA secretary says agency will cooperate with investigation into veterans crisis line
WASHINGTON — Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough sought to defend the veterans crisis line Wednesday in a letter to the Kansas senator who has raised concerns with how some veterans are treated after calling it. McDonough wrote in the three-page letter to Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran that the VA “takes any allegations […]
VA veterans crisis line to face new investigation by congressional watchdog agency
WASHINGTON — The Government Accountability Office plans to investigate multiple whistleblower allegations of “gross mismanagement” at the Department of Veterans Affairs veterans crisis line, following a request from Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, States Newsroom has learned. Moran, ranking member on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the VA secretary this week […]
Fulton prosecutors ask for protective order after leaked videos in 2020 election racketeering case
On Wednesday, a Fulton County Superior Court judge is set to consider District Attorney Fani Willis’ request for a court order prohibiting lawyers from releasing witnesses statements and other confidential evidence in the 2020 presidential election interference case. Judge Scott McAfee has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on an emergency motion filed […]
Tuberville blockade of military nominees could be evaded after move by U.S. Senate panel
WASHINGTON — The Democratic-led Senate Committee on Rules and Administration approved a resolution meant to bypass Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of hundreds of U.S. military nominees as he continues to protest a Pentagon abortion policy. The Rules Committee voted 9-7 along party lines to, in essence, temporarily change a Senate floor process to allow votes on large groups […]
U.S. House passes stopgap spending bill in bipartisan vote, in crucial test for new speaker
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House took a broadly bipartisan vote Tuesday to fund the government into the new year, though the measure must pass the Senate by the end of the week if Congress is going to avoid a partial government shutdown. The 336-95 House vote was the first major legislative test for Speaker Mike Johnson, the […]
As ‘March for Israel’ draws crowds to D.C., congressional leaders vow continued support
Members of both parties from both chambers of Congress spoke to tens of thousands of supporters of Israel in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, pledging to continue support for the U.S. ally’s war against Hamas even as concerns about the destruction in Gaza rise. Many speakers, including family members of Israeli and Israeli American victims, at […]
Oklahoma senator challenges Teamsters president to fight at U.S. Senate hearing
WASHINGTON — Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, challenged the head of the Teamsters union to a physical fight at a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday intended to showcase how labor unions are making families’ lives better. The tense confrontation at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing stemmed from acrimonious posts on social […]
State schools superintendent eyes revamped funding approach in 2024 Legislature
Public schools make up the biggest portion of Georgia’s state budget, so when lawmakers head to Atlanta each January to fund the government and pass new laws, education always has a prominent role. This January could see delivery on efforts to make students living in poverty a priority in the state’s funding formula, new pay […]
Congress nears another government shutdown deadline on Friday at midnight
WASHINGTON — Congress on Monday appeared to be on the edge of approving another short-term government funding bill this week, though several hurdles remain if lawmakers want to stave off a partial government shutdown when the current funding law expires at the end of the week. Democratic leaders and President Joe Biden expressed some skepticism […]
Brick and mortar reminders of Georgia’s mistreatment of psychiatric patients could be erased soon
Thousands of Georgians were once confined to the world’s largest mental institution, authorized by the state in 1837 as the “Lunatic, Idiot, and Epileptic Asylum.” The Milledgeville asylum’s miserable conditions were infamous with practices of the time like lobotomy and electroshock therapy as well as primitive tactics like metal cages, straitjackets and involuntary sterilizations. The […]
FBI director slams selection process for a new HQ in Maryland while lawmakers squabble
WASHINGTON — The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is rebuking the site selection process for its new headquarters, while members of Congress from Maryland and Virginia spar over whether politics are unfairly tipping the scales. FBI Director Christopher Wray wrote in a message to employees that he and others have “concerns about the fairness and […]