Author: Karen Givens

A federal judge this weekend chastised the Trump administration and blocked the Health and Human Services Secretary, repeatedly calling the government “unserious” in a ruling that has sparked sharp reaction from conservatives who see judicial overreach and a threat to executive authority. The ruling landed like a thunderclap across Washington, and many Republicans say it raises serious questions about where the judiciary draws the line on appointments and policy. Conservative critics argue judges should not be substituting their preferences for those of elected officials, especially on matters that affect the functioning of an entire department. This case has become a…

Megyn Kelly pushed back hard against Jimmy Kimmel after he told Michelle Obama that it would be “embarrassing” and “shameful” for late-night hosts not to talk politics, pointing to a 1979 Johnny Carson clip that says the opposite. Jimmy Kimmel recently told Michelle Obama on her podcast that politics belong in late-night monologues and that ignoring them would be embarrassing. That stance drew a direct rebuttal from Megyn Kelly, who aired a tape of Johnny Carson explaining why entertainers should avoid turning their shows into political platforms. The clash reopened a debate about the role of late-night hosts in shaping…

Seattle cleared a park encampment earlier this week, but the same people returned in under a day, highlighting a cycle of cleanup without durable results. Seattle authorities cleared out a homeless encampment from a park earlier this week, only for the homeless to return within less than a day. That quick rebound shows enforcement alone, when paired with weak follow-through, simply displaces problems for a few hours. Residents and businesses see the same tents, trash, and hazards reappear, which erodes trust in city management. City crews can sweep an area clean and make headlines, but the root causes remain. When…

Good dog ownership relies on straightforward habits that protect pets and respect other people and spaces. Simple actions—consistent supervision, basic training, sanitation, and clear boundaries—prevent most problems before they start. When owners adopt predictable, responsible behavior, dogs and communities both enjoy fewer surprises and more pleasant days. Owning a dog is a social contract, not just a private pleasure, and that changes how you act around others. Responsible owners accept that their pet’s presence affects neighbors, public spaces, and shared routines. Treating dogs as part of a community means adopting predictable behaviors that make life easier for everyone involved. Leash…

Americans in their own towns are noticing big cultural shifts, and Dearborn, Michigan is a clear example of how rapid demographic change can reshape daily life. Walk through parts of Dearborn and longtime residents tell a simple story: the town they knew feels different. Stores, streets, and the rhythms of neighborhood life are evolving in ways that can make familiar places feel unfamiliar. For many people this is not an abstract debate about demographics, it is a daily experience that raises questions about community, identity, and local control. The transformation in Dearborn has been driven by a fast-growing Muslim population…

The leaders of France and the U.K. convened dozens of countries on Friday, excluding the United States, to advance plans aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route that has been constrained amid recent tensions involving the U.S. France and the United Kingdom took charge Friday, gathering dozens of nations to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States was notably absent. That absence was glaring given the strait’s central role in global energy flows and the broader security picture. The move signals both European urgency and a gap in transatlantic coordination at a sensitive…

Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway face off in a Thursday special election to fill the U.S. House seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill, and the race has become a clear choice about priorities, spending, and local accountability. Analilia Mejia will try to expand Democratic momentum in New Jersey as she and Republican Joe Hathaway compete in Thursday’s special election to fill the U.S. House seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill. Voters are seeing a tidy national narrative pushed by Democrats, while Hathaway is framing the contest around tax relief, local control, and practical solutions to everyday problems. This matchup is compact…

A man imprisoned for nearly 30 years before being exonerated won a landmark election in New Orleans, promising to fix a judicial system that failed him, and his victory is drawing attention from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and national GOP figures. Voters in New Orleans backed a rare political comeback when they elected someone whose life was upended by a wrongful conviction nearly 30 years ago. His campaign leaned on a simple message: personal experience with the system gives him a mandate to push real change. That narrative resonated in a city long critical of how justice is administered. The…

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill on Monday adding her state to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a move that would commit Virginia’s 13 electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the most votes nationwide, regardless of how Virginians themselves vote. The Virginia Republican Party called it “an unconstitutional assault on our democracy.” The signing was part of a busy Monday in which Spanberger, who leads a state government now controlled by a Democratic majority, signed hundreds of bills into law. She vetoed a few, relating to unregulated skill-gaming machines and a proposed Fairfax County casino, and sent…

Lawmakers in Washington on Wednesday pressed Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the acting Army Chief of Staff, for more details on why his predecessor was abruptly sacked earlier this month by Defense Secretar