Author: Mandy Matthews

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool needs more than patchwork fixes, and the bill is getting expensive fast. The Trump administration is paying $2.7 million to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool again, 10 weeks after the more than its $16 million renovation was completed. That follow-up payment raises clear questions about the procurement and oversight behind a high-profile federal renovation. The story is about stewardship of public monuments and taxpayer accountability. The reflecting pool sits at the heart of the National Mall and carries symbolic weight beyond its water and stone. When public projects fail so quickly, it undermines confidence…

Elon Musk’s political vehicle, America PAC, is aiming nearly $1 million at critical midterm races in its first wave of spending. That move signals a focused, money-in-play strategy tied to key contests and a belief that messaging and resources can shift outcomes in battleground districts. This first wave of spending is not random. It targets competitive races where dollars and direction can matter most, and it reflects a tactical approach to midterm politics that many on the right have pushed for, namely concentrating resources where they do the most work. The PAC’s choices will be watched closely because they reveal…

A preliminary government-based analysis finds President Trump has reduced the number of illegal immigrants in the country by 2.3 million since taking office, a figure released as part of a new report on Thursday. Official numbers being shared Thursday show a decline of roughly 2.3 million in the population classified as living in the country illegally since President Trump assumed the White House. The tally comes from a fresh, preliminary analysis of government data that tracks population estimates and migration trends. For Republicans who argued for stricter enforcement, this figure is a clear sign that policy changes and tougher border…

Jurors again reported they could not reach a verdict in the case over whether Lindsay Clancy is criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children, and the judge acted on the deadlock Wednesday. The trial centers on whether the defendant can be held criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children, a question that turns on both the facts presented and legal standards for responsibility. Jurors told the court for a second time that they were unable to agree on a verdict, a development that forces the judge and attorneys to consider next steps. The situation highlights how…

A vote for Democrats this November gives them license to wage war against and destroy the Supreme Court. The phrase above captures a real worry about the coming months: when one party treats the Supreme Court as an obstacle instead of a coequal branch, stability takes a hit. That worry is not just rhetorical. It is tied to specific proposals and political moves that have been discussed in public forums and by elected officials. People on the left have openly floated ways to reshape the court when it does not deliver outcomes they want. Proposals range from expanding the number…

Here’s a clear look at the major Supreme Court fights on the docket for 2026–2027 and what they mean for law, liberty, and who gets the final say in Washington. The upcoming term will center on classic federalism questions and whether the national government has overstepped its bounds. Conservatives are watching closely for rulings that could rein in the administrative state and restore clearer limits between federal and state power. The stakes include how much authority agencies like the EPA or IRS can exercise without fresh direction from Congress. Religious liberty cases are expected to be prominent, and many Republicans…

Short summary: Smart steps to keep strawberries fresh longer by controlling moisture, handling gently, and choosing the right storage setup. You bring home a box of strawberries, rinse them at the sink so they are ready to go, dry them off, and put them in the fridge. It feels like the responsible thing to do. It is also the single fastest way to invite mold and mushy fruit if you don’t take a few other precautions first. Strawberries are porous and sensitive to moisture, which means any lingering water shortens their shelf life. Washing before storage removes natural protective films…

A jury found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, marking the first conviction in a case that has gripped hip-hop fans for decades. The verdict closes a long, public chapter in a crime that shaped music culture and countless investigations. It also raises new questions about how cold cases are pursued and how witnesses come forward years after events. The trial presented testimony, witness statements, and a timeline that jurors weighed against decades of speculation. Prosecutors framed the case around orchestration and intent rather than just a single act, asking jurors…

The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to examine whether the Pentagon’s policy that effectively bars trans-identifying people from military service is lawful, with the Department of Justice asking the high court to weigh in on a rule the War Department says “generally disqualifies” those who have “gender dysphoria, a history […]”. The move brings the fight over medical standards, military readiness, and legal authority to the nation’s highest bench. The petition, filed by the Justice Department on behalf of the administration, seeks a clear ruling on whether the War Department can maintain medical and mental-health standards that exclude…

President Trump’s comment about towns turning away large data centers has sparked a debate over local choices, economic opportunity, energy needs, and how communities balance growth with practical concerns. President Trump on Monday said towns that reject big data centers will fumble the “Golden Goose” and end up poor. That blunt line has been picked up across the country as local officials weigh whether to welcome massive server farms or push them away. The comment frames the decision as a simple trade-off: short-term caution versus long-term economic opportunity. Data centers are not glamorous, but they are solid economic anchors that…