Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years  —  An investigation by The New York Times found extensive evidence that the United Farm Workers co-founder groomed and sexually abused girls who worked in the movement.  —  Ana Murguia remembers the day the man …

One ‘freaking snake’ and no apologies: How the Mullin hearing went off the rails  —  The chairman opened the hearing with a provocative dare: Say it to my face.  Sen. Rand Paul, the Republican from Kentucky, has made clear he has little regard for President Donald Trump's nominee to lead …

FBI investigates intelligence aide who resigned over war  —  The Scoop  —  The FBI has opened a leak investigation into a top former intelligence official who resigned Tuesday in protest over the war in Iran.  —  The investigation into former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent …

Pentagon seeks more than $200 billion in budget request for Iran war  —  Some White House officials do not think the Pentagon's request has a realistic shot of being approved in Congress, one senior administration official said.  —  The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve …

U.S. Intelligence Saw No Change in Iran's Missile Capabilities Before War  —  On Wednesday, the director of national intelligence and C.I.A. director contradicted one of the justifications the Trump administration had given for its attacks on Iran.  —  Two top intelligence officials directly contradicted …

Exclusive: US weighs military reinforcements as Iran war enters possible new phase  —  President Donald Trump's administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East, as the U.S. military prepares for possible next steps in its campaign against Iran …

Trump's failed strong-arming of allies on Iran shows that pressure is losing its effect  —  We've long had your back, now it's our turn.  That is how the famously transactional U.S. President Donald Trump is framing his demands that allies help him with the Iran war.

Val Kilmer Resurrected by AI to Star in ‘As Deep as the Grave’ Movie — First Look (EXCLUSIVE)  —  Five years prior to his death in 2025, Val Kilmer was cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, in “As Deep as the Grave.”  But Kilmer, who was battling throat cancer, was too sick to ever make it to set.

Kiley switches parties, loses committees  —  Rep. Kevin Kiley, the former Republican who recently registered as an Independent, said in an interview Wednesday he plans to caucus with the House GOP and will seek to regain his committee assignments.  The California lawmaker was formally removed …

FBI and IRS to investigate nonprofit groups for domestic terrorism links, sources say  —  Add CBS News on Google  —  FBI and IRS agents are forming a new initiative to investigate nonprofit organizations over suspected possible links to domestic terrorism, sources briefed on the matter told CBS News.

Afroman Wins Verdict Rejecting Lawsuit Filed by Ohio Cops Over Mocking Music Videos  —  Police officers raided the “Because I Got High” rapper's Ohio home, then sued him after he ridiculed them on social media — but a jury just sided with Afroman. … Afroman won a jury verdict Wednesday …

The Most Gavin Newsom Thing Ever  —  I've been doing a lot of research on the explosive fraud in California, but with all the other news, I really haven't gotten around to writing about it.  Besides, Beege did a bang-up job with a piece yesterday, so I can take a breather until things settle down.

Illinois results solidify JB Pritzker's ‘powerhouse’ role — and set up a White House run  —  The Illinois governor sank money and political capital into an open Democratic Senate primary and came out a winner alongside Juliana Stratton, who won the race.  — ADD NBC NEWS TO GOOGLE

‘Warrants or bust’: House hard-liners deliver ultimatum ahead of spy powers vote … “Warrants or bust,” Boebert said, adding that a clean bill “will not pass.”  —  Separately, Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is demanding the House attach partisan elections legislation, the SAVE America Act …

Following Trump, Republicans in Congress Propose to Ban Most Voting by Mail  —  A restrictive voter I.D. bill under consideration in the Senate could severely limit mail-in voting.  Conservatives are pressing to end the practice outright, taking aim at an option that is widely used by voters.

Democrats face the possibility of a historic upset in California governor's race, poll finds  — 8 min Click here to listen to this article  — Two Republicans lead in California's gubernatorial primary, creating a historic possibility that both could advance to the general election …

Austin's Surge of New Housing Construction Drove Down Rents  —  Amid robust demand and a wave of policy reforms, Texas capital added 120,000 new homes from 2015 to 2024  —  After decades of explosive growth, Austin, Texas, in the 2010s was a victim of its own success.

Why This Jump in Gas Prices Feels Different  —  A state-by-state look at the increase and how it could affect you.  — 1.1k  —  Since the start of the war in Iran, the average price of gas in the United States has climbed by nearly a dollar.  —  In mid-February, gas cost around $2.90 per gallon.

Voters in a key Pennsylvania swing district weigh in on Trump, gas prices and Iran war  —  NBC News spoke to voters at a gas station in the 10th District, the type of area that will be key for Republicans to win in the midterms if they hope to retain control of the House majority.  — ADD NBC NEWS TO GOOGLE

House rejects effort to force a balanced budget in the US  —  Lawmakers rejected legislation Wednesday to compel the United States to maintain a balanced budget, a perennial pursuit of fiscal conservatives that stood little chance of becoming the law of the land.

Tim Scott says he will seek reelection in 2028, switching stance that '22 would be his last run  —  [+] Add Post and Courier News on Google  —  CHARLESTON — Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott will seek a third term in 2028, abandoning a long-stated pledge that his 2022 campaign would be his last.

British authorities seek DOJ's help in investigations into former Prince Andrew, Peter Mandelson … Rowley said “conversations” between investigators in the Met Police and the Justice Department and FBI have been happening for some time — though he declined to provide a timeline.

US downgraded in democracy index as press freedom concerns grow  —  Human rights Media Donald Trump Freedom of speech  —  “The speed with which American democracy is currently dismantled is unprecedented in modern history,” one of the world's top democracy researchers says in a new report.