By Anselm GibbsThe Associated Press PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — The government of Trinidad and Tobago said Dec. 15 that it would allow the U.S. military to access its airports in coming weeks as tensions build between the United States and Venezuela. The announcement comes after the U.S. military recently installed a radar system at the […]
Category: U.S. Government
Posted inEducation
Education Dept. scrambles as civil rights backlog explodes
The U.S. Department of Education is urgently recalling hundreds of Office for Civil Rights employees—fired during a March reduction-in-force—to return on Dec. 15 as unresolved civil rights complaints soar past 25,000. The sudden move follows months of staffing turmoil, ongoing litigation, and a near-collapse of OCR’s capacity, leaving students and families facing long delays in discrimination investigations.
Posted inPOLITICS
Justice Department again fails to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, AP source says
A second grand jury in a week has declined to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, dealing another major setback to the Justice Department’s efforts to revive a case championed by the 47th president. The repeated rejections underscore growing public skepticism toward the administration’s push to prosecute political opponents after a judge previously dismissed the charges over an illegal appointment of the prosecuting U.S. attorney.
Posted inNational News
Federal judge issues order to prohibit immigration officials from detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia
By Michael KunzelmanThe Associated Press BALTIMORE (AP) — A federal judge blocked U.S. immigration authorities on Dec. 12 from re-detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia, saying she feared they might take him into custody again just hours after she had ordered his release from a detention center. The order came as Abrego Garcia appeared at a scheduled […]
Posted inNational News
Dr. Rod Paige, the first African American to serve as secretary of education, dies at 92
The AFRO sends condolences to the family and all those who knew and loved Dr. Rod Paige, the first Black leader to serve as the secretary of education. Paige died at 92 years old on Dec. 9.
Posted inNational News
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett is running for the US Senate in Texas. Allred to seek House seat
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett has launched a bid for the U.S. Senate in Texas, entering a high-profile primary as Democrats look for long-shot gains in 2026 while former Rep. Colin Allred shifts his plans to seek a return to the U.S. House. Crockett, known for her outspoken style, faces state Rep. James Talarico in a race that comes as Republicans battle in a contentious primary to defend Sen. John Cornyn’s seat.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Trinidad and Tobago prime minister confirms U.S. Marines working on Tobago radar system
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed that U.S. Marines are working in Tobago on radar and airport upgrades, reversing earlier statements that no American military personnel were present. The disclosure comes amid growing regional U.S. military activity and questions about how the upgraded radar system may be used.
Posted inU.S. Government
Grand jury rejects new mortgage fraud indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James
The Justice Department failed to secure a new indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James after a judge dismissed the previous mortgage fraud prosecution, despite pressure from President Donald Trump to charge James and former FBI Director James Comey.
Posted inEducation
Advocate warns dismantling of Dept. of Education could harm Black and Brown students with disabilities
Advocates warn Black and Brown students with disabilities may face increased barriers and undiagnosed needs as the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education continues.
Posted inNEWS
47th president labels Somalis ‘garbage,’ urges them to go back to their homeland and fix it
The 47th president said he does not want Somali immigrants in the United States and urged them to return to Somalia, remarks that drew sharp criticism from Democratic leaders and local officials who said he was unfairly vilifying an entire immigrant community and stoking fear with legally dubious threats to revoke protections.
Posted inNational News
Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot in DC, the state’s governor says
Two West Virginia National Guard members shot near the White House on Nov. 26 have died, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said, as federal and local authorities continue to investigate the incident. A suspect in custody was also shot and injured, while the killings intensified scrutiny of the 47th president’s controversial deployment of National Guard troops in Washington.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
DC Mayor Bowser announces she won’t seek fourth term, as federal intervention continues
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she will not seek a fourth term as D.C. mayor after a turbulent year marked by federal intervention ordered by the White House. Her departure comes amid legal battles over the National Guard deployment, political criticism of her response to federal actions, and continued concerns about the District’s limited home rule.