Government shutdown begins: Live updates as shutdown takes effect

The U.S. government is under its first federal government shutdown in almost seven years as Senate Democrats have voted down a Republican bill to keep funding the government.

Government shutdown starts: Here's what closes during a shutdown

The U.S. government shut down early Wednesday morning after Congress failed to pass a funding bill. Here’s what it means for federal workers, key services, and everyday Americans.

Clearwater council rejects proposal to rename street after Charlie Kirk

At Monday’s Clearwater City Council meeting, Council Member Ryan Cotton proposed renaming Court Street, a two-mile main artery running through downtown, to "Charlie Kirk Way."

Proposed budget cuts could impact NOAA during peak hurricane season

As Florida braces for the most dangerous part of hurricane season, concerns are growing over potential cuts to the agencies that track and forecast severe weather.

Americans favor compromise from politicians to get things done in government, poll shows

A recent poll shows that while Americans prefer for lawmakers to compromise to accomplish tasks in government, others admit that their own members of Congress opt to cling to their beliefs.

Trump, Netanyahu meet at White House amid calls to end war in Gaza

Days after rejecting international calls to end the war in Gaza during a U.N. address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Trump says Portland is next city where he's sending troops

President Donald Trump said he’s sending troops to Portland, Oregon, expanding his controversial deployments to more American cities and “authorizing Full Force, if necessary."

Sherrill blasts Trump, Ciattarelli over ‘illegal’ release of military records

Sherrill claims the Trump administration illegally released Mikie Sherrill’s unredacted Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) to Nicholas De Gregorio.

RFK Jr. launches FDA safety review of abortion pill mifepristone

The Food and Drug Administration will review the safety of mifepristone, the most widely used abortion drug in the U.S, at the request of Republican-led states.

Justice Department sues six more states in push for voter data

States are objecting to the DOJ’s request for voters’ personal information and have and have promised to challenge it.

House meets threshold to force vote on Epstein files

A special election in Arizona gives the U.S. House enough support to force a vote that could compel the Justice Department to release all of its files on Jeffrey Epstein.

DOJ seeks to indict former FBI Director James Comey

Trump sees Comey as one of his biggest political adversaries, and has long sought retribution for the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Florida school official faces state review over Charlie Kirk social media post

Alachua County School Board Vice Chair Tina Certain has been summoned to appear before the state Board of Education in November after posting critical comments about conservative media personality Charlie Kirk on social media.

Nearly 8 in 10 voters say the US is in a 'political crisis': survey

A new Quinnipiac University national poll found that 79% of surveyed voters believe the U.S. is in a "political crisis" following the recent assassination of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk.

Sen. Ashley Moody visits Treasure Island days before Hurricane Helene anniversary

U.S. Senator Ashley Moody continued her push for hurricane safety legislation Wednesday afternoon in Treasure Island as she touted the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act," during a press conference.