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U.S. Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director on narrow 51-49 vote
Approved, National, National Review

U.S. Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director on narrow 51-49 vote

By James Lynch | National Review The Senate confirmed Kash Patel Thursday to be the next director of the FBI, setting in motion President Donald Trump’s plans to overhaul the agency after years of scandal tarnished its reputation. Patel was confirmed 51 to 49, with GOP Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democrats in opposing the confirmation. Senator Mitch McConnell, who cast the lone Republican vote against several of Trump’s other cabinet nominees, voted to confirm Patel. The Senate voted 51-47 earlier Thursday to break the filibuster on Patel’s nomination, setting the stage for the confirmation vote. Patel’s confirmation took place during a tumultuous time for the Justice Department, as several top prosecutors resigned over the Trump administra...
Federal Trade Commission launches probe into big tech’s censorship of Americans
Approved, National, The Daily Caller

Federal Trade Commission launches probe into big tech’s censorship of Americans

By Amber Duke | Daily Caller The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is opening up an official request for public comments on censorship by Big Tech companies. The agency is asking Americans to detail cases where they’ve faced consequences from companies for engaging in disfavored political speech, according to a draft document obtained by the Daily Caller. Requests for public comments by the FTC are often a precursor to formal investigations or agency-level policy changes, indicating the agency, helmed by Chairman Andrew Ferguson, does not intend to allow sweeping allegations of political censorship in prior years to go unchecked. “In case there was any doubt, Big Tech is on notice. We do not intend to take our foot off the gas any time soon. The days of censorship and monopolies are ...
U.S. tells Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy to ‘tone down the criticism and sign that deal’
Approved, Daily Mail, National

U.S. tells Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy to ‘tone down the criticism and sign that deal’

By  MIRIAM KUEPPER | Daily Mail The White House is telling Volodymyr Zelensky to 'tone down' the criticism and 'sign that deal' after he accused Donald Trump of falling for Russian fake news. White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Fox News on Thursday that Zelensky must 'tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal.' He was referring to a critical minerals deal for providing aid to Ukraine during the war with Russia. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DAILY MAIL
HB 1040, adding nuclear to state’s clean energy definitions, gains bipartisan support
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

HB 1040, adding nuclear to state’s clean energy definitions, gains bipartisan support

'If Colorado wants to boost our economy, this is a serious conversation to have' — Rep. Ty Winter By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice A proposal to include nuclear energy in two statutory definitions of clean energy has passed the Colorado House on second reading. House Bill 25-1040 is a bipartisan measure by Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, and Ty Winter, R-Las Animas, with the goal of adding nuclear to "clean energy" definitions, enabling financing. "This does not bring nuclear energy to Colorado," Valdez said, who founded one of Colorado's largest and now defunct solar energy companies in 2008. "This designates it as clean energy." The bill would include nuclear, in definition, alongside solar, wind and other clean energy. "If Colorado wants to boost our economy, this is...
10th Circuit sends bill for cleaning up old Colorado mine back to court
Approved, Courthouse News Service, State

10th Circuit sends bill for cleaning up old Colorado mine back to court

By Amanda Pampuro | Courthouse News Finding an oil company’s suit timely if categorized as a contribution action, the 10th Circuit on Wednesday revived a claim asking for a century-old mine’s previous owner to pitch in on a $63.7 million environmental cleanup bill. "Actions for contribution and cost recovery entail separate statutes of limitations,” wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Robert Bacharach in a 15-page opinion. “Choosing between the two options, the district court applied the statute of limitations for cost-recovery actions. We disagree, concluding that the limitations period for contribution actions should apply.” Atlantic Richfield Company initially sued NL Industries in 2020, seeking to recoup cleanup costs for silver mines in southwest Colorado under the Comprehensi...
U.S. Senate panel advances Linda McMahon’s nomination to Dept. of Education to the floor
Approved, National, Washington Examiner

U.S. Senate panel advances Linda McMahon’s nomination to Dept. of Education to the floor

By Samantha-Jo Roth | Washington Examiner A key panel advanced the nomination of Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Education Department, voting 12-11 to send her nomination to the Senate floor. The nomination of the former Small Business Administration director and a longtime Trump ally advanced along party lines, with all Republicans voting in support and all Democrats voting against it.  McMahon affirmed during her confirmation hearing last week that shutting down the Department of Education would require congressional approval but also made it clear during her testimony that if confirmed by the Senate she intends to carry out the president’s vision. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER...
Struggling Colorado restaurants seek legislative help in rolling back key regulation
Approved, State, The Sum & Substance

Struggling Colorado restaurants seek legislative help in rolling back key regulation

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance A Colorado restaurant industry battered by increasing costs and regulations will ask legislators Thursday to help it in a way that officials believe can make a huge difference — reducing wage requirements on its already highly compensated bartending and wait staff. In doing so, groups like the Colorado Restaurant Association will find themselves in a decidedly different position than they’ve occupied for several years, when they’ve rallied sector workers to fend off proposed regulations like the 2023 “Fair Workweek” bill. And in seeking proactive help, they’ve amassed a coalition that includes both conservative small-government Republicans and liberal pro-labor Democrats who believe the existing stream of eatery closings will grow into a ragin...
Former Leader McConnell won’t seek eighth term in the U.S. Senate
Approved, National, THE HILL

Former Leader McConnell won’t seek eighth term in the U.S. Senate

By Al Weaver | The Hill Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday announced that he is not seeking reelection in 2026, bringing an end to the longest-serving Senate leader’s political career. McConnell, one of the leading and most impactful GOP figures of the past half-century, revealed his decision in a floor speech in the chamber where he has served since 1985. “Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell said. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE HILL
‘DEI here at HUD is dead’: Sec. Turner cancels $4M in DEI contracts after launching DOGE task force
Approved, Fox News, National

‘DEI here at HUD is dead’: Sec. Turner cancels $4M in DEI contracts after launching DOGE task force

By Taylor Penley  | Fox News The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be canceling $4 million in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) contracts after the federal agency's freshly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force uncovered $260 million in savings last week, Secretary Scott Turner exclusively announced Thursday on Fox News. "We're working hard, and we will cut $4 million in DEI-focused contracts," he said during an appearance on "FOX & Friends."  "This is money that should go to serve the American people… so DEI here at HUD is dead." READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX NEWS
Davidson: If the drug cartels are terrorist groups, Mexico is their state sponsor
Approved, Commentary, The Federalist

Davidson: If the drug cartels are terrorist groups, Mexico is their state sponsor

By John Daniel Davidson | Commentary, The Federalist News broke Wednesday that the State Department has named eight Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, two of the most powerful criminal organizations in the country. The naming of Sinaloa in particular is important because it implicates the Mexican state at the highest levels. Former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his ruling MORENA coalition are closely connected to the Sinaloa Cartel, as is his protégé and successor, President Claudia Sheinbaum. It’s not too much to say that if the Sinaloa Cartel is a terrorist organization, then MORENA and the Sheinbaum administration are its state sponsors. There is a mountain of ev...