State News
Thursday, April 23, 2026 · Fulton County
Supreme Court Returns Three Criminal Cases to Lower Courts; Justices Split on Race and Police Seizures
The Supreme Court on Monday sent back three criminal cases for further review, with justices disagreeing sharply over whether race should factor into Fourth Amendment seizure analysis and whether a death row inmate deserves a hearing on intellectual disability claims.
Los Angeles schools limit student screen time in expanding national shift
The Los Angeles Unified School District imposed new restrictions on screen time for its 400,000 students, marking the latest move by a major school system to reduce classroom technology. The policy reflects a broader effort by districts nationwide to reconsider how and when students use digital devices.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Appeal Waivers Can Be Set Aside in Extreme Cases
The Supreme Court decided on June 18 that federal defendants can challenge appeal waivers signed as part of plea bargains when a case involves what the court calls a miscarriage of justice. The decision drew an unusual split among the eight justices who sided with the outcome.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Supreme Court Ruling on Voting Rights Renews Calls for Congressional Action
A Supreme Court decision in April limiting a key Voting Rights Act provision prompted calls for Congress to restrict mid-decade redistricting and partisan gerrymandering. Historically, Congress has responded to major rulings through constitutional amendments and new laws, though the practice has declined since the late 1990s.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Supreme Court set to rule on four cases involving presidential authority
The Supreme Court faces four pending cases that will clarify the limits and scope of presidential power. The rulings could affect birthright citizenship, executive authority, and other consequential policy areas.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Supreme Court justices show signs of tension as major rulings approach
The Supreme Court is issuing rulings on major cases, but internal disagreements among justices are becoming visible to the public as more significant decisions remain pending.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Supreme Court Restores Murder Conviction in Etan Patz Case
The Supreme Court reversed a lower court's decision that would have granted Pedro Hernandez a new trial in the 1979 kidnapping and murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz. Hernandez's conviction rested on confessions he gave after police questioning without initially informing him of his right to an attorney.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Unpredictable Weather Strains U.S. Farmers as Drought and Floods Spread
Farmers across the United States confront mounting challenges as weather patterns grow more erratic, with drought affecting more than half the continental country while other regions face flooding. Rising production costs compound the strain on agricultural operations.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Heat alerts cover 111 million Americans ahead of July Fourth
An expansive heat wave will blanket much of the central and eastern United States this week, with weather officials placing 111 million people under heat alerts during the Independence Day holiday period.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Supreme Court Upholds Deportation Authority for Green Card Holders; DOJ Withdraws Reporter Subpoenas
The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the government may deport green card holders convicted of certain crimes. The Justice Department separately withdrew subpoenas it had issued to reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Student Loan Repayment Rules Shift Starting Wednesday
Student loan borrowers will encounter altered repayment requirements and fewer income-driven repayment programs starting Wednesday. The changes also expand the maximum amounts borrowers can take out.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
U.S. Moves to Restrict Social Media Access for Children as Legal Cases Mount
Juries returned verdicts against Meta Platforms and Google in cases involving young users, marking a shift in how American policymakers and legal systems address children's social media use. Other nations have implemented stricter rules, and U.S. advocates point to the rulings as evidence that domestic policy should follow.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Federal appeals court restores Trump administration's expanded deportation authority
A federal appeals court has allowed the Trump administration to resume an expanded version of expedited removal, a deportation process that bypasses traditional immigration hearings. The administration views the expansion as central to carrying out its mass deportation policy.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Federal Student Loan System Undergoes Restructuring Starting July 1
The federal student loan system will shift starting July 1, altering repayment structures and borrowing limits for millions of Americans. Some borrowers face higher monthly payments while others encounter new caps on loan amounts and modified forgiveness pathways.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Trump cites $30,000 in 401(k) gains; Fidelity data shows $9,454 increase
President Trump said 401(k) account balances rose by $30,000 during his second term. Fidelity Investments data shows average balances increased by $9,454 over the same period.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Trump directs Justice Department to investigate oil companies over gas prices
President Donald Trump instructed the Justice Department on Wednesday to investigate oil companies, saying they have not reduced gas prices at the pump in line with falling crude oil costs.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Oil Prices Return to Pre-Conflict Levels as Middle East Tensions Ease
Crude oil prices have fallen back to their pre-conflict levels after a spike in February disrupted energy production and transportation across the Middle East. Analysts attribute the decline to resumed operations in the region.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Using Social Security Database for Voter Rolls
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from accessing a database containing Americans' Social Security numbers and citizenship status to screen voter rolls. The decision prevents the government from using the federal database for voter purge operations.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Trump highlights economic record during Pennsylvania plant visit
President Trump visited a Mack Trucks plant in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, where he focused his remarks on economic accomplishments from his previous time in office rather than outlining future policy proposals.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Senators push military healthcare system to cover autism therapy
Two senators have called on the military's health insurance program to add autism therapy to its standard benefits after NBC News reported that service members and retirees faced obstacles obtaining coverage for the treatments.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Cass Report Author Backs Puberty Blocker Trial to Prevent Harm
Dr. Hilary Cass, author of a major report on gender medicine for children, defended a proposed puberty blocker trial, saying the research would prevent more harm than it causes.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration's Voter Verification System Unlawful
A federal judge found the Trump administration's SAVE voter verification system unlawful. The tool has already processed information on tens of millions of voters.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
UN halts evacuation operations in Strait of Hormuz after projectile hits vessel
A United Nations agency suspended its evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after the British military confirmed a projectile struck a vessel off Oman's coast. The incident followed the passage of several tankers using a UN-backed corridor.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Executive Order on Voter List
A federal judge halted an executive order President Trump signed to create a federal voter list. The decision represents the second court ruling against the administration's election oversight measures in as many days.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Trump to Meet Senate Republicans as Congress Advances Housing Bill
President Trump will meet with Senate Republicans on Wednesday as Congress moves forward with its largest housing affordability package in decades. The developments come as Democrats evaluate results from a New York primary election.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Heat-Related Cardiac Arrests Rising Among Young, Fit Adults, Experts Warn
Cardiac arrests during hot weather are increasing among people outside the typical high-risk groups, according to health experts. Young and physically fit individuals face elevated risk when combining exercise with heat and alcohol consumption.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Trump's Endorsement Pattern Shifts to Earlier Races in Republican Districts
An analysis of more than 1,000 Trump endorsements across House, Senate and gubernatorial races over the past decade reveals the former president has changed when and where he throws his support. Trump now endorses candidates earlier in the election cycle and increasingly in races where Republicans hold significant advantages.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Senate approves resolution directing halt to Iran military action
The Senate passed a war powers resolution on Iran for the first time, signaling bipartisan concern about military escalation. The measure carries symbolic weight but lacks the legal force to independently halt operations.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
U.S. Military Releases Video of Recent Strikes on Iran
The U.S. military released video footage of its recent strikes against Iran, which the Central Command characterized as a direct response to an Iranian attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Trump says Iran has agreed to UN nuclear inspections
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Iran agreed to allow United Nations nuclear inspectors access to its atomic sites, though he offered no specific timeline for when such inspections would occur.
Thursday, April 23, 2026