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First LookSome migrants got work status. Now, others will be flown to Venezuela.The Biden administration will start deporting migrants directly to Venezuela, as part of a crackdown on irregular migration. Temporary聽protected status, extended last month to Venezuelans, does not apply to those who arrived in the U.S. after July 31.
First LookColumbus Day dispute: A once-removed statue reappears in Rhode IslandA Christopher Columbus statue was relocated to Johnston, Rhode Island, after removal from the state鈥檚 capital three years ago. Critics say it celebrates genocide, while Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. argues it celebrates Italian heritage and history.
Banning books: Protecting kids or erasing humanity?The most banned titles this school year include 鈥淭ricks鈥� by Ellen Hopkins, 鈥淭he Bluest Eye鈥� by Toni Morrison, and 鈥淟ooking For Alaska鈥� by John Green.
The first Democratic primary is approaching. But where?A Democratic Party dispute over which state鈥檚 primary election should come first 鈥� in New Hampshire or South Carolina 鈥� could affect voter participation and enthusiasm.聽
As Supreme Court starts new term, how far right is it headed?A theme of the term is likely to be consequences, with the court wrestling with the fallout from some of its landmark conservative rulings.
Help wanted: What will it take to be next House speaker?As the 鈥減eople鈥檚 house鈥� searches for a new speaker, one challenge is that the need for leadership is paired with pressure from an anti-establishment Republican base 鈥渕ore willing to blow up the place,鈥� as one analyst puts it.
First LookFentanyl crisis: US takes action against Chinese drug importsThe Biden administration announced a series of indictments and sanctions against Chinese companies blamed for importing the chemicals used to make fentanyl. This is the latest effort in the fight against the deadliest overdose crisis in U.S. history.聽
Speaker McCarthy ousted: Is GOP House ungovernable?A small group of hard-line conservatives combined with Democrats to throw Kevin McCarthy out of his speakership 鈥� and the House into disarray.
鈥楬igher visibility鈥�: How US immigration dynamics are shiftingBorder Patrol encounters at the U.S. southern border are approaching a record high. A longtime immigration expert explains how this affects current immigration politics and policy.聽
First LookChina-US diplomacy hits panda-monium. Why are the bears going home?The National Zoo鈥檚 three giant pandas are set to return to China in December.聽Amid diplomatic tensions between China and a number of Western governments, China appears to be gradually pulling back its pandas from Western zoos as their agreements expire.聽
First LookHow can the Army increase enlistment? Target the college-educated.The Army hasn鈥檛 met its annual goal for new enlistment contracts since 2014. A new professional force of recruiters will overhaul the current recruitment system and focus on young people who have attended college or are early on in their careers.
How Texas plans to make access to advanced math more equitableWhat鈥檚 the best way to make sure all students have access to high-level classes? In Texas, a new strategy focuses on automatically enrolling top scorers.聽
Behind impasse in Congress: Rising deficits, record debtThe risk of a government shutdown has elements of political theater.聽But behind the unfinished drama are difficult challenges of debt and deficits.
Military families need more child care. Can Pentagon deliver?New child care efforts aim to provide more options for military families, many of whom struggle with limited access to day care and high costs.聽聽
First LookWhy a battle over groundwater has Californians boycotting carrotsThe residents in the rural town of New Cuyama, California, are boycotting carrots as two major carrot companies file a lawsuit over groundwater pumping rights. Groundwater wasn鈥檛 regulated in the state until a law in 2014 was passed amid a historic drought.
First LookLaphonza Butler named to fill Feinstein鈥檚 U.S. Senate seatLaphonza Butler has been selected by Governor Newsom to fill the seat of Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the聽U.S. Senate. Ms. Butler will be the only Black woman serving in the Senate and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the chamber.
No shutdown for now: Where Congress goes from hereAfter a weeks-long spending battle that seemed headed for a government shutdown, Congress moved at the 11th hour to pass a 45-day reprieve.聽
First LookShutdown averted? House passes short-term funding plan, sends to SenateThe House鈥檚 swiftly-approved plan is now with the Senate, which is meeting late on Saturday with just hours to go before the midnight deadline to fund the government.
Freedom Caucus: The Fight Club of CongressLong a thorn in the side of GOP leaders, the group can鈥檛 agree on demands, reducing its influence. But key individuals have more leverage than ever.
Government shutdown: How did we get here, and what could it mean?The start of a new fiscal year is a time to hash out budget priorities. But those seeking to exert maximum leverage sometimes undermine the whole process 鈥� including their own goals.
