NYTIMES (Marc Santora and Josh Holder) - How the Ukraine War Became a Fight for the Skies
Russia and Ukraine are producing ever larger numbers of innovative aerial weapons, hoping for a breakthrough as ground combat is largely frozen.
AXIOS (Hans Nichols) - Susan Collins opposes Todd Blanche for attorney general
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Tuesday she will vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general . Why it matters: Collins' vote won't sink Blanche's nomination on its own . But it makes every remaining undecided Republican that much more important. - With Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) still absent from the Senate, Blanche, who is serving in an acting capacity, can afford to lose only two GOP votes, assuming all Democrats oppose him. - "While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political," Collins said in a statement . - "Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department's independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his…
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Tuesday she will vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general . Why it matters: Collins' vote won't sink Blanche's nomination on its own . But it makes every remaining undecided Republican that much more important. - With Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) still absent from the Senate, Blanche, who is serving in an acting capacity, can afford to lose only two GOP votes, assuming all Democrats oppose him. - "While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political," Collins said in a statement . - "Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department's independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his…Open
AXIOS (Stef W. Kight) - Scoop: Inside Hegseth's classified plea for more defense funds
Top Pentagon officials are already pitching reconciliation 4.0 to Senate Republicans behind closed doors, underscoring the need for a massive boost in military funds, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Thune hasn't embraced reconciliation 3.0. The White House is already looking beyond it. - Trump officials are quietly sketching out a lame-duck package that could pair significant Pentagon funding with other priorities, including a debt ceiling increase that will be necessary sometime in 2027. They see it as going hand in hand with the current effort to pass reconciliation 3.0. - The administration's case goes beyond replenishing weapons depleted by the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine . Officials are also sounding alarms about the need…
Top Pentagon officials are already pitching reconciliation 4.0 to Senate Republicans behind closed doors, underscoring the need for a massive boost in military funds, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Thune hasn't embraced reconciliation 3.0. The White House is already looking beyond it. - Trump officials are quietly sketching out a lame-duck package that could pair significant Pentagon funding with other priorities, including a debt ceiling increase that will be necessary sometime in 2027. They see it as going hand in hand with the current effort to pass reconciliation 3.0. - The administration's case goes beyond replenishing weapons depleted by the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine . Officials are also sounding alarms about the need…Open
NPR (Howard Berkes) - Appalachia's black lung rates highest in nearly 50 years as miners' protections stall
Rates are now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying. Mining experts blame toxic silica dust, now more common in mines.
Rates are now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying. Mining experts blame toxic silica dust, now more common in mines.Open
NYTIMES (Marc Santora) - Russia’s Deadly Missile Attack on Kyiv Exploits Ukraine’s Depleted Air Defenses
At least 17 people were killed, officials said, as the country runs desperately low on interceptor missiles that could fend off Russian bombardments.
ABCNEWS - Police respond to Perez Hilton's home after he appeared to harm himself on livestream
The livestreamed TikTok appeared to show him harming himself with a knife.
HUFFPOST - Critics Rip Trump Over ‘Disgusting’ Rant On 1 Thing Blue Cities ‘Have In Common’
The president once again baselessly trashed Democrat-run cities over their supposedly “dirty,” dangerous conditions — to some rather indelible reactions.
The president once again baselessly trashed Democrat-run cities over their supposedly “dirty,” dangerous conditions — to some rather indelible reactions.Open
HUFFPOST - ‘Epic Fail’: Dan Bongino’s Fox News Rant Quickly Turns Into A Devastating Self-Own
“Talk about epic failures.”
“Talk about epic failures.”Open
HUFFPOST - Senate Committee Schedules Vote On Holding Anthony Fauci In Contempt Of Congress
The former chief medical officer declined questions under subpoena, saying Sen. Rand Paul has an “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution.”
The former chief medical officer declined questions under subpoena, saying Sen. Rand Paul has an “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution.”Open
HUFFPOST - Man Charged With Setting Spokane's Largest Wildfire Was Questioned About 2 Other Blazes Last Year
Authorities haven’t said what caused the other two fires burning around Spokane. No deaths have been reported.
Authorities haven’t said what caused the other two fires burning around Spokane. No deaths have been reported.Open