Democrats assail OMB director nominee Russell Vought over political, cultural issues
1 of 4 | Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's nominee for director of the Office of Management and Budget, testifies at a Senate Budget committee…
Trump calls for unity while attacking perceived enemies
Hello and happy Tuesday. President Trump was sworn in to his second term on a cold but sunny Washington afternoon Monday, offering up multiple speeches…
Senate confirms Rubio as secretary of State, giving Trump first Cabinet member
WASHINGTON — The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of State on Monday, voting unanimously to give President Trump the first member of his new…
2025 Producers Guild Awards nominees: ‘Wicked,’ ‘Substance’
The Oscar race for best picture came into clarity as the Producers Guild of America announced its nominees for the Darryl F. Zanuck Award on…
Trump’s EPA nominee stays vague as senators press him on climate views
Lee Zeldin said Americans deserve a clean environment “without suffocating the economy” during his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a…
Could the L.A. fires change how California responds to deportations?
Hello and happy Thursday, though the fires rage on. There are four days until the inauguration, but already the Trump effect is in effect. Last…
Climate science-denying energy secretary nominee Wright calls for expanding U.S. energy sector
1 of 6 | Chris Wright testified Wednesday during a Senate Energy Committee hearing to examine his expected nomination as U.S Secretary of Energy at…
Transportation secretary nominee stresses safety on the roads, in the air
1 of 6 | Sean Duffy testifies during Wednesday's Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing to examine his nomination to be U.S. secretary of…
In warning about China, CIA director nominee praises technology but says human intelligence vital
1 of 5 | John Ratcliffe listens to committee members prior to testifying during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing to examine his expected nomination as…
Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth faces Senate panel questions
1 of 4 | Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth prepares to testify before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to examine Hegseth's expected nomination at…
As fires rage, so do rumors and agendas
Hello and happy Tuesday, though with great respect for the ongoing catastrophe in Los Angeles. There are six days until the inauguration, and President-elect Donald…
Grammys ‘will proceed as planned’ to support wildfire relief
The Recording Academy announced Monday that its marquee event — the Grammy Awards — “will proceed as planned” on Feb. 2 despite the fires devastating…
Essential Politics: Are Karen Bass and Kamala Harris frenemies?
WASHINGTON — I was first introduced to the concept of frenemies in sixth grade after a girl, who I thought was a friend, told my crush…
L.A. fires delay 2025 Oscar nominations, extend voting
The wildfires that have torn through the Los Angeles area this week have led to numerous closures, cancellations and postponements — now including the Oscar…
‘The mountain is screaming at you’: L.A. fires become a collective trauma
More than 1,100 homes, businesses and other buildings have been lost in the L.A. fires, and many more thousands of people have been displaced. It…
Newsom’s new budget sounds more Republican than radical left
Hello and happy Tuesday. There are 13 days until the inauguration and folks, my vacation was not long enough. But here we are, and I’m…
Biden to honor Clinton, Magic Johnson, Messi with Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Democratic philanthropist George Soros and actor-director Denzel Washington will be awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor on Saturday…
David Lodge dead: British author and Booker nominee was 89
LONDON — David Lodge, a witty and prolific British novelist and critic who gently satirized academia, religion and even his own loss of hearing in such…
How to watch the 2025 Golden Globe Awards this Sunday
Awards season is upon us once again, with this Sunday’s 82nd Golden Globe Awards kicking off the televised awards race that will consume Hollywood through…
Senate approves 235th judge of Biden’s term, beating Trump’s tally
WASHINGTON — President Biden secured the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency Friday, an accomplishment that exceeds his predecessor’s total by one after Democrats put extra…