POLITICS

Feb 13 2026POLITICS

A New Way to Tackle Empty Homes in Colorado

Colorado lawmakers heard a proposal that would let local governments tax vacant houses. The idea, called a “ghost tax, ” was meant to force owners of empty homes to pay extra money and help fund affordable housing. The House Finance Committee voted it down, but the discussion is far from over. The

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

AI Rules: How the U. S. Can Stay Ahead

The United States is at a crossroads with artificial intelligence. Big states like New York and California have already passed laws that aim to keep AI safe for everyday life. These rules cover things such as protecting consumers, respecting civil rights, and preventing misuse in schools and workpla

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

West’s Three Big Moves to Stay Ahead of Growing Threats

The first point asks what the West can do to keep up with foes that are increasingly working together. The Arctic incident last month shows how Russia and China can turn a shared goal into real tension with the United States. The message is that enemies are not playing a game of borders; they are bu

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

California’s Jail Death Review: A Promise Gone Cold

A new law was meant to shine a light on deaths that happen in county jails. The idea was simple: an independent office would look into every case, tell families what happened, and make sure mistakes were fixed. But a year after the law went live, no single review has been finished. The problem star

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

A Fresh Look at ICE and the Cost to Communities

The new poll shows that about two‑thirds of Americans now view ICE, the federal immigration agency, with suspicion. This shift comes after a recent shooting in Minneapolis and is tied to how some politicians and the media talk about immigration enforcement. Many voters originally supported str

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

Military Moves: A New Look at China’s Command Changes

The recent shake‑ups in China’s armed forces have sparked a debate about who really holds the reins. When two high‑ranking generals were suddenly put under investigation, many saw it as proof that the leader had iron‑clad control. Yet some experts argue the opposite: the very act of removing these o

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

Mexico Stands by Cuba Amid U. S. Pressure

Two ships from Mexico arrived in Havana Harbor on a Thursday morning. They were loaded with supplies to help people in Cuba. This happened after the U. S. said it would punish countries that send oil to Cuba. One of the ships, the Papaloapan, had big packages on its deck. It sailed past the old El

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

D. C. Takes Bold Step to Protect Renters from Exploitative Landlords

In a surprising move, Washington, D. C. is using a powerful law meant for organized crime to tackle a different kind of wrongdoing: bad landlords. The city's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against a family accused of running a shady business that provides terrible living conditions to low-inco

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

FBI's Secret Checks Raise Questions

A recent government report, not meant for public eyes, shows the FBI did over 1, 000 secret checks. These checks were on religious groups, journalists, officials, and politicians. The FBI did these checks without any proof of crime. The report was made in January 2026 and was supposed to be destroye

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

Trump's Viral Video Blunder: A Closer Look

Donald Trump recently shared a video that caused quite a stir. The clip showed Barack and Michelle Obama with their faces swapped onto cartoon apes, set to the song \"The Lion Sleeps Tonight. \" This racist imagery sparked outrage, even from some Republicans. Trump's defense? He claimed the video h

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