Scalise faces new challenges in Congress
For all of Republican Rep. Steve Scalise's undeniable accomplishments, his life hasn't been a steady succession of bouquets. Published January 3, 2019
James Varney
Articles by James Varney
No regrets: Kavanaugh protesters say arrests were 'worth it'
For most of the protesters arrested during Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings, the moment has come and gone, as forgotten as the accusations against the nominee by Christine Blasey Ford and others. Published January 1, 2019
Coal stockings for Wall Street? Dow plunges by 650 points
Wall Street's stockings appeared to have coal toes for 2018, as stock markets dropped sharply by 650 points Monday after last week's crushing falls wiped out much of the year's gains. Published December 24, 2018
Women's March leadership engulfed in racial and religious feuding: Report
Less than a month before its scheduled parade, the Women's March leadership continues to be riven by racial and religious feuding, according to various reports. Published December 24, 2018
Help wanted: More employers are looking for people than people are looking for jobs
The U.S. economy is running so hot that businesses cannot find people to fill their want ads. The 7.1 million openings recorded at the end of October easily topped the 6 million people the Labor Department said were unemployed and actively seeking jobs at that point. Published December 23, 2018
Buy-American laws not tracked on all government purchases
Federal law requires agencies emphasize the purchase of American-made products -- but it turns out that's tough to do when the government doesn't even track where most of what it buys is made. Published December 20, 2018
Forgotten? No action after nooses hung from trees ahead of Mississippi vote
The nooses sparked headlines from the U.S. to Ireland to Japan, with American cable television news networks, in particular, suggesting they were the latest race-tinged outrage meant to affect black voters. Authorities vowed swift investigation to find the culprit. Published December 19, 2018
Audit reveals $1.6 billion in Medicaid payments still uncollected
Medicaid paid out a stunning $2.6 billion over five years in payments it agrees were bogus and should be clawed back from the states — but $1.6 billion of it remains uncollected, according to an internal audit. Published December 16, 2018
Free speech advocacy group sues University of Texas administrators
A non-profit group filed a First Amendment lawsuit Thursday against officials at the University of Texas, accusing them of crimping free speech on campus. Published December 13, 2018
Dave Brat champions Student Rights Act to end forced 'free speech zones' for minority viewpoints
With incidents of First Amendment violations surging on college campuses, Rep. Dave Brat proposed legislation Monday that would safeguard the freedom of speech and assembly that he and some experts consider imperiled. Published December 10, 2018
University of California, Berkeley settles speech lawsuit with conservative groups
The University of California, Berkeley has settled a lawsuit brought by conservative groups whose speakers the school worked to blackball, agreeing to pay $70,000 and to make changes more welcoming to future speakers. Published December 9, 2018
Soybeans sit in dirt as trade war undermines farmers: 'It's just been a perfect storm against us'
Soybean growers across the fruited plain are in a precarious position partly because of the U.S. trade war with China. The uncertainty over that huge export market and the ripple effect it has had on crops from harvest to table have left farmers in a bind. Published December 6, 2018
'Stunning': 80% using Obamacare's Medicaid expansion are ineligible, Louisiana report finds
Louisiana's legislative auditor wanted to know how the state's expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare was doing, so he picked 100 people who were deemed eligible under the rules. Published December 4, 2018
Cindy Hyde-Smith wins Mississippi Senate runoff
Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith emerged victorious Tuesday night in the Mississippi Senate runoff, fending off Democrat Mike Espy in the deeply conservative Magnolia State. Published November 27, 2018
Trump holds 2 rallies for Hyde-Smith before Mississippi run-off vote
Looking to increase its Senate majority, the GOP wheeled out its biggest gun Monday in Mississippi as President Trump held two rallies to bolster Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith ahead of Tuesday's run-off election. Published November 26, 2018
Trump boosts Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi: 'Don't empower the radical Democrats'
Looking to bolster its Senate majority, the GOP wheeled out its biggest gun Monday in Mississippi as President Trump rallied to bolster Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith ahead of Tuesday's run-off election. Published November 26, 2018
Anonymous 'Journal of Controversial Ideas' to give voice to silenced scholars
Some scholars are starting a new journal that will allow anonymous publication of peer-reviewed pieces, in a sign of intellectual intolerance now regnant in academia. Published November 22, 2018
Cindy Hyde-Smith, Democratic challenger appeal to conservative Mississippi voters
Mississippi's Senate runoff candidates both acknowledged in their own way in Tuesday night's debate that the state is one of the nation's most conservative, while also defending themselves over past actions. Published November 20, 2018
Comments costing Hyde-Smith campaign contributions in Mississippi
Several high-profile businesses, including retail giant Wal-Mart, have asked for Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith to return campaign contributions after the Mississippi Republican was caught making foolish remarks. Published November 20, 2018
Republicans get good news in Florida, Georgia as final pieces of election map fall into place
Nearly two weeks after voters had their say, the final pieces of the election map are falling into place and the GOP is getting some desperately needed good news, after a spate of other races didn't go their way. Published November 18, 2018
