Tom Howell Jr.

NYC prosecutor downgrades half of 2022’s felony cases, new statistics show

New York County's top prosecutor has downgraded slightly more than half of all felony cases to misdemeanors in 2022, compared to 39% in 2019, according to new data.

November 28, 2022

Sen. Chris Murphy: Not enough votes to pass ‘assault’ weapons ban that Biden wants

Sen. Chris Murphy says Democrats don't have enough votes in the Senate to pass the type of "assault" weapons ban championed by President Biden, but he would like to try to pass something in the new Congress.

November 28, 2022

First lady Jill Biden unveils White House holiday decor and theme: ‘We the People’

First lady Jill Biden revealed the White House holiday decor on Monday featuring 77 Christmas trees, mirrored ornaments and reflective surfaces to underscore the theme: "We the People."

November 28, 2022

A new way to vote: No longer a need to pick lesser of two evils — pick them both with ranked choice

It's got its supporters and detractors, but seven cities or counties voted this month to use ranked choice in future elections and Nevada will opt into the system if a ballot measure passes for a second time in 2024.

November 27, 2022

Ranked choice election process gains popularity nationwide

Midterm races from Alaska to Maine were decided this year by ranked choice, a system that's designed to lift up candidates with broad appeal instead of fringe candidates who eke out wins by carving up the electorate.

November 24, 2022

Biden mourns, calls for congressional action after mass shooting at a Virginia Walmart

President Biden on Wednesday said he mourns for Chesapeake, Virginia, and directed federal officials to support the town after a Walmart employee late Tuesday opened fire, killing six inside the store.

November 23, 2022

Sen. Lindsey Graham testifies before Fulton County grand jury for two hours

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina testified before a Georgia special grand jury for more than two hours Tuesday and "answered all questions," his office said.

November 23, 2022

Bill Gates was among first to meet with Biden’s energy secretary: Report

Billionaire Bill Gates, a champion of green-energy initiatives, was among the first people to nab a meeting with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm after she was confirmed by the Senate, according to agency calendars.

November 23, 2022

Heritage Foundation launches $1M ad buy against Senate same-sex marriage bill

The Heritage Foundation is launching a $1 million ad campaign against a bill that would codify same-sex marriage protections, saying the legislation needs stronger religious liberty protections.

November 23, 2022

Before his retirement, Anthony Fauci makes final pitch to Americans to get updated COVID booster

Dr. Anthony Fauci defended his legacy and made a final plea for Americans to get an updated COVID-19 booster Tuesday in a White House sendoff after nearly 40 years as the top infectious diseases researcher at the National Institutes of Health.

November 22, 2022

Uncovered audits show rampant overpayments in Medicare Advantage

Government payments to Medicare Advantage plans are riddled with overcharges and errors, newly uncovered audits show.

November 22, 2022

Congress eyes greater oversight of the crypto market

Congress is scrambling for a response to the calamitous collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, with some in Washington seeking greater regulatory oversight of the digital markets.

November 22, 2022

Retiring Sen. Roy Blunt praises former House whip rival Steny Hoyer

Sen. Roy Blunt, Missouri Republican, is hailing a fellow vote-counter and friendly rival, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, as a "giant" on Capitol Hill after the longtime Democratic No. 2 said he will not seek a leadership position in the new Congress.

November 22, 2022

Georgia court lets counties offer post-Thanksgiving early voting

A Georgia appeals court says it is leaving in place a ruling that allows counties to offer early voting on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. Senate runoff election.

November 22, 2022

China imposes new lockdowns, reports first COVID deaths in months

China is resorting to new lockdowns in its fight against COVID-19 even as western nations attempt to move on with life ahead of a potential winter surge in infections.

November 21, 2022

Sen. Mark Warner: Trump ‘was right’ about TikTok risks; urges parents to be cautious

Sen. Mark Warner says former President Donald Trump was right to crack down on China-owned TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, and urged parents not to let their children download it.

November 21, 2022

Democrats more enthusiastic about Biden 2024 bid after midterms: Poll

Democratic support for President Biden to run for reelection has surged since the midterm contests even as he becomes the first octogenarian to occupy the White House, prompting questions about whether he can sprint through the 2024 tape or if his momentum will peter out.

November 21, 2022

Sec. Buttigieg’s husband, Democrats blast Rep. Boebert over nightclub sympathies tweet

Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado drew a backlash after offering her condolences to those killed at a nightclub shooting in her home state.

November 21, 2022

Colorado Springs mayor: LGBT nightclub shooting had ‘all the trappings’ of a hate crime

The mayor of Colorado Springs on Monday said a weekend shooting at an LGBT nightclub that left five dead and 25 others injured "has all the trapping of a hate crime."

November 21, 2022

Biden approves disaster declaration for N.Y. after historic snowfall

President Biden on Monday approved a federal emergency request from New York after a severe winter storm dropped up to 6 feet of snow around Buffalo.

November 21, 2022