Politics

January 31, 2019 - While federal employees are legally entitled to back pay missed during the government shutdown, employees of federal contractors are not — but some members of Congress are trying to change that.

January 25, 2019 - Southern states have long had the nation's highest rate of uninsured adults. While the Affordable Care Act lowered those numbers, the law is under attack — and a new Gallup survey finds the uninsured rate is climbing to levels not seen since the ACA took effect.

January 24, 2019 - Legislators in Kentucky and West Virginia are discussing constitutional amendments to give governors unprecedented control over choosing judges, who are currently elected. The moves are part of a broader trend of Republican politicians asserting more control over the judiciary.

January 18, 2019 - As the state elections board continues to investigate possible absentee ballot fraud in North Carolina's still-uncertified 9th Congressional District race, U.S. House leaders say they're also prepared to take action if necessary.

January 18, 2019 - In his Jan. 15 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee on President Trump's pick of William Barr for U.S. attorney general, NAACP President Derrick Johnson called on members to reject the nominee, saying he lacks "a record of strong commitment to civil rights in which communities of color could place their trust."

January 16, 2019 - The federal shutdown ordered by President Trump in a bid to get congressional funding for a $5.7 billion wall at the Mexican border is now the longest in U.S. history. With 800,000 workers furloughed or working without pay, and millions of contractors idled, the economic pain is widespread — and disproportionately affects African Americans.

January 11, 2019 - In Florida, where a new constitutional amendment has restored voting rights to most ex-felons, organizers are planning a voter registration and engagement campaign to reach those with — and without — criminal convictions. Meanwhile, a lawsuit aims to expand voting rights to people with felony records in Kentucky.