The Hill Articles: April 29, 2021

Florida joins Georgia in passing new voting restrictions, including limits on vote-by-mail, drop boxes Giuliani investigation focused on firing of US ambassador: report Secretary of State to visit Ukraine next week amid tensions with Russia Farmers sue federal government for allegedly denying them loan forgiveness because they’re white FBI was aware Giuliani was a target of a Russian influence campaign ahead of 2020 election: report Cheney on fist bump with Biden: ‘We’re not sworn enemies. We’re Americans’ Suspects in Lady Gaga dognapping charged with attempted murder, robbery More than 100 injured in stampede at religious festival in Israel Pennsylvania lawmakers say PPP funds proved valuable despite rocky start Biden, key GOP senator talk infrastructure after joint session Pence urges ‘positive’ agenda to counter Biden in first speech since leaving office Pfizer begins exporting vaccines made in US plant to Mexico: report Mullen now supports removing commanders from sexual assault prosecutions Biden marks 100th day plugging jobs plan in Georgia Cohen on Giuliani: ‘Chickens coming home to roost’ Prosecutors release video of Capitol officer Brian Sicknick being sprayed by rioters Biden speech interrupted by protesters Brazil becomes second country to pass 400,000 COVID-19 deaths Overnight Health Care: FDA unveils plan to ban menthol cigarettes | Joe Rogan clarifies vaccine comments Senate approves Gayle Manchin to serve on Appalachian board TLC star Josh Duggar arrested on federal charges Where Biden is failing on clean energy OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Court sets in motion EPA ban on pesticide linked to developmental issues | Trump Interior Secretary Zinke files to run for Congress, again | Senate passes bipartisan $35B water infrastructure bill Senate confirms ex-Sen. Nelson to NASA Hillicon Valley: Experts unveil plan to combat ransomware attacks | Labor secretary weighs in on gig workers | Joe Rogan clarifies vaccine comments On The Money: US economy roars in first three months of 2021 | Jobless claims drop again | White House: No tax hikes for couples making less than $509K Las Vegas couple finds bones potentially dating back to Ice Age in their backyard Radioactive waste is leaking from a storage tank in Washington state Biden’s speech: Calling ‘All aboard’ before all are in What America’s Thinking: April 29, 2021 Georgia Republican secretary of state hits Loeffler as ‘weak,’ ‘fake Trumper’ Overnight Defense: Gillibrand makes new push for military sexual assault reform | US troops begin leaving Afghanistan | Biden budget delay pushes back annual defense policy bill Italian TV network Rai bans the use of blackface on-screen Does Biden have an ocean policy? GOP leaders from 19 states ask Supreme Court to review power plant regulation ruling Joe Rogan clarifies vaccine comments: ‘I’m not an anti-vax person’ Kamala Harris agrees with Sen Tim Scott that ‘America is not a racist country’ Bombshell New York Times report reveals extent of NY Gov Cuomo’s COVID-19 cover-up North Carolina state audit shows poor families faced hurdles in receiving COVID-19 relief Biden speech draws 26.9 million viewers, down from Trump Breach of contact tracing vendor appears to have compromised info of at least 70K people Alabama governor signs bill to remove anti-LGBTQ language from sex education curriculum Biden barely gets a passing grade when it comes to foreign policy Former Barr spokesperson at DOJ hired to be Fox News Washington editor Energy Dept. warns nuclear waste tank may be leaking in Washington state Twitter warns of slowing user growth after ‘pandemic-related surge’ Trump learned of Pence heart surgery from media: report Idaho lawmaker accused of rape should be censured, suspended from office: ethics committee Cuomo and de Blasio trade jabs through media: ‘Serial sexual assaulter says what?’ Wisconsin passes law requiring schools teach students about Holocaust and other genocides Brazil approaches 400,000 COVID-19 deaths amid slow vaccinations, loosening restrictions University of Wisconsin to invite 2020 graduates back for post-COVID-19 celebration Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union open up about raising a trans daughter ‘Disaster Girl’ meme sells for nearly $500,000 Crenshaw makes first appearance at hearing since eye surgery Overwhelming majority backs US withdrawal from Afghanistan: poll Amping up algorithmic transparency to govern online platform power Sanders to rally with potential Senate candidate Booker in Kentucky Five hot-button issues Biden didn’t mention in his address to Congress Biden’s first 100 days: Where he stands on science Blinken meets with Israeli spy chief over concerns with Iran Cuomo says he’s ‘eager’ to talk to NY AG in sexual misconduct investigation California state Democrats propose spending $3.4B on drought ‘Gargantuan’ hail pelts Texas and Oklahoma, causing massive damage Man builds his own submarine as pandemic project and dives to bottom of lake Police reform talks ramp up amid pressure from Biden, families Massive school data breach shows we need better privacy policies Hannity to interview Caitlyn Jenner following gubernatorial announcement Conservative justices split in ruling for immigrant fighting deportation McConnell brushes off Trump criticism: ‘We’re looking to the future, not the past’  Hispanic man in California shares the same fate as George Floyd — alleged police brutality Ohio soon to allow sex listed on birth certificates to match gender identity Cohen says he warned Giuliani about Trump throwing him under the bus Watch live: Biden participates in drive-in 100th day rally in Georgia It’s time corporate leaders take a stand for those who have been incarcerated Google company delivering Girl Scout cookies via drones to homes School buses are hurting our kids — here’s how we change that British regulator reports 41 more blood clots after AstraZeneca shot Senate passes bipartisan $35B water infrastructure bill Driver in car crash that killed six people in Georgia charged with homicide Even if we hit all climate targets, we will lose millions of tons of glaciers Fatal California wildfire was started to cover up a murder, investigators say Berkeley police arrest woman in alleged hate crime against delivery driver Student-led group sells NFTs of Trump tweets for charity Does Biden really mean business when it comes to foreign policy? Hawaii to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, leaving just one state still holding out Gillibrand makes new push for military sexual assault reform Biden Interior nominee questioned on past work for fossil fuel industry Former health officials focusing on long-haul COVID-19 in new alliance Court sets in motion EPA ban on pesticide linked to developmental issues We urgently need a COVID-level response to the US drug crisis Don’t let vaccine fear hinder possibility ‘Entourage’ creator: HBO not promoting show due to ‘wave of righteous PC culture’ GOP leader: Biden ‘makes Bernie Sanders look like a conservative’ Investigative filmmaker dives into UFOs from a ‘national security standpoint’ Israeli minister warns warplanes ‘can reach’ Iran China launches core of its first permanent space station Minnesota man accused of spray-painting swastika, racial slurs on mosque says it was a joke Vice’s Motherboard writer: Amazon’s proposed algorithm for workers’ schedules will prolong injuries On Vincent Chin’s birthday, renewed efforts to stop anti-Asian hate ‘Jeopardy!’ contestant says white power sign was ‘terrible misunderstanding’ Trump Interior Secretary Zinke files to run for Congress, again On The Trail: Biden makes his ambitions clear  Inflationary pressures and inflation are not the same Jeff Bezos’s space company to begin selling tickets to space If Chauvin had been acquitted of murder, DOJ planned to arrest him in court to charge him with civil rights violations Scott: ‘Uncle Tim’ social media responses to GOP speech ‘so disappointing’ Bezos-backed space tourism rocket to start selling tickets Victims’ relatives hold Capitol Hill meetings to push police reform Purdue Pharma law firms relinquishing $1M in fees to settle concerns about disclosures Washington state poker night linked to nearly 100 COVID-19 cases Biden affirms his support of the ‘brave’ transgender community Poll: Americans overwhelmingly approve of ‘root causes’ immigration strategy For DC, statehood isn’t the only option Man suspected of murder escapes custody in Atlanta airport Colorado state reps unanimously advance bill to allow to-go cocktails German climate law puts unfair burden on young, court rules How Biden and Trump’s first 100 days compare US troops begin leaving Afghanistan Pelosi to GOP lawmakers: Get vaccinated and we’ll get back to normal NYC to open ‘full-strength’ July 1 A new species of tiny, bright orange ‘pumpkin toadlet’ discovered in Brazil Politicians should follow the science on gender-affirmation treatments Eight indicted in hazing death of Bowling Green student Biden budget delay pushes back annual defense policy bill Whitmer links eased COVID-19 restrictions to vaccination rates in Michigan White House: Only couples making more than $509K would see tax hike COVID-recovered people may only need one dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Fauci predicts significant ‘drop’ in COVID cases as vaccinations near threshold Virtual Reality technology has broadened the therapeutic possibilities for autistic individuals Labor secretary backs employee status for some gig workers Instacart now accepts SNAP benefits at 4,000 US stores Trump pitched on ‘Trump Plus’ subscription streaming channel: report Biden says he learned of Giuliani raid after it happened Extremely rare animal caught and photographed by fisherman Cruz responds to footage of him dozing off during Biden speech Kris Kobach files paperwork to run for Kansas AG Americans split on filibuster reform: survey Biden picks dandelion flower for Jill from White House lawn Teacher at private Miami school tells students not to hug vaccinated parents for more than 5 seconds Facebook paying $5M to local journalists as part of newsletter focus Biden spy chief: China would find change in US policy toward Taiwan ‘deeply destabilizing’ Biden’s regulatory changes should consider who benefits from cost-benefit analysis Biden abandons the poor, middle class, and national security Hawaii legislature passes bill to implement automatic voter registration Maine school system retires Yachtsmen nickname, white male mascot Trump hits McConnell again, saying GOP needs new leadership Designer says Jill Biden’s dress at speech was ‘double repurposed’ from inauguration Trump: I would ‘certainly’ consider DeSantis as 2024 running mate India passes 18 million COVID-19 cases after another record-setting day Elections experts call on Justice Department to send monitors to Arizona audit We must thank Sanders for Biden’s success Louisiana GOP lawmaker goes viral after mentioning ‘the good’ of slavery Two North Carolina deputies die after 13-hour standoff with shooter Pete Hegseth to host week of ‘Fox News Primetime’ Trump speechwriter calls Biden address ‘tedious’ SEC enforcement chief resigns just days after taking job Fox News’s Chris Wallace praises Biden speech Biden keeps student loan debt out of his joint address Jay-Z blasts cancel culture Biden’s detractors say much about the next 100 days California man pleads guilty in scheme to defraud Afghan government of $100M Lawyers, students want Kentucky Derby favorite barred from race Canadian diplomats accuse own government of withholding information on ‘Havana syndrome’ cases Navalny says he looks like ‘an awful skeleton’ after hunger strike What President Biden can learn from Samuel Gompers Moderna says COVID-19 vaccine can be stored at refrigerator temperatures for 3 months Rising: April 29, 2021 Mark Kelly: I didn’t hear plan for border in Biden speech FDA unveils plan to ban menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars State Department urging Americans to leave India as COVID-19 cases surge Senate votes to return to Obama-presidency limits on methane gas emissions Hawaii to become the first state to declare climate emergency Watch live: House panel holds hearing on NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover Why is the sky above us brighter? Astronomers say it’s because of space junk. Echoing FDR, President Biden makes the case to go big S&P, Nasdaq hit new highs on tech earnings, economic data Nuclear plant north of New York City shutting down Ivy League university apologizes after using bones of Black children to teach forensics class Watch live: Pelosi press conference America stands to lose if we save Iran from more economic trouble Moderna doubling COVID-19 vaccine production Florida moves forward on law banning transgender girls from high school sports Biden prepping cybersecurity executive order in response to SolarWinds attack Photoshopped deer in Kevlar vests circulate after Biden gun control comment Satellites show world’s glaciers melting at an amazing rate Majority of likely voters approve of Newsom’s handling of school reopenings, economy: poll US investigating possible ‘Havana syndrome’ attack near White House: CNN In historic first, Biden flanked by two women as he addresses Congress Majority of viewers approved of Biden address to Congress: poll ‘Jeopardy!’ erupts in controversy after winner allegedly flashes white power sign They like him, they really like him: Biden and the youth vote Amazon to raise wages for half a million workers Biden White House touts diversity of appointees after 100 days Autistic teen model scores campaigns for Gap, Levi’s and Under Armour Cheney preparing for ‘challenging’ primary battle The evolution of ‘defund the police’ China: US military activity increasing under Biden administration Weekly jobless claims fall as recovery picks up North Carolina deputy killed in standoff after wellness check GDP roars to 6.4 percent in first quarter of 2021 Three men charged with hate crime, attempted kidnapping in Ahmaud Arbery shooting Biden takes key steps to restore America’s federal government in first 100 days Mayor de Blasio announces New York City to ‘fully reopen’ on July 1 CDC says cruises could begin in July Trump knocks Biden over time spent discussing border during speech to Congress Harris: I don’t think America is a racist country, but we need to speak truth about history Save nearly $50 on this wireless charging dock for Apple products Coalition unveils plan to help government, industry confront ransomware attacks Should we worry about inflation? Not yet Trump rips raid on ‘great patriot’ Rudy Giuliani’s apartment as ‘very unfair’ Biden thanks McConnell for honoring Beau Biden Americans’ confidence in finances returns to 2019 level: Gallup The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden to country: ‘Turning peril into possibility’ Expand your child’s curiosity with these best-selling, low-cost DIY kits Democrats face big headaches on Biden’s $4T spending plan Boebert takes out space blanket during Biden speech to draw attention to border surge