The Hill Articles: February 8, 2022

Working Families Party endorses primary challenger to New York Gov. Hochul McConnell laughs off Trump’s ‘Old Crow’ nickname: ‘It’s my favorite bourbon’ Capitol Police chief pushes back against claims by GOP lawmaker that his office was illegally investigated North Carolina elections board says it has power to bar Cawthorn from running over Jan. 6 DHS limits power of controversial Border Patrol teams North Korea says it can ‘shake the world’ with missiles able to hit US Hogan announces COVID-19 booster lottery Steven Spielberg makes Oscars history with new nominations Trump endorses Noem’s reelection bid in South Dakota GOP tensions flare over Jan. 6 attack Trump tightens grip on RNC CDC director urges officials against dropping school mask mandates New York to roll back indoor mask mandate: report How space is changing the nature of war Abrams apologizes for not wearing mask in photo with school children McDaniel defends RNC censure of Kinzinger, Cheney amid GOP pushback McConnell signals skepticism on Russia sanctions legislation Top health official to depart White House On The Money — House panel mulls future of ‘stablecoin’ rules Brother of Julian Assange: Millions raised through NFT to free Wikileaks founder GOP lawmaker apologizes to CBC chair for allegedly telling her to ‘kiss my a–‘ Haiti newspaper editor says Prime Minister Ariel Henry refusing calls to step down Virginia Senate Democrats join Republicans in passing amendment barring school mask mandates Public defender: Amir Locke case demonstrates that Black people don’t have gun rights New study suggests electrical stimulation can help paralyzed people regain use of legs House passes bill to reform Postal Service operations Female ski jumpers disqualified for non-compliant uniforms Is House proxy voting here to stay?  Overnight Health Care — GOP shows support for Canadian protesters Study says glaciers hold less ice than estimated Growing share of US Black population are immigrants, data finds Teachers in Puerto Rico to get $1K monthly pay raise Republican senators threaten to block Iran deal West Virginia ends ban on nuclear power plants Teen suffers apparent overdose from fentanyl-laced marijuana at Connecticut high school, police say Minnesota AG considering criminal charges for officers involved in killing of Amir Locke Hillicon Valley — DOJ arrests couple connected to crypto hack Date set for first-ever youth-led climate trial Air Force gives 9 religious exemption for vaccine mandate Washington Commanders player charged with involuntary manslaughter for Loudon County crash Overnight Defense & National Security — Report details Afghan withdrawal frustrations House passes stopgap bill to prevent shutdown Appeals court upholds Biden changes to family planning program Kansas Senate overrides governor’s veto of new congressional map NASA awards contract for Mars rocket to bring rock samples to Earth The country’s biggest philanthropists are ‘completely disconnected’ from pandemic reality, report says ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ remake to feature blended, interracial New Jersey family Overnight Energy & Environment — Virginia lawmakers block ex-Trump EPA chief Massachusetts giving $500 payments to low-income workers Equilibrium/Sustainability — California town drops cougar habitat bid Virginia lawmakers strike down voting rights, same-sex marriage language proposals Capitol Police leadership ‘betrayed’ officers on Jan. 6, union official says CBC chair says GOP lawmaker told her ‘kiss my a–‘ Lawmakers clash over how to regulate ‘stablecoins’ Rand Paul: Dropping COVID-19 restrictions spreading beyond partisan lines Chicago mayor sees connection between rise in carjackings, remote learning Biden’s Syria strike is an important win — but underscores the folly of leaving Afghanistan Figure skaters now compete in ‘women’s’ events, not ‘ladies’ Mexico debuts its first male figure skater in 30 years at Winter Olympics Mother of Michigan school shooting suspect worried she was failing son, her boss testifies Biden backs effort by Capitol Hill staffers to unionize US Olympian Vincent Zhou feeling ‘mixed bag of emotions’ after withdrawal due to positive COVID-19 test White House condemns Florida bill to bar talk of sexual orientation in schools Batya Ungar-Sargon, deputy opinion editor at Newsweek, says she believes Andrew Cuomo ‘is poised for a comeback’ Democrats go after Big Oil climate pledges, calling them insufficient UCLA settling allegations former gynecologist sexually abused hundreds of women for $246M Declining share of Americans see Trump as primarily responsible for Jan. 6 Virginia lawmakers reject former Trump EPA chief along party lines Schumer praises New York judge on Biden’s Supreme Court shortlist When it comes to the Olympics, don’t buy what China is selling  White House rejects RNC censure that declared Jan. 6 ‘legitimate political discourse’ GOP challenger says Mace ‘sold out President Trump’ Harvard accused of ignoring sexual harassment in new suit FEMA rolls out text feature to help Americans find open shelters during disasters Texas National Guard soldier assigned to border dies in accidental shooting Emhoff ushered out of DC high school event due to security threat Doping underworld is plaguing Olympic Games, again Biden lauds EV charging plant in Tennessee as latest sign of ‘manufacturing comeback’ Texas man pleads guilty in threats against Maryland doctor who advocated COVID-19 vaccines McConnell breaks with RNC: Jan. 6 ‘violent insurrection’ Vermont lawmakers send constitutional amendment guaranteeing right to abortion to voters Parents of Michigan school shooting suspect told not to communicate with each other in court Building owners sued over deadly Bronx apartment fire ‘Rust’ medic sues crew members, alleging ‘severe emotional distress’ American Airlines says flight diverted after passenger’s ‘threatening statement’ California lawmakers approve paid sick leave for COVID-19 NFL commissioner meets with civil rights leaders who want coaching diversity rule replaced North Carolina city works to implement climate justice into projects, policies ‘Fight Club’ ending restored in China after uproar More than 40 percent of people who use alcohol, cannabis report driving intoxicated, study says Nonprofit, NPS to restore bowling alley associated with Orangeburg Massacre Local, state governments struggle to replace exiting workers California cities say Uber’s treatment of transgender, nonbinary drivers may warrant legal action ‘He can’t be left alone,’ mother of accused Oxford High shooter texted on day of attack Hong Kong court upholds conviction of US attorney in scuffle with off-duty officer Amir Locke’s cousin arrested over shooting that sparked deadly raid COVID-19 vaccine production quietly suspended at Johnson & Johnson: report Democratic campaign chief vows return to normalcy Maryland Gov. Hogan will not run for Senate American Express unveils digital checking account Three months can make all the difference for vulnerable student loan borrowers Energy panel Republicans grill Biden Interior nominee on leasing in rare second hearing FBI investigating meeting of far-right groups one day before Jan. 6: report Biden special envoy nominee calls rise in antisemitism ‘staggering’ Perdue trailing Kemp in early fundraising in Georgia governor race US approves $100M sale to upgrade Taiwan’s missile defenses Judge, investigators say Haitian prime minister involved in president’s assassination Houston Texans hire Lovie Smith amid leaguewide head coach diversity conversation The Hill’s Race & Justice Imperative College degrees may no longer be the great equalizer: study The nation should model Utah’s ‘Clean Slate’ on criminal records DeSantis: GOP voters want leaders who will ‘fight the left’ Researchers identify ‘double-hazard’ zones where Western wildfires pose increased risk Manchin skeptical of congressional staff union Cisneros highlights FBI raid of Cuellar home in new ad The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Negotiations crawl as government funding deadline nears Macron says Putin told him he would not escalate Ukraine crisis Ukraine crisis should end rapid US decarbonization Erik Prince helped raise money for effort to spy on progressives and anti-Trump Republicans: report Journalist who interviewed Peng Shuai says doubts remain Steroid testing halted amid MLB lockout: report DOJ arrests couple in connection with $4.5 billion cryptocurrency hack Howard Stern says Joe Rogan’s apology should be ‘I’m wrong, and go get the vaccine before you die’ Postmaster general defends plan to purchase gas-powered trucks, citing ‘dire’ financial situation ‘Just Say No’ can no longer be the Republican approach to cannabis  Watch live: White House press briefing Omarosa says Trump ‘loved to tear up’ White House documents 99-year-old Holocaust survivor fatally struck by SUV while crossing street in NYC Overdose epidemic costs US $1T per year: research Army plans microgrids, electric vehicle fleet in first climate strategy Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on rebuilding American manufacturing Stefanik says RNC has ‘every right’ to censure Cheney and Kinzinger DeSantis: Reports of rift with Trump ‘total bunk’ Prosecutors conclude Florida deputy’s fatal shooting of 88-year-old was justified Biden Fed picks get boost from dozens of economists Hyundai and Kia models recalled over fire risk Biden’s theatrical abuse of war powers in Syria won’t deter Russia White House encourages public to file taxes to access child tax credit Texas governor seeks to block vaccine mandate for National Guard members India Arie: ‘I don’t think Joe Rogan is racist’ Super Bowl betting to set new records as states adopt sports gambling Australian leader apologizes to former staffer who says she was raped in ministerial office Trump calls for DirectTV boycott if it removes OAN Peloton cutting thousands of positions, CEO stepping down CDC’s highest COVID-19 travel advisory list grows to more than half of world’s nations Bipartisan bill would require audits to detect forced labor in companies’ supply chains Will Republicans apply the ‘Barrett rule’ to Biden’s nominee? Judge orders Air Force to pay $230M in Texas church shooting Florida Gov. DeSantis backs ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill Navy investigating death of SEAL candidate after ‘Hell Week’ Where Chuck Schumer went wrong on voting rights Sheriff says two of three inmates who escaped jail through air vent are dead The new politics of America: Fall into line or pay the price NBC: Leslie Jones ‘free to do her social media posts’ on Olympics Tesla anticipating racism complaint from watchdog in California US skier undergoes surgery for fractured leg in women’s giant slalom crash Nationwide lockdown ending in federal prisons You still have time to upgrade your home theater before the Big Game. Here’s how Trudeau: Anti-vaccine mandate trucker protest ‘has to stop’ NATO chief: Risk of Russian invasion of Ukraine ‘going up’ Retired pope makes ‘heartfelt request for forgiveness’ over handling of sex abuse cases Canada warns against ‘foreign interference’ after Republicans announce support for vaccine mandate protests Hong Kong rolls out ‘stringent’ restrictions as new infections hit record China and Russia declare Cold War II against the West Army probe details frustrations with White House, State over Afghan evacuation: report Joy Reid: US democracy ‘already in decline’ Oscar nominations released; Campion makes history Obsessed with Wordle but sick of looking at your phone? Try these board game alternatives Canadian-inspired anti-mandate protests spread to New Zealand The ‘Biden Tech Doctrine’ — one year in Rising: February 8, 2022 Congressional Black Caucus members press DOJ on voting rights: ‘No lawsuit is too trivial’ This music player lets me leave my phone at home when I exercise — here’s how it works How to end the voting wars 80-year-old nun sentenced to prison for stealing thousands from elementary school Suspect arrested in fatal Washington state supermarket shooting Macron arrives in Ukraine after talks with Putin Just 10 percent in new poll say COVID-19 will be eradicated in next year To counter Russian gas, look to the Eastern Mediterranean Iran supreme leader: Biden, Trump have tarnished reputation of US 100 US troops arrive in Romania Gambling trade group predicts 31.5M Americans will bet on Super Bowl ‘Freedom’ protest closes bridge from Detroit to Canada Dear White Enviros: You can’t fight climate change without communities of color  Press: Clubbing cops is not ‘legitimate political discourse’ Feehery: Rogan should have never apologized — it’s a sign of weakness Kremlin: Reports of no new Russian military maneuvers near Ukraine ‘not right’ Georgia prosecutor says presidential immunity won’t protect Trump Why democracy matters in the Ukraine crisis Bottom line The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – States lifting mask mandates in schools Lawmakers say spending deal up to leaders Canada’s ‘freedom’ protests resonate in US The woman behind the State Dept. bureau rushing security aid to Ukraine Mask debates generating sparks on campaign trail GOP frustration mounts as Trump focuses on Jan. 6 New killing reinvigorates national debate on no-knock warrants Faith leaders ask Facebook to drop Instagram for kids plan What Biden’s approval rating says about Democrats’ chances in the 2022 midterms