The Hill Articles: February 15, 2023

1 killed, 3 injured in shooting at mall in El Paso The IRS is sending out tax refunds: See how the average amount compares so far Fowl-free: McDonald’s debuts plant-based McNuggets Woman claims Catholic church denied Communion because of rainbow masks Record-setting $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot winner finally identified Former Trump chief of staff subpoenaed by special counsel in Jan. 6 investigation: CNN FBI searched Biden documents at University of Delaware: report Democrats reject Hochul’s judicial nominee after GOP state senator’s lawsuit Reducing community violence while protecting civil rights US changes approach to patrolling skies after balloon What recession? Americans are still powering the economy despite high inflation Spending on Social Security, Medicare projected to jump Train crashes highlight risks of hazmat carried by rail  White House cyber adviser officially steps down White House hits GOP for ‘partisan publicity stunts’ ahead of border visits Hawley proposes ban on social media for kids under 16 Americans won’t stop spending Biden IRS nominee draws heat — and some support — from GOP senators House Republicans ask FBI to investigate Biden appointee over potential Espionage Act violations Frustration builds over response to Ohio train derailment as officials urge patience Progressive group calls on Buttigieg to add regulations after East Palestine train derailment Social Security set to run short of funds one year earlier than expected Let’s not look to seniors to bear the burden of keeping Social Security, Medicare solvent  Pence vows to ‘fight’ subpoena for testimony in Trump probe FDA advisers recommend approval of Narcan for over-the-counter use We need to include energy for home medical equipment in covered medical costs Ohio officials confirm public water near East Palestine is safe after train derailment Rep. Barbara Lee files to enter Democratic primary for Feinstein’s seat Midwest power grid faces fraught future Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene rejects ‘Bush in heels’ Haley Oakland declares emergency after ransomware attack United Nations report identifies new al Qaeda leader with $10 million bounty Lawmakers discuss foreign policy tools to stem fentanyl crisis Trump says he’s ‘glad’ Haley’s running against him: ‘The more the merrier’ US yearly deficits projected to average $2 trillion over next decade: report CBO warns of sharp uptick in Social Security, Medicare spending Sanders to grill Moderna CEO over proposed COVID vaccine price hike Firing of city manager highlights Austin battle over ice storm, police oversight MSU student who experienced Newtown tragedy: ‘2nd mass shooting that I have lived through’ How China’s spy balloon spurred a rapid shift in US sky patrol House GOP subpoenas Big Tech companies over content moderation decisions World Bank chief steps down months after Dems demanded resignation UN chief: Rising seas could spark ‘mass exodus of entire populations on a biblical scale’ Trump celebrates Scottish leader’s plan to resign: ‘Good riddance’ Americans’ dissatisfaction with gun laws at new high: Gallup poll Japan is muscling up and locking arms with allies to face China Senate Democrats unveil resolution condemning Republicans’ national sales tax proposal California’s lower-income communities enduring more frequent wildfires: study Ukraine claims Russian balloons shot down over Kyiv Blinken to travel to Germany, raising possibility of meeting with Chinese counterpart Rubio, Vance question Buttigieg on freight rail oversight in wake of Ohio train derailment Black history is American history that needs to be taught to the next generation  Sanders hits Starbucks CEO for refusing to testify before Senate  NAACP presses for action as violent white supremacist sentenced in Buffalo DOJ decides not to charge Gaetz in sex-trafficking probe US risks debt default as soon as July: CBO White House weighs possibility of Biden addressing UFOs The Founders didn’t disarm domestic abusers: Does that mean we can’t? Alaska governor drops college degree requirement for most state jobs to fight worker shortage Cleveland residents assured water is safe amid concerns over eastern Ohio train derailment Haley calls for US to move on from ‘faded names of the past’ School choice can help public school teachers. Here’s how. Two Democrats want McConnell’s 2011 debt-ceiling fix proposal to be adopted Palin on 2024 race: DeSantis should ‘stay governor’ Trump attacks Haley on Medicare, Social Security cuts GOP senator backs Biden IRS nominee despite concerns over funding boost 78 percent say AI-written news articles would be a bad thing: survey NYT contributors blast paper’s coverage of transgender people Haley criticizes US ‘self-loathing’: America is not a racist country EPA draft: US greenhouse gas emissions saw record single-year spike in 2021 The Hill’s 12:30 Report — Trump’s first 2024 challenger Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on the economy The world must not let violence derail Nigeria’s elections Christie on potential DeSantis White House bid: ‘None of us really know who he is’ on national stage Haley calls for ‘mental competency tests’ for politicians over 75 Judge denies Trump’s offer to give DNA in E. Jean Carroll case, calling it delay tactic TSA: Too many travelers leaving pets in carry-ons to be X-rayed Biden IRS nominee pressed on ‘troubling’ reports on audit rates of Black taxpayers The small business case for banning tips America’s EV heartland struggles with increased power outages Digital video viewership expected to outpace traditional television for the first time Why metallic balloons will soon be illegal in California Buffalo supermarket shooter sentenced to life in prison For better defense spending, split the Pentagon’s budget into two Kimberlé Crenshaw calls changes to AP African American studies class ‘a shame’ Charges against NewsNation reporter are dropped DeWine emphasizes bottled water drinking guidance issued from ‘abundance of caution’ Michigan State student who survived high school shooting says system failed her Winnie the Pooh enters public domain — and goes psycho Republican who ousted Liz Cheney endorses Trump’s 2024 bid Solving the puzzle of high inflation, weak growth and low unemployment Rising: February 15, 2023 Man lunges at Buffalo supermarket gunman during sentencing US researchers say thousands of Ukrainian children held in Russian camps NTSB: Video shows Ohio train wheel bearing in ‘final stage of overheat failure’ before derailment Watch live: Officials testify before Senate panel on the trafficking of fentanyl Made in America, stolen by China: We need cybersecurity minimum standards ‘This is surreal’: Bride sees in color for the first time during Disney World wedding Watch live: Nikki Haley officially announces White House bid  Lawmakers push for higher pay for federal employees Half in new survey believe news organizations mislead, misinform public Biden warns GOP proposals could add $3T to nation’s debt US forces shoot down Iranian-made drone circling troop housing in Syria Is the US ready to address China’s threats in time to make a difference? House Freedom Caucus member Ralph Norman endorses Nikki Haley for president Special counsel alleges crime to compel testimony from Trump lawyer Watch live: FAA administrator testifies before Senate panel following outages, aerial object discoveries Watch live: Senate Armed Services Committee to discuss aerial objects, global security GOP polling shows Jim Justice could beat Joe Manchin in 2024 Senate race Texas city sits atop new ranking of safest cities Club for Growth defends Rick Scott from McConnell’s ‘false attacks’ Watch live: FDA holds meeting to discuss whether Narcan should be made available over the counter Trump and the future of the Civil Service China threatens ‘countermeasures’ against US entities over balloon’s downing Support to Ukraine continues to be for America first Americans’ support for Ukraine aid slips in new poll Nurses are in critically short supply in the Defense Department — will Congress act? Don’t just target terrorists — deny them safe havens The Hill’s Morning Report — Feinstein to retire; Haley launches 2024 bid Budowsky: State of the Union: JFK-style president wanted in 2024 The Memo: Haley tries to sell GOP on a different future Pence plots unusual legal strategy in fight against subpoena Distrust over GOP plans for Social Security, Medicare marks rocky start to budget talks ‘Victorian’ school dress codes may be doomed Both parties face hurdles in retaining young talent for campaigns Pro-ISIS content at heart of Section 230 Supreme Court arguments  Super Bowl snub is latest dust-up between White House, Fox News Lobbying World: Top White House aide leaves for K Street Biden to require EV chargers to be universal for federal funds, expects Tesla to open some chargers