Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Meta says it is acquiring Manus, an ‘AI agent’ company with Chinese roots
Tech behemoth Meta said Tuesday it is acquiring Manus, a company that was founded in China and makes artificial intelligence agents. Published December 30, 2025
Democrats to hold special hearing on fifth anniversary of Jan. 6 attack on Capitol
Democrats will mark the fifth anniversary of the 2021 assault on the Capitol with a special hearing that focuses on election threats and new crimes committed by pardoned Jan. 6 offenders, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Monday. Published December 29, 2025
Trump’s Education Dept. to garnish wages of delinquent student borrowers in January
The Trump administration says it will kick off the new year by garnishing the wages of people who are delinquent on student loan repayment, reversing Biden-era leniency. Published December 29, 2025
Not just dollars: Supreme Court tariff case could threaten Trump’s favorite diplomatic tool
A Supreme Court ruling canceling President Trump's ability to impose tariffs on other nations unilaterally would open the floodgates to refunds and economic upheaval. Published December 25, 2025
Trump: Rise in jobless rate OK since it’s fueled by federal job cuts
President Trump, hoping to boost his ratings on the economy, says a recent increase in the unemployment rate is OK because the change is due to a drastic reduction in the federal workforce. Published December 19, 2025
N.Y. Federal Reserve official says ‘special factors’ might have pushed down Nov. inflation report
New York Federal Reserve President John Williams says data distortions from the government shutdown might have impacted the latest inflation report, resulting in rosier numbers. Published December 19, 2025
Cooling inflation numbers boost Trump’s economic message
Consumer prices rose at a lower-than-expected rate last month, handing President Trump an early Christmas gift and a much-needed political boost heading into the midterm campaign season. Published December 18, 2025
Inflation report comes in cooler than expected, at 2.7% annual rate
Consumer prices rose at a lower-than-expected rate for the year leading to November, the Department of Labor said Thursday in its first major inflation report since the government shutdown. Published December 18, 2025
Ted Cruz tells FCC to avoid moves that could ‘chill’ protected speech
Sen. Ted Cruz warned the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday to avoid punishing media companies that engage in "disfavored content," saying such moves would chill protected speech. Published December 17, 2025
Vance says Trump ‘making progress’ on the economy after Biden rut
Vice President J.D. Vance on Tuesday promised Pennsylvania's blue-collar workers a resurgent middle class under President Trump, pointing to gradual wage growth and cooling inflation, plus tax peaks under GOP policies. Published December 16, 2025
U.S. adds 64,000 jobs in November but unemployment rate rises
The U.S. added 64,000 jobs in November, but the unemployment rate rose to its highest level since September 2021, the government said Tuesday in a restart of key data reports that raised concerns about sluggish hiring in multiple sectors. Published December 16, 2025
Nick Reiner held in deaths of his famous Hollywood parents, Rob and Michele Reiner
Nick Reiner was being held Monday in the Los Angeles County jail in the slayings of his parents, film director and major Democratic donor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, in their home on Sunday. Published December 15, 2025
Trump says Reiners’ ‘incurable’ opposition to him caused their deaths
President Trump on Monday said "Trump Derangement Syndrome" led to the deaths of film director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. Published December 15, 2025
Barack Obama praises lives of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, as ‘defined by purpose’
Former President Barack Obama said Monday that he and former first lady Michelle Obama were "heartbroken" to learn that director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead Sunday in their Los Angeles home. Published December 15, 2025
Trump revives push to downgrade marijuana in federal drug laws
Marijuana might not be on the federal government's list of most restricted drugs for much longer. Published December 12, 2025
Dow hits record high as Trump tries to soothe Americans’ economic frustration
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an all-time intraday record on Thursday, sparking a victory lap from President Trump, who is tired of getting low marks on the economy. Published December 11, 2025
Sens. Josh Hawley, Maggie Hassan tell tech companies to crack down on AI-driven scams
Scammers are adept at using artificial intelligence to fleece people, from fake phone calls that mimic a grandparent's voice to emails that replicate official requests from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Published December 11, 2025
Fed delivers third cut in rates amid job struggles as Trump calls for bolder action
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut interest rates by 0.25%, its third successive cut, as hiring woes overtake inflation fears as the central bank's main concern. Published December 10, 2025
Trump threatens new tariffs on Mexico if it does not release water under 1944 treaty
President Trump threatened to impose an additional 5% tariff on Mexican products if the southern neighbor does not comply with a decades-old treaty that requires the nations to share water from the Colorado River and the Rio Grande. Published December 9, 2025
Trump hitting the road to gain upper hand on the affordability debate
President Trump will outline his plan to tackle persistent inflation and economic concerns during a stop in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, effectively kicking off a midterm election season that will focus on Americans' finances. Published December 8, 2025
