Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
States ready new laws on wages, weed, traffic turns; infants, animals get protections
A new year means new laws are taking effect across America, with state-by-state plans to raise the minimum wage, improve the quality of life in city centers and slash taxes and regulations. Published December 30, 2024
Trump’s tariff plans send the world into a tizzy far before inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump won't take office until Jan. 20, but his tariff threats are turning the world on its ear, including an implosion within the Canadian government and hand-wringing among German automakers that have been reeling from dwindling profits. Published December 27, 2024
Crypto gets gold treatment: Trump eyes creation of a strategic stockpile of bitcoin
Cryptocurrency has wandered in a regulatory wilderness ever since emerging from the 2009 recession as a form of electronic cash, a digital system of payment that didn't have to flow through a financial institution with big government looking over your shoulder. Published December 23, 2024
Donald Trump shifts shutdown blame: ‘This is a Biden problem to solve’
President-elect Donald Trump says any shutdown in federal operations should begin immediately under President Biden and not when he takes charge at the White House. Published December 20, 2024
Trump to EU: Buy more oil and gas or face tariffs
President-elect Donald Trump says the European Union must buy more oil and gas from the U.S. or face sweeping tariffs on products they send to the states. Published December 20, 2024
Georgia appeals court disqualifies Fani Willis from Trump election case
A Georgia appellate court said Thursday that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her team should be removed from the election subversion case against President-elect Donald Trump. Published December 19, 2024
Senate passes major NDAA bill, sending it to Biden
The Senate on Wednesday passed a defense bill that gives troops a big pay raise and prohibits the use of military insurance for gender-related treatments among minors, dispatching the legislation to President Biden's desk before the holiday break. Published December 18, 2024
Maybe he’s not joking? Trump revives 51st state talk about Canada
President-elect Donald Trump is taunting Canada again. Published December 18, 2024
Rep. Jared Moskowitz is not interested in FEMA job, will remain in Congress
Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz said Tuesday he has no intention of serving in President-elect Donald Trump's administration and plans to run again for his House seat in 2026. Published December 17, 2024
Kamala Harris calls for renewed focus on gun violence after Wisconsin school shooting
Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday urged U.S. leaders to renew their commitment to fighting gun violence after a Wisconsin school shooting that killed a teacher and teenage student. Published December 17, 2024
Trump slams departing Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland as impediment to dealmaking
President-elect Donald Trump says Canada's departing finance minister was an obstacle to U.S.-Canada relations and "will not be missed." Published December 17, 2024
Senate advances must-pass defense legislation in year-end flourish
The Senate teed up a "very busy week" by voting Monday to advance a major annual defense bill, overcoming rifts over spending levels and transgender policy to keep the must-pass bill on track for President Biden's signature. Published December 16, 2024
Trump says GOP senators with ‘unreasonable’ opposition to Cabinet picks could face primaries
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday that he could get involved in primary races against GOP senators if they put up "unreasonable" objections to his Cabinet nominees. Published December 16, 2024
Feds insist drones aren’t dangerous but can’t say who’s flying them
New Jersey leaders are not buying the Biden administration's explanation that most of the drones reported swarming the state's coastline in recent weeks are regular aircraft, saying that's a demeaning answer given what residents have seen with their own eyes. Published December 15, 2024
New Jersey rejects Biden’s airplane explanation for drone sightings
The Biden administration's claim that the drones over New Jersey are mostly regular aircraft isn't sitting well with the state's residents or politicians, who say it's a demeaning explanation, given what people have seen with their own eyes. Published December 13, 2024
‘More questions than answers’: Mounting N.J. drone crisis reaches White House; Biden begged to help
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is pleading directly with President Biden for federal aid in determining why his residents see unexplained aircraft dotting the sky night after night. Published December 13, 2024
Liberal organization pushes anti-corporate, pro-grassroots wish list ahead of DNC elections
A major liberal coalition wants Democratic leaders to reject corporate donations to political action committees, among other changes, as the party elects new leaders as part of a reset following its disastrous 2024 cycle. Published December 13, 2024
Daniel Penny, acquitted New York subway defendant, accepts J.D. Vance’s invite to Army-Navy game
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance has invited Daniel Penny, the man acquitted in the death of a disruptive man he restrained on a New York subway, to attend the Army-Navy game in Maryland on Saturday. Published December 13, 2024
Schumer, other senators from N.Y. and N.J. request federal briefing on drone sightings
Democratic senators from New York and New Jersey are demanding a briefing on the source of the drones that have spooked and mystified residents of their states. Published December 12, 2024
Ontario’s Doug Ford says Canada will block energy to U.S. in response to tariffs
The head of Canada's largest province says he's ready to fight back if President-elect Donald Trump imposes tariffs on goods from America's northern neighbor. Published December 12, 2024
