DOJ indictment accuses Russian national of turning Americans into tools of Russian government
The Justice Department unsealed an indictment on Friday, alleging that a Russian national coordinated a "malign foreign influence campaign" meant to spread propaganda and influence elections in the U.S. Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov of Moscow has been charged with conspiring to have U.S. citizens act as illegal agents on behalf of Russia’s government and he faces up to five years in prison if convicted. Ionov is accused of targeting three U.S. political groups in Florida, Georgia and California in an effort to further the interests of Moscow through direct funding f
Read MoreDurbin calls for DOJ probe of missing Jan. 6 texts from Secret Service, Trump-era DHS officials
Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is calling on the Justice Department to intervene amid reports that a government watchdog at the Department of Homeland Security repeatedly failed to alert improper handling of government documents. Durbin’s call follows news that there are additional texts that cannot be accounted for among top Trump-era DHS officials Chad Wolf and Ken Cuccinelli, appearing to mark a second time that In
Read MoreMassachusetts governor signs bill safeguarding reproductive, gender-affirming health care into law
Story at a glance Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) on Friday approved legislation to protect access to abortion and gender-affirming health care. The law also shields providers and patients from actions taken by other states where those services are illegal or heavily restricted. State lawmakers introduced the measure just days af
Read MoreHouse Oversight chairwoman calls on HHS to declare monkeypox a public health emergency
The chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Friday called on the Biden administration to declare monkeypox a public health emergency. "As the monkeypox virus continues to spread across the United States, I urge you to immediately declare a public health emergency so that the federal government can use every resource and tool available in its response and rapidly increase availability and access to vaccines, tests, and treatments nationwide,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. A pu
Read MoreIncreasing levels of 'forever chemicals' seen in Antarctica
Story at a glance Despite the widespread proliferation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in populated areas, new research documents rising levels of these “forever chemicals” in remote regions of Antarctica. Researchers theorize the chemicals are wafted into the atmosphere, broken down and then deposited into the Antarctic snow.
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