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Members of Congress blast TikTok CEO as bipartisan support for U.S. ban looks possible
A U.S. House panel grilled TikTok’s CEO for more than five hours Thursday over the social media giant’s ties to China, and indicated there may be bipartisan consensus for a national ban on the platform. Members of both parties showed an unusual level of agreement during tough questioning of TikTok CEO Shou Chew. Several members […]
House passes bill to allow Oregonians to pump their own gas
Oregon drivers who for decades have been banned from touching gas pumps could soon have the right to fuel their own cars, under a bill the state House overwhelmingly approved Monday. Only Oregon and New Jersey ban self-service gas, though Oregon in recent years allowed people to pump their own gas in some rural counties […]
Looking for a job in the Treasure Valley? Check out this hiring event.
A job fair will be held from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Cole and Ustick branch of the Boise Public Library, 7557 W. Ustick Road, according to a press release from the Idaho Department of Labor. Participating employers include the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson Merchandisers, Boise State University, city of Boise, Guerdon, Idaho Power, […]
Biden administration details potential cuts in education, food aid and more under GOP plan
WASHINGTON — Federal departments and agencies say U.S. House Republicans’ plans to cut federal spending would result in reductions to key programs like food aid, education assistance and wildfire management. The series of letters from across the federal government released Monday detail exactly how plans to cut at least $130 billion in domestic spending during […]
South Dakota congressman advocates expansion of work requirements for federal food aid
WASHINGTON — Republican South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson introduced a bill Tuesday aimed at expanding work requirements for federal nutrition aid, reigniting a perennial conflict over how Congress navigates the farm bill and federal spending. “Work is the best pathway out of poverty,” Johnson, who in his home state has talked about growing up poor, […]
States to receive $2.5B from feds for electric vehicle charging infrastructure
The federal government will send $2.5 billion over the next five years to states, local governments and tribes to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Biden administration officials said Tuesday. The new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant program, which was authorized by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, will spend $2.5 billion over five years to build […]
Biden says U.S. bank deposits are safe despite tumult over California bank collapse
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden reassured Americans early Monday that their money is safe in U.S. banks, after a tumultuous weekend following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and a move by regulators to shut down a second lender. Americans “should feel confident that their deposits will be there, if and when they need them,” […]
Bill to open more walkup campsites in Montana sailing through Legislature
Helping Montanans have a better shot at camping in state parks is a popular idea in the Montana Legislature. House Bill 440, which would limit the number of reserved campsites at 80% to allow more walkups, passed unanimously in committee, and then it passed unanimously in the Montana House. Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Libby, had said […]
Powell signals higher interest rates. Here’s why Friday’s jobs report will affect Fed’s decision.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this week that interest rate increases could be higher and come faster if Friday’s unemployment data shows the nation’s labor market isn’t cooling off. Stock indexes fell after his comments. That’s been a familiar pattern over the past year as the federal bank has tried to combat inflation. A […]
Idaho DEQ announces millions in construction grants and funding to identify water system upgrades
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality on Thursday announced the award of more than $35.2 million in construction grants for 10 local drinking water and wastewater systems, and on Friday, announced an additional $107,700 to help five local drinking water and wastewater systems evaluate their deficiencies and identify necessary upgrades, according to DEQ press releases. […]
Idaho veterans with disabilities can now apply online for property tax relief
Through a new online option, some Idaho veterans with disabilities are eligible to have their property tax bill reduced by as much as $1,500 on their Idaho residence and up to one acre of land, according to a press release from the Idaho State Tax Commission. With an email address, veterans can apply for the […]
Child poverty dropped to a record low last year. A new report shows how to keep it that way.
The expanded child tax credit that families received in 2021 helped reduce child poverty across the country, but particularly in the South where families lack a sufficient safety net, according to a paper released on Wednesday. The report by the Hamilton Project, the Brookings Institution’s economic policy initiative, comes as some Democrats appear ready to […]