Politics and Government News

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Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director by the Senate despite deep Democratic doubts
The Senate has narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as as President Donald Trump's FBI director. The 51-49 vote Thursday puts the Trump loyalist atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency despite Democrats' doubts about his qualifications and concerns he'll do Trump’s bidding and go after the Republican president's adversaries.
Sen. Mitch McConnell won't seek reelection in 2026, ending long tenure as Republican power broker
Fellow senators have clapped for Mitch McConnell after he announced he won’t seek reelection next year. The Kentucky Republican is ending a decadeslong tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce populism of President Donald Trump.
State House: District 40B
Early voting begins Friday, Feb. 21, in a Minnesota House election that will determine whether that chamber stays in Republican control or moves into a party tie. The special election for House District 40B, which includes areas of Roseville and Shoreview, was rescheduled after the November winner resigned amid a residency challenge. The candidates running in this special election are DFLer David Gottfried and Republican Paul Wikstrom.
Panama sends 97 U.S. deportees to migrant camp after they refused to be repatriated
The migrants refused to be repatriated to their countries. They will be held in a migration facility near the Darien Gap along the Colombian border until third countries can be found to take them.
A military vet and a scientist were securing America’s food system. Trump fired them
More than 10,000 federal employees who had yet to complete their probationary periods have been fired by the Trump administration, including those who work to protect American agriculture.
Black farmers among those left in limbo amid federal funding freeze
The federal government has historically discriminated against Black farmers. The recent funding halt from the Trump administration presents yet another hurdle to those who have spent decades fighting for equity in farming.
Latino business owners say customers are staying away in wake of deportation threats
Some Latino business owners say customers have been staying away out of fear of being detained and deported. Twin Cities business and city leaders are encouraging people to buy from Latino-owned shops this Saturday.
Trump administration yanks CDC flu vaccine campaign
As flu rages, the Trump administration has pulled the plug on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu immunization campaign that targeted high-risk groups, including pregnant women.