White House moves to parcel off part of Yosemite
On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," NOTUS reporter Anna Kramer discussed her reporting on a National Park Service proposal to swap roughly a quarter-mile strip of land inside Yosemite National Park to a private developer for use as a road connecting an outside development to one of the park's central roads, a plan still in its early appraisal stage but notable because it breaks with precedent — a nearly identical request was rejected by both the Bush and Obama administrations, upheld in court after the developer sued, and again denied by the Biden administration, while Kramer's sources describe the idea as unpopular within the Park Service itself even as political appointees at the Interior Department push to speed it along.
On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," NOTUS reporter Anna Kramer discussed her reporting on a National Park Service proposal to swap roughly a quarter-mile strip of land inside Yosemite National Park to a private developer for use as a road connecting an outside development to one of the park's central roads, a plan still in its early appraisal stage but notable because it breaks with precedent — a nearly identical request was rejected by both the Bush and Obama administrations, upheld in court after the developer sued, and again denied by the Biden administration, while Kramer's sources describe the idea as unpopular within the Park Service itself even as political appointees at the Interior Department push to speed it along.
GOP candidate gets busted allegedly trying to plant drugs on his political rival
A Republican candidate for the Missouri state House is facing federal drug charges after newly unsealed court documents revealed an alleged plot to frame his political opponent by planting cocaine and prescription pills in her purse.
A Republican candidate for the Missouri state House is facing federal drug charges after newly unsealed court documents revealed an alleged plot to frame his political opponent by planting cocaine and prescription pills in her purse.
Adam Telle named acting Army secretary following Driscoll’s departure
President Donald Trump on Thursday named Adam Telle as the acting Army secretary following the departure of Dan Driscoll. Here’s what to know.
President Donald Trump on Thursday named Adam Telle as the acting Army secretary following the departure of Dan Driscoll. Here’s what to know.
Judge blocks Trump's latest order to limit birthright citizenship
A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump’s new order violates the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down his initial birthright citizenship order he enforced on his first day in office in 2025.
A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump’s new order violates the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down his initial birthright citizenship order he enforced on his first day in office in 2025.
California's Aisha Wahab is 1st Afghan American sworn into Congress
Former California Senator Aisha Wahab was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, officially becoming the first Afghan American to serve in Congress.
Former California Senator Aisha Wahab was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, officially becoming the first Afghan American to serve in Congress.
Data centers emerge as key issue in midterms
Data center expansion has become a major campaign issue across the D.C. region and nationwide, driving intense debates over local economic benefits versus environmental and infrastructure strains. On The Final 5, Christopher Johnson, President and Co-founder of the American Energy Leadership Institute, defended the rapid growth of data centers in places like Loudoun County's "Data Center Alley."
Data center expansion has become a major campaign issue across the D.C. region and nationwide, driving intense debates over local economic benefits versus environmental and infrastructure strains. On The Final 5, Christopher Johnson, President and Co-founder of the American Energy Leadership Institute, defended the rapid growth of data centers in places like Loudoun County's "Data Center Alley."
Walkinshaw pushes back against Trump election changes ahead of midterms
On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA) addressed growing concerns surrounding President Trump's involvement in the upcoming midterm elections, focusing on recent developments involving the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Homeland Security.
On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA) addressed growing concerns surrounding President Trump's involvement in the upcoming midterm elections, focusing on recent developments involving the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump calls for boost to film, TV production with tax incentives
President Donald Trump is urging Congress to enact new tax incentives for the entertainment industry to stimulate job growth, while maintaining film and television production in the United States.
President Donald Trump is urging Congress to enact new tax incentives for the entertainment industry to stimulate job growth, while maintaining film and television production in the United States.
Ed Markey wins Massachusetts primary in generational showdown
Sen. Ed Markey defeated challenger Rep. Seth Moulton in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, fending off a bid centered on age and generational change to secure his party’s nomination.
Sen. Ed Markey defeated challenger Rep. Seth Moulton in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, fending off a bid centered on age and generational change to secure his party’s nomination.
More Americans than ever say government corruption is ‘widespread,’ poll finds
A new Gallup poll found that 89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread, the highest level in two decades.
A new Gallup poll found that 89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread, the highest level in two decades.
Feinberg reflects on 9/11 fund’s lasting human toll
25 years after the September 11 attacks, former 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Special Master Kenneth Feinberg reflects on the daunting task of assigning financial compensation to families amid unimaginable grief. In an in-studio Final 5 interview ahead of the re-release of his book "What Is Life Worth?", Feinberg shares the personal stories that stayed with him, explains the formula Congress required him to follow and discusses the enduring responsibility to remember the victims—and the lessons of national unity for a new generation.
25 years after the September 11 attacks, former 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Special Master Kenneth Feinberg reflects on the daunting task of assigning financial compensation to families amid unimaginable grief. In an in-studio Final 5 interview ahead of the re-release of his book "What Is Life Worth?", Feinberg shares the personal stories that stayed with him, explains the formula Congress required him to follow and discusses the enduring responsibility to remember the victims—and the lessons of national unity for a new generation.
Piker puts Michigan Senate race, Dem divisions in spotlight
Political commentator Kaivan Shroff joins The Final 5 to discuss the controversy surrounding Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s association with progressive streamer Hasan Piker. Shroff says Piker’s past remarks, including a comment about 9/11 for which he later apologized, are indefensible—but argues El-Sayed’s response has allowed the issue to linger and handed Republicans an effective line of attack. The conversation also examines broader tensions inside the Democratic Party over progressivism, Israel policy and claims of Islamophobic attacks against El-Sayed.
Political commentator Kaivan Shroff joins The Final 5 to discuss the controversy surrounding Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s association with progressive streamer Hasan Piker. Shroff says Piker’s past remarks, including a comment about 9/11 for which he later apologized, are indefensible—but argues El-Sayed’s response has allowed the issue to linger and handed Republicans an effective line of attack. The conversation also examines broader tensions inside the Democratic Party over progressivism, Israel policy and claims of Islamophobic attacks against El-Sayed.
Apple Maps switches to ‘Lake America’ for some users
Apple has changed the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in its popular Maps app, but only for users in the United States. The new name began appearing for users on Tuesday, just a day after the Trump administration revealed that it appealed directly to the tech giant to make the switch.
Apple has changed the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in its popular Maps app, but only for users in the United States. The new name began appearing for users on Tuesday, just a day after the Trump administration revealed that it appealed directly to the tech giant to make the switch.
Whistleblower warns new USPS mail-in ballot system could threaten midterm elections
An anonymous whistleblower warns an untested online system for mail-in ballots could cause severe election disruptions as a legal battle over the Trump executive order plays out in federal court.
An anonymous whistleblower warns an untested online system for mail-in ballots could cause severe election disruptions as a legal battle over the Trump executive order plays out in federal court.
Few Americans support 'Lake America' name, poll finds
A majority of Americans oppose President Donald Trump's order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," a new poll found.
A majority of Americans oppose President Donald Trump's order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," a new poll found.
Video shows moment FBI confronts former Congressman Eric Swalwell at SFO
Newly obtained video footage shows the moment former Congressman Eric Swalwell was confronted by federal agents at San Francisco International Airport.
Newly obtained video footage shows the moment former Congressman Eric Swalwell was confronted by federal agents at San Francisco International Airport.
House returns with government funding deadline and midterms looming
On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, Punchbowl News reporter Max Cohen explains what Congress is expected to accomplish before lawmakers return to the campaign trail. The House’s immediate priority is passing a bipartisan short-term funding bill that would avert a shutdown and extend government funding beyond the November elections, while Republicans also pursue a resolution condemning socialism as a campaign-season messaging strategy.
On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, Punchbowl News reporter Max Cohen explains what Congress is expected to accomplish before lawmakers return to the campaign trail. The House’s immediate priority is passing a bipartisan short-term funding bill that would avert a shutdown and extend government funding beyond the November elections, while Republicans also pursue a resolution condemning socialism as a campaign-season messaging strategy.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after 18 months on the job, White House says
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down after 18 months on the job, the White House said Monday. Here's what to know.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down after 18 months on the job, the White House said Monday. Here's what to know.
Supreme Court signs off on White House ballroom construction continuing
Construction of the new ballroom at the White House will continue following a temporary order by the Supreme Court.
Construction of the new ballroom at the White House will continue following a temporary order by the Supreme Court.
Treasury Department restricts journalists from covering North Carolina G20 meeting
Several news outlets have been denied press credentials to cover a major international finance gathering in North Carolina, raising concerns over media transparency.
Several news outlets have been denied press credentials to cover a major international finance gathering in North Carolina, raising concerns over media transparency.