The Alabama Legislature swiftly took action in the wake of a controversial ruling by the state’s Supreme Court. The ruling defined embryos developed as part of in vitro fertilization treatment as children. As a result, hospitals and clinics put a pause on IVF treatment over fear of potential prosecution and lawsuits over the delicate procedure.…

On Feb. 21, President Joe Biden approved $1.2 billion in student loan debt forgiveness to almost 153,000 borrowers under his Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. To qualify for this forgiveness, borrowers must have been repaying their loans for at least 10 years. Following the Supreme Court’s rejection of Biden’s initial student debt relief…

Some homes in the United States are poised to receive electricity for the first time. This is part of a $366 million initiative spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE), which aims to introduce clean energy projects to rural and tribal communities across the nation. “President Biden firmly believes that every community should benefit from…

The Supreme Court case Trump v. Anderson will decide whether former President Donald Trump is eligible to run as a candidate for president in 2024. Some constitutional law experts have argued that Trump cannot run as a candidate, citing what they say is a clear violation of the 14th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution, which…

On Friday, Feb. 16, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos should have some of the same legal protections as human children. The ruling has severe implications for in vitro fertilization (IVF), which freezes and uses embryos to help women become pregnant. Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker, citing the Book of Genesis, argued that IVF…

Congressional leaders strike a deal to avoid a partial government shutdown before Friday night’s deadline. And Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to face questions from Congress over keeping his health a secret. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 Congress reaches short-term deal to avoid government shutdown A…

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Ky., announced that he will step down from his position in November. McConnell has been the top Republican in the chamber since 2007 and is the longest serving Senate leader in history. The 82-year-old made clear he plans to finish his elected term which ends in January 2027.  McConnell is…

On Feb. 16, the Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling asserting that embryos produced through in vitro fertilization (IVF) should now be legally recognized as children. This decision has prompted numerous IVF clinics in the state to temporarily suspend their services, sparking concerns among medical professionals and patients. Additionally, some Republican lawmakers are finding themselves…

Months after the Supreme Court rejected affirmative action in college admissions, Chief Justice John Roberts and a majority of justices declined to reconsider whether the updated admissions policy at Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ), one of the nation’s top-ranked high schools, discriminates against Asian Americans. A lower court’s decision supporting…