Susan Walsh: Last News

The U.S. extended the public health emergency status for the COVID-19 pandemic Thursday, weeks after President Biden's controversial remarks declaring the pandemic was "over."  The move extends the order through Jan.

Wisconsin Gov.Tony Evers and Republican challenger Tim Michels, locked in a tight race with implications on the 2024 presidential race in the battleground state, were scheduled to meet Friday for their one and only debate. Evers has cast himself as the only block against a Republican-controlled Legislature. Michels, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, calls himself a political outsider as he largely self-finances his run.

The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin denounced Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., after years of previously praising him, for planning to step down and accept a position as president of the University of Florida. Rubin denounced Sasse on Wednesday in an op-ed calling him "an affirmative action hire if there ever was one" by Gov.

The White House said Tuesday that President Biden believes Saudi Arabia has effectively sided with Russia’s war aims in Ukraine following the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance’s announcement last week that it would cut oil production. "We believe by the decision that OPEC+ made last week, (Saudi Arabia is) certainly aligning themselves with Russia," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a Tuesday briefing.

The Biden administration’s plan to hand out up to $20,000 in individual student debt relief will rely on a brief self-certification form, according to a preview of the application webpage released to reporters on Tuesday.  The application, which White House officials said will go live later this month, requires applicants to list their name, social security number, date of birth, phone number and email. Borrowers are then asked to certify the information and submit the form.  "I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that all of the information provided on this form is true and correct," the application will state.

After finishing a tour in Afghanistan in 2013, Dionne Williamson felt emotionally numb. More warning signs appeared during several years of subsequent overseas postings. "It’s like I lost me somewhere," said Williamson, a Navy lieutenant commander who experienced disorientation, depression, memory loss and chronic exhaustion.

The White House on Friday said it has seen no indication Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons despite comments made by President Biden warning the U.S. has not "faced the prospect of Armageddon" in 60 years.  "We have not seen any reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture, nor do we have indications that Russia is preparing to imminently use nuclear weapons," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One.  Jean-Pierre defended comments made by the president earlier Friday, saying, "The kind of irresponsible rhetoric we have seen is no way for the leader of a nuclear-armed state to speak, and that’s what the president was making very clear." White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a daily briefing at the White House in Washington Sept.