Trump, Putin discuss – mutually beneficial’ trade,a

Will President Donald Trump usher in a new era for U.S.-Russian relations, or are the two powers going to continue down the path as geopolitical foes? Trump, Putin discuss 'mutually beneficial' trade, security Will President Donald Trump usher in a new era for U.S.-Russian relations, or are the two powers going to continue down the path as geopolitical foes? Check out this story on yorkdispatch.com: FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2017 file photo, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington.

BC-OH-Ohio AP Legislative-Political Preview,ADVISORY, OH

EDITORS:NEWS DIRECTORS: THIS IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Feb. 1, when we will host the Ohio Associated Press 2017 Legislative and Political Preview Session.The meeting is designed to give AP member journalists, particularly those who do not work in Columbus, access to the state's key leaders during the ... (more)

Trump, Putin have long-awaited call; McCain urges continued sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump's first conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office is causing concern among European allies and consternation among fellow Republicans about the future of U.S. penalties imposed on Moscow. Trump was noncommittal before Saturday's scheduled telephone call about whether he was considering lifting the economic sanctions.

Trump, Putin set for phone call; GOP concerns on sanctions

President Donald Trump's first conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office is causing concern among European allies and consternation among fellow Republicans about the future of U.S. penalties imposed on Moscow. Trump was noncommittal before Saturday's scheduled telephone call about whether he was considering lifting the economic sanctions.

Trump, Putin to speak amid GOP concerns on sanctions

President Donald Trump's first conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office is sparking concern among European allies and his own Republican Party about the future of U.S. sanctions on Moscow. Ahead of the call planned for Saturday, Trump was noncommittal about whether he was considering lifting the economic penalties.

Trump’s executive order suspends the entry of Syrian refugees into U.S.

Trump's executive order suspends the entry of Syrian refugees into U.S. President Trump ordered the State Department on Friday to suspend the U.S. refugee program. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2jGhjoD President Trump signed two more executive actions while at the Pentagon for the swearing-in ceremony of his Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Department of Energy Awards Blue Bird $4.4 Million to Develop Electric School Bus

The United States Department of Energy is awarding Blue Bird Corporation , a bus manufacturer based in Fort Valley, GA, $4.4 million to develop a zero-emissions, 100 percent vehicle-to-grid electric school bus. The award is part of $15 million the energy department set aside late last year to accelerate the adoption of advanced and alternative fuel vehicles.

Rubio meets with SWFL growers on immigration issues

As talk in Washington focuses on immigration and relations with Mexico, Sen. Marco Rubio made a stop in Immokalee on Friday to talk about those issues with citrus growers who often turn to immigrant workers. One of the key topics growers brought up with Rubio was labor, specifically the guest worker program, which lets growers hire workers from other countries on temporary work permits.

The Latest: Trump suspends Syrian refugees program

President Donald Trump takes the cap off a pen before signing executive order for immigration actions to build border wall during a visit to the Homeland Security Department in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. . Former South Carolina Governor and current ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, in middle, waves to the crowd after current Governor Henry McMaster, at left, was sworn in by S.C. Chief Justice Don Beatty during a ceremon... .

Nation-Now 24 mins ago 2:07 p.m.New tax proposed by GOP could hike prices on cars, clothes and gas

Donald Trump's proposal to levy a new tax on imports from Mexico isn't the only plan that could pinch your pocketbook. A GOP proposal to scrap a tax deduction on imported goods could lead to price hikes of as much as 15% on products ranging from jeans to jeeps, according to projections by a major retail trade association.

Mike Pence rallies anti-abortion March for Life crowd

Vice President Mike Pence told a crowd gathered Friday in Washington for the annual March for Life rally that ending taxpayer-funded abortion and choosing a Supreme Court justice who will uphold "God-given" liberties are among top priorities of the Trump administration. One of Trump's first official acts after taking office a week ago was to sign an executive order banning U.S. aid to foreign groups that provide abortions.

Tom’s #Mailbag, Jan. 27, 2017

This week's mailbag includes questions about Attorney General Lisa Madigan's controversial court filing Thursday, a photo of Esteban Tomas, vintage photos of the Boneyard, city parkways, a U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis town hall, the history of political demonstrations in C-U, a new park in Champaign, Urbana recycling and the need for some Sangamon River notoriety. "The Champaign County Young Democrats' official crowd-counter estimated the number of marchers at 5,800 in Saturday's Women's March on CU.

Georgia lawmaker, traveling with storm relief money, is shot

In this Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003 file photo, Georgia Rep. Gerald Greene, D-Cuthbert, a member of the HOPE Scholarship Joint Study Commission, listens to some of the cost-cutting suggestions during the group's meeting, at the State Capitol in Atlanta. Green, 69, is recovering from a gunshot wound after he says he was shot, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, while traveling with several thousands of dollars in donations for storm relief efforts.

Colorado considers ending longtime switchblade knife ban

A Massachusetts man who authorities say assaulted a Muslim airline employee at New York's Kennedy Airport is facing hate crime charges Colorado lawmakers are moving forward with a bill to repeal the state's ban on switchblade knives enacted in 1963 Vice President Mike Pence tells crowd gathered in Washington for the annual March for Life rally that ending taxpayer-funded abortion is an important priority of President Donald Trump Vice President Mike Pence addresses a crowd gathered in Washington for the March for Life rally, held annually in Washington by abortion opponents The University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor's response to a student trying to set up a pro-white group on campus further alienates minorities as they struggle for a better campus experience, student leaders said... The University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor's response to a student trying to set up a pro-white ... (more)

Mike Pence speaks at March for Life

Vice President Mike Pence addressed thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators at the annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C. During his speech, Pence said ending taxpayer funding for abortions and abortion providers is a top priority for President Donald Trump. The U.S. government does not fund Planned Parenthood 's abortions except in rare cases.

Republicans divided over border wall as Trump era begins

Congressional Republicans leave their annual policy retreat divided over paying for President Donald Trump's border wall, one of several thorny issues looming to trip them up as the GOP adjusts to full control of Washington. Lawmakers welcomed a speech from Trump endorsing their goals on repealing and replacing former President Barack Obama's health care law and overhauling the loophole-ridden tax code.