$600,000 award for not accommodating employee’s “Mark of the Beast” beliefs

"A longtime employee of Consol Energy Inc. is entitled to over half a million dollars in damages because of the coal company's failure to accommodate his religious concerns about a handprint scanner, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled.[Beverly Butcher Jr.'s] understanding of the biblical Book of Revelation is that the 'Mark of the Beast' brands followers of the Antichrist, allowing the Antichrist to manipulate them. The use of Consol's hand-scanning system, Butcher feared, would result in him being so marked.

Democrat Kanew seeks to challenge Republican Rep. Blackburn

A film writer and producer says he is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee next year. The Tennessean reports that Justin Kanew says he was inspired to run for the heavily Republican 7th Congressional District seat because he opposes efforts to replace and repeal former President Barack Obama's signature health care law.

GOP voters blame Congress, not Trump, for lack of progress

In firm control of the federal government, President Donald Trump and his Republican Party have so far failed to deliver on core campaign promises on health care, taxes and infrastructure. But in New York's Trump Tower cafe, the Gentry family blames Congress, not the president.

Appeals court orders EPA to proceed with emissions rule

A federal appeals court in Washington has ruled the head of the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped his authority in trying to delay implementation of a new rule requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and reduce methane leaks. In a split decision Monday, the three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered the EPA to move forward with the Obama-era requirement that aims to reduce planet-warming emissions from oil and gas operations.

Agencies struggle to label soy milk

Dairy farmers want U.S. regulators to banish the term "soy milk," but documents show even government agencies haven't always agreed on what to call such drinks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture "fervently" wanted to use the term "soy milk" in educational materials for the public, according to emails recently released in response to a lawsuit.

Trump back repeal-only health bill as ‘option’

President Donald Trump is pressuring wavering senators to back a Republican bill to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law but is holding open a repeal-only option if Republicans can't reach agreement over the July 4 recess, Trump's top legislative aide says. Marc Short, the White House's legislative director, said Trump was making weekend calls and believed senators were "getting close" on passing a bill.

A Court Has Blocked the EPA’s Effort to Delay an Obama-era Rule on Reducing Emissions

A federal appeals court in Washington ruled Monday that the head of the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped his authority in trying to delay implementation of an Obama administration rule requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and reduce methane leaks. In a split decision, the three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered the EPA to move forward with the new requirement that aims to reduce planet-warming emissions from oil and gas operations.

DC appeals court orders EPA to move ahead with methane rule

A federal appeals court in Washington ruled Monday that the head of the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped his authority in trying to delay implementation of a new rule requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and reduce methane leaks. In a split decision, the three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered the EPA to move forward with the Obama-era requirement that aims to reduce planet-warming emissions from oil and gas operations.

As Climate Threats Mount, Experts Say No Time Left for Deceitful “Debate”

Scott Pruitt sued the EPA more than a dozen times before he was named as the agency's head this year. As new and worrying evidence of global warming's destructive impacts mount around the globe, climate experts are saying efforts by the Trump administration's EPA chief to discredit decades of climate science research should be seen as a deceitful-and dangerous-tactic.

Illinois House passes $5 billion tax package, spending plan

Illinois' Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed big, permanent increases in income tax rates and a $36 billion fiscal 2018 spending plan on Sunday with the help of some Republican votes as the cash-strapped state scrambled to stave off a bond rating downgrade to junk. The $5 billion tax package, which passed in a 72-45 vote and drew an immediate veto threat from Republican Governor Bruce Rauner, would boost the personal income tax rate to 4.95 percent from 3.75 percent and the corporate rate to 7 percent from 5.25 percent.

Soy – milk’? Even federal agencies can’t agree on terminology

Dairy farmers want U.S. regulators to banish the term "soy milk," but documents show even government agencies haven't always agreed on what to call such drinks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture "fervently" wanted to use the term "soy milk" in educational materials for the public, according to emails recently released in response to a lawsuit.

Soy ‘Milk’? Even Federal Agencies Can’t Agree on Terminology

This Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, photo shows the ingredients label for soy milk at a grocery store in New York. Dairy producers are calling for a crackdown on the almond, soy and rice "milks" they say are masquerading as the real thing and cloud the meaning of milk for shoppers.

Kasich Comeuppance Coming In Budget Veto Overrides

A reversal of fortune now awaits Ohio's 69th governor after he issued more than 47 vetoes Friday before signing his last state budget deal clocking in at $133 billion in all-funds. Gov. John Kasich's executive prowess started out in 2011 unbeatable, but awaits a comeuppance six years later after lawmakers in his own party prepare to potentially override his vetoes, the biggest of which is freezing Medicaid enrollment next year.

Democrats, Beware the Single-Payer Siren

Democrats who are giddily munching popcorn while watching Republicans struggle with trying to repeal Obamacare may want to put down the tub. They are on the verge of adopting a politically analogous health care plank, one designed to rev up their ideological base in the next campaign, but destined to make the party suffer once in power.

Trump makes push on health bill; repeal-only vote an option

President Donald Trump is making a weekend push to get a Republican Senate bill to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law "across the finish line," Trump's top legislative aide said Sunday, maintaining that a repeal-only option also remained in play if Republicans can't reach agreement. Marc Short, the White House's legislative director, said Trump was making calls to wavering senators and insisted they were "getting close" on passing a bill.

ACLU Doubling Down Against State And Federal ‘Blue Lives Matter’ Bills

With Kentucky becoming the 13th state to adopt "Blue Lives Matter" legislation Wednesday, the ACLU is doubling down on opposing the police protections on both the federal and state levels, a spokeswoman told The Daily Caller News Foundation Friday. The Kentucky law makes attacking police a hate crime, and the new Back the Blue Act introduced by Texas Republicans Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Ted Poe would introduce mandatory minimum sentences for crimes against police and introduce the death penalty for killing law enforcement officers.

What led to the GOP’s massive health care fail? And what happens next?

This victory could begin to turn the tide - but the right's long war against the welfare state is nowhere near over The spectacular failure of the GOP's Obamacare repeal efforts - reminding us all of the original meaning of "house of cards" - should be looked on as a gift, with all the uncertainty, as well as promise, that gifts always entail. Twenty-two million people will not lose their health care - at least not yet.