The 20 people Donald Trump turns to outside the White House

Washington: Relationships have always been President Donald Trump's currency and comfort, helping him talk his way into real estate deals over three decades in New York.Those who know him best say that his outer confidence has always belied an inner uncertainty, and that he needs to test ideas with a wide range of people. US Vice-President Mike Pence thanks Australia Mr Pence thanked Australia for calling on China to exert more pressure on North Korea to ends its nuclear weapons program and he says the Trump administration and its allies will "deal" with North Korea if China does not.

President approves Washington storms disaster declaration

President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration for Washington state to address damage from late January and February storms that brought flooding, landslides and mudslides. The action, in response to a request from Gov. Jay Inslee, makes federal funding available to state, local and tribal governments as well as certain nonprofit groups.

New Mexico Legislature sues governor in escalating conflict

The New Mexico Legislature sued Republican Gov. Susana Martinez on Friday over budget vetoes that would effectively eliminate the legislative branch of government by cutting off its funding amid an escalating clash over how to resolve the state's financial crisis. The move by the Democratic-controlled Legislature was an extraordinary step in a drawn-out feud over budget shortfalls that already have triggered cuts to public school athletic programs, layoffs at state museums and shortages of public defenders.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: ‘I am studying more about the impeachment process’

Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said at a town hall this week that she is studying more about the impeachment process amid the investigations into whether any aides to President Donald Trump's campaign were involved in Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Gabbard cautioned though that getting rid of Trump would mean a President Mike Pence, who she argued would be more effective in pushing a conservative agenda through Congress.

Amid layoffs, profit surges at GE Power in Schenectady

Steve Bolze, president and CEO of GE Power talks to members of the media following a company announcement that they have completed the acquisition of AlstomA's power and grid businesses on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, in Schenectady, N.Y. less Steve Bolze, president and CEO of GE Power talks to members of the media following a company announcement that they have completed the acquisition of AlstomA's power and grid businesses on Monday, Nov. 2, ... more WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28: GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt is interviewed during the Washington Ideas Forum at the Harmon Center for the Arts September 28, 2016 in Washington, DC.

Washington lawmakers pass bill for two-tier licensing

Washington lawmakers reached agreement Thursday on a two-tiered licensing system that seeks to bring Washington state into compliance with federal identification requirements. With final passage of the measure, lawmakers end a multiyear struggle over how to best comply with the REAL ID Act, a 2005 federal law that requires state driver's licenses and ID cards to have security enhancements and be issued to people who can prove they are legally in the United States.

Court again finds intentional voter discrimination in Texas

A Republican-drawn map setting the boundaries of Texas' statehouse districts violates the U.S. Constitution by intentionally discriminating against minority voters, a federal court found Thursday - the third such ruling against the state's voting laws in roughly a month. The latest ruling means Texas' strict voter ID law, congressional maps and state legislative maps - all of which were enacted in 2011 - have recently been found in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act.

Apocalyptic Progressivism

Shortly after the 2008 election, President Obama's soon-to-be chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, infamously declared, "You never let a serious crisis go to waste." He elaborated: "What I mean by that it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before."

Bill lets Indiana governor, not voters, pick schools chief

Indiana legislators sent Gov. Eric Holcomb a measure Tuesday that would eventually give the governor authority to appoint the state schools superintendent, a post that has been elected by voters for more than 150 years. House Speaker Brian Bosma, an Indianapolis Republican who sponsored the bill, said keeping the head of the Department of Education off the ballot will absolve the position from partisan politics.

US court, again, takes up issue of Blagojevich prison term

In this March 14, 2012, file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to the media outside his home in Chicago as his wife, Patti, wipes away tears a day before reporting to prison after his conviction on corruption charges. An appeals court Tuesday, April 18, 2017, heard oral arguments on whether Blagojevich should get a third sentencing hearing.

Some info still unknown in Interstate 85 bridge case

Nearly three weeks after the fire under the Interstate 85 northbound bridge near Piedmont Road caused it to collapse and damaged the southbound bridge enough to also warrant its replacement, little new information on the case has been provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation, mainly due to an ongoing investigation.

Candidates in gubernatorial race disclose sources of income

The nearly dozen candidates running to replace Republican Gov. Chris Christie get their income through state-funded salaries, dividends, rental properties and small businesses, according to disclosure reports released Monday. The reports, which are required under state law, come ahead of the June 6 primary when Democrats and Republicans will select their parties' nominee for the November general election to succeed Christie, who is prohibited by law from running for a third term.