The Latest: Oklahoma teachers’ union calls for end to strike

Public schools in Oklahoma's two largest cities will remain closed another day despite plans to end a strike by teachers seeking more classroom funding. Oklahoma City and Tulsa schools said Thursday they will remain closed on Friday, the end of the second week of a statewide walkout by teachers who marched on the state Capitol.

Thousands of Kentucky teachers rally for education funding

Thousands of Kentucky teachers hoisted signs and chanted "we love our children" on Friday as they called on legislators to reject the Republican governor's vetoes and restore increases in education spending. Classes were canceled around Kentucky as teachers descended on the Capitol, wearing red T-shirts and carrying signs that said "I love my public school."

Panel tackles lack of high-speed internet in Indian Country

Librarians, policymakers and other experts gathered Thursday in Washington, D.C., for a panel discussion on the legislation and the needs of tribal communities. Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon Clyburn told the group that investing in broadband infrastructure is critical because those investments increasingly determine which cities, towns and tribal nations thrive.

Ex-Texas congressman convicted of fraud, conspiracy

A federal jury convicted a former Texas congressman on fraud and conspiracy charges Thursday for misusing charitable donations to pay for personal and political expenses. Steve Stockman, a Republican, was accused of conspiring with two staffers to bilk conservative foundations out of at least $775,000 that was meant for charitable purposes and voter education.

Vice President Mike Pence on Speaker Ryan’s Decision to Not Seek Re-Election

Vice President Mike Pence: "Few Americans have done more to advance the conservative agenda over the last 20 years than Paul Ryan and I will miss his leadership and friendship when he leaves Congress at the end of this year. "Paul is my friend, a former colleague, a true patriot, and I congratulate him on his long service to Wisconsin and to the American people.

Pompeo defends Trump on Russia, won’t talk about Mueller

Mike Pompeo, the CIA director nominated to be secretary of state, defended the Trump administration's efforts to push back on aggression from Russia at his confirmation hearing Thursday while suggesting more sanctions on Moscow are still needed. Yet he dodged repeatedly when Democrats tried to pin him down on President Donald Trump's handling of the special investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Paul Ryan Is Running Away From His Own Complicity

One of the major story lines since Trump entered the White House has been the way that Republicans have come to his defense rather than hold him accountable. For example, with all that they know about the president by now, this staged photo-op from yesterday is stomach-turning: Honored to have Republican Congressional Leadership join me at the @WhiteHouse this evening.

Zuckerberg’s testimony is over, but scrutiny is just ramping up

For 14 years, Mark Zuckerberg was free to use any means he could imagine to build his social network into an internet and advertising colossus with tens of billions of dollars in revenue. Now Congress is waking up to what that freedom meant for Facebook users.

Senate and Governor Approval Numbers are Bad News for Democrats

If you're a Democrat, there is almost no good news in the latest Morning Consult governor and senator approval rankings. They can take comfort that it looks like they'll be taking back the governor's office in Illinois and that Scott Walker looks like he's in real trouble in Wisconsin.

Estonia offers free genetic testing in nationwide experiment

Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year fo... Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions. Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions.

Spike Lee, Godard films to compete at Netflix-free Cannes

Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year fo... Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions. Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions.

Connecticut man pleads guilty to hacking celebrity accounts

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens says affair was 'entirely consensual relationship' but the woman with whom he had an affair says he spanked, slapped, grabbed and shoved her during sexual encounters. Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner says he has had a change of heart on marijuana and will promote its nationwide legalization.

Ryan’s impact: Tax bill but no entitlement reform

House Speaker Paul Ryan steps down in January after a twenty year career in Congress with one major accomplishment -- a massive overhaul of the tax code. But the policy wonk and Republican thought leader departs without meaningful action on the agenda that led to his rise as a national Republican figure -- reforming entitlement programs and tackling the nation's debt crisis.

World trade body warns US-China tensions could dent business

FILE - In this June 22, 2016 file photo, Border Patrol agent Eduardo Olmos walks near the secondary fence separating Tijuana, Mexico, background, and San Diego in San Diego. California Gov. Jerry Brown agreed Wednesday, A... California Gov. Jerry Brown has agreed to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border at President Donald Trump's request but says they'll focus on combating drug crime not immigration.

Global executions down; sub-Saharan Africa ‘beacon of hope’

California Gov. Jerry Brown agreed Wednesday, A... California Gov. Jerry Brown has agreed to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border at President Donald Trump's request but says they'll focus on combating drug crime not immigration. California Gov. Jerry Brown has agreed to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border at President Donald Trump's request but says they'll focus on combating drug crime not immigration.

The National Enquirer, a Trump Rumor, and Another Secret Payment to…

Trump Allies and House Republicans to Paul Ryan: Get Out Now House Speaker Paul Ryan's retirement announcement Wednesday morning set off a round of heartburn within the White House and among its allies over the damage that may be done in what's left of his term. Trump chooses impulse over strategy as crises mount In a White House known for chaos, the process of developing the U.S. response to the Syrian government's alleged latest gas attack was proceeding with uncharacteristic deliberation, including several national security briefings for President Trump.

Pompeo cites Russian aggression, says diplomacy must go on

In this April 9, 2018, photo, Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo leaves a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. Outgoing CIA Director Pompeo will tell senators weighing his confirmation as secretary of state that years of soft U.S. policy toward Russia are "now over."

Trump’s would-be secretary of state has an Islamophobia problem

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter . Mike Pompeo, the CIA director who was tapped by President Trump to lead the State Department, faces a confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.