Judge to sentence former head of Chicago Public Schools

A federal judge in Chicago is scheduled to sentence the former head of the nation's third-largest school district for steering $23 million in no-bid city contracts to education firms for $2.3 million in bribes and kickbacks. Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who held top education jobs in Detroit and Cleveland before becoming Chicago Public Schools CEO, faces up to 20 years behind bars when sentenced Friday.

AMA, AARP oppose latest Obamacare repeal effort

The influential American Medical Association, AARP and two major hospital groups all came out against a new amendment unveiled this week that would let states to weaken some of Obamacare's key protections for those with pre-existing conditions and for older enrollees. The so-called MacArthur amendment, authored by moderate Rep. Tom MacArthur of New Jersey, would let states allow insurers to offer less comprehensive policies and to charge people more based on their health status.

Report: Israel Not Expecting Trump to Move US Embassy to Jerusalem

Israeli officials said Thursday they did not believe President Donald Trump would move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and he is expected to sign a waiver on a congressional mandate on the action next month, according to news reported. A law mandating a move of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was passed in Congress in the mid-1990s, Haaretz reported, and Trump is expected to follow all U.S. presidents since and sign the waiver because of national security reasons.

Trump rejects push to help solve Puerto Rico debt crisis

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is opposed to a push to help Puerto Rico resolve its $70 billion debt load as the U.S. territory faces looming austerity measures amid a deep economic crisis. Trump issued a Twitter blast aimed at efforts to help the island cover its Medicaid costs - an issue that's entangled in Puerto Rico's last-minute debt negotiations.

Flynn was warned not to accept foreign government payments

In this Feb. 13, 2017 file photo, Mike Flynn arrives for a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Documents released by lawmakers show Flynn, now former national security adviser, was warned when he retired from the military in 2014 not to take foreign money without "advance approval" by Pentagon authorities.

Mnuchin: Trump has ‘no intention’ of releasing tax returns

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin right joined by National Economic Director Gary Cohn speaks in the briefing room of the White House in Washington Wednesday The Trump administration unveiled a plan Wednesday for deep cuts in business taxes as part of a major overhaul of the United States tax code in a bid to reinvigorate the world's largest economy. A copy of Trump's tax return from 2005 suggests that a tax cut similar to the one Trump is proposing could have lowered his tax obligation by potentially tens of millions of dollars in a single year.

Key U.S. lawmakers in favour of Obamacare replacement

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., center, flanked by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif. and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., leaves the podium during a news conference after a GOP caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 26, 2017 .

Wisconsin Gov. Walker: Won’t remove Sheriff David Clarke over jail dehydration death

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke speaks during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July 2016. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said April 26 that he won't remove Clarke from office over the death of an inmate who was allegedly denied water for seven days in a jail Clarke oversees.

Trump administration talks tough on North Korea, but frustrated lawmakers want details

From Second from left, Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. and Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. prepare to board a bus on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, as they head to the White House to get a briefing on North Korea.

Request for hair testing in drug screening draws mixed reactions

Psychemedics, a company that conducts drug testing, cited a 38% decrease in accidents in Brazil since that nation mandated hair testing for all commercial drivers in its comments. A number of trucking industry groups and motor carriers expressed support for using hair samples instead of urine when testing for drugs during pre-employment screenings of truck drivers.

Trump to review ‘overreach’ in education

In a move meant to follow through on promises he made to conservatives during the 2016 campaign, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to examine federal involvement in education. The order, which Trump signed while flanked by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Vice President Mike Pence and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, initiates a process that could see substantial changes made to K-12 education in the United States, the clearest signal yet that Trump hopes to put his stamp on the Education Department before his 100th day in office on Saturday.

Landfill bill concerns some counties worried about recycling costs

Delta County officials weren't looking forward to having to comply with a bill going through the Colorado Legislature on landfills, and they may not have to, at least for now. A measure that won preliminary approval in the Colorado House on Wednesday was initially designed to require the state's landfills to have solid waste diversion programs.

Trump’s tax plan faces hurdles on Capitol Hill, even from Republicans

Republicans on Wednesday applauded President Trump for producing a tax blueprint that could turbocharge the economy even as they conceded flaws that might stall the plan in Congress. Proponents of conservative reform were gushing over Trump's proposals to cut the corporate tax rate to 15 percent - a 20 percent reduction - and simplify the code for individuals and married couples.