Perry says he’s not interested in becoming VA secretary

Energy Secretary Rick Perry said he had no interest in becoming the next head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, flatly rejecting speculation that he would soon take over the position amid rapidly eroding White House support for embattled VA Secretary David Shulkin. Two administration officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Shulkin's position is growing more precarious and that he could be out of a job within the week, but they cautioned that nothing was finalized.

Perry denies interest in VA job as support for Shulkin fades

From left, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, and Energy Secretary Rick Perry appear before a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation hearing on infrastructure on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Food | Chef Walter’s Flavors + Knowledge: Stuffed Rabbit With Peas

When rabbit meat is on the menu, expect controversy to follow. It is socially acceptable to use farm animals, such as cows and chickens, as food; however, many people balk at the idea of eating rabbit, according to several publications.

Donald Trump Jr.: ‘It’s Important to Elect Republicans Who Will Work With the President’

On the last day of the campaign for the special election in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, Donald Trump Jr. toured a candy factory in Washington County to urge locals to turn out for Rick Saccone, the Republican running for the House seat against Democrat Conor Lamb. Trump was the third member of his family to visit the district in the past few weeks in an all-out effort to help bring Saccone over a finish line that he has been lagging behind in the past 10 days.

Debate stirs over ‘America’s Harvest Box,’ food benefit plan

In this Feb. 26, 2018, file photo, Carl Lewis in his market in Rankin, Pa. About half of Lewis' customers pay with benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, so the government's proposal to replace the debit card-type program with a pre-assembled box of shelf-stable goods delivered to recipients worries him and other grocery operators in poor areas.

Political memorabilia show and sale set for March 24

The East Tennessee Political Items Collectors will sponsor its fourth political memorabilia show and sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 24 at Maryville First Baptist Church Family Life Center in conjunction with the Alcoa Kiwanis Antiques Appraisal Fair. The ETPIC is a local affiliate of the American Political Items Collectors organization, a nonprofit group established in 1945 to promote and encourage the study of the history of American political campaigns, and the collection and preservation of political memorabilia.

Food stamp administrators worry about food box proposal

Hawaii's food stamp administrator says he was stunned when he first heard that the U.S. Agriculture Department wanted to replace some cash benefits with a pre-assembled package of shelf-stable goods. That changed quickly to frustration, befuddlement and serious concern.

Lawmakers opposed to Trump’s tariffs look to courts to step in

In this Aug. 1, 2016 file photo, laborers work in the steel market in Yichang in central China's Hubei province. China says it "firmly opposes" U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff increase for imported steel and aluminum but gave no indication whether Beijing might impose its own measures in response.

New director named at troubled Bedford VA hospital

Amid a major shakeup at veterans hospitals across the country, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named Joan Clifford the new director of the Bedford VA. The hospital has had two interim directors since the VA removed Christine Croteau, the last permanent director, in 2016 amid an ethics investigation.