The U.S. has made great progress in getting more people insured since the Affordable Care Act took effect in 2014. The share of uninsured Americans ages 18 to 64 fell from 18% before the ACA to 9.5% in 2022. And preexisting conditions no longer prevent coverage or lead to an increase in premiums.

Yet even for those with health ...Read more

It’s a common seasonal refrain: “Christmas just isn’t like it used to be.”

This is not a new complaint. History shows that Christmas traditions are just as subject to change as any other aspect of human societies, and when customs change, there are always some who wish they could turn back the clock.

In the 1830s, the ...Read more

CHICAGO — A former top aide to ex-Speaker Michael Madigan on Monday continued his testimony as a government witness against his old boss – but for much of his cross-examination sounded a lot like a defense witness, bolstering their portrayal of Madigan’s operation as hardworking, constituent-focused and straightforward.

Thomas Cullen, who...Read more

In a public health breakthrough, U.S. obesity rates have decreased for the first time in more than a decade, with new weight loss medications potentially playing a role in the turnaround, according to a new study. The research shows the percentage of adults with obesity dropped from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023.

Although the decline is modest, ...Read more

At least three people, including the suspect, were killed and and six people are injured Monday in a shooting at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said a deceased juvenile found at the scene is believed to be the shooter.

Barnes said the juvenile is an enrolled student and no police officers fired shots...Read more

North Korean soldiers are starting to sustain heavy losses against Ukrainian troops fighting in Russia’s Kursk region as the Kremlin intensifies its campaign to regain control of the lost territory.

At least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed in three assaults on three villages in the region in the past two days, Ukraine’s Military ...Read more

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a red-state constitutional challenge to California's special authority to fight air pollution.

Over a dissent by Justice Clarence Thomas, the justices turned away an appeal from Ohio and 16 other conservative states, which asked the court to rule "the Golden State is not a golden child."

...Read more

President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would consider pardoning Mayor Eric Adams, who is facing federal corruption charges.

“I think he was treated pretty unfairly,” Trump told reporters at a Mar-a-Lago press conference.

Trump downplayed allegations that Adams took bribes in the form of free luxury travel and airline upgrades provided...Read more

At least five people, including the suspect, were killed Monday in a shooting at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said a deceased juvenile found at the scene may be the shooter.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. local time at Abundant Life Christian School, a private K-12 school in the city with ...Read more

DETROIT — Oakland County officials have chosen the New York-based risk management firm Guidepost Solutions to conduct an independent review of the emergency response to the Oxford High School shooting.

Oakland County executive Dave Coulter on Monday announced the decision to ask the firm to conduct a comprehensive after-action review of the ...Read more

Despite mostly partisan concern over an apparent closeness to ousted-Syrian President Bashar Assad and what critics say is a tendency to repeat Kremlin propaganda, it seems former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has found a warm reception on Capitol Hill.

Gabbard, a former Democratic representative from Hawaii, has been nominated to serve as Director ...Read more

CHICAGO — The frigid wind and single-digit morning air did not deter Dan O’Conor as he prepared Thursday for his daily plunge into Lake Michigan. Before stripping off his many layers, he tossed a thermometer into the water near Montrose Harbor, like he often does before a jump.

O’Conor — dubbed the “Great Lake Jumper” — peeked ...Read more

NEW YORK — Former congressman and Air National Guard pilot Adam Kinzinger says there’s a reason so many photos of drones being reported along the East Coast are blurry.

“People with long telephoto lenses that are out there — trust me, they’re all out there right now — and they zoom on this thing they can see in their long telephoto ...Read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Nathan Barankin, a former longtime adviser to Kamala Harris, has taken over as chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom, the governor’s office announced Monday.

He replaces Dana Williamson, who has served as Newsom’s top deputy since January 2023.

“I greatly appreciate Dana’s counsel and her service to the state and ...Read more

DENVER — Colorado air-quality regulators this week will tackle one of the more complicated rules the state has drafted, ordering about 40 natural gas companies to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions or pay into a system designed to help businesses lower their carbon output.

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission is set to create the ...Read more

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has started reviewing President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment case, while investigators reportedly plan to question him this week over his shock martial law declaration.

Judges began their deliberations on Monday and the first preparatory hearing will be held on Dec. 27, according to court officials. ...Read more