'Rogue employee' at HHS changed voicemail to Domino's pizza recording

By: The Hill

Published on: March 20, 2026, 1:58 am

Callers hoping to voice complaints about federal animal testing with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) earlier this week instead reached what sounded like the voicemail for a popular pizza chain after a “rogue” staffer changed the phone’s outgoing message. The White Coat Waste Project (WCWP), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to...

GOP grapples with $200 billion Pentagon funding ask for Iran war

By: The Hill

Published on: March 20, 2026, 12:15 am

Presented by Lanteris Space Systems {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security PRESENTED BY The Big Story GOP grapples with $200 billion Pentagon funding ask for Iran war GOP lawmakers are grappling with how to handle the massive $200 billion request for supplemental funding for the war with Iran. © Associated Press Republicans are...

Boat strikes 'aren’t the answer' to US drug problems, general says

By: The Hill

Published on: March 20, 2026, 12:10 am

The U.S. military’s lethal strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific “aren’t the answer” to the country’s drug problems, Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (Southcom), said during a hearing Thursday on Capitol Hill.  Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) asked Donovan what evidence the military has that its...

Nexstar secures merger with Tegna after FCC, DOJ approval

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 11:53 pm

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have cleared Nexstar Media Group's acquisition of fellow local broadcaster Tegna, the company announced on Thursday. The company announced the deal's closure after the FCC said in its own press release that it was granting Nexstar a waiver of the department's rule capping the percentage...

TSA official: Airport security problem 'going to get worse before it gets better'

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 11:48 pm

A senior Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official warned Thursday that the growing backlog at airport security checkpoints nationwide is likely “going to get worse before it gets better” as staffing becomes more strained as a result of the lingering Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl told NewsNation host Blake...

Comey subpoenaed in 2016 election probe in Florida

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 11:43 pm

Federal prosecutors in Florida have subpoenaed former FBI Director James Comey as part of a wide-ranging probe into a prior investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network, confirmed Comey was subpoenaed in the probe, which is also reviewing the previous investigations into President Trump, including the work of Obama-era intelligence...

US Mint gets green light to put Trump on 250th gold coin

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 11:34 pm

The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) on Thursday greenlighted a $1 gold coin featuring President Trump’s likeness to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.  The proposed design depicts Trump with his fists on what appears to be a table or desk. The word “Liberty” span above the image of the president. The back of the coin features...

HHS investigating states for ‘coercing’ health care entities to provide abortions

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 11:06 pm

Click in for more news from The Hill {beacon} Health Care Health Care   The Big Story HHS investigating states for ‘coercing’ healthcare entities to provide abortions The Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday it’s launching investigations into 13 states for allegedly violating a federal “conscience” clause forbidding discrimination against healthcare providers that...

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award goes to 'the people of the Twin Cities' and Jerome Powell

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 10:35 pm

This year’s John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award is a tie between “the people of the Twin Cities, Minnesota” and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The prestigious annual honor has been awarded since 1989 by the Kennedy family to celebrate people demonstrating “political courage.” A bipartisan panel reviews the nominations and selects winners each...

The Memo: Frustrated Trump struggles against perception that he's losing control of Iran war

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 10:30 pm

A tide of political danger is rising around President Trump as criticism grows that he may be losing control of the war in Iran. The conflict that he started almost three weeks ago, in conjunction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was a war of choice. But even a weakened regime in Tehran still has...

5 things to know about the Cesar Chavez sexual abuse allegations

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 10:25 pm

Allegations of sexual abuse and assault against civil rights icon Cesar Chavez, first reported by The New York Times on Wednesday, were met with shock and anger toward the late activist alongside praise and solidarity for the victims, including Chavez ally and Chicano activist Dolores Huerta. The Times's reporting, with detailed accounts from women who...

Missouri redistricting ruling to be appealed to state Supreme Court

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 10:24 pm

A group of voters challenging the new GOP-favored House map in Missouri filed a notice of appeal regarding a recent ruling that upholds the new congressional lines, taking the matter to the state Supreme Court. A Jackson County circuit court judge last week upheld a Republican gerrymander in the Show Me State, which would create a 7-1 GOP advantage for its congressional delegation,...

Watch live: Trump hosts White House dinner with Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 10:00 pm

President Trump will host Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for a White House dinner Thursday evening. The event comes after the world leaders held a bilateral meeting in the afternoon, when Trump ribbed Japan over its bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The president endorsed Takaichi, a staunch conservative, ahead of last month's election. Japan’s...

Democrats seek information on Jared Kushner's potential 'conflicts of interest' in Middle East

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 9:45 pm

Two top-ranking Democrats are seeking more information regarding Jared Kushner’s business dealings in the Middle East following reports that he has been attempting to shore up billions of dollars for his private equity firm while also helping lead negotiations with governments in the region. Rep. Robert Garcia (R-Calif.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote in...

5 takeaways on Gabbard’s grilling in House worldwide threats hearing

By: The Hill

Published on: March 19, 2026, 9:42 pm

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was grilled for a second day of hearings on Thursday on whether Iran was close to building nuclear weapons and if Tehran posed an "imminent threat" to the U.S. before President Trump started the ongoing Middle Eastern war.  Gabbard was joined by CIA Director John Ratcliffe; FBI Director Kash...