The Senate’s number two Democrat says this term will be his last.

In his fifth term representing Illinois in the US Senate, Dick Durbin has made the announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2026. Durbin’s statement will mark the culmination of more than four-decades career representing his home state… He is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture committees. He has served Democratic whip since 2005. He joins Jeanne Shaheen, Tina Smith, and Gary Peters as Democrats who will not seek their seats in the upcoming mid-terms. Mitch McConnell is the lone Republican vacating his long-held seat. SOC

Trump calls Fed Chairman Powell a “major loser”

President Trump continues to blast Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Upset with the Fed’s decision not to aggressively lower the central bank’s key short-term interest rate, the president is unleashing a flurry of criticism. Last week he threatened to fire the chairman and he began this week by calling Powell a “major loser.” The president claimed online there is “virtually no inflation,” but overall inflation remains above the Fed’s 2 percent target.

U.S. Eyes Africa As Potential Source Of Rare Earth Minerals

House GOP Won’t Take Up DC Funding Bill

House GOP leaders won’t bring up the District of Columbia funding fix bill on the floor this week. Details from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: Speaker Mike Johnson and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke Monday on a call to discuss a path forward on legislation to restore the capital city’s full spending powers, according to one person granted anonymity to share details of the private conversation.

Still, there are no plans to bring the bill to the House floor in the coming days before the chamber leaves for a two-week recess.

President Donald Trump says that he wants the House to take up the funding fix, saying the chamber should vote on it “IMMEDIATELY” to “clean up our once beautiful Capital City, and make it beautiful again.”

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

A report on faith and family life

A report on faith and family life

VERBATIM:  It comes from the Public Religion Research Institute, and it reveals that 41% of Americans say religious practices are an important part of their family’s home life.  Amongst White Evangelical Protestants its 76% and strong majorities of Black and Hispanic Protestants agree.  People who attend church on a regular basis are much more likely to say that religious practices are an important part of their home life — Republicans more likely than Democrats.  MH STN NEWS

AM SPORTSCAST – 4-24-2025

AM SPORTSCAST – 4-24-2025