US News
National news coverage from across the United States, including federal policy, courts, elections administration, and stories with nationwide impact.
Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close Main Campus for $250 Million Renovation
The Kennedy Center's board voted to close the Washington, D.C. arts complex's main campus for a $250 million renovation, three months after a federal judge temporarily blocked a similar closure plan.
A Look Back at the Record Government Shutdowns of 2025 and 2026
The federal government shut down three times in less than a year -- including a 43-day closure and a 76-day closure, the two longest in U.S. history -- disrupting everything from economic data collection to federal pay.
Artemis II Astronauts Return Safely After NASA's First Crewed Moon Flyby Since Apollo
A four-person NASA crew splashed down off the California coast in April after completing a roughly 10-day mission that looped around the Moon -- the first time astronauts have traveled beyond low Earth orbit in over 50 years.
How the Supreme Court Decides Which Cases to Hear
The Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions each year but hears only a small fraction of them. Here's how the justices decide which cases make the cut.
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How the Supreme Court Decides Which Cases to Hear
Out of thousands of appeals filed annually, the justices agree to hear only a small number -- and the process for choosing them shapes American law.
How the U.S. Census Works and Why It Matters
The constitutionally mandated headcount happens once a decade, but its effects on political representation and federal funding last for years.
What a Federal Government Shutdown Means and How It Happens
A federal shutdown happens when Congress and the president fail to agree on funding legislation. Here is how the process works from start to finish.
How the U.S. Electoral College Works
Every four years, Americans hear about the Electoral College -- here's what it is, how it works, and why it sometimes produces a different result than the national popular vote.