News for April 17, 2026

Governor Janet Mills has not decided whether to sign a Maine bill that would pause new data centers, and she is weighing local jobs against worries about power and water use.

A Cuban man died in ICE custody in Miami after an apparent suicide attempt, and the death is under investigation.

Lawmakers, including Anna Paulina Luna and Norma Torres, say Congress lacks a safe and fast way for staff to report sexual misconduct, and they want stronger rules and oversight.

A federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s attempt to force Rhode Island to turn over unredacted voter rolls, saying the request was not allowed by election law.

Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and France will lead a defensive mission to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after the recent conflict in the region.

D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found last year in a Tesla linked to him, while police and prosecutors continue reviewing the case.

Trump is expected to nominate Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA again, after he was removed last year for defending the agency’s role.

Wyoming leaders and communities are debating whether to welcome more nuclear energy projects as TerraPower’s plant moves ahead and concerns grow about nuclear waste storage.

President Donald Trump is drawing criticism for focusing on costly White House makeover projects and other flashy symbols while many voters worry more about prices and the economy.

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are facing growing scrutiny in Washington after bets tied to the Iran conflict raised fears of insider trading and war profiteering.

France’s Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Keir Starmer led a summit to build a multinational plan to restore safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after the route was disrupted by war.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposed tax on luxury second homes in New York City has sparked a fierce backlash from business leaders and wealthy critics, while supporters say it could raise money for city services.

Democrat Analilia Mejia won New Jersey’s special House election, defeating Republican Joe Hathaway and narrowing the GOP’s House majority.