News for April 18, 2026

A federal appeals court let President Donald Trump keep building his White House ballroom for now, pausing a lower court order that had tried to stop the project.

The Justice Department has tapped lawyer Joseph DiGenova to oversee its criminal probe of former CIA Director John Brennan, raising new concerns about political influence in the case.

ICE released delayed death reports for detainees as scrutiny grows over rising deaths in custody, including the deaths of Victor Manuel Diaz and Heber Sanchez Dominguez.

Powerful winds and reported tornadoes hit parts of the Midwest, causing heavy damage to homes, schools, and roads, but no deaths were reported.

Record drought across the U.S., especially in the West and South, is raising fears of wildfires, water shortages, and higher food prices.

President Donald Trump ordered faster federal review of certain psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, as the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services move to speed research and possible medical use.

Zohran Mamdani and Kathy Hochul are proposing a new tax on expensive second homes in New York City, a move that could hit billionaires like Ken Griffin and other wealthy property owners.

Republicans are trying to close a big spending gap in Virginia as they push voters to reject a redistricting referendum that could help Democrats win more House seats.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy said it has put strict controls back on the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump kept the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports in place.

Trump said the U.S. could resume attacks if the Iran ceasefire and talks do not produce a deal, as tensions rose again over the Strait of Hormuz and fighting in Lebanon continued.

Carfentanil, a drug far stronger than fentanyl, is showing up in more U.S. drug seizures and is causing more deaths, including the death of Michael Nalewaja.

President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign on Cuba is now paired with quiet U.S. talks aimed at pushing reforms and preventing the island’s crisis from getting worse.

A federal judge has paused Nexstar Media Group’s planned merger with Tegna while an antitrust lawsuit against the deal is resolved.