Trump Rebuffed After Asking a Judge to Delay His $454 Million Penalty  —  The former president, who is appealing the penalty in his civil fraud case, offered a bond of only $100 million to pause the judgment.  —  Donald J. Trump on Wednesday lost his initial bid for a New York appeals court …

Mitch McConnell to step down from Republican Senate leadership  —  Mitch McConnell's legacy as the longest-serving leader of Senate Republicans  —  Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history who maintained his power in the face of dramatic convulsions in the Republican Party …

Hackers threaten to release Trump documents from Georgia case if they don't get a ransom by Thursday  — Hackers set a ransom deadline of Thursday morning to release Fulton County court documents.  — They claim the documents include files related to the criminal case against Donald Trump.

CDC advisory panel says people 65 and older should get a Covid spring booster shot  —  An expert panel advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines on Wednesday recommended that people 65 and older should get an additional Covid-19 vaccine shot this spring.

How Panera Bread ducked California's new $20 minimum wage law  —  Billionaire Greg Flynn, who made his fortune running one of the world's largest restaurant franchise operations, is getting a new boost from sourdough loaves and brioche buns.  —  That's because a California law that's …

Biden ‘fit for duty,’ doctor writes after latest physical exam  —  President Biden is “fit for duty” and does not have any new health concerns, his doctor wrote after a physical exam conducted Wednesday that was closely watched amid voter concerns about Biden's age while seeking reelection.

Lauren Boebert's son was arrested over a spate of thefts as his mom tries to convince voters to look past her chaotic family life  — Lauren Boebert's son Tyler Boebert was arrested on Tuesday afternoon.  — He's facing 22 charges in connection with a series of crimes in Rifle, Colorado.

SCOTUS Justice Jackson Just Said the Dumbest Thing About Guns and I Can't Stop Laughing  —  Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson must have fallen asleep last night watching a vintage '80s Chuck Norris movie as part of her preparation to hear oral arguments today in the Garland v. Cargill …

Republicans block bill to protect access to IVF  —  Senate Republicans blocked an effort Wednesday to pass legislation that would federally protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF).  —  Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) sought to pass the bill by unanimous consent, which meant …

Pluralistic: When private equity destroys your hospital (28 Feb 2024)  — When private equity destroys your hospital: Looters literally want to kill you.  — Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.  — This day in history: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2022  — Colophon: Recent publications …

Hedge-Fund Tycoon Kyle Bass Mocked for Whining About $85 Room Service Breakfast  —  Kyle Bass called it a “terrible inflation milestone” and tagged Janet Yellen.  —  Hedge fund manager Kyle Bass is getting roasted on social media for his tweet linking a $85 room-service breakfast at a swanky Manhattan hotel to inflation and Joe Biden.

Supreme Court Appears Split Over Ban on Bump Stocks Enacted Under Trump  —  In a wide-ranging argument, the justices wrestled with the mechanics of gun triggers and the larger implications of the ban both for bump stock owners and the public.  —  The Supreme Court wrestled on Wednesday …

Smoking cannabis linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke  —  Smoking cannabis is associated with an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke, according to a new study.  —  The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found daily use of cannabis …

Democrats Pass a N.Y. House Map That Modestly Benefits Them  —  Democrats in New York adopted a new congressional map on Wednesday, using their supermajorities in the State Legislature to draw district lines that would improve their chances of winning the House majority in November, but not drastically.

Witness calls out Sen. Kennedy in abortion hearing: ‘Nothing but fearmongering’  —  Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) gave a graphic description of an abortion procedure during a Senate hearing Wednesday, leading one witness to say his statements did not reflect her experience and were “nothing but fearmongering.”