Trump loses third bid this week to delay hush money trial  —  A New York appeals judge on Wednesday denied Donald Trump's third last-ditch attempt this week to delay his April 15 criminal trial on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, paving the way for the first-ever trial of a former U.S. president.

Arizona Republicans Thwart Attempts to Repeal 1864 Abortion Ban  —  Democrats in both houses of the Legislature were blocked from advancing bills to roll back a reinstated 160-year-old ban on nearly all abortions in the state.  —  A decision by Arizona's highest court upholding an 1864 ban …

Crenshaw says Greene's expulsion threat for ‘attention,’ doesn't have much support  —  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) said Wednesday that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is seeking “attention” with her expulsion threat against Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).  —  “Right now, I'm not sure …

North Carolina 2024: Trump On Upside Of Too-Close-To-Call Race, Quinnipiac University North Carolina Poll Finds; Governor's Race: Stein Leads Robinson 52% - 44%  —  mail_outline  —  In a state considered pivotal to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, President Joe Biden …

Trump Media director accused of ‘hacking’ files in attempted corporate ‘coup’: lawsuit … This photo illustration shows an image of former President Donald Trump next to a phone screen that is displaying the Truth Social app, in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2022.

emptywheel Makes CIPA History  —  Yesterday, Judge Aileen Cannon issued a surly order, acceding to Jack Smith's request to protect witnesses.  In reversing herself, Cannon scolded Smith for not making a more fulsome case to seal information. … Ultimately, Cannon argued the 11th Circuit precedent …

Alabama man charged with detonating explosive device outside state attorney general's office  —  If convicted, the suspect could face up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of five years behind bars.  —  An Alabama man was arrested and indicted this week on charges that he detonat ed …

Japan Gives Washington 250 Cherry Trees as Replacements  —  The trees will replace 140 that will be torn up as part of a restoration project.  The capital's first Japanese cherry trees were a gift from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912.  —  Japan is giving the United States 250 cherry trees …

Shooting at Ramadan event in West Philadelphia leaves 3 injured, 5 in custody, police say  —  PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Three people were shot at the end of a Ramadan event with around 1,000 people in attendance in West Philadelphia's Parkside section Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

Inflation Continues to Climb (Paul Krugman Hardest Hit)  —  Inflation refuses to go away quietly.  The CPI numbers out today are raising concerns that we may not see the soft landing we were hoping for. … The DOW is down more than 500 points today in response to the news.

Klain on Biden: He is focused too much on bridges  —  The former chief of staff praised the president's accomplishments.  But he also wondered whether he had the right focus.  —  Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain openly questioned President Joe Biden's political strategy Tuesday night …

Elon Musk picks his speech battle  —  Happy Wednesday!  Hope your eyes are recovering.  Send news tips to: will.oremus@washpost.com.  —  Though Elon Musk often insists his goal with X is to promote free speech, his actions have rarely been those of the “free-speech absolutist” he once claimed to be.

Senate approves resolution targeting Biden highway climate rule, with Democratic support  —  The Senate on Wednesday passed a measure to nullify a Transportation Department rule targeting highway greenhouse gas emissions.  —  The Senate on Wednesday passed a measure to nullify …

Scoop: Biden plans order to limit southern border crossings by end of month … But Biden, briefed on polls of rising voter anger, wants a dramatic step. … - Biden would use authority in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives the president broad leeway …

US Sees Missile Strike on Israel By Iran, Proxies as Imminent  — Iran, proxies may strike Israeli military, government sites  — Attack would mark major widening of conflict in Middle East  —  The US and its allies believe major missile or drone strikes by Iran or its proxies …

Moskowitz fires back at Trump over remarks on Jewish Democrats  —  Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) fired back at former President Trump over his latest remarks about Jewish Democrats Wednesday.  —  Trump said any Jewish person who votes for Democrats or President Biden “should have their head examined” …

Exxon Declares War On Its Dissenters  —  ExxonMobil has launched an extraordinary lawsuit against two investment firms for the alleged offense of filing climate-focused shareholder proposals.  The fossil fuel giant's underlying goal: killing a federal regulatory effort that would make it easier …

Nebraska Republicans float special session to revive Trump-backed election rule change  —  The state currently awards some of its electoral college votes by congressional districts, a key backstop for President Joe Biden.  —  Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is floating a special legislative session …