March 20, 2026 5:03 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department is handing off a portion of its student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department. It’s a first step toward shedding management of all student loans as Trump administration officials dismantle the federal education agency. Under an agreement announced Thursday, the Treasury Department will take over management of student loans whose borrowers are in default, meaning they are months behind on payments. Those loans add up to about $180 billion, or 11% of the government’s $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio. A second phase with no timeframe says Treasury will “assume operational responsibility” over non-defaulted loans, “to the extent practicable.”
March 19, 2026 9:51 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior administration official says the Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war. The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. It’s an extraordinarily high number and comes on top of extra funding the Defense Department already received last year in President Donald Trump’s big tax cuts bill. Asked about the figure at a press conference Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not directly confirm the amount, saying it could change. Congress is bracing for a new spending request but it is unclear it would have support. Trump says it’s a small price to pay for security.
March 20, 2026 3:16 pm
HONOLULU (AP) — Muddy floodwaters from severe rains have inundated streets, swallowed vehicles and prompted evacuation orders for more than 4,000 people in towns north of Honolulu. Officials are warning about the possible failure of a a 120-year-old dam. Emergency sirens blared early Friday morning along Oahu’s famed North Shore, where rising waters damaged some homes and vehicles. Officials have been watching dam levels since a storm last week dumped heavy rain across the state, which led to catastrophic flooding that washed away roads and homes. Most of the state was under a flood watch, with northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service, which reported “widespread life-threatening flash flooding.”
March 20, 2026 3:20 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — CBS News says it’s shutting down its radio news service after nearly a century of operation as part of a round of layoffs at the company. When it began operation in September 1927, the radio service was a precursor to the entire CBS network. It gave young executive William S. Paley his start and was the home of legendary broadcaster Edward Murrow’s reports from London during World War II. Today it is primarily known for its top-of-the-hour news roundups delivered to about 700 stations across the country. CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss said it will stop operating in May. (Photo: AP)
March 20, 2026 10:25 am
The martial arts grandmaster and action star Chuck Norris has died. His roles in “Walker, Texas Ranger” and other television shows and movies made him an iconic tough guy, sparking internet parodies and adoration from presidents. He was 86. Norris died Thursday, in what his family described as a “sudden passing.” They didn’t release details about his death. Before he would become a star in movies and on TV, Norris was wildly successful in competitive martial arts. His toughman image became the stuff of legend, sparking “Chuck Norris Facts” memes. He was also outspoken about his Christian beliefs and his support for gun rights, and backed political candidates for years.
March 19, 2026 4:48 am
The State Police Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate a fire late Thursday night in the City of Washington. Washington County 911 says fire crews were called to the 100-block of Buttonwood Avenue just before midnight. The home appeared to be vacant and no injuries were reported.
March 18, 2026 2:22 am
In a rare agreement among all three Washington County Commissioners, they will be talking to Motorola Solutions, Inc about a $1,147,201 change order for the Washington County P25 emergency radio system upgrade. During the agenda setting meeting on Wednesday, both Larry Maggi and Nick Sherman questioned why such a large change order is necessary. Chief of Staff Daryl Price explained that the increase is due to the need for three new support shelters that need to be delivered, built and outfitted. He said the original proposal did not include these because it was felt that the existing infrastructure at the antenna sites would be adequate. Further study indicated otherwise. Commissioners are reaching out to Motorola on Wednesday to get a detailed explanation about the charges. Commissioner Nick Sherman wants to know why this was not included in the initial contract. Commissioner Larry Maggi is also pushing back saying he needs a better explanation as to why this was not in the original contract. The original contract for the project came in at $24.4 million. If this change order is approved, it will push the contract price to $26,380,000. Completion for the project is anticipated for early 2027.
March 19, 2026 4:55 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has intensified its attacks on oil and gas facilities around the Gulf, dramatically raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy. Thursday’s strikes came in retaliation for an Israeli attack on a key Iranian natural gas field. They sent fuel prices soaring and risked drawing Iran’s Arab neighbors directly into the conflict. Tehran targeted energy production, further stressing global supplies already under pressure because of Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. That’s a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran no longer can enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles.
March 18, 2026 4:59 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government’s top intelligence official has told lawmakers that Iran’s government “appears to be intact but largely degraded.” However, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, repeatedly dodged questions about whether President Donald Trump had been warned about the fallout from the weeks-old war, including Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations and its effective closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz. Gabbard also stated in prepared remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee that U.S. attacks on Iran last year had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program and that there had been no effort since then to rebuild that capability. The statement was notable given Trump’s repeated assertions that a war with Iran was necessary.
March 18, 2026 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The widening war in Iran is exposing big gaps at the State Department, especially in the bureau that handles the Middle East. In recent weeks, officials say, the Trump administration has cut staff, left key leadership jobs vacant and relied on a small circle of aides. Former officials describe an understaffed and demoralized workforce. They link the turmoil to mixed public messaging, weak planning and trouble helping Americans trapped in conflict zones. They say the department started evacuation planning late. The State Department now relies on temporary task forces and volunteers.
