Tom Howell Jr.

U.S. alcohol exports fell drastically due to trade tensions, a distillers lobby says

Exports of U.S. distilled spirits fell markedly in the second quarter of 2025 compared to last year, a lobbying group said Monday in a report that sounded the alarm about trade tensions under President Trump.

October 6, 2025

Rep. Wesley Hunt enters bitter GOP Senate primary in Texas, challenging Sen. John Cornyn

Rep. Wesley Hunt said Monday he will enter the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas.

October 6, 2025

White House says FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill is not an endorsement by administration

The White House says the Food and Drug Administration's approval of a generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone should not be seen as an endorsement of the drug.

October 3, 2025

Conservatives champion freight railroad merger, say it will fuel Trump’s America First agenda

Conservatives and free-market advocates are heartily backing a proposed merger between the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads, saying the blockbuster freight deal would fuel President Trump's bid for a "new industrial era."

October 3, 2025

Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean goes viral with Trump claim: ‘He is unwell’

A Pennsylvania Democrat is insisting that President Trump is "unwell," pointing to his unusual speech before a gathering of military leaders.

October 3, 2025

September jobs numbers? It’s a mystery; gov’t shutdown leads to economic data blackout

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is withholding the release of a vital monthly jobs report because of the government shutdown, making it difficult to discern the state of the economy and hiring environment.

October 3, 2025

Treasury Secretary Bessent says shutdown could lower GDP, Democrat demands could fuel inflation

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday the government shutdown could deliver a "hit to working America" by lowering economic growth.

October 2, 2025

Trump says China’s refusal to buy U.S. soybeans will top agenda in meeting with President Xi

President Trump said Wednesday he plans to take a "small portion" of tariff revenue and give it to farmers who are struggling because of foreign trade barriers, low crop prices and high costs of equipment and fertilizer.

October 1, 2025

New corn growers’ leader calls for year-round ethanol fuel, more markets

The new president of a key corn growers' lobby on Wednesday urged the Trump administration to find new markets for U.S. agricultural products as farmers struggle with low crop prices, foreign trade barriers and high fertilizer and equipment costs.

October 1, 2025

Sector-specific tariffs shielded from threat of reversal in court; Trump uses national security law

President Trump is leaning heavily into tariff powers that allow him to tax imported timber from Canada, furniture from Asia and heavy trucks from Germany without fearing a reversal from the Supreme Court.

October 1, 2025

Wall Street weathers up-and-down day as investors assess government shutdown, economic data blackout

U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday as investors feared a prolonged government shutdown would harm the economy -- and key data on its health.

October 1, 2025

Sen. Ron Johnson pushes bill to end government shutdowns

A Republican senator is pushing legislation that would end government shutdowns, as President Trump and Democrats again slammed their heads against the wall Monday in pursuit of a last-minute deal to fund federal operations.

September 29, 2025

Trump threatens 100% tariffs on foreign-made films

President Trump on Monday revived his threat to impose a 100% tariff on movies made outside the U.S., saying a once-iconic industry has been taken from Americans like "candy from a baby."

September 29, 2025

South Korea says $350B cash payment for trade deal is not possible

The U.S. and South Korea are struggling to finalize a deal in which Seoul invests in American projects in exchange for a lower tariff rate from President Trump.

September 29, 2025

Top drugmakers brush off pharma tariffs, saying they have robust U.S. footprint

Global drugmakers are greeting President Trump's decision to impose 100% tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals with a relative shrug, saying they can weather the new taxes because they've invested heavily in U.S. operations.

September 26, 2025

Trump announces tariffs on drugs, trucks and cabinets

President Trump late Thursday announced a smorgasbord of new tariffs on foreign pharmaceuticals, heavy trucks and kitchen and bathroom decor.

September 25, 2025

Ex-Treasury, Fed leaders tell Supreme Court to let Lisa Cook stay at central bank during firing case

A "who's who" of former economic officials urged the Supreme Court on Thursday to let Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook remain in her job while the courts decide whether President Trump fired her lawfully.

September 25, 2025

U.S. economy grew faster than thought in 2025’s second quarter, buoyed by consumer spending

The U.S. enjoyed a more robust economy than previously thought in the second quarter of this year, according to revised federal estimates.

September 25, 2025

China tells U.S. to remove Trump administration’s tariffs, then Beijing will buy American soybeans

Beijing officials said Thursday the U.S. should remove "unreasonable" tariffs as a condition for China to resume buying American soybeans, as President Trump floated a new aid package for reeling farmers.

September 25, 2025

Dallas ICE shooter identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn

Authorities identified the man who opened fire on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas on Wednesday as Joshua Jahn, a 29-year-old with ties to Texas and Oklahoma.

September 24, 2025