Politics Week in politics: The threat of a government shutdown dominated political news this week. An impasse over the budget and the threat of a government shutdown dominated political news earlier this week. Sarah McCammon Scott Simon
Politics How AI deepfakes polluted elections in 2024 The most visible use of AI in many countries was to create memes and content whose artificial origins weren't disguised. They were often openly shared by politicians and their supporters. Shannon Bond
Politics What 'election integrity advocates' have planned for 2025 The 2024 election was widely considered to be run fairly by majorities of political parties. But so-called "election integrity advocates" who think 2020 was stolen are already making plans for 2025. Miles Parks
Politics Advocates want Biden spare the lives of the 40 prisoners on federal death row Anti-death penalty advocates hope President Biden will grant clemency to 40 people on federal death row. He has already commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others. Chiara Eisner
Politics Elon Musk holds no elected office — but was able to help sink a spending plan After dozens of tweets from billionaire Elon Musk, lawmakers killed a federal spending bill that would have funded the government until March. What role might Musk play in Trump's government? Stephen Fowler
Politics House approves spending bill, leaving senators hours to act before shutdown deadline The House has approved a short-term spending bill to fund the government until March 14. The timing leaves the Senate just hours to act before a midnight deadline to prevent a government shutdown. Lexie Schapitl Barbara Sprunt Claudia Grisales
Politics What a government shutdown could mean for your holiday travel plans Millions of Americans are planning to travel in the coming days. Here's what a potential government shutdown could mean for flying, driving and more — and what you can do to prepare. Rachel Treisman
Politics Once again, the debt ceiling is roiling Washington. Here are 4 things to know Lawmakers will have to authorize additional borrowing to pay the government's bills, but there's no reason it has to be done right away — except for politics. Scott Horsley
Politics Seattle’s next police chief: Mayor appoints Shon Barnes of Madison, Wisconsin to lead Barnes has been in the national spotlight since Monday, when a school shooting in Madison left three dead, including the shooter, and six injured. Ashley Hiruko
Politics Trump is all about tariffs as he leads a party that used to be all about free trade Once upon a time, Republicans spoke of free trade in glowing terms. With his constant threats of tariffs and a history of implementing them, President-elect Donald Trump has flipped that on its head. Danielle Kurtzleben
