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Comey lawyers seek indictment dismissal over ‘vindictive and selective’ prosecution

Published November 19, 2025 at 9:30AM

Family of former FBI Director James Comey and others, arrive at federal court in Alexandria, Va., Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Former FBI Director James Comey will make another run Wednesday at getting his criminal case dismissed, with his lawyers looking to convince a judge that the prosecution is vindictive and rooted in President Donald Trump’s hatred of him.

The arguments arrive as the Comey case appears freshly imperiled following a judge’s excoriation of the Justice Department on Monday and as multiple challenges to the indictment may result in its dismissal.

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House passes bill to end government shutdown, sending measure to Trump

By The Associated Press

Published November 12, 2025 at 8:56PM

The Capitol is seen at dusk as Democrats and Republicans in Congress are angrily blaming each other and refusing to budge from their positions on funding the government, in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill Wednesday to end the nation’s longest government shutdown, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature after a historic 43-day funding lapse that saw federal workers go without multiple paychecks, travelers stranded at airports and people lining up at food banks to get a meal for their families.

House lawmakers made their long-awaited return to the nation’s capital this week after nearly eight weeks away. Republicans used their slight majority to get the bill over the finish line with a mostly party-line vote of 222-209. The Senate has already passed the measure.

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Northern lights could return to N. Va. skies tonight after Tuesday auroras

By Katie Taranto and The Associated Press

Published November 12, 2025 at 1:30PM

The northern lights fill the sky behind the Saint Joseph the Woodworker Shrine Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, near Valley Falls, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Solar storms brought colorful auroras to unexpected places last night (Tuesday), and there could be more to come across the D.C. area this evening.

Space weather forecasters confirmed that storms reached severe levels Tuesday, triggering vibrant northern lights as far south as Kansas, Colorado and Texas. In Virginia, residents posted about aurora sightings from northern localities like Arlington and Vienna, and out west in Rockingham County.

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Senate passes deal to reopen government, but hurdles remain for health care funding

By The Associated Press

Published November 10, 2025 at 9:00AM

Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., speaks with reporters at the Capitol Subway on the 36th day of the government shutdown, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

A legislative package to end the government shutdown appears on track Monday after a handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to break the impasse in what has become a deepening disruption of federal programs and services, the longest in history.

What's in and out of the bipartisan deal drew sharp criticism and leaves few senators fully satisfied. The legislation provides funding to reopen the government, including for SNAP food aid and other programs, while also ensuring backpay for furloughed federal workers the Trump administration had left in doubt.

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DCA, Dulles among airports facing flight cuts as FAA reduces traffic amid government shutdown

By The Associated Press

Published November 6, 2025 at 1:45PM

FILE - Passenger planes rest in front of a control tower at the Reagan National Airport in Washington, Nov. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON — Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport are among 40 airports where flights will be cut this tomorrow (Friday) due to the government shutdown, according to a list obtained by The Associated Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday it would reduce air traffic by 10% across “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers go unpaid and exhibit signs of strain during the shutdown.

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Government shutdown is longest on record as Trump meets with GOP senators

By The Associated Press

Published November 5, 2025 at 1:00PM

President Donald Trump speaks during a breakfast with Senate and House Republicans in the State Dining Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON — The government shutdown has entered its 36th day, breaking the record as the longest ever and disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide left without paychecks.

President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. But skeptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his word, particularly after the administration restricted SNAP food aid despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.

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UPDATED: Spanberger elected Virginia governor, Hashmi lieutenant governor, in historic firsts

By The Associated Press

Published November 4, 2025 at 8:10PM | Updated November 4, 2025 at 11:44PM

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger speaks during a campaign event with former President Barack Obama, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

RICHMOND, Va — Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to give Democrats a key victory heading into the 2026 midterm elections and make history as the first woman ever to lead the commonwealth.

Spanberger’s win was the first in a big night for Democrats in Virginia and around the country, casting new doubts about President Donald Trump’s political strength less than a year into his second White House term.

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AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Virginia on Election Day

By The Associated Press

Published October 30, 2025 at 12:16AM | Updated October 30, 2025 at 5:22AM

Campaign signs for Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones appear outside the elections office for the City of Fairfax, Va., Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert Yoon)

By ROBERT YOON Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Virginia will elect its first woman as governor Tuesday as Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger look to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Voters will also decide races for lieutenant governor, attorney general and the state House of Delegates.

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Democrat Abigail Spanberger backs Virginia legislature’s redistricting push

By The Associated Press

Published October 27, 2025 at 9:07PM | Updated October 28, 2025 at 6:13AM

FILE - Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., speaks during an interview at Libbie Mill Library in Henrico County, Va., Nov. 25, 2024, after she announced she will run for Virginia governor. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)

By STEVE PEOPLES and OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, said Monday that she would not oppose a push by the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature to redraw congressional districts ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

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Virginia Democrats will try to reshape US House districts in counter to Trump’s redistricting push

By The Associated Press

Published October 23, 2025 at 7:34PM | Updated October 24, 2025 at 5:00AM

FILE - The state and U.S. flags fly over the Virginia State Capitol as the 2024 session of the Virginia General Assembly gets underway, Jan. 10, 2024, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

By OLIVIA DIAZ and DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Democrats are taking steps to redraw their state’s U.S. House districts, hoping to boost their party’s chances in next year’s midterm elections and counter President Donald Trump’s push for more partisan districts in Republican-run states.

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Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during government shutdown

By The Associated Press

Published October 23, 2025 at 1:33PM | Updated October 23, 2025 at 2:14PM

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., holds a news conference on day 23 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday rejected dueling partisan bills to pay federal workers during the government shutdown, with both Republicans and Democrats deflecting blame as many employees are set to miss their first full paycheck at the end of this week.