Week in Politics: A government shutdown looms; Charlie Kirk's memorial service A government shutdown looks increasingly likely at the end of the month, and a memorial service for Charlie Kirk is due to be held in Arizona. Scott Simon
Defense Secretary Hegseth requires new 'pledge' for reporters at the Pentagon The Pentagon is implementing new guidelines that will require journalists to sign a pledge and agree to report only approved and officially released information. Alana Wise
Social media is shattering America's understanding of Charlie Kirk's death There is a deep schism in how Americans understand the assassination that took place a little more than a week ago and that gap is being widened by social media. Geoff Brumfiel
Ted Cruz claims without evidence that China is funding U.S. climate lawsuits Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has said China is funding climate lawsuits against American oil and gas companies to weaken the U.S. He hasn't provided evidence to support the claim. Michael Copley
Social video and podcasts are the next frontier for Democrats seeking office Some political strategists say Democrats are falling behind Republicans in reaching voters in an important way: They're not active enough on platforms like TikTok. Sacha Pfeiffer
House passes spending bill but shutdown threat still looms The government appeared to inch closer to a shutdown on Friday after a short-term spending bill cleared by the House was blocked in the Senate amid a broader fight over expiring health care subsidies. Claudia Grisales
Where does free speech go from here? Prominent members of the Trump administration are using their roles to push back on critics, what does this mean for free speech? Domenico Montanaro
'We are all Jimmy Kimmel': What late night hosts are saying about Kimmel's suspension The late night hosts warned about the future of free speech on their shows Thursday. Clare Lombardo
The Census Bureau is now headed by a Trump official in an acting position George Cook is the Trump administration's new acting director of the Census Bureau, which has been thrust into the middle of a renewed attempt by President Trump to alter the national head count. Hansi Lo Wang
How FCC chair Brendan Carr is leading Trump's charge against the media In the eight months since becoming chair of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr has waged war against the free speech of those who have reported on, criticized, or satirized the president. David Folkenflik
