Former President Jimmy Carter served just a single term in the White House, but it proved to be an impactful one for the federal courts, which saw the appointment of more than 260 federal judges across the country, including some who would go on to wield considerable influence in the nation’s top courts.  His appointments were barrier-breaking and diverse, helping reshape the federal bench and paving the way...

In the 1942 film “Holiday Inn,” legendary crooner Bing Crosby describes the stroke of midnight on New Year’s as “one minute to say goodbye before we say hello.” In 2025, Americans in several states around the country are “saying hello” to many new laws and changes in tax codes. In West Virginia, for example, residents saw an automatic 2% personal income tax cut taking effect on New Year’s...

House Speaker Mike Johnson stares down a difficult battle to retain the gavel on Friday, even despite an endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump.  Despite narrowly hanging on to the GOP majority, Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance after a series of moves to fund the government that angered conservatives over the effort’s failure to cut spending.  On the opening day of the 119th Congress, the House will vote...