Author

Ariana Figueroa

Ariana Figueroa

Ariana covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance.

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Harris and Trump turn to podcasts, radio and TV as campaign hurtles into final month

By: - October 7, 2024

WASHINGTON — In an interview released Sunday on a widely heard podcast geared toward young women, Vice President Kamala Harris stressed the importance of reproductive rights, a central topic in her bid for the White House. The “Call Her Daddy” host, Alex Cooper, specifically centered the 40-minute interview around issues affecting women such as domestic […]

The next big dilemma for the U.S. Senate GOP: Who should lead them in 2025 and beyond?

By: , and - October 7, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans shortly after Election Day will face a major decision for their chamber as well as the national party when they pick a new leader. Once the dust from the election clears and the balance of power in the Senate is decided, senators will gather behind closed doors to choose who […]

No winner seen in Vance-Walz VP debate; Harris views Helene storm damage in Georgia

By: - October 2, 2024

WASHINGTON — After the vice presidential debate, voters in one flash poll published Wednesday declared a draw in the meeting between Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Republican Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance. Tuesday’s debate is the last scheduled in-person meeting between the presidential campaigns. Both Midwestern candidates were cordial and the debate was devoid […]

Housing: Where do Trump and Harris stand?

By: - October 2, 2024

This is one in a series of States Newsroom reports on the major policy issues in the presidential race. WASHINGTON — As the cost and supply of housing remain top issues for voters, both presidential candidates have put forth plans to tackle the crisis, in hopes of courting voters ahead of the Nov. 5 election. […]

U.S. Senate panel probes federal government’s role in affordable housing crisis

By: - September 25, 2024

WASHINGTON — The speaker of the Rhode Island House described how his state has tackled affordable housing and how it could be a model for local and state governments across the country in a Wednesday hearing before members of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee. “My mantra has been: production, production and more production,” Rhode Island […]

Harris says she’d back an elimination of the filibuster to restore abortion rights

By: - September 24, 2024

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Tuesday during a radio interview that she supports changing a Senate procedure in order to codify the right to an abortion. Vice President Harris said she is in favor of ending the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, known as the filibuster, to advance abortion rights legislation. But […]

School shooting damage lasts for years, survivors tell panel of U.S. House Democrats

By: - September 23, 2024

WASHINGTON — The devastating effects of school shootings continue well after shootings occur, according to survivors, experts and educators who spoke at a roundtable U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee Democrats held Monday. Democrats scheduled the discussion after the recent school shooting in Georgia, where two students and two teachers were killed. Witnesses told the […]

Harris blasts Trump deportation pledge as poll shows a majority of voters support it

By: - September 18, 2024

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris warned Wednesday of her GOP rival’s plans to enact mass deportations. Former President Donald Trump has made immigration a core campaign topic and has often demonized immigrants such as in Aurora, Colorado, and in Springfield, Ohio. Trump has pledged to conduct mass deportations of immigrants in […]

Health and farmworker advocates urge ban of herbicide linked to Parkinson’s

By: - September 17, 2024

WASHINGTON — Public health advocates and farmworkers called for a federal ban on a toxic herbicide they say led to their Parkinson’s disease during a Tuesday briefing for congressional staffers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will determine next year if the herbicide, paraquat dichloride, should have its license renewed for another 15 years. The herbicide […]

Man arrested after poking rifle onto Trump golf course charged with federal gun crimes

By: - September 16, 2024

WASHINGTON — Ryan Wesley Routh appeared in federal court Monday on two firearm charges after being apprehended by local law enforcement Sunday in what the FBI is investigating as a possible assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. Authorities found a rifle in an area Routh was seen fleeing on Sunday, but acting Secret Service […]

FBI investigating apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump as he golfed Sunday

By: - September 15, 2024

WASHINGTON — The FBI is investigating a possible assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump after gunshots were fired Sunday near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the GOP presidential nominee was playing golf. The FBI said in a statement to States Newsroom the incident “appears to be an attempted assassination […]

GOP U.S. senators push to tie voter ID bill to government funding

By: - September 11, 2024

WASHINGTON — A handful of U.S. Senate Republicans called Wednesday for the chamber to pass a bill to keep the government open that would also require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections to deter voting by people who are not citizens, something that is rare and already illegal. Republican Sens. Rick […]