DC BUREAU

Our Washington, D.C., bureau reports on congressional delegations and key Supreme Court and administrative decisions that affect our state.

STAFF

Jane Norman

DC Bureau Chief

As the Washington Bureau Chief of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, Jane directs national coverage, managing staff and freelance reporters in the nation’s capital and assigning and editing state-specific daily and enterprise stories. Jane is a veteran of more than three decades in journalism.

Jacob Fischler

DC Deputy Bureau Chief

Jacob covers federal policy and helps direct national coverage as deputy Washington bureau chief for States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Based in Oregon, he focuses on Western issues. His coverage areas include climate, energy development, public lands and infrastructure.

Ashley Murray

DC Bureau Senior Reporter

Ashley Murray covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Her coverage areas include domestic policy and appropriations.

Jennifer Shutt

DC Bureau Senior Reporter

Jennifer covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Her coverage areas include congressional policy, politics and legal challenges with a focus on health care, unemployment, housing and aid to families.

Ariana Figueroa

DC Bureau Reporter

Ariana covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance.

Shauneen Miranda

DC Bureau Reporter

Shauneen covers the nation’s capital for States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. An alumna of the University of Maryland, she previously covered breaking news for Axios.

STORIES

DOJ looks to revive classified documents case against Trump, argues judge’s dismissal was ‘flawed’

BY: - August 27, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked a federal appeals court to reverse the dismissal of a case alleging former President Donald Trump mishandled classified documents at his Florida home after he left the Oval Office. The appeals process could take months, likely closing the door on any movement in the classified documents […]

Federal judge pauses program that grants protections for undocumented spouses

BY: - August 27, 2024

WASHINGTON — A Texas federal judge late Monday sided with 16-Republican led states to temporarily block a Biden administration program that grants deportation protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and a potential pathway to citizenship. The ruling by Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, is […]

Trump promises mass deportations of undocumented people. How would that work?

BY: - August 26, 2024

WASHINGTON — “Mass deportation now!” is a catchphrase for the Trump presidential campaign, as the Republican nominee proposes a crackdown on immigration that would oust thousands of undocumented people. Often citing a deportation operation enacted by former President Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed in campaign rallies that he […]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspends his presidential bid, backs Trump

BY: - August 23, 2024

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Friday he is suspending his campaign and threw his support behind former President Donald Trump — the GOP presidential nominee. The announcement from the environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist, who has held on to a long-shot presidential bid, comes just a day after Vice President Kamala Harris […]

‘Let’s fight for it’: Harris vows to chart a new way forward, defeat Trump

BY: and - August 23, 2024

CHICAGO — Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party’s nomination for president Thursday evening, pitching her candidacy as an opportunity for the nation to move forward, rather than accept a dark future she said would follow a second election of her Republican opponent. Harris on the last night of the Democratic National Convention took advantage […]

Democrats stress gun violence prevention on convention’s final night

BY: - August 22, 2024

CHICAGO — The final night of the Democratic National Convention Thursday included a lineup of lawmakers and others who have long advocated for gun safety and have dealt with the aftermath of gun violence in their communities. “Our losses do not weaken us — they strengthen our resolve,” Georgia U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, a longtime […]

FDA greenlights new COVID vaccine after a summer of rising numbers of cases

BY: - August 22, 2024

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine intended to address severe symptoms of the virus ahead of the cold and flu season. The new booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer follow a summer of increasing COVID-19 cases and are designed to better address the variants that are […]

Frustrated uncommitted delegates push for Palestinian American speaker as DNC nears end

BY: - August 22, 2024

CHICAGO — Uncommitted delegates Thursday said they will continue their sit-in protest outside the United Center to advocate for a Palestinian American speaker at the Democratic National Convention, as Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to deliver her keynote address on the convention’s final night. While Harris will aim to galvanize Democrats to aid her meteoric […]

A former high school football coach rises to running mate as Walz accepts VP nomination

BY: - August 22, 2024

CHICAGO — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president Wednesday, showcasing his appeal on the third night of the Democratic National Convention as a candidate who can fuse a middle-class image to a fairly progressive record and effectively attack the Republican alternative. A native of a small town in Nebraska, Walz […]

Bill Clinton urges Democrats to work for Harris, ‘the president of joy’

BY: - August 22, 2024

CHICAGO — Former President Bill Clinton, a titan in the Democratic Party with a talent for connecting with rural white voters, Wednesday praised Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris for her ability to move the country forward and touted her middle-class roots. “Kamala Harris is the only candidate in this race with the vision, the experience, […]

Democratic women governors showcased at DNC event with ‘Veep’ star Julia Louis-Dreyfus

BY: - August 21, 2024

CHICAGO — Actress and climate activist Julia Louis-Dreyfus asked eight Democratic women governors Wednesday if she would be ready for public office after playing a vice president and president on the hit cable TV show “Veep.” “You’re more qualified than Donald Trump, don’t worry about it,” New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul quickly replied, to […]

LGBTQ Dems celebrate likely election of first openly transgender person to Congress

BY: - August 21, 2024

CHICAGO — Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride, who in November is expected to become the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, told LGBTQ delegates to the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday that her candidacy marked a milestone for trans representation. McBride, a candidate for Delaware’s at-large U.S. House seat being vacated by U.S. Senate […]