Breaking
Diana Flores
Diana Flores
Policy & Legislation Reporter

Diana specializes in tracking legislation through Congress and analyzing how policy decisions affect everyday Americans.

327 articles published

Santa Fe Prison Riot's Unlearned Lessons: Staffing, Programming, and the Cost of Inaction
Policy
Santa Fe Prison Riot's Unlearned Lessons: Staffing, Programming, and the Cost of Inaction
The 1980 Santa Fe prison riot killed 33 inmates and cost over $300 million in today's dollars. A former warden warns tha
Trump’s Drug Policy Shift: From War on Drugs to Psychedelic Research
Policy
Trump’s Drug Policy Shift: From War on Drugs to Psychedelic Research
Trump’s moves to fast-track psychedelic research and reschedule medical marijuana signal a historic GOP break from the w
FDA Grants Fast-Track Status to Three Psychedelic Drug Studies in Line with Trump's Executive Order
Policy
FDA Grants Fast-Track Status to Three Psychedelic Drug Studies in Line with Trump's Executive Order
The FDA granted fast-track review to three companies studying psychedelic therapies for depression and PTSD, advancing T
Scrap the Social Security Tax Cap to Avert 2032 Benefit Cuts, Former SSA Chief Urges
Policy
Scrap the Social Security Tax Cap to Avert 2032 Benefit Cuts, Former SSA Chief Urges
The Social Security Trust Fund is on track to run out in 2032, but removing the cap on taxable earnings for high incomes
Local Backlash Against Data Centers Demands Smarter Deals, Not Construction Bans
Policy
Local Backlash Against Data Centers Demands Smarter Deals, Not Construction Bans
Communities across the U.S. are resisting data center expansion amid concerns over surging electricity bills, water cons
EPA's New Plan: Advanced Recycling Could Reshape Plastic Waste into Raw Materials
Policy
EPA's New Plan: Advanced Recycling Could Reshape Plastic Waste into Raw Materials
The EPA is pushing to reclassify advanced recycling as manufacturing under the Clean Air Act, aiming to spur investment
Trump Refund Portal Opens as Importers Seek $166B in Invalidated Tariffs
Policy
Trump Refund Portal Opens as Importers Seek $166B in Invalidated Tariffs
Importers are signing up for a new CBP portal to claim $166 billion in tariff refunds ordered by the Supreme Court. Trum
JetBlue Hit with Class Action Over Alleged 'Surveillance Pricing' Using Personal Data
Policy
JetBlue Hit with Class Action Over Alleged 'Surveillance Pricing' Using Personal Data
JetBlue is accused of collecting passenger data to dynamically set airfares, sparking a class action lawsuit and congres
Bipartisan Bill Targets Megafire Crisis as Prevention Policy Lags
Policy
Bipartisan Bill Targets Megafire Crisis as Prevention Policy Lags
A year after devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Sens. Alex Padilla and John Curtis say the Fix Our Forests Act offers a
Renters Gain Ground as Income Growth Surpasses Rent Hikes for First Time Since 2020
Policy
Renters Gain Ground as Income Growth Surpasses Rent Hikes for First Time Since 2020
Incomes are outpacing rent increases nationwide for the first time since before the pandemic, giving renters an extra $2
Blanche Reclassifies Medical Marijuana, Easing Federal Restrictions on State-Licensed Dispensaries
Policy
Blanche Reclassifies Medical Marijuana, Easing Federal Restrictions on State-Licensed Dispensaries
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order Thursday reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedu
Why Voters Can't Grasp Federal Budget Numbers—and Why That's a Democracy Crisis
Policy
Why Voters Can't Grasp Federal Budget Numbers—and Why That's a Democracy Crisis
Large numbers in news headlines blur into meaninglessness, undermining informed democratic judgment. From Artemis II to
High-Spending States See Exodus as Low-Spending States Gain Residents
Policy
High-Spending States See Exodus as Low-Spending States Gain Residents
States with highest per capita spending are losing residents to lower-spending states. California's population growth is
Maine Leads Nation with First Ban on Large Data Centers Amid Growing Backlash
Policy
Maine Leads Nation with First Ban on Large Data Centers Amid Growing Backlash
Maine becomes first state to ban large data centers, while a Wisconsin city gives voters power over tax-funded projects.
Trump's Psychedelics Order, Sparked by Rogan Text, Signals Shift in Federal Drug Policy
Policy
Trump's Psychedelics Order, Sparked by Rogan Text, Signals Shift in Federal Drug Policy
Trump signed an executive order to ease psychedelic research restrictions, prompted by a text from Joe Rogan. Advocates
Collins, Sullivan Defy GOP Leadership to Back SNAP Funding Restoration Effort
Policy
Collins, Sullivan Defy GOP Leadership to Back SNAP Funding Restoration Effort
Two Republican senators broke ranks to support a Democratic effort to reverse $187 billion in SNAP cuts, but the amendme
Weather Service Reorganization Sparks Union Warning Over Staffing and Forecast Quality
Policy
Weather Service Reorganization Sparks Union Warning Over Staffing and Forecast Quality
A major reorganization of the National Weather Service is underway, with union officials warning of potential staffing r
FAA Launches Probe Into Near-Collision at JFK Airport, Latest in Series of Aviation Incidents
Policy
FAA Launches Probe Into Near-Collision at JFK Airport, Latest in Series of Aviation Incidents
Federal aviation authorities are investigating a Monday incident where a Republic Airways flight aborted its landing aft