Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack confirmed to reprise role as USDA Secretary
Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack confirmed to reprise role as USDA Secretary By Kristin Kasper | February 23, 2021 at 8:46 PM CST - Updated February 23 at 8:46 PM
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) In a rare show of bipartisanship, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack will reprise his role as Agriculture Secretary following a 92-7 vote in the U.S Senate, Tuesday.
The Senate Agriculture Committee approved Vilsack following a friendly committee confirmation hearing on Feb. 2, where Vilsack faced questions on industry challenges and trade. During his testimony, he pledged to focus on COVID-19 recovery and climate change initiatives.
Power sharing agreement stalled in U.S. Senate
Power sharing agreement stalled in U.S. Senate By Kristin Kasper | January 25, 2021 at 7:47 PM CST - Updated January 25 at 7:49 PM
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) With confirmation hearings and President Donald Trump’s looming impeachment trial, the Senate agenda is swelling, and Senate leaders are struggling to reach a power-sharing deal.
Talks are stalled between Democrat Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) over an agreement to determine the details of control in the evenly divided Senate.
With a slight edge from Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats have claimed the majority of the chamber. However, power-sharing details, such as committee and staffing distributions, still need to be ironed out.
Minnesota, Wisconsin lawmakers discuss inauguration
An inauguration like we’ve never seen before By Kristin Kasper | January 19, 2021 at 6:22 PM CST - Updated January 19 at 6:28 PM
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) The presidential transition of power will take place on Wednesday, but this year, there will be more troops than spectators in Washington D.C.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the violent, deadly assault on the U.S Capitol earlier this month, thousands of National Guard troops are surrounding the National Mall.
Many lawmakers have been briefed on safety protocols and are still planning to attend.
“I believe that the ceremony will take on heightened importance given what’s happening in the U.S,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) “The world and our country needs to see a fair election, and the results are respected and the results are still strong.”
College students struggle amid pandemic
College students struggle amid pandemic By Jillian Angeline, Chloe Liu and Destiney Davis | January 11, 2021 at 7:07 PM CST - Updated January 11 at 7:07 PM
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) When the coronavirus spread across the country, college students were forced to take classes online from their dorm rooms or homes. Many are still learning online.
Hayley Cange, a senior at Depauw University studying Global Health, is one of them. Her college experience this year looks much different than her first three years because of the virus.
“Now more than ever, I’ve lacked motivation,” said Cange.
Every day last semester, she sat in front of her laptop for hours, interacting with her professors and peers over Zoom.