USA – Page 13 – Prologue Journal

Los Angeles Mayor Removes Fire Chief, Blaming Her for Lack of Preparation

New York Times Mayor Karen Bass criticized Kristin Crowley for sending firefighters home before a blaze devastated the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/los-angeles-fire-chief-removed.html

Senate approves $350 billion plan for Trump border and defense spending

Washington Post The legislation starts Republicans’ budget reconciliation process but intensifies an intraparty feud with the House GOP. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/21/senate-budget-border-trump-immigration/

Americans are down on the economy, but CEOs are full of optimism

Washington Post Two surveys this week show a stark and growing divergence between heads-of-businesses and the rest of the country when it comes to the economy: Consumers are jittery. Executives are hopeful. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/21/consumer-sentiment-ceo-economy/

A Trump Siege at the C.D.C. and Atlanta’s ‘Global Health Capital’

New York Times The cluster of medical facilities in the city around Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention carry prestige. They feel under attack. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/trump-cdc-atlanta.html

Trump envoy for Russia and Ukraine calls Zelenskyy a ‘courageous leader’ after Trump lambasts foreign figure

Fox News Assistant to the President and Special Presidential Envoy for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “courageous leader” in a tweet after President Donald Trump assailed the foreign figure as “A Dictator without Elections” earlier this week. Kellogg met with Zelenskyy this week. “A long and intense day with…

3 People Killed in Shooting Outside a Kentucky Driver’s License Office

New York Times Louisville police said they were still investigating and had not yet identified any suspects. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/kentucky-shooting-drivers-license-office.html

William R. Lucas, Official Blamed in Challenger Tragedy, Dies at 102

New York Times The strong-willed director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, he failed to pass on warnings from engineers that the space shuttle launch was at risk. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/william-r-lucas-dead.html

Rubio’s Dilemma: Cutting Trump’s Deal With ‘Bloodthirsty’ Putin

New York Times As a senator, Marco Rubio prided himself on challenging tyrants. But as secretary of state, President Trump has tasked him with helping to potentially turn Russia from an enemy into an ally. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/politics/rubio-russia-putin.html

Trump, Maine’s governor clash at White House over executive order compliance: ‘We’ll see you in court’

Fox News President Donald Trump sparred with Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills over transgender women in sports, telling her at the White House that she must follow his executive order or “you’re not going to get federal funding,” to which she replied, “we’ll see you in court.” The blue state is one of several defying…

I.R.S. Bars Musk Ally From Seeing Personal Information

New York Times A document setting the terms of work at the I.R.S. by Gavin Kliger, a software engineer on Elon Musk’s team, only allows him to see anonymized taxpayer information. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/politics/irs-doge-gavin-kliger.html