These are your top stories for April 16th.
Headlines
Republican Plan for Supreme Court Vacancy
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters that the Senate would confirm a Supreme Court nominee before the election should a vacancy occur. Justice Samuel Alito is rumored to be retiring this summer. Source
Trump says he will fire Jermone Powell if Powell stays on as Fed Chairman in an interim capacity when his tenure expires on May 15 if the Senate hasn’t confirmed Trump’s pick to replace him by that point. Link
Justice Sonya Sotomayor apologized for taking a swipe at fellow Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh over Kavanaugh’s ruling in favor of Trump’s immigration enforcement. Source
Politics
The Senate blocked another war powers resolution that would have limited President Trump’s ability to continue the war against Iran. Source
Texas Democrat Senate challenger James Talirico raised $27 million in the first quarter of 2026. Talrico’s fundraising haul was tops for this cycle. Read More
Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt called on Congress to impeach D.C. Circuit Court Judge James Boasberg after the D.C. Circuit Court ordered Boasberg to shut down his contempt proceeding against the Trump administration. Link
U.S. News
A shocking video shows an Oklahoma principal tackling a gunman and preventing him from carrying out a school shooting. Source
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard referred two government officials to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution for their role in the impeachment against President Trump for withholding military aid to Ukraine. Source
East Coast sets temperature records as heat wave sweeps across America. See Details
Business
Disney lays off 1,000 employees as part of an entertainment division downsizing. Find out More
Stock futures inched higher as the S&P 500 hit a new record. Read More
German banks are working with authorities to study the risks associated with Anthropic’s new AI model. Link
World News
A delegation from Pakistan is meeting with Iranian officials in the hopes of brokering a second round of peace talks with the United States. A ceasefire agreement between Iran and America is set to expire in five days. See Details
The U.S. Navy turned back 10 ships since the start of a blockade President Trump ordered in the hopes of forcing Iran to accept a peace deal to end the war. Source
Entertainment
Director Steve Spielberg says his new UFO film “Disclosure Day” is closer to fact than fiction. The movie premieres June 12 and hits theaters as President Trump promised to declassify the government’s collection of UFO documents. Link
Celebrity chef Guy Fieri faces online backlash over appearing at a recent UFC event with social media influencer Andrew Tate. Read More
Sports
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Iran will compete in this summer’s World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, despite the ongoing war with America. Find out More
LIV Golf CEO says the tour’s 2026 schedule will proceed as planned amid rumors that Saudi Arabia plans to withdraw funding from the rival golf league. Read More
Off the Wall
A Raffle winner took home a $1 million Picasso painting after purchasing a $117 ticket. See Details
