Gallery: Mail inspections key in war on drugs

NEW YORK – With a surge in drugs coming through international mail to the United States, Capital News Service recently visited a secure facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport to watch U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and their…

People, machines and dogs hunt for drugs in the mail

NEW YORK – “It was all sealed like a bottle of lotion.” The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer explained that he had just cut open a package apparently shipped from Hong Kong. Inside was what looked like a glass…

Amtrak unveils comfier seats, better lighting in coaches

WASHINGTON – Amtrak riders in the Northeast and Midwest can expect to see more comfortable rides in the coming months as the passenger rail service continues interior overhauls of more than 450 of its coaches. Amtrak’s efforts to refresh the…

Gallery: Amtrak overhauls passenger coaches

WASHINGTON – Amtrak riders can expect to see more comfortable coaches in the coming months, with more supportive seats, LED lights, carpet that is easier to keep clean and nicer restrooms.

Demonstrators press Congress to protect undocumented children

WASHINGTON – More than two months after President Donald Trump said he was ending protections to children brought to the United States by undocumented immigrants, demonstrators on Thursday swamped a Senate building to pressure lawmakers to vote for a renewal…

Maryland lawmakers sue for information on D.C. Trump hotel lease

WASHINGTON – Maryland Reps. Elijah Cummings, Jamie Raskin and other House Democrats said on Thursday they have filed a lawsuit to force the federal government to turn over information about the operations of President Donald Trump’s downtown hotel. The frustrated…

Maryland lawmakers back Mueller, urge action on Russian meddling

WASHINGTON – Maryland Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday expressed confidence in special counsel Robert Mueller in response to the indictments of Paul Manafort, Richard Gates and George Papadopoulos revealed on Monday, presumably the first in the ongoing investigation into the 2016…

Van Hollen fights to preserve state and local tax deductions

WASHINGTON – As Congress tries to overhaul the nation’s tax laws, some Republicans want to reduce or eliminate state and local tax deductions. But Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, said doing so would only hurt the middle class, including in…

Officials: Cutting prescriptions, alternative treatments keys to easing opioid crisis

WASHINGTON – Reducing prescribed pain medications and innovations in non-opioid treatments could help ease the opioid epidemic, according to top federal drug and public health officials. Drug overdoses in the United States have nearly tripled over the last two decades.…

March for black women part of racial justice protest

Saturday’s March for Racial Justice here on the National Mall will include a march for black women to highlight specific issues that impact black women and to underscore their role in making social change.