Author

Jacob Fischler

Jacob Fischler

Jacob covers federal policy as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Based in Oregon, he focuses on Western issues. His coverage areas include climate, energy development, public lands and infrastructure.

On a record day in D.C. for smoke pollution, U.S. Senate panel debates wildfire strategy

By: - June 9, 2023

Washington state Democrat Sen. Maria Cantwell said “America is waking up — at least on the East Coast — to this problem.”

Western lands fight erupts over Bureau of Land Management’s conservation proposal

By: - May 26, 2023

Supporters say the proposal would lift conservation to the level of extractive uses, a responsible move to protect lands affected by climate change.

U.S. Supreme Court narrows scope of Clean Water Act

By: - May 25, 2023

The justices issued separate opinions that showed a 5-4 split in how far they would allow federal jurisdiction to extend, with the conservative majority ruling to significantly narrow federal agency power.

Missouri man arrested for crashing truck, making threats near White House

By: - May 23, 2023

Investigators’ first look at the incident suggested the man intentionally drove a truck into Lafayette Park’s bollards.

A default on the U.S. debt would be far worse than a government shutdown. Here’s how.

By: , , and - May 19, 2023

A default would potentially reduce payments that keep millions of households afloat, as well as payments to states and providers for health care for elderly and low-income Americans. 

Rural electric co-ops to get $10.7B in USDA funds for clean energy grants, loans

By: - May 16, 2023

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says a $10.7 billion investment will ensure “rural America is a full participant in this clean energy economy.”

New claims aired by GOP of Biden family influence-peddling, but questions remain

By: - May 10, 2023

Records supported allegations of an influence-peddling scheme involving Biden’s son Hunter and other family members, Rep. James Comer said.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear N.J. fishing case that could limit federal agency powers

By: - May 1, 2023

The case centers on New Jersey fishing operations that objected to paying for federal observers.

U.S. House GOP pushes through debt ceiling increase coupled with massive spending cuts

By: and - April 26, 2023

U.S. House Republicans passed their controversial plan to temporarily raise the nation’s borrowing limit and cut spending. A veto is likely.

One state already has voted to ban TikTok. For Congress, it’s going to be much tougher.

By: - April 18, 2023

Banning TikTok has raised a slew of objections, not the least of which is how banning an app that provides a platform for speech could be consistent with the First Amendment

Biden rule on transgender athletes would set conditions on school sports bans

By: - April 6, 2023

The proposed rule would prohibit blanket bans of transgender athletes competing in sports consistent with their gender identity.

Trump hit with 34 felony counts of falsifying New York state business records

By: , and - April 4, 2023

Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 34 New York state felony offenses related to what prosecutors say were hush money payments to an adult film star.