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.

Protestors outside the U.S. Supreme Court

Overturning Roe would hand power over abortion to states. Many would ban it.

By: and - May 3, 2022

 A U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a nearly 50-year-old right to abortion would lead to strict restrictions or bans by states across nearly half the country almost immediately. The court is poised to overturn the landmark 1973 case Roe v. Wade, as well as a subsequent ruling on fetal viability, according to an initial […]

solar panels

U.S. Interior secretary to promote big spending jump for tribal, climate programs

By: - April 27, 2022

Secretary Deb Haaland will ask a U.S. House panel to increase funding for the department’s tribal programs and climate resilience efforts.

silhouette of migrants

Federal judge temporarily blocks Biden administration from ending Title 42

By: - April 25, 2022

The White House had said it would end next month the emergency order that allowed immigration authorities to expel those seeking asylum. 

3 big reasons why the Biden climate agenda is floundering

By: - April 22, 2022

President Joe Biden’s climate agenda took a hit this month when the Interior Department said it would open 144,000 acres of federal land up for oil and gas development to comply with a court order to restart fossil fuel development. The announcement marked yet another setback for a presidential climate plan that was once seen […]

a man wearing a mask on an airport escalator

CDC concludes a mask mandate is still needed for travelers, clearing way for court battle

By: - April 20, 2022

The CDC said in a statement that the mandate keeps transportation safer for immunocompromised people and the greater public.

Passengers wearing masks at Miami International Airport

Biden administration will appeal ruling on travel mask mandate — if CDC says it’s needed

By: - April 20, 2022

The CDC has yet to conclude that the mandate — which applied in airports, on commercial flights, on public transit and other transportation hubs — is still necessary. 

Passengers wearing masks at Miami International Airport

Federal judge in Florida throws out national mask mandate for travelers

By: - April 18, 2022

A federal judge in Florida voided the nationwide mask mandate for airline and public transportation passengers Monday, saying the requirement was beyond the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s authority.

Ketanji Brown Jackson

At the White House, an emotional Ketanji Brown Jackson says, ‘We’ve made it, all of us’

By: - April 8, 2022

Speaking outside the White House with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris looking on, and her voice at times trembling with emotion, Jackson acknowledged the historic milestone her confirmation as the first Black woman on the court represented.

electric vehicle charging station

Biden goal for U.S. transition to electric vehicles cast into doubt at U.S. Senate hearing

By: - April 7, 2022

A White House climate goal to transition the United States to electric vehicles is in trouble if the nation cannot produce more minerals that go into those vehicles’ batteries, U.S. senators of both parties said Thursday.

A motorist fuels a vehicle

U.S. House panel grills oil executives at hearing on soaring gas prices

By: - April 6, 2022

Democrats blamed the oil industry, Republicans blamed President Joe Biden and oil executives blamed global market forces at a U.S. House hearing Wednesday on how to reverse a dramatic increase in gas prices.

Ketanji Brown Jackson

U.S. Senate heads toward final vote this week on Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation

By: - April 5, 2022

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to hold the confirmation vote before senators’ two-week recess begins Friday. 

Ketanji Brown Jackson

U.S. Senate committee splits on Jackson nomination to Supreme Court, forcing added vote

By: - April 4, 2022

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked along party lines Monday on a vote that would have advanced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor.