National news

Here are some of the latest national news stories:

Politics

• The House of Representatives has passed a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, a move that could help millions of low-wage workers across the country. (Source: CNN)
• The Senate has confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. (Source: NPR)
• President Joe Biden has announced a new plan to address the growing threat of climate change, which includes investing in clean energy and reducing carbon emissions. (Source: The New York Times)

Economy

• The US economy has added 431,000 jobs in March, a strong sign of recovery from the pandemic. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
• The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in four years, a move aimed at preventing the economy from overheating. (Source: Bloomberg)
• The US trade deficit has widened to a record high, driven by a surge in imports of goods such as electronics and furniture. (Source: Reuters)

Health

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a surge in cases of COVID-19, particularly among unvaccinated individuals. (Source: The Washington Post)
• The FDA has approved a new COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, which is designed to provide longer-lasting protection against the virus. (Source: NBC News)
• The US has seen a significant increase in cases of monkeypox, a rare viral disease that can cause severe illness. (Source: The New York Times)

Crime

• The FBI has launched an investigation into the death of a 13-year-old boy who was shot and killed by a police officer in Chicago. (Source: CNN)
• A former police officer has been charged with murder in the death of a Black man who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Minnesota. (Source: The New York Times)
• The US has seen a surge in hate crimes, with a 15% increase in reported incidents in 2020 compared to the previous year. (Source: The Washington Post)

Other News

• A massive wildfire has swept through parts of California, forcing thousands of people to evacuate and causing widespread damage. (Source: The Los Angeles Times)
• The US has launched a new initiative to promote STEM education and careers, particularly among underrepresented groups. (Source: The White House)
• A new study has found that the US is experiencing a significant shortage of mental health professionals, particularly in rural areas. (Source: The Journal of the American Medical Association)