Contributing Writers

California Democratic leaders announced Thursday they had come to an agreement on a plan that would reduce the state’s staggering multibillion-dollar shortfall by $17.3 billion through a combination of spending cuts, delays and deferrals.Gov. Gavin Newsom had enjoyed unprecedented surplus budgets of more than $100 billion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The eight Venezuelan illegal immigrant squatters arrested last week after they were found in a New York City home with drugs and guns were previously apprehended at the southern border and released into the U.S., with one suspected of murder, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials confirmed Wednesday. Immigration authorities arrested three of the squatters again on Wednesday, and lodged detainer requests for four others being held in local custody, ICE told Fox News.

Michigan GOP lawmakers are raising the alarm over certain provisions in the state’s “newcomer rental subsidy” program that gives up to $500 to landlords who rent to migrants. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration has argued that the program is intended to help newly-arrived migrants find affordable housing and better integrate.

A Texas National Guardsman was arrested on Sunday for allegedly smuggling an illegal immigrant across the southern border, with dashcam footage obtained by Fox News showing the moment he was arrested — just as Gov. Greg Abbott’s office said the man is a “traitor and criminal” if the charges are true.

North Dakota lawmakers are expecting a legal challenge to a proposed congressional age limit, and estimate $1 million to defend the measure up to the U.S. Supreme Court, in what some observers see as a likely test case.A top legislative panel on Wednesday unanimously approved a $1 million cost estimate for the state to defend the age limit proposed in a constitutional initiative approved for the June 11 ballot.

The illegal Venezuelan migrant who took to social media to mock America and encourage other migrants crossing the border to squat and take over U.S. citizens’ homes is now facing potential federal firearms charges, the New York Post reported.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he remains committed to pardoning NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on his first day in office if he is elected to the White House.Kennedy Jr. released a petition Monday calling on President Biden to pardon Snowden, who in 2013 famously visited Hong Kong and exposed classified NSA documents that revealed the U.S. government was spying on its citizens. He was then charged with espionage and theft of government property.

Former President Trump promised to give police officers a blanket of protection following the recent death of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller.During a campaign stop Tuesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Trump promised to “restore law and order” and “indemnify” and “protect” law enforcement.

Former President Trump vowed to create a “Christian Visibility Day” following President Biden’s declaration of “Transgender Day of Visibility,” which happened to land on Easter Sunday this year.”And what the h— was Biden thinking when he declared Easter Sunday to be trans visibility day?” Trump asked his supporters during a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Tuesday. “Such total disrespect to Christians.

Nebraska lawmakers are debating a bill that would raise the state’s sales tax by 1 cent to 6.5% on every taxable dollar spent — which would make it among the highest in the country.Lawmakers expected to take a vote later Tuesday on whether to advance the bill to a second of three rounds of debate in Nebraska’s unique one-chamber legislature. In addition to raising the state’s current 5.

FIRST ON FOX: Barstool Sports personality Bill Cotter, also known as “Billy Football,” has turned his sights to New York’s 3rd Congressional District, embarking on a grassroots campaign focused on the younger generation.”I wanted to get involved and be a voice for this generation, if anything. You know, I may not make it to Congress, but hopefully, some of the things that I raise on my platform here will,” Cotter told Fox News Digital.

A federal judge in Los Angeles on Monday rejected Hunter Biden’s request to dismiss tax charges accusing the president’s son of a four-year scheme to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes while living an extravagant lifestyle.Among the claims that U.S. District Judge Marc Scarsi dismissed in eight separate motions were that federal prosecutors supposedly caved to pressure from Republicans or that the younger Biden had immunity from a previous plea deal that he had negotiated.

The wife of an Iowa county supervisor was sentenced Monday to four months in jail after being convicted in a scheme to stuff the ballot box to support her husband’s unsuccessful campaign for a congressional seat.Kim Taylor also was ordered to serve four months’ home confinement following her release from prison and to pay $5,200, KTIV-TV reports.

Former President Trump on Monday posted a $175 million bond in his New York civil fraud case, preventing the state from seizing his assets while he appeals. A New York appellate court had given the former president 10 days to put up the money after a panel of judges agreed last month to slash the amount needed to stop the clock on enforcement.If Trump wins, he won’t have to pay the state anything and will get back the money he has put up now.

A 2019 law banning most abortions in Ohio is unconstitutional following an abortion referendum last year, the state’s Republican attorney general said in a court filing Monday.The filing comes after abortion clinics asked a Hamilton County judge to throw out the law since Ohio voters decided to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution last November.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — While all eyes will be on the skies Monday, April 8 for the total solar eclipse, Indiana residents should also look to their voter registration.The deadline to register to vote in Indiana’s upcoming primary is the same day as the solar eclipse that will shadow most of the state.

The former head of U.S. Central Command warned Sunday that the Islamic terror group ISIS has a “strong desire” to attack the U.S. and other foreign powers, a threat he suspects is growing.Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie told ABC News’ “This Week” that U.S. officials should “believe them when they say that.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken became the latest Biden administration official to mark Transgender Day of Visibility, which has sparked controversy for being celebrated the same day as Easter.”Transgender Day of Visibility is a celebration of the courage and resilience of transgender, nonbinary and gender non-confirming persons who exist in every country and culture around the world,” Blinken said in a statement Sunday.

Amid backlash about the White House proclaiming Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday, Fox News Digital found an extensive list of LGBT-focused holidays celebrated throughout the year, including a handful recognized by the White House.

The state of New York will have 13 landmarks lit in celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility Sunday, joining the White House in observation of the day.One World Trade Center, the Empire State Plaza and Niagara Falls are just a few of the locations that “will be lit light pink, white and light blue,” a press release from the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul states.

As President Biden faces heated backlash over marking March 31 as “Transgender Day of Visibility,” which falls on Easter Sunday this year, the White House has issued a response standing by the president’s remarks.White House spokesman Andrew Bates released a statement saying those critical of Biden’s inclusiveness message are trying to further divide the country.

Connecticut has become one of the last holdout states to allow early in-person voting ahead of the state’s presidential primary on Tuesday. Saturday was the last day for early voting before Tuesday, which was marked by low turnout. Only 13,476 voters out of both Democrats and Republicans in the state came out to cast an early ballot. There are around 1.2 million voters registered for both parties in the state.

After President Biden sparked fury by declaring March 31 “Transgender Day of Visibility,” which this year is also Easter Sunday, former President Trump called for an immediate apology to millions of Christians and Catholics.Trump’s national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, called it “appalling and insulting” that Biden “formally proclaimed Easter Sunday as ‘Trans Day of Visibility.

A handful of liberal churches, religious groups and LGBTQ+ organizations are celebrating the fact that Transgender Day of Visibility, recognized each year on March 31, falls on Easter Sunday in 2024.Easter Sunday, which is not a fixed date, also falls on March 31, marking one of the most important liturgical celebrations as millions of Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

A Chinese illegal immigrant was arrested in California on Wednesday after entering a Marine Corps base without authorization and ignoring orders to leave, officials say.Border Patrol’s El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino said that agents responded to a call from the base about a Chinese national “who entered the base w/o authorization, ignoring orders to leave.”A spokesperson for the U.S.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore stated Saturday that conditions remain “unsafe” for rescue divers due to weather and debris following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. “Conditions in the water make it unsafe for rescue divers. And we’re not just talking about weather and wind,” Moore said during a press conference, appearing alongside Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, state police Superintendent Col. Roland Butler, and first responders.