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Diana Flores
Diana Flores
Policy & Legislation Reporter

Diana specializes in tracking legislation through Congress and analyzing how policy decisions affect everyday Americans.

520 articles published

Super El Niño Looms, Lawmakers Urged to Shield NOAA Budget
Policy
Super El Niño Looms, Lawmakers Urged to Shield NOAA Budget
With a super El Niño likely this year, Congress is urged to fully fund NOAA to protect the economy from severe weather i
New Medicaid Work Rule Tightens 'Medically Frail' Exemption, Risking Coverage for Millions
Policy
New Medicaid Work Rule Tightens 'Medically Frail' Exemption, Risking Coverage for Millions
A new rule governing Medicaid work requirements narrows the 'medically frail' exemption, potentially causing millions of
Nine States Keep Grocery Taxes as Most Others Eliminate Regressive Levies
Policy
Nine States Keep Grocery Taxes as Most Others Eliminate Regressive Levies
Nine U.S. states still tax groceries, a regressive practice most have abandoned. Rates range from 1% in Virginia to 6% i
Social Security Shifts to All-Electronic Payments: What Beneficiaries Must Know
Policy
Social Security Shifts to All-Electronic Payments: What Beneficiaries Must Know
The Social Security Administration is ending paper check payments under a Trump executive order. Beneficiaries must tran
Pop Culture Courses Signal Deeper Crisis in University Mission
Policy
Pop Culture Courses Signal Deeper Crisis in University Mission
University courses on Taylor Swift, K-Pop, and queer pop culture reflect a shift from classical education to entertainme
UK Inquiry Offers Congress a Blueprint for Hybrid Work as Economic Policy
Policy
UK Inquiry Offers Congress a Blueprint for Hybrid Work as Economic Policy
A UK House of Lords inquiry concludes hybrid work boosts labor supply and cuts turnover costs, offering Congress a data-
Southwest Eases Plus-Size Seating Rules Amid Criticism, Advocates Demand Full Reversal
Policy
Southwest Eases Plus-Size Seating Rules Amid Criticism, Advocates Demand Full Reversal
Southwest Airlines has partially reversed its controversial plus-size seating policy, but advocacy groups say the airlin
Trump Administration Tightens AI Chip Export Rule to Close China Loophole
Policy
Trump Administration Tightens AI Chip Export Rule to Close China Loophole
The Trump administration issued new guidance on Sunday, closing a loophole in AI chip export restrictions by requiring l
Deadly Chemical Blasts Undercut Trump EPA's Safety Rollback Push
Policy
Deadly Chemical Blasts Undercut Trump EPA's Safety Rollback Push
Two West Coast chemical incidents—one evacuation and one deadly implosion—highlight risks as Trump EPA proposes rolling
Feds Designate 1.5 Million Acres Across Six States to Protect Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee
Policy
Feds Designate 1.5 Million Acres Across Six States to Protect Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 1.5 million acres across six states as critical habitat for the endang
Democrats' Silence on Climate Is Costing Them at the Ballot Box
Policy
Democrats' Silence on Climate Is Costing Them at the Ballot Box
As renewables hit record highs and fossil fuel profits soar, Democrats’ reluctance to talk climate is a political gift t
Social Security Full Retirement Age Hits 67 for 1960s-Born Workers in 2026
Policy
Social Security Full Retirement Age Hits 67 for 1960s-Born Workers in 2026
The full retirement age for Social Security increased to 67 for workers born in 1960 or later, the penultimate step in a
Outcomes-Based Financing Could Reshape Workforce Training—If Done Right
Policy
Outcomes-Based Financing Could Reshape Workforce Training—If Done Right
Outcomes-based repayment models can shift training risk from workers to funders, but require clear protections and emplo
Trump Signs Executive Order Endorsing Slimmed-Down Childhood Vaccine Schedule
Policy
Trump Signs Executive Order Endorsing Slimmed-Down Childhood Vaccine Schedule
President Trump signed an executive order Friday endorsing a reduced childhood vaccine schedule pushed by HHS Secretary
Unpaid Caregivers Face Retirement Crisis; Social Security Credits Proposed as Fix
Policy
Unpaid Caregivers Face Retirement Crisis; Social Security Credits Proposed as Fix
Unpaid caregivers provide $1 trillion in labor yearly, yet face retirement insecurity. Social Security caregiver credits
Lottery Winners Face Steep Tax Hit; Only Nine States Offer Full Relief
Policy
Lottery Winners Face Steep Tax Hit; Only Nine States Offer Full Relief
Winning the lottery sounds like a dream, but taxes can take a huge bite. Only nine states currently exempt lottery winni
Hawaiian Airlines Scraps Free Main Cabin Meals, Shifts to Prepaid Menu
Policy
Hawaiian Airlines Scraps Free Main Cabin Meals, Shifts to Prepaid Menu
Hawaiian Airlines will discontinue free in-flight meals in main cabins from July 1, introducing a prepaid menu by chef S
Republican-Led SEC Formally Moves to Kill Climate Disclosure Rule
Policy
Republican-Led SEC Formally Moves to Kill Climate Disclosure Rule
The SEC proposed Friday to rescind its 2024 climate disclosure rule, arguing it exceeded the agency's authority and impo