Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Tuesday toured North Carolina areas devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024, revealing plans to prioritize relief to disaster-impacted communities on his first official trip since replacing Kristi Noem, whose leadership cast uncertainty over federal disaster response.

For the first time in nearly a decade, President Donald Trump did not attend one of the biggest annual meetings of conservatives. But even in his absence, the Conservative Political Action Conference revolved around him.

A growing faction of concerned citizens living in suburban communities across the United States — places once known for political moderation or even conservatism — are increasingly positioned on the front lines of the anti-Trump resistance.

After her Democratic primary victory Tuesday night, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is positioned to match the record as the county’s longest-serving leader if she wins in November and completes a fifth term.

Races for Cook County Board president and assessor as well as a few county board races in Lake County are among the local races to watch in Tuesday’s primary elections.

Gabriella Hoxie is a Republican running for Cook County Board District 15 in the March 17 primary.

Yasmeen Bankole of Hanover Park is running for the Democratic nomination for the 8th Congressional District in the March 17, 2026, primary election.

Brendan Reilly is vying for the Democratic nomination for Cook County Board President in the March 17 primary election.

Toni Preckwinkle is vying for the Democratic nomination for Cook County Board President in the March 17 primary election.