US agrees to pay billions to Marines affected by toxic water
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has agreed to provide disability benefits totaling more than $2 billion to veterans who had been exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.Military personnel must have served at Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987.Beginning in March, the cash payouts from the Department of Veterans Affairs may supplement VA health care already being provided to eligible veterans.The estimated taxpayer cost is $2.2 billion over five years.
President Obama surprises a teary-eyed VP Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama surprised an emotional Vice President Joe Biden Thursday by presenting him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a White House ceremony."I just wanted to get some folks together to pay tribute," President Obama said at the ceremony. "It also gives the internet one last chance to talk about our bromance," he joked."If you can't admire Joe Biden as a person you've got a problem," Obama said. "He's as good a man as God ever created."Before surprising his vice president with the medal, Obama gave lengthy and colorful remarks praising Biden, along with his wife Dr.
TMZ: President Obama's dog 'Sunny' bites White House guest in the face
FOX6 News has learned President Obama's four-year-old dog, Sunny, bit a family friend visiting the White House on Monday, January 9th -- according to TMZ.TMZ says sources of the girl who was bitten tell them she went to pet and kiss Sunny, and the dog "bit her on the face." Leaving a pretty large and bloody gash.According to TMZ, Obamas' family physician checked the girl out and decided she needed stitches.
Where's Sasha? President Obama's daughter absent at farewell speech
CHICAGO — President Obama's youngest daughter was noticeably absent during her father's farewell speech in Chicago Tuesday evening.During his speech, the camera turned to first lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Malia.
Mixed emotions felt ahead of President Barack Obama's farewell address
MILWAUKEE -- As we get closer to a transition of power in the White House, we're seeing different emotions.
Obama to take 1 last flight on Air Force 1 as ex-president
WASHINGTON — He won't be president anymore, but Barack Obama will take one last flight on the presidential plane next week before handing it over to Presidnet-elect Donald Trump.Outgoing presidents traditionally are allowed one final flight on the famed blue-and-white aircraft.
"Waiting to see the new blueprint:" Fight waged in Congress over future of Affordable Care Act
MADISON -- The divide over the Affordable Care Act came into focus on Wednesday, January 4th -- with President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump rallying their sides to fight.
President Obama vs. President-elect Trump: Dispute erupts over who would have won
HONOLULU — President-elect Donald Trump and President Barack Obama are trading competing claims about who would have won if the 2016 presidential election had been a contest between the two men.President Obama said in a podcast hosted by his former adviser David Axelrod that he's confident he would have won a majority of Americans if he'd run this year on the vision he's pursued for the last eight.
Obama sticks to workout routine on Christmas Eve
HONOLULU — The Latest on President Barack Obama's annual two-week vacation in Hawaii (all times local):9:40 a.m.President Barack Obama is at the gym this morning for a Christmas Eve workout.Despite thick cloud cover over the Ko'olau Mountain Range, the sun is shining brightly on the Marine Corps Base Hawaii where the president goes for his daily workout routine.The roads near the first family's vacation rental home in Kailua are quieter than usual this morning, although several small groups of people still waited on the side of the road to wave and photograph the presidential motorcade driving by.The Obamas are spending their annual two-week winter vacation on the island of Oahu in Obama's home state.
Pres. Obama pardons 78, shortens sentence for 153 others
HONOLULU — The White House says President Barack Obama has pardoned 78 people and shortened the sentence of 153 others convicted of federal crimes.
President Obama signs "21st Century Cures Act," boosting spending on cancer research
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed into law legislation that makes new investments in cancer research and battling drug abuse.Obama signed the bill at a ceremony on the White House campus flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and key lawmakers.The 21st Century Cures Act invests $1.8 billion for a cancer research "moonshot" that is strongly supported by Biden.
Pres. Obama set to sign bill boosting spending on cancer research
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will sign legislation on Tuesday that makes new investments in cancer research and battling drug abuse.The 21st Century Cures Act invests $1.8 billion for a cancer research "moonshot" that is strongly supported by Vice President Joe Biden, whose son Beau died of the disease.Biden, who will speak at the signing ceremony, says "God willing, this bill will save lives."The bill also authorizes giving states $1 billion over two years to prevent and treat the abuse of opioids and other addictive drugs like heroin.Overall, the measure plans $6.3 billion in new spending over the coming decade.The bill also streamlines the approval process for drugs and medical devices at the Food and Drug Administration, which some patient safety groups say is dangerous.
White House announces support for requiring women to register for the military draft
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's administration is announcing its support for requiring women to register for the military draft.The administration has been deliberating for roughly a year about whether to back such a change to the Selective Service.
Fan apologizes for questionable Pres. Obama costume at game
MADISON — One of the men who wore a costume depicting President Barack Obama in a noose to a University of Wisconsin football game has apologized.Lee Johnson tells the Wisconsin State Journal that "there was no racial intent" behind the costume at the Oct. 29 game against Nebraska.Johnson and another fan wore a costume that involved one wearing masks of Obama and Hillary Clinton with a noose around the neck, and the other wearing a Donald Trump mask and leading the first man around by the noose.
President Obama blocks new oil, gas drilling in Arctic Ocean
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is blocking new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Ocean, handing a victory to environmentalists who say industrial activity in the icy waters will harm marine mammals and exacerbate global warming.A five-year offshore drilling plan announced on Friday blocks planned sale of new oil and gas drilling rights in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas north of Alaska.
Protest takes over streets near UW-Madison during homecoming parade
MADISON -- A protest takes over the streets near the University of Wisconsin-Madison Friday night, November 11th.
GOP gears up for road fight, health care repeals
MADISON — Republicans will have their biggest majorities in the state Senate and Assembly in decades when the legislative session begins in January.
Twists & turns of the presidential election: Main players pledge unity for the good of the nation
WASHINGTON -- The 2016 election was filled with political twists and turns.
"Mr. President:" Baker faces criticism after choosing name for Oreo cupcake
PORTLAND, Oregon -- An Oregon baker is being accused of racism for selling an Oreo cupcake that was named "Mr.