Democrats have rolled the dice in Maine as they pursue a post-Trump future. Will it work?

It was over the moment he received the endorsement of Maine’s most famous resident: Stephen King, the master of horror, who announced on Tuesday that he voted for Graham Platner.

More than 100,000 Democrats in Maine agreed, making Platner, a marine veteran and oyster farmer, their nominee for the US Senate against Republican incumbent Susan Collins in November.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

This live blog is now closed. For the latest, read our full report:

• House Republicans approve $70bn bill for Trump’s immigration crackdown

• Sign up for the Breaking News US email

Vice-president JD Vance has added a chicken coop to his residence at the US Naval Observatory, the Daily Wire reports, along with a dozen baby chicks whose new henhouse is designed to look like the Victorian home where the second family lives.

The coop was built without taxpayer money, a person familiar with the project told the Associated Press. The residence hosted a family event over the weekend where local 4-H students taught other kids about the newly installed coup, the person said.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising is under increasing political pressure, with bipartisan legislation being introduced to ban or restrict the practice, and states considering bills to deny tax deductions for pharmaceutical advertising expenses.

Direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising is under increasing political pressure, with bipartisan legislation being introduced to ban or restrict the practice, and states considering bills to deny tax deductions for pharmaceutical advertising expenses.