WASHINGTON (AP) � Opposition from some leading moderate Democrats over a $3.5 trillion budget proposal championed by the party’s most liberal, progressive wing has left the party grappling with deeper ideological questions. Fully embracing an unprecedented expansion of the federal social safety net could jeopardize the bill’s passage and ultimately alienate independent and moderate Democrats

WASHINGTON (AP) � Top Republicans are battling school districts in their own states� urban, heavily Democratic areas over whether students should be required to mask up as they head back to school. That is reigniting ideological divides over face coverings even as the latest coronavirus surge ravages the reddest, most unvaccinated parts of the nation.