WASHINGTON — Senate leader Mitch McConnell is recovering and resting comfortably at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, according to a statement released by his office.

The statement said McConnell is in stable condition and remains under observation while doctors oversee his recovery. It added that he has been in contact with family and close advisers and is expected to continue resting as his medical team monitors his progress.

WASHINGTON — The Social Security Administration said Tuesday it will issue commemorative Social Security cards to newborns born in the United States during America’s 250th birthday celebration, creating a limited-edition federal document to mark the semiquincentennial.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has redirected approximately $500 million from a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program aimed at combating homelessness to fund the construction of the new ballroom on White House grounds, according to federal budget documents released this week.

Washington, DC — Organizers of the upcoming Freedom 250 State Fair announced this week a planned commemorative installation honoring former football star and actor O.J. Simpson, featuring a life-size statue and an evening fireworks display, prompting a range of reactions from community members and commentators.

DALLAS, Texas — Reports circulating this week suggesting that Gracie, a giraffe believed by some observers to have gone missing, were unfounded, according to a spokesperson for the zoo where the animal resides.

In a statement released Friday, zoo officials said Gracie has remained in her enclosure throughout the period in question and has continued her normal daily routine, including scheduled feedings, veterinary checkups, and public viewing hours.

Washington, D.C. — In a dramatic congressional hearing on Tuesday, the Postmaster General testified that the United States Postal Service (USPS) would destroy any mail-in ballots collected by postal workers, a statement that drew swift criticism from lawmakers, election officials, and voting-rights organizations across the political spectrum.

Washington, D.C. — Two American alligators were observed swimming in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool this week, prompting an unusual wildlife response in the nation’s capital and raising questions about how the reptiles arrived in the highly monitored area.

The National Park Service confirmed that the animals, each estimated to be between four and six feet long, appear to be in good health. Officials noted that the alligators have been seen feeding on migratory ducks, suggesting they have adapted quickly to the environment.