Max Cotton
Producer
Max Cotton joined the Gray Washington Bureau team in February 2025 as a weekend producer. Before moving to the nation’s capital, Max was Gray Media’s Illinois Capitol Bureau Chief in Springfield, Ill. He covered Illinois politics at the state’s legislature. Max has also worked in Des Moines, Iowa; Eau Claire, Wisc.; and Casper, Wyo.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Max grew up in the Chicago area. When he’s not working, Max is exploring Washington or cheering on a Chicago sports team.
Fans reflect on baseball's enduring place in American culture as the country marks its 250th birthday
Former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank Tuesday died at 86 from complications of congestive heart failure.
Congress focuses on reconciliation while the NTSB investigates the UPS cargo plane crash. This is your Week Ahead in Washington for May 17th.
Days after National Small Business Week, entrepreneurs and small business owners were back on Capitol Hill, turning the spotlight on a technical issue: data privacy.
The federal government is offering help for thousands of stranded passengers and suddenly unemployed airline workers following Spirit Airlines’ announcement that it is winding down operations and canceling all tickets.
Congress faces the deadline to extend a key foreign intelligence power while the UK’s King Charles is headed to D.C.
The organization Christians Engaged is hosting “America Reads the Bible,” a weeklong reading celebrating the U.S.’s 250th birthday.
The United States and Iran talk peace in Pakistan and President Donald Trump’s nominee to chair the Federal Reserve Board has his Senate confirmation hearing.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday morning directing the Food and Drug Administration to support research and potentially approve psychedelic drugs.
Republican leaders propose two-part funding measure as Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire talks scheduled.
Congress remains in recess despite an apparent deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, while President Donald Trump holds a high-stakes meeting with the head of NATO.
President Donald Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi after she led the Department of Justice for just over a year.
Protesters marched in Washington and across the country Saturday for the third "No Kings" rallies.
President Donald Trump heads to Memphis while the world watches for a critical deadline in the Iran War.
Lawmakers are no closer to passing the SAVE America Act after another week of discussion. They are now highlighting the blockages in hopes of forcing movement.
Federal lawsuit claims Harvard University failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment
The Senate takes up President Donald Trump’s top legislative priority as the President hosts foreign leaders at the White House. And, his pick for DHS Secretary has his confirmation hearing.
The Senate is looking to debate legislation that could overhaul federal voting requirements, as President Donald Trump continues to push for passage of the SAVE America Act, his top legislative priority.
President Donald Trump addresses House Republicans, voters head to the polls in Mississippi, and IndyCar plans a race in the nation’s capital.
Iranian Americans gathered in Washington on Saturday to rally for democracy in Iran as the U.S. and Israel continue military action in the country.
Science and health activists gathered Saturday at 48 locations across the country to protest what they describe as the dismantling of science and health institutions during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wants to crack down on "big ag" as lawmakers negotiate a new farm bill.
The military operations against Iran tops the ahead for the week ahead for Washington, and the 2026 midterms elections cycle begins with primary elections in three states.
President Donald Trump gives the State of the Union address, while former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appear before Congress.
Iranian Americans gathered outside the U.S. Capitol on Friday to honor pro-democracy protesters killed in Iran.
Rev. Jesse Jackson pushed for civil rights during his long and historic life, losing his battle with Parkinson's and a rare neurological disease at age 84.
Lawmakers leave Washington as DHS funding lapses, governors prepare for controversial White House visit, and President Donald Trump hosts the first Board of Peace meeting.
Congress returns to Washington with less than a week to fund the Department of Homeland Security and lawmakers continue looking into the Epstein files
The House returns to Washington with aims to end the partial government shutdown, and President Donald Trump is set to welcome the President of Colombia despite recent tension between the two.
Senators return to Capitol Hill this week with a partial government shutdown looming, and President Donald Trump heads to Iowa.
President Donald Trump expected to attend World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland while Paris Hilton lobbies on Capitol Hill and the March for Life returns to Washington, DC.
Demonstrations supporting Iranian uprising continue at iconic Washington sites as activists call for international recognition
President Donald Trump announced Saturday he will implement a 10% tariff on imports from several European nations beginning February 1 as he increases pressure on Denmark to sell Greenland to the U.S.
President Donald Trump reiterates his calls for Greenland to join the U.S. as lawmakers try to reassure allies the U.S. won't take the territory by force.
The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in two important cases, and President Donald Trump is expected to welcome the Venezuelan opposition leader to the White House.
Lawmakers face questions over military action as health care subsidies expire.
Congress remains in recess for the final week of 2025, and President Donald Trump is spending the rest of his year in Florida.
Legislation targets 287(g) program that allows local police to participate in ICE operations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is coming to the United States Sunday to meet with President Donald Trump in Florida as the war with Russia continues.
With Congress in recess and President Donald Trump spending the holidays in Florida, attention has turned to the Epstein files and unresolved healthcare legislation.
People gathered at the Lincoln Memorial Saturday in Washington to say goodbye to an American icon, the penny.
Congress returns to Capitol Hill for one last week of work with healthcare is on the agenda, and lawmakers will hear from the man who investigated President Donald Trump.
Tens of thousands of people bundled up and waited hours in the cold Saturday to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America event at Arlington National Cemetery, placing holiday wreaths on the graves of fallen service members.
Congress returns to Washington with healthcare on the agenda, while the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in three major cases.
Congress returns this week to a Washington getting into the holiday spirit while voters in Tennessee head to the polls for a special election.
The government shutdown continues while voters in several states head to the polls. Washington Correspondent Caitrin Assaf has your Week Ahead in Washington.
This week, President Donald Trump continues his tour of Asia, while the government shutdown ticks on. And, the Federal Reserve meets to discuss interest rates.
Construction is underway at the White House as President Donald Trump looks to add a ballroom to the historic landmark. But among the rubble of the East Wing, some are wondering what’s been lost.
A Middle East expert looks at what the deal between Israel and Hamas means for the region in both the short and long term.
"Shutdown specials" are popping up across Washington as the government shutdown continues.
