US foreign policy is in the headlines, but local policy is of less interest. Most headlines is about the big things like war(s), environment and human rights, things that affect us all.
The economy is of interest, because it goes hand in hand with the European and Asian financial markets.
The tabloid news, like the MJ trial, are also also covered, but not 24/7
I think people confront US policy more now than in the mid/late 90's, because the Bush administration has distanced the country with less interest in diplomacy.