A Los Angeles judge postponed Nick Reiner's arraignment for allegedly killing his parents because his lawyer stepped down from the case. The arraignment is now set for February 23. Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and has not entered a plea.
Key Facts
Nick Reiner is accused of killing his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, on December 14.
A judge delayed his arraignment to February 23 after his lawyer recused himself.
Reiner remains in custody without bail and faces severe penalties if convicted.
His charges include first-degree murder with special circumstances.
Reiner has spoken about past struggles with addiction and homelessness.
No plea has been entered by Reiner yet on these charges.
Prosecutors have not decided if they will seek the death penalty.
Police had been called to the family's home multiple times in the past years for various reasons.
A federal immigration agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis when she allegedly tried to run over officers during an immigration operation. The incident occurred as part of a large-scale immigration enforcement effort involving 2,000 agents in the area.
Key Facts
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot a woman in Minneapolis.
The woman allegedly attempted to run over law enforcement officers.
The incident took place during a major immigration operation.
2,000 federal agents are involved in this Minneapolis-area operation.
The operation, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, addresses immigration enforcement.
Minneapolis and St. Paul have increased security due to this initiative.
A report by WalletHub ranked U.S. cities based on how supportive they are for keeping New Year's resolutions. Seattle, Washington, topped the list due to its healthy lifestyle and strong financial conditions. The report analyzed factors like health, finances, employment, and habits across 182 cities.
Key Facts
WalletHub ranked Seattle, Washington, as the best city for keeping New Year's resolutions.
Seattle has the lowest percentage of inactive adults and one of the lowest obesity rates in the U.S.
Scottsdale, Arizona, ranked second, known for both health and career benefits and low unemployment rates.
Irvine, California, placed third, with high credit scores and good health statistics.
WalletHub analyzed 182 cities using criteria such as health, finances, and habits.
Sources for the study included the U.S. Census Bureau and the CDC.
The top five cities were Seattle, Scottsdale, Irvine, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City.
President Donald Trump's approval rating among middle-class voters earning between $50,000 and $100,000 has recently increased, according to a new poll. This change comes after several months of declining support from this group, which is important in shaping election outcomes. While Trump's overall national approval ratings remain below 50%, there has been a slight improvement.
Key Facts
A new poll shows President Trump's approval among middle-class earners has risen to 46%.
Previously, his approval was at a low of 40% in late December 2025.
The poll surveyed 1,551 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±3%.
The middle class is defined as those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 annually.
This group's approval is important for election outcomes and economic perception.
Trump's national approval rating remains generally negative but saw slight improvements.
Economic concerns remain a major factor, with many disapproving of Trump's economic management.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who works for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid under President Trump, announced new U.S. dietary guidelines that include advice on alcohol. The guidelines now offer less specific advice on alcohol, emphasizing personal choice, and suggest that alcohol might have social benefits when used safely.
Key Facts
Dr. Mehmet Oz is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.
The Trump administration released new dietary guidelines, including changes for alcohol.
The guidelines are part of the "Make America Healthy Again" platform.
Previous guidelines advised men to have two drinks a day and women one drink a day.
New guidelines suggest individuals limit alcohol but do not specify numbers.
Oz described alcohol as a "social lubricant" that can help people bond safely.
Oz mentioned some countries with long-lived populations include small amounts of alcohol in their diets.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings about dangerous ocean conditions along the entire West Coast of the United States. The advisories, due to strong waves from a Pacific storm system, caution against beach activities and warn boaters of hazardous seas. These warnings affect areas in Oregon, Washington, and California, with potential risks including high surf, sneaker waves, and beach erosion.
Key Facts
The NWS has issued advisories for dangerous ocean conditions along the West Coast of the U.S.
These advisories cover Oregon, Washington, and California due to strong Pacific storms.
High surf and sneaker waves could knock people over and cause drownings.
Some waves could reach heights of 26 feet.
There is a risk of beach erosion possibly damaging coastal properties.
Boaters, especially those with small boats, are advised to avoid the water because of strong winds creating dangerous waves.
People are advised to follow NWS guidelines and avoid risky beach activities.
The NWS continues to monitor conditions and provides updates for public safety.
Nick Reiner is facing charges for the murder of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, in Los Angeles. The court hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for a trial. Nick Reiner has previously spoken about his addiction and mental health issues.
Key Facts
Nick Reiner is charged with killing his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles home.
The couple was found dead on December 14 with stab wounds.
Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested and has been held without bail since his arrest.
He has not yet entered a plea in court; his attorney might request a delay.
Rob Reiner directed popular films like "This Is Spinal Tap" and "When Harry Met Sally."
Prosecutors are considering whether to seek the death penalty due to the nature of the charges.
Nick Reiner has a history of addiction and mental health struggles, highlighted by a past movie project with his father.
Political analyst Nate Silver predicts that a Democratic candidate, Mary Peltola, could make Alaska's traditionally Republican Senate seat a competitive race in the 2026 midterms. Peltola is expected to announce her candidacy soon, which may draw significant attention and resources to the election. The outcome could be influenced by Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, which previously helped Peltola in House elections.
Key Facts
Nate Silver, a well-known election forecaster, suggests Mary Peltola's potential Senate candidacy in Alaska could change the race's dynamics.
Alaska has traditionally been a Republican stronghold, but Peltola’s entry could make it more competitive.
Mary Peltola is a former Democratic representative who won past elections using ranked-choice voting in Alaska.
Peltola lost her House seat narrowly in 2024 to Republican Nick Begich.
Incumbent Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski described the potential race against Peltola as very challenging.
Peltola's candidacy could draw national attention and significant funding in the 2026 midterms.
Analysts consider this race crucial for Senate control, significantly impacting both parties.
The Trump administration released new dietary guidelines for 2025-2030, encouraging Americans to eat more whole foods and consume less processed food and added sugar. These guidelines aim to improve public health by promoting fresh vegetables, whole grains, and limiting saturated fats and processed carbohydrates. The guidelines are intended to shape federal nutrition programs and policies in the U.S.
Key Facts
The guidelines recommend eating more whole foods like fresh vegetables and whole grains.
Americans are advised to reduce consumption of highly processed foods, which include packaged snacks like chips and cookies.
The guidelines suggest limiting saturated fat intake to 10% of daily calories but allow whole-food sources like meat and avocados.
The updated guidelines aim to influence federal nutrition programs, such as the National School Lunch Program.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the guidelines.
The guidelines support the Make America Healthy Again agenda by overhauling the U.S. food supply.
The document is simplified to 10 pages, in contrast to earlier, much longer editions.
Some visitors to national parks could find their passes void if they cover President Trump's face on the passes with stickers. The Department of the Interior clarified its rules stating that alterations, including stickers, could make a pass invalid. The updated policy aims to prevent confusion, as the passes will feature President Trump's image starting January 1.
Key Facts
National park passes with President Trump's image could be void if altered with stickers or other coverings.
The Department of the Interior updated its rules to specify that any alterations could void the pass.
This change comes as a response to questions about covering Trump’s image on passes.
Altering a pass can hide important information and security features.
The policy update aims to clarify existing rules rather than introduce new ones.
Park employees may use discretion when dealing with altered passes, such as requesting removal of stickers.
The updated rule affects America the Beautiful passes, used for entrance fees to recreational areas managed by federal agencies.
The Trump administration has decided to cut the number of supplemental H-2B work visas available to U.S. seasonal employers, reducing the allocation by nearly half compared to recent years. These visas help fill short-term jobs in industries like hospitality and tourism when there aren't enough U.S. workers.
Key Facts
The Trump administration plans to issue 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas for fiscal year 2026.
In previous years, up to 64,716 supplemental visas were issued annually under the same authority.
The H-2B visa program allows U.S. businesses to hire temporary workers for seasonal jobs.
Congress has authorized extra visas beyond the cap to meet labor demands when needed.
The annual statutory cap for H-2B visas is 66,000, split between two halves of the fiscal year.
Immigrants make up about 20% of the U.S. workforce, with a high presence in sectors like agriculture and hospitality.
From January to July 2025, over 1.2 million immigrants left the U.S. labor force.
Concerns are rising that the reduced number of visas could lead to labor shortages in certain industries.
A federal spending bill proposes nearly $5.7 billion for refugee support services, causing disagreement in the Senate. Republican senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee oppose the funding, citing concerns over taxpayer spending. The bill includes support for health care and other services for refugees and asylees.
Key Facts
The proposed spending bill allocates approximately $5.69 billion for refugee services.
These services include medical care, employment support, child care, and cash assistance.
The funding is part of a larger Labor, Health, and Human Services appropriations bill.
Most of the funding would be available through 2028.
Republican Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee oppose the bill due to concerns about excessive spending.
The Trump administration plans to limit refugee admissions to 7,500 in fiscal year 2026.
The bill must be approved by Congress to prevent a partial government shutdown.
Refugee programs have historically been part of U.S. humanitarian policy, adapting to global conflicts.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is starting a process to stop using truck drivers who hold non-domiciled Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs), unless they've been thoroughly checked by officials. These licenses are for drivers who get them in a state where they don't live permanently, and some such license holders are undocumented migrants. The change aims to enhance safety and comply with immigration enforcement measures.
Key Facts
USPS announced it will phase out the use of non-domiciled CDL holders who are not fully vetted.
Non-domiciled CDLs are given to drivers not permanently living in the state where they received the license.
Some drivers with these licenses are undocumented migrants or are foreign nationals with legal stay or work visas.
The change is part of an effort to maintain safety standards and comply with immigration laws.
Past enforcement operations under President Trump led to the arrest of many undocumented migrant drivers.
Fatal crashes involving unvetted non-domiciled CDL holders have increased scrutiny of these licenses.
An audit in 2024 found gaps in the vetting of drivers might risk the safety and security of the mail and other motorists.
The Trump administration previously halted the issuance of work visas for truck drivers to address safety and compliance concerns.
Recent special elections in Virginia show that Democrats are performing well, surpassing their results from the 2024 presidential cycle. This trend suggests a challenging political environment for Republicans, particularly as the upcoming midterm elections approach.
Key Facts
Democrats won recent special elections in Virginia with notably strong results.
Democratic candidate James Walkinshaw won by a large margin in Virginia's 11th Congressional District.
Special elections are seen as indicators for midterm election outcomes.
Democrats have been consistently outperforming their 2024 election margins in these special elections.
Republicans are downplaying these results, citing unique factors in each contest.
Some Republican leaders argue that lower turnout in special elections makes them less representative.
Democratic analysts see these election results as a sign of momentum and voter dissatisfaction with Republican policies.
The Trump administration introduced new federal dietary guidelines that emphasize more protein, full-fat dairy, and healthy fats. These guidelines also advise against consuming ultra-processed foods and added sugars to address health issues and chronic diseases.
Key Facts
New dietary guidelines were announced by the Trump administration.
The guidelines promote more protein, full-fat dairy, and healthy fats.
They caution against ultra-processed foods and added sugars.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called it a "war on added sugar."
A new food pyramid was introduced, reversing the previous one.
The changes aim to combat health and chronic disease issues.
The guidelines will impact schools, the military, and food assistance programs nationwide.
A transgender woman named Ruby Corado, a legal permanent resident from El Salvador, pleaded guilty to stealing COVID-19 relief funds in the United States. She may face deportation due to her conviction, and her lawyer argues that her transgender status and possible removal to her home country could be particularly harsh. The case highlights issues related to transgender rights and immigration enforcement in the U.S.
Key Facts
Ruby Corado admitted to taking at least $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds illegally.
She is a legal resident of the U.S. but might be deported due to her conviction.
Her sentencing for wire fraud is set for January 13.
Corado's attorney says the funds were meant to support Casa Ruby services in El Salvador.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office asked for a 33-month prison sentence for Corado.
Casa Ruby, the organization Corado founded, stopped operating in July 2022.
Corado's lawyer claims her actions did not fund a luxury lifestyle.
President Trump's recent executive order states that gender identity cannot replace biological sex in legal definitions.
President Donald Trump's granddaughter, Kai Trump, discussed her experience dating while having Secret Service protection during a podcast interview. She talked about the awkwardness of having security close by and her efforts to ignore it. Kai also shared her views on politics, saying she avoids them and believes that political sides should meet in the middle.
Key Facts
Kai Trump, President Trump's granddaughter, appeared on the Impaulsive podcast.
She talked about dating while having Secret Service protection.
Kai finds having security on dates "really awkward" but tries to ignore it.
She shared that adapting to constant security was tough at first.
Her podcast segment about dating has been viewed 1.8 million times.
Kai stated she avoids politics, seeing them as dangerous.
She believes that political sides should compromise for the better.
Kai Trump plans to play for the University of Miami's women's golf team in 2026.
Some pages of Ghislaine Maxwell's legal documents related to her effort to overturn her 2021 sex trafficking conviction are missing from public records. These absent pages have raised concerns about transparency in the case, especially since her conviction is tied to Jeffrey Epstein. The U.S. Department of Justice is working on releasing Epstein-related documents but needs more time due to the large number of files and necessary redactions.
Key Facts
Ghislaine Maxwell is trying to overturn her 2021 sex trafficking conviction.
14 pages from her legal motion are missing from public court records.
The missing pages are numbers 13 to 19 and 27 to 33 of the motion.
The U.S. government has a complete electronic copy of the motion.
The Department of Justice is under pressure to release Epstein-related documents.
The unsealing of documents is required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The Justice Department has released around 12,000 files but over two million more need review.
Redactions are being made to protect victims' identities and ensure ongoing investigations are not affected.
The FDA has issued a Class I recall, the highest risk level, for L&B Monster Cookies due to a labeling error. The error omitted information about peanuts, egg, and soy, which could cause severe allergic reactions in people with allergies to these ingredients. Customers can return the recalled cookies for a refund, and no related illnesses have been reported so far.
Key Facts
The FDA issued a Class I recall for a batch of L&B Monster Cookies due to missing allergen information.
The labeling error left out details about peanuts, egg, and soy ingredients.
The recall affects cookies sold between November 15 and December 9, 2025, in certain Minnesota locations.
A store employee noticed the label error, originally meant for another product, the Tex-Mex Turkey Wrap.
Class I recall means there is a high chance of serious health consequences if the cookies are consumed by people with allergies.
No illnesses related to the recalled cookies have been reported.
Customers can return the cookies to Lunds & Byerlys stores for a refund without needing a receipt.
Lunds & Byerlys can be contacted for more information at 952-548-1400, available daily.
A man in Florida, Harrel Braddy, originally sentenced to death in 2007 for the murder of a 5-year-old girl, may face a new sentencing due to changes in Florida’s death penalty laws. In 1998, Braddy was found guilty of throwing the child into waters with alligators. Recent legal shifts could lead to reconsideration of his death sentence.
Key Facts
Harrel Braddy was convicted of murder in 2007 and sentenced to death.
The crime involved the murder of a 5-year-old girl, Quatisha Maycock, and the attempted murder of her mother in 1998.
Braddy threw Quatisha into alligator-infested water in the Everglades.
Revisions in Florida's death penalty laws could allow for a new sentencing.
A 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling deemed Florida's death penalty system unconstitutional as it did not require a jury's unanimous decision for the death sentence.
Florida later changed the law to require a unanimous jury recommendation for a death sentence.
As of 2023, Florida law allows for a death sentence recommendation with a 8-4 jury vote.
Braddy's case is part of a trend of resentencing cases in Florida's Miami-Dade County.
