Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will leave Congress in January 2026, citing differences with President Trump over issues like foreign policy. Greene has been a strong supporter of Trump but has recently criticized him and the GOP for moving away from "America First" principles. Her resignation might impact the Republican Party as they prepare for the 2026 elections.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene plans to leave Congress effective January 5, 2026.
Greene was elected to represent Georgia's 14th district in 2020.
She has had a public falling-out with President Trump on several issues, including foreign policy and health care.
Greene and a few Republicans pushed for the release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, against Trump’s wishes.
President Trump withdrew his endorsement of Greene, calling her a "traitor."
Greene accuses the GOP of moving away from "America First" priorities.
Her resignation leaves a vacancy in Georgia's 14th district, leading to a special election.
Conservatives are concerned Greene’s next moves could divide the party further.
Zohran Mamdani appointed Cea Weaver as the director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants in New York City. Weaver previously called homeownership "a weapon of white supremacy" in a social media post. Mamdani's administration focuses on tenant advocacy, aiming to lower costs and improve living conditions for working-class families.
Key Facts
Cea Weaver was appointed by Zohran Mamdani to lead the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.
Weaver previously described homeownership as "a weapon of white supremacy" in a 2019 social media post.
Weaver’s social media profile is no longer active.
Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City and identifies as a democratic socialist.
Mamdani’s team has distanced itself from extreme socialist policies like closing all prisons.
Weaver has been significant in passing tenant-friendly policies, like the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019.
Mamdani and Weaver have begun actions to address housing violations by landlords like Pinnacle Realty.
Mamdani focuses on making housing more affordable for working-class families.
The Secret Service took at least one person into custody after an incident at Vice President JD Vance's home in Cincinnati. The report mentioned several broken windows, but it is not clear if Vance or his family were home at the time.
Key Facts
The incident took place at Vice President JD Vance's home in Cincinnati.
The Secret Service detained at least one person.
Several windows at the Vance residence were smashed.
It is unknown whether JD Vance or his family were present during the incident.
The incident occurs amid growing worries about political violence in the U.S.
Marco Rubio's chances of becoming the next U.S. President increased after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Rubio's odds improved according to prediction markets, though Vice President JD Vance still leads in polling for the 2028 Republican primary. The mission to capture Maduro seems to have helped Rubio gain attention and support.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio's chances of winning the 2028 U.S. presidential election rose after Maduro's capture.
Rubio is a former U.S. senator and currently the Secretary of State.
President Trump is barred from running for a third term due to the 22nd Amendment.
Vice President JD Vance is leading the 2028 Republican primary polls.
On Polymarket, Vance has a 31% chance of winning the next presidential election, while Rubio has an 8% chance.
The mission "Operation Absolute Resolve" led to the capture of Maduro, boosting Rubio's profile.
Rubio took a prominent role in announcing the mission's success.
The U.S. Postal Service will release a new stamp in 2026 to honor Phillis Wheatley, the first African-descended author in the American colonies to publish a book. The stamp is part of USPS's Black Heritage series and will be unveiled at an event in Boston.
Key Facts
The new stamp features Phillis Wheatley and is the 49th in the USPS Black Heritage series.
The stamp's first-day-of-issue event is on January 29, 2026, in Boston at the Old South Meeting House.
The event is free, but attendees need to register on the USPS website.
The stamp is designed by Antonio Alcalá with artwork by Kerry James Marshall.
Phillis Wheatley was born around 1753 in West Africa and was enslaved in Boston.
She published her book "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" in 1773 and gained her freedom that same year.
Wheatley's work served as inspiration and a tool for abolitionists and continues to be celebrated today.
The stamp is classified as a Forever stamp, meaning its value matches the current First-Class Mail rates.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will hold a news conference amid questions about his political future. Walz, who aims for a third term, faces criticism due to fraud cases in Minnesota's welfare programs. Political analyst Blois Olson suggested Walz might leave the 2026 governor race.
Key Facts
Governor Tim Walz will have a news conference to discuss his future plans.
Walz wants to run for a third consecutive term as governor.
He has faced scrutiny over fraud cases in Minnesota’s welfare programs.
There was a $300 million fraud case related to a COVID-19 relief program.
There are investigations into other fraud claims, including those involving child care centers.
Political analyst Blois Olson says Walz may announce he will not run in the 2026 governor race.
President Donald Trump and others have criticized Walz for the fraud issues.
Walz has accused President Trump of politicizing the fraud investigations.
Social Security payments will not be sent out this week due to the schedule set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Payments are usually staggered throughout the month based on birthdates and other factors. This month, payments include a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), increasing benefits for recipients.
Key Facts
Social Security benefits are sent on a staggered schedule, not all at once.
No payments are sent out this week as per the SSA's calendar.
Payments for January 2026 will include a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
The COLA applies to both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.
SSI payments are issued on December 31, with Social Security payments starting January 2 for those who also receive SSI.
The first major payment for retirees will be on January 14, 2026.
The average retirement benefit will rise from $2,015 to $2,071 monthly.
Maximum monthly Social Security payments will increase to $5,251 in 2026.
A winter storm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Alaska, Michigan, California, and Utah. Heavy snowfall and strong winds are expected to create hazardous travel conditions from Sunday night through Tuesday.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings for four U.S. states: Alaska, Michigan, California, and Utah.
Alaska's affected areas include the lower Yukon and northern Bristol Bay, with snow up to 18 inches and wind speeds of 40 mph.
Michigan's southern Schoolcraft County is expected to receive 2 to 3 inches of snow in a short period, reducing visibility.
California's northern areas like Trinity and Mono County could see snow up to 24 inches, with parts of central California expected to receive 18 inches of snow.
Utah's Bear River Range may get up to 2 feet of snow in higher regions.
The NWS advises people in affected areas to carry emergency supplies if they travel and stay informed on road conditions.
President Donald Trump's administration ended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans in the U.S. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Venezuelans previously under TPS can apply for refugee status but will not automatically stay in the country. The decision affects more than 500,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S.
Key Facts
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protects people from countries with dangerous conditions like political unrest.
The U.S. government has ended TPS for over 500,000 Venezuelans.
Venezuelans under TPS can apply for refugee status, but there is no automatic right to stay in the U.S.
The decision to end TPS came after former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was detained by U.S. forces.
The U.S. considers Venezuela's situation improved and believes TPS is no longer needed.
Miami, which has a significant Venezuelan community, saw criticism from its mayor about ending TPS.
Since January, TPS has been canceled or set to be canceled for nine countries.
The decision involves communication between DHS, the State Department, and the White House.
Some Democrats disagree with their party's strong opposition to President Trump's military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. They argue that failing to recognize the capture of a dictatorial leader as a victory could be a political mistake, even with concerns about the operation’s legality. The situation highlights internal conflicts about how aggressively to oppose Trump’s actions.
Key Facts
President Trump carried out a raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Some Democrats believe the party should applaud the capture of Maduro despite concerns about the legality of the operation.
Party leaders criticized President Trump for not consulting Congress about the military action in Venezuela.
Polls show Americans generally oppose long-term military intervention in Venezuela.
Democratic lawmakers from swing districts are wary of strongly opposing Trump on this issue.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the administration for bypassing Congress.
Some Democrats have suggested impeachment as an option in response to Trump's actions.
The Democratic Party faces internal disagreements on how to respond to Trump’s presidency.
A man in Wisconsin named Lucas wrote a note to his upstairs neighbor about her noisy cat. Instead of complaining, he expressed joy about the sounds, aiming to make her feel welcome as a fellow cat owner. The note gained positive attention online after Lucas shared it on Reddit.
Key Facts
Lucas lives in Racine, Wisconsin, and has a new neighbor living above him.
He heard the neighbor’s cat running around and described it as "ceiling cat tippy taps."
Lucas wrote a friendly note, expressing happiness about the cat’s noise.
The note encouraged the neighbor’s cat to keep making joyful noises.
Lucas, a cat owner himself, wanted to welcome his neighbor to the building.
The note was posted on Reddit, where it received over 70,000 upvotes.
People on Reddit praised Lucas for his kind and humorous approach.
An online post by Arizona mom Mallory Grimaudo sparked debate after she joked that people without children are like being "on vacation." The post, which she intended as a joke, received over 2,500 comments, with many disagreeing with her view about child-free lifestyles. Grimaudo's comments reflect her shift in perspective since becoming a parent six months ago.
Key Facts
Mallory Grimaudo, an Arizona mom, posted a joke online about child-free people having more free time.
Her post received over 2,500 comments and sparked a heated debate.
Grimaudo became a mom six months ago, leading her to reflect on her reduced free time.
Critics felt the post downplayed the challenges of being child-free, such as responsibilities like caring for relatives or managing jobs.
Some users shared experiences of being busy and fulfilled in child-free lives.
Despite criticism, the post also received over 12,000 likes, showing it resonated with many.
Grimaudo expected different reactions as a content creator and stood by her original post.
The city of San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against 11 major food companies, claiming they sell ultra-processed foods while knowing these products are bad for health. More than 60% of the food consumed in the United States is considered ultra-processed.
Key Facts
San Francisco is suing 11 top food companies.
The lawsuit claims these companies sell harmful ultra-processed foods.
Over 60% of the food eaten in the U.S. is ultra-processed, according to some estimates.
Ultra-processed foods are highly manufactured with ingredients that are not typically used in home cooking.
The lawsuit is the first of its kind in the United States.
Ashley Gearhardt, a psychology professor from the University of Michigan, studies addiction and provides insights on the topic.
The U.S. Census Bureau is preparing for the 2030 national census by testing new methods to count people in hard-to-reach areas. In Alaska, officials have developed a strategy to accurately count residents in one of the state's most remote villages.
Key Facts
The next major U.S. national census will occur in 2030.
The Census Bureau is conducting field tests this year to improve counting methods.
These tests are focused on reaching populations that are difficult to count.
Alaska has some of the most remote areas in the United States.
Officials in Alaska are using a specific plan to count residents in a particularly remote village.
Accurate counting is important for resource allocation and representation.
President Donald Trump set a 2028 deadline to complete multiple large-scale projects during his current term in office. These projects include a return to the moon, the construction of a new White House ballroom, new Air Force One jets, and a missile defense system. These efforts aim to leave a lasting impact by the end of his presidency.
Key Facts
President Trump aims for a crewed moon mission by 2028 and plans to establish a permanent moon base by 2030.
A new White House ballroom is planned to open in summer 2028, costing $400 million, funded by private donations.
The first of two new Air Force One jets from Boeing is expected to be ready in mid-2028, delayed by six years.
Trump wants a missile defense project called "Golden Dome" ready by 2028, similar to a past defense initiative.
Large government projects often face delays and higher costs, as noted in a Government Accountability Office report.
Some projects, like border policies, involve executive actions that could change with a new president, while physical projects have more permanence.
A helicopter crash in the Arizona mountains killed four people. The helicopter hit a slackline, which is a kind of rope used for recreation, before crashing. The crash is under investigation by authorities.
Key Facts
Four people died in a helicopter crash in Arizona.
The crash reportedly involved a slackline strung between mountains.
The helicopter involved was an MD 369FF.
Among those who died were the pilot, a 59-year-old man, and three female family members aged 21 and 22.
The incident occurred near Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior, Arizona.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office confirmed the deaths and provided some details about the victims.
Helicopter accidents have previously occurred, with 89 reported in 2024, 13 of which were fatal.
A man named Jake from North Carolina learned more about his Southern heritage and ended up changing his views on it. He initially believed in a noble Southern history but found evidence that challenged his beliefs, leading to a shift in his political views. His story resonated with many on social media, where he shared his journey of changing perspectives.
Key Facts
Jake grew up in North Carolina in a conservative Christian environment.
He initially thought the Civil War was not mainly about slavery and that the South had a noble history.
In 2008, Jake expressed a desire to learn more about his Southern heritage.
Upon researching, Jake found evidence contradicting his initial beliefs about the South.
His exploration of different viewpoints led to a broader worldview and political changes.
Jake shared his transformation story on Threads, gaining significant attention.
Many people on social media shared similar experiences of changing views about Southern history.
A 2017 survey showed mixed opinions about Confederate monuments remaining in public spaces.
A study by WalletHub ranked U.S. cities based on how good they are for single people, evaluating factors like dating opportunities, entertainment options, and economics. Atlanta was named the best city for singles due to its variety of attractions and a large percentage of single residents. In contrast, Brownsville, Texas, was found to be the least favorable city for singles.
Key Facts
WalletHub's study compared 182 U.S. cities based on dating opportunities, fun & recreation, and economics.
Atlanta, Georgia, was ranked as the best city for singles with a score of 64.15 out of 100.
Las Vegas, Nevada, came in second, praised for its nightlife and low dating-related costs.
Tampa, Florida, ranked third, highlighted for its economic appeal and date-night options.
Brownsville, Texas, was ranked as the worst city for singles with a score of 37.09.
Pearl City, Hawaii, and Yonkers, New York, were also among the lowest-ranking cities for singles.
The rankings considered factors like restaurant availability, the cost of entertainment, and the percentage of single individuals in each city.
Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as New York City's mayor on January 1, succeeding Eric Adams. Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, was sworn in by Senator Bernie Sanders, marking a significant political shift in the city.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani became New York City's mayor on January 1.
Mamdani took his oath on Qurans that belonged to his grandparents.
The inauguration took place on a subway platform and later in a public ceremony.
Senator Bernie Sanders administered Mamdani's public swearing-in.
Mamdani defeated Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo to become mayor.
John Catsimatidis, a supermarket billionaire, threatened to leave New York after Mamdani's election.
Miami experienced a dip in housing prices, contrasting with a rise in luxury home sales in Manhattan.
Mamdani revoked all of Eric Adams' executive orders upon taking office, including one about antisemitism.
Over 100 firefighters in Denver worked to put out a large fire in an under-construction apartment building. The fire was a "five-alarm fire," meaning it required a lot of resources to control, but firefighters managed to stop it from spreading. No injuries have been reported.
Key Facts
The fire occurred in Denver, Colorado, at an apartment block still being built.
More than 100 firefighters responded to the fire.
The fire was classified as a "five-alarm fire."
Firefighters successfully contained the fire to prevent it from spreading.
