A strong Arctic air mass is bringing severe winter weather to much of the eastern United States during the New Year's holiday, with heavy snow and freezing temperatures. The National Weather Service warns of difficult travel conditions and has issued several weather advisories. Areas near the Great Lakes, particularly in New York and Pennsylvania, are expected to be most affected.
Key Facts
A wave of cold Arctic air is affecting the eastern U.S. during the New Year's holiday.
Heavy snow is expected, especially in parts of New York and Pennsylvania, near lakes Erie and Ontario.
The National Weather Service has warned of dangerous driving conditions due to snow squalls.
New York's governor declared a statewide emergency and advised against unnecessary travel in affected areas.
An Alberta clipper system is moving across, bringing additional snow to the Midwest and Northern Plains.
Freeze Warnings and Cold Weather Advisories are in place, with low temperatures reaching as far south as central Florida.
This weather follows a recent intense storm, known as a bomb cyclone, that hit the Midwest and Great Lakes earlier.
Starting in 2026, property tax reform will remain a key issue across the United States, with discussions focusing on whether to lower or eliminate these taxes. Property taxes have increased significantly since the pandemic, prompting calls for relief. Some states, like Florida, are considering drastic changes, such as cutting or removing property taxes altogether.
Key Facts
Property tax reform is a major topic in the U.S., especially in states led by Republicans.
Taxes on property rose by 30% nationally from 2019 to 2024.
Home values went up quickly after the pandemic, and this led to spikes in taxes.
Many states are exploring ways to lower or eliminate property taxes.
Florida is considering removing property taxes, but this is controversial.
If property taxes are removed, states would need to find new ways to fund public services.
Current discussions include replacing property tax revenue with income or sales taxes.
Experts warn that eliminating property taxes might have economic downsides.
Starting in 2026, several U.S. states will limit what people can buy with food assistance benefits like SNAP, focusing on removing unhealthy foods. This move is part of an effort by the Trump administration to promote better nutrition and reduce diet-related diseases. Eighteen states have received approval to make these changes, though the specific restrictions will vary by state.
Key Facts
SNAP helps over 40 million Americans with food assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees SNAP, but states can use waivers to change how it works.
Starting in 2026, 18 states will restrict buying certain unhealthy foods with SNAP benefits.
States like Arkansas, Florida, and Indiana will ban sugary foods and drinks entirely.
Nebraska, Utah, and Virginia will only ban sugary drinks from being bought with SNAP benefits.
The Trump administration's initiative, called Make America Healthy Again, aims to combat diet-related diseases.
Health experts have mixed views on whether these restrictions will effectively improve public health.
The new rules will not start at the same time in all states, with some implementing changes later in 2026.
Attorney General Pam Bondi deleted a social media post after accidentally praising the Biden administration's success in reducing drug overdose deaths. The chart she shared, from the National Institutes of Health, showed a drop in drug deaths from 2023 to 2024, during Biden's presidency. Meanwhile, President Trump is focusing on fighting drug issues, including labeling fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction."
Key Facts
Pam Bondi deleted a social media post that unintentionally praised Joe Biden's work on reducing overdose deaths.
The chart Bondi shared showed overdose deaths dropping from 32.5 to 25 per 100,000 people from 2023 to 2024.
The data came from the National Institutes of Health and covered all regions in the U.S.
President Trump signed an executive order labeling fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction."
The order directs the Pentagon and Justice Department to combat fentanyl production and distribution further.
President Trump has taken an aggressive stance against drug smuggling and illegal immigration, especially concerning Venezuela.
Trump accused Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro of being connected to drug smuggling.
Trump announced a U.S. operation targeting Venezuelan drug boats, implying an escalation in actions against Maduro's government.
A daycare center in Minnesota fixed a misspelled sign after it was featured in a viral video by YouTuber Nick Shirley, who accused several taxpayer-funded daycare centers of not providing services. The video claims, including funding details, have not been independently confirmed, but the center stated that Shirley visited outside of regular hours.
Key Facts
A daycare center in Minnesota fixed a sign that was misspelled as "Quality Learing Center."
YouTuber Nick Shirley's video, accusing daycare centers of fraud, has been viewed over 130 million times.
Shirley claimed that these centers, funded by Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program, did not provide services.
The Quality Learning Center is licensed to serve 99 children but appeared inactive in Shirley's video.
The center claims Shirley visited outside its operating hours.
Photos from various media outlets show children at the center and the corrected sign.
Newsweek has not verified Shirley's allegations about the daycare centers' funding and activities.
President Donald Trump used his first veto of his second term to stop a bill that would have supported a water project in Colorado. The project aimed to supply water to areas between Pueblo and Lamar, Colorado, but Trump cited concerns about the cost to taxpayers. Lauren Boebert, a U.S. Representative and Trump supporter, criticized the decision, arguing it would deny clean water to many people in her district.
Key Facts
President Trump vetoed a bill supporting the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) water project.
The bill had bipartisan support and passed both the House and Senate unanimously.
Trump stated the project was too expensive for federal taxpayers.
The project planned to deliver water to communities in Southeast Colorado.
Lauren Boebert, whose district includes the project area, opposed the veto.
Boebert's district includes 50,000 people potentially affected by the decision.
The situation involves federal budget priorities and infrastructure needs.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has advised people in Louisiana, especially those vulnerable to pollution, to stay indoors due to high levels of air pollution. The air quality in several areas has been labeled "unhealthy," prompting warnings to reduce exposure.
Key Facts
The EPA issued a warning for high air pollution in Louisiana.
Areas affected include Longville, Bell City, Kinder, and Sugartown.
The pollution involves fine particulates known as PM2.5.
PM2.5 can harm the heart and lungs when inhaled at high levels.
The EPA advises staying indoors to minimize exposure.
Sensitive groups like the elderly and those with health conditions are at higher risk.
The air quality information comes from the EPA’s AirNow Map.
A body was found during the search for missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos in Texas. The identity of the body has not yet been confirmed, and investigators are looking into the case. A firearm was found near the body, and there is no suspicion of foul play at this time.
Key Facts
Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, went missing from her home in Texas on December 24.
A body was recently found in a field near her home.
The body was discovered by sheriff’s deputies and FBI agents.
A firearm was located near the body.
Authorities are unsure if the body is Camila's and are awaiting identification.
Investigators do not currently suspect foul play and are considering the possibility of self-harm.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided.
The Trump administration has stopped child care payments to Minnesota to investigate claims of fraud in the state's programs. This decision follows allegations of widespread fraud in Minnesota's government-funded child care programs, with federal authorities demanding detailed records from the state.
Key Facts
The Trump administration has paused all child care payments to Minnesota amid fraud allegations.
Health and Human Services deputy secretary Jim O'Neill announced the freeze on payments.
Allegations were initially raised by a YouTuber, prompting federal review.
Payments will now require justification and evidence before being processed.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated the state has been combating fraud for years.
Minnesota's child care programs have faced previous fraud investigations.
An investigation found $9 billion in federal funds, linked to various programs since 2018, may have been stolen.
The Wall Street Journal investigated the interactions between Jeffrey Epstein and President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, highlighting warnings from Trump's then-wife Marla Maples about Epstein. Epstein frequently visited Mar-a-Lago, and Maples warned staff about him years before he was banned from the club in 2003 following a complaint about inappropriate behavior. Despite his ban, Trump and Epstein continued to have business interactions.
Key Facts
Marla Maples expressed concerns about Jeffrey Epstein at Mar-a-Lago soon after it opened in 1995.
Epstein was a frequent visitor at Mar-a-Lago in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Spa employees were sent from Mar-a-Lago to Epstein’s nearby home for services like massages and manicures.
Epstein was banned from Mar-a-Lago in 2003 after an 18-year-old spa employee accused him of inappropriate behavior.
Trump directed his staff to treat Epstein as a club member, even though he was not officially one.
Trump and Epstein competed in a property auction in 2004 after Epstein was banned from Mar-a-Lago.
The Justice Department is releasing documents related to Epstein, some of which mention Trump.
Several performers and acts have canceled their shows at the Kennedy Center after President Trump took over and renamed the institution. This year, at least 11 acts have withdrawn, including jazz bands and dance companies. Some artists cited disagreement with the renaming and the current leadership's political views as reasons for their cancellations.
Key Facts
President Trump became the chairman of the Kennedy Center board in February and renamed it to include his name.
At least 11 acts have pulled out from performances or roles at the Kennedy Center this year.
The Cookers, a jazz band, and Doug Varone and Dancers canceled their shows this week due to disagreement with the center's leadership.
The Cookers mentioned America's jazz history and freedom of expression as motivations for their decision.
Doug Varone and Dancers cited moral reasons for their cancellation, despite financial losses.
Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell claimed the cancellations were politically motivated by the previous leadership.
Rep. Joyce Beatty is pursuing a legal challenge to the center's renaming.
Artist withdrawals also include Chuck Redd, Issa Rae, and Shonda Rhimes, with Redd facing a potential lawsuit over his cancellation.
The United States has reported over 2,000 measles cases in 2025, the highest in more than 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This increase might lead to the U.S. losing its measles "elimination status" by January 2026. Many of these cases are linked to outbreaks in communities with low vaccination rates.
Key Facts
Over 2,000 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. in 2025.
The CDC is concerned the U.S. might lose its measles "elimination status."
87% of cases originated from 50 outbreaks across the country.
Most of those infected were either not vaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
Texas reported the most cases at 803, followed by Arizona with 187 and North Carolina with 156.
In 2024, there were only 285 confirmed measles cases.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been spreading misleading information about measles vaccines.
Democrat Renee Hardman won a special election for the Iowa state Senate, stopping Republicans from getting a supermajority. Hardman is the first Black woman elected to the Iowa Senate. This win indicates potential changes in voter preferences as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Key Facts
Renee Hardman is a Democrat who won a special election for the Iowa state Senate.
Hardman's win prevents Republicans from gaining a two-thirds supermajority in the Iowa Senate.
Hardman is the first Black woman to be elected to the Iowa Senate.
The election took place in a suburban district just outside Des Moines.
Democrats have a slight voter registration advantage in this district.
President Donald Trump won Iowa in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections.
This victory is part of a series of recent Democratic gains in Iowa special elections.
President Donald Trump used his veto power to reject a bipartisan bill that aimed to continue federal support for a large water pipeline project in Colorado. The veto creates a conflict with Congress and an uncommon disagreement with a key Republican supporter. This action might influence whether Congress attempts to override the veto and raises questions about broader political motives.
Key Facts
President Trump issued a veto on the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act.
The veto blocks a water pipeline project serving rural communities in southeastern Colorado.
The pipeline was first authorized in 1962 and has faced long delays due to funding issues.
The bill aimed to extend federal support and change repayment terms to ease costs on local communities.
Trump argued the project was an unfair financial burden on federal taxpayers.
The veto follows political tensions between Trump and Colorado officials.
Local reports indicate the pipeline is needed for clean water in 39 communities.
The bill had unanimous support in both the House and Senate, highlighting its bipartisan nature.
Tatiana Schlossberg, a granddaughter of former U.S. President John F Kennedy, has died at the age of 35. She had announced an aggressive cancer diagnosis in November and had been undergoing treatment, but her prognosis was poor.
Key Facts
Tatiana Schlossberg was the granddaughter of John F Kennedy.
She died at age 35.
Her death was announced by her family through the John F Kennedy Library Foundation.
She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in May 2024.
Schlossberg was a climate journalist.
She had two children and worried they wouldn't remember her.
She was the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg.
Her treatments included chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.
The Kennedy Center has been renamed to include President Donald Trump's name, leading to some artists canceling their performances. The venue's board, which includes Trump's associates, made this decision, sparking criticism from some artists and political figures. Some musicians cited the name change as their reason for canceling shows at the center.
Key Facts
The Kennedy Center's board voted to rename the venue to include President Donald Trump's name.
The Cookers, a jazz band, canceled two shows scheduled on New Year's Eve due to the name change.
Doug Varone and Dancers also canceled their April performances, citing the name change.
Richard Grenell, the Kennedy Center's president, criticized the cancellations, attributing them to the previous leadership's political bias.
New signage with President Trump's name was added to the building.
Legal scholars debated whether Congress must approve the name change, as the center was established by a 1964 law.
Some members of John F. Kennedy's family opposed the renaming, arguing it dishonors his legacy.
Musician Chuck Redd also canceled his annual performance at the center, leading to a demand for damages from the center's management.
The Trump administration sent federal agents to Minnesota to look into fraud allegations against Somali-operated child care centers. This action follows an unconfirmed online claim that these centers misused over $100 million.
Key Facts
Federal agents were sent to Minnesota by the Trump administration.
The investigation is focused on fraud allegations involving Somali child care providers.
A video by a right-wing influencer triggered the investigation.
The video claimed, without evidence, that the daycare centers misused over $100 million.
Jeff Meitrodt from the Minnesota Star Tribune discussed the situation.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, many members of Congress are retiring, and some states are changing their political boundaries. These changes could affect which party has more power in Washington.
Key Facts
The 2026 midterm elections will occur in the United States at the end of 2025.
Many members of Congress are planning to retire before the 2026 midterms.
Some states are redrawing their political district maps, a process known as redistricting.
Redistricting can change which party has an advantage in different areas.
These retirements and map changes could impact which party controls Congress.
The midterm elections determine who will hold seats in the U.S. Congress.
In 2025, changes under President Donald Trump have significantly impacted the U.S. Department of Justice. Critics and former employees express concerns that the department is becoming influenced by political interests rather than upholding impartiality in enforcing federal law.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump began changes to the Department of Justice on the first day of his second term.
The Department of Justice is tasked with enforcing federal law in the U.S.
Traditionally, the department operates independently from political influence.
Critics claim President Trump has blurred the lines between the Justice Department and the White House.
Some believe the department is being used to target the president's political opponents.
Former DOJ employee Stacey Young left the department early in Trump's term due to these concerns.
Stacey Young founded Justice Connection, a group supporting DOJ employees and advocating for rule-of-law principles.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized some Republicans, saying they feel threatened by her conservative stance. Greene, who plans to leave Congress in January 2026, has spoken against President Trump and certain party members, claiming disagreements over issues like the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a Republican Congresswoman from Georgia.
Greene criticized "establishment" Republicans on social media, calling them "threatened" by her views.
She plans to resign from Congress on January 5, 2026.
Greene has criticized President Trump, particularly over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Trump withdrew his endorsement of Greene and called her a "traitor."
Greene claims she is more conservative than other party members.
Her resignation will lead to a special election in Georgia's 14th Congressional District.
