Harmeet Dhillon, a Trump-appointed civil rights attorney, criticized some of the president’s supporters on social media for attacking Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice. These criticisms are linked to misunderstandings about the statute of limitations for prosecuting members of the January 6 House select committee. Dhillon defended Bondi, stating that the Department of Justice is actively pursuing justice related to the January 6 Capitol attack.
Key Facts
Harmeet Dhillon was appointed by President Trump to lead civil rights cases for the DOJ.
Dhillon criticized Trump supporters who attacked Attorney General Pam Bondi online.
Criticism focused on the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein files and comments about a crackdown on hate speech.
Some Trump supporters wrongly believed that the deadline to prosecute January 6 committee members was imminent.
Dhillon assured that the DOJ is actively pursuing cases related to the January 6 events.
Trump told NBC he believes January 6 committee members should be imprisoned; however, his administration has not acted on this.
Dhillon claimed that criticism against Bondi was fueled by misinformation spread online.
Nearly 3,000 pounds of grass-fed ground beef have been recalled in six U.S. states due to possible E. coli contamination. The recall was announced after routine testing found E. coli O26 in a batch produced by Mountain West Food Group. There have been no reported illnesses, but consumers are advised not to eat the recalled beef and return it to the place of purchase.
Key Facts
About 2,855 pounds of ground beef have been recalled by Mountain West Food Group, based in Idaho.
The beef was found to be contaminated with E. coli O26, a harmful bacteria.
The recall affects beef distributed in six states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
The specific product recalled is a 16-ounce package labeled "Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef" with a use-by date of January 13, 2026, and establishment number "Est. 2083."
As of December 27, 2025, there are no reports of illness linked to this beef.
Consumers are advised to return the product or dispose of it and not consume it.
The FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F to kill harmful bacteria.
The FSIS continues to check the recall's effectiveness and will update the public with more information.
A class action lawsuit was filed against Baker University in Missouri for allegedly failing to protect personal information, including Social Security numbers, of over 50,000 individuals. The lawsuit claims that the data was accessed by an unauthorized party, leading to risks of identity theft. Frank Bisignano, once a student there, is not connected to the legal case.
Key Facts
The lawsuit accuses Baker University of not securing personal data, including Social Security numbers.
An unauthorized person reportedly accessed the data between December 2 and December 19, 2024.
Over 50,000 people's information may have been compromised in the incident.
The lawsuit suggests that data could be available on the dark web, which is a part of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines often associated with illegal activities.
Plaintiffs argue that the university's "negligence" allowed the data breach to happen.
The lawsuit demands compensation for efforts needed to address the data breach.
The college is accused of failing to inform victims promptly, impacting their ability to protect their information.
Frank Bisignano, a former student of the university, is not involved in the lawsuit.
Over the weekend, several U.S. airports faced flight delays and cancellations due to bad weather. The most affected airports included those in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Boston. The National Weather Service also issued blizzard warnings in parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
Key Facts
FlightAware reported many flight delays and cancellations at airports across the U.S. over the weekend.
Between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday, there were 576 delays and 77 cancellations.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport was one of the most affected, with 140 delays and 12 cancellations.
The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for states including Minnesota, North Dakota, and Michigan.
Heavy snow and strong winds were expected in the Great Lakes area.
Detroit Metro Airport saw about 250 flight disruptions due to weather.
Lake-effect snow was predicted to affect parts of New York and Pennsylvania.
A new flu virus strain, H3N2 subclade K, is causing most flu cases in the United States this season, leading to numerous hospitalizations and deaths. Although the strain spreads quickly, it doesn't appear to cause more severe illness than other flu viruses. The current flu vaccine is not perfectly matched to this strain but still offers protection, especially against severe illness.
Key Facts
The H3N2 subclade K flu strain is dominant in the U.S. this flu season.
The flu season has resulted in about 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations, and 1,900 deaths nationwide.
Subclade K is a variant of influenza A and was first identified by the CDC in August.
This strain has undergone antigenic drift, meaning it has changed genetically over time.
About 89% of H3N2 samples tested since late September are subclade K.
Dr. Parth Bhavsar noted that subclade K is not linked to more severe illness than other flu strains.
Typical symptoms include fever, body aches, cough, and fatigue.
Despite some differences from the vaccine strain, flu vaccinations still provide important protection against severe cases.
A viral video by Nick Shirley highlights alleged fraud in daycare centers in Minnesota. Shirley is urging President Trump to address these issues, claiming some centers received state funds but are inactive. Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz has been criticized for this situation, while the FBI is conducting investigations into fraud schemes in the state.
Key Facts
Nick Shirley made a viral video about daycare center visits in Minnesota.
The video received over 100 million views on social media platform X.
Shirley claims some centers got state funding but are not active.
Governor Tim Walz is working on fraud prevention and oversight.
The FBI is investigating large-scale fraud schemes in Minnesota.
Fraud schemes reportedly led to billions of dollars in potential losses.
Some fraud defendants are Somali Americans, impacting community perceptions.
Republican House members are expanding investigations into these schemes.
A federal judge dismissed a criminal case against TikTok creator Carlitos Ricardo Parias, who was shot by ICE agents during an arrest attempt. The judge found that Parias' rights were violated because he didn't have proper access to legal help while detained. The case dismissal doesn't change his immigration status, and Parias might still remain in ICE custody.
Key Facts
Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a TikTok creator, was shot by ICE agents during a confrontation in October in Los Angeles.
Prosecutors accused Parias of using his car as a weapon against law enforcement vehicles.
A judge dismissed the charges against Parias, saying his constitutional rights were violated because he couldn't access his legal team.
Delays in sharing evidence, like body-worn camera footage, contributed to the judge's decision.
The newly obtained footage shows Parias with raised hands, questioning his detention before shots were fired.
Parias might still be held by ICE for immigration reasons, despite the criminal charges being dropped.
Homeland Security officials claim Parias was in the U.S. illegally and tried to arrest him with an administrative warrant.
Some of the most expensive cities in the U.S. require high incomes to afford housing, with California cities dominating the list. Median home prices in these areas can exceed $10 million, and prospective residents need to earn millions annually to manage house payments.
Key Facts
Some U.S. cities see home prices surpassing $10 million, mainly in coastal areas.
California has 7 of the top 10 most expensive ZIP codes in the U.S.
Newport Coast, California, has the highest median listing price of nearly $11.9 million.
To afford a home in Newport Coast, an income of about $2.4 million is needed.
Fisher Island in Miami Beach, Florida, ranks second with median home prices near $11.7 million.
Bridgehampton, New York, is the third most expensive, with median prices at $8.5 million and needing a $1.7 million income.
Factors like Proposition 13 in California impact housing costs by tying property taxes to the original purchase price.
A bomb cyclone is expected to affect several U.S. states starting Monday, December 29, continuing through the weekend. The storm will bring strong winds, heavy snow, and dangerous travel conditions, prompting the National Weather Service to issue alerts and advise against non-emergency travel.
Key Facts
A bomb cyclone is a type of strong winter storm with rapidly dropping air pressure, leading to severe weather.
Affected states include Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, and Alaska.
Wisconsin could see up to 5 inches of snow and winds up to 50 mph, causing potentially life-threatening travel conditions.
Iowa and Minnesota may experience up to 3 inches of snow and 50 mph winds.
Michigan may receive up to 24 inches of snow in some areas, with winds reaching 65 mph, leading to possible power outages.
The Guadalupe Mountains in Texas might get up to 6 inches of snow and winds as high as 50 mph.
Parts of New York could see up to 3 feet of snow with winds up to 65 mph, resulting in whiteout conditions.
The U.S. housing market currently has more sellers than buyers, making it favorable for buyers. The gap between sellers and buyers has widened due to fewer people wanting to buy homes, partly because of affordability problems. Although home prices are still rising a bit, many people cannot afford to purchase a home right now.
Key Facts
There are 37.2% more sellers than buyers in November 2025, compared to 17% last year.
The total number of sellers exceeded buyers by 529,770 in November.
A market with over 10% more sellers than buyers is considered a buyer's market.
Since May 2024, the U.S. housing market has technically been a buyer’s market.
The median home sale price rose by 0.7% to $433,175 in November year-over-year.
Home sales dropped by 7%, while the number of homes for sale increased by 5.4% in November.
The national average 30-year mortgage rate was 6.2% last month.
36 of the 50 largest metro areas were buyer's markets as of November.
Texas has passed several new laws during the 2025 legislative session that will start on January 1, 2026. These laws cover topics like artificial intelligence, taxes, school funding, water infrastructure, and court administration. The new rules aim to improve regulations, tax procedures, and administrative tasks.
Key Facts
The Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA) establishes rules for AI, preventing misuse and discriminatory practices.
Senate Bill 1023 changes how counties calculate property tax rates using electronic forms for better transparency and accuracy.
House Bill 22 exempts non-physical assets, like business goodwill, from taxation, altering how intangible property is taxed.
Senate Bill 1058 grants certain stock-exchange activities an exemption from the Texas franchise tax.
Senate Bill 1502 requires voter approval for school districts to raise taxes after a declared disaster.
House Bill 9 proposes a business property tax exemption, but it needs voter approval to become effective.
Senate Bill 14 allows for credits against water impact fees if developers undertake certain conservation projects.
The FBI is investigating fraud schemes in Minnesota. These schemes involve misuse of federal funds, particularly at day care centers, with one case leading to multiple convictions. Governor Tim Walz is under scrutiny for handling these issues, while President Trump and others have criticized the situation.
Key Facts
The FBI is targeting large fraud schemes in Minnesota involving federal programs.
A video highlighting these issues went viral, prompting increased attention.
One day care center received millions in state funding but appears inactive.
Governor Tim Walz has launched investigations to address these frauds.
Critics, including President Trump, have highlighted the involvement of Somali Americans.
The FBI has dismantled a $250 million fraud related to COVID-19 aid.
The ongoing investigations have resulted in numerous indictments and convictions.
Officials stress the importance of continuing to investigate and prevent fraud.
Some Social Security recipients in the United States are receiving increased payments this week thanks to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026. The adjustment aims to help with rising living costs, and payment schedules vary based on when recipients started receiving benefits and other factors.
Key Facts
The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends monthly benefits to around 70 million Americans, including retirees and people with disabilities.
A 2.8% cost-of-living increase will be applied to 2026 benefits, resulting in higher payments for recipients.
Payments are scheduled based on birth dates and other criteria, with SSI recipients receiving their payment on December 31 and some early beneficiaries on January 2.
The COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
The average monthly benefit for retirees is expected to rise from $2,015 to $2,071.
The maximum monthly Social Security payment will increase from $5,108 to $5,251.
For SSI recipients, the maximum individual payment will rise from $967 to $994 monthly.
Payments in January will be made on December 31, January 2, January 14, January 21, and January 28, depending on various conditions.
A man named Brian J. Cole Jr. is suspected of planting pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic headquarters in Washington, D.C., the day before the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. The Department of Justice says Cole confessed, citing dissatisfaction with the 2020 presidential election results as his motive. He was arrested in December 2023 after a long investigation.
Key Facts
Brian J. Cole Jr. is accused of planting pipe bombs near party headquarters in D.C.
The bombs were found on January 6, 2021, and did not explode but were considered dangerous.
Cole allegedly confessed to the FBI, citing concerns over the 2020 election results.
He said he felt compelled to "speak up" but was not usually political.
Cole initially denied the crime but later admitted to intending to plant the bombs.
He was arrested in December 2023 in Woodbridge, Virginia.
The FBI used bank and cell records to identify him as a suspect.
The bombs posed a risk to pedestrians, office workers, and political figures, including the Vice President-elect at the time.
Arctic air and an intense storm are affecting parts of the Midwest and Northeast U.S., causing dangerous winter weather with heavy snow and strong winds. Blizzard conditions and freezing rain are disrupting travel and leading to road closures and flight delays. The National Guard has been called in to help with emergency operations in some areas.
Key Facts
Arctic air is hitting the Plains and an intense storm is affecting the Midwest and Northeast U.S.
Over 10 million people are under winter storm or blizzard warnings.
About 7,700 flights have been delayed due to the weather.
Minnesota's governor authorized the National Guard to help with emergency storm operations.
Some highways, like parts of Interstate 35, are closed due to crashes from the storm.
Michigan is expecting up to a foot of snow, causing very difficult travel.
New York declared a state of emergency due to the weather, with wind speeds expected to reach 70 mph.
A mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected in New England, turning to rain later.
The article discusses new parent Ryan Libbey's experience of becoming a dad and how it affected his mental health. He faced unexpected challenges and burnout caring for his partner and newborn, which led him to seek support after a conversation with his father. The article also highlights the importance of recognizing mental health struggles in new fathers.
Key Facts
Ryan Libbey became a dad and faced unexpected challenges that differed from his expectations.
His partner experienced life-threatening health issues at childbirth, making him the primary caregiver.
Libbey experienced burnout after 11 months of caring for both his partner and child.
A conversation with his own dad encouraged him to seek help and support.
Discussions on mental health for new dads are not as common as for new moms, although many fathers face anxiety and depression.
Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of fathers seeking help for their well-being and family balance.
Libbey has started writing letters to his son to share his experiences and emotions as a father.
The article also mentions Professor Green, who shares his experiences of emotional challenges in fatherhood.
Brian J. Cole Jr. was arrested for allegedly placing pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national headquarters in Washington, D.C. on January 5, 2021. He confessed to the crime, saying he wanted to protest the political parties and express his belief that someone needed to speak up about the 2020 election being stolen.
Key Facts
Brian J. Cole Jr. is accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. on January 5, 2021.
The bombs were placed outside the headquarters of both major political parties but did not explode.
Cole confessed to federal agents, citing dissatisfaction with the 2020 election outcome as his motive.
He was arrested at his home in Woodbridge, Virginia, on December 4.
Cole faces charges related to transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction.
Evidence includes bomb-making materials found at his home and purchases of bomb components in 2019 and 2020.
Cellphone records place him near the bomb locations the night before the January 6 Capitol riot.
He will have a hearing regarding his detention in Washington's federal court.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Trump for meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Greene expressed her preference for focusing on domestic issues instead of international meetings. Her comments reflect a segment within her party that prefers less involvement in global conflicts.
Key Facts
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is from Georgia and is a Republican.
Greene criticized President Trump for his meetings with foreign leaders.
President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida.
Trump is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Greene's criticism is part of a larger group in the GOP who want a more isolationist approach in foreign policy.
The relationship between Greene and President Trump has worsened recently, with Trump withdrawing his endorsement of her.
Zohran Mamdani will become the mayor of New York City in early 2026. Kara McCurdy, a photographer, has been taking photos of Mamdani since his first political campaign in 2020. The article discusses how McCurdy captured Mamdani's political journey.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as the mayor of New York City in early 2026.
Mamdani started 2025 as a relatively unknown state legislator.
The job of New York City mayor is considered very challenging.
Kara McCurdy has been photographing Mamdani since his start in politics in 2020.
McCurdy is a campaign photographer who documented Mamdani's efforts over the years.
Ali Rogin interviewed McCurdy about her experiences photographing Mamdani's political rise.
Vice President JD Vance is strategically preparing for a potential run for President in 2028. He plans to support President Donald Trump and avoid involvement in divisive political conflicts. Vance aims to build strong networks by fundraising, supporting Republican candidates in the 2026 midterms, and staying united with other conservative influencers.
Key Facts
JD Vance is the Vice President and is thinking about running for President in 2028.
Vance plans to campaign across the United States during the midterm elections.
He intends to stay loyal to President Trump and avoid internal conflicts among supporters.
Vance is actively involved in fundraising and has connections with wealthy tech industry figures.
He is expected to play a significant role in supporting Republican candidates in the 2026 midterms.
Vance aims to rely on support from conservative media figures and influencers.
His main focus while in office is to help President Trump achieve their administration's goals.
