Murder rates in the United States are expected to see the biggest yearly drop ever recorded in 2025, according to data from hundreds of law enforcement agencies. This decline continues a trend that started in 2023. President Donald Trump’s administration attributes this decrease to their efforts against crime.
Key Facts
U.S. murder rates dropped by about 19.8% from January to October 2025 compared to 2024.
This represents the largest recorded one-year decline in murders.
The Real-Time Crime Index (RTCI) collects crime data from many law enforcement agencies across the country.
Murder rates declined significantly in cities like Birmingham, Baltimore, Chicago, New York City, Atlanta, and Philadelphia.
Some cities, like Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Kansas City, saw increases in murder rates.
The decline is part of a larger trend over the past few years.
The FBI will release official crime data for 2025 later next year.
President Donald Trump’s administration has focused on lowering crime rates, including deploying the National Guard in certain areas.
A 16-year-old student from Connecticut, Kevin Moreno, was released from ICE custody after six months. Moreno and his father were detained during an ICE appointment after fleeing gang violence in Ecuador. His release followed public support and legal action while his father was deported.
Key Facts
Kevin Moreno, aged 16, was in ICE custody for six months before being released.
Moreno was detained during a scheduled ICE appointment in Hartford, Connecticut.
He and his father crossed into the U.S. from Mexico in February 2024, fleeing gang violence in Ecuador.
Moreno's arrest generated public criticism and support from local officials and community members.
His father was deported, but Moreno remains in the U.S. under his aunt's guardianship.
Moreno missed his high school graduation, but his aunt accepted his diploma for him.
Moreno's immigration case is still open, and he's seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile status for possible permanent residency.
On Christmas Day 2025, some national restaurant chains and local eateries remain open for dining, while many others are closed. Food delivery services are expected to be busy, with options limited by the availability of open restaurants and stores. Popular chains such as Red Lobster, McDonald's, and Denny's are some of those operating on the holiday.
Key Facts
Many McDonald's, Starbucks, and Dunkin' locations will remain open on Christmas.
Notable chains like Olive Garden, Chipotle, and Taco Bell are closed on Christmas.
Food delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart will be operating, but options depend on what stores are open.
Chinese restaurants often stay open and are busy on Christmas.
Restaurants such as Denny's, Red Lobster, and IHOP have select locations open with limited hours or menus.
Some fast-food chains like Burger King and Wendy's have locations open, but hours may vary.
Many restaurants allow Christmas dinner reservations through services like OpenTable.
Restaurants in hotels and rest stops, as well as some local places, will be open.
A Delaware state trooper, Corporal Matthew "Ty" Snook, was shot and killed while on duty at a DMV office. He was helping a coworker to safety when he was attacked and later died at a hospital. The gunman also died after being shot by another officer.
Key Facts
Matthew "Ty" Snook was a Delaware state trooper for 10 years.
Snook was working overtime at a DMV office in New Castle when he was shot.
He helped an employee to safety before being shot again.
Snook died in the hospital, and the gunman was also killed.
Snook is survived by his wife and 1-year-old daughter.
He graduated from the University of Maryland and was on the wrestling team.
Delaware's Governor ordered flags at state buildings to fly at half-staff in his honor.
All DMV offices in Delaware are closed, with construction updates pending for the Wilmington office.
A group of 19 states and the District of Columbia have sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over a plan to stop Medicaid and Medicare payments for gender-affirming care for minors. The plan, announced by the department's secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., labels such care as unsafe and ineffective, prompting states to argue that this move is illegal and represents government overreach. The lawsuit, filed in Oregon, challenges the federal authority to regulate medical practices that states believe should be handled at the state level.
Key Facts
On Tuesday, 19 states and the District of Columbia sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the department's secretary, announced plans to halt funding for gender-affirming care for minors.
The department aims to stop Medicaid and Medicare payments to hospitals providing this care.
Kennedy's statement said such treatments are unsafe and ineffective for minors.
The suing states argue the declaration is illegal and exceeds federal powers.
The lawsuit says medical regulation should be a state responsibility, not a federal one.
President Trump has voiced opposition to gender-affirming care for minors.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Eugene, Oregon.
President Donald Trump spoke with children via the NORAD Santa tracking calls on Christmas Eve. During the calls, he joked about coal being "beautiful" and mentioned his past election successes. The calls were broadcast on C-SPAN from his Mar-a-Lago location.
Key Facts
President Trump participated in NORAD's annual Santa tracking calls with children on Christmas Eve.
He jokingly called coal "beautiful" when speaking with a child.
The calls were part of a tradition since 1955 where children call to track Santa's journey.
Trump discussed winning the state of Pennsylvania with a 312-vote margin in the 2024 election.
The event included Trump and First Lady Melania taking calls broadcasted on C-SPAN.
Trump also humorously discussed Santa's liking for cookies.
Trump acknowledged the tracking as a way to ensure "a good Santa" is entering the country.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is planning to raise shipping costs and introduce new stamp designs in 2026. The changes also include post office upgrades and digital improvements to enhance customer experience. The cost of sending mail with stamps will not increase at this time.
Key Facts
USPS plans to raise shipping prices starting January 18, 2026.
Priority Mail will see a price increase of about 6.6%, and Priority Mail Express by 5.1%.
New stamps will feature images from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
Space-themed stamps will include designs of the Crab Nebula and interacting galaxies.
USPS is upgrading post office facilities with 24/7 smart lockers and self-service kiosks.
Digital improvements include a mobile app for managing labels and tracking packages.
USPS aims to make post office visits easier with better layouts and supplies organization.
The Postal Service celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026.
Pollster Nate Silver reports that President Donald Trump's approval rating recently increased slightly but has mostly returned to lower levels. His approval rating stands at -12.5 points, close to his second term low of -15 points. The ratings are important as they could influence the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's net approval rating is -12.5 points as of Wednesday.
In November, his approval rating was at a second term low of -15 points.
A December poll by AtlasIntel showed Trump with a net approval rating of -20 points.
An InsiderAdvantage poll showed a higher net approval rating of +8.4 points among likely voters.
Emerson College's poll indicated Trump's net approval rating as -9 points.
Polls are a mix of surveys taken from adults, registered voters, and likely voters.
The 2026 midterm elections could be influenced by changes in Trump's approval rating.
Two people were hurt after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents fired shots at a vehicle in Maryland, claiming the driver tried to evade arrest. The ICE agents attempted to arrest two men suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, and when the driver allegedly drove into ICE vehicles, officers shot at the van. The driver then crashed between two buildings, and both men received medical care.
Key Facts
ICE agents fired at a vehicle after the driver allegedly attempted to evade arrest in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
Officials say the two men in the vehicle were suspected of living in the U.S. illegally.
The driver did not stop as instructed and reportedly drove into several ICE vehicles.
In response, ICE officers fired their weapons, and the driver subsequently crashed.
Both individuals in the vehicle received medical attention after the incident.
No ICE agents were injured during the encounter.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore mentioned he was informed about the shooting and ongoing investigation.
A similar incident occurred in Minnesota recently, where a man tried to escape from ICE and was shot at after hitting ICE vehicles and agents.
Someone in Arkansas won a $1.817 billion Powerball Jackpot, which is the second-largest prize in U.S. lottery history. The winner matched all the drawn numbers and can choose to receive either annual payments or a lump sum of about $834.9 million in cash.
Key Facts
A person from Arkansas won the $1.817 billion Powerball Jackpot on Christmas Eve.
This is the second-largest lottery jackpot ever won in the United States.
The winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, and Powerball 19.
The winner can choose to take a cash payout of approximately $834.9 million.
Powerball officials congratulated the winner and thanked players for their participation.
Purchasing lottery tickets supports public programs and services across the U.S.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called kids as part of NORAD's annual Santa-tracking program. During the calls, President Trump made light-hearted comments about ensuring no "bad Santa" was entering the U.S. and joked about coal with the children.
Key Facts
President Trump participated in NORAD's Santa-tracking calls with kids.
First Lady Melania Trump joined the calls from their home in Palm Beach, Florida.
President Trump joked about making sure Santa is not "infiltrating" the country as a "bad Santa."
A child from Oklahoma asked about Santa's tracking, and Trump expressed his affection for Oklahoma.
Trump joked about "clean, beautiful coal" with a child from Kansas.
Trump responded humorously to a child from North Carolina about leaving cookies for Santa.
President Trump posted a message on Truth Social wishing "Merry Christmas to all," including his political opponents.
A strong winter storm hit southern California, causing mudslides, flooding, and snowfall. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for several counties. At least one person died in a weather-related car accident.
Key Facts
A winter storm affected southern California with heavy rain, strong winds, and mountain snow.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in multiple counties.
The counties under emergency include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta.
Forecasters warned about flash flooding, mudslides, and debris flows, especially in areas that experienced wildfires last January.
One person died in a weather-related car crash in Sacramento County.
This storm could make it the wettest Christmas in the area in years.
Surveillance footage showed an attempted theft of an ATM from a Texas convenience store. Two suspects were involved, with one attaching a line to the ATM and another outside, using a vehicle to pull the machine, causing significant damage to the store. Police are currently seeking the suspects, and no injuries have been reported.
Key Facts
The incident occurred in a convenience store in Texas.
Surveillance footage captured the crime.
One suspect attached a line to the ATM; the other was outside with a vehicle.
As the vehicle drove away, the ATM was ripped through the store, causing damage.
The White Settlement Police Department is investigating and searching for the suspects.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump joined the Norad Santa Tracker event, a yearly tradition on Christmas Eve where calls from children inquiring about Santa's location are answered. This tradition began in 1955 due to a misprinted phone number in a department store advertisement. Norad, a defense organization, has continued to offer updates on Santa's journey around the world.
Key Facts
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participated in the Norad Santa Tracker event.
They answered phone calls from children asking about Santa's location.
Norad, which stands for North American Aerospace Defense Command, started this tradition 70 years ago.
The origin of the tradition was a wrong phone number in a 1955 store ad that led a child to call a military center.
Norad has continued this tradition annually, offering updates on Santa's progress across the globe.
A group of religious leaders tried to enter an ICE facility in Chicago on Christmas Eve but were not allowed in. They wanted to offer prayers and care to the detainees, but ICE staff said it was not possible due to safety reasons.
Key Facts
Religious leaders attempted to enter the ICE facility in Chicago to pray with detainees on Christmas Eve.
They said their goal was to provide "pastoral care" to both staff and detainees.
ICE facility officials denied entry, citing the building's status as a field office, not a detention center.
The facility is used for processing detainees who are then moved to other detention centers.
DHS stated that recent protests and attacks have made the location unsafe for accommodating outside services.
Priests and nuns had been allowed to enter the facility until a policy change in the fall.
ICE emphasized safety concerns due to past riots at the Broadview field office.
Sean "Diddy" Combs has asked a court to release him from prison and cancel his conviction related to prostitution offenses. His lawyer argues that his sentence was unfair and requests either a shorter sentence or to have the conviction thrown out. Previously, Combs was sentenced to over four years in prison after being found guilty.
Key Facts
Sean "Diddy" Combs appealed to have his conviction overturned and be released from prison.
He was convicted on two charges related to transportation for prostitution.
His lawyer claims the 50-month prison sentence is unlawful and unconstitutional.
Federal prosecutors accused Combs of using power to force women into unwanted situations.
The jury found him not guilty of more severe charges, like racketeering and sex trafficking.
Combs apologized for his actions, admitting he got lost in excess and ego.
His lawyer claims the judge ignored new sentencing guidelines and considered charges Combs was acquitted of.
Combs faces multiple civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct.
President Trump posted a Christmas message on social media, highlighting economic and security achievements during his presidency. He also criticized his political opponents in the message.
Key Facts
President Trump shared his message on Truth Social, a social media platform.
He mentioned strong economic gains, including a record stock market and better-than-expected GDP growth.
He highlighted low crime rates and no inflation as achievements.
He criticized political opponents, referring to them as "Radical Left Scum."
He stated that the U.S. has the strongest national security and is respected globally.
The post mentioned improvements in border control, law enforcement, and sports policies.
U.S. authorities found over a million new documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The documents are under legal review, and officials plan to release them soon with necessary edits for privacy.
Key Facts
U.S. officials discovered over a million more documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The documents were found by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI.
These agencies have informed the Department of Justice about the discovery.
Lawyers are reviewing the documents to make necessary privacy edits.
The Department of Justice plans to release the documents soon.
The review process might take a few weeks due to the large number of documents.
President Donald Trump has implemented about half of a plan called Project 2025, which seeks major changes to federal government policies. The plan aims to adjust areas like gender, sexuality, and race in federal policy and suggests eliminating diversity and inclusion programs.
Key Facts
President Trump claims he is not tied to Project 2025, which is linked to his administration's second-term goals.
Project 2025 is a detailed plan with 920 pages.
The plan aims to change how the federal government handles issues like gender, sexuality, and race.
It suggests stopping government efforts that promote equity and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The plan recommends removing terms related to gender and reproductive rights from government regulations.
Project 2025 proposes altering the FBI and getting rid of the Department of Education.
It also suggests dismantling the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).
Progress has been made through executive orders and changes in government positions to increase presidential influence.
Members of the U.S. armed forces performed a holiday song, "Joy to the World," for Christmas Eve. The Pentagon's Defense Visual Information Distribution Service produced the video.
Key Facts
The song performed is "Joy to the World."
Members of the U.S. armed forces recorded the performance.
This is part of a News Hour holiday tradition.
The video was produced for Christmas Eve.
The Pentagon's Defense Visual Information Distribution Service made the video.
