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.
Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty filed a lawsuit to remove President Trump's name from the Kennedy Center. The lawsuit claims the board's vote to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center was illegal since only Congress can approve such a change. This decision has led to criticism, especially in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
Joyce Beatty is a Democratic Congress member who is suing to take President Trump's name off the Kennedy Center.
Beatty says the name change was illegal because it needs Congressional approval.
The Kennedy Center board voted to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center, and President Trump's name is now on its facade.
President Trump appointed many of his allies to the Kennedy Center board after becoming President.
President Trump secured $257 million from Congress for renovations at the Kennedy Center.
The Kennedy Center was originally named in memory of President Kennedy after his assassination.
Members of the Kennedy family criticized the decision to add Trump's name to the center.
Imani Smith, a former child actor who played Young Nala in the Broadway version of Disney's "The Lion King," was killed in Edison, New Jersey. Authorities have charged her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, with several crimes related to her death.
Key Facts
Imani Smith, a former Broadway child star, was known for her role in "The Lion King."
Smith was 26 years old when she was killed on December 21 in Edison, New Jersey.
Authorities arrested Smith's boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, in connection with her death.
Jackson-Small faces several charges including first-degree murder.
Additional charges include endangering the welfare of a child and weapon possession.
He is currently held at Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center awaiting a court appearance.
Tina Peters, a former Colorado elections clerk, has asked a state appeals court to accept a pardon from President Donald Trump for her state convictions. Her lawyers argue that the pardon should remove the court's power over her convictions, though legal experts note that presidential pardons do not apply to state crimes.
Key Facts
Tina Peters is a former Colorado elections clerk.
She was convicted of state crimes related to a data breach involving voting machine fraud claims from the 2020 election.
President Donald Trump issued a pardon for Peters on December 5.
Peters' legal team argues this pardon should invalidate her state convictions.
Legal experts have said that presidential pardons do not apply to state law violations.
The court is being asked to decide if Trump's pardon is valid for state offenses.
Peters' attorneys cited historical pardons by President George Washington as part of their argument.
Oral arguments in Peters’ appeal are scheduled for January 14.
A new survey shows that half of the women polled have emotionally withdrawn from dating due to uncertainty in romance. The study also highlights how dating has changed, with many people experiencing uncertainty and using online platforms.
Key Facts
The survey involved 2,418 women aged 18 to 45.
74% of these women said they feel romantic uncertainty is common.
Almost half of the women surveyed have emotionally withdrawn from dating.
62% reported having been in "situationships," which are informal romantic connections.
57% of men use low-effort dating tactics, compared to 29% of women.
68% of women reported being ghosted, but only 41% of men admitted to ghosting.
The study suggested that many women might stop using dating apps due to frustrations.
A Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center was canceled after the building was renamed to include President Donald Trump's name. The decision to add Trump's name to the Kennedy Center has led to controversy, as some say it violates the law. The center's board, chosen by the president, approved the name change.
Key Facts
A jazz concert at the Kennedy Center, scheduled for Christmas Eve, was canceled.
The Kennedy Center was renamed to include President Trump's name.
Musician Chuck Redd, the concert's host, canceled the event after the name change.
The center's facade now reads "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
Some scholars and legal experts argue that the name change violates existing laws.
Congress originally named the center as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
The building's board, selected by President Trump, approved the name addition.
Previous performances at the Kennedy Center have been canceled due to controversy over Trump's involvement.
A Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center was canceled because President Donald Trump's name was added to the building. Musician Chuck Redd, who hosted the annual event, decided to call off the performance. The naming decision and the controversy over it have caused tension between the administration and the arts community.
Key Facts
A Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center has been a tradition for more than 20 years.
The concert was canceled after Trump's name was added to the center’s name.
Chuck Redd, the concert host, chose to cancel the event after the name change.
The Kennedy Center was established in 1964 as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
The law governing the center prohibits turning it into a memorial for anyone else.
Critics argue any name change would need congressional approval.
President Trump has taken a more active role with the Kennedy Center during his second term.
The addition of Trump's name has led to backlash and several artists withdrawing from events.
A dog named Prince, a 2-year-old Doberman, was surrendered to a New Jersey animal shelter just before Christmas. The family said they could not give him the time he needed, and the shelter's post about him received a large number of responses. Prince has found a foster home, and applications to adopt him are being reviewed.
Key Facts
Prince is a 2-year-old Doberman dog surrendered to the Associated Humane Societies of Forked River in New Jersey.
The family gave him up because they felt they did not have enough time for his care.
Dobermans need about two hours of exercise daily to stay healthy and behave well.
The shelter's Facebook post about Prince reached over 1 million views, gaining many reactions and shares.
There has been a significant interest in adopting Prince, with many applications now closed and under review.
Prince is currently living in foster care, and the shelter plans to have him neutered before adoption.
The shelter will be closing temporarily for renovations, and they are trying to find homes for 27 other animals before then.
Kimberlee Singler, a woman from Colorado, was brought back to the U.S. from the UK after being accused of killing two of her children. Singler was arrested in London in December 2023, after fleeing there following the alleged crime. She faces multiple serious charges and is currently held in custody in Colorado without the option to post bail.
Key Facts
Kimberlee Singler is a 37-year-old woman from Colorado.
She is accused of murdering her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.
The alleged crime took place in December 2023 in Colorado Springs.
Singler was captured in London and fought against being sent back to the U.S., but was unsuccessful.
She faces charges including two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and child abuse.
A third child was injured but survived the attack.
Singler's ex-husband was not involved in the crime and had an alibi.
Singler is currently in custody in Colorado and awaits a court appearance.
Police have arrested Ashlee Buzzard on suspicion of murdering her nine-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, after the child's body was found in Utah. Detectives had been searching for Melodee since she was reported missing by her school, and her mother was not cooperating with the investigation.
Key Facts
Melodee Buzzard was last seen on a security camera with her mother on 9 October.
Her school reported her missing on 14 October when she had not been seen since August.
Melodee's body was found with gunshot wounds by two people in a rural Utah area on 6 December.
Ashlee Buzzard was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder on Tuesday.
Investigators have gathered significant evidence allegedly pointing to Ashlee Buzzard as the suspect.
DNA analysis confirmed the identity of Melodee's remains on 22 December.
Ashlee Buzzard was previously arrested in early November on an unrelated charge, but that charge was later dismissed.
Curtis J. Wright, a Canadian national and U.S. green card holder, was detained by immigration agents at a Houston airport after a business trip. His detention is due to old misdemeanor offenses, including a possession charge when he was 17. He has been in custody for about six weeks, awaiting a hearing on his immigration status.
Key Facts
Curtis J. Wright is a Canadian national and long-time U.S. green card holder.
He was detained at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston after a business trip.
Immigration agents flagged him due to minor offenses from when he was younger.
His old offenses include a misdemeanor involving Xanax from over 20 years ago.
Wright has been moved between three Texas detention centers in six weeks.
He has not yet had a hearing before an immigration judge.
A hearing is planned for January 16 after two delays.
Wright has lived in the U.S. for nearly 30 years and criticized his detention conditions.
