A warm weather system is expected to affect parts of the U.S. during Christmas week, possibly breaking long-standing high-temperature records. States from the Rockies through the Midwest and Appalachians might see temperatures much higher than usual. This surge in warmth could impact travel and visibility due to fog and low clouds.
Key Facts
A warm spell is expected across much of the U.S. during Christmas week.
Temperatures might rise 30 to 40 degrees above normal in some areas, with potential records.
Nearly two dozen states will experience temperatures 15-30 degrees above the historical average.
Cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Tulsa may see weather more typical of late April or May.
The warmth could lead to low clouds and fog, affecting road and air travel.
Oklahoma City could reach high temperatures in the upper 70s, challenging old records.
Some areas might see record warm overnight lows.
The likelihood of a white Christmas is reduced in the Midwest and Northeast due to the warm trend.
Last week, the number of people in the U.S. applying for unemployment benefits went down, staying at a healthy level. The Labor Department reported that jobless claims dropped by 10,000 to 214,000, which is lower than expected. Despite this, the U.S. job market shows some signs of slowing down.
Key Facts
Unemployment claims dropped to 214,000 for the week ending December 20.
Analysts had predicted 232,000 new jobless applications.
Job market health is tracked through unemployment claims, which act as a proxy for layoffs.
The U.S. gained 64,000 jobs in November but lost 105,000 jobs in October.
The unemployment rate increased to 4.6%, the highest since 2021.
Federal job losses were significant due to workers leaving after budget cuts.
Job creation has slowed, now averaging 35,000 jobs per month since March.
The Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates due to concerns about job market weakness.
A sheriff in Fulton County, Ohio, stopped Santa Claus for driving too fast with Mrs. Claus. Santa received a friendly reminder, not a penalty, to slow down.
Key Facts
Santa Claus was driving through Fulton County, Ohio.
A sheriff stopped him for speeding.
Santa was in the vehicle with Mrs. Claus.
No ticket or penalty was given, only a warning.
The incident happened as Santa was in the process of delivering Christmas gifts.
The Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump's attempt to use the National Guard in Illinois to support his immigration plans. Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented, discussing the potential use of the Insurrection Act. The decision marks another legal check on presidential authority during Trump's second term.
Key Facts
The case involved President Trump's plan to deploy National Guard troops in Illinois for immigration purposes.
The Supreme Court blocked Trump's plan, with a majority of justices ruling against it.
Justices Alito and Gorsuch mentioned the Insurrection Act in their dissents, questioning its application.
The Insurrection Act allows presidents to use the military to deal with domestic insurrections if a state cannot handle it.
Justices John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett joined liberal justices in the majority decision.
The ruling focused on legal limits to presidential authority to use military forces domestically.
President Trump previously mentioned using the Insurrection Act to address crime in Chicago if state efforts fall short.
In January 2026, Social Security payments for many seniors in the U.S. will arrive later than usual due to the calendar layout. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will distribute payments on different Wednesdays, while direct deposit can help avoid future delays.
Key Facts
Over 70 million Americans get monthly Social Security benefits.
In January 2026, because January 1 lands on a Thursday, payments will be delayed.
Payment dates will be on different Wednesdays based on birth dates: January 14, 21, and 28.
Those who started receiving payments before May 1997 will get payments on January 2.
SSI and some retirement payments will arrive on December 31, 2025, and January 2, 2026.
Benefits will increase by 2.8% starting in January 2026, in line with inflation adjustments.
Switching to direct deposit can prevent issues with mail delivery delays for payments.
Dallas police officers detained two street preachers outside the American Airlines Center during a basketball game. The incident became widely discussed online, with debates about free speech rights and proper policing. Police stated the men were detained for noise ordinance violations on private property, not for preaching on a public sidewalk.
Key Facts
The incident happened on December 18, outside an NBA game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
The street preachers were affiliated with the "Testimonies of God" ministry.
Video of the incident showed officers detaining the men, causing it to go viral after being shared online.
The police stated the men were detained due to "interference with public duties" and noise ordinance violations, not for preaching.
Dallas police clarified the event took place on private property, not a public sidewalk.
A citation was issued for using a loudspeaker, violating noise rules, but no formal arrests were made.
The street preachers claimed they were detained for exercising their free speech rights.
The Dallas Police emphasized compliance with city noise codes and that they support First Amendment rights.
Police in Wilson, North Carolina responded to reports of gunfire at a Walmart on Christmas Eve. They confirmed there was no active shooter, and requested people to avoid the area while they investigated.
Key Facts
Police in Wilson, North Carolina responded to a report of gunshots at a Walmart.
The incident happened on Christmas Eve, a busy shopping day.
Wilson authorities assured the public there was no active shooter.
Police asked residents to stay away from the location as they investigated.
Local news displayed a large emergency response with police cars and ambulances present.
Two individuals were seen being placed into ambulances on stretchers.
A man named Rahmanullah Lakanwal is facing new federal charges for a shooting that killed one National Guard member and injured another near the White House. The charges could lead to the discussion of the death penalty. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
Key Facts
The shooting happened near the White House on November 26.
Lakanwal is 29 years old.
One National Guard member died, and another was seriously injured.
Lakanwal is charged with transporting a firearm across state lines with criminal intent.
He also faces charges for moving a stolen gun across state lines.
Discussions about the death penalty are now possible in this case.
The case has moved from a local court to a federal district court.
Lakanwal was also injured during the incident and has pleaded not guilty to local charges.
The Supreme Court decided to block President Donald Trump's order to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. This decision may impact the way federal forces are used in domestic law enforcement in the U.S. The court's ruling also keeps open the discussion about the president's power to use military forces inside the United States.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked President Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard in Chicago for now.
Three justices disagreed with the decision, while another agreed but had some concerns.
The White House said the deployment aimed to protect federal officers and property.
The decision is part of a broader debate about federal authority in domestic law.
The ruling does not set a legal precedent but may guide future cases.
Pending lawsuits in other cities might be influenced by this ruling.
The Insurrection Act, which could allow troop deployment, was noted as a possible future option by some justices.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped again, showing a negative gap according to a poll by a Republican-aligned group. This could affect the political landscape as Republican lawmakers prepare for upcoming elections. Economic concerns and immigration policies are among the factors influencing public opinion.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating is currently at minus 10 points according to a Rasmussen Reports poll.
Rasmussen is known for being more favorable to Republican candidates compared to other polling firms.
Earlier this month, Trump's approval rating had improved briefly after hitting a low of minus 12 on December 4.
The drop in approval rating is not new, with similar levels recorded in November.
Trump's strongest recent approval rating was reported by InsiderAdvantage as +8.4 points in December.
The Gallup poll showed Trump's approval rating at 36 percent, marking a low for his second term.
Economic concerns and immigration policies may be influencing changes in public sentiment.
Trump's statement on Truth Social criticized the accuracy and bias of certain polls.
President Trump has ordered a pause on five offshore wind projects along the East Coast for at least 90 days. The suspension is due to national security concerns and the Interior Department will work with developers to address these issues.
Key Facts
The pause affects five major wind projects currently under construction off the East Coast.
The Interior Department will work with project developers during this 90-day pause.
The suspension was announced because of unspecified national security threats.
There is a possibility that the 90-day suspension could be extended.
A federal judge recently struck down an executive order from President Trump that blocked wind energy projects.
Local officials support these projects and are upset by the suspension.
The Trump administration has taken multiple steps against renewable energy sources like offshore wind.
Washington state is considering a new tax plan that would impose a 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million. The proposed "millionaire tax" aims to shift the tax burden to high earners and support lower-income residents. This measure would make Washington one of several states with similar taxes targeting the wealthiest citizens.
Key Facts
Washington state is debating a new tax on incomes over $1 million.
The proposed tax rate would be 9.9% on high earners.
Governor Bob Ferguson supports the proposal, which intends to ease the tax burden on lower-income people.
If approved, the tax would not take effect until 2029.
Washington currently does not have a personal income tax.
Other states with similar millionaire taxes include California, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, and New York, among others.
At the federal level, there is no separate millionaire tax; the highest income tax rate is 37% for incomes above $609,351.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger addressed concerns about unsigned tabulator tapes from the 2020 election, stating that these errors do not invalidate the votes. The unsigned tapes involved about 315,000 ballots from Fulton County, but multiple audits and recounts have confirmed the election results.
Key Facts
Over 130 tabulator tapes from Georgia's 2020 election were not signed properly, affecting around 315,000 ballots.
The unsigned tapes do not mean the ballots are invalid, and these votes have been recounted and audited.
Former President Donald Trump and his allies have claimed the 2020 election was stolen, despite no evidence of widespread fraud.
Multiple audits and a statewide hand recount confirmed that Joe Biden won Georgia in the 2020 presidential election.
Georgia's Rule 183-1-12-.12 requires signature verification on tabulator tapes, which did not happen for these tapes.
Brad Raffensperger stated that a clerical error does not cancel the validated legal votes.
The issue has reignited claims of voter fraud among some Republicans and MAGA supporters.
In 2025 special elections, Democrats performed significantly better than expected in several races across the United States. This performance suggests increased enthusiasm among Democratic voters, even though Republicans still won some key races.
Key Facts
Democrats achieved better election results than former Vice President Kamala Harris's performance in several 2024 races.
In Florida, Democrats narrowed Republican victory margins in two Congressional Districts compared to Trump's previous larger margins.
Democrat James Walkinshaw won the Virginia 11th Congressional District by over 50 points, compared to Harris's previous 34-point win.
In Arizona, Democrat Adelita Grijalva won by nearly 40 points in a district Trump had improved his standing in during 2024.
In Tennessee's 7th District, despite a Republican win, Democrats reduced the margin significantly from Trump's prior victory.
Democrat Eileen Higgins won the Miami mayoral race by nearly 20 points, a notable gain from the previous narrow Democratic win.
Susan Crawford, aligned with liberals, won Wisconsin's nonpartisan Supreme Court election by about 10 points over her conservative rival.
A man named Rahmanullah Lakanwal faces federal charges for a shooting near the White House that resulted in the death of a National Guard member and injured another. The new charges allow prosecutors to consider the death penalty, which is not possible under local laws in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with transporting a firearm across state lines and with transporting a stolen firearm.
The incident occurred on November 26 near the White House.
The shooting killed Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the West Virginia National Guard.
Andrew Wolfe, a 24-year-old Guardsman, was seriously injured in the attack.
Transferring the case to federal court allows for the possibility of pursuing the death penalty.
Washington, D.C. does not permit the death penalty under local law.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is involved in the case.
Heavy rain is expected to hit the west coast of the United States, particularly in California, bringing a risk of flooding. The weather event is anticipated to affect the area this week.
Key Facts
Heavy rain is forecasted for the west coast of the U.S.
California is particularly at risk of experiencing flooding.
The rainfall is expected to take place this week.
Torrential rain refers to very heavy and intense rain.
This weather event may cause disruptions in affected areas.
A new tax law signed by President Donald Trump could result in large tax refunds for many Americans in early 2026. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) might lead to refunds of $1,000 to $2,000 for households, partly because of changes to how taxes are calculated. However, experts warn that most benefits will go to higher-income individuals.
Key Facts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law by President Donald Trump in July.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the law's retroactive effects mean many households could get $1,000 to $2,000 tax refunds.
The refunds result from breaks in the law that apply retroactively to the start of 2025.
Most Americans usually receive their tax refunds within 21 days of filing.
The Congressional Budget Office reports that the richest 10% of households may benefit more, gaining $12,000 on average over eight years.
Lower-income households might lose about $1,600 annually due to cuts to programs like Medicaid.
Tax filing season begins in January, with many filing before the April 15 deadline.
Economist Don Schneider said most people haven't changed their tax withholdings yet and may be surprised by the refunds.
The U.S. Department of Education, led by Secretary Linda McMahon under President Donald Trump, announced several changes. These include giving more power to states, adjusting policies related to student loans, and enforcing rules against antisemitism and discrimination in sports and colleges. They have also focused on stopping financial aid fraud and changing college admissions policies.
Key Facts
President Trump issued an executive order aiming to give more control over education policies back to individual states.
The Education Department plans to end certain student loan repayment plans and implement caps on loans for graduate programs.
New rules aim to protect women’s sports by limiting participation of transgender athletes born male.
The department is against the use of affirmative action in college admissions following a court ruling.
Efforts have been made to reduce antisemitism on college campuses, following incidents related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
A tool was launched for FAFSA applicants to see potential earnings after graduation.
The department claims to have prevented $1 billion in financial aid fraud.
Missouri is granted special privileges to review student loan forgiveness for the next decade.
A grandmother with a green card, Donna Hughes-Brown, was released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after nearly five months in detention. Her release followed efforts by her husband and members of Congress, and she will now spend Christmas with her family in Missouri.
Key Facts
Donna Hughes-Brown is an Irish national who has lived in the U.S. since she was 11 and held a green card for over 30 years.
She was detained by ICE in Chicago due to two misdemeanors from 2015, despite having dealt with them previously.
Her case drew attention when her husband appealed to Congress, and Homeland Security promised to review it.
Hughes-Brown was held at an ICE detention center in Kentucky for nearly five months.
She has four children and five grandchildren and will now be home for Christmas.
Congressman Seth Magaziner criticized the detainment, stating it was unjust.
A judge eventually decided Hughes-Brown was not a threat to the community, leading to her release.
A "60 Minutes" news segment on President Trump's immigration policy aired online by mistake after being pulled from the TV schedule. The segment included interviews with migrants sent to an El Salvador prison under Trump's immigration policy. CBS later removed the segment from the internet as part of routine content protection.
Key Facts
A "60 Minutes" segment on Trump's immigration policy was accidentally aired on a TV app.
The segment included interviews with migrants deported to an El Salvador prison.
Two deported men reported experiencing abuse, including beatings and sexual assault.
Global Television Network pulled the segment from its broadcast but it appeared online.
CBS is removing unauthorized copies of the segment from the internet.
The story was reportedly cleared by CBS lawyers but sparked debate on journalistic independence.
CBS News chief Bari Weiss emphasized the need for the Trump administration's viewpoint in the segment.
