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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will stop providing abortion services and counseling to veterans, based on a legal opinion from the Department of Justice. President Donald Trump's administration has pushed for this change, reversing a policy from the previous administration.
Key Facts
The VA will no longer offer abortion services, even in cases of rape or incest.
This decision follows a December 18 legal memo from the Department of Justice, which stated the VA lacks the authority to provide abortion services.
President Trump has aimed to limit abortion access since the start of his second term.
Over 900,000 women were enrolled in VA Healthcare in 2023.
A Biden-era policy allowed abortions under certain conditions, but this has now been overturned.
Services still permitted include those for conditions like miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies that threaten the mother's life.
The change is in line with a proposed VA rule that is still moving through the regulatory process.
President Donald Trump signed an order giving most federal workers extra time off during Christmas 2025, except the U.S. Postal Service, which will stay open. This means most federal workers have a longer holiday break, while postal services continue as usual.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an order for federal government closures on December 24 and December 26, 2025.
The U.S. Postal Service is not included, so post offices will remain open on those dates.
USPS will deliver regular and Priority Mail Express on December 24 and December 26.
Post offices will be closed, and no mail will be delivered on Christmas Day.
The Social Security Administration will be open on December 24 and December 26 for limited hours.
Some essential services like national security and emergency operations must remain open.
Federal workers can enjoy a five-day break from December 24 to December 28, 2025.
The United States is experiencing the largest one-year drop in murders ever recorded, according to a crime stats expert. The decrease in murders is part of a larger trend of declining violent crime rates following increases during the COVID-19 period. The data comes from the Real-Time Crime Index, which shows a nearly 20% decline in murders from 2024 to 2025.
Key Facts
The U.S. is seeing the largest one-year drop in murder rates according to crime statistics expert Jeff Asher.
The Real-Time Crime Index shows a nearly 20% decrease in murders compared to 2024.
The Index's data excludes manslaughter, self-defense, negligence, or accidental killings.
Significant reductions in murders were recorded in New York City, Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans, and Los Angeles County.
A few cities like Johnston County, NC, and Gilbert, AZ, reported large increases in murder rates.
Other crimes, such as motor vehicle theft, aggravated assault, and robbery, also decreased.
President Trump has focused on reducing violent crime, but there's no confirmed link between this drop and his policies.
D.C. experienced a nearly 28% decline in murders, which has been attributed to increased law enforcement efforts.
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's challenge to New York’s Green Light Law, which allows residents to get driver's licenses regardless of their immigration status. The court decision keeps the law in place after the administration argued it conflicted with federal immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
A federal judge upheld New York's Green Light Law, allowing driver’s licenses for residents without proving immigration status.
The Trump administration argued the law interfered with federal immigration enforcement.
The judge decided there was no violation of the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause.
The law provides driver’s licenses to New Yorkers aged 16 and up, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
It includes privacy measures that limit data sharing with immigration enforcement.
The law has been in effect since 2019 and does not apply to Non-Driver ID cards or commercial licenses.
The lawsuit challenged limits on federal authorities' access to driver’s license information.
New York Attorney General praised the decision, stating the law protects New Yorkers' rights.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) reported improved phone service in 2025 after a review requested by Senator Elizabeth Warren confirmed that their performance data on customer service is accurate. The SSA handled significantly more calls and reduced wait times over the year, while receiving an audit by the Office of the Inspector General that verified these improvements.
Key Facts
The Social Security Administration’s phone service improved in 2025.
Senator Elizabeth Warren requested a review of the SSA’s customer service.
The SSA handled 68 million calls, a 65% increase from 2024.
Average wait times fell from 30 minutes in January to 7 minutes by September 2025.
The "average speed of answer" metric used by the SSA includes the time for callback offers.
About 25 million calls were not completed due to various reasons.
The improvements occurred under President Trump’s leadership, according to the SSA commissioner.
Warren criticized SSA leadership, claiming public wait times were misrepresented.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced changes to improve access to certain weight-loss drugs for people using Medicare or Medicaid. A new program called BALANCE will allow these plans to cover GLP-1 medications by negotiating lower prices with drug manufacturers. This aims to make the drugs more affordable and accessible to eligible Americans.
Key Facts
The changes aim to increase access to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for Medicare and Medicaid users.
GLP-1 drugs include medicines like semaglutide (sold as Wegovy, Ozempic) and liraglutide.
More than 70% of U.S. adults are considered overweight or obese, leading to health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
The BALANCE program will start in Medicaid in May 2026 and in Medicare Part D in January 2027.
CMS will negotiate with drug manufacturers for lower prices and uniform terms.
Participation in BALANCE is voluntary for drug makers, Medicaid agencies, and Medicare plans.
A temporary payment program will begin in July 2026, with a $50 monthly charge for eligible Medicare users.
Two U.S. chocolate companies issued recalls just before Christmas due to mistakes on their packaging that could pose allergy risks. Silvestri Sweets and Willy Pete’s Chocolate Company recalled certain products after discovering undeclared ingredients like nuts and wheat. There have been no reported illnesses, and consumers are advised to return or discard the affected products.
Key Facts
Silvestri Sweets recalled Choceur-branded Holiday Bark due to undeclared nuts and wheat.
Products were sold nationwide through Aldi.
The recall included specific lot numbers and best-by dates.
Willy Pete’s Chocolate Company recalled a product due to a labeling error regarding nuts.
Affected bars were sold in three U.S. stores.
No allergic reactions or illnesses have been reported.
Consumers are advised to discard or return affected products.
FDA emphasizes checking labels for allergen information.
President Donald Trump faced challenges in achieving key goals for 2025. Issues included rising unemployment, higher prices, manufacturing job declines, and fewer deportations than previous administrations. Although he brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, other campaign promises remain unmet.
Key Facts
President Trump aimed to end inflation and make America affordable, but unemployment is the highest in four years, and prices are 3% higher.
Manufacturing jobs have decreased, outsourcing increased, and the trade deficit grew by $112 billion.
Trump's deportation plans resulted in fewer deportations in 2025 compared to previous years.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was achieved, but other foreign conflict resolutions were not met.
President Trump faced criticism for actions against government opposition, with alleged retaliation against 470 people and organizations.
The administration's efforts to cut government spending and tackle "deep state" issues resulted primarily in personnel changes without significant budget reductions.
The Americast podcast team reflects on their predictions for the significant news stories of 2025. They discuss events involving President Trump's second term, such as deportation actions, Elon Musk's activities, the Gaza conflict, and a U.S. government shutdown.
Key Facts
The Americast podcast looks back at 2025 to see how accurate their news predictions were.
President Trump faced a busy year, including issues like deportation raids and a government shutdown.
The team discusses Elon Musk's involvement in the year's events.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza is also part of the retrospective discussion.
The podcast is produced by BBC and involves several hosts who discuss American news.
Listeners can join the show's community through Discord, WhatsApp, or email.
The episode is part of the BBC News Podcasts and can be accessed on smart speakers.
President Donald Trump experienced two legal defeats in a single day. A judge stopped his administration from canceling an attorney's security clearance, and the Supreme Court blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago.
Key Facts
A U.S. District Judge ruled against the administration's removal of attorney Mark Zaid’s security clearance.
The judge stated the clearance was revoked because Zaid represented whistleblowers and criticized the government.
The Supreme Court stopped Trump from sending National Guard troops to Chicago for an immigration crackdown.
This ruling was part of a legal effort by Zaid challenging a presidential order affecting security clearances.
The Supreme Court's decision followed an earlier block by a lower court.
Trump’s efforts to send troops were part of his broader immigration policies.
The case involved high-profile justices Alito, Thomas, and Gorsuch dissenting the decision.
President Donald Trump expressed his desire to appoint a new Federal Reserve chairman who agrees with his preference to keep interest rates low. He has criticized the current Fed chief Jerome Powell and is considering candidates who will align with his views. Trump emphasized that he wants the Fed chairman selection to support the US economy by cutting interest rates.
Key Facts
President Trump wants the next Federal Reserve chairman to keep interest rates low and align with his views.
Trump criticized current Fed chief Jerome Powell for not agreeing with his interest rate policies.
Trump's remarks have raised concerns about the Federal Reserve's independence from political influence.
The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates three times this year, now ranging between 3.5% and 3.75%.
Trump mentioned that he believes interest rates should be as low as 1%.
Lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper but can increase the risk of inflation if reduced too quickly.
Kevin Hassett, a candidate to replace Powell, has worked closely with Trump and supports further rate cuts.
The US economy grew by 4.3% from July to September, higher than expected, driven by consumer spending and exports.
A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration from redirecting Homeland Security grants away from certain states. The judge ruled that the administration's actions violated the law, as these funds are meant for disaster and security preparations. This decision affects several states that sued because they did not comply with federal immigration policies.
Key Facts
A federal judge blocked changes to Homeland Security grants by the Trump administration.
The grants help states plan for disasters and attacks.
The lawsuit was filed by 11 states and Washington, D.C., which did not follow immigration policies set by President Trump.
The judge said the administration improperly tied grant funds to immigration enforcement.
The ruling stated that withholding funds based on political reasons was illegal.
These states argued the grant funds are crucial for public safety.
The Department of Homeland Security plans to appeal the ruling.
Grants from this program are crucial for local governments' emergency planning.
A delivery driver in Wenatchee, Washington, decided to hide a package that was likely a Christmas gift to avoid spoiling a surprise for a child. This act was caught on a Ring doorbell camera and shared on TikTok, where it gained over 1.4 million views, highlighting the driver’s kindness during the busy holiday season.
Key Facts
A delivery driver decided to hide a package in Wenatchee, Washington, to keep a child’s Christmas gift a surprise.
The event was recorded on a Ring doorbell camera.
The child’s mother, named Roxy, shared the video on TikTok.
The video received over 1.4 million views on TikTok.
Roxy’s daughter had started to look out the window before the driver hid the package.
Roxy shared that the video aimed to show that not all delivery drivers receive negative attention.
U.S. delivery companies are projected to handle about 2.3 billion packages during the 2025 holiday season.
Delivery companies often hire extra workers during the holiday season to manage the increased workload.
U.S. immigration agents entered a women's bathroom and detained workers during a raid at a factory in New York. The raid, part of immigration enforcement efforts, has raised questions about the legality of the agents’ actions. A judge ruled that one individual’s rights were violated during the raid.
Key Facts
The raid happened on September 4 at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato, New York.
Immigration agents forced entry into a women's bathroom during the operation.
A total of 57 workers were detained, some had varying immigration statuses.
At least one worker with a valid work permit was deported.
The raid was based on allegations of employing unauthorized individuals and using fraudulent documents.
Criticism arose regarding the legality of the agents' conduct during the raid.
A judge ruled that the rights of one detainee, Argentina Juarez-Lopez, were violated under the Fourth Amendment.
By September 9, 2025, 52 of the 57 detained workers had been deported.
The article discusses how America is divided due to a fear of engaging in difficult conversations with people holding different views. A project by Jubilee, a media company, highlights how discussing conflicting opinions can foster understanding. The piece emphasizes the importance of dialogue in overcoming political and social divides.
Key Facts
America faces division partly because people fear uncomfortable conversations with those holding opposing views.
Sarah's story, shared in a Jubilee project, showed how personal experiences can shift perspectives on polarizing topics.
The Jubilee project brings people with opposing views together for discussions, seen by 4.6 million people.
A Pew survey shows the partisan gap in the U.S. is the widest since 1997.
Avoiding opposing viewpoints might worsen polarization rather than resolve it.
Algorithms on social media reinforce existing beliefs, making polarization worse.
Younger Americans are more open to engaging with people who have different views than older generations.
The article discusses various public figures and their activities during the 2025 holiday season. It uses up and down arrows to indicate rising or falling popularity. Figures mentioned include Kris Jenner, Chrissy Teigen, Patrick Mahomes, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Tommy Robinson, and Joshua Feuerstein.
Key Facts
Kris Jenner's Christmas Eve party, started in 1978, included diverse guests like her nurse and the woman from CVS, alongside performers.
Chrissy Teigen broke a tooth on a candy cane package while doing a project with her kids and wore a face mask to a recital.
Patrick Mahomes gifted his offensive line over $100,000 in presents after an ACL tear ended his season.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders decided not to reopen state offices the day after Christmas despite complaints about church-state separation.
Tommy Robinson's Christmas carol event in London drew just 1,000 people, less than his previous rally.
Joshua Feuerstein's complaints about Starbucks' red cups made him famous ten years ago, but he is now mostly forgotten.
Newsweek's "Conventional Wisdom" segment has been revived, focusing on the rise and fall of public figures' popularity.
