The Department of Justice clarified that claims involving President Donald Trump in newly released Jeffrey Epstein files are "unfounded and false." The files, which include emails and court documents, had to be released under a law President Trump signed, which mandates transparency regarding Epstein-related information.
Key Facts
The DOJ released new documents about Jeffrey Epstein, which included mentions of President Trump.
The Department of Justice stated the claims about President Trump are "unfounded and false."
The documents consist of emails, court records, photos, and videos.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Trump, required these files to be made public.
The law restricts releasing details that could harm victims or active investigations but allows information even if it might embarrass public figures.
President Trump stated he distanced himself from Epstein years ago.
Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019.
Former officials from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explain that President Trump's administration has made major changes to the immigration agency. These changes include pausing applications and restructuring the staff to focus more on enforcement rather than service.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration paused millions of immigration applications and reviewed many previously approved cases.
The USCIS faced internal disruptions, including inadequate office space and network issues, affecting employees' work efficiency.
Employees experienced pressure to leave the agency, facing threats of mass layoffs and disrupted work schedules.
A "watch list" of USCIS employees, accused of bias, was compiled, causing safety concerns among staff.
Nearly 1,800 experienced USCIS employees have left, with new hires focusing more on enforcement.
Job descriptions for USCIS roles have shifted focus from service to cultural defense and homeland protection, accompanied by incentives.
The current USCIS environment reportedly promotes fear and discourages open dialogue among staff.
A Michigan company, Troemner Farm, has recalled its Pfeffernusse Cookies due to undeclared allergens—milk, wheat, and soy—which could harm individuals with allergies. The FDA announced the recall, emphasizing the risk of severe allergic reactions. Consumers can return the cookies for a refund or replacement.
Key Facts
Troemner Farm recalled its Pfeffernusse Cookies for undeclared allergens.
The allergens in question are milk, wheat, and soy.
These cookies were sold in Hancock and Calumet, Michigan.
The recall followed routine inspections that found the labeling error.
No illnesses from these cookies have been reported as of December 22.
Food allergies can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, which is potentially life-threatening.
Consumers can contact Troemner Farm for refunds or corrected product replacements.
The FDA advises people with food allergies to read labels carefully and avoid foods they are allergic to.
A video showing a 75-year-old woman being attacked in Seattle with a wooden board has sparked widespread anger. The alleged attacker, Fale Vaigalepa Pea, reportedly blinded the woman in one eye, and he has a history of being known to the police for similar assaults. The incident has brought attention to the handling of repeat offenders and public safety.
Key Facts
A 75-year-old woman named Jeanette Marken was attacked with a wooden board in Seattle.
The alleged attacker is Fale Vaigalepa Pea, who is 42 years old.
The attack happened on December 5 in downtown Seattle, near Third Avenue.
Pea has previous convictions, including for assault, dating back to 2012.
The incident has raised questions about how law enforcement handles repeat offenders.
Local commentators and officials are discussing the broader issues of mental health and public safety.
The victim was left with a broken nose, a broken cheekbone, and permanent blindness in one eye.
Bystanders helped Marken until paramedics arrived to take her to the hospital.
A winter storm is set to bring heavy snow and strong winds to parts of the United States, potentially affecting travel plans during the Christmas period. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that regions such as California, Maine, and Alaska will experience the most significant weather impacts from Tuesday to Friday.
Key Facts
The storm could bring over 16 inches of snow and winds up to 100 mph in some areas.
California, particularly its mountain regions, faces winter storm warnings with up to 7 feet of snow and high winds forecasted.
Maine may see 6 to 12 inches of snow, potentially affecting holiday travel on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Alaska's affected areas might experience up to 14 inches of snow and 35 mph winds, reducing visibility.
The NWS advises travelers to carry emergency supplies if they must travel and to check weather forecasts.
Specific travel routes, like Highway 168 in California, could become very difficult or impassable.
The Sierra Nevada south of Yosemite National Park could see extremely heavy snow accumulation of up to 8 feet.
The NWS recommends delaying travel plans if conditions worsen.
A series of winter storms is affecting holiday travel across the United States. Weather-related issues include snow, rain, and strong winds, leading to travel delays, school closures, and potential flooding in various regions.
Key Facts
Winter storms are affecting travel across the U.S. during the holiday season, especially with snow, rain, and winds.
By Tuesday, icy and snowy conditions hit the Northeast, while California experienced heavy rain and winds.
Flash flooding is expected in California by Christmas Eve, with fog impacting the Midwest.
Another storm is forecasted for California on Christmas Day, with freezing rain possible in the Upper Midwest.
School closures are reported in parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire due to snow.
Southern California could see up to 12 inches of rain in some areas, with a flood watch in place.
California ski resorts expect significant snowfall, with some areas possibly getting more than 80 inches.
An annual survey shows that Americans' top fear is corrupt government officials, with concerns about the economy ranking lower. The article discusses several alleged financial and ethical issues involving President Trump, suggesting that these issues may impact Republican politicians in future elections.
Key Facts
Chapman University's 2025 survey reports Americans' top fear is corrupt government officials.
Fear of the economy ranks third on the list.
President Trump is reported to have gained $4 billion since the election through various activities.
Allegations include President Trump benefiting from reduced tariffs for Vietnam and Switzerland after business dealings.
Concerns were raised about the President developing a Trump tower in Saudi Arabia and selling F-35 jets to the country.
Other allegations involve a $400 million plane and a government-financed resort from Qatar in exchange for military guarantees.
A merger plan between Trump's social media company and a fusion power company partially funded with federal grants is underway.
The article suggests Republican politicians could gain support by addressing conflicts of interest and requiring presidents to place business interests in a blind trust.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced that the state will provide extra food benefits to families with children through the SUN Bucks program in summer 2026. Iowa will rejoin this federal program, which offers additional grocery money when school meals are not available.
Key Facts
Governor Kim Reynolds announced Iowa will join the SUN Bucks program for summer 2026.
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, gives extra funds for groceries when school meals aren't available.
Families receive a one-time $120 payment per eligible child through the program.
Iowa had opted out of SUN Bucks for two years to run its own program, Healthy Kids Iowa.
Governor Reynolds said the state-created program was hard for some food banks to manage.
Starting January 2026, Iowa will restrict SNAP purchases on certain sugary drinks and snacks.
Around 259,300 Iowa residents use SNAP benefits, with 65% being families with children.
The U.S. government introduced a program offering incentives for undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, aiming to reduce deportation costs. The initiative increased the incentive to $3,000 before the end of the year. Meanwhile, the number of deaths in ICE custody reached its highest level since 2004.
Key Facts
The U.S. government launched an incentive program to encourage undocumented immigrants to self-deport using the CBP Home App.
The incentive for voluntary departure was increased to $3,000 plus a one-way ticket home.
The government claims this approach reduces deportation costs by about 70%.
In 2025, approximately 622,000 removals have occurred.
Recently, there were four deaths in ICE custody in just four days, raising the total to at least 30 for the year.
The government denies an increase in death rates, stating that current rates are consistent with the past decade.
Advocacy groups criticize the program, suggesting it may mislead immigrants and go against current laws.
The U.N. reports that the U.S.–Mexico border is one of the deadliest migration routes, with a high death toll outside detention centers.
Hunter Biden criticized illegal immigration in a recent podcast conversation. He mentioned that the U.S. should not accommodate immigrants who enter the country illegally and use resources meant for others, such as veterans. Biden also questioned his political alignment, stating he is uncertain if he still identifies as a Democrat.
Key Facts
Hunter Biden spoke about illegal immigration on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast.
He expressed concern about illegal immigrants using U.S. resources.
Biden emphasized the need for legal and vibrant immigration.
He mentioned that illegal immigration should not take priority over veterans and other citizens.
Biden is uncertain about his current political identity and may not consider himself a Democrat anymore.
New files about Jeffrey Epstein briefly appeared on the Justice Department's website, mentioning President Donald Trump multiple times. These documents were quickly removed and included details like subpoenas for Trump's club records and flight logs showing Trump flew on Epstein's jet in the 1990s. There are unverified tips related to parties with Epstein, but no follow-up or evidence in the files.
Key Facts
Files about Jeffrey Epstein and President Trump showed up on a government website but were later taken down.
The files mentioned a subpoena for employment records from Trump's club Mar-a-Lago during a related investigation.
Records indicate Trump flew on Epstein's jet at least eight times in the 1990s.
FBI collected tips about Trump attending parties with Epstein, but no evidence or further actions are noted in the files.
Trump claimed he ended his relationship with Epstein years ago and removed him from Mar-a-Lago.
Trump responded to these disclosures by labeling them as distractions and emphasized that Epstein was commonly known in Palm Beach.
The article discusses the state of COVID-19 in 2026, highlighting that the virus, although no longer a public health emergency, still poses risks, especially to vulnerable groups in the United States. Experts expect the Omicron variant family to continue circulating, with symptoms likely remaining similar. There might be fluctuations in cases based on new variants and vaccination rates.
Key Facts
COVID-19 is not a public health emergency anymore, but it still affects vulnerable people in the U.S.
Experts predict Omicron variants will still be common in 2026.
The CDC estimated millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths due to COVID-19 in recent years.
The most recent variant, called XFG or Stratus, is dominant due to being more immune evasive.
Symptoms like fever, cough, and loss of taste are expected to persist in 2026.
Vulnerable groups include children under 4, seniors over 65, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Hospitalization rates may rise during the winter due to both the virus and low vaccination rates.
COVID vaccines are underused but help protect against severe illness.
The Old Farmer's Almanac forecasts the weather across different U.S. regions for 2026. The predictions give an overview of expected temperature, rain, and snow patterns throughout the year. Various regions will see variations in weather patterns such as milder or colder winters, warmer summers, and specific precipitation trends.
Key Facts
The Old Farmer's Almanac provides long-range weather forecasts for U.S. regions.
In the Northeast, winter is expected to be milder with less snowfall, and summer will be hotter.
The Atlantic Corridor will have a warmer winter with less snow and a hotter, drier summer with some tropical storm risks.
Winters in the Appalachians are predicted to be colder, with less snow in the north but more in the south.
The Southeast will experience a colder and drier winter overall, with varying summer precipitation.
The Deep South winter is expected to be warmer, with less snow, and a warmer, drier summer is forecast.
Texas-Oklahoma will have a warmer winter, with a hot summer and varying rainfall patterns.
The Lower Lakes area will experience a warmer winter with less snow, and the summer will be warmer with more rain.
Across the High Plains, the forecast is for a warmer winter than normal.
Mark Paulino, a former teacher who worked as a Santa Claus impersonator, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on December 5 in New Jersey. He faces several charges related to child sexual abuse material and is currently detained pending trial.
Key Facts
Mark Paulino was detained by ICE on December 5 in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.
He is charged with possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
Prosecutors have requested that he remain in detention until his trial.
The investigation started after New Jersey State Police reported that Paulino had uploaded suspected child sexual abuse files online.
Paulino used to be an elementary school teacher in the Hamilton Township School District.
He also worked as a Santa Claus impersonator for events.
Various pieces of evidence were taken from his home during the arrest.
If convicted of the most serious charge, he could face a prison sentence of five to 20 years.
George Conway, a lawyer known for opposing President Trump, filed to run for a U.S. House seat in New York as a Democrat. He is competing for the position of retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in a Manhattan district. Several other notable figures are also in the race.
Key Facts
George Conway filed paperwork to run for Congress as a Democrat in New York.
The seat is currently held by retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler.
The district includes parts of midtown and uptown Manhattan.
Other candidates include Jack Schlossberg and Cameron Kasky.
Conway co-founded an anti-Trump group called the Lincoln Project.
He was previously married to Kellyanne Conway, a former Trump adviser.
Conway recently listed a Manhattan address as his residence for the campaign.
Several candidates have already dropped out of the race.
Social Security payments worth up to $5,108 will be issued this week during December. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides these payments to around 70 million Americans, including retirees and people with disabilities. In 2026, beneficiaries will see a 2.8% increase in their payments due to a cost-of-living adjustment.
Key Facts
Social Security payments for December are being sent out this week.
The SSA provides monthly income to about 70 million Americans.
Payments are scheduled based on birth dates; some groups have different schedules.
SSI is a separate program for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
A cost-of-living adjustment of 2.8% will apply in 2026, raising average monthly benefits.
The average retiree will receive approximately $56 more per month after the adjustment.
The highest monthly Social Security payment will increase from $5,108 to $5,251.
Cost-of-living adjustments are based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners.
Brown University placed its police chief on leave after a mass shooting on campus left two people dead and nine injured. The university is reviewing its safety policies in response to criticism about the handling of the incident. The U.S. Department of Education is also reviewing the university's response to the attack.
Key Facts
Brown University placed its police chief, Rodney Chatman, on leave following a campus shooting.
The incident resulted in two deaths and nine injuries.
The shooting suspect was identified as Claudio Neves Valente, a former student, who was found dead in New Hampshire.
The motive for the shooting and a subsequent murder of an MIT professor remains unclear.
Brown University's president, Christina Paxson, announced reviews of campus safety policies.
President Donald Trump criticized the university's security measures, citing a lack of security cameras.
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Brown University's response to the shooting.
The shooting took place in a building used for engineering and physics, with at least 44 shots fired.
President Donald Trump announced plans to build a new class of battleships named "Trump-class" to enhance the US Navy. These ships will include advanced technology like artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles. Production is set to begin on the first two ships immediately, starting with one named the USS Defiant.
Key Facts
President Trump announced "Trump-class" battleships, part of a plan for a "Golden Fleet."
The battleships aim to be larger and more powerful than previous US warships.
They will feature advanced technology such as AI, directed energy lasers, hypersonic missiles, and nuclear cruise missiles.
Each ship will be roughly the size of the historic Iowa-class battleships but half the weight.
The first two ships will begin production immediately, with plans for the USS Defiant as the initial ship.
Trump mentioned the new ships would not target any specific country.
He emphasized military strength by referencing historical US naval power, like the Great White Fleet.
President Trump plans to address issues with defense contractors regarding production speed and cost.
A Democratic member of Congress, Joyce Beatty, is suing to stop the Trump administration from renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the "Trump-Kennedy Center". The lawsuit argues that the name can’t be changed without a new law from Congress, and the current board's decision breaks this rule.
Key Facts
Rep. Joyce Beatty filed the lawsuit on Monday to block the name change.
The lawsuit argues the name change requires an act of Congress.
The Trump administration has already started adding President Trump's name to the center.
This decision was made during a virtual board meeting.
Beatty claims the meeting did not allow her and others to speak against the decision.
The lawsuit seeks to nullify the board’s vote and restore the original name.
The White House had not responded to requests for comment at the time of the report.
President Donald Trump announced plans for a new series of Navy battleships, called the "Golden Fleet," that will bear his name. The project includes the construction of advanced ships, starting with two new vessels, and aims to boost U.S. shipbuilding capacity and create jobs. The U.S. Navy plans to make these ships operational within two-and-a-half years.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a new series of Navy battleships called the "Golden Fleet."
The ships will be named after President Trump and are part of a larger expansion of naval forces.
Construction on these ships, known as the Trump Class USS Defiant, will start soon.
The ships will carry advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles.
Two ships will be built initially, with plans for up to 25 in the future.
The construction of these ships in the U.S. is expected to create thousands of jobs.
The U.S. Navy aims to surpass China's shipbuilding capabilities and strengthen its fleet.
President Trump also emphasized reviving the American shipbuilding industry through various measures.
