Many Americans are experiencing delays in receiving their mail due to staffing shortages at the United States Postal Service (USPS). These delays are affecting mail delivery across several states, causing problems with holiday packages and essential items like medication.
Key Facts
Americans in multiple states, including Maine, Texas, Kentucky, and Alabama, face mail delays due to USPS staffing shortages.
Some areas have gone weeks without regular mail deliveries, affecting crucial items such as medication.
In Kentucky, Congressman Morgan McGarvey has become involved after receiving complaints and is seeking updates from the Postmaster General.
The holiday season is contributing to high demand, with USPS hiring over 14,000 seasonal employees to help.
The USPS is rotating mail delivery routes to ensure everyone gets their mail, despite the delays.
Residents report frustration with the delayed deliveries, affecting bill payments and trust in the postal system.
USPS claims they are making efforts to meet demand by using local management and additional staff from nearby areas.
Millions of people in over a dozen states in the U.S. were advised to stay away from windows as strong winds swept across the country. The winds came after a weather phenomenon called an atmospheric river hit the Pacific Northwest. Warnings included high winds, potential for power outages, and dangerous travel conditions.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned people in states including Oregon, Washington, California, and others about high winds.
Over 50,000 people in Colorado faced planned power outages due to wildfire risks from strong winds.
People were advised to stay indoors and avoid windows due to the risk of falling debris and tree limbs.
Wind speeds could reach over 100 mph, making travel difficult or impossible in some areas.
Cities like Seattle, Denver, and others were under high wind warnings.
Some areas faced additional warnings like blizzard and fire warnings.
Dangerous weather conditions were expected to continue into Thursday morning in some regions.
The strong winds were accompanied by rain and snow in certain parts.
President Donald Trump signed a bill that introduces a new tax deduction for Social Security beneficiaries starting in 2025. This deduction helps seniors aged 65 and over with a smaller tax bill if they meet certain income limits. The deduction lasts until 2028 and aims to provide temporary tax relief.
Key Facts
The new deduction is $6,000 for single seniors earning up to $75,000 annually.
Married couples can claim a $12,000 deduction if they earn up to $150,000 together.
The changes take effect for the 2025 tax year and end in 2028.
Seniors must be at least 65 years old and meet the income requirements to qualify.
This deduction is in addition to the standard deduction, which has also increased due to inflation adjustments.
It doesn't eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits but reduces overall taxable income.
Experts note that the deduction is temporary and could shift financial burdens to future generations.
The ongoing concern is about the strain on the Social Security trust fund as benefits increase and tax revenues decrease.
Utah lawmakers plan to increase the state Supreme Court from five to seven justices to handle more cases. Some people support the idea to manage the court’s workload, while others worry it might be driven by political motives. The proposal has received backing from Governor Spencer Cox.
Key Facts
Utah wants to add two justices to its state Supreme Court.
The proposal aims to address growing caseloads and population in the state.
Utah's Supreme Court has had five justices since 1917.
Recent years have seen a rise in legal cases, with record filings reported in 2025.
Critics suggest the timing may be politically motivated, especially after rulings that upset Republican lawmakers.
Supporters argue that the current justices were all appointed by Republican governors.
Governor Spencer Cox supports the expansion, saying it's a response to growth, not political pressure.
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of President Donald Trump by allowing the National Guard to continue its deployment in Washington, D.C. The decision came from a panel of three judges, including one appointed by President Obama and two by President Trump, who found that Trump might successfully argue that he has special authority over the deployment.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court ruled to let the National Guard stay in Washington, D.C.
The ruling temporarily blocks a lower court order that would have stopped the deployment.
The panel's decision was unanimous, meaning all three judges agreed.
The judges on the panel included Patricia A. Millett, appointed by President Obama, and Gregory G. Katsas and Neomi J. Rao, both appointed by President Trump.
The decision supports the argument that the President has unique authority in Washington, D.C.
The lower court had said the deployment interfered with local officials' powers.
President Trump's former lawyer, John Dowd, defended former special counsel Jack Smith, saying Smith should be praised for his work. Dowd commented on Smith's role in investigating allegations against President Donald Trump related to the 2020 election and handling classified documents. Smith will meet with the House Judiciary Committee for a private interview amid an investigation into past Trump-related inquiries.
Key Facts
John Dowd, a former lawyer for President Trump, wrote in support of Jack Smith.
Jack Smith led investigations related to President Trump's actions after the 2020 election and classified documents.
Charges against Trump for the classified documents were dropped in July 2024.
Dowd warns against turning the legal process into a political tool.
Smith will have a private session with the House Judiciary Committee.
The interview is part of a larger investigation into Trump-related legal actions during the Biden administration.
Smith had requested a public hearing, but it will be held privately.
Opinions on Smith vary, with some criticizing his past investigations.
Planned power shutoffs will affect 50,000 people in Colorado starting Wednesday to reduce wildfire risk. These outages are due to expected strong winds and dry conditions, which could increase the chance of fires.
Key Facts
Xcel Energy will start power shutoffs for 50,000 people in Colorado on Wednesday morning.
The affected areas include Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties.
The shutoff aims to reduce wildfire risk due to expected high winds and low humidity.
Winds could gust up to 90 mph, which has prompted high wind and red flag warnings.
Weather conditions leading to the shutoff may improve by Wednesday evening.
There is a warning that some areas could experience outages for more than three days.
Residents are advised to prepare emergency kits and stay informed about the outages.
News reports have claimed that a Boy Scout named Eric Langford disappeared in 1989 and reappeared 12 years later, but the story is not true. The images and videos of Langford are believed to be generated by artificial intelligence (AI), and no official records exist to support the story.
Key Facts
The story about Eric Langford claims he went missing in 1989 in New York and was found in 2001.
Multiple online platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, have shared versions of the story.
The Albany Police Department in New York confirmed they have no record of Langford or his case.
A website sharing the story was flagged by Scam Detector for using services to hide its identity.
No media reports or historical archives confirm the existence of Eric Langford or the events described.
The images and videos associated with the story appear to be created using artificial intelligence.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has instructed Minnesota to recheck all SNAP beneficiaries within 30 days due to a fraud scandal. This includes a pilot program in select counties to ensure eligibility and prevent future fraud in the food assistance program.
Key Facts
The USDA ordered Minnesota to recertify all SNAP recipients within 30 days.
This order came after a fraud scandal involving misuse of federally funded nutrition programs.
More than 60 individuals were convicted of fraud during the pandemic related to a nutrition program.
The pilot recertification program targets specific counties in Minnesota: Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, and Wright.
SNAP recertification involves verifying income, household details, and eligibility factors.
The USDA uses tools like the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database in this process.
The extent of SNAP fraud in Minnesota is not clearly known from the letter.
The state must determine the eligibility of SNAP households in the specified counties.
In a closed-door interview, former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith testified that there was strong evidence that President Donald Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election and improperly kept classified documents. Smith stated that he made investigative decisions based on law and facts, not politics, and had been subpoenaed by a Republican-led committee to discuss the investigations into Trump.
Key Facts
Jack Smith testified that his team found strong evidence of President Trump trying to overturn the 2020 election results.
Smith also stated there is evidence that Trump kept classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Smith emphasized that his investigation was based on facts, not political bias.
He was subpoenaed to speak to a Republican-led committee about investigations into Trump.
Smith agreed to testify despite originally offering to do so publicly.
Charges were filed against Trump concerning election interference and document retention but were later dropped when Trump was elected president again.
During Trump's first and second terms, investigations focused on his actions around the 2020 election and classified documents handling.
Four Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives are supporting a Democratic plan to extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This would affect millions of people who might otherwise face higher health insurance costs when the credits expire. House Speaker Mike Johnson does not plan to hold a vote on these tax credits, making it unlikely that they will be extended before the end of the year.
Key Facts
House Speaker Mike Johnson decided against holding a vote on extending ACA tax credits.
Four Republicans are breaking ranks with their party to support a vote on the extension.
The tax credits, expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, are set to expire and could raise costs for about 22 million people.
A discharge petition was introduced to force a vote on extending the credits for three more years.
The Republicans supporting the vote are mainly from districts expected to have close races in the next election.
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick was the first Republican to join the move to force a vote.
A KFF poll found strong public support for extending the tax credits, with many blaming Republicans or President Trump for possible expiration.
The federal government has asked 39 U.S. states to change their laws regarding Social Security benefits for children in foster care. These changes aim to ensure that funds meant for foster children are used solely for their needs, rather than covering state foster care costs. So far, only 11 states have made changes to protect these benefits.
Key Facts
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contacted 39 states about their Social Security policies for foster children.
The HHS wants these states to stop diverting foster youths' Social Security benefits for state foster care costs.
Federal law says Social Security survivor benefits belong to the child, with a payee managing the funds for their benefit if needed.
Many states have used these benefits to cover foster care costs without informing the child or guardian.
Just 11 states have enacted policies to conserve Social Security benefits for the children's future needs.
The HHS and Social Security Administration plan to help the remaining states change their policies.
Examples of states with laws protecting these funds include Oregon and New Mexico, which have banned using the payments for foster care costs.
Approximately 27,000 foster children receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits in the U.S.
Four Republican members of Congress joined Democrats to push for a vote on keeping financial help that makes health insurance cheaper for Americans. This assistance is part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is set to end soon. The Republican-led House had been moving forward with a different health bill that does not address the same insurance cost issues.
Key Facts
Four centrist Republicans sided with Democrats to push for a vote.
The vote aims to extend ACA subsidies that lower insurance costs.
These subsidies are enhanced due to pandemic-era measures.
The subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year if not extended.
The move opposes the current plan by Republican leaders in the House.
The GOP health care bill does not include extensions for these subsidies.
President Donald Trump will attend a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base to honor two Iowa National Guard members who died in Syria. This event involves a dignified transfer, which is a formal military ceremony.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump will attend a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
The ceremony is for a dignified transfer, a formal process to honor fallen service members.
Two Iowa National Guard members died in an attack in Syria.
The ceremony will take place on Wednesday.
Dover Air Force Base often handles the process of receiving fallen service members from overseas.
A group of 17 attorneys general has sued the Trump administration, claiming that the U.S. Department of Transportation unlawfully halted funding for electric vehicle charging programs. The lawsuit challenges whether the administration can stop spending that Congress has already approved without removing the law.
Key Facts
The lawsuit involves 17 Democratic attorneys general and challenges the halt of funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The lawsuit claims the U.S. Department of Transportation stopped approving new funding for two specific EV charging programs.
These programs were created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a bipartisan law passed in 2021.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
The plaintiffs argue that the administration's actions unlawfully impede congressionally approved spending.
The case involves the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program.
California and several other states, along with the District of Columbia, are plaintiffs in the case.
The outcome of the lawsuit may affect how future administrations manage federally funded programs.
A Target employee in Chico, California, known as "Jeannie from Target," became the center of attention after a video of a confrontation about her Charlie Kirk T-shirt went viral. A fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo has raised more than $80,000 for her. The incident is under investigation by the Chico Police Department, and it has sparked widespread online reactions and discussions about free speech.
Key Facts
The incident involved a Target employee wearing a Charlie Kirk T-shirt during work hours.
A video of the confrontation went viral on social media platforms such as TikTok.
The GiveSendGo fundraiser for the employee, known as "Jeannie from Target," has collected over $80,000.
The Chico Police Department is investigating the episode.
Enloe Health, where the person believed to have filmed the video reportedly worked, is also looking into the matter due to the response to the video.
The video sparked debates on free speech and political expression in public.
Target and Enloe Health have been contacted for comments but have not independently confirmed details.
President Donald Trump joked about being offered $250 million to run for a third term during a White House event. The conversation sparked discussions about the constitutional limits on presidential terms, which currently restrict presidents to two terms. Although President Trump acknowledged these limits, some previous advisers and supporters have speculated about ways he might try to stay in power beyond two terms.
Key Facts
President Trump mentioned a $250 million offer to run for a third term during a White House Hanukkah event.
The U.S. Constitution's 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two terms.
Trump acknowledged that the constitutional rules clearly prevent him from running for a third term.
GOP donor Miriam Adelson joked about a legal discussion regarding extending Trump's presidency.
Adelson and her late husband have heavily supported Trump and Republican causes financially.
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon claimed there might be plans to keep Trump in office beyond two terms.
Polls showed divided opinions among Trump voters on whether he should try for another term.
Adelson donated substantial amounts to pro-Trump and Republican efforts during his campaigns.
The WalletHub survey for 2026 shows saving more money is the top financial resolution for Americans. The survey highlights concerns about inflation and President Donald Trump's management of the economy. Many Americans find it challenging to keep their financial resolutions due to these economic concerns.
Key Facts
Saving money is the top financial resolution for 31% of Americans in 2026.
Concerns over inflation were the biggest worry for 53% of respondents.
President Trump's economic approval rating dropped to 31% in December.
The U.S. unemployment rate reached 4.6% in November.
62% of people feel it will be harder to stick to financial resolutions in 2026.
Despite challenges, 58% believe 2026 will be financially better than 2025.
The survey included a representative sample of 220 people across various demographics.
The Senate will hold a hearing with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr. Carr has faced criticism for his actions against broadcasters, including pressuring them to remove TV host Jimmy Kimmel. The hearing is part of regular oversight and includes discussions about media consolidation.
Key Facts
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr will testify before the Senate Commerce Committee.
Carr faced criticism for pressuring ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel after comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
This is the first Senate Commerce oversight hearing with all FCC commissioners since 2020.
Since becoming chairman, Carr has investigated major networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC.
President Donald Trump appointed Carr in November and has been active in legal battles with media outlets.
Lawmakers are concerned about Carr's support for changing rules on media ownership limits.
Democratic senators are urging examination of Nexstar Media Group's acquisition of Tegna, fearing negative impacts on consumers and local TV stations.
Carr indicated his willingness to consider adjusting station ownership limits.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is trying again to end a union agreement with airport screening officers, following a government shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) intends to fight the TSA's plan, which had been previously stopped by a judge. TSA aims to replace the current contract with a new framework focusing on security.
Key Facts
The TSA wants to end its union agreement with airport screeners, saying national security is their main duty.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem first tried to end the agreement before, but a judge stopped it.
The union for TSA workers, called AFGE, says ending the agreement is illegal and violates a court order.
The TSA plans to end the current contract by January 2024 and wants to replace it with a focus on security.
Secretary Noem had recently given $10,000 bonuses to some TSA officers for their work during a government shutdown.
Noem first tried ending the agreement in February, and a trial is scheduled for next year.
A judge stated the union's lawsuit likely to succeed, as the directive could violate workers' rights.
AFGE represents about 800,000 federal employees and argues the Trump administration's actions aim to weaken worker protections.
