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.
A report finds that minority and low-income groups relying on the Colorado River face more water contamination issues than other groups. These communities have less access to safe drinking water and face higher exposure to pollutants. Factors such as leaky storage tanks and inadequate water delivery systems contribute to these problems.
Key Facts
Minority and low-income groups near the Colorado River have higher water contamination risks.
The report, part of the "Colorado River Insights, 2025" series, highlights disproportionate water access for these groups.
Studies show communities with more Black and Hispanic/Latino residents often face higher pollution in water supplies.
The essay notes these groups are often underrepresented in decisions about water policy.
Contributing factors include leaky underground tanks and incomplete water access infrastructure.
Data shows 36% Hispanic, 12% listed as "Other," 5% Black, and 2% Native American among people relying on Colorado River water.
Many rural areas depending on Colorado River water are mainly populated by minority groups.
North Carolina is seeing a shift in voter registration numbers, with Republicans nearly matching Democrats in the state. This change comes as both parties prepare for the 2026 midterm elections, which could impact the balance of power. Despite the increase in registered Republicans, voter registration does not always predict election results.
Key Facts
North Carolina's voter data shows Republicans are nearly equal in number to Democrats.
Currently, there are about 2,310,814 registered Democrats and 2,309,598 registered Republicans.
A year ago, Democrats outnumbered Republicans by nearly 100,000 voters.
The state has not voted for a Democrat in a presidential election since 2008.
In the 2026 Senate race, some polls suggest a slight Democratic advantage.
North Carolina has two Republican senators and a Republican majority in its House delegation.
Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, will not run in the 2026 midterm election.
31% of voters in North Carolina are registered with each major party, leaving many unaffiliated.
A student who survived the 2018 Parkland school shooting experienced another shooting at Brown University in 2025. The incident left two people dead and nine injured, and the shooter is still on the run. Zoe Weissman shared her emotional experience of being caught in another tragedy through a phone call from a friend.
Key Facts
Zoe Weissman was a middle school student during the 2018 Parkland shooting in Florida.
The Parkland shooting resulted in 17 deaths and 18 injuries.
Weissman, now a student at Brown University, faced another shooting on December 13, 2025.
The Brown University shooting left two people dead and nine injured.
The shooter at Brown University is still at large, and the FBI has released new images seeking public assistance.
Weissman received a phone call during the Brown shooting, confirming her worst fears.
She spent 12 hours in lockdown, communicating with her concerned parents.
Other individuals with Parkland connections, like Josh Gallagher and Brittany Sinitch, have also survived multiple shootings.
Jack Smith, a former special counsel for the Justice Department, will have a private meeting with House Republicans. This relates to their investigation into criminal cases against President Donald Trump during the Biden administration. Smith will share information and documents as requested by a subpoena.
Key Facts
Jack Smith is a former special counsel for the Justice Department.
He will meet privately with House Republicans.
The meeting concerns investigations against President Donald Trump.
This is part of a probe by the House Judiciary Committee.
The committee is Republican-led.
Smith was subpoenaed to provide testimony and documents.
He had offered to answer questions publicly, which was not accepted by the lawmakers.
President Donald Trump's economic approval rating is at its lowest during both his terms, with only 36% of Americans approving his handling of the economy. A new poll reveals widespread dissatisfaction with personal finances and the cost of living, affecting public confidence and political dynamics as midterm elections approach.
Key Facts
President Trump's economic approval rating is 36% as per a recent NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll, the lowest during his presidency.
57% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy.
70% of people find the cost of living "not very affordable" or "not affordable at all."
61% of Americans say the economy is not working well for them personally.
35% report that their personal finances have worsened over the past year.
54% worry about affording health care in the coming year.
52% believe the U.S. is already in a recession.
Public trust in Republicans for handling the economy has decreased, with only 33% believing they are better at economic challenges compared to 37% who trust Democrats.
Voters have shifted towards Democratic candidates in major elections this year since President Trump returned to office. This trend suggests challenges for Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterms due to Trump's low approval on economic handling. Democrats are gaining confidence from these recent election outcomes.
Key Facts
Voters have leaned more towards Democrats in significant elections this year.
President Trump has low approval ratings for his economic management.
Miami elected its first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years.
In Nashville, a Trump-backed Republican won by a narrower margin than Trump did last year.
Democrats achieved large victories in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California.
The size of Democratic wins in some places, like Virginia and New Jersey, was notably large.
President Trump plans to travel more to support Republican candidates before the midterm elections.
Democrats plan to focus on Trump's influence during the election campaigns.
A Republican proposal aims to completely ban the H-1B visa program in the U.S., a visa type used by companies to hire foreign workers for specialized jobs. Texas Representative Beth Van Duyne supports this ban, arguing it will protect American workers, while critics say the ban harms economic contributions from H-1B visa holders. The Trump administration has already added restrictions like a $100,000 fee per application.
Key Facts
The H-1B visa program was created in 1990 to allow U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers for temporary jobs.
Representative Beth Van Duyne and other Republicans are pushing to end the H-1B program, claiming it negatively impacts American workers.
President Trump has defended the need for H-1Bs but has imposed higher fees and stricter conditions on applications.
The H-1B program is mostly used by large tech companies and contributes about $86 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
There are around 730,000 H-1B visa holders in the U.S., working in tech, finance, and professional services.
Critics argue the program favors big companies and may suppress local wages.
California has filed a lawsuit against the $100,000 application fee, claiming it burdens public employers and worsens labor shortages.
A coffee product called Gimme! Decaf de Agua Coffee Pods has been recalled in several states because it may contain caffeine, even though it was labeled as decaf. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this recall as Class II, which means using the product could cause temporary health issues.
Key Facts
Gimme Coffee is recalling Gimme! Decaf de Agua Coffee Pods due to undeclared caffeine.
The FDA has classified the recall as Class II, meaning there is a low chance of serious health problems.
The recall affects 252 boxes distributed in 10 states, including New York and Florida.
The outer packaging labeled the product as decaf, but the inner packaging was for caffeinated pods.
No illnesses have been reported related to the coffee pods as of December 11.
Consuming too much caffeine can lead to increased heart rate, anxiety, and other health issues.
The recall is still ongoing, and consumers are advised not to use the affected pods.
Nick Reiner, son of actor Rob Reiner, is facing charges for the murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. The couple was found dead from stab wounds in their home, and Nick was arrested shortly after. The case has drawn significant attention in Hollywood and across the U.S.
Key Facts
Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and use of a knife, which may affect sentencing.
The District Attorney has not decided if they will seek the death penalty.
Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood home on December 14.
Nick Reiner was arrested without resistance near the University of Southern California.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson will represent Nick Reiner.
Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian will lead the prosecution.
A motive for the killings has not been disclosed by authorities.
Over half a million people in the United States lost power due to severe winter weather, particularly in Washington and Oregon. The outages are linked to storms causing downed trees and snapped power lines.
Key Facts
PowerOutage data shows over 567,000 U.S. customers without power.
Washington state reports 377,000 outages, affecting about 9.7% of its population.
Oregon records over 204,000 outages, impacting 13.54% of its population.
Counties most affected in Washington include Clark, Pierce, and Snohomish.
In Oregon, Marion and Clackamas counties are among the hardest hit.
Weather conditions include heavy rain, strong winds, and mountain snow.
Local authorities advise on safety measures like using flashlights and saving water.
Utility companies are working to restore power, and residents should check for updates.
A new proposal could require National Parks in the U.S. to only sell products made in America. The bill, supported by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, aims to boost domestic manufacturing. The plan also ties into broader efforts by the Trump administration to control what's sold at federal sites.
Key Facts
The proposal is called the American Products in Parks Act.
It was introduced by Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer, with support from other lawmakers.
If passed, the law would mandate that all items in National Park gift shops be made in the U.S.
Over 60% of items currently sold in these shops are made, at least partly, outside the U.S.
The National Park Service had a record 331.9 million visitors in 2024.
Visitors spent nearly $30 billion in parks and nearby communities that year.
The Trump administration is also removing diversity-themed items from parks.
The proposal seeks to promote American industry and reduce foreign-made park merchandise.
Reports of a religious revival in the United States are not supported by evidence. Although some individual stories suggest increased church attendance, overall data shows that religious affiliation has continued to decline. The decline has slowed, but there is no significant resurgence in religious practice.
Key Facts
Interest in church attendance has reportedly increased in some areas.
Overall Christian affiliation in the U.S. dropped from 78% in 2007 to 62% in recent years.
People without any religious affiliation rose from 16% to 29% during the same period.
Many churches have closed, with as many as 15,000 possibly closing this year.
Pew Research Center found no evidence of a religious resurgence.
Older adults in churches are aging, and younger generations are less religious.
Women are increasingly leaving the church, with 40% of women aged 18-29 being unaffiliated in 2024.
President Donald Trump is building a new ballroom at the White House, which may cost up to $400 million. The project involves demolishing the historic East Wing and faces legal challenges from preservation groups. The White House claims the project is funded by private donations and is necessary for national security reasons.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to build a ballroom at the White House, potentially costing $400 million.
The initial cost estimate for the project was $200 million.
Construction required tearing down the historic East Wing, sparking public controversy.
A historic preservation group has filed a lawsuit against the construction.
The White House claims the ballroom construction is a national security matter.
Funding for the project comes from private donors, including companies like Google and Amazon.
President Trump emphasized that taxpayers would not bear the cost of the ballroom.
A majority of Democrats oppose the project, while most Republicans support it.
The article discusses the upcoming end of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, set to expire on December 31, 2025. This could lead to higher health insurance costs for 22 million Americans. The issue highlights ongoing political debates between Republicans, who have long wanted to repeal the ACA, and Democrats, who aim to maintain the law.
Key Facts
Enhanced ACA subsidies, enacted during the pandemic in 2021, are expiring on December 31, 2025.
The expiration could lead to higher insurance premiums for 22 million Americans.
Many affected individuals live in states that supported President Trump.
Republicans have long aimed to repeal the ACA but lack a solid replacement plan.
Speaker Mike Johnson has promised a plan to reduce premiums but faces political pressure.
Hakeem Jeffries secured a government reopening in exchange for a vote on extending the subsidies, but it has not happened.
Previous attempts to repeal the ACA, such as the 2017 effort blocked by John McCain, have failed.
Bipartisan efforts exist, but compromise is currently stalled, with both parties focusing on political wins.
A new legislative proposal aims to restore Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth as fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. These days were removed during the Trump administration. The bill, introduced by Democratic Senators, seeks to make six days permanently fee-free for U.S. residents.
Key Facts
The proposal is called the Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act.
It seeks to restore fee-free days for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth at national parks.
The bill also includes other days like the first day of National Park Week and Veterans Day as fee-free.
Changes were made during the Trump administration, removing these days and adding President Trump's birthday to the fee-free list.
Fees for non-U.S. residents were increased, including a $100 entry fee at some parks.
U.S. residents still pay $80 for an annual park pass and enjoy free access on certain days.
The bill awaits further action in the Senate and has been read twice.
Photographer Christopher Anderson defended his unique close-up portrait style in an interview. His photos were part of a Vanity Fair series about the first year of President Donald Trump's second term. The series included images of various White House leaders.
Key Facts
Photographer Christopher Anderson uses extreme close-up styles in his portraits.
Anderson's work includes political portraits over many years.
His recent photos appear in a Vanity Fair series about President Trump's second term.
The series features portraits of several White House officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Anderson aims to capture the essence of political figures in his work.
The series also includes images of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others.
The story about this series is developing, and more details are expected.
A new poll shows that more Americans are unhappy with President Trump’s handling of the economy than ever before. This dissatisfaction comes as Americans express worries about living costs, healthcare expenses, and their own finances. Overall approval for President Trump's job performance is very low.
Key Facts
A PBS News/NPR/Marist poll shows 57% of Americans disapprove of President Trump's handling of the economy.
Only 36% think President Trump is doing a good job with the economy.
This economic approval rating is the lowest across both of his terms.
President Trump's overall job approval rating is 38%.
People are concerned about the affordability of living and healthcare.
Experts suggest these economic concerns affect President Trump's overall approval rating.
President Trump's administration announced a pause in processing immigration applications for reasons of national security. Newsweek contributors Steve Cortes and Raul A. Reyes presented differing views on whether the U.S. should halt immigration. Cortes argues for a pause to better assimilate immigrants, while Reyes emphasizes the economic and societal benefits immigrants bring to the country.
Key Facts
The Trump administration paused the processing of immigration applications, including asylum cases.
National security was the reason given for the pause.
Steve Cortes believes a pause is needed to manage immigration and help current immigrants assimilate.
Cortes argues that both legal and illegal immigration currently overwhelm the U.S.
Raul A. Reyes opposes the pause, arguing that immigrants contribute positively to the economy.
Reyes points out that many American companies were started by immigrants or their children.
Reyes argues there is public support for maintaining or increasing immigration levels.
According to Reyes, research does not support a link between immigrants and higher crime rates.
President Trump has introduced the Farmer First Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program to improve soil health and increase farm productivity. The program provides $700 million to support regenerative farming methods and simplifies the application process for farmers. It promotes cooperation between farmers and private industry to enhance conservation efforts.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the Farmer First Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program.
The program aims to improve soil health and water quality on farms.
It includes a $700 million investment to support regenerative farming practices.
Farmers can use a single application to access all conservation resources.
The program encourages collaboration between farmers, private industry, and government.
An advisory council will guide the program and measure farm improvements.
The initiative aims to make the conservation process simple and accountable for farmers.
