A raccoon in Virginia, nicknamed the "trashed panda," broke into a liquor store and drank alcohol. The raccoon is also suspected of breaking into a karate studio and the DMV for snacks. Local officials have used the raccoon’s story to raise funds for a shelter renovation.
Key Facts
A raccoon broke into a liquor store in Ashland, Virginia and consumed alcohol.
The raccoon is suspected of committing other break-ins at a karate studio and the DMV.
Officials nicknamed the raccoon the "trashed panda."
The incident occurred shortly after Thanksgiving.
Local authorities have raised $207,000 from selling shirts with the "trashed panda" logo.
The funds raised will go toward renovating an animal shelter.
The raccoon was released back into the wild a mile from the shopping center.
Luigi Mangione is in court because he is accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024. During a pre-trial hearing, the defense tried to block certain evidence, including body camera footage from Mr. Mangione's arrest at a McDonald's. The hearing included witnesses and new details about the case.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione is charged with the 2024 murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges and federal crimes that could result in the death penalty.
The pre-trial hearing is about whether certain evidence, like items found at his arrest, will be used in the trial.
A McDonald's employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania, identified Mangione because his eyebrows matched the suspect's traits.
Police arrested Mangione in the McDonald's after recognizing him from New York Police Department photos.
Videos show Mangione's interactions with police during his arrest at the McDonald's.
The defense and prosecutors plan to question over a dozen witnesses related to Mangione's arrest.
Indiana lawmakers rejected a plan to create more Republican congressional seats. This decision affected President Trump's redistricting efforts ahead of midterm elections. Several states have already set up new congressional maps, with some favoring Republicans and others Democrats.
Key Facts
Indiana's legislature voted against a proposal for two more Republican seats, with 21 Republicans opposing it.
Six states—Texas, California, Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, and Utah—have completed new congressional maps.
Republicans have a slight majority in the House with 220 seats, compared to Democrats' 213.
Midterm elections often result in the sitting president's party losing seats.
Texas is temporarily using a Republican-favored map despite legal challenges.
California's new map favors Democrats, potentially offsetting gains elsewhere by Republicans.
Ohio's bipartisan redistricting could result in Republicans gaining 2-3 seats.
North Carolina's new map, approved in October, could give Republicans 1 additional seat.
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against a county in Georgia to access 2020 voting records. The U.S. Justice Department claims Fulton County is violating the Civil Rights Act by not handing over the requested election materials. President Donald Trump continues to argue that the 2020 election was unfairly taken from him.
Key Facts
Trump officials filed a lawsuit to access 2020 election records from Fulton County, Georgia.
The lawsuit seeks ballots, ballot stubs, and signature envelopes from the 2020 election.
Fulton County says the records are sealed and cannot be released without a court order.
President Trump lost Georgia to Joe Biden in the 2020 election but claims widespread fraud.
The Justice Department sent a subpoena for the records to investigate federal election law compliance.
Fulton's vote records became a key point in Trump's claims about the 2020 election.
A related case against Trump in Georgia for election interference was dismissed.
Georgia's Secretary of State confirmed Biden's win after several ballot reviews.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett announced her bid for the U.S. Senate in Texas, causing concern among some House Democrats. They fear her candidacy could turn away swing voters and impact key House races in the state. Crockett argues her campaign aims to reach all Texans and gain their trust.
Key Facts
Rep. Jasmine Crockett has announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
Some House Democrats worry she might alienate swing voters and harm the party's chances in key races.
Crockett claims her campaign will focus on reaching out to all Texans, not just engaging in insider politics.
She launched her Senate campaign shortly after former Rep. Colin Allred decided not to run.
Crockett is seen as a frontrunner over state Rep. James Talarico in the Democratic primary.
Democrats view the Senate race in Texas as a chance to gain statewide office, with Sen. John Cornyn facing a contested primary.
Crockett is known for her bold political style, which is popular among the Democratic base but raises concerns about broader voter appeal among some party members.
Despite these concerns, some supporters believe Crockett has the potential to win the seat.
A doorbell camera captured the explosion of a house in Haywood, California, caused by a natural gas line leak. Six people were injured, and multiple properties suffered damage. The scene involved a response from the Alameda County Fire Department.
Key Facts
A doorbell camera filmed a house exploding in Haywood, California.
Six people were injured in the explosion.
Three of the injured individuals were seriously hurt.
The explosion was due to a leak in a natural gas line.
Firefighters had checked the gas line earlier in the day.
After the explosion, firefighters returned to the scene to manage the fire.
Three buildings on two properties were significantly damaged.
A neighboring property was also damaged, according to Alameda County Fire Department.
A bill aiming to stop all immigration has been introduced by Representative Roy Chip of Texas, with support from several Republican lawmakers. The bill, called the PAUSE Act of 2025, addresses issues related to immigration benefits, legal pathways, and the H-1B visa system. This move highlights ongoing debates within the Republican party on how to handle immigration.
Key Facts
Representative Roy Chip introduced a bill to pause immigration until specific issues are addressed.
The bill has nine Republican co-sponsors.
The bill, known as the PAUSE Act of 2025, was introduced in November.
Key concerns include the use of H-1B visas and other legal immigration channels.
The bill received support from organizations like Immigration Accountability Project and Citizens for Renewing America.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a separate bill to phase out the H-1B visa program.
The PAUSE Act is currently under review by the House Judiciary Committee.
House Republicans introduced a new health care plan. The plan aims to lower health care costs but does not include an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which many Democrats support.
Key Facts
House Republicans presented a health care plan without extending ACA subsidies.
The plan includes expanding association health plans to allow employers to buy coverage together.
It introduces new rules for pharmacy benefit managers to help reduce drug prices.
The plan funds ACA cost-sharing reduction payments to lower premiums but could reduce some subsidies.
A proposed amendment for ACA subsidy extension is unlikely to pass due to Republican opposition.
The plan does not include a Senate GOP idea for health savings accounts as an alternative.
The House might vote on more health proposals next year.
The plan is unlikely to pass the Senate, needing 60 votes and support from Democrats.
Two lawsuits in Wisconsin aim to change the state's congressional districts, which currently favor Republicans. These cases might not be decided until after the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Two lawsuits have been filed to change how Wisconsin's congressional districts are drawn.
The current district lines are seen as helping Republicans.
A court hearing took place to discuss the potential for new maps by the 2026 midterms.
Lawyers in one case pushed for a decision by March 1 to prepare maps for upcoming elections.
The state elections commission set a March 1 deadline for new district maps.
President Trump is involved in nationwide redistricting efforts as he aims to keep a small Republican majority in the House.
Indiana Republicans recently rejected President Trump's call to change congressional district lines in their state.
The Trump administration is involved in a legal case where the National Association for the Deaf wants the White House to provide real-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for public events. The administration argues that requiring ASL interpretation could interfere with President Trump's control over his public image.
Key Facts
The Trump administration argues against mandatory ASL interpretation at events like White House briefings.
The National Association for the Deaf sued the administration, claiming the lack of interpretation denies access to important information for deaf Americans.
The lawsuit relates to policies from President Trump's second term, focusing on reversing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The Biden administration had regularly provided ASL interpretation for public events.
The National Association for the Deaf previously sued during Trump's first term for ASL interpretation related to COVID-19 briefings.
The Department of Justice claims that requiring ASL interpretation could disrupt the president's ability to manage his administration's public image.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia attended a court hearing in the United States and was not arrested by immigration authorities afterward. This situation eased concerns that immigration officials might try to detain him again after his earlier release.
Key Facts
Kilmar Abrego Garcia had a court hearing in the U.S.
He was concerned about being arrested by immigration authorities.
He left the courthouse without being taken into custody.
This happened the day after his previous release.
Immigration authorities did not detain him after the hearing.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released several photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate that include high-profile figures like President Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. These photos are part of 95,000 images obtained during an investigation into Epstein's activities. The release comes ahead of a deadline for the U.S. Department of Justice to disclose all Epstein-related documents.
Key Facts
The House Oversight Committee received 95,000 photos from Epstein's estate.
Democrats released 19 images, some of which feature President Trump, Bill Clinton, and former Prince Andrew.
The images do not suggest any illegal activity.
The release occurs before the U.S. justice department's deadline to release all Epstein-related documents.
Democrats claim these photos raise questions about Epstein's connections with powerful figures.
Republicans accuse Democrats of selectively releasing photos to create a false narrative about President Trump.
Trump appeared in three of the released photos, including one from a 1997 event.
Bill Clinton and Steve Bannon are among other well-known figures seen in the photos.
The MAGA movement in the U.S. is dealing with internal disagreements that are weakening its political influence. This is happening while President Trump moves forward with policies that some in the movement had previously opposed, with little pushback.
Key Facts
MAGA's internal disputes are reducing its ability to influence politics.
President Trump signed an order changing laws related to AI, facing less resistance than before.
An upcoming change in marijuana regulation met little reaction within MAGA circles.
The U.S. military took action involving Venezuelan oil, but the MAGA base showed minimal response.
MAGA activists are unhappy about redistricting, but faced a setback in Indiana.
President Trump pardoned Tina Peters, a MAGA supporter, but could not change her state imprisonment.
MAGA influencers are concerned about the impact of internal conflicts on their political effectiveness.
New photos have been released showing influential people who were associated with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. These images, shared by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, were sourced from Epstein’s estate and include pictures of President Trump and former President Bill Clinton.
Key Facts
Photos of influential people with Jeffrey Epstein have been released.
The images came from Epstein's estate.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released the photos.
The images include President Trump and former President Bill Clinton.
A group of preservationists is taking legal action against President Trump concerning his renovation of the White House ballroom. Elsewhere, flooding and landslides are affecting Washington and Oregon, and various international events are unfolding, including a financial decision by the E.U. and a historic win in skiing.
Key Facts
Preservationists are suing President Trump over changes made to the White House ballroom.
Flooding and landslides are reported in Washington and Oregon.
Residents in Gaza are cleaning up after a winter storm caused flooding in camps.
The European Union has decided to freeze $250 billion in Russian assets.
Lindsay Vonn, a famous skier, achieved a milestone in a World Cup race.
President Trump plans to change federal laws about marijuana, which could make it less restricted and easier to study or use for medical purposes. Currently, marijuana is in the same strict category as drugs like heroin, but reclassifying it could lead to regulatory changes and boost cannabis businesses. Federal law generally overrides state laws, but many states have already changed their rules to allow marijuana use in some form.
Key Facts
President Trump intends to relax federal restrictions on marijuana.
Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I substance, meaning it's seen as highly addictive with no medical use.
Reclassifying marijuana could ease regulations and encourage medical research.
Federal law generally prohibits marijuana use, but many states have legalized or decriminalized it for recreational or medical use.
States like Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana in 2012.
Some states allow medical use of marijuana but still penalize recreational use.
Cannabis stocks increased after news of Trump's potential policy change.
If reclassified, marijuana would be treated like Schedule III drugs, such as ketamine and anabolic steroids.
President Donald Trump is deciding who should be the next Federal Reserve chair. He has narrowed it down to two candidates: Kevin Warsh and Kevin Hassett. Trump's decision depends on whether Jerome Powell, the current chair, leaves his position next year.
Key Facts
President Trump is considering Kevin Warsh and Kevin Hassett for Federal Reserve chair.
Jerome Powell was reappointed by Joe Biden and his term runs until 2026.
Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Powell, whom he nominated during his first term.
Trump prefers a Fed chair who supports lower interest rates.
Kevin Warsh was a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011 and has experience in economics and statistics.
Kevin Hassett is a former leader of the Council of Economic Advisors and has a background in economics.
Trump wants the Fed chair to consult with the president on interest rates, although this is not a current practice.
House Republicans have introduced a new health care plan that aims to expand access to association health plans and increase oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. The plan would let enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expire at the end of the year, but offers limited future support for some lower-income individuals starting in 2027. Speaker Mike Johnson presented the proposal as Congress is nearing the end of its current session without an agreement on continuing the existing ACA subsidies.
Key Facts
House Republicans proposed a new health care plan.
The proposal aims to expand association health plans.
It seeks to increase oversight of pharmacy benefit managers.
The plan allows enhanced ACA subsidies to expire by the end of the year.
Limited assistance for some lower-income enrollees is delayed until 2027.
Speaker Mike Johnson revealed the proposal amid ongoing congressional discussions.
There is no bipartisan agreement yet on extending current ACA subsidies.
Some Democrats argue the plan could lead to higher insurance premiums for families.
Indiana state senators, including some Republicans, voted against a plan that would have redrawn congressional districts. This plan aimed to create more Republican seats in the U.S. House. Senator Mike Bohacek was one of the Republicans who opposed the maps.
Key Facts
President Trump supports changing congressional maps to favor Republicans.
Some Indiana Republican state senators opposed these changes.
The plan could have added two more Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Indiana Sen. Mike Bohacek voted against the proposed maps.
Both Republican and Democrat senators voted together to block the plan.
The decision happened on a Thursday.
Geoff Bennett interviewed Sen. Mike Bohacek about his decision.
A nonprofit group called the National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a lawsuit to stop President Trump from building a large ballroom at the White House. They claim the project hasn't followed legal procedures required for such a significant construction. The lawsuit is the first official attempt to block the expansion.
Key Facts
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is suing to stop the construction of a new ballroom at the White House.
The planned ballroom is a 90,000-square-foot addition to the east wing.
Preservationists criticize the project for changing the historic character of the White House.
The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration did not follow necessary legal steps.
The legal requirements allegedly not followed include not filing plans with the National Capital Planning Commission and not obtaining congressional approval.
President Trump believes the project is legal and says it is funded by private donors.
The ballroom will seat nearly 1,000 people, larger than initially announced.
The construction cost has increased from $200 million to $300 million.
