The El Carnaval de Puebla in Philadelphia, a major event celebrating Mexican culture, was canceled for the second year in a row due to concerns about immigration enforcement. Organizers worried that increased ICE raids under President Trump's administration might lead to detentions at the event. The festival, which earlier drew crowds of about 15,000 people, coincides with Cinco de Mayo and celebrates Mexico's victory at the Battle of Puebla.
Key Facts
El Carnaval de Puebla is one of Philadelphia's largest Mexican cultural events.
The festival is traditionally held around May 5, celebrating the Battle of Puebla.
Concerns about immigration enforcement led to the cancellation.
Organizers feared potential detentions and a lower turnout because of these concerns.
President Trump's administration has expanded immigration enforcement efforts.
Similar events in other cities have also been canceled or scaled back.
The festival has experienced previous cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are no plans to replace the festival in 2026, but organizers hope it will return.
The U.S. federal government is restarting the process of collecting payments from people who defaulted on their federal student loans. Starting January 7, the Department of Education will begin deducting money from the paychecks of those in default. This move returns to pre-pandemic practices after they were paused in 2020.
Key Facts
The federal government will begin garnishing wages on January 7 for borrowers who have defaulted on federal student loans.
Before the pandemic, loans in default had been paused, but these practices are resuming.
About 42.5 million Americans have federal student loan debt totaling about $1.7 trillion.
Borrowers are considered in default after missing payments for 270 days.
The Higher Education Act allows up to 15% of a borrower's after-tax income to be garnished until the loan is paid or no longer in default.
The Treasury Offset Program can intercept tax refunds or other federal payments to recover defaulted loans.
Missed payments could affect borrowers' credit scores for up to seven years.
Borrowers have at least 30 days’ notice before wage garnishment starts, which allows time to make alternative repayment plans.
An influencer linked to the MAGA movement claims he received over 1,000 tips about alleged fraud in California. President Donald Trump and others have raised concerns about fraud in Democrat-run states, while California Governor Gavin Newsom dismissed these claims.
Key Facts
Benny Johnson, a MAGA influencer, reported receiving over 1,000 fraud tips related to California.
Johnson mentioned potential fraud involving large sums linked to state policies and claimed some money ended up with the Democratic elite.
President Donald Trump said California is under investigation for fraud.
Trump’s administration plans to freeze $10 billion in welfare funds from five Democratic-run states, including California.
California Governor Gavin Newsom rejected the fraud claims, suggesting they are politically motivated.
Newsweek reached out to both Newsom and Johnson for comments without getting immediate responses.
The accusations emerged amid a broader political narrative linking alleged fraud to Democrats.
Dallas County has sued President Donald Trump's administration over the reclaiming of $70 million in public health funds. The county argues that the money, distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic, was intended for long-term public health needs and not just immediate pandemic relief. The case could impact how federal emergency funds are managed and whether future administrations can retract grants given by previous ones.
Key Facts
Dallas County is suing President Trump's health department and the CDC.
The lawsuit claims $70 million in pandemic relief funds were unlawfully reclaimed.
These funds were originally meant for long-term public health needs according to the county.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on December 5.
The legal dispute questions if federal agencies can take back funds based on criteria not set by Congress.
A similar case in Harris County resulted in the return of $20 million, setting a potential precedent.
The outcome of this case could affect similar legal challenges in other states and municipalities.
Judge Christopher Cooper, who handled the Harris County case, will also hear this one.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. These states can expect up to 24 inches of snow from Wednesday through Thursday. Travel may be difficult, and residents are advised to be cautious.
Key Facts
Winter storm warnings are in effect for four U.S. states: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska.
Snowfall could reach up to 24 inches in some areas from Wednesday to Thursday.
Oregon's mountain areas may experience as much as 5 feet of snow and winds up to 50 mph.
Washington could see up to 4 feet of snow, especially in mountain regions, with 45 mph winds.
Parts of Idaho are expected to have up to 15 inches of snow, especially in higher elevations.
Alaska areas could receive 4 inches of snow with strong winds reducing visibility.
The National Weather Service advises caution when traveling and to be prepared for emergencies.
Democrats won two special elections in Virginia, keeping control of their seats in the state's General Assembly. Mike Jones won in Senate District 15, and Charlie Schmidt won in House District 77.
Key Facts
Democrats retained two seats in Virginia's General Assembly.
Mike Jones defeated John Thomas in Senate District 15.
Charlie Schmidt beat Richard Stonage in House District 77.
Mike Jones took 69.84% of the vote.
Charlie Schmidt secured 79.39% of the vote.
The elections followed the vacating of seats by Ghazala Hashmi and Mike Jones.
These results are based on unofficial numbers from the Virginia Department of Elections.
Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a gunman, recorded videos revealing he planned a deadly attack on Brown University for months. He killed two students and a professor before taking his own life, and investigators found no clear motive. The investigation is ongoing, with no current public threat.
Key Facts
Claudio Manuel Neves Valente killed two Brown University students and an MIT professor.
He planned the attack for six semesters but did not show a motive.
He left confessional videos, found in a New Hampshire storage unit.
The videos showed he felt no remorse for the attacks.
Valente spoke in Portuguese in the recordings, translated by the US justice department.
The prosecutor's office confirmed Brown University was the intended target.
Investigators discovered he and the MIT professor attended the same university in Portugal.
Despite the attack, Valente claimed he held no hatred towards the US.
The Trump administration has frozen $10 billion in funding for child care and social services in five Democratic-run states. The freeze affects California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, and New York, as the government checks for possible fraud. The states need to provide detailed information to address these concerns.
Key Facts
The Trump administration froze around $10 billion meant for child care and social services in five states.
Affected states include California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, and New York.
The freeze impacts three main programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Development Fund, and Social Services Block Grants (SSBG).
The suspension will last until the federal government reviews records for potential fraud.
States must supply data such as names, Social Security numbers, and birth dates of those receiving the funds.
January 20 is the deadline for states to provide some required information.
The freeze may delay payments to child care providers and affect low-income families.
The White House has not commented on the issue; however, there are concerns about funds being misused.
A group of U.S. senators is trying to come up with a plan to address rising health care costs. They have about three weeks to finalize a proposal that could get enough support from both Republicans and Democrats. The effort focuses on renewing healthcare subsidies and other changes to make health care more affordable.
Key Facts
Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio is leading the effort to find a health care solution.
The goal is to reinstate enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for two years.
The plan would adjust premiums and could allow subsidies to be used in different ways.
The proposal aims to attract support from 35 Senate Republicans.
The group is considering penalties for insurance companies that wrongfully enroll individuals.
Talks involve reducing government costs and potentially lowering premiums by 11%.
There is ongoing debate over funding abortions, specifically concerning the Hyde Amendment.
President Trump has encouraged Republicans to be flexible on health care issues.
President Trump is encouraging Republicans to focus on health care, but many in the GOP see it as a challenging issue that could hurt them in future elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces difficulties in balancing President Trump's push with the party's current stance on health care. The GOP is concerned about their handling of health care and potential electoral consequences.
Key Facts
President Trump is urging Republicans to focus on health care, an area traditionally avoided by the GOP.
Many Republicans worry that emphasizing health care might negatively impact the party in the 2026 midterm elections.
House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes removing the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal funds from being used for abortions.
A bill to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits without additional Hyde protections is expected to pass in the House.
Internal GOP polling indicates low public confidence in the party's handling of health care.
Some Republicans in swing districts have worked with Democrats to extend ACA subsidies.
The GOP faces internal challenges with assembling another health care bill due to re-election pressures and thin margins in the House.
The Affordable Care Act has been a longstanding point of contention for Republicans, impacting past election outcomes.
President Donald Trump claimed that Nicolas Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, copied his dance moves. This remark was made during a speech to Republican members of Congress. Maduro was recently captured by the U.S. Army in Caracas.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at the Kennedy Center to Republican Congress members.
Trump said that Nicolas Maduro imitated his dance style.
Maduro was known for dancing in public, sometimes to remixed speeches.
The U.S. military captured Maduro in a raid on January 3.
Trump often danced at rallies to the song 'YMCA' by the Village People.
Trump's dance move involved rocking hips and fist pumps.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on the legality of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which have been challenged in court. The case questions whether using a law meant for national emergencies to justify tariffs exceeds presidential authority. Lower courts have previously ruled against the administration, and the Supreme Court's decision could affect tariff refunds.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is reviewing President Trump's tariffs to determine if they were legally imposed.
The case challenges the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to apply tariffs.
Lower courts, including the Court of International Trade, have ruled against the tariffs.
If the administration loses, the U.S. must refund some tariffs collected.
Economic impacts of tariffs include mixed GDP growth and slow job growth in affected sectors.
Governor Tim Walz announced he will not run for reelection and plans to use his remaining time in office to oppose the Trump administration. He criticized various GOP actions and policies and addressed issues such as election fraud, gun control, and accusations from President Trump. Walz intends to focus on legislative priorities before leaving office.
Key Facts
Governor Tim Walz decided not to seek another term in office.
Walz plans to spend his remaining time opposing President Trump's administration.
He criticized the federal response to election fraud, particularly in Republican-led states.
Walz expressed criticism of President Trump's social media post sharing conspiracy theories.
He aims to push for stricter gun control laws, including an assault weapons ban, before leaving office.
Walz made the decision to exit the race with his family due to pressure from ongoing political attacks.
His administration's handling of fraud issues will be reviewed by a U.S. House Committee soon.
After leaving office, Walz plans to run marathons and possibly return to teaching.
Over 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. face the possibility of deportation after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Temporary protections for many Venezuelans, which previously allowed them to live and work legally in the U.S., have ended. The Trump administration is reviewing deportation plans following these events.
Key Facts
Around 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. are facing potential deportation.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 348,000 Venezuelans ended in April 2023.
Another TPS protection for 268,000 Venezuelans ended in November 2023.
TPS allowed Venezuelans legal status and work permits in the U.S.
Deportation plans are being reviewed after the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuelan asylum applications are currently paused due to a policy memo.
Venezuela is on a U.S. travel ban list, affecting immigration actions.
The Department of Homeland Security is evaluating deportation flights to Venezuela.
President Trump advised Republicans to be open-minded about the Hyde Amendment, which limits federal funding for most abortions. He emphasized the need to manage health insurance costs as the Affordable Care Act subsidies face challenges. The House is scheduled to vote on extending these subsidies, but Senate Republicans are hesitant.
Key Facts
President Trump urged House Republicans to reconsider the Hyde Amendment.
The Hyde Amendment prevents federal funds from being used for most abortions.
Republicans are looking for ways to reduce health insurance costs before the midterm elections.
Rising Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums are a concern for voters.
The House plans to vote on extending ACA subsidies, but Senate Republicans may not agree.
The Hyde Amendment does not block ACA plans from covering abortions if state or private funds are used.
Some Republicans want the Hyde Amendment included in any ACA subsidy extension.
Wyoming's top court ruled that abortion will remain legal in the state, striking down two laws that nearly banned the procedure, citing a violation of the state constitution. The court's decision challenges laws that included the first U.S. ban on abortion pills, which were passed by the state's legislature.
Key Facts
Wyoming's Supreme Court invalidated laws that nearly banned abortion.
The court said the laws violated the state's constitution, which protects a woman's right to make healthcare decisions.
The legal challenge was brought by four women, two obstetricians, an abortion advocacy group, and Wellspring Health Access, the only abortion provider in Wyoming.
The case revolved around two laws: one banning most abortions, the other explicitly banning abortion pills.
Abortion pills are the most common method of ending pregnancies in the U.S.
Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, wants a constitutional amendment to ban abortion in Wyoming.
Since 2022, over a dozen U.S. states have attempted to enact strict abortion bans post the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Some of these laws have been temporarily blocked by courts.
Five years after the January 6 Capitol riot, legal consequences have mostly faded following President Trump's pardons, but disagreements over the day's events persist. Public opinion is divided on the impact of the riot, with ongoing concerns about future political violence. A new Republican panel aims to investigate the previous investigation into this event.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 people involved in the Capitol riot.
The White House released a report describing the event as peaceful and contested the 2020 election results.
The Republicans who voted to impeach Trump saw significant political consequences, with many losing office or choosing not to run again.
A recent poll shows that about half of Americans expect violence related to election outcomes.
Many people think that aggressive speech from politicians might lead to violence.
Political violence examples include incidents involving Charlie Kirk and Minnesota lawmakers.
Republicans created a new panel to re-investigate the events of January 6.
A plaque to honor Capitol riot responders will not be installed due to legislative issues.
President Donald Trump has warned that if Republicans lose control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, he could be impeached. He emphasized the importance of Republicans maintaining their majority to avoid impeachment threats. All House seats and 33 Senate seats will be contested in the November elections.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to Republicans about the risk of his impeachment if they lose the midterm elections.
The House has the power to impeach officials for serious misconduct.
The Senate holds a trial for an impeached president and can remove him with a two-thirds vote.
All 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats will be up for election in November.
Trump is encouraging redistricting maps to favor Republicans, a process known as gerrymandering.
Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have implemented gerrymandering to benefit Republicans.
Democrats have also used gerrymandering in California.
Trump currently has an approval rating between 42-45% and faces challenges such as economic concerns and military actions.
President Trump warned Republicans that he could face impeachment if they do not perform well in the midterm elections. In other news, Wyoming's Supreme Court decided to keep abortion legal by overturning two laws. Additionally, at least 36 people have died in protests in Iran, which are happening because of problems with the country's economy.
Key Facts
President Trump told Republicans he might be impeached if they lose in midterm elections.
The Wyoming Supreme Court struck down two laws, keeping abortion legal in the state.
At least 36 people have died during protests in Iran related to economic issues.
The protests in Iran are ongoing and sparked by the country's economic struggles.
The midterm elections are considered important for both political parties in the U.S.
The Trump administration is starting a major immigration operation in Minneapolis, sending 2,000 federal agents. The operation is partly in response to concerns about fraud involving Somali residents.
Key Facts
The operation involves 2,000 federal agents in the Minneapolis area.
It is described as the largest immigration enforcement action ever by federal officials.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is leading the operation.
Acting Director Todd Lyons of ICE discussed the operation in an interview.
The operation links to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents.
It increases federal law enforcement presence in Minnesota.
There are tensions in the community and political concerns around the operation.
