A new poll by Emerson College shows that political races in Ohio for the governorship and a U.S. Senate seat are very close. These races, important for both Democrats and Republicans, will be decided in the November 2026 elections.
Key Facts
A new poll indicates tight races for Ohio's governor and one U.S. Senate seat.
The gap between Democratic and Republican candidates is within the margin of error, meaning the results are very close.
Republicans currently control the governorship and both U.S. Senate seats in Ohio.
One of the Senate seats was held by Vice President JD Vance before he joined the White House in the current Trump administration.
The elections for these positions are scheduled for November 2026.
Poll results suggest Ohio could potentially see a change in political control.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that working Americans can expect tax refunds of $1,000 to $2,000 per household next year. These refunds stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a tax legislation passed under President Trump's administration. The refunds are expected in the first quarter of 2026 due to changes in tax policies like no tax on tips and overtime.
Key Facts
Working Americans will get tax refunds of $1,000 to $2,000 per household.
The refunds come from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump.
The tax legislation was passed in July and changes how certain earnings, like tips and overtime, are taxed.
Refunds are expected in the first quarter of 2026.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shared that many people have not yet adjusted their tax withholding, leading to larger refunds.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett estimates the average refund will be between $1,600 and $2,000.
Once people adjust their withholding, they should see more in their regular paychecks.
Two U.S. senators from California, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, are proposing to enlarge two National Parks in the state. They aim to expand Joshua Tree National Park by over 20,000 acres and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by 100,000 acres. This comes amid ongoing staffing and budget issues faced by the National Parks.
Key Facts
Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla are the senators proposing the expansion.
They want to add over 20,000 acres to Joshua Tree National Park.
The proposal suggests adding 100,000 acres to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
National Parks have been experiencing budget cuts and staffing shortages.
The proposal aims to protect wild areas while respecting property rights.
Changes are planned for National Parks entrance fees and digital passes by 2026.
The Department of the Interior announced new plans to modernize park access.
New "resident-only patriotic fee-free days" will replace some current holidays in 2026.
President Trump's administration announced a plan to create a new militarized zone along the California-Mexico border. The plan involves transferring 760 acres of public land in San Diego and Imperial counties to the Navy over three years to enhance border security and national defense. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce illegal immigration.
Key Facts
A new militarized zone is being created along the U.S.-Mexico border in California.
760 acres of public land will be transferred to the Navy.
The land transfer will occur over three years in San Diego and Imperial counties.
The goal is to support border security operations and national defense.
President Trump's executive order declared illegal immigration a national emergency.
The administration has set up similar zones in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Illegal border crossings are at their lowest point in decades.
Critics argue this military role could impact democratic freedoms and legal rights.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dipped below positive in Iowa and Ohio, two states that lean Republican. Polls show that 48% of people in these states approve of Trump, while 49% disapprove. This change could impact future elections, like the 2026 midterms.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating is net -1% in Iowa and Ohio, meaning slightly more people disapprove (49%) than approve (48%).
Iowa and Ohio are Republican-leaning states where Trump won in previous elections.
Trump's overall net approval rating is positive in 22 states.
A recent poll showed Trump's national approval rating at 39%, with 58% disapproving.
Wyoming is where Trump is most popular, with 66% approval.
Vermont is where Trump is least popular, with 66% disapproval.
President Trump has criticized media polls as biased against him.
Changes in approval ratings could affect Republican chances in the 2026 midterm elections.
Candace Owens criticized Erika Kirk's response to conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk's assassination. Owens questioned Kirk's leadership of Turning Point USA and discussed privacy concerns related to Kirk's burial. Owens and Kirk both expressed concerns over the handling of the investigation and public speculation.
Key Facts
Candace Owens is a conservative podcaster who spoke about Erika Kirk's comments on conspiracy theories related to Charlie Kirk's assassination.
Owens expressed doubts about Erika Kirk's ability to lead Turning Point USA, a conservative organization founded by Charlie Kirk.
Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist whose assassination on September 10 sparked various conspiracy theories.
Owens accused the U.S. government of misleading the public about the investigation.
Owens acknowledged the private nature of burial services but noted the public display of Erika Kirk's grieving on social media.
Erika Kirk emphasized her desire for justice for her late husband and asked not to involve her family and TPUSA in the controversy.
Erika Kirk stated she does not engage with conspiracy theories about her husband's death but is open to relevant leads.
Officials have identified Tyler Robinson as the lone suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder.
Kyle Rittenhouse, known for his involvement in a 2020 shooting incident during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, recently got married. He shared wedding photos on social media, which included images of him and his wife posed with a gun. Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges related to the incident after claiming self-defense.
Key Facts
Kyle Rittenhouse gained attention in 2020 after shooting three people at a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Rittenhouse was charged but later acquitted after claiming he acted in self-defense.
He is known as a supporter of gun rights and the Second Amendment.
Rittenhouse recently got married and posted wedding photos online.
The photos showed him and his wife posing with a gun.
Rittenhouse announced that he is back on social media and intends to stay active.
A U.S. citizen named Mubashir was detained by immigration agents in Minneapolis during a federal enforcement operation called "Operation Metro Surge." Despite repeatedly stating his citizenship and offering to show his passport, he was held for some time before being allowed to prove his identity. The incident has led to public concern and statements from local officials.
Key Facts
Mubashir is a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Minneapolis.
He was detained by ICE agents during a federal operation in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
Mubashir claimed he offered to show his passport but was ignored.
The incident was caught on video, which was shown at a press conference.
"Operation Metro Surge" targets individuals with removal orders and criminal convictions.
Local officials, including the Minneapolis mayor and police chief, expressed concern over the detention.
The Trump administration has implemented changes affecting Somali immigrants, ending Temporary Protected Status.
The federal operation has led to increased tensions in predominantly Somali neighborhoods in Minneapolis.
Six states in the U.S. will start banning the purchase of junk food with SNAP benefits by 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved waivers from Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee for this change. The aim is to promote healthier eating habits among SNAP recipients.
Key Facts
SNAP helps over 40 million Americans with low or no income to buy groceries.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved junk food purchase bans using SNAP in six more states.
The bans target foods high in sugar and fat but with low nutritional value.
18 states have now changed SNAP rules to restrict unhealthy food purchases.
The new rules will take effect in 2026.
Some states will ban both sugary foods and drinks, while others will only ban sugary drinks.
The changes are part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative led by President Trump.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings for several U.S. states, forecasting heavy snowfall and strong winds. People in these regions are advised to drive carefully, as up to 15 inches of snow and high winds could create dangerous road conditions.
Key Facts
States affected include New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Montana, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Alaska.
Northern Oneida County, New York, might see up to 14 inches of snow and 35 mph winds.
Montana's eastern and central areas could get up to 15 inches of snow and winds up to 50 mph.
Parts of Kentucky could experience between 2 to 5 inches of snow.
Some regions in Alaska might receive up to 8 inches of snow with 50 mph winds, reducing visibility.
The NWS advises drivers to take a winter storm kit, including tire chains and extra clothing, for safety.
House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully passed a $900 billion defense bill after making deals with several Republicans. Some Republicans warn they will oppose future spending bills if Johnson does not keep his promises. Johnson agreed to support several initiatives, like banning central bank digital currencies and allowing a vote on a bill to stop Congress members from trading stocks.
Key Facts
House Speaker Mike Johnson helped pass a $900 billion defense authorization bill.
Johnson made deals with Republicans who threatened to oppose the bill.
He communicated with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address certain concerns.
Johnson promised to support a ban on central bank digital currencies in future bills.
A promise was made to hold a future vote on banning Congress members from trading individual stocks.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene agreed to vote yes after a promise for a floor vote on her proposed bill next week.
The procedural vote for the defense bill nearly failed before Johnson and others negotiated support.
The vote was held open for over an hour to secure enough support.
Brian Glenn, a conservative media figure and boyfriend of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, has decided to follow Greene to Georgia after her resignation from Congress. Greene, who was a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, has had disagreements with him on several issues. Glenn, currently a White House correspondent, will leave his job to support Greene.
Key Facts
Brian Glenn is a conservative media personality.
He is dating Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Greene is resigning from Congress and moving to Georgia.
She previously supported President Donald Trump but is now in conflict with him.
Trump has labeled Greene a "traitor" due to their disagreements.
Glenn plans to leave his role as a White House correspondent to go with Greene.
This situation has put Glenn in a difficult position.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $901 billion defense spending bill, which is the largest ever authorized. The bill now goes to the Senate and includes funding for military improvements, European defense, and various conditions for the Pentagon.
Key Facts
The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a 312 to 112 vote.
The bill authorizes $901 billion for military spending for 2026.
This amount is $8 billion more than President Donald Trump requested.
The bill includes a nearly 4% pay raise for American troops.
There is $400 million in military aid allocated for Ukraine each year for the next two years.
The Pentagon is required to maintain 76,000 troops in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted.
The bill reduces funding for diversity and climate change initiatives by $1.6 billion.
The bill demands more transparency on U.S. military attacks on drug smuggling vessels.
The U.S. missile defense network now has a new radar system in Alaska called the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR). This radar helps identify and track missile threats and is part of efforts to improve national defense capabilities against potential missile attacks.
Key Facts
The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) is located at Clear Space Force Station in Alaska.
The radar helps detect, track, and differentiate between multiple long-range missile threats.
LRDR is a key part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system in the U.S.
The GMD helps counter missile threats but has limitations against larger threats from Russia and China.
The U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command officially started using the LRDR on December 4.
The radar improves accuracy and reduces response time for missile defense.
LRDR started operations in December 2021 and was tested with a live intercontinental ballistic missile target in June.
The radar uses solid-state technology and advanced algorithms to work effectively over long ranges.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to move forward with a bill that cancels President Donald Trump's executive order, which took away collective bargaining rights from many federal workers. Thirteen Republicans joined Democrats to back the legislation, aiming to restore these rights.
Key Facts
A total of 222 members of the House voted to advance the bill, while 200 opposed it.
The bill seeks to overturn President Trump's executive order from March 2025.
The executive order removed collective bargaining rights from about one million federal employees.
Democratic Representative Jared Golden led the bill using a process called a discharge petition, which allows a vote even if leadership disagrees.
The bill is called the Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA).
It aims to restore union rights at key federal agencies, like Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Thirteen Republicans voted with Democrats, including Jeff Van Drew, Nicole Malliotakis, and others.
Federal workers currently have limited union rights and are not allowed to strike or negotiate wages.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson criticized Representative Nancy Mace over an incident at Charleston International Airport where Mace allegedly had a confrontation with security officers. Both politicians are potential candidates for South Carolina's governor, and this incident has attracted attention due to Mace's political stance and social media presence.
Key Facts
Alan Wilson and Nancy Mace, both South Carolina Republicans, are considering running for governor.
Mace reportedly had an argument with airport security officials in October.
A police report claims Mace shouted at officers and complained on her way to her gate.
Mace denies the report's claims, saying they are false and part of a political attack.
Wilson refuted Mace's accusation that he was involved in a "political hit job."
This incident has increased interest in the upcoming gubernatorial race and Mace's political alignment with President Trump.
The South Carolina gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
A group of House Democrats, led by Rep. Haley Stevens, is independently pursuing impeachment actions against officials like HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., without official party backing. Democratic leaders express frustration, viewing these independent impeachment efforts as unlikely to succeed and a distraction from broader party goals. Many within the party believe focusing on impeachment is not practical given the Republican majority in Congress.
Key Facts
Rep. Haley Stevens introduced articles of impeachment against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Stevens is part of a group of Democrats acting without party leadership support on impeachment.
Democratic leaders and members like Frank Pallone and Hakeem Jeffries are not supporting these efforts.
Other Democrats, such as Rep. Shri Thanedar, also introduced impeachment measures against President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Many Democrats view these actions as distractions that don't align with party messaging.
Party leaders worry the impeachment efforts could be framed as political stunts.
Rep. Joe Morelle and Sarah McBride emphasize the need for serious, evidence-based impeachment proceedings.
Rep. Don Beyer criticizes frequent impeachment attempts as ineffective and performative.
The United States is considering a new rule that would require some visitors to share up to five years of their social media history to enter the country. This proposal affects travelers from certain countries who can visit without a visa and aims to increase security by collecting more detailed personal information.
Key Facts
The proposed rule targets visitors eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, which includes 42 countries.
The new requirement involves sharing up to five years of social media data.
Currently, the ESTA system allows people from these countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without an in-person interview.
The proposal also asks for email addresses used in the last 10 years and phone numbers used in the past five years.
Additional data like metadata from photos, family details, and biometric information could be requested.
This initiative follows an executive order by President Donald Trump for more thorough screening.
Public comments are open for 60 days before the rule can be finalized.
Senate Democrats are concerned about an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly by the Pentagon. They argue this investigation could politicize the military justice system. The investigation began after President Trump accused Kelly and others of seditious behavior.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats wrote to the Navy Secretary, John Phelan, about their concerns.
President Trump accused Senator Kelly and others of "seditious behavior" on a social media platform.
The investigation focuses on a video where Kelly and others said military members can disobey unlawful orders.
Democrats say the investigation is a misuse of power by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
They argue a fair investigation is not possible due to public statements from the Trump administration.
The Navy Secretary is expected to update Defense Secretary Hegseth by December 10.
Senator Kelly stated the investigation will not stop him from his duties.
An advocacy group filed a complaint against Judge Emil Bove for attending a rally held by President Trump in Pennsylvania. The group argues that Bove's presence at the event, which was political in nature, could compromise his ability to be impartial in cases related to Trump. Federal judges like Bove are expected to avoid activities that may appear politically biased.
Key Facts
Judge Emil Bove attended a rally hosted by President Trump in Pennsylvania.
A group called Fix the Courts filed a complaint, saying Bove's attendance violated judicial conduct rules.
The complaint argues that judges should not engage in political activities or appear biased.
Federal judges have lifetime appointments and their decisions can affect national laws.
The rally included President Trump discussing topics like the economy, migration, and politics.
Judge Bove stated he attended the rally as a citizen, not for political reasons.
The complaint does not automatically lead to an investigation; it requires the court's chief judge to decide on further action.
