Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, won the Miami mayor’s race, making her the first woman to hold the position. She defeated Emilio Gonzalez, a Republican supported by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Eileen Higgins is the first Democrat to win the Miami mayor’s race in nearly 30 years.
Higgins is also the first woman to become the mayor of Miami.
The election was officially nonpartisan, meaning candidates did not run as representatives of a political party.
Emilio Gonzalez, the opposing candidate, had the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Higgins often discussed immigration issues during her campaign.
The election was seen as one of the final key battles before the 2026 midterm elections.
Gonzalez, a former city manager, congratulated Higgins on her victory.
A convenience store in Kenner, Louisiana, denied service to U.S. Border Patrol agents during an immigration enforcement operation. The store's assistant manager locked the agents out and made a dismissive gesture, which was recorded on video. This incident reflects rising tensions between federal immigration officers and individuals opposed to federal immigration policies.
Key Facts
U.S. Border Patrol agents were denied entry to a convenience store in Kenner, Louisiana.
The store assistant manager prevented them from entering and made a rude gesture.
The incident is part of a federal operation called "Catahoula Crunch," focusing on immigration enforcement in Louisiana.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem criticized local authorities for not cooperating with federal efforts.
The law lets private businesses refuse entry to non-customers, and ICE typically needs a court warrant for nonpublic areas.
A Border Patrol chief was at the scene, attempting to enter the store.
The federal immigration operation aims to remove certain individuals deemed "dangerous" from New Orleans.
President Trump has changed U.S. immigration policies, affecting both legal and illegal processes. These changes include expanding the travel ban and pausing asylum decisions, leading to a significant backlog in immigration cases. The changes are slowing down immigration procedures and affecting people from 19 countries on the travel ban list.
Key Facts
President Trump aims to increase deportations and has changed policies impacting legal immigration.
The administration plans to expand the travel ban list and pause asylum decisions.
Legal immigration processes are slowing down due to increased case backlogs.
There are currently about 1.5 million pending asylum cases with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Overall, USCIS is handling 11 million pending immigration cases.
Immigrants from 19 countries, including Venezuela and Iran, face immediate impacts from the travel ban.
Cases and applications are being re-reviewed, creating uncertainties in processing times.
Immigration enforcement efforts are increasing, focusing on national security and vetting.
Workers are currently demolishing and rebuilding the East Wing of the White House to create a new ballroom. Recent photos show the progress of the construction, which is said to be ahead of schedule and funded privately. President Trump has announced that the project will be twice as large as originally planned.
Key Facts
Workers are rebuilding the East Wing of the White House to make a new ballroom for President Trump.
Photos taken in December show the ongoing demolition and construction work.
The project is expected to be completed before the end of President Trump's second term.
Initially estimated to cost $200 million, the cost has been updated to $300 million.
The project is being funded by private donations, not taxpayer money.
Shalom Baranes is the new chief architect after replacing James McCrery II.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and heritage groups, have voiced concerns over the historical significance of the building.
The White House says the ballroom is a necessary and bold addition.
President Donald Trump claims he improved the U.S. economy after inheriting problems from the previous administration. He gave the economy a high personal rating despite many Americans feeling financial conditions are not as good. Various polls show a disconnect between his positive assessment and public sentiment.
Key Facts
President Trump rated the U.S. economy an “A+++++” during a rally in Pennsylvania.
He claims to have rapidly lowered costs after what he described as historic inflation.
Polls show that 76% of Americans feel the economy is "not so good" or "poor."
A New York Federal Reserve survey found worsening expectations for personal financial situations.
Consumer confidence in November dropped to its lowest since April, according to a survey by the Conference Board.
Some analysts argue the economy is struggling partly due to Trump's policies.
Trump argues tariffs and energy initiatives have improved the economy.
The White House claims there has been progress with lower gas prices and moderate wage growth.
In the U.S., more home sellers are taking their properties off the market due to lower demand and more canceled sales agreements. Cities like Miami, Denver, and Houston are seeing high rates of delistings, with Miami having the highest withdrawal rate. This rise in delistings reflects sellers' reluctance to lower prices amid economic uncertainty.
Key Facts
Delistings across the U.S. increased by 45.5% in 2025 compared to the start of the year.
Miami has the highest delisting-to-new-listing ratio at 45.1% in October 2025.
Miami home listings stayed on the market for an average of 84 days, the longest among top U.S. cities.
About 15% of Miami's active listings had price reductions.
Denver had the second-highest delisting-to-new-listing ratio at 39.2%.
Houston came third with a ratio of 36.6%.
Sellers remove listings instead of lowering prices due to low demand and high expectations.
A House Democrat has introduced articles of impeachment against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but it's unlikely to pass because Republicans control Congress. Representative Haley Stevens cited issues related to public health and clinical trials as reasons for her action. Additionally, there are new impeachment calls from another Democrat against President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Representative Haley Stevens introduced articles of impeachment against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The impeachment is unlikely to succeed due to the Republican majority in Congress.
Stevens mentioned stalled clinical cancer research trials as part of her reasoning.
Al Green, a Texas Democrat, also plans to introduce impeachment articles against President Donald Trump.
Green cited Trump's lack of respect for the separation of powers as part of his motivation.
This is not the first time Green has attempted to impeach President Trump, having done so in May.
The article discusses concerns about foreign influence affecting American conservative politics. It outlines how foreign actors use online networks to amplify certain fringe voices within the American Right, potentially influencing political discourse. The article also highlights issues around American participation in the Doha Forum in Qatar, suggesting that involvement with foreign regimes could compromise American political independence.
Key Facts
Foreign influence is reportedly affecting American conservative politics.
A study by Network Contagion Research Institute highlights online manipulation by foreign bots.
This manipulation is said to amplify fringe figures on the American Right.
The Doha Forum in Qatar is mentioned as an example of potential foreign influence.
American conservatives participated in the forum, raising concerns of undue foreign influence.
The article suggests that this involvement could undermine American national sovereignty.
It stresses the need for American conservatism to remain accountable to American citizens alone.
Miami elected Democrat Eileen Higgins as mayor, marking the first time in nearly 30 years a Democrat won this position in the city. Higgins won against Emilio Gonzalez, the Republican candidate supported by President Trump, in a predominantly Hispanic city. Her victory adds to a series of recent Democratic wins across the United States.
Key Facts
Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, is the new mayor of Miami.
This is the first Democratic win for mayor in Miami in almost 30 years.
Higgins won 59% of the vote compared to Gonzalez's 41%.
The election was officially nonpartisan but had national significance due to the candidates' political affiliations.
Immigration policies, particularly those under President Trump, were key issues during the campaign.
Miami has a predominantly Hispanic population, which shapes its political identity.
The mayor's role in Miami is mostly symbolic, representing the city in national debates.
Recent Democratic wins in other states have also been noted as part of a political trend.
President Donald Trump is thinking about removing federal taxes on gambling winnings as part of a larger plan to change the U.S. tax system. This idea could affect many people who gamble, as well as government money. The change follows the introduction of other tax breaks, but experts are concerned about the impact on government debt.
Key Facts
President Trump is considering getting rid of federal taxes on gambling winnings.
This idea is part of a broader move to change the U.S. tax system with recent laws like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
OBBBA includes tax breaks like no tax on tips and overtime.
Nearly 60% of U.S. adults gambled in the past year, according to the American Gaming Association.
Currently, gambling winnings over $600 must be reported for tax purposes, and $5,000 or more can trigger a tax withholding of up to 31%.
Tax proposals have potential impacts on taxpayers and government revenue, with experts worried about increasing the federal deficit.
The IRS considers gambling winnings fully taxable.
President Trump also mentioned plans to possibly cut income tax significantly, citing increased tariff and investment revenues as offsets.
President Donald Trump, during a rally in Pennsylvania, expressed his preference for immigrants from countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, while criticizing countries like Somalia and Afghanistan. He repeated remarks akin to those he allegedly made in 2018, questioning why the U.S. accepts immigrants from certain countries. Trump's comments come amid ongoing discussions about U.S. immigration policies.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at a rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania.
Trump criticized countries like Somalia and Afghanistan, calling them undesirable for immigration.
He questioned why the U.S. can't have more immigrants from countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Trump's remarks echo language he was reported to have used in a 2018 meeting but later denied.
Trump announced a "permanent pause on third-world migration," referencing certain countries negatively.
Representative Ilhan Omar criticized Trump's comments as "bigoted lies."
The Trump administration has a travel ban affecting 19 countries, with potential plans to expand it.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned the travel ban might include more countries.
President Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Pennsylvania, discussing a variety of topics including tariffs, affordability, wind farms, and border policies. He emphasized the economic benefits of tariffs, promised lower inflation, criticized wind energy, and claimed success in border security. The rally was part of his efforts to campaign for the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump suggested Americans could use fewer products like pencils to benefit industries like steel.
He emphasized the use of tariffs, saying they bring in significant revenue.
Trump claimed that inflation had stopped and that wages were up while prices were down.
He called his Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, by the nickname "Susie Trump."
Trump criticized wind farms, saying they aren't approved because they kill birds, despite his administration lifting certain bans on wind projects.
He boasted about recent border security, claiming zero releases in recent months.
The rally was part of Trump's campaign efforts ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
Amnesty International has raised concerns about human rights under President Trump's administration. They highlight issues like targeting protestors, mistreating immigrants, and restricting academic and press freedoms. Amnesty calls on the U.S. to address these concerns and protect human rights for everyone.
Key Facts
Amnesty International is concerned about the human rights record in the U.S. under President Donald Trump.
They say the administration has used force against protestors and mistreated immigrants.
Students and journalists have reportedly been targeted for exercising free speech.
Some immigrants have been detained without legal process in harsh conditions.
Federal forces have been used in U.S. cities, particularly impacting minority communities.
There are reports of families being separated and asylum seekers turned away at the border.
Amnesty urges the U.S. to uphold human rights for all people.
Eileen Higgins was elected as the first Democratic mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years. She won the election by getting 59% of the votes against Republican competitor Emilio Gonzalez. Higgins also becomes the first woman mayor of Miami.
Key Facts
Eileen Higgins is the first Democrat to be elected mayor of Miami in almost three decades.
She won 59% of the vote in the runoff, beating Emilio Gonzalez, who had President Trump's endorsement.
Higgins is the first woman to hold the position of mayor in Miami.
Her campaign focused on issues like immigration and affordable housing.
The election is officially non-partisan, but Higgins received support from prominent Democrats.
Higgins' opponent, Emilio Gonzalez, was also supported by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Higgins plans to work with the Trump administration but vows to speak out when there are disagreements.
The Democratic Party has recently experienced other significant electoral victories alongside Higgins' win.
In 2025, more people in the U.S. started using GoFundMe to raise money for basic needs like rent and food. This increase happened as many people faced higher living costs and problems in the job market.
Key Facts
GoFundMe saw a 20% increase in fundraisers for essential expenses in 2025.
Fundraisers for housing and food rose by 17% in the U.S.
Americans faced ongoing inflation, rising debt, and job market challenges in 2025.
Consumer confidence dropped to a low point last seen in April.
More fundraisers were started for food banks than any other community cause on GoFundMe.
Median rent prices in the U.S. increased by 5.6% from 2022 to 2025.
GoFundMe's data showed a notable rise in people seeking help with monthly bills.
President Donald Trump supports a Republican plan to give Americans a one-time payment of $1,000 to $1,500 as part of a health care proposal. This plan looks to help certain Affordable Care Act enrollees by placing the funds into health savings accounts. The proposal comes amid discussions on how to address rising health care costs as current subsidies are set to expire.
Key Facts
President Trump backs a plan to give $1,000 to $1,500 to Americans in health care accounts.
Senators Bill Cassidy and Mike Crapo introduced this proposal.
The payments are intended for certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollees.
The proposal allows funds to be used only for approved medical expenses and excludes abortion or gender transition care.
Health care costs may rise for over 20 million Americans as subsidies expire at the end of December.
Democrats want to extend tax credits related to ACA, while Republicans have different plans.
A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged account for medical expenses, with tax-free contributions, growth, and withdrawals.
Republican Senator Bernie Moreno has introduced another health care plan called the CARE Act.
A DoorDash delivery driver in Indiana is accused of spraying a substance, possibly pepper spray, on a customer's Arby's food order. The incident, caught on a doorbell camera, led to the customer’s wife choking and vomiting after eating the food. The local sheriff's office is investigating, and food tampering can lead to serious legal consequences.
Key Facts
A DoorDash driver allegedly sprayed a substance on delivered Arby's food in Indiana.
The event was captured on a doorbell camera by the customer, Mark Cardin.
Cardin's wife became ill after consuming the food.
Food tampering is a serious crime with penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
The specific substance used on the food has not been identified.
Discussions about delivery drivers and tipping practices have been ongoing online.
DoorDash has not made a public comment about the incident as of now.
President Trump's administration and Maryland officials are holding urgent talks about the rising costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which now could cost $5.2 billion. The rebuild is crucial after the bridge collapsed in March 2024 due to a ship strike, causing major disruptions. The talks will focus on managing the high costs, legal issues, and ensuring the project remains on track for its 2030 completion.
Key Facts
The cost to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge could reach $5.2 billion, more than double the original estimate.
The bridge is important for Baltimore's transportation, connecting commuters, trucks, and the port.
A container ship hit the bridge in March 2024, leading to its collapse and stopping traffic on Interstate 695.
The project delays and budget increase pose challenges for federal and state agencies.
Maryland's handling of transportation projects, including the bridge, is under review by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Rising raw material and labor costs are major reasons for the budget increase, according to Maryland's Transportation Authority.
Federal data shows highway construction costs have increased by 72% nationwide over five years.
President Trump's administration has concerns about Maryland's contracting practices, which could lead to legal issues.
Many schools across the United States are closing or starting late due to a winter storm. Heavy snow is affecting states like Virginia, Michigan, and North Carolina. Some areas could see up to 20 inches of snow from Wednesday to Friday.
Key Facts
A winter storm hit several states in the U.S., starting from Monday.
Virginia, Michigan, and North Carolina are among the hardest-hit states.
Schools in many areas are either fully closed or starting late.
Virginia districts, such as Amelia County, are fully closed.
Some Virginia districts, like Richmond City, have a two-hour delay.
North Carolina districts, like Granville County, have delays of 2 to 3 hours.
Michigan districts, including Detroit Public Schools, are closed.
Minnesota also has schools closed or starting late due to the storm.
Democrat Eileen Higgins won the Miami mayoral race, defeating Republican Emilio González, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. Higgins is the first woman and the first Democrat in nearly 30 years to be elected as Miami's mayor. Her win highlights a shift toward Democrats in the area.
Key Facts
Eileen Higgins won the Miami mayoral race against Republican Emilio González.
President Donald Trump endorsed her opponent, González.
Higgins is the first woman elected as Mayor of Miami.
She is also the first Democrat to hold the position in nearly three decades.
The mayor's position in Miami is officially nonpartisan, but Higgins campaigned as a Democrat.
Higgins focused on issues like immigration and affordable housing during her campaign.
Miami-Dade County has a significant immigrant and Hispanic population.
A voting map showed a shift toward the Democratic Party in Miami.
