In Texas and other states, progressive Democrats are challenging traditional Democratic party leaders in the 2026 elections, much like the Tea Party revolt within the Republican Party years ago. Texas's Senate race is heating up with notable candidates like Jasmine Crockett, notable for her progressive stance and social media presence, entering the race after Colin Allred withdrew. National Democratic leaders are struggling to maintain control as similar challenges occur in other states.
Key Facts
Colin Allred dropped out of the Texas Senate race, and Jasmine Crockett entered.
Chuck Schumer and Democratic leaders face challenges from progressive Democrats in several states.
The primary in Texas has stirred interest due to the entrants and growing liberal activism.
Jasmine Crockett gained attention for her opposition to President Trump and has a strong online following.
Many Democrats doubt Crockett's ability to win a general election in conservative Texas.
Progressive candidates in other states are also challenging party-backed candidates.
This situation resembles the Tea Party movement that affected the Republican Party.
President Trump's advisers are telling key Republican donors that two upcoming Supreme Court cases could help increase Republican power in future elections, including the 2026 midterms. These cases involve voting district rules and campaign finance laws, with decisions potentially affecting how districts are drawn and how much money can be spent in elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's advisers spoke to Republican donors about upcoming Supreme Court cases.
The cases could affect the 2026 midterm elections by changing election rules.
One case, Louisiana v. Callais, might change how voting districts are drawn, affecting minority representation.
The Supreme Court has a conservative majority, which may influence the rulings.
A second case involves campaign finance limits and freedom of political speech.
Republicans believe these changes could help them win more elections.
The Supreme Court's decisions are expected to influence both major political parties.
If the voting district rules change, it could impact elections as soon as 2028.
A study by the CDC found that substance use disorders cost the U.S. economy nearly $93 billion in 2023. The costs come from factors like missed work, lower productivity, and reduced household contributions. The study highlights the ongoing issue of substance abuse affecting many Americans.
Key Facts
Substance use disorders cost the U.S. economy about $93 billion in 2023.
The study was published by the CDC and appeared in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Costs included $45.25 billion for inability to work, $25.65 billion for absenteeism, and $12.06 billion due to reduced work quality when sick.
Household productivity loss due to substance use disorders was $9.68 billion.
The study used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, focusing on adults 18 and older.
Men accounted for $61.19 billion of the total cost, while women accounted for $31.45 billion.
Young adults aged 18-25 had the highest absenteeism days, while older adults 65 and over had the highest presenteeism days.
According to a 2023 report, 48.5 million Americans aged 12 and above have a substance use disorder.
The Supreme Court is reviewing a Republican push supported by President Donald Trump to remove spending limits on how much political parties can work with candidates in federal elections. Arguments are underway, with Democrats advocating to keep the current law that has been in place for decades.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is looking at removing limits on party spending in federal elections.
This effort is led by Republicans and supported by President Donald Trump.
The current law, which is over 50 years old, restricts party spending in coordination with candidates.
Oral arguments in this case started at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Democrats want the court to maintain the existing law.
The court is also considering another case about presidential power over independent agencies.
This case revisits a 2001 Supreme Court decision about election laws.
The Miami mayoral election is a runoff between Democrat Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio González. Higgins is currently leading according to polls and prediction markets, with the election seen as an important indicator for future political trends in Florida and potentially the U.S.
Key Facts
The mayoral race in Miami is between Democrat Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio González.
The position is officially nonpartisan, meaning it should not be affiliated with any political party.
Miami has not elected a Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years.
Higgins received 36% of the vote, and González got 19% in the first election round.
Polls show Higgins leading González significantly, though some polls indicate a closer race.
Prediction markets heavily favor Higgins, giving her a 94% chance of winning.
Key issues in the campaign include the high cost of housing and immigration policies.
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed González for mayor.
Recent research suggests that the number of Americans identifying as religious has stopped declining and might have leveled off since 2020. This stabilization could have significant effects on American social and political life, especially concerning Christianity, which many Americans follow.
Key Facts
Since 2020, around 70% of U.S. adults identify with a religion, showing stability in religious identification.
Daily prayer, the importance of religion, and regular service attendance rates have shown little change year-over-year.
The U.S. has experienced a significant decline in religiosity over the past decade, with a 17% drop in adults who say religion is important in their daily life from 2015 to 2025.
Young adults (ages 23-30) are less religious compared to older adults, with only 55% identifying with a religion compared to 83% of the oldest adults.
Religious practices differ by age, with 59% of the oldest Americans praying daily compared to 30% of the youngest adults.
Some young adults may follow their family's religious customs while living at home, which could change as they grow older and move out.
Patterns of religiosity may reflect typical generational changes rather than a significant shift in American religious life.
Democrats responded humorously to the Republican plan of putting President Donald Trump on the campaign trail ahead of the midterms. The strategy aims to increase voter turnout by making Trump a central figure in the elections. Republicans are trying this approach after seeing poor results in recent elections.
Key Facts
The GOP plans to feature President Donald Trump prominently in midterm elections.
Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff, suggested Trump will be a "difference maker."
A series of recent GOP election losses prompted this strategy change.
The GOP holds a slim majority in the House and Senate, making midterm wins crucial.
Traditionally, the party not holding the presidency performs better in midterms.
Negative polls show Trump's approval rating is low, with only 39% approving.
Some Democrats sarcastically praised the strategy, hoping it would backfire.
A polar vortex is causing very cold air and potential heavy snow across central and eastern parts of the United States. This weather pattern will persist through mid-December, producing dangerous travel conditions and increased energy demands.
Key Facts
A polar vortex is bringing Arctic air to the central and eastern U.S.
The Midwest is already experiencing subzero temperatures.
There will be three waves of cold air, expected to last until mid-December.
The cold weather may cause hazardous travel and increased heating needs.
The polar vortex is a pattern of cold air that usually stays near the poles.
This unstable polar vortex allows cold air to move southward.
AccuWeather predicts continued cold temperatures and potential snowfall.
The cold will affect areas as far south as the central Plains and Southeast.
Podcaster Jennifer Welch sparked controversy by calling Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, an "opportunistic grifter" on her show. Erika Kirk recently spoke about women's roles and government reliance, and Welch's comments have led to criticism online. Erika Kirk leads Turning Point USA after her husband's assassination in September.
Key Facts
Jennifer Welch made strong comments about Erika Kirk on her podcast.
Erika Kirk is the widow of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, who was assassinated in September.
Erika Kirk now leads Turning Point USA, a conservative group.
Welch criticized Erika Kirk for her statements on women and government reliance.
Welch's comments received backlash on social media.
Erika Kirk was criticized for her views on women's roles despite her own professional accomplishments.
Welch co-hosts the "I’ve Had It" podcast and is known for her outspoken political views.
Charlie Kirk was known for his significant influence among young conservatives and support for President Trump.
President Trump's Department of Education has introduced a new tool to show how much money college graduates typically earn compared to high school graduates. This feature, included in the FAFSA application process, highlights colleges where graduates earn less on average than people with only a high school diploma.
Key Facts
The Department of Education added an earnings indicator to the FAFSA process.
This indicator shows if graduates from selected colleges earn less than high school graduates.
It applies to first-year undergraduates using institution-level data.
The data comes from the College Scorecard and post-secondary education systems.
Over 2% of undergraduates go to schools where their earnings are less than high school completers.
These schools receive over $2 billion annually in federal student aid.
A warning on the FAFSA shows if chosen schools have lower earnings outcomes.
The system uses inflation-adjusted figures for accuracy by 2025.
Social Security payments for January 2026 will include a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.8 percent. Payments will be staggered throughout the month based on when recipients were born, with some payments, like SSI, arriving earlier due to holidays.
Key Facts
About 70 million Americans get Social Security benefits each month.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will stagger January 2026 payments across the month.
A 2.8 percent COLA increase will apply, benefiting most recipients.
SSI payments for January 2026 will be sent on December 31, 2025, because of the New Year's Day holiday.
The average retiree will receive about $56 more per month because of the COLA.
Payments are divided by birthdate, with different dates for SSI and certain recipients.
Zohran Mamdani will move into Gracie Mansion as the new mayor of New York City in January. Gracie Mansion, built in 1799, has been used for various purposes and has served as the official residence for NYC mayors since 1942, except during Mayor Michael Bloomberg's tenure.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani will live in Gracie Mansion as NYC's 111th mayor.
Gracie Mansion is located on the Upper East Side of New York City.
It was built in 1799 by Archibald Gracie, a New York merchant.
The mansion became the official NYC mayoral residence in 1942.
Gracie Mansion also serves as a public facility with art and historic objects on display.
Michael Bloomberg was the only mayor who chose not to live in the mansion.
The mansion has hosted famous visitors like Nelson Mandela.
The United States' rating for civic freedom, which measures how freely people can engage in society, has been downgraded to "obstructed" by Civicus, a global organization. This change is due to reports of increased governmental interference with citizens' rights to gather, protest, and express themselves, along with actions like surveillance and restrictive laws under President Trump's administration.
Key Facts
The U.S. civic freedom rating was changed from "narrowed" to "obstructed."
This rating means citizens can still organize, but face interference such as surveillance and force.
Reports highlight heavy-handed law enforcement tactics, including tear gas and arrests.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests saw military-style responses.
Campus activism, particularly for Palestinian causes, faces threats and investigations.
Media freedoms are reportedly under pressure, with threats to broadcast licenses.
The U.S. joins 39 other countries with an "obstructed" rating this year.
The Winooski School District in Vermont received many racist and violent messages after raising the Somali flag. These messages started after right-wing social media accounts shared videos of the flag-raising event. The school district paused its website and disconnected some phones due to the high number of messages.
Key Facts
The Winooski School District raised a Somali flag to support Somali students and families.
The school district received over 200 racist and violent messages following the flag-raising.
Right-wing social media accounts shared videos of the event, leading to the flood of messages.
The Vermont State Police reported the messages as part of a coordinated national campaign but found no credible threats.
President Trump recently made negative comments about Somali immigrants in the U.S.
About 9% of students in the district are of Somali descent.
The district clarified that the U.S. flag still flies at the highest point, following the U.S. Flag Code.
The school superintendent described the messages as "pretty scary" but stated they are motivated to continue supporting diversity.
A Brazilian-born woman, Bruna Ferreira, with ties to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, is released from ICE custody after challenging deportation. She was granted a bond and will have to check in periodically with immigration authorities. Her case involves disputes over her immigration status and family life in the U.S.
Key Facts
Bruna Ferreira was arrested by ICE last month in New Hampshire.
She has connections to Karoline Leavitt, as she was once engaged to Leavitt’s brother, Michael.
Ferreira received a $1,500 bond from an immigration judge in Louisiana.
She entered the U.S. on a tourist visa but stayed past the visa period.
Ferreira is a participant in the DACA program, which protects certain immigrants from deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security claims she committed battery, an accusation her lawyer denies.
Ferreira shares custody of her son with Michael Leavitt, contrary to some reports.
The White House stated that Ferreira hasn’t contacted Karoline Leavitt in years.
The U.S. workforce is getting older, with people aged 55 and above making up a bigger part of the workforce than in the past. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that some industries have more older workers than others, with utilities, manufacturing, and health care seeing significant increases. This trend is linked to the overall aging of the American population and is a concern for the Trump administration.
Key Facts
People aged 55 or older made up 24% of the U.S. workforce in 2022, up from 10% in 1994.
The utilities sector had a dramatic shift, with firms having 25% or more workers over 55 jumping from 33% in 2006 to 80% in 2022.
Manufacturing and wholesale trade also saw a big rise in older workers, from 14% in 2000 to over 40% in 2022.
Other industries like health care and finance have increased numbers of workers aged 55 or older.
Retail, accommodation, and food services have fewer firms with a high share of older workers.
States like Maine have the highest share of firms with many older workers, while states like Utah have the lowest share.
By 2030, one-fifth of the U.S. population is expected to be over 65 years old.
Texas Democrat Al Green plans to file articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in Congress. Green claims Trump disrespects the separation of powers and accuses him of inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. Despite these efforts, a Republican majority in the House makes impeachment unlikely to succeed.
Key Facts
Al Green is a Democrat from Texas planning to file impeachment articles against President Trump.
Green accuses Trump of not respecting the separation of powers in the U.S. government.
He also blames Trump for inciting the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Trump was impeached twice during his first presidency but acquitted by the Senate both times.
The Republican majority in the House of Representatives makes impeachment chances low.
Green aims to file the impeachment articles before the Christmas break.
Green introduced similar articles of impeachment against Trump in the past.
Other representatives, like Shri Thanedar, have also introduced impeachment articles for different reasons.
A U.S. federal court has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate Rumeysa Ozturk’s student visa record. This decision comes months after she was detained for protesting against Israel’s actions in Gaza and her visa was previously revoked.
Key Facts
A federal court ruled that Rumeysa Ozturk's student visa record must be restored.
Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, was previously held in immigration detention.
The court order involves the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) database called SEVIS.
Ozturk’s visa was initially revoked after she co-authored a piece criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Her student record reinstatement allows her to continue her studies and work.
The Trump administration cited her support for Hamas as a reason for revoking her visa.
Ozturk came to the U.S. from Turkiye as a Fulbright scholar.
Several students, including Ozturk, have faced legal challenges due to their activism.
President Donald Trump has criticized Minnesota's Somali community, connecting them with fraud cases and suggesting they harm the U.S. As a result, many Somali Americans feel scared and uncertain about their safety, especially as an immigration operation targets Somali immigrants. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., and recent welfare fraud cases have heightened tensions.
Key Facts
President Trump made negative comments about the Somali community during a Cabinet meeting and a White House event.
Trump linked the community to fraud and criticized their presence in the U.S.
Minnesota has the largest Somali American population, around 84,000 people.
ICE launched an immigration operation targeting Somali immigrants in Minnesota.
Somali community members are carrying legal documents due to fear of being stopped.
A significant welfare fraud scandal involved some individuals of Somali descent, but federal charges for terrorism support have not been filed.
Community leaders stress that not all Somalis are involved in wrongdoing and call for legal accountability.
Some believe Trump is using the situation to distract from other national issues.
Mysonne Linen, who was previously convicted of armed robbery, has been appointed by New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani to serve on a committee focused on criminal justice. Linen is known for his work as a rapper and social justice activist. His appointment has sparked debate about the role of former convicts in shaping city policies.
Key Facts
Mysonne Linen was convicted in 1999 for two armed robberies and served seven years in prison.
He was once signed to Def Jam Recordings and was a rising rapper in the late 1990s.
Linen co-founded the organization Until Freedom, which works on racial justice issues.
Until Freedom announced Linen's appointment to the transition team via Instagram.
His appointment has led to discussions in New York City about criminal justice reform and public safety.
Critics include Benny Boscio, from the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, who questioned the decision.
Linen was paroled in 2006 and has become a social justice activist since his release.
Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani is set to take office on January 1.
