The Trump administration will charge a $5,000 fee to migrants without legal status who are caught crossing the U.S. border illegally. This fee applies to individuals aged 14 and older and is part of a new immigration law passed by Congress. Some lawmakers are trying to change parts of the law, especially those that affect children.
Key Facts
A $5,000 fee will be charged to migrants caught crossing the U.S. border illegally.
This fee is part of a new law called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
The fee applies to people aged 14 and older.
The law allows the fee to be adjusted for inflation over time.
Democratic lawmakers are working to change the law to protect children from these fees.
The proposed changes aim to exempt minors from the new fees related to illegal entry and asylum applications.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented other fee increases related to immigration.
Illegal border crossings have decreased under President Donald Trump's policies.
President Donald Trump's administration announced a new policy to reduce the cost of Christmas tree and firewood permits for American families, as part of a holiday affordability effort. The initiative lowers permit fees to $1 per tree or cord of wood, potentially saving families around $400 during the holiday season. The policy also aims to support wildfire prevention and improve forest health on public lands.
Key Facts
The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reducing Christmas tree and firewood permit fees to $1 through January 31, 2026.
This change could save American families roughly $400, as the average retail cost of a Christmas tree is about $90.
The program allows people to cut trees from national forests, which helps with forest management and reduces wildfire risks.
Families can now collect up to 10 cords of firewood and three Christmas trees under this program, with possible higher limits in resource-abundant areas.
Most Americans live within two hours of a National Forest, enabling many to benefit from the reduced costs.
The initiative supports forest health by thinning out smaller trees that compete for resources and could fuel wildfires if left uncut.
The U.S. Department of the Interior stated that the program aligns with President Trump's goal to lower costs for Americans.
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee are asking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to release a video of U.S. military strikes on a Venezuelan boat. The lawmakers say President Trump has already agreed to make the video public, and they want transparency on the incident. The situation is tense, with calls for Hegseth's resignation and concerns about the strike.
Key Facts
Democrats are asking for a video of military strikes on a Venezuelan boat to be released.
President Trump reportedly said he has no problem releasing the video.
There is controversy over a second strike that allegedly targeted survivors.
Democrats are questioning Defense Secretary Hegseth's role in ordering the strike.
Some Democrats have called for Hegseth to resign and introduced impeachment articles.
Members of Congress viewed the video, with some finding it very troubling.
The request for video release was signed by 19 Democrats from the Armed Services Committee.
The Pentagon has not commented on the request for video release.
A federal judge ruled that President Trump's administration cannot legally detain migrants designated for deportation at the U.S. naval base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. This decision challenges the administration's immigration policy, but the judge did not order the facility's closure.
Key Facts
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's use of Guantánamo Bay for holding deportable migrants.
The ruling came from Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a class-action lawsuit against the policy.
The ACLU argued that using the base denies detainees proper legal rights available in U.S. immigration processes.
The administration planned for Guantánamo Bay to hold up to 30,000 migrants.
Approximately 710 detainees have been held at the facility, supported by U.S. military personnel.
The judge's decision limits the administration's authority to use overseas military bases for immigration detention.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that over one million veterans will benefit from improved health care access. Women veterans can now directly schedule gynecology appointments without needing a referral from a primary care provider. The change aims to enhance women veterans' access to health services.
Key Facts
The VA has removed the need for a primary care provider's referral for women veterans to see gynecology specialists.
This change aims to improve health care access for women veterans, a rapidly growing group.
There are currently over 2.1 million women veterans in the U.S.
Women are expected to make up 18% of all veterans by 2040, up from 4% in 2000.
Recent VA reforms have decreased the benefits backlog by 57% since January 2025.
The Million Veteran Program is recruiting women veterans for medical research, with over 100,000 currently participating.
The VA has opened 20 new health care clinics since the start of 2025.
The VA is actively reaching out to ensure women veterans are aware of the expanded health care options available to them.
Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona is involved in a dispute with President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over potential court-martial proceedings. Kelly, a retired Navy officer and current senator, faces allegations of misconduct after urging military personnel to refuse illegal orders, leading to claims of possible sedition. The Pentagon is investigating the allegations, which has raised concerns about the limits of executive power and the independence of lawmakers.
Key Facts
Senator Mark Kelly is a former Navy combat pilot and a Democratic senator from Arizona.
He is accused of misconduct for encouraging the military to refuse illegal orders.
The Pentagon is investigating these allegations, with the possibility of recalling Kelly to active duty for a court-martial.
President Trump called Kelly's actions "seditious" and suggested severe penalties.
Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers appeared in a video that led to these allegations.
The FBI is under pressure to investigate potential seditious conspiracy.
Kelly criticized the administration's actions as unconstitutional and a violation of his rights as a senator.
Court-martial for a retired officer, particularly for actions taken while serving in public office, is extremely rare.
Many nurses in the U.S. are taking on extra jobs to earn more money because of high education costs and living expenses. A study found that most nurses have side jobs, and a recent change by the Department of Education means they might get smaller student loans. Nurses are concerned about financial stability and have been involved in efforts to change this policy.
Key Facts
A study by St. Thomas University reveals four out of five nurses have side jobs.
Nearly half of these side jobs started in the last one to three years.
Side jobs make up about 17% of a nurse's total earnings.
Popular side jobs include selling products, travel nursing, rideshare, and content creation.
Inflation and high living costs led 71% of nurses to find side jobs.
28% of nurses feel their main job income is enough.
A petition to change a policy on student loans for nursing attracted over 200,000 signatures.
The study surveyed 182 nurses across the U.S. in August 2025.
The imprisonment rate for Black women in the U.S. fell by 69% from 2000 to 2023, based on research from The Sentencing Project. However, the rate for white women increased by 18% during the same period. Despite these changes, Black women are still imprisoned at higher rates than white women in 2023.
Key Facts
The Sentencing Project reported a 69% decrease in the imprisonment rate for Black women between 2000 and 2023.
During the same period, the imprisonment rate for white women increased by 18%.
The Sentencing Project uses data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and other agencies.
By 2023, Black women still had higher imprisonment rates than white women.
Female incarceration rates have increased over 600% from 1980 to 2023.
The growth rate for female imprisonment has been twice that of men since 1980.
Changes in policies during the 1980s and 1990s, like mandatory minimum sentences, contributed to this increase.
Women in prison often have more histories of trauma and abuse compared to the general population and incarcerated men.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for multiple states across the U.S. due to heavy snowfall. Some areas are expected to receive up to two feet of snow, causing dangerous travel conditions. The warnings are effective until early Sunday morning.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for parts of central Iowa, western Colorado, northwest Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.
Colorado's higher mountains may receive up to two feet of snow.
In Utah, areas like the Central Mountains and Western Uinta Mountains could see one to two feet of snow.
Warnings are in effect until 5 a.m. MST Sunday.
Montana could experience major snow impacts, especially in areas like Lolo Pass, with up to 15 inches of snow.
Winter weather advisories are also in place for parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.
The NWS warns of hazardous driving conditions and possible significant disruptions in affected regions.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican representative, said President Donald Trump was very angry with her for supporting the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Despite initial opposition from Trump, Congress passed a law requiring the Department of Justice to release all Epstein-related files. Greene plans to resign from Congress in January 2026.
Key Facts
Greene claimed President Trump was upset with her for supporting the release of Epstein files.
During an interview, Greene explained that Trump believed releasing the files could harm people.
Greene was one of four Republicans who backed the petition to release the documents.
Congress passed a law requiring the Department of Justice to make the Epstein files public.
President Trump eventually signed the bill into law.
Greene announced her resignation from Congress effective January 5, 2026.
Trump publicly criticized Greene's decision and called her "Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Brown."
The release of Epstein-related documents is expected within 30 days as per the new law.
A content creator named Tyler Wells shared a video about a forgotten neighborhood in Los Angeles, known as Surfridge, which has been mostly demolished due to airport expansion. This area was once a beachside community but became uninhabitable due to noise from LAX airport, leading to its removal. Now, the area is fenced off and preserved for an endangered butterfly species.
Key Facts
Surfridge was a beachside community in Los Angeles that no longer exists.
The expansion of LAX airport led to the area becoming unlivable due to airplane noise.
Residents were bought out, and homes were removed by 1975.
Old street layouts and some structures are still visible.
Surfridge is now preserved land for the El Segundo blue butterfly.
Tyler Wells’ video about Surfridge has gained over 1.5 million views on TikTok.
The area featured in the 1967 movie "Clambake" with Elvis Presley.
The story has sparked significant interest online, with many learning about it for the first time.
A federal judge criticized the Trump administration for deporting a Guatemalan man against a court ruling that protected him from deportation due to fears of torture in his home country. The judge ordered the government to bring the man back to the U.S. and provide daily updates on this effort. This incident is part of a pattern where deportations occurred despite legal protections.
Key Facts
A U.S. judge called the deportation of a Guatemalan man "blatant lawlessness."
The man, Faustino Pablo Pablo, risked torture if returned to Guatemala.
An immigration judge had previously ordered his removal but acknowledged the torture risk, granting him protections.
Pablo Pablo was deported on November 20, 2025, before the federal court could stop it.
The court ordered the government to return Pablo Pablo to the U.S. by December 12, 2025.
The judge stated this deportation violated federal law protecting individuals from removal if facing torture.
Government lawyers admitted the deportation was unlawful.
The court demanded the government provide daily updates on their efforts to return Pablo Pablo.
At an airport, a woman named Debbie Bolton helped a father who could not afford a ticket for his daughter. The daughter turned 2, and she now needed her own ticket, which cost $749. Bolton, moved by the situation, paid for the ticket, and her act of kindness gained attention and praise on social media.
Key Facts
Debbie Bolton is the co-founder of Norwex, a company focusing on sustainable cleaning products.
The father booked the flight when his daughter was under 2, so she could fly for free on his lap.
The daughter turned 2 before the flight, requiring a separate ticket costing $749.
Bolton decided to pay for the child's ticket after seeing the father's distress.
The story of Bolton's generosity went viral on social media after someone at the airport shared it.
Bolton was identified after a co-worker saw the post online and recognized her.
Bolton's actions align with her personal and professional focus on kindness and compassion.
President Donald Trump proposed that the revenue from tariffs could replace income taxes in the future. Economists argue that this idea is not realistic since tariffs generate much less money than income taxes. Tariffs brought in $195 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, while income taxes brought in nearly $2.7 trillion.
Key Facts
President Trump suggested that tariffs could eventually replace income taxes.
Economists disagree, saying it's not possible due to revenue differences.
Tariffs generated $195 billion in the 2025 fiscal year.
Income taxes brought in nearly $2.7 trillion in the same period.
Tariff revenues are much lower than the income tax revenue.
Experts say tariffs can't cover even 10% of current income tax revenue.
Investments from tariffs are claimed to be much lower than predicted by the administration.
Category: us
President Donald Trump has questioned the validity of clemency orders signed by President Joe Biden using an autopen, a device that replicates a signature. Legal experts argue that the U.S. Constitution does not allow a president to reverse their predecessor's pardons and that autopen use is acceptable if authorized by the president.
Key Facts
President Trump's claims focus on clemency orders signed using an autopen by President Biden.
An autopen is a device that can replicate a person's signature.
Legal experts say there is no constitutional basis for a president to reverse another president's pardons.
The U.S. Constitution gives the president wide powers to grant clemency.
Experts agree that clemency orders can be signed with an autopen if the president authorizes it.
Challenges to these pardons are considered by experts as politically motivated but unlikely to succeed.
The debate touches on broader questions of presidential powers and constitutional durability.
Residents in parts of California are experiencing unhealthy air pollution levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises people, especially sensitive groups, to limit outdoor activities to avoid health risks.
Key Facts
The air quality in parts of Plumas and Sierra Counties, including towns like Portola and Calpine, is currently considered "unhealthy."
A live map from AirNow shows high levels of fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5.
Fine particles (PM2.5) can cause health problems when breathed in.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that sensitive groups, such as those with respiratory issues, avoid long or intense outdoor activities.
The general population is advised to reduce outdoor physical activity and take more breaks.
This is a developing situation, with more updates expected to follow.
President Trump has asked health officials to review U.S. childhood vaccination guidelines and compare them with those of other developed countries. This move follows a decision by an advisory panel to stop recommending the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns. The aim is to potentially update the U.S. vaccine schedule in line with global best practices.
Key Facts
President Trump is reviewing U.S. vaccination schedules for children.
The review will compare U.S. guidelines with those from other developed countries.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. heads the advisory panel on vaccines.
The CDC panel decided to end the recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine for all babies.
Some medical groups oppose the CDC panel's decision, calling it reckless.
Trump claims the current U.S. immunization schedule is too extensive.
The U.S. schedule is more comprehensive than those in many European countries.
Critics worry the changes could undermine public trust in vaccines.
Officers in Florida worked together to remove a large alligator from a road. The alligator weighed 600 pounds and measured 14 feet long. It was safely taken to an alligator farm.
Key Facts
Officers in Florida removed a 600-pound alligator from a road.
The alligator was 14 feet long.
Seven officers and a trapper were involved in the operation.
The alligator blocked the roadway, prompting a call for additional help.
The alligator was relocated to a Florida alligator farm.
Republicans in Congress are trying to figure out their health care priorities, especially regarding the Affordable Care Act's subsidies that expire soon. While Democrats want to extend these subsidies for three more years, Republicans have not yet agreed on a single plan and are considering various alternatives. The discussion remains open with no clear decision expected immediately.
Key Facts
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are set to expire on December 31.
Democrats want to extend these subsidies for three more years.
Republicans are divided on their approach and have not yet settled on a unified plan.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans a vote on a health care bill next week.
House Speaker Mike Johnson aims to propose a House GOP health care package soon.
Some Republican senators suggest changes like income caps or shifting subsidies to health savings accounts.
There is consideration of adjusting cost-sharing reductions to lower premiums but might reduce subsidies.
There are only 10 legislative session days left this year, making it unlikely for a conclusive decision.
The U.S. Supreme Court will review President Donald Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship. This case involves a legal challenge to Trump's executive order that aimed to change the rule granting citizenship to anyone born in the United States. Lower courts have halted the order, citing it as unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.
Key Facts
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide on the legality of ending birthright citizenship.
President Trump issued an executive order to stop automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizens.
Lower courts ruled this order unconstitutional, referencing the 14th Amendment.
The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all born in the U.S. and under its jurisdiction.
The Trump administration argues this does not apply to undocumented immigrants or those on temporary visas.
The Supreme Court has a conservative majority, and three justices were appointed by President Trump.
The American Civil Liberties Union is leading the legal challenge against the executive order.
The Supreme Court's decision is expected by June, after oral arguments early next year.
