The Pentagon's watchdog found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used the Signal messaging app to share sensitive military information, potentially putting U.S. personnel at risk. The review did not find that Hegseth improperly declassified information, but the report is increasing pressure on him for his actions.
Key Facts
The Pentagon's inspector general noted risks from Hegseth's use of Signal to share sensitive military details.
Hegseth shared exact timings of military actions against Houthi militants in Yemen via Signal.
A journalist accidentally received sensitive information when added to a Signal chat by mistake.
There is an ongoing investigation into Hegseth's involvement in a separate Caribbean strike incident.
A partially redacted report regarding Hegseth's actions will be released publicly soon.
The findings from the review were shared with lawmakers, who reviewed them in a secure facility.
The investigation by the Pentagon's watchdog came after congressional calls for an inquiry.
President Donald Trump plans to announce changes to vehicle fuel economy rules to make them less strict. This change would allow carmakers to produce gasoline vehicles with lower fuel efficiency requirements through 2031.
Key Facts
President Trump is announcing weaker rules for vehicle fuel economy.
The announcement is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday.
The new plan would lower requirements for cars and trucks to control pollution.
The changes would apply to vehicles through the model year 2031.
The plan reverses previous policies aimed at promoting cleaner and more efficient vehicles.
The Trump administration states the new rules will increase access to more affordable gasoline vehicles.
Two new ad campaigns against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are appearing on streaming platforms. The ads criticize the recruitment of new ICE agents and share stories about the negative impacts of immigration enforcement. These ads are in response to President Trump's administration's push to hire more ICE agents and enforce stricter immigration policies.
Key Facts
Two anti-ICE ad campaigns are running on streaming services like Spotify and YouTube.
One ad features a U.S. veteran’s account of being mistakenly detained by ICE agents.
The veteran described being forcibly removed and detained despite being a U.S. citizen.
Home of the Brave runs one campaign with a $250,000 budget to highlight adverse effects of ICE actions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a $51 million media budget, promoting ICE recruitment and deportation efforts.
Some users have criticized Spotify for hosting ICE ads and have threatened to boycott the platform.
MoveOn Civic Action launched a campaign spoofing ICE recruitment ads, portraying them in a negative light.
DHS insists that increased ICE actions are part of national security efforts promised by President Trump.
James Solomon won the mayoral race in Jersey City, defeating former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. Both candidates are Democrats, and the election required a runoff because of multiple candidates.
Key Facts
James Solomon became the mayor of Jersey City.
Solomon defeated former Governor Jim McGreevey in the election.
The election finished with a runoff between Solomon and McGreevey.
Solomon has been a city council member since 2017.
The initial election round had seven candidates.
Jersey City elections are nonpartisan, which means candidates are not officially representing political parties.
A new poll shows Democratic candidate Janelle Stelson with a slight lead over Republican Representative Scott Perry in a closely contested Pennsylvania congressional district. This district is considered competitive, and Perry has previously won with narrow margins. The poll indicates that the upcoming elections could be challenging for Perry.
Key Facts
The poll shows Stelson leading Perry 48% to 44%.
The survey was conducted by Public Policy Polling for Republicans Against Perry.
Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District includes Dauphin, Cumberland, and parts of York Counties.
Perry won past elections by small margins; in 2024, he defeated Stelson by around 5,000 votes.
Demographic changes in the district may affect Republican support.
Perry's approval rating in the district is low, with 53% disapproving of his job performance.
Janelle Stelson is a former TV news anchor and recognized figure in the area.
Cumberland County, part of the district, is experiencing rapid growth, which may influence voter demographics.
A man named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, pleaded not guilty from a hospital bed to charges including murder and assault after shooting two National Guard troops near the White House. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was wounded in what authorities called an ambush-style attack. Lakanwal, who came to the U.S. through a resettlement program, is being held without bond and may face more charges as investigations continue.
Key Facts
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, aged 29, is accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House.
Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and illegal firearm possession.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was injured in the incident.
The shooting occurred during a law enforcement surge ordered by President Trump in Washington, D.C.
Lakanwal was apprehended after allegedly firing and yelling during the attack.
He entered the U.S. through a resettlement program for Afghans and applied for asylum.
The court ordered him to remain in custody without bond until the next hearing in January.
Further federal charges may arise from ongoing investigations, and the possibility of seeking the death penalty is under consideration.
A raccoon broke into a Virginia liquor store during Thanksgiving weekend, drank some alcohol, and passed out in the bathroom. Animal control officers later safely released the raccoon into the wild after ensuring it was uninjured.
Key Facts
A raccoon broke into a liquor store in Virginia.
The incident happened over the Thanksgiving holiday.
The animal was found passed out in the store's bathroom.
The raccoon consumed alcohol during the break-in.
Animal control officers were called to handle the situation.
The animal was released safely after showing no signs of injury.
The liquor store was closed when the break-in occurred.
A CCTV image captured the raccoon drinking alcohol in the store.
Nebraska will start a scheme in 2026 that lets disabled veterans avoid paying motor vehicle tax and fees for one vehicle they use personally. Veterans must apply and meet specific disability criteria to benefit from this exemption.
Key Facts
Nebraska offers a motor vehicle tax break for disabled veterans starting January 1, 2026.
The tax break applies to one personal vehicle per eligible veteran.
Veterans must be Nebraska residents and have a service-connected disability.
To be eligible, veterans must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces under honorable conditions.
Veterans can apply for this benefit through the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Additional fees like plate fees and sales taxes are not included in the exemption.
Similar programs exist, such as one in Honolulu, Hawaii, for older veterans.
House Democrats released photos and videos from Jeffrey Epstein's private island to support an investigation into his crimes. They want the Trump administration to provide all remaining documents related to the federal sex trafficking investigation. A law requires these documents to be made public by mid-December.
Key Facts
House Democrats shared 14 photos and videos from Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.
The images show empty courtyards and rooms inside Epstein’s villa in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The release is part of a push to get more documents on Epstein’s crimes.
Representative Robert Garcia said the images were shared to make the investigation clearer.
The Justice Department must release documents by mid-December due to a new law.
President Donald Trump signed the law requiring public access to these files.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticized President Donald Trump for making negative comments about Somali immigrants in Minnesota. The mayor of Minneapolis responded by expressing support for the Somali community in their language.
Key Facts
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticized President Trump for his remarks about Somali immigrants.
President Trump made these remarks during a speech in Minnesota.
Omar responded by saying Trump needs help.
The mayor of Minneapolis spoke in support of the Somali community.
The mayor delivered his message in the Somali language.
The focus of the remarks and responses was on the Somali community in Minnesota.
About 1.6 million Americans left the federal health program Medicaid during the first six months of President Donald Trump's second term. This change is part of a process started after COVID-19, which expanded Medicaid access. The process and upcoming policy changes may affect many Americans' healthcare coverage.
Key Facts
1.6 million Americans were removed from Medicaid in President Trump's second term.
The removals are part of a process after COVID-19, where many gained enrollment.
Medicaid enrollment rose from 64.5 million in February 2020 to 87 million by March 2023.
States began reducing Medicaid enrollments after March 2023.
The plan includes $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, affecting millions.
Enhanced tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans are set to expire, likely increasing costs for many people.
The return to pre-pandemic Medicaid levels varies by state, with some states seeing large enrollment drops.
There's concern about the rise in uninsured Americans, but many found alternative coverage.
In 2025, Democrats have been performing better than expected in several elections. They have narrowed margins in districts where President Donald Trump previously won by large numbers. This trend is evident in special elections and gubernatorial races.
Key Facts
Democrats have reduced Republican margins in several special elections in 2025.
In Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, Democrat Aftyn Behn lost by about 9 points, narrowing the gap from a 22-point difference in 2024.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the gubernatorial race in Virginia by approximately 15 points, while Trump lost the state by 5.8 points in 2024.
In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill widened her victory margin to 14.4 points in the gubernatorial race.
Democrats improved their standing in Florida’s 1st and 6th Congressional Districts, though Republicans retained the seats.
In New York's 22nd Senate District, Democrat Sam Sutton won by a significant margin, marking a large shift from Trump's 55-point win in 2024.
Democrats flipped Iowa Senate District 1 and District 35, significantly outperforming Trump's previous margins.
A federal judge issued an order stopping the Trump administration from making mass immigration arrests in Washington, D.C., without a warrant or proof that someone is likely to flee. The judge's decision was in response to a lawsuit arguing that arrests were often happening without legal cause. The court now requires government officers to document their reasons for arrests without a warrant.
Key Facts
A federal judge blocked large-scale immigration arrests in Washington, D.C., without proper legal grounds.
The judge ordered that arrests need a warrant or proof of an immediate flight risk.
The decision responded to a lawsuit by civil liberties and immigrants' rights groups.
These groups claimed that officers were stopping and arresting people without following the law.
The U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell made the ruling and highlighted a lack of adherence to legal standards.
The judge's ruling requires the government to document reasons for any warrantless arrests.
This case is similar to other legal actions in Colorado and California involving immigration arrests.
Administration officials have denied there was a policy of making such arrests without probable cause.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe plans to propose eliminating the state's income tax by 2026. This change might lead to adjustments in other taxes to compensate for lost revenue. The proposal is set to be introduced when lawmakers start filing new bills in December.
Key Facts
Governor Mike Kehoe wants to eliminate Missouri's income tax by 2026.
Missouri's current income tax rate is 4.7%, bringing in about $10 billion or 63% of the state's general revenue.
The proposal may lead to other tax changes, like increasing sales tax, to make up for the loss in income tax revenue.
Only nine U.S. states currently have no income tax.
Missouri House Majority Leader Alex Riley mentioned the plan would be phased over ten years.
Critics argue that removing income tax could favor the wealthy and create budget challenges.
The detailed plan will be presented when lawmakers file new legislation in December.
Governor Kehoe emphasized that the plan aims to let Missourians keep more of their earnings.
A new survey by the Manhattan Institute found that Millennial Republicans are more likely to identify as racist compared to Baby Boomer Republicans. The survey sampled nearly 3,000 voters, asking about views on racism, antisemitism, and other policy issues. The survey showed that while most Republicans reject openly racist individuals, a significant number of younger Republicans identified with such views.
Key Facts
The survey was conducted by the Manhattan Institute among nearly 3,000 voters.
34% of Republican respondents aged 30 to 49 identified themselves as racist, compared to 3% of those over 65.
Younger Republicans, especially those aged 18 to 29, were more likely to align with racist and antisemitic views.
48% of Republicans said openly antisemitic individuals are not welcome in the party.
The survey included a margin of error of 2% for the general GOP sample.
The Manhattan Institute noted a change in GOP composition with more diverse and left-leaning views among younger members.
Despite these views, the younger group still identifies as Republicans and voted for Donald Trump in 2024.
The Education Department will soon change how federal student loans are repaid. President Trump signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act into law, introducing a significant update to the Income-Based Repayment plan starting in December 2025. Other existing student loan repayment plans will be phased out by 2028.
Key Facts
President Trump signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act into law in July 2025.
Starting late December 2025, changes to the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan will take effect.
The "partial financial hardship" requirement for IBR will be removed, allowing more people to use it.
Other repayment plans, like PAYE and ICR, will be phased out by July 2028.
A new plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) begins on July 1, 2026, with a 30-year loan forgiveness timeline.
From January 2026, forgiven loan amounts under income-driven plans will count as taxable income.
New borrowing limits for federal student loans will start in July 2026.
Parent PLUS loan borrowers must consolidate into the Direct Loan program by July 2026 to keep benefits.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has asked citizens to report undocumented immigrants, suggesting this could help with accessing affordable housing. This request happens at a time when the U.S. is facing a significant housing shortage. Experts argue that immigrants are not the main reason for high housing costs.
Key Facts
DHS encouraged citizens to report undocumented immigrants, linking it to getting affordable housing.
The U.S. has a housing shortfall of about two million homes, partly due to under-building.
Almost half of U.S. renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
President Trump’s tariffs are mentioned as increasing the cost of living, including housing.
Immigrants make up almost one-third of the U.S. housing workforce.
Studies suggest immigrants contribute to housing demand but have a small impact on overall price growth.
During the pandemic, housing prices increased due to native-born household formation, not immigration.
Immigrants contribute significantly to U.S. housing wealth and the construction workforce.
A new poll shows Republican Mike Rogers leading in the race for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat set for the 2026 midterms. The seat became open after Democratic Senator Gary Peters chose not to run again. The poll also indicates Rogers leading over three possible Democratic candidates.
Key Facts
Mike Rogers is running as the Republican candidate for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat.
The seat opened when Democratic Senator Gary Peters decided not to seek reelection.
A poll from Mitchell Research & Communications shows Rogers ahead of three Democratic contenders: Abdul El-Sayed, Mallory McMorrow, and Haley Stevens.
The poll surveyed 616 people between November 18-21, with a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points.
Previous polls indicated Rogers was slightly behind some Democratic opponents.
Michigan is considered a key swing state in U.S. elections.
The 2026 midterm election will impact control of the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently have 53 seats to the Democrats' 47.
Michigan's primary election is scheduled for August 2026, with the general election in November 2026.
A proposal to ban members of Congress from trading stocks is gaining support from both political parties. Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to force a vote on the bill, which aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest by lawmakers. The proposal has backing from over 100 lawmakers and requires 218 signatures to move forward.
Key Facts
A proposal seeks to ban U.S. Congress members from trading stocks.
Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna filed a petition to push for a vote on this matter.
The bill in question is the Restore Trust in Congress Act, which includes members' families.
If the petition gets 218 signatures, it will force a vote in the House.
The STOCK Act of 2012 allows stock trading with required disclosures, but there's concern about conflicts of interest.
Over 100 lawmakers co-sponsor the bill, showing broad legislative support.
Public surveys show bipartisan support for banning Congressional stock trading.
Luna's actions are partly due to a lack of legislative movement on the issue.
New Jersey residents who applied for property tax relief under the ANCHOR program will soon receive payments from the state government. The program provides eligible homeowners and renters with direct payments, with most recipients expecting to get their money within 90 days after applying.
Key Facts
The ANCHOR program offers payments to New Jersey homeowners and certain renters.
Homeowners can receive up to $1,750 if they meet income requirements.
Renters with incomes below $150,000 can get a payment of $450.
Seniors who qualify can receive an additional $250 on top of these amounts.
The application deadline was October 31, and the rollout started on September 15.
Payments can be sent via direct deposit or check.
The program aims to help with New Jersey's high property taxes and the overall cost of living.
