Matt Van Epps, supported by President Donald Trump, won a special U.S. House election in Tennessee, defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn. Van Epps will fill the seat left by Mark Green, who resigned earlier. The district is usually dominated by Republicans.
Key Facts
Matt Van Epps won the special election for the U.S. House seat in Tennessee.
He was backed by President Donald Trump.
He defeated Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn.
The seat became vacant after Mark Green resigned in July 2025.
Van Epps received 53.9% of the vote; Behn got 45%.
The election took place in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.
The district was more Republican-leaning after redistricting changes in 2022.
National Republican groups heavily invested in Van Epps’s campaign.
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, is facing criticism from Congress over his actions related to military operations. This comes after he was involved in a controversy called "Signalgate" concerning discussions about military strikes in Yemen using the Signal app.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the Secretary of Defense in the United States.
He faced a tough Senate confirmation process earlier this year.
Some lawmakers questioned his qualifications and temperament for the job.
He is involved in a controversy called "Signalgate."
The controversy involves using the Signal app to talk about military actions in Yemen.
Congress is now scrutinizing his decisions regarding these military operations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned Republicans about the 2026 midterm elections after Democrats performed well in a Tennessee special election. He pointed out that elections in non-presidential years often favor the party not in power, which could be a challenge for Republicans.
Key Facts
Ron DeSantis is the Governor of Florida.
The warning was in response to a special election in Tennessee.
Democrats outperformed expectations in this Tennessee election.
The election was held in a district previously won by President Trump by over 20 points.
DeSantis mentioned that midterm elections usually benefit the party not holding the presidency.
He noted that many voters specific to Trump may not vote in midterms without him on the ballot.
President Trump's administration has temporarily stopped processing immigration applications for people from 19 countries affected by a travel ban. This pause includes applications for green cards and comes as part of broader changes following an incident involving National Guard troops.
Key Facts
The halt affects 19 countries that were already under a travel ban.
The stop includes green card applications.
These changes are part of a larger shift in immigration policy.
The changes were announced in a policy memo.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is managing the halt in applications.
The pause in applications follows an incident involving the shooting of National Guard troops.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review certain green card and other immigration benefit applications due to national security concerns. This re-review will affect individuals from countries considered high risk, and applications will be on hold until extra security checks are conducted.
Key Facts
USCIS is re-reviewing green card applications from individuals from high-risk countries.
This decision follows a recent incident involving an Afghan national near the White House.
Applicants from 19 specific countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Eritrea, will face additional security checks.
Pending applications for green cards and other benefits are on hold during these checks.
The policy requires interviews for all applicants without waivers.
No timeline has been provided for completing the reviews.
The Department of Homeland Security may expand the review to include those admitted before 2021.
This is described as the most extensive freeze on immigration applications in decades.
A 7-year-old boy and his mother were detained by immigration authorities while they were visiting family for Thanksgiving. They were stopped after making a wrong turn and are now held in Texas, awaiting a decision on whether they can stay in the U.S. The incident has brought attention to immigration enforcement practices under President Trump.
Key Facts
The boy is a second-grade student at JFK Elementary School in Winooski, Vermont.
The boy and his mother were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
They were taken into custody after making a wrong turn and being stopped by federal agents.
The pair are being held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas.
The school district helped connect the family with legal assistance and provided financial support to the boy's father.
The incident took place amid ongoing federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The Winooski School District recently implemented a "sanctuary schools" policy to protect immigrant families.
A new polling map shows President Trump's approval ratings vary widely across the United States. Some states have nearly equal numbers of people who approve and disapprove of his job performance, highlighting the political divide. This could influence future elections, especially the 2026 midterms.
Key Facts
Civiqs conducted a poll with over 70,000 responses to assess President Trump's approval ratings.
The study shows significant differences in approval ratings across U.S. states.
States like South Carolina and Missouri have nearly equal approval and disapproval ratings for Trump.
Wyoming has the highest approval rating for Trump at +36, while Hawaii has the lowest at -55.
States with narrow approval gaps, such as South Carolina and Missouri, are closely contested in public opinion.
Ohio, North Carolina, and Georgia are also seen as battleground states, although with larger opinion gaps.
Political divisions in the U.S. are seen as more critical than issues like immigration and inflation according to a New York Times/Siena survey.
Partisan divides could affect campaigning and policies in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms.
Schools in several U.S. states announced delays or closures on Wednesday due to a snowstorm. The National Weather Service issued warnings about heavy snowfall and difficult travel conditions in parts of the Midwest, Northeast, and Plains.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings and advisories for the Midwest, Northeast, and Plains.
Massachusetts schools, including Amesbury and Chicopee, announced two-hour delays.
Connecticut's Regional School District No. 20 is delaying the start by two hours, with other schools like Bloomfield Public Schools doing the same.
New Hampshire schools are also seeing closures or delays due to the storm.
In New York and New Jersey, schools such as Carmel Central School District and Kinnelon Public Schools announced delays.
Colorado schools like Cheyenne Mountain District and Colorado Springs District 11 reported closures or delays.
The National Weather Service highlighted ongoing wintry conditions expected in multiple U.S. regions.
Republican Representative Elise Stefanik announced that a provision she supports will be included in the annual defense bill. This provision requires Congress to be informed when the FBI starts investigations into presidential and federal candidates. Stefanik had discussions with House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump to ensure this outcome.
Key Facts
Elise Stefanik is a Republican Representative and a party leader.
She wanted a provision in the defense bill for Congressional notification of FBI probes into political candidates.
Stefanik discussed this with House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump.
The provision will now be included in the defense bill.
Stefanik accused Democrats of using federal investigations against political opponents.
There was a public disagreement between Stefanik and Speaker Mike Johnson over this issue.
Johnson said all accusations from Stefanik were false and claimed the issue hadn't reached his level yet.
Federal agents arrested legally working immigrant Jaime in New York, detaining him despite his legal status. The case highlights the high costs of immigrant detentions, including significant expenses for law enforcement and detention facilities, as well as economic impacts on businesses.
Key Facts
A workplace raid in New York led to the arrest of workers, including Jaime, who had legal work authorization.
Jaime had special immigrant juvenile status, allowing him to apply for a green card, but he was still detained.
The raid involved about 75 agents, costing tens of thousands of dollars when factoring in salaries and equipment.
Jaime was detained for 58 days, with daily detention costs amounting to $190 per person, totaling over $11,000.
Transferring detainees long distances adds to the financial burden, with flights costing around $25,000 per trip.
Jaime's detention disrupted the immigration court system and increased backlogs due to reopened cases.
The detention affected local businesses, as companies like Jaime's employer had to cut production due to labor shortages.
Immigrant workers contribute significantly to tax revenues, and their detention decreases government tax income.
The U.S. government is investigating members of Congress for stating that military personnel can refuse illegal orders. This action follows President Donald Trump's reaction to a video by lawmakers, which he labeled as seditious. The military law cited by lawmakers, Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, instructs service members to only follow lawful orders.
Key Facts
The U.S. government is investigating Congress members for stating military law.
The Pentagon may court-martial Senator Mark Kelly over this issue.
President Trump accused the lawmakers of "seditious behavior" and called for their arrest.
Article 92 of the military law states service members must obey only lawful orders.
The FBI is also investigating the lawmakers who appeared in the video.
Congressional laws mandate that military personnel refuse illegal orders.
The executive branch's actions are described as targeting lawful congressional duties.
A new bill proposed by Senator Bernie Moreno aims to end dual citizenship in the U.S., affecting millions of Americans, including First Lady Melania Trump and her son Barron. Immigration lawyer Michael Wildes criticized the bill, citing historical instances of dual nationality and practical challenges for Americans born with multiple citizenships.
Key Facts
Senator Bernie Moreno has proposed the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, which would prohibit U.S. citizens from holding dual citizenship.
The bill would require people with dual nationality to give up their non-U.S. citizenship within a year or lose their U.S. citizenship.
First Lady Melania Trump and her son Barron hold dual citizenship with the U.S. and Slovenia.
Michael Wildes, an immigration lawyer who represented Melania Trump, argues that the bill overlooks the reality of mixed-nationality families.
Wildes notes historical examples where early American leaders held dual citizenship.
Moreno presents the bill as a question of national loyalty, stating U.S. citizenship should be "all or nothing."
Wildes points out that many Americans, including those born overseas, have dual citizenship due to U.S. military presence abroad.
FBI Director Kash Patel is facing claims that he used the bureau's jet for personal trips, including visits with his girlfriend. Patel responded by stating that FBI directors must use the jet for safety reasons and claimed he has used it less than his predecessors. A House Judiciary probe is investigating these claims.
Key Facts
Kash Patel is the FBI Director and must use the FBI jet for security reasons.
Accusations suggest Patel used the jet for personal trips, including meeting his girlfriend and a golfing trip.
Patel argues he has complied with rules and used the jet less frequently than previous directors.
House Judiciary Democrats have started an investigation into Patel's jet use.
Patel has faced other criticisms, including allegations of politicizing the FBI and firing senior officials.
President Trump publicly supports Patel, denying reports of considering his replacement.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi provided an update on an injured National Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, who survived a shooting in Washington, D.C. The incident, involving the death of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, has sparked discussions about U.S. security measures and immigration policies. The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is facing multiple charges, including murder.
Key Facts
The shooting happened near the White House and involved two National Guard members.
Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed, and Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was critically wounded.
The shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was injured during the incident and has been charged with first-degree murder and other offenses.
Lakanwal entered the U.S. under a post-Taliban evacuation program known as Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum during President Trump's administration.
The incident has led to a pause in Afghan asylum and green card cases as federal authorities re-evaluate security measures.
Wolfe is currently in serious condition but showing signs of improvement, like responding to nurses.
The shooting has sparked debates about the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.
A winter storm is forecasted to bring up to 17 inches of snow to parts of the United States from Tuesday through Thursday. The National Weather Service has issued warnings and advised people to be very careful if they need to travel or to consider delaying their trips. Snowfall will impact various states including Maine, New Hampshire, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, and New Mexico.
Key Facts
Up to 17 inches of snow expected in some areas, particularly in Colorado.
National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings across various U.S. states.
Maine and New Hampshire could see 6 to 9 inches of snow by Wednesday morning.
Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Mountains may experience up to 17 inches by Thursday morning.
Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota could receive significant snowfall, affecting travel.
Alaska may see snowfall combined with strong winds, reaching up to 45 mph.
Snowfall in New Mexico could reach up to 10 inches in higher elevations.
Republicans won a tightly contested congressional election in Tennessee. Matt Van Epps, a Republican, defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn by about nine percentage points. The victory keeps the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Key Facts
Matt Van Epps won the congressional seat in Tennessee's 7th District.
Van Epps beat his opponent, Aftyn Behn, by about nine points.
The election was seen as important for predicting the results of future national elections.
The seat became available when Republican Mark Green resigned.
Both parties spent a lot of money and held rallies to promote their candidates.
Van Epps closely aligned his campaign with President Trump.
The district has not elected a Democrat in over 40 years.
The election drew national attention as a marker for upcoming midterm elections.
A food bank in Newcastle-under-Lyme, West Midlands, is preparing for increased demand this winter, as more families turn to food banks for help. The Trussell Trust reports that over 61,000 emergency food parcels were delivered in the region last winter, with a significant rise in demand. The food bank urgently needs donations to continue its services.
Key Facts
Food banks in the West Midlands are expecting a difficult winter with more families needing help.
The Trussell Trust delivered over 61,000 emergency food parcels last winter in the region.
Demand for food parcels increased by 27% compared to before the pandemic.
Of the food parcels delivered last winter, 22,000 went to children.
Food banks report that donations are down while operating costs have risen.
The Trussell Trust says they spent about £315,000 on food due to insufficient donations.
The charity emphasizes that many families will rely on food banks for the first time this winter.
A new program called "Trump Accounts" offers tax-advantaged investment accounts for U.S. children, with funding from both the government and private donors like Michael and Susan Dell. The program aims to help children financially as they grow, but challenges with bureaucracy may limit its success. Similar programs have faced problems with low participation due to complicated processes.
Key Facts
Trump Accounts are new investment accounts for U.S. children, created in 2023.
Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion to support these accounts, giving $250 each for 25 million children.
The federal government plans to add $1,000 to accounts for babies born between 2025 and 2028.
Accounts open to contributions in 2026, with funds available in adulthood for education, housing, or starting a business.
Criticisms of the program include concerns about bureaucracy, which may prevent eligible families from claiming the benefits.
Similar programs have faced challenges worldwide, with many eligible people not claiming available funds.
The accounts function under Internal Revenue Code §530A, similar to IRAs, with annual contribution limits and low fees.
The special election in Tennessee's 7th District showed a significant shift in voting patterns. The Republican candidate, Matt Van Epps, won by a smaller margin than expected in a district where Republicans usually win by large margins. This narrower win suggests potential challenges for Republicans in the future.
Key Facts
The election took place in Tennessee's 7th District after Republican Mark Green resigned in July 2025.
The election was on December 2, with Matt Van Epps, a Republican, running against Aftyn Behn, a Democrat.
Van Epps won, but with a reduced margin of about nine points compared to the previous 21-point win in 2024.
The district was redrawn in 2022 to favor Republicans by dividing Democratic voters.
President Trump's approval rating fell in the district, with 49% of likely voters disapproving.
Voter concerns included the economy, housing affordability, health care, and "threats to democracy."
Van Epps supported Trump strongly, while Behn focused on economic and social issues.
Both parties invested significant resources in the election, treating it as a measure of broader political trends.
Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and a children's book publisher objected to the use of their work in content released by President Trump's administration. Carpenter opposed the use of her song in a video about ICE raids, and the publisher of Franklin the Turtle condemned an image showing the character with a weapon. Other artists have similarly objected to the use of their music by Trump's team.
Key Facts
Sabrina Carpenter disagreed with her song being used in an ICE-related video by President Trump's administration.
The White House quoted Carpenter's lyrics in the video, leading to a response from a spokesperson.
Kids Can Press criticized a post showing Franklin the Turtle with a bazooka, calling it against the character's values.
The altered image was shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces criticism for actions in the Caribbean.
Other musicians, like Kenny Loggins and Celine Dion, have also opposed Trump's use of their music.
Some artists, like Victor Willis from the Village People, support Trump's use of music such as "YMCA".
