Legal experts are debating whether the Pentagon can take action against Senator Mark Kelly for telling U.S. troops to ignore "illegal orders" in a video. President Trump criticized Kelly's remarks, but experts say Kelly, as a civilian lawmaker, is protected by the Constitution, making military punishment unlikely. The Pentagon is investigating, but experts believe prosecution is improbable due to constitutional protections.
Key Facts
Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy fighter pilot, appeared in a video asking troops to defy "illegal orders."
President Trump condemned Kelly's remarks on social media.
The Pentagon is investigating Kelly because he is a retired officer still under limited military jurisdiction.
Legal experts note that recalling Kelly to active duty for prosecution would be difficult due to constitutional protections.
Experts say that disciplining a U.S. senator as suggested would conflict with legislative independence principles.
The investigation is ongoing, but experts predict it will not lead to prosecution or disciplinary action.
Trever Nehls, the identical twin brother of Representative Troy Nehls, is running for his brother's congressional seat. Troy Nehls, a Texas Republican and ally of President Donald Trump, will leave Congress to focus on his family. The primary election for the seat is on March 3, 2026.
Key Facts
Trever Nehls announced he is running for Congressional District 22 to replace his brother Troy Nehls.
Troy Nehls is stepping down from Congress to focus on his family after discussions over Thanksgiving.
Trever Nehls has previously succeeded his brother in law enforcement roles.
Troy Nehls is a three-term Congressman with a background in law enforcement and military service.
Trever Nehls also served in the Army Reserve with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The primary election for the congressional seat is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
Trever Nehls emphasized his intent to follow in his brother's footsteps regarding political values and support for President Trump.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating among Gen Z, which includes people aged 18 to 29, has increased, according to a new poll. Despite this improvement, more Gen Z adults still disapprove than approve of him. The change in approval ratings could impact future elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval among Gen Z improved from -55 to -34 percentage points in November.
Gen Z support for Democrats decreased from 61% in 2020 to 51% in 2024.
A government shutdown in October possibly impacted Trump's approval ratings, which dropped then to -55 points.
Trump's net approval rating among Gen Z in September was -40 points.
AtlasIntel found Trump's net approval rating among Gen Z was +5 percentage points in September.
A recent poll showed Trump's overall approval rating at -19 points, with 39% approving.
The upcoming midterms in November 2026 will test Trump's support among voters.
Medical debt in the United States is expected to rise significantly in 2026. This increase is due to expected higher healthcare and insurance costs and changes to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) policies by the Trump administration.
Key Facts
Medical debt is the money owed to places like hospitals, and it affects people with or without health insurance.
In 2021, 15% of households reportedly owed medical debt according to a Census Bureau study.
A broader study by KFF found that 41% of adults had healthcare-related debt in 2022.
Medicaid is facing $1 trillion in cuts, which could result in millions losing their insurance coverage.
Enhanced tax credits for purchasing ACA plans will expire, possibly increasing plan costs by around 20%.
Small business employees, retirees, and students are likely to be hit hardest by rising insurance costs.
Employer health plan costs are predicted to rise by over 6% next year.
Rising healthcare costs are also driven by inflation and increased demand for certain drugs.
The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts the weather across various U.S. regions for December. It forecasts cold and snowy conditions in many areas, with some regions experiencing sunny days in between. People can use these predictions to plan activities for farming, gardening, or their daily lives.
Key Facts
The Old Farmer's Almanac has been published since 1792 and is the oldest continuously published periodical in the U.S.
In the Northeast, December will be cold and snowy, especially from December 1-17 and 22-31.
The Atlantic Corridor will see mixed weather, starting with showers and mild temperatures, progressing to colder conditions with rain and snow.
The Appalachians will start warm but see colder weather with snow showers in early December and very cold temperatures by month's end.
In the Southeast, the weather begins warm and rainy, with a snowstorm expected on December 20-21.
Texas-Oklahoma will start rainy and cold, becoming sunnier and warmer from mid-December.
The Lower Lakes should expect snow and cold temperatures, especially from December 1-2 and 19-24.
The High Plains will experience flurries followed by sunnier weather, with a mix of warm and cold days.
The article discusses the concept of "locking in," which is about staying focused on achieving personal goals. Various individuals share how this mindset helps them in areas like studying, gaming, and fitness. The term is gaining popularity on social media.
Key Facts
"Locking in" means focusing on goals and staying dedicated despite challenges.
The term has become popular on social media and is often used in motivational videos.
A student, Dani, uses "locking in" as a way to stay focused during study sessions.
Influencers suggest using winter as a time to embrace the "lock in" mindset.
Karagii, a content creator, uses "locking in" to combat sexism in online gaming.
Emma, a personal trainer, helps people "lock in" by setting realistic fitness goals.
The article emphasizes balancing focus with avoiding burnout during goal pursuits.
A major winter storm affected the Midwest and Great Lakes region, causing travel delays after Thanksgiving. The storm brought heavy snow and dangerous road conditions, particularly impacting airports and highways in the area. Another storm is expected to hit the Northeast early next week, possibly continuing travel disruptions.
Key Facts
The storm occurred during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Major airports in Chicago and St. Louis experienced delays of about one hour.
The National Weather Service issued storm warnings from Montana to Ohio.
Northern Iowa and other nearby states received over 8 inches of snow.
A highway crash involving 45 vehicles occurred in Indiana, but no serious injuries were reported.
The storm could bring snow falling at more than one inch per hour in some places.
Winds turned Lake Michigan's waters into whitecaps, and snow-covered roads affected driving.
Another storm may bring freezing rain and snow to the Northeast next week.
On Saturday, several people were arrested in Manhattan after protesters blocked federal agents from leaving a garage during what seemed to be an immigration operation. The protestors formed barriers and threw objects at the agents, which led to their arrest after police instructed them to leave but they did not comply.
Key Facts
The incident occurred in Lower Manhattan's Chinatown during an apparent immigration enforcement operation.
Protestors blocked federal agents from leaving a parking garage and threw debris at them.
Demonstrators wore black clothing, with face masks and goggles, and ignored police instructions to disperse.
About 200 protesters chanted and blocked vehicles shouting "ICE out of New York."
The confrontation escalated as federal agents exited the garage, and protesters chased them, throwing items.
The protest site was near a recent large-scale immigration raid in which agents arrested several individuals.
Four U.S. citizens were previously arrested during a similar raid and held for nearly 24 hours without charges.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the Trump administration will pursue other legal options against former FBI Director James Comey, despite a federal judge dismissing an earlier case against him. The judge dismissed the case because the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was not qualified, but the FBI and DOJ have other plans to proceed.
Key Facts
Kash Patel is the FBI Director.
The Trump administration is pursuing legal actions against former FBI Director James Comey.
A federal judge dismissed an earlier case against Comey due to prosecutorial issues.
The judge found that Lindsey Halligan was not qualified to prosecute the case.
Patel stated the administration will explore other legal options.
The FBI and the Department of Justice are involved in this pursuit.
The interview with Patel was shared on X, highlighted that updates may come after Thanksgiving.
Representative Troy Nehls from Texas, a strong supporter of President Trump, announced he will retire from Congress instead of running again in 2026. He joins other lawmakers from both parties who have recently decided to step away from their roles. Nehls stated he wants to focus on family and informed President Trump about his decision.
Key Facts
Rep. Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, will retire and not run for reelection in 2026.
Nehls is a strong ally of President Donald Trump.
He announced his decision after discussions with his family during Thanksgiving.
Nehls said he personally informed President Trump of his retirement plans.
Other lawmakers, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, also plan to leave their positions.
The CDC reports that whooping cough cases are still higher than usual this year. An infant in Kentucky who wasn't vaccinated died from the disease, and other states are seeing more cases too.
Key Facts
Whooping cough is medically known as pertussis.
The CDC says whooping cough cases are elevated this year.
An unvaccinated infant in Kentucky died from whooping cough this week.
Several states in the U.S. are experiencing more cases of the disease.
The information includes a perspective from Dr. Lorne Walker, a pediatric infectious disease specialist.
Rising living costs are making it hard for millions of full-time workers in the U.S. to afford housing. Journalist Brian Goldstone and reporter Ali Rogin talk about this issue and its impact on many people's lives.
Key Facts
Many full-time workers in the U.S. cannot afford housing due to high living costs.
The issue affects people nationwide, meaning all over the country.
Brian Goldstone wrote a book called "There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America."
This topic is considered a 'crisis' because it affects so many people.
The discussion was covered in a segment with Ali Rogin, a news reporter.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to stop illegal immigrants from receiving certain federal tax benefits. This follows President Donald Trump's order and discussion around immigration policies and issues. The exact impact depends on the final regulations and how they are written.
Key Facts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans to cut tax benefits for illegal immigrants.
President Donald Trump ordered this action, criticizing current immigration policies.
Trump's message focused on benefits that immigrants receive in the U.S.
The Treasury will propose regulations affecting tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Illegal immigrants generally cannot get U.S. work authorization or certain benefits like Social Security.
The announcement mentions that illegal immigrants pose security and safety threats.
Details about how the rule impacts various groups, such as DACA or TPS program participants, remain unclear.
The Treasury emphasized ending illegal financial activities by illegal immigrants.
Texas Representative Troy Nehls announced he will not seek reelection, deciding to focus on his family after his current term. This adds to the list of lawmakers stepping down as upcoming midterm elections approach. Nehls is a close ally of President Trump and has served in Congress for three terms.
Key Facts
Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, will not run for reelection after his current term ends.
Nehls represents Texas' 22nd district and has served three terms in Congress.
He has a background in law enforcement and military service.
Nehls informed President Trump of his decision personally, indicating their close alliance.
Several other lawmakers, including some Texas Republicans and Nancy Pelosi, also announced they won't seek reelection.
Nehls' brother, Trever Nehls, plans to run for his seat in Congress.
The 22nd District of Texas is considered a solid Republican area.
Upcoming elections are significant due to changes in congressional maps and party strategies.
Social Security, a U.S. retirement income program, faces a financial problem and may run out of funds by 2033. Without changes, benefits could be cut, affecting millions of retirees. The government must decide how to balance taxes and benefits to fix this issue.
Key Facts
Social Security could run out of money by 2033.
If nothing changes, benefits may be reduced to 77% of the current amount.
The average monthly benefit could drop from $2,008 to $1,546.
The trust funds hold Treasury securities, which means the government owes this money to itself.
There are fewer workers supporting each retiree, dropping from 3.4 workers per beneficiary to 2.7 now, and expected to reach 2.3 in a decade.
The $350 billion shortfall in 2033 amounts to about 1.1% of the U.S. GDP.
Solutions involve politically challenging trade-offs, like raising taxes or cutting benefits.
Elected officials have largely avoided addressing the issue despite its long-term visibility.
Many Americans are now reaching retirement age, but they may not have enough money saved to support themselves. Rising living costs and fewer pensions are making retirement more difficult. The future of Social Security benefits is uncertain, adding to these challenges.
Key Facts
A large number of Americans are reaching retirement age, but many are not financially prepared.
Life expectancy is increasing, meaning people need more savings for longer retirements.
About 45% of Americans might not have enough money if they retire at 65.
The full retirement age in the U.S. is now 67.
Costs for healthcare and housing are rising faster than overall inflation.
Only about 14% of Generation X have pension plans to support them in retirement.
Wealthier workers contribute much more to retirement savings than lower-income workers.
Social Security benefits are uncertain, affecting current and future retirees.
A 76-year-old widow in Covina, California, found her house had been broken into after returning from Thanksgiving dinner. Her dog was later found dead nearby. The burglars took her wedding ring and cash meant for her mortgage.
Key Facts
The burglary happened in Covina, California, on Thanksgiving between 3 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Monica Lopez, the victim, is a 76-year-old widow who discovered the break-in upon returning home.
The intruders broke a window to enter the house and left through the back door gate.
Monica's dog, Rocky, was found with severe head injuries and died because of a car accident.
The burglars stole a wedding ring and several thousand dollars meant for Monica's mortgage.
Fingerprint evidence is being collected by detectives to identify the suspects.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Monica recover financially, raising over $8,000 so far.
Cigarettes are appearing more frequently in pop culture, particularly among young people and celebrities, despite known health risks. More than half of the top films in 2024 included smoking scenes. Experts remind that smoking remains a significant health issue causing many preventable diseases and deaths.
Key Facts
Cigarettes are becoming more visible in films and TV shows targeted at young audiences.
Over half of 2024's top movies included tobacco imagery, a 10% increase from the previous year.
Celebrities like Dakota Johnson and Sabrina Carpenter are shown smoking onscreen.
Social media platforms feature users discussing smoking, with some labeling it as appealing.
The American Lung Association highlights this as part of a long-standing strategy to make smoking seem attractive.
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the U.S., with over 480,000 deaths annually.
The CDC reports 16 million Americans living with diseases linked to smoking.
Young people are increasingly interested in nostalgic trends, which may contribute to the renewed interest in smoking.
President Trump's administration is using local police officers to help the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with deportation goals. Over 1,100 agreements have been made this year for local law enforcement to assist in immigration arrests and detentions. This expansion, driven by financial incentives and state laws, aims to increase ICE's capacity amid hiring challenges.
Key Facts
ICE has over 1,100 agreements with local law enforcement for immigration work.
Almost 650 counties participate in the 287(g) program, a partnership between ICE and local police.
Participating local officers can receive financial rewards, including full salary reimbursement and bonuses.
The program was expanded under President Trump after being reduced by the Obama administration.
ICE faces challenges hiring new agents and uses local police to fill the gap.
Florida has the most agreements (337), followed by Texas (231).
Some communities oppose these agreements, citing concerns about racial profiling and local law enforcement's role in federal immigration enforcement.
Over the past year, several U.S. policy changes have reduced civil rights protections and funding related to Black history and racial equity. This includes cuts to grants, deletion of important datasets, removal of books by Black authors, and cultural center closures at colleges. President Trump defends these changes as eliminating divisive elements to promote merit-based systems.
Key Facts
$3.4 billion in grants for Black educational and health purposes have been cut or frozen.
6,769 federal datasets, important for tracking issues impacting Black Americans, have been deleted.
591 books by Black authors are banned from schools and libraries run by the Pentagon.
Black unemployment has risen to 7.5%, influenced by federal workforce cuts.
Some pages about Black history on government websites were deleted, with few restorations after backlash.
Colleges have closed cultural centers focused on Black student support.
The Trump administration reviews national museums, with criticism of their focus on negative American history.
President Trump cites past initiatives like HBCU funding and criminal justice reform as part of his record.
