The U.S. government released $3.6 billion in funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income families pay for heating and cooling their homes. The funds were delayed due to a government shutdown that ended on November 12.
Key Facts
The funds released amount to $3.6 billion for the LIHEAP program.
LIHEAP assists low-income households with heating and cooling costs.
The release was delayed by a federal government shutdown that ended on November 12.
Mark Wolfe of NEADA expressed the release was overdue and critical for families.
Most state allocations usually happen at the start of November.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services oversees LIHEAP.
A bipartisan group of House members urged the swift release of funds.
About 68% of LIHEAP users also get SNAP food benefits.
A suspect in D.C. was charged with first-degree murder after one of the two National Guard members shot near the White House died. The suspect is believed to be an Afghan national who entered the U.S. through a program for vulnerable Afghans.
Key Facts
The shooting occurred near the White House, involving two National Guard members.
The suspect now faces a first-degree murder charge after the death of one victim, Sarah Beckstrom.
The suspect is a 29-year-old Afghan national who once worked with the CIA.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro mentioned more charges are expected as the investigation continues.
The suspect lived in Washington state with his family.
Attorney General Pam Bondi is considering the death penalty for the suspect.
President Trump suggested increasing the number of National Guard personnel in D.C. following the incident.
In response to the event, the Trump administration suspended immigration applications from Afghan nationals.
Charges against Rahmanullah Lakanwal were upgraded to first-degree murder after Sarah Beckstrom, a National Guard soldier, died from a shooting near the White House. The shooting also left another soldier, Andrew Wolfe, in critical condition. The suspect, who is an Afghan national and worked with the CIA, faces multiple charges.
Key Facts
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder after Sarah Beckstrom died.
The shooting happened near the White House.
Beckstrom was a 20-year-old National Guard Specialist.
Andrew Wolfe, a 24-year-old Staff Sgt., was also injured and in critical condition.
Lakanwal faces three counts of possession of a firearm during a violent crime.
He also faces two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
Lakanwal previously worked for the CIA in Afghanistan.
President Donald Trump and New York City's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, met at the White House for a surprising friendly discussion. Both leaders had previously exchanged insults during the mayoral campaign but now plan to collaborate for the city's betterment.
Key Facts
President Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani met in the Oval Office.
Their meeting was friendly, despite past campaign insults.
Trump promised to help Mamdani make New York City successful.
The meeting has sparked reactions from Republicans and Democrats.
Mamdani faces challenges in balancing relations with Trump and New York Democrats.
New York's Democratic governor might be asked to increase taxes on the wealthy.
Midterm elections in 2026 may affect political dynamics in New York.
Republican Elise Stefanik is running for governor, which could influence party strategies.
President Donald Trump has announced a "permanent pause" on immigration from several countries he referred to as "Third World Countries". This decision follows a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan national. The U.S. is also temporarily stopping immigration requests from Afghan nationals and reviewing green cards from certain countries.
Key Facts
President Trump paused immigration from countries he refers to as "Third World Countries".
The announcement came after a shooting in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan suspect.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) suspended immigration processing for Afghan nationals.
Green cards from specific countries on a prior travel ban list are under review.
These measures aim to protect the U.S. from national security threats.
Trump mentioned ending federal benefits for non-citizens and possible deportations.
Earlier, Trump had imposed travel bans on nationals from 19 countries, with full bans on 12 of them.
President Donald Trump became upset with a reporter who questioned him about holding the Biden administration responsible for a shooting in Washington, DC. An Afghan evacuee is accused in this incident, and when the reporter brought up background checks, Trump called the reporter a "stupid person."
Key Facts
President Trump is the current U.S. President.
A shooting occurred in Washington, DC.
An Afghan evacuee is accused of killing a National Guard member in this shooting.
President Trump blamed the Biden administration for the shooting.
A reporter asked Trump about federal vetting, which means background checks done by the government.
Trump responded by calling the reporter a "stupid person."
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. might eliminate income taxes due to money collected from tariffs. However, the current tariff revenue is much less than what would be needed to replace income tax revenue.
Key Facts
President Trump suggested income tax might be cut or eliminated using tariff revenue.
Replacing income tax revenue would need over $2.5 trillion from tariffs annually.
In fiscal 2025, the U.S. collected about $195 billion from tariffs.
The expected tariff revenue for fiscal 2026 is slightly over $400 billion.
The U.S. government collected $2.66 trillion from individual income taxes in fiscal 2025.
The legality of Trump's tariffs is under review by the Supreme Court.
Lawmakers prefer that tariff revenue be used to reduce the national debt.
Decisions on using tariff revenue for various proposals, like eliminating taxes, await further developments.
A Babson College student, Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, was detained at Logan International Airport and deported to Honduras while trying to travel to Texas to surprise her family for Thanksgiving. Her attorney stated she was detained due to a removal order from 2017, which she was unaware of.
Key Facts
Any Lucia Lopez Belloza is a freshman at Babson College.
She was detained at Logan International Airport in Boston and then deported to Honduras.
Lopez Belloza traveled to surprise her family in Texas for Thanksgiving.
She was detained due to a 2017 removal order she did not know about.
Lopez Belloza's family lost contact with her for nearly two days before hearing from her in Honduras.
This would have been Lopez Belloza's first Thanksgiving break during college.
Her two young sisters are U.S. citizens and her family lives in Texas.
Her attorney claims she did not have a chance to contest the removal order in court.
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who is related to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, was arrested by immigration officials during a school pickup. Despite her detention, Ferreira maintains close family ties with Leavitt's relatives. The arrest occurred as part of President Trump's increased immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
Bruna Caroline Ferreira is the mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew.
Ferreira was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in November.
She legally arrived in the U.S. with her family as a young child.
Ferreira has strong family connections with Karoline Leavitt’s relatives.
Karoline Leavitt is the White House Press Secretary and related to Ferreira’s son as his godmother.
President Trump’s administration has increased immigration arrests and tightened asylum processes.
Ferreira co-parents her son with Michael Leavitt, Karoline’s brother, and maintains a positive relationship with his family.
A new poll shows that more Americans want to see fewer legal immigrants coming into the country. Immigration, while a key focus for President Trump, is not a top priority for most Americans, who are more concerned about inflation and jobs.
Key Facts
A poll by Economist/YouGov found 35% of Americans want to decrease legal immigration, with 9% wanting it reduced to zero.
President Donald Trump plans to "permanently pause" immigration from certain countries.
The poll shows more support for Trump's immigration policies among conservatives and Trump voters.
60% of conservatives want to reduce or stop legal immigration, while only 14% of liberals agree.
Younger adults (ages 18-29) are more likely to support increasing legal immigration.
Immigration ranks low on the list of national priorities, with only 6% seeing it as the most important issue.
Trump's approval ratings on immigration policies are mixed, with higher support for "border security" measures.
President Donald Trump has recently directed negative comments toward female journalists, raising concerns about how women in the field are treated. These remarks have occurred during various interactions with reporters, often involving contentious topics.
Key Facts
President Trump called a female journalist "quiet, piggy" during a question about Jeffrey Epstein.
In the Oval Office, he labeled an ABC News reporter a "terrible reporter" after questions about journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death.
Trump made negative remarks on Truth Social about a New York Times journalist, criticizing her appearance and work.
He asked a CBS News reporter if she was "stupid" after a question on Afghan vetting.
These incidents have raised questions about the treatment of female journalists and broader gender stereotypes.
Female journalists globally face online and offline threats, with many experiencing violence according to a UNESCO report.
White House press secretary defended Trump's comments as "frankness."
Experts note that such remarks may affect perceptions of women and their roles on a global stage.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has improved among Generation Z (ages 18-29), despite still being negative overall. A poll shows his approval shifted from -55 to -34 percentage points in November 2024. This voter group traditionally leans Democratic, but recent changes may impact future elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's net approval among Gen Z rose from -55 to -34 points in November 2024.
A government shutdown may have influenced past lower approval ratings.
In the 2024 election, fewer Gen Z voters backed the Democratic candidate compared to 2020.
Polls indicate Trump's approval among this age group has been unstable.
Economic issues like rising prices and unemployment are affecting public opinion.
President Trump's overall approval rating is at its lowest since he returned to office, with 39% approving.
Trump's support among young people remains important for upcoming elections.
President Donald Trump announced his intention to stop migration to the United States from poorer countries and plans to remove millions of immigrants by revoking their legal status. He attributed various social issues, such as crime and housing shortages, to immigration. This announcement follows a shooting in Washington, D.C., where a National Guard member died and another was injured.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to stop migration from poorer countries to the U.S.
He intends to remove millions of immigrants by revoking their legal status.
Trump associates immigration with crime and housing shortages in the U.S.
The term "REVERSE MIGRATION" is being used to describe his plan.
The announcement came after a shooting where one National Guard member died.
An Afghan national, who worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War, was charged in relation to the shooting.
New York State plans to change its driver point system, affecting many drivers. The changes aim to impose tougher penalties for traffic violations and extend the time frame for assessing points from 18 to 24 months.
Key Facts
New York is changing the point system used to penalize drivers.
The changes will extend the point accumulation period from 18 months to 24 months.
Drivers can receive 8 points for speeding in construction zones, regardless of speed.
Passing a stopped school bus will now lead to 8 points instead of 5.
Drivers with four or more alcohol or drug-related convictions may lose their license permanently.
The changes include mandatory driver improvement clinics for certain point totals.
The updated system is expected to be enforced by mid-February 2026.
A man from Washington state is facing an upgraded first-degree murder charge after allegedly shooting and killing a National Guard member near the White House. The victim, Sarah Beckstrom, was involved in an ambush-style attack that also critically injured another service member, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Authorities suggest more charges are likely as the investigation continues.
Key Facts
The suspect's name is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, aged 29.
Initially, he was charged with assault, which was later upgraded to first-degree murder.
The shooting happened near the White House and resulted in the death of Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old National Guard member.
Beckstrom died from gunshot wounds to her chest and head.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically injured and underwent surgery.
Prosecutors are gathering more evidence, indicating more charges may be filed.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, announced the upgraded charges.
President Donald Trump mentioned Beckstrom's death in his Thanksgiving address and provided information on Wolfe's condition.
The U.S. Department of Education plans to change how certain degrees, like nursing and public health, are labeled. This change would make it harder for students in these fields to get government loans, potentially leading to fewer workers in essential health-related jobs. This might affect the availability of healthcare services, especially in underserved areas.
Key Facts
The Department of Education wants to reclassify some degrees from "professional" to "non-professional."
This change affects fields like nursing, public health, and social work.
If reclassified, students in these fields might struggle to access federal graduate loans.
Many of these fields already face worker shortages.
The reclassification could disproportionately affect women and people of color, who are a major part of these fields.
Healthcare areas that might suffer include rural and low-income neighborhoods.
The U.S. healthcare sector has over 2 million job openings each year, many in public and social health services.
There is a projected 10% shortage of registered nurses by 2027.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a high-risk warning for a voluntary recall of Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar cheese made by Face Rock Creamery due to potential listeria contamination. The cheese was only sold at the company's store in Bandon, Oregon, and no illnesses have been reported so far.
Key Facts
The FDA classified the recall as Class I, indicating a high risk for serious health issues or death.
Listeria can cause serious infections, particularly in young children, elderly people, and those with weak immune systems.
The affected cheese is Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar in a 6-ounce package with a use-by date of November 4, 2026.
The product was sold between November 10 and November 13 exclusively at the Face Rock Creamery store in Oregon.
No batch of the finished cheese product tested positive for listeria; the recall was based on environmental samples.
Face Rock Creamery initiated the recall as a precaution, involving only 16 units sold.
The FDA advises consumers to destroy or return the product for a full refund.
The recall is ongoing, with Face Rock Creamery working with authorities to ensure safety and transparency.
President Trump announced that the United States will "permanently pause" migration from what he referred to as "third world countries." He claimed this pause will help the U.S. recover from prior immigration policies. The announcement follows recent security concerns linked to an Afghan national accused of a shooting in Washington D.C.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to "permanently pause" migration from unspecified "third world countries."
He stated this move is meant to help the U.S. recover from previous immigration policies.
Trump blamed refugees for contributing to "social dysfunction" in the U.S.
His comments came after an Afghan national was involved in a shooting incident in Washington D.C.
The U.S. has temporarily stopped processing immigration requests from Afghans for security reviews.
The U.S. plans to re-examine green cards issued to people from 19 countries, including Afghanistan and others like Haiti and Iran.
President Trump also proposed ending federal benefits to noncitizens.
The Afghan national linked to the shooting came to the U.S. in 2021 on a special immigration program.
New York will require many stores to accept cash payments due to a new law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul. This law aims to protect consumers who rely on cash, especially seniors and low-income individuals, and it will be effective starting in March 2026.
Key Facts
New York passed a law requiring food stores and retailers to accept cash payments.
The law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, prohibits extra fees on cash payments.
The bill, known as Bill A.7929A/S.4153A, was introduced in April 2023.
It passed easily in the state Senate and Assembly with a strong majority.
New Jersey and Colorado have similar laws requiring cash acceptance at certain businesses.
The law will officially take effect in March 2026.
The aim is to help those who rely on cash, like seniors and lower-income people.
New York joins a few other U.S. states with cash protection laws.
President Donald Trump's approval rating among working-class voters earning less than $50,000 a year is currently 34%, with 62% disapproving, resulting in a net rating of -28 points. Despite earlier gains with this group in the 2024 election, new polls show a decline in their support. Economic concerns, such as inflation and living costs, along with recent political actions, may influence these opinions.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating among people earning under $50,000 is 34%.
62% of people earning under $50,000 disapprove of Trump's performance, resulting in a net approval of -28 points.
Trump's overall approval rating is 38%, with a net approval of -19 points.
Higher earners have slightly less negative views, but many still disapprove.
Economic concerns, including inflation and tariffs, may affect opinions about Trump.
A recent government shutdown impacted financial assistance programs, like SNAP, possibly affecting his approval.
Trump's approval rating among low-income earners has decreased since September.
