Starting in 2026, international visitors to popular U.S. national parks will need to pay an extra $100 fee. U.S. citizens and permanent residents will continue paying the current rate. President Trump's administration says this fee will help maintain the parks and keep costs affordable for American families.
Key Facts
From 2026, foreign tourists must pay a $100 extra fee to visit 11 popular U.S. national parks.
The cost of an annual park pass for non-residents will increase to over $250.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80 for an annual pass.
The Department of the Interior mentions "patriotic fee-free" days for residents on special holidays in 2026.
The extra revenue is intended to fund conservation and maintenance projects in the parks.
President Trump signed an executive order in July to increase entrance fees for international visitors.
U.S. national parks had more than 331 million visitors in 2024, showing a significant increase in tourist numbers.
The fee increase will also coincide with an upgraded online booking system and improved park access for motorcyclists.
The FBI is investigating six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video telling U.S. military members to ignore illegal orders. The lawmakers, all of whom have served in the military or intelligence, say their statements follow U.S. law, as service members swear to uphold the Constitution. The FBI's inquiries, directed by President Trump's administration, aim to determine if any laws were broken.
Key Facts
The FBI requested interviews with six Democratic lawmakers featured in a video about defying illegal military orders.
Senator Mark Kelly, among the lawmakers, is under review by the Pentagon for possible military law violations.
President Trump has accused these lawmakers of sedition and mentioned potential severe penalties.
The FBI's inquiry is to check if any wrongdoing occurred.
The lawmakers, all veterans or former intelligence officials, argue their video reflects U.S. law.
The FBI is led by Kash Patel, a Trump appointee, while the Pentagon's review involves the Secretary of the Navy.
Some Republicans, like Senator Lisa Murkowski, criticize the investigations as unnecessary.
The investigations are seen as part of a broader use of federal powers against political critics.
President Trump's administration has appointed Ralph Abraham, a former Louisiana health official, as the new principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Abraham previously worked as a Louisiana Surgeon General and was known for opposing mass vaccination promotions and supporting the controversial use of ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment.
Key Facts
Ralph Abraham is appointed as the CDC's principal deputy director.
The appointment was confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services and does not need Senate approval.
Abraham was a three-term congressman from 2015 to 2021 and has a background in veterinary and family medicine.
In February, Abraham stopped Louisiana's health department from using media campaigns to promote vaccinations.
He argued against COVID-19 vaccine safety and advised against its use publicly.
He supported using the unproven drug ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19.
Abraham was the seventh highest prescriber of ivermectin in Louisiana in 2021.
A special election in Tennessee is drawing national attention as both political parties try to win a congressional seat. Democrats are investing resources in the district, although it has been reliably Republican. The election results may signal changes in political dynamics as President Trump focuses on economic issues like affordability.
Key Facts
A special election is happening on December 2nd in Tennessee to fill a congressional seat.
Tennessee is traditionally a conservative area; Trump won there by 22% in the last presidential election.
Democrats are heavily investing in the race, and former Vice-President Kamala Harris has visited the area to support campaign efforts.
Political experts suggest the race is closer than usual, causing concern among Republicans.
Marjorie Taylor Greene's recent resignation from Congress adds tension within the Republican Party.
Republicans are worried about potential changes in voter preferences as midterm elections approach.
President Trump is focusing on affordability issues, such as high consumer prices and tariffs, to appeal to voters.
There are disagreements within the Republican Party regarding some of Trump’s proposals, like the controversial mortgage proposal and H1-B visas.
President Donald Trump criticized six Democratic lawmakers for a video they made urging military members to refuse illegal orders. The exchange has led to discussions about the limits of presidential authority and civilian control of the military in the U.S. Both the Democratic and Republican videos are considered protected political speech under the First Amendment.
Key Facts
President Trump called Democratic lawmakers "traitors" for their video message to U.S. troops.
The video urged military personnel to refuse illegal orders, an act protected under the U.S. Constitution.
The remark has stirred legal debates and prompted investigations by the FBI and Pentagon.
The Democratic video did not mention any specific illegal actions ordered by President Trump.
Legal experts state that both videos by Democrats and Republicans are protected by freedom of speech rights.
President Trump has suggested harsh penalties for the lawmakers' actions, including calling their behavior "seditious."
The situation raises questions about the balance of power and oversight in the U.S. military's role.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she will not run for a fourth term next year. She has been mayor since 2015 and has managed the city during challenging times, including clashes with President Donald Trump. Her decision will likely lead to a competitive race for her replacement in the Democratic-leaning city.
Key Facts
Muriel Bowser has been the mayor of Washington DC since 2015.
She announced she will not run for re-election next year.
Bowser mentioned her administration's achievements in housing and infrastructure.
She dealt with several challenges, including clashes with President Trump over federal troop deployments.
A federal judge ruled that Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in DC was illegal.
The District of Columbia is not a state and relies on federal funding; it is under the control of Congress and the President.
Bowser has advocated for DC to become the 51st state for greater autonomy.
At least four candidates have expressed intentions to run for mayor in the upcoming election.
A federal judge dismissed legal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James because the prosecutor was wrongly appointed. The government can appeal this decision, and there is a possibility of new charges being filed. Both Comey and James deny wrongdoing, claiming they are targets of political retaliation.
Key Facts
A judge dismissed charges against James Comey and Letitia James due to the prosecutor's invalid appointment.
The government might appeal the judge's decision to a higher court.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi plans to file an immediate appeal.
Comey and James face different charges, including obstruction of justice and bank fraud.
Both individuals claimed the charges were politically motivated.
The statute of limitations could impact the possibility of re-indicting Comey.
The dismissal grants a six-month period to potentially refile charges.
The legal process involves complex legal steps and challenges.
President Donald Trump’s administration plans to review refugees who have already settled in the United States. This involves rechecking the backgrounds of over 230,000 refugees admitted during and after Joe Biden's presidency. If any refugees fail to meet resettlement standards, their legal status could be revoked.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration will vet refugees already living in the US.
Over 230,000 refugees, admitted from January 2021 to February 2025, will be reviewed.
If refugees don't meet resettlement standards, they could lose their legal status.
Refugees apply for protection outside the US and undergo multiple screenings.
In 2024, the US accepted more than 100,000 refugees mainly from Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Syria.
The current administration set the refugee admission cap for next year at 7,500.
President Trump favors resettling primarily white South Africans, citing discrimination against them.
Refugee groups criticize the retroactive vetting as harmful and unnecessary.
Several Democratic lawmakers are responding to an alleged FBI investigation into their video urging troops to disobey illegal orders. President Trump called their actions "seditious," sparking debate and investigation. The Pentagon is also reviewing Senator Mark Kelly's involvement to see if he violated military law.
Key Facts
Six Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Mark Kelly, appeared in a video telling troops to disobey illegal orders.
President Trump accused these lawmakers of "seditious behavior" in response to the video.
The FBI is allegedly investigating the lawmakers, but has not commented publicly on the matter.
The video was part of a response to tensions between the Trump administration and the Venezuelan government and concerning the deployment of National Guard troops.
Senator Kelly, a former Navy captain and astronaut, is under Pentagon review to determine if he breached military law.
The lawmakers assert that the FBI's interest is an intimidation attempt by President Trump.
The Department of Justice has not commented on the investigation.
President Trump later clarified that he was not threatening the lawmakers' lives despite his initial strong reaction.
Officials from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's team visited a CIA warehouse in April to move files about the Kennedy assassinations to the National Archives. This action followed President Trump's order to rapidly declassify these records. The event illustrates tension between Gabbard's office and the CIA regarding control of sensitive historical documents.
Key Facts
Tulsi Gabbard is the Director of National Intelligence.
In April, Gabbard's team went to a secret CIA warehouse to move files to the National Archives.
The files related to the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert F. Kennedy.
President Trump ordered in January for these records to be declassified quickly.
The CIA initially resisted but eventually cooperated after the team's arrival.
Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, connected to the Kennedy family, was involved in the operation.
The mission aimed to meet a 45-day declassification deadline for the records.
The operation reflects a struggle over control of sensitive documents within U.S. intelligence.
President Donald Trump pardoned two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle, continuing a long-standing tradition at the White House. The ceremony is part of a Thanksgiving custom with a history that includes several tales and events involving past presidents.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned two turkeys from North Carolina named Gobble and Waddle.
The Thanksgiving turkey pardon is a tradition at the White House.
Abraham Lincoln is often credited with the first turkey pardon in 1863 after his son asked for mercy for the bird.
President Harry Truman was the first to receive a turkey in an official White House event.
Truman's turkey presentation was a response to his "Poultryless Thursdays" initiative after World War II.
President John F. Kennedy received a turkey in 1963 but did not formally pardon it.
The turkey pardon tradition was officially established by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
President Trump mentioned the importance of family and friends during the ceremony.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski criticized claims of treason and sedition against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. These claims emerged after Kelly appeared in a video advising military members not to follow illegal orders. President Trump described the video as "seditious," prompting the Pentagon to announce an investigation into Kelly.
Key Facts
Senator Lisa Murkowski is a member of the Republican Party.
Murkowski spoke out against treason accusations targeting Democratic Senator Mark Kelly.
The accusations relate to a video where Kelly told service members not to follow illegal orders.
President Donald Trump labeled the video as "seditious."
The Pentagon decided to investigate Senator Kelly.
Murkowski described the investigation as unnecessary and a misuse of resources.
Senator Mark Kelly is a retired Navy captain and former astronaut.
President Donald Trump pardoned two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle for Thanksgiving. During the ceremony, he joked about naming the turkeys after political figures and criticized Joe Biden.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle.
The event took place as part of a Thanksgiving tradition.
Trump joked about naming the turkeys Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer.
He criticized Joe Biden, claiming Biden's previous turkey pardons were invalid.
Trump mentioned that Biden used an autopen, a device that replicates a person's signature, for last year's turkey pardons.
A group of Democratic lawmakers says the FBI is investigating them after they released a video encouraging military members to ignore illegal orders. They argue that President Trump is using the FBI to intimidate them. The lawmakers include both House and Senate members who are military veterans or have national security backgrounds.
Key Facts
Democrats released a video asking military members to defy illegal orders.
The FBI is seeking to interview these lawmakers about the video.
The group includes Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan.
President Trump criticized the video as "seditious behavior."
Lawmakers claim the FBI's actions are politically motivated harassment.
The FBI and White House did not comment on the situation.
The Pentagon is also investigating Sen. Mark Kelly regarding the video.
The lawmakers have experienced death threats since the video's release.
A high school football coach named Travis Turner is wanted by police in Virginia for charges related to child pornography and soliciting a minor. Turner disappeared, which led to a search by authorities using drones and rescue teams. The school district confirms that Turner is on leave and cannot contact students or visit school property.
Key Facts
Travis Turner is a high school football coach in Virginia.
He vanished last week and is now considered a fugitive.
Police have charged him with possessing child pornography and using a computer to solicit a minor.
Virginia police are still searching for him with drones and search teams.
The school district has placed him on administrative leave.
Turner's disappearance does not stop the school's football team from reaching the Virginia regional final.
Turner was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses.
The police have 10 warrants for his arrest, and more charges might be added.
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest known survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at the age of 111. She was seven years old when the massacre occurred in 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 300 residents of the Greenwood neighborhood. Fletcher and others campaigned for recognition and reparations for the massacre, but their legal case was dismissed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Key Facts
Viola Ford Fletcher was seven years old during the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921.
The massacre took place in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
An estimated 300 residents died, and more than 1,200 homes, businesses, and churches were destroyed.
The violence began following an accusation against a black teenager named Dick Rowland.
Fletcher spent her later years advocating for recognition and reparations for the massacre victims.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit seeking reparations.
The city of Tulsa announced a $105 million reparations package to address the massacre's impact.
Fletcher was remembered for her persistent efforts to seek justice and raise awareness of the massacre.
The last congressional election of the year in Tennessee's 7th District is drawing attention. President Donald Trump previously won this area by a wide margin, but Democrats believe they can take the seat. The article discusses Tennessee voters' views on President Trump's performance and its influence on the election.
Key Facts
Tennessee's 7th District is hosting the last congressional election of the year.
President Donald Trump won this district by 22% in the 2024 presidential election.
Democrats believe they have a chance to win the congressional seat this time.
The article features opinions from Tennessee voters about President Trump's performance.
The outcome of the election might be influenced by voters' views on Trump's presidency.
BBC's Anthony Zurcher interviewed Tennessee voters for their perspectives.
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson stated that the U.S. cannot afford the proposed $2,000 tariff checks suggested by President Trump. He expressed concerns about the country's $2 trillion budget deficit, despite the revenue generated from tariffs. President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have advocated for the dividends, but Congressional approval is necessary.
Key Facts
Senator Ron Johnson said the U.S. cannot afford $2,000 tariff checks proposed by President Trump.
The U.S. is facing a $2 trillion budget deficit this year.
The Trump administration has collected more than $220 billion in tariff revenue.
It is estimated that the $2,000 checks would cost about $326 billion.
Congressional approval is needed to finalize the tariff rebates.
President Trump supports the dividend of at least $2,000 for Americans, excluding high-income individuals.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is involved in discussions about the rebates.
The proposal is part of President Trump’s agenda regarding tariffs and tax changes.
Americans are seeing changes in Thanksgiving meal prices, with Walmart advertising lower costs for its meal kit this year. However, experts note that while meal kits seem cheaper, they contain fewer items and use generic brands. Official data indicates that prices for turkeys and other Thanksgiving staples like potatoes and apples are rising, mainly due to avian flu impacts and inflation.
Key Facts
Walmart's Thanksgiving meal kit is priced lower this year, advertised at $4 per person for 10 people.
The kit contains fewer items (20 this year versus 29 last year) and uses more generic brands.
Official data from the USDA predicts turkey prices to be about 40% higher due to avian flu affecting supply.
Avian flu has led to the culling of entire flocks when infections are detected, reducing turkey availability.
Other staples like potatoes, rolls, and apples have price increases outpacing the average inflation rate.
Cranberry sauce prices have risen by 22% compared to last year.
Consumer confidence in the economy has declined to its lowest level since April.
Wine prices are mixed, with domestic production leading to lower costs, but European imports face a 15% increase due to tariffs.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an operation led by Elon Musk and President Trump targeting federal agencies, has been dismantled earlier than planned. A top government official confirmed that DOGE is no longer active.
Key Facts
DOGE stands for Department of Government Efficiency.
Elon Musk and President Trump led this operation.
DOGE aimed at improving the efficiency of federal agencies.
The operation was dismantled earlier than its scheduled end date.
A government personnel official confirmed the disbanding of DOGE.
Reuters reported on the dismantling of this operation.
