A federal judge has dismissed the cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The dismissal happened because the interim U.S. Attorney who signed the indictments, Lindsey Halligan, was found not to have the necessary experience. The cases may be reopened if the Justice Department decides to appeal or file new charges.
Key Facts
A federal judge dismissed the cases against James Comey and Letitia James.
The reason for dismissal was Lindsey Halligan's lack of experience in her role as interim U.S. Attorney.
The cases were dismissed "without prejudice," meaning they could be reopened.
The White House says the facts in the indictments have not changed.
The Justice Department is considering an appeal to a higher court.
If appealed, the case would go to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
An appeal would pause Comey and James' other legal claims.
Defense lawyers argue that any new prosecution would be flawed due to the original process.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will resign from Congress in 2026, shortly after becoming eligible for a federal pension. Her decision has sparked criticism, with some suggesting that her timing is primarily motivated by financial benefits.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress in January 2026.
She will qualify for a federal pension shortly after serving five full years.
Critics claim her resignation timing is aimed at securing pension benefits.
Her pension will begin at $8,717 annually when she turns 62 in 2036.
Greene has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump but has had recent clashes with him.
The National Taxpayers Union Foundation explained that her estimated lifetime pension could exceed $265,000.
Under the Federal Employees Retirement System, members qualify for a pension after five years of service, based partly on their salary and service length.
There is debate about whether her personal financial interests influenced her timing to leave Congress.
The Department of Justice asked a federal court to release the grand jury materials related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This request follows Congress's approval of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which allows the release of these documents. President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton support this move.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice wants to release grand jury materials from the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Both the House and Senate voted almost unanimously to support the release of these documents.
Congress's approval of the Epstein Files Transparency Act allows for the release of the records.
President Donald Trump approved the request to release the materials.
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier, died by suicide in a New York federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
There are rumors of an Epstein "client list," but it has not been made public.
The White House is addressing reports that suggest a delay in President Trump's plan to manage health care costs. The administration aims to prevent rising health insurance premiums due to the potential end of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which could lead to increased uninsured rates.
Key Facts
The White House denied reports that there was a scheduled announcement about a new health care plan.
The rumored announcement was supposed to address ways to control health care costs and prevent premium increases.
The administration is concerned about the expiration of ACA subsidies, which help lower insurance costs.
The Congressional Budget Office warned that premiums could more than double if subsidies end.
An estimated 2 million more people could be without insurance if the subsidies lapse.
Christina Pushaw, an aide to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, criticized the authenticity of some "tradwife" social media accounts, which promote traditional gender roles. This discussion is linked to a new feature on the platform X that reveals account locations, raising doubts about some influencers' claims.
Key Facts
Christina Pushaw is an aide to Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida.
She expressed skepticism about the authenticity of some tradwife accounts on social media.
Tradwife accounts show modern housewives embracing traditional gender roles.
A new feature on the platform X now reveals the country where accounts are based.
Pushaw stated her comments are personal and not an official statement from Governor DeSantis.
She believes some influencers exaggerate their lifestyles, making them seem unrealistic.
The tradwife trend has sparked debates over its perception and implications on gender roles.
Some view the trend as antifeminist, while others argue criticizing it is itself antifeminist.
A federal judge dismissed cases brought by the Justice Department against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge ruled that the cases were invalid because the U.S. attorney who secured the indictments was unlawfully appointed.
Key Facts
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie dismissed the cases due to unlawful appointment of interim U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan.
Halligan's lack of prior experience as a prosecutor and her appointment timing were factors in the judge's decision.
The Justice Department acknowledged that the grand jury did not see the final version of the charges against Comey.
Comey, charged with making a false statement and obstructing Congress, pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
Letitia James, accused of mortgage fraud, also pleaded not guilty.
The cases were part of President Donald Trump's administration's efforts against critics of his presidency.
The judge called the actions taken under Halligan's appointment unlawful exercises of power.
Some of Trump's supporters expressed frustration over the judge's decision, with calls for impeachment of the judge.
Travelers preparing for Thanksgiving travel may still remember the recent government shutdown, but experts suggest focusing on holiday travel challenges like weather and crowded airports. The Federal Aviation Administration expects its busiest Thanksgiving week in 15 years, with many flights scheduled. Both air and road travel are expected to be busy, and travelers are advised to be prepared for weather changes and packing efficiently.
Key Facts
The recent government shutdown was the longest on record and ended recently, impacting air travel.
This Thanksgiving week is expected to be the busiest in 15 years for flights, with over 360,000 flights scheduled.
The Transportation Security Administration will screen more than 17.8 million travelers.
AAA forecasts an increase of 1.3 million road travelers compared to last year, reaching at least 73 million car travelers.
Travelers are advised to prepare for winter weather and check weather forecasts frequently.
Over 500 flights in Dallas-Fort Worth were delayed due to weather issues, and nearly 70 were canceled at Love Field.
Travelers need a REAL ID or an accepted form of ID to fly within the U.S. iPhones can also store passport details in Apple Wallet.
TSA PreCheck can help speed up security checks, and travelers should ensure restricted items are not packed.
President Trump expressed his disagreement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) potentially removing the rule that limits a broadcast station owner to reach more than 39% of U.S. households. Trump believes lifting this cap could allow larger networks, which he views as politically biased, to expand more. This position contrasts with the FCC Chairman's support for lifting the cap to aid local broadcasters.
Key Facts
President Trump opposes removing the national ownership cap limiting broadcasters to 39% of U.S. households.
The FCC Chairman, Brendan Carr, supports removing the cap to help local broadcasters compete.
The National Association of Broadcasters supports Carr's position, while some consumer groups and smaller media companies, like Newsmax, disagree.
Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy argues that removing the cap could silence Republican voices.
President Trump shared his opposition on Truth Social, criticizing networks like ABC and NBC.
Opponents believe the cap removal would unfairly boost large networks.
Local broadcasters view the cap lift as favorable for consolidating deals, including several new mergers.
The FCC is conducting a review of broadcast ownership rules and is seeking public comments on the issue.
A 17-year-old U.S. citizen was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during his lunch break at school in Oregon. He was accused of obstructing federal law enforcement officers and was later released. This incident highlights concerns about how U.S. citizens are treated during immigration enforcement actions.
Key Facts
A 17-year-old from McMinnville High School in Oregon was detained by ICE officers.
The student, a U.S. citizen, was accused of impeding federal officers.
The arrest took place after ICE and Border Patrol officers identified the student as part of an incident involving vehicles blocking agents.
The student's older brother recorded the event and reported that the officers were told about the student's citizenship.
After the detention, the student was released the same day.
The school district confirmed the detention and stated they do not provide student information to immigration authorities without a court order.
ICE has been conducting immigration enforcement operations in various states, including Oregon, under President Trump's administration.
Concerns have been raised about U.S. citizens being affected during these immigration raids.
Voting-rights groups are challenging Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's decision to let Texas use a new congressional map, claiming it unfairly affects minority voters. The groups argue that the map reduces the voting power of Black and Hispanic voters, and that the Purcell principle, which advises against changing election rules close to an election, does not apply here. The Supreme Court is set to decide whether the map will be used in the 2026 midterm elections while the case continues.
Key Facts
Voting-rights groups have challenged Justice Samuel Alito's order on Texas's new congressional map.
The groups argue the map affects Black and Hispanic voters' power in elections.
Justice Alito allowed the map to stay for now, pending a Supreme Court decision.
Texas claims changing the map now would confuse voters and disrupt election preparations.
The groups say there is still time to revert to the previous map without issues.
A lower court ruled that the map likely had discriminatory intent.
The decision will determine if the map is used in the 2026 elections.
The Supreme Court is also considering a similar case from Louisiana.
A federal judge dismissed the criminal cases against James Comey, former FBI Director, and Letitia James, New York Attorney General. The judge ruled that the U.S. Attorney who filed the charges, Lindsey Halligan, was not properly appointed.
Key Facts
A federal judge dismissed cases against James Comey and Letitia James.
The cases were dismissed without prejudice.
"Without prejudice" means the cases could be reopened in the future.
The reason for dismissal was the improper appointment of U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan.
Halligan's appointment was found to be unlawful, making her legal actions invalid.
Republican investor James Fishback is running for governor in Florida. He faces a challenge from Trump-endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds, who currently leads in polls. Both candidates have different views on issues like AI data centers.
Key Facts
James Fishback announced his candidacy for the Florida governor's race.
Fishback focuses on issues like AI data centers, property tax, and H-1B visas.
Congressman Byron Donalds has President Trump's endorsement.
Polls show Donalds leading with 43-45% support, while Fishback has less than 1%.
Almost 50% of Republican voters in Florida remain undecided.
The Florida governor's seat is open because Ron DeSantis is term-limited.
Fishback opposes AI data centers, saying they could raise electric bills and harm the environment.
Florida's political landscape has shifted towards the Republican party in recent years.
A federal judge dropped the criminal cases against James Comey, a former FBI Director, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge ruled that the prosecutor, who filed the charges at President Donald Trump's request, was illegally appointed.
Key Facts
A U.S. district judge dismissed cases against James Comey and Letitia James.
The prosecutor who charged them was appointed by the Justice Department during Trump's administration.
The judge found the prosecutor’s appointment illegal.
The cases were filed at the urging of President Donald Trump.
The court's decision criticized the Trump administration's handling of the prosecutor's appointment.
Early polling for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary shows California Governor Gavin Newsom leading in several states. Newsom is ahead in five out of ten hypothetical state-based polls and is tied with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in one, while Pete Buttigieg leads in four states. This suggests there is no clear front-runner yet, highlighting potential competition within the party.
Key Facts
Gavin Newsom leads in five out of ten state-based Democratic primary polls for 2028.
Newsom ties with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in one state poll.
Pete Buttigieg leads in the remaining four polled states.
Newsom is currently ahead in states like California, Alaska, Ohio, Maine, and Nevada.
There is no clear front-runner for the 2028 Democratic primary.
Nationally, Newsom leads a close race with Kamala Harris, with Buttigieg third.
Newsom is noted for his aggressive political tactics and social media use.
Newsom's political strategies include focusing on redistricting and climate change advocacy.
The Pentagon is investigating Senator Mark Kelly over a video where he spoke to military members about rejecting unlawful orders. This involves checking if Kelly, a retired Navy captain, may have broken military laws. Such investigations can lead to actions like recalling Kelly to active duty for legal proceedings.
Key Facts
Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, is being investigated by the Pentagon.
The investigation is due to his appearance in a video advising troops to refuse illegal orders.
Kelly is a retired Navy captain and former NASA astronaut.
The Pentagon's action could lead to recalling Kelly for court-martial or other disciplinary measures.
The investigation aims to see if Kelly affected military loyalty, morale, or discipline.
Military law allows retirees to be called back to active duty for legal issues.
The Department of Defense is reviewing Kelly's statements to ensure they did not break any laws.
The Pentagon is looking into Senator Mark Kelly's involvement in a video where he and others asked U.S. troops to ignore unlawful orders. The investigation focuses on military rules since Kelly is a retired Navy Captain.
Key Facts
The Pentagon announced an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly.
The investigation is about a video where Kelly urged troops to defy illegal orders.
Mark Kelly is a Democratic Senator from Arizona.
Kelly has a military background as a retired U.S. Navy Captain.
Military law allows retired service members like Kelly to be called back to active duty.
The investigation involves a federal law related to military recall.
President Donald Trump and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are emphasizing the use of “gold standard” science to guide policies. However, some scientists argue that the administration is often not following established scientific evidence. There are concerns about the administration's stance on vaccine safety and other health recommendations.
Key Facts
President Trump and RFK Jr. stress the importance of following “gold standard” science in government decisions.
Some scientists criticize the administration for relying on unproven or preliminary studies instead.
The CDC recently changed its website to suggest vaccines might cause autism, contradicting scientific consensus.
Dr. Daniel Jernigan criticized RFK Jr. for altering decision-making processes at the CDC.
President Trump has made health claims with little or no scientific backing, such as warnings about acetaminophen.
The administration cast doubt on vaccines like those for measles and hepatitis B.
The term “gold standard” science refers to the highest quality evidence available, often from rigorous, randomized clinical trials.
Critics are concerned about the administration's approach during a significant measles outbreak.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service have issued warnings about winter weather that could affect travel during Thanksgiving week in nine states, including parts of Alaska and New York. The warnings include heavy snow and strong winds, which could create dangerous conditions on roads and at airports. Travelers are advised to prepare for possible travel disruptions.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories and watches for parts of Alaska, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York.
Winter weather advisories are in place for Idaho, Montana, and Alaska, with some lasting until Tuesday.
As much as 18 inches of snow could fall in higher elevations during the storms.
Some areas could experience ice formation and strong winds, making driving conditions difficult.
The busiest days for Thanksgiving travel, Tuesday and Wednesday, could be seriously affected by these weather conditions.
Travelers are advised to carry winter survival gear like blankets, extra clothes, food, and water in their vehicles.
The storm conditions could lead to delays at major airports and along interstate highways.
Weather forecasts suggest people should stay updated as conditions may change, potentially leading to more advisories.
A woman in New Hampshire, Martha Compton, had a tough day at work when her neighbor, Roxy Kuhlmann, brightened her day by offering her homemade chili. The simple gesture highlighted the importance of community and strong neighborly bonds.
Key Facts
Martha Compton moved back to Salem, New Hampshire, to be near family after a divorce.
She found it challenging to make friends as she works from home and has no children.
Compton has developed a friendship with her neighbor, Roxy Kuhlmann, and their dogs get along well.
Compton had a particularly busy and demanding day at work and felt exhausted.
Kuhlmann texted Compton, offering some homemade chili, which brightened Compton's day.
Compton shared the kind gesture on her Threads account, gaining positive responses and over 3,300 likes.
The story underlines the positive impact of small, thoughtful actions in building community connections.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision not to hear a case about the Feres doctrine, which stops military members from suing the U.S. government for injuries related to their service. Thomas argued that the doctrine has been criticized and causes confusion, and he believes it should be revisited to allow service members and their families to seek legal help for harm.
Key Facts
Justice Clarence Thomas wants the Supreme Court to reconsider the Feres doctrine, which was created in 1950.
The Feres doctrine prevents lawsuits against the U.S. for injuries related to military service.
The doctrine's interpretation led lower courts to dismiss a case involving the death of Staff Sergeant Cameron Beck, who died in a collision with a government vehicle.
Clarence Thomas argued that the case should not be seen as service-related because Beck was off duty.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor agrees with some criticism of the Feres doctrine and argues that Congress can change it.
Justice Neil Gorsuch indicated he would have supported hearing the case but did not elaborate further.
