A new report predicts that in 2026, many Americans will move to midsize university towns, particularly in the South and Southwest regions of the U.S. Knoxville, Tennessee; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Vancouver, Washington, are expected to see the most newcomers. Cities may face challenges related to rapid growth, including housing and infrastructure needs.
Key Facts
The study forecasts a shift in moving trends, focusing on midsize university towns over coastal cities.
Knoxville, Tennessee, is predicted to have the highest in-migration rate in 2026.
Other top destinations include Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Vancouver, Washington.
The South and Southwest regions have the strongest predicted move ratios.
Almost half of the top 25 cities are in the South or Southwest, indicating regional preference.
The analysis highlights "comeback cities" like Saint Paul, Minnesota, with significant increases in interest.
Major cities like Austin, Texas, which were previously popular, now show reduced move interest.
Cities facing growth must prepare for increased demand in housing and infrastructure services.
House Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned that President Donald Trump might veto a bill that asks the Justice Department to make files about Jeffrey Epstein public. The bill was approved by both the House and Senate, and it is now waiting for Trump's decision. Although Trump has suggested he plans to sign it, Johnson expressed concerns about the bill not being amended.
Key Facts
The bill is called the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Both the House and Senate voted to release the Epstein files to the public.
Jeffrey Epstein was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges when he died by suicide in 2019.
President Trump has indicated he will sign the legislation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is concerned because the Senate passed the bill without changes.
Johnson mentioned uncertainty about whether Trump would veto the bill, saying "I don't know."
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to undo environmental rules set during President Biden's time in office. These rules restricted oil drilling in Alaska. The bill had strong Republican support and was backed by three Democrats.
Key Facts
The House approved a bill to remove limits on oil drilling in northern Alaska.
These limits were introduced under President Joe Biden.
Three Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill.
The Democrats who supported the bill are Representatives Henry Cuellar, Vincente Gonzalez, and Jim Costa.
Biden's policy blocked oil and gas leasing on 10.6 million acres in Alaska.
Additional restrictions were placed on over 2 million more acres.
The Trump administration previously argued that these limits affected Alaska's energy opportunities and job creation.
An employee of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was arrested in Minnesota during a police operation targeting sex trafficking. The operation aimed to identify people trying to buy sex from a 17-year-old. The ICE agent may face federal charges.
Key Facts
The arrest was part of a Minneapolis trafficking investigation called "Operation Creep."
Police arrested 16 men during the operation.
The goal was to catch individuals attempting to solicit sex from a minor.
The ICE employee worked as an auditor.
The ICE employee may face federal charges.
The police chief mentioned the operation during a news conference.
The operation took place over three days starting November 5.
Hakeem Jeffries, a U.S. political leader, responded to questions after his name was mentioned in a 2013 email related to Jeffrey Epstein. The email came from a political consulting firm offering a fundraiser and was not written by Jeffries. Jeffries stated he does not remember the email and denied any personal connection with Epstein.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries' name appeared in a 2013 email connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
The email was sent by a political consulting firm about a fundraiser event.
Jeffries did not write or send this email himself.
There is no evidence that Jeffries met Epstein or that Epstein donated due to this email.
Jeffries claimed he does not recall the email when questioned.
Jeffries stated he never met Epstein and only knows about Epstein's criminal activities through news.
Jeffries supports efforts to uncover more information from the Department of Justice files related to Epstein.
President Donald Trump received criticism for calling a journalist "piggy" during a conversation about releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump plans to sign a bill that requires the Justice Department to make these files public, but questions remain about how much will be revealed. Legal analyst Joyce Vance expressed concerns about the treatment of women in this situation.
Key Facts
President Trump called a Bloomberg journalist "piggy" during a discussion about Epstein investigation files.
Trump has agreed to sign a bill that demands public release of these files.
Concerns exist about whether all relevant information will be made public due to potential redactions.
Joyce Vance, a former prosecutor, criticized Trump's comments and handling of the situation.
Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019.
The new bill has passed both the House and the Senate and awaits Trump’s signature.
Trump ended his friendship with Epstein in the early 2000s.
A potential new investigation may affect what information the Justice Department can release.
Congress voted to release files about Jeffrey Epstein, and the decision now goes to President Trump for approval. This move has caused disagreements within the Republican Party but highlights the influence of President Trump's supporters. President Trump initially did not support releasing the documents, but he changed his position as more Republican representatives encouraged the release.
Key Facts
Congress voted 427-1 in favor of releasing the Epstein files.
The bill requires President Trump's signature to become law.
President Trump initially found the case uninteresting but later supported releasing the files after pressure from Republicans.
The situation caused splits within the Republican Party.
Many Republicans and the public supported transparency regarding the Epstein case.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was a vocal critic, calling the issue divisive within Trump's base.
A poll showed that 67% of Republican voters supported the release of all Epstein files with names redacted.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, with nearly all Republicans voting in favor. Congressman Clay Higgins from Louisiana was the only "no" vote, citing concerns about revealing personal information of Epstein's victims. The bill also passed in the Senate, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law.
Key Facts
The U.S. House voted 427-1 to release documents about Jeffrey Epstein.
Congressman Clay Higgins was the only member who voted against the bill.
Higgins expressed concerns that the bill could harm innocent people by making personal information public.
The Senate approved the bill after the House passed it.
President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law.
The bill originally faced some opposition but gained support after President Trump supported the vote.
Higgins has a history of taking unique positions and making controversial statements.
House Democrats are using a move to censure Rep. Cory Mills to counter a Republican effort to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett. The Democrats' strategy has helped block other Republican censure efforts so far. A vote on the Mills censure must happen soon unless the motion is withdrawn.
Key Facts
House Democrats want to censure Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida.
This action counters a Republican move to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett for texting Jeffrey Epstein during a hearing.
Rep. Yvette Clarke introduced the Mills censure measure previously in September.
The censure measure accuses Mills of misconduct, including domestic abuse and financial issues, which he denies.
A vote on the Mills censure is required by Thursday unless withdrawn.
Republicans have a narrow majority in the House, making any defections critical.
Some Republicans, like Rep. Nancy Mace, indicated support for the Mills censure.
The vote result could impact the ongoing Republican and Democrat censure conflicts in the House.
The U.S. Congress has passed a bill to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a sex offender with connections to powerful figures. The bill passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate and now awaits President Donald Trump's signature. Despite initially opposing the release, President Trump plans to sign the bill into law.
Key Facts
The bill to release Jeffrey Epstein documents passed the House with a 427-1 vote.
The Senate approved the bill unanimously, even before formally receiving it.
The bill now goes to President Trump, who intends to sign it into law.
Epstein was a financier known for abusing young girls and having connections with influential people.
President Trump initially called the controversy a "hoax" but later agreed to the files' release.
Epstein first pleaded guilty to related charges in 2008 and was charged again in 2019.
He was found dead in his jail cell in 2019, with the death ruled as suicide.
Epstein had ties to many notable figures, including politicians and academia leaders.
Congress has passed a bill that directs the U.S. justice department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The measure received broad support in both the House and Senate and is now awaiting President Donald Trump's approval. The bill requires the release of unclassified documents and allows certain information to be withheld if it might affect ongoing investigations or reveal victims' identities.
Key Facts
Congress passed a bill to release files on Jeffrey Epstein.
The House voted 427-1 in favor, while the Senate approved the bill without a formal vote.
President Trump supported disclosing the files after initially opposing it.
The bill mandates releasing documents related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of becoming law.
The measure gives Attorney General Pam Bondi the power to withhold information that could impact ongoing investigations or identify victims.
Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, was facing sex trafficking charges.
President Trump and Epstein socialized in the past, but Trump stated he ended their relationship long ago.
Recently released documents mention President Trump, but there's no evidence of wrongdoing by him.
Three Republicans joined Democrats to stop a motion to censure Stacey Plaskett, a delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, due to her text exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing. The defeated motion aimed to reprimand Plaskett over claims she communicated with Epstein, a convicted sex offender, who tried to influence the hearing. President Trump called the Epstein issue a Democratic "hoax."
Key Facts
Three Republicans and all Democrats voted against censuring Stacey Plaskett.
The vote to censure Plaskett failed with 214 votes against and 209 in favor.
Documents revealed that Epstein texted Plaskett during a 2019 hearing where Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, testified.
Plaskett admitted to exchanging messages with Epstein, describing it as limited to gathering information.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender since 2008, died in jail in August 2019.
A proposed act, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, will require the Department of Justice to release more files on Epstein and is expected to be signed by President Trump.
Epstein's texts attempted to influence Plaskett's questioning during the hearing by highlighting remarks made about Rhona Graff, a former Trump aide.
The Senate passed a bill that requires the Justice Department to release files about Jeffrey Epstein. This bill now goes to President Trump, who has said he will sign it, but the files may not be released soon due to potential ongoing investigations.
Key Facts
The Senate passed the Epstein files bill unanimously.
The bill also passed almost unanimously in the House.
President Trump supports the bill after previously opposing it.
If signed, the Justice Department could still withhold files if they affect ongoing investigations.
Trump has directed investigations into Epstein's connections with figures like former President Clinton.
Only one Republican lawmaker, Rep. Clay Higgins, opposed the bill.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requested the Senate's unanimous consent for the bill.
Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned the need for amendments to protect victims and whistleblowers.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Congress passed a bill to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Clay Higgins was the only Republican to vote against it, citing concerns over privacy and justice. President Trump supports the bill and plans to sign it.
Key Facts
Only one Republican, Rep. Clay Higgins, voted against the bill to release Epstein files.
President Donald Trump plans to sign the bill, which he supports.
The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and was backed by almost all House Republicans.
Rep. Higgins expressed concerns about the bill potentially harming innocent people by revealing sensitive information.
The bill contains language to protect the privacy of Epstein survivors.
Rep. Higgins argues that an investigation by the Oversight Committee would be a better approach.
Higgins represents Louisiana’s Third District and is part of the House Freedom Caucus.
A federal court stopped Texas from using its new congressional map in the 2026 elections, saying it involved racial gerrymandering, which is against the law. The court decision is a setback for Republican efforts to reshape districts in favor of their party ahead of the important midterm elections. The judgment restores the earlier congressional map from 2021.
Key Facts
A panel of federal judges blocked Texas's new congressional map for the 2026 elections.
The judges found evidence that the districts were drawn based on race, which violates the law.
Racial gerrymandering is illegal under the US Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.
The court's decision makes it harder for Republicans to gain an advantage in the upcoming midterm elections.
President Donald Trump's administration had encouraged redrawing the map to add more Republican seats.
The decision restores the 2021 congressional map that is currently in use.
The ruling affects Texas, where Republicans currently hold a majority of the congressional seats.
The fight over redistricting has led to similar actions in other states like North Carolina and Missouri.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is under scrutiny after Republicans released documents showing that a political firm linked to his early career invited Jeffrey Epstein to a Democratic event. The House and Senate voted to require the Justice Department to release its files on Epstein, showing strong bipartisan support despite initial resistance.
Key Facts
A political firm connected to Hakeem Jeffries once invited Jeffrey Epstein to a fundraising event.
Documents released by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer highlight this connection.
The documents include a 2013 email that promoted Jeffries as "Brooklyn's Barack."
Republicans argue this email attempted to involve Epstein in Democratic fundraising.
The Senate and House agreed to compel the release of Epstein-related files from the Justice Department.
This vote showed bipartisan support, overcoming delays from President Trump and some Republican leaders.
A loose wire on a cargo ship led to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore in 2024, resulting in six workers' deaths. Investigators say the incident was preventable if warnings had been communicated sooner. The bridge repairs are now estimated to cost $5 billion and are expected to be completed by 2030.
Key Facts
A loose wire on the Dali cargo ship caused a power outage and led to the 2024 collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The bridge collapse resulted in the death of six workers.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the incident was preventable.
Police knew the ship was off course but did not warn the construction team in time.
Workers had about one minute and 29 seconds to evacuate if notified earlier.
The incident disrupted the Port of Baltimore and major roadway routes.
Bridge repair costs are now estimated at $5 billion, with completion expected by 2030.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated that the costs have increased due to trade policies.
Nearly 24 House Democrats joined Republicans in passing a measure to reprimand Representative Chuy García from Illinois. The measure criticized García for announcing his retirement after the filing deadline, which allowed only his chief of staff to appear on the Democratic primary ballot. This decision created tension within the Democratic Party.
Key Facts
23 House Democrats voted with Republicans to reprimand Rep. Chuy García.
The measure passed with a vote of 236 to 183.
García announced retirement plans after the Illinois filing deadline, affecting the primary ballot.
His chief of staff, Patty Garcia, became the sole Democratic candidate on the ballot.
The district is predominantly Democratic, meaning the primary often decides the overall election.
Democratic leaders opposed the measure and praised García in a separate statement.
Some progressive members have discussed possible retaliation against those who supported the measure.
García cited health and family reasons for his decision to not seek reelection, despite initial plans to do so.
The US House of Representatives passed a bill called the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This bill aims to make documents related to Jeffrey Epstein public. It needs Senate approval and President Trump's signature to become law.
Key Facts
The House of Representatives voted 427 to 1 in favor of the bill.
The bill is called the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
It requires the Department of Justice to release documents about Jeffrey Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sexual offender.
The bill must still be approved by the Senate.
President Donald Trump needs to sign the bill for it to become law.
The House of Representatives voted almost unanimously to require the Justice Department to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein. The bill passed 427-1, driven by pressure from both President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson. The Senate has yet to decide if they will vote on the bill.
Key Facts
The House voted 427-1 to force the Justice Department to release Jeffrey Epstein files.
Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump supported the release after initial opposition.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not committed to a Senate vote on the bill.
President Trump stated he would sign the bill if it passes the Senate.
The effort began with a discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna.
Only a few Republicans initially signed the petition, but support increased after Trump's backing.
Some Democrats believe Trump supported the bill to avoid being on the losing side of the issue.
Speaker Johnson initially opposed the effort, arguing the release might not protect victims and whistleblowers adequately.
