U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik announced her campaign to run for governor of New York against the current Governor Kathy Hochul. If Stefanik wins in 2026, she could potentially use her power as governor to remove New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, drawing on a rarely used legal authority. This power involves a formal legal process but has not been actively used since 1932.
Key Facts
Elise Stefanik is running for governor of New York against Kathy Hochul in 2026.
Stefanik is a Republican and currently a U.S. Representative.
Zohran Mamdani was recently elected as New York City Mayor with 50.4% of the vote.
The governor of New York has the constitutional authority to remove local officials, including mayors.
This power includes serving charges, allowing the official to present a defense, and requires specific legal procedures.
The last use of this removal power was in 1932 by then-Governor Franklin Roosevelt.
Polls show varying support between Stefanik and Hochul in the upcoming governor's race.
A special election is needed if a mayor is removed, depending on the city’s charter provisions.
Airlines in the United States have canceled or delayed over 2,000 flights due to required reductions in air traffic during a government shutdown. These changes affect 40 of the busiest airports as air traffic controllers face challenges, working without pay and dealing with staff shortages. Travelers are expressing concerns about the disruptions.
Key Facts
Over 2,000 flights in the U.S. were canceled or delayed.
The flight changes are happening because of a government shutdown.
40 of the busiest U.S. airports are affected by the flight reductions.
Air traffic controllers are working without pay, leading to staff shortages.
Some air traffic controllers are missing work or taking other jobs.
Travelers have voiced their concerns about the unpredictability of flight schedules.
The situation is linked to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
President Donald Trump has accused foreign-owned meat companies of raising beef prices in the U.S. He has requested an investigation by the Department of Justice to look into possible price fixing and other illegal activities. Trump claims these actions harm American cattle ranchers and affect the country's food security.
Key Facts
President Trump accused foreign-owned meat packers of increasing U.S. beef prices.
He called for the Department of Justice to investigate potential price fixing and collusion.
Trump stated the situation harms American ranchers and threatens food supply security.
U.S. beef prices have risen to record highs, partly due to drought and reduced cattle herd sizes.
Trump's tariffs on Brazilian beef have decreased imports.
Four major companies dominate meat packing in the U.S., with JBS being the largest and based in Brazil.
Last month, Trump suggested importing Argentine beef to reduce prices, upsetting American ranchers.
Trump wants to combat illegal monopolies in the meat industry.
Families in California have started receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits again after the federal government, ordered by a court, reinstated full payments. The benefits had been paused during the government shutdown, impacting around 42 million Americans who use them to help pay for food.
Key Facts
SNAP benefits are financial assistance used to buy food through an EBT card.
A court ordered the federal government to fully fund SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
Around 42 million Americans depend on SNAP benefits for food each month.
California and 22 other states sued the federal government to restore SNAP payments after a pause.
Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that SNAP benefits are once again available to California recipients.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would make necessary funds available for SNAP.
The shutdown led to concerns about delayed SNAP benefits impacting families and retailers.
Kim Davis, a former Kentucky court clerk, is asking the Supreme Court to hear her case against same-sex marriage. Davis, who has been divorced multiple times, gained attention for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2015. The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to take up her case.
Key Facts
Kim Davis is a former court clerk in Kentucky.
Davis has been divorced three times and has remarried.
In 2015, she did not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her religious beliefs.
The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 with the Obergefell v. Hodges decision.
Davis went to jail briefly in 2015 for contempt of court due to her refusal to issue licenses.
She is now trying to have the Supreme Court hear her case to challenge the same-sex marriage ruling and a court order that she pay $360,000 in damages.
The Supreme Court has not yet announced if it will hear Davis' case.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to a new low during his second term, according to a poll by Emerson College. The poll shows a 41% approval rating and a 49% disapproval rating, marking a decline from previous months. The decreasing approval may impact the Republican Party's prospects in the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating is 41% according to Emerson College Polling.
The poll indicates a 49% disapproval rating for President Trump.
This poll was conducted with 1,000 registered voters from November 3 to November 4.
The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 3%.
President Trump's approval has declined from 45% in an October poll.
The highest approval rating during his second term was 49% in January.
Approval among Republican voters decreased from 91% to 79%.
Disapproval among independent voters and Hispanics increased to 51% and 54%, respectively.
The U.S. job market experienced a slow down in October, but it did not collapse. Data indicates the unemployment rate has slightly increased, but the overall job situation remains stable with private-sector jobs seeing some growth.
Key Facts
The U.S. job market slowed down in October, but it is not collapsing.
The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.36% in October.
Weekly unemployment claims were 229,000, slightly higher than the previous week.
Private-sector jobs grew by 42,000 in October, according to ADP.
Federal employment likely decreased due to the "deferred resignation program".
Job postings on Indeed fell to the lowest in four years by the end of October.
Wage growth did not keep up with inflation, with a rate of 2.5%.
Consumer expectations anticipate higher unemployment in the future, according to the New York Fed.
ICE agents removed a baby from a man who appeared to have a seizure during a confrontation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, while they arrested his partner, Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya. The incident happened when ICE came to detain Ojeda-Montoya, leading to a standoff with community members. The man had a medical episode but refused treatment.
Key Facts
ICE agents conducted an operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on Thursday morning.
The main target was Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya, an Ecuadoran national.
A video showed agents taking a baby from a man who appeared to have a seizure.
The man, Carlos Zapata Rivera, refused medical treatment.
Ojeda-Montoya, previously released into the U.S. in 2023, was arrested.
The Fitchburg Police were present to keep the peace.
Community members tried to intervene during the confrontation.
Ojeda-Montoya had a past arrest in August 2025 for assault.
Nurses in the University of California (UC) system plan to join a sympathy strike to support other healthcare workers protesting for better contracts. The unions involved are demanding improved working conditions and wages to address the high cost of living, which they argue is forcing many employees to leave their jobs. The strike is scheduled to take place over two days at multiple UC locations.
Key Facts
Nurses working in the UC system are participating in a sympathy strike.
The strike supports unions AFSCME 3299 and UPTE-CWA 9119, representing various healthcare and technical workers.
The unions claim members have worked without contracts for over a year and face affordability issues due to wages not keeping up with inflation.
More than 65,000 healthcare workers are expected to join the strike.
Demonstrations are planned at various UC locations on November 17 and 18 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT.
The strike aims to address the recruitment and retention crisis in UC healthcare jobs.
Housing costs in UC areas are high, affecting lower-wage employees like nursing aides and custodians.
The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is also involved, representing over 25,000 nurses in this effort.
President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate foreign-owned meatpacking companies. He accuses these companies of unfairly raising beef prices through illegal practices. The aim is to protect American consumers and ranchers.
Key Facts
President Trump directed the DOJ to investigate foreign-owned meatpacking companies.
The investigation focuses on allegations of price manipulation and unfair practices.
Meatpacking companies are accused of raising beef prices illegally.
President Trump expressed concern for American ranchers and consumers.
He mentioned that while cattle prices dropped, boxed beef prices increased.
The investigation aims to stop companies from unfairly profiting at the expense of Americans.
The Trump administration is appealing a court decision that requires the federal government to pay November SNAP benefits in full. SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food aid to around 42 million Americans. The administration argues that courts lack the power to make spending decisions.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is trying to stop a judge's ruling on SNAP payments.
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Around 42 million Americans rely on SNAP for food and essentials.
A U.S. District Court judge ordered full payment of SNAP benefits to be made by a specified deadline.
The administration contends that courts should not control government spending.
President Trump's administration is handling this appeal during a government shutdown.
The court decision mentioned previous orders for SNAP payments during the shutdown.
An Irish citizen with a U.S. green card has been held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since July due to old misdemeanor charges. Donna Hughes-Brown, who has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years, was detained on her return from Ireland due to past charges involving bad checks.
Key Facts
Donna Hughes-Brown is an Irish citizen and U.S. green card holder.
She was arrested by ICE agents at O’Hare International Airport in July.
The arrest was due to old misdemeanor charges related to bad checks from 2015.
Hughes-Brown has lived in the U.S. for around 37 years and resides in Missouri.
Her husband is advocating for her release and has expressed regret for voting for President Trump.
ICE policy allows detention of immigrants with past charges, regardless of severity.
Hughes-Brown's next hearing is scheduled for December 18.
Current ICE policies have led to the detention of over 66,000 people in the U.S.
The Trump administration announced it will pay full November SNAP benefits following a federal court order. The USDA will make funds available for SNAP payments after facing a delay due to the government shutdown.
Key Facts
The Trump administration plans to pay full SNAP benefits for November.
A federal court ordered the administration to ensure these payments.
The USDA will make the necessary funds available for SNAP.
Benefits had been paused because of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The USDA mentioned that benefits would not be issued on November 1 due to lack of funds.
The administration requested an emergency stay from the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to take up an appeal to overturn the decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the country. The appeal comes from Kim Davis, a former court clerk from Kentucky, who previously refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The justices might announce their decision on whether to consider the case soon.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court may review an appeal related to the 2015 same-sex marriage ruling.
This appeal comes from Kim Davis, a former Kentucky court clerk who did not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Davis is appealing a lower court's order to pay $360,000 in damages and fees.
Justice Clarence Thomas has expressed interest in overturning the same-sex marriage decision.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito also originally opposed the 2015 decision.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett has indicated some rulings might be overturned, but suggested same-sex marriage is different because people relied on the ruling to marry and have children.
Davis gained national attention in 2015 when she was jailed for defying court orders to issue marriage licenses.
The Kentucky Legislature later passed a law removing clerks' names from marriage licenses.
Newsweek and AllSides Technologies hosted a national roundtable to discuss political violence in America. The event brought together diverse individuals, including a journalist, a minister, a student, and a psychologist, to share views and explore solutions to political violence. The discussion aimed to break down communication barriers and promote understanding across differing perspectives.
Key Facts
Newsweek and AllSides Technologies organized a roundtable on political violence.
The event included a journalist, an interfaith minister, a student, and a psychologist.
Participants shared personal backgrounds and reasons for joining the discussion.
The discussion involved questions on political violence and conflict resolution.
The journalist involved reported on the event while participating in the dialogue.
Participants aimed to understand different perspectives and reduce political tensions.
The roundtable used an online platform for structured conversation.
A major cold wave will cause temperatures to drop significantly for 100 million people across the United States, starting this weekend and lasting into next week. Temperatures may fall up to 25 degrees below normal. The cold weather will affect states from the Midwest to the Southeast and Northeast.
Key Facts
A cold outbreak will cause a temperature drop for 100 million Americans.
Temperatures could drop 10 to 25 degrees below normal.
The Midwest, South, and Northeast will experience the most significant temperature declines.
Some areas, like Indiana and Ohio, could see temperatures fall 25 degrees below average.
Affected regions include Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas.
Freeze warnings are expected as far south as the Florida panhandle.
Cold temperatures will start in the Midwest, Plains, and Mississippi Valley on Sunday.
People should prepare pets and protect outdoor plumbing from the cold.
Nancy Pelosi, a long-serving Democratic representative from California, announced her retirement from the U.S. Congress, effective January next year. Pelosi made history as the first female Speaker of the House and served in the role from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. She informed her San Francisco constituents through a video message, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
Key Facts
Nancy Pelosi announced her retirement from the U.S. Congress, effective January next year.
Pelosi, age 85, was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
She served as Speaker from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023.
Pelosi has represented California's 11th Congressional District since 1987.
She started her political career working with the Democratic National Committee in California.
Pelosi was involved in the creation of the Ryan White Care Act, a funding program for AIDS.
She announced her retirement in a video message to her constituents in San Francisco.
Pelosi described her time in Congress as being enabled by the support of her voters.
Sami Hamdi, a journalist and pro-Palestinian commentator, is currently being held by US immigration authorities. His wife believes this could set a worrying precedent for how US authorities might treat other citizens and visitors.
Key Facts
Sami Hamdi is a journalist known for his pro-Palestinian views.
US immigration authorities have detained Sami Hamdi.
Sami Hamdi's wife has spoken to Al Jazeera about her concerns.
She worries that Sami's detention might mean other US citizens could face similar treatment.
The situation raises concerns about how US authorities handle detentions.
President Trump pardoned Darryl Strawberry, a former Major League Baseball star. Strawberry had been convicted of tax evasion but has since focused on helping others with recovery and faith-based work.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned Darryl Strawberry.
Strawberry was an eight-time All-Star in Major League Baseball.
He pleaded guilty to tax evasion and served time.
Strawberry paid back the owed taxes after his conviction.
Post-baseball, he has focused on faith and recovery from addiction.
He has remained sober for the past ten years.
Strawberry founded a recovery center that is still in operation.
He won one World Series with the New York Mets and three with the New York Yankees.
Laura Owens is facing new legal charges for allegedly faking pregnancies with multiple victims, including former "The Bachelor" star Clayton Echard. The charges include perjury, forgery, and identity theft. Prosecutors claim she falsified documents and lied during legal proceedings.
Key Facts
Laura Owens is accused of pretending to be pregnant with Clayton Echard’s child and another man's child.
She now faces additional charges of perjury, fraudulent schemes, identity theft, forgery, and theft by extortion.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office claims she altered documents to support her pregnancy claims.
Owens is accused of lying multiple times under oath between May 2023 and June 2024.
Prosecutors started investigating Owens after she made inconsistent statements in a paternity hearing.
Echard expressed relief that Owens is facing legal consequences.
Owens denies the charges, claiming they are the result of public pressure and misinformation.
The trial related to the case with Echard is set for January 2026.
