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.
Cornell University agreed to the Trump administration's interpretation of civil rights laws and will pay $60 million to settle federal investigations. This settlement allows Cornell to regain access to over $250 million in frozen federal research funding. The agreement also aims to preserve Cornell's academic independence and ongoing federal partnerships.
Key Facts
Cornell University will pay $60 million to settle the issue.
The payments include $30 million to the U.S. government and another $30 million for agricultural research.
Over $250 million in research funding was previously frozen due to investigations.
The agreement involved accepting the Trump administration's interpretation of civil rights laws.
President Michael Kotlikoff stated this deal ends months of negotiations.
The settlement restores Cornell's access to federal research funding.
Cornell aims to maintain academic independence in this agreement.
Cornell University has reached a $60 million agreement with the Trump administration to restore federal funding that had been withheld due to investigations into alleged civil rights violations. The agreement requires Cornell to follow the administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws and provide admissions data to ensure no race-based decisions. This deal ends the investigations and reinstates over $250 million in research funding for the university.
Key Facts
Cornell University will pay $60 million to resolve federal investigations.
The university will comply with the Trump administration's civil rights laws interpretation.
Cornell agreed to pay $30 million to the U.S. government and $30 million towards research for U.S. farmers.
The deal restores over $250 million in federal research funding to Cornell.
Cornell must provide admissions data to prevent race from being a factor in admissions.
The university president must certify compliance with the agreement every three months.
The agreement with Cornell is similar to one made with the University of Virginia and less strict than deals with Columbia and Brown universities.
A survey by the American Psychological Association found that many young Americans are considering leaving the U.S. due to worries about the nation. The survey shows 63% of young people have thought about relocating because of political and economic stresses. It also reveals that 76% of adults feel more stressed about the country's future than before.
Key Facts
The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll for the American Psychological Association.
Over 3,000 adults in the U.S. participated in the survey, which took place online in August 2023.
63% of young Americans, aged 18 to 34, have considered leaving the U.S. due to national conditions.
53% of parents also thought about moving to another country for similar reasons.
In the previous year, 41% of adults had considered moving abroad for similar reasons.
76% of adults now feel more worried about the nation's future.
Common words used by survey participants to describe the U.S. include "freedom," "corruption," and "division."
A recent poll shows Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco leading in the race to replace outgoing California Governor Gavin Newsom. Bianco has a slim lead over other candidates, including former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Republican Steve Hilton. The poll was conducted by a Democratic pollster and highlights Bianco's support among California voters.
Key Facts
Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, leads with 20% support in a new poll for the 2026 California governor's race.
Antonio Villaraigosa, a former Los Angeles mayor, follows closely with 19%.
The poll was done by Democratic pollster Ben Tulchin for Villaraigosa's campaign.
Bianco has been the sheriff of Riverside County since 2019 and supports President Donald Trump.
Katie Porter, a Democratic candidate, places fourth with 15% and has faced recent controversies.
In October, a poll showed Steve Hilton leading at 16%, with Bianco initially third at 11%.
California's primary system allows candidates from any party to compete, with the top two advancing to the general election.
Bronwyn Newport, a cast member of 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,' faced online criticism for discussing the lapse in SNAP benefits and soon after posting about her Christmas decorating plans. The lapse in SNAP funding is linked to the U.S. government shutdown and ongoing debates about how much should be paid during this time. The Trump administration partially funded SNAP payments, but full funding is needed, and this situation could affect other programs like school lunches.
Key Facts
Bronwyn Newport received criticism for posting about SNAP benefits and her Christmas decor plans.
SNAP funding has been impacted due to a government shutdown and legal debates.
President Trump’s administration has partially funded SNAP, but a judge required full funding for November.
About 42 million people in the U.S. rely on SNAP for groceries.
Newport plans to offer assistance by donating Christmas decorations to those in need.
The Trump administration expressed concerns that diverting funds to cover SNAP could endanger other programs like school lunches.
Newport acknowledged the criticism and expressed a desire to contribute more positively to the community.
Flights in the United States face cancellations due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, related to the ongoing government shutdown. The FAA has announced a plan to reduce domestic flights, while international flights remain unaffected. The shutdown, which started on October 1, has left many federal workers unpaid, including essential air traffic controllers.
Key Facts
The U.S. government shutdown began on October 1 and is now the longest in history.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered airlines to cut domestic flights by up to 10% by mid-November.
About 1,800 flights are being cancelled, reducing 268,000 available seats.
Essential workers like 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the flight reduction is to maintain safety, not politics.
Forty major airports are affected by the cancellations.
Federal workers might receive back pay after the shutdown ends, but there is uncertainty about the duration of the shutdown and the flight reductions.
Elise Stefanik, a Republican Representative, announced she is running against current New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Most polls show Hochul leading Stefanik, although a recent poll from the Manhattan Institute shows Stefanik slightly ahead. New York is mainly a Democratic state, but Republicans have made some small gains recently.
Key Facts
Elise Stefanik is running for Governor of New York against Democrat Kathy Hochul.
Kathy Hochul won her Governor position after Andrew Cuomo resigned.
New York City has mostly voted Democratic in recent years.
A recent poll by the Manhattan Institute shows Stefanik slightly ahead of Hochul.
Other polls show Hochul leading by a larger margin.
Stefanik has been a strong supporter of President Donald Trump in Congress.
New York has not elected a Republican Governor since 2002.
Stefanik was previously considered for the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations role, but her nomination was withdrawn.
A federal judge in Boston has given the USDA a deadline to respond to a coalition of states seeking emergency safeguards for SNAP benefits in November. The court cases in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will decide if the government must cover the full cost of SNAP during a shutdown and who is responsible for any errors. The judge in Rhode Island ruled that the USDA must provide full November SNAP benefits by November 7, 2025, and the Justice Department has appealed this decision.
Key Facts
A federal judge in Boston set a deadline for the USDA to respond to states seeking SNAP benefits safeguards.
The cases involve 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia.
SNAP provides food aid to 42 million Americans.
States are concerned that partial payments from the USDA could cause errors and delays.
The court cases will determine if the federal government must fully fund SNAP during a shutdown.
A Rhode Island judge ordered the USDA to make full SNAP payments by November 7, 2025.
The ongoing government shutdown is the longest in U.S. history, lasting over 35 days.
The Justice Department has appealed the Rhode Island court’s decision.
According to a forecast from the Old Farmer’s Almanac, more than a dozen U.S. states might experience snow around Christmas 2025. Many regions, including the Northeast, Midwest, and parts of Alaska, have a chance of a white Christmas, though conditions remain uncertain. As Christmas nears, more accurate forecasts will be available to aid travelers.
Key Facts
The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts snow for many U.S. states during Christmas 2025.
Regions with a high chance of snow include the Northeast, Upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, and parts of the High Plains and Intermountain West.
Maine and upper New Hampshire have the greatest chances for snow in the Northeast.
Midwestern states like Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky may also see snow.
Alaska is expected to have snow, particularly in the panhandle area.
AccuWeather suggests a 75 percent chance of a white Christmas for some states.
Snowy weather can make holiday travel challenging due to road conditions.
More accurate weather predictions are expected as Christmas gets closer.
The U.S. Senate is trying to end the government shutdown by considering new spending bills that aim to gain Democratic support. The bills do not include the health care subsidy extension that Democrats want. A decision on voting might happen soon, as Democrats weigh their options between reopening the government or holding out for health care negotiations.
Key Facts
Republican senators aim to end the shutdown with a new package of spending bills.
The Democratic Party has voted against reopening the government 14 times so far without health care subsidy extensions.
A vote on the spending package could occur as soon as Friday.
Democrats face a decision between continuing the shutdown for health care or voting to reopen the government.
President Trump urged Republicans to end the shutdown, describing it as a negative factor for the elections.
A proposal includes funding government programs like food aid and veterans programs until late in the year.
Democrats feel increased urgency to resolve issues caused by the shutdown, such as airport delays and unpaid government workers.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is keeping the Senate in session until an agreement is reached.
The federal government shutdown has led to delays and reductions in SNAP benefits for more than 42 million Americans. Courts have ordered the government to continue funding SNAP partially using emergency funds, but full payments' timing and sources remain uncertain. Some states have already distributed SNAP benefits for November, while others are working to release funds.
Key Facts
Over 42 million Americans rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The ongoing federal government shutdown has caused delays and reduced payments in SNAP benefits.
The shutdown began due to a disagreement between Democrats and Republicans over a government funding bill.
Courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered the federal government to use emergency funds to continue partially paying SNAP benefits.
As of November 7, Alaska, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin have distributed SNAP benefits.
States like Massachusetts and North Carolina expect to distribute benefits by next week.
SNAP benefits are loaded onto electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which recipients use like debit cards at authorized stores.
