A mother in Michigan was surprised by a call from her daughter's school about a failed hearing test, despite her daughter's known hearing condition. The child, Everly, has a condition called microtia, which affects ear development and hearing. The mother shared her experience on TikTok, and the video went viral, highlighting issues in medical screenings at schools.
Key Facts
The mother, Presley John, received a call from her daughter's school about a hearing test result.
Everly, her 8-year-old daughter, has microtia, a condition where the outer ear is underdeveloped.
Everly has Grade 1 microtia in her left ear and Grade 3 in her right ear, affecting her hearing.
Everly uses a hearing aid device attached to a headband to help her hear.
Despite knowing her daughter's condition, the call about a failed test surprised the mother.
Presley John shared her story on TikTok, gaining over 500,000 views.
The video highlighted issues with how disabilities are sometimes overlooked in schools.
Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before a House committee about his decision to charge President Donald Trump. He explained that there was strong evidence of criminal activity related to Trump's handling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Smith stated his belief that no one, regardless of political party, should be above the law.
Key Facts
Jack Smith served as a special counsel investigating President Trump's actions.
The investigation focused on Trump's handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Smith testified he had strong evidence of criminal activity "beyond a reasonable doubt."
He emphasized impartiality, saying he would bring charges against any president, Democrat or Republican.
Smith's investigations led to historic indictments, but these were halted once Trump returned to office.
Department of Justice policy does not allow prosecution of a sitting president.
Two protesters were arrested by the FBI for disrupting a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota. The protest was aimed at a pastor who also leads an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office. The U.S. Attorney General and the FBI Director announced the arrests.
Key Facts
The protest took place at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The protesters were aiming to shame David Easterwood, the pastor and ICE field office leader.
The protest slogans included "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good."
Renee Good was the victim of a fatal shooting by an ICE agent on January 7.
The U.S. Attorney General identified Nekima Levy Armstrong as a key organizer of the protest.
The FBI Director named Chauntyll Louisa Allen as another suspect arrested for violating the FACE Act.
The FACE Act is a U.S. law protecting access to reproductive health services and religious services.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that attacks on places of worship are not tolerated.
After President Donald Trump's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, there have been calls from some people, including some Democrats, to use the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. The speech included some mistakes and controversial comments, leading to concerns about his ability to serve as president. However, his Cabinet and White House staff continue to support him, making it unlikely that the 25th Amendment will be invoked.
Key Facts
President Trump gave a speech in Davos, Switzerland, where he mixed up Greenland with Iceland.
Some people, including Democrats, are calling to use the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
The 25th Amendment allows for the removal of a president if they are unable to perform their duties.
Trump's speech involved criticisms of European leaders and included controversial remarks.
Democratic politicians, like George Conway and some members of Congress, have voiced concerns about Trump's behavior.
Trump's Cabinet, including Vice President JD Vance, would need to agree to invoke the 25th Amendment, which is considered unlikely.
White House officials stated that Trump's speech was a success, despite differing opinions on social media.
An Army veteran in the U.S. is preparing to move to Brazil after her husband, Matheus Silveira, was detained by immigration officers during his green card interview in San Diego. Matheus, who overstayed his visa, has been granted voluntary departure and will be barred from returning to the U.S. for 10 years. The couple plans to start a new life in Rio de Janeiro.
Key Facts
Hannah Silveira, an Army veteran, plans to move to Brazil after her husband's detention.
Matheus Silveira was taken by ICE agents during a green card interview for overstaying his visa.
The interview was at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in November.
Matheus was granted voluntary departure from the U.S., avoiding deportation.
He has relayed poor living conditions at the Otay Mesa Detention Center.
Under the departure agreement, Matheus cannot return to the U.S. for 10 years.
The couple had planned to start a family in Minnesota but will now live in Rio de Janeiro.
Matheus had been previously arrested for driving under the influence.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is auctioning off vehicles through an online platform amid its immigration enforcement operations. This auction, conducted by Apple Auctioneering Co., includes vehicles seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The auction takes place only online, and buyers must pick up items locally.
Key Facts
DHS is holding an online auction to sell seized vehicles through Apple Auctioneering Co.
The auction is for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under DHS.
The auction started on January 20 and will soft close on January 27 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
A "soft close" extends the auction by three minutes if a new bid comes in during the last three minutes.
The auction is online-only, and buyers must pick up the vehicles themselves.
Vehicles range from 1999 to 2019 models, including cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles.
Buyers must provide valid identification, like a driver's license, to participate.
The auction occurs while DHS faces criticism over its immigration enforcement actions.
Villanova University and Wiley University temporarily shut down their campuses following threats of violence. The universities contacted the FBI to investigate these threats, prioritizing safety for their communities.
Key Facts
Villanova University is in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Wiley University is located in Marshall, Texas.
Both universities received threats of violence on a Thursday.
Villanova closed its campus after a threat to one of its academic buildings.
Wiley University suspended all campus activities and involved the local police.
The FBI is investigating the threats at both universities.
Villanova issued an alert at 7:20 a.m. ET, mentioning the threat's unclear validity.
Campus communities were advised to limit movement during the situation.
A federal officer fired shots during a U.S. immigration operation in Southern Los Angeles, but no civilians were hurt. The incident involved a suspect who allegedly used his car against law enforcement. This follows a series of similar incidents involving immigration agents.
Key Facts
Shots were fired by a federal officer during a U.S. immigration operation in Willowbrook, Los Angeles.
The incident happened early in the morning near 126th Street and Mona Boulevard.
No civilians were injured, but a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was hurt.
The suspect, William Eduardo Moran Carballo, is accused of being part of a human smuggling operation.
Carballo allegedly used his car to try to hit law enforcement, leading officers to fire shots.
Carballo was not hit by gunfire and tried to run away but was eventually caught.
Local law enforcement secured the area after the shooting and vehicle crash.
The Department of Homeland Security has reported an increase in suspects using vehicles to evade arrest.
In 2025, murders dropped by 21% in 35 large U.S. cities to the lowest rate since 1900. Crime overall decreased, with most tracked offenses falling, although drug crimes increased. Factors such as policy changes and new technology may have contributed to this trend.
Key Facts
Murders in large U.S. cities decreased by 21% in 2025, the lowest rate since 1900.
11 out of 13 tracked crimes dropped in 2025 compared to 2024.
Aggravated assaults went down by 9%, while gun assaults and robbery decreased by 22% and 23%, respectively.
Drug crimes went up by 7%.
President Trump promoted his policies of using the National Guard and immigration reforms as reasons for the decrease in crime.
Analysts say it's hard to pinpoint what exactly caused the crime rate drop, as multiple factors may contribute.
Of the 35 cities, 31 reported lower homicide rates. Denver saw a 41% drop, and Washington, D.C., and Omaha, Nebraska, each saw a decrease of 40%.
Data from Jackson, Mississippi, and Birmingham, Alabama, which had high 2024 murder rates, was not included in the report.
President Trump has introduced major changes to the U.S. immigration system in his second term. These changes include stricter rules for legal immigration and revisions to the legal status of many immigrants. The changes are implemented through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Key Facts
President Trump has blocked millions of immigrants from entering the U.S. and removed protections for some immigrants already in the country.
USCIS is making the citizenship test harder and increasing background checks, focusing on applicants' community contributions and character.
Travel bans have paused processing for certain asylum and immigration applications, affecting about 20% of cases.
New rules shorten the duration of work visas, now only valid for 18 months instead of 5 years, to reduce fraud.
A public charge rule now considers if applicants might need government help in deciding their immigration cases.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has ended for many immigrants, affecting those from 11 countries, like Honduras and Nicaragua, making them vulnerable to deportation.
Jack Smith, the former special counsel, will speak to the House Judiciary Committee about President Trump's charges. Smith will explain that evidence showed Trump broke laws and that not charging him would have been neglecting his duty. This is Smith's first public defense of the case against Trump.
Key Facts
Jack Smith will speak to the House Judiciary Committee.
Smith's talk will defend the charges against President Trump.
Smith claims evidence shows Trump broke laws after the 2020 election.
Smith previously testified in a closed-door session but wanted a public hearing.
Grand juries in two districts agreed on the charges against Trump.
Smith has almost 30 years of public service experience.
Smith worries people may take the rule of law for granted.
President Donald Trump plans to send $2,000 checks to Americans from tariff revenues. Initially expected by mid-2026, the checks may now arrive toward the end of the year. There are ongoing legal and budget questions about the payments.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to provide $2,000 tariff rebate checks to most Americans, except high earners.
The expected delivery of the checks has been moved from mid-2026 to the end of the year.
Legal and budget concerns exist about whether Congress must approve the payments.
A Supreme Court decision on tariffs could impact the availability of funds for the payments.
Trump believes his administration can issue the checks without needing approval from Congress.
Prediction markets give a low probability of the checks arriving before June or August of this year.
The White House is actively exploring legal options to distribute the tariff rebate checks.
On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote on the last spending bills for the year. Democratic lawmakers have issues with the bill funding the Department of Homeland Security due to concerns about President Trump's immigration policies. The Senate must approve the bills by January 30 to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Key Facts
The House is set to vote on the final spending bills for this year.
Democratic leaders oppose the bill funding the Department of Homeland Security.
They disagree with how it handles President Trump's immigration policies.
The House has already passed eight out of twelve necessary funding bills.
If the final bills pass the House, the Senate must then vote by January 30.
The voting is crucial to prevent a partial government shutdown.
Some immigration actions have recently occurred in the Minneapolis area, where an ICE officer was involved in a shooting incident.
Measles cases in the United States have reached their highest level in 30 years. The country risks losing its status of having eliminated measles due to recent outbreaks, primarily among unvaccinated people. Major outbreaks occurred in South Carolina and on the Utah-Arizona border, with health officials emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
Key Facts
Measles cases in the U.S. are at a 30-year high.
The U.S. may lose its "measles elimination status" due to rising cases.
Most cases occur among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
Ralph Abraham from the CDC mentioned that international travel may contribute to the increase in cases.
Some Trump administration officials initially downplayed the risk from measles and the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine.
Major outbreaks are happening in South Carolina and a region on the Utah-Arizona border where vaccination rates are low.
The outbreak in Texas reported 762 cases and led to two deaths.
Travel during holidays increased the risk of spreading measles, with cases reported in North Carolina and Ohio.
The FCC plans to enforce rules requiring talk shows and late-night TV programs to give equal airtime to opposing political candidates. President Donald Trump highlighted this change, arguing such shows are biased against conservatives. This decision centers around a federal law that mandates "equal opportunities" for candidates appearing on FCC-licensed broadcasts.
Key Facts
The FCC is introducing rules to ensure equal airtime for political candidates on talk shows and late-night TV.
President Trump supports this move, citing bias against conservatives in these programs.
Trump suggested the FCC should revoke licenses of networks critical of him.
The rules are based on a federal law that mandates broadcasters to offer "equal opportunities" to political candidates.
There’s controversy over whether late-night shows fall under "bona fide news" exemptions which allow selective candidate appearances.
The FCC's new guidance clarifies that not all late-night and daytime shows are exempt from the equal opportunities requirement.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump, supports the new guidelines.
The changes have led to discussions about free speech and media bias in the U.S.
A major winter storm is expected to hit various parts of the United States, prompting some schools to announce closures on Friday. The storm will bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, affecting travel and causing potential power outages.
Key Facts
The winter storm is expected to start Friday, affecting areas from the Southern Rockies and Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and New England.
The storm may bring over 12 inches of snow in some areas.
Travel disruptions are likely, with possible highway closures and flight cancellations.
Freezing rain and sleet could cause power outages and hazardous travel in several southern states.
Some school systems in Tennessee and Wisconsin have announced closures on Friday.
Other areas, like Oklahoma and New York City, are preparing for potential virtual learning or closures.
States such as Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee are most at risk for extended school closures.
The storm could affect more states, including those in the Northeast, early next week.
A recent report by Bankrate shows that nearly half of Americans do not have enough savings to cover a $1,000 emergency expense. Rising prices and inflation are major factors affecting Americans' ability to save money. Many individuals are worried about covering basic living costs if they lose their primary source of income.
Key Facts
47% of Americans cannot afford a $1,000 emergency expense.
Bankrate conducted the study with responses from 2,564 U.S. adults.
68% would worry about paying basic expenses if they lost their income.
30% would use savings to pay a $1,000 emergency expense; 17% would use income.
33% would need to borrow money, use credit cards, or take loans for emergencies.
Inflation and high costs make it difficult for 54% to boost their savings.
24% of households live paycheck-to-paycheck, up from 2024.
32% expect personal finances to worsen in 2026 compared to 23% in early 2025.
Former U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel has proposed an age limit of 75 for U.S. presidents, Congress members, and federal judges. This proposal aims to ensure capability and health in government positions, especially as the current President Trump is 79 years old. Emanuel has indicated interest in running for president in 2028.
Key Facts
Rahm Emanuel suggested an age limit of 75 for the president, Congress members, and federal judges.
Emanuel is a former Ambassador to Japan and former mayor of Chicago.
The proposal is part of a broader call to address issues in government activities.
Emanuel, currently 66, noted this age rule would affect his potential second term if he were elected president in 2028.
The current U.S. President Donald Trump is 79, which would affect his ability to serve if the rule existed today.
In Congress, the average age is 64, meaning many could be affected by a 75-year age limit.
A 2023 survey found that 79% of Americans support age limits for elected officials.
Emanuel's proposal would need significant legislative action to be implemented.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are now permitted to enter homes without a judge-signed warrant, using administrative warrants from the Department of Homeland Security instead. This new policy aims to address individuals with final removal orders but raises legal and constitutional concerns regarding privacy and due process.
Key Facts
ICE agents can now use administrative warrants to enter homes, without needing a judge's signature.
The new policy allows entry when arresting people who have final removal orders.
ICE agents must initially knock and identify themselves but can force entry if denied.
The policy is documented in a memo dated May 12, 2025, signed by Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.
Agents can conduct these operations between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Critics argue that this policy violates the Fourth Amendment, which protects against warrantless searches.
Legal challenges and criticism focus on potential civil liberties violations.
The policy has already been enacted, with an incident reported in Minneapolis involving an administrative warrant arrest.
Ghislaine Maxwell is set to testify before a U.S. House committee on February 9. She was convicted for her role in helping Jeffrey Epstein abuse young girls. Her testimony is part of a broader investigation into how Epstein was able to carry out his crimes for so long.
Key Facts
Ghislaine Maxwell will testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on February 9.
James Comer, the committee chairman, announced the deposition date.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.
The testimony is part of an investigation into Epstein's activities and how they went unchecked.
Maxwell's attorney plans for her to invoke the Fifth Amendment, meaning she may not answer questions to avoid self-incrimination.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the release of investigation files on Epstein, signed into law by President Trump.
There have been delays in releasing these files due to the volume of documents and the need to protect victims' privacy.
Epstein died by suicide in jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.
