Dick Cheney, who passed away at 84, had a long and influential career in American politics as a Republican leader. He served in several key positions, including Vice President, Secretary of Defense, and White House Chief of Staff, playing significant roles in national security and the Iraq War. Cheney's health had been a concern for years due to heart problems.
Key Facts
Dick Cheney died at 84 from pneumonia and heart-related issues.
He was a prominent Republican who expanded the role of the Vice Presidency.
Cheney was Vice President under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.
He played a key role in the government's response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Cheney supported the Iraq War, which was based on incorrect intelligence.
His political career also included being Defense Secretary and White House Chief of Staff.
Cheney had chronic heart problems throughout his life.
He was known as a polarizing figure in American politics.
The Trump administration has faced confusion during the government shutdown due to layoffs of federal workers. A court case reveals issues with the firing process, which includes communication problems and legal challenges. A federal judge blocked some of these dismissals amid claims they were politically motivated.
Key Facts
About 4,000 federal workers received firing notices during the government shutdown.
Federal worker unions have filed a lawsuit, claiming the firings during the shutdown are illegal.
A judge in San Francisco stopped the firings in October, citing potential issues.
Some workers did not receive their notices in a timely manner due to communication restrictions.
There were errors in the reduction in force (RIF) notices, such as incorrect severance pay estimates.
Human resources staff was also furloughed, complicating the situation for those trying to clarify firing details.
The White House claims the firings are necessary due to funding lapses and are not politically motivated.
The situation has left many workers unsure about their employment status and future benefits.
Kentucky's Secretary of State, Michael Adams, informed residents that they cannot vote in the New York City mayoral race. This reminder came after his office received calls about polls being closed on Election Day, which was held in other states such as New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. There are no elections scheduled in Kentucky this year.
Key Facts
Michael Adams is the Secretary of State in Kentucky.
Adams reminded people in Kentucky that they can't vote in the New York City mayoral race.
The reminder was given because people asked why polls were closed.
Kentucky has no elections this year; the next elections are scheduled for next year.
The New York City mayoral race includes high-profile candidates like Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa.
Elections were also happening in Virginia and New Jersey.
Kentucky will have elections next year, including a race to replace retiring Senator Mitch McConnell.
Sean Charles Dunn threw a sandwich at a federal agent outside a nightclub in Washington, D.C. The incident, which Dunn calls a protest, led to charges of misdemeanor assault. The case will be decided by a jury, and it highlights tensions over protests against President Donald Trump’s law-enforcement actions in the city.
Key Facts
Sean Charles Dunn threw a sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent.
Dunn described his action as a protest against President Trump's increased federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C.
The incident happened on August 10, outside a nightclub.
Dunn faces a misdemeanor assault charge; a grand jury refused to indict him on a felony charge.
A video of the sandwich-throwing incident spread widely on social media.
The incident turned Dunn into a symbol of resistance for some against federal law enforcement.
The federal agent involved testified that the sandwich hit him with noticeable force.
Dunn previously worked for the Justice Department and was fired after the incident.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene received applause on "The View" for choosing not to take her paycheck during the ongoing government shutdown. She expressed dissatisfaction with Republican leadership in Congress and highlighted issues concerning healthcare tax credits and the need for cooperation between political parties to resolve the shutdown. The government has been shut down since October 1, with efforts to reopen it facing challenges.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is not taking her salary during the government shutdown.
The government has been shut down since October 1.
Greene is a supporter of President Donald Trump but criticized Republican leaders in Congress.
She emphasized the urgency of finding a solution for expiring healthcare tax credits.
Republicans have the majority in both the House and Senate but need Democratic support to end the shutdown.
Greene called for all federal employees to be paid and for government programs to be funded.
She criticized "weak Republican men" for not effectively advancing their agenda.
A recent attempt to reopen the government did not pass in the Senate.
On the final day of voting in key off-year elections across several U.S. states, New Jersey polling stations received bomb threats, and President Trump criticized California's mail balloting system. Despite these issues, voting proceeded smoothly in many areas as voters participated in elections for positions like governors and mayors. President Trump made claims about election rigging, which state officials refuted as false.
Key Facts
Bomb threats were sent to polling stations in seven New Jersey counties.
Voting took place in elections for state governors in New Jersey and Virginia and a mayoral election in New York.
President Donald Trump criticized California's mail ballot system, calling it "RIGGED" and under legal review.
California elections are being monitored by the Department of Justice in five counties.
New Jersey's Lieutenant Governor stated there were no credible threats after bomb threat investigations.
New Jersey's poll worker safety measures were enhanced in response to the threats.
Claims of voting fraud by President Trump in past elections have not been backed by evidence.
California's Secretary of State reassured voters about the integrity of the election process.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is meeting to address challenges facing public health in the U.S., particularly due to changes by President Trump's administration and the rise of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. MAHA, led by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is proposing significant changes to the health system, focusing on individual medical choices. The APHA conference in Washington, D.C. aims to defend traditional public health practices.
Key Facts
The APHA is holding its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., with over 11,000 public health leaders attending.
President Trump's administration is reducing staffing and funding for public health systems.
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
MAHA promotes individual medical choice and criticizes current health system norms.
APHA's meeting includes sessions defending traditional public health methodologies.
Public health leaders claim MAHA's solutions lack a strong evidence base.
Dr. Georges Benjamin has led the APHA for nearly 25 years, witnessing significant health system changes.
The conference concludes with a rally on the National Mall titled "Rally for the Nation's Health."
Flights at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., were stopped due to a security issue related to a United Airlines flight. The main runway reopened shortly before 1 p.m. ET after being closed since 11:18 a.m. ET. Officials are continuing to address the situation.
Key Facts
A ground delay occurred at Reagan National Airport due to a security issue.
The incident affected mainly the United Airlines flight.
The main runway reopened just before 1 p.m. ET.
The ground stop began at 11:18 a.m. ET.
The airport advised contacting the FBI for further information.
The situation was ongoing, with updates expected to follow.
On Election Day 2025, voters are participating in state and local elections across the U.S., including key races in New Jersey and Virginia for governor, and a mayoral race in New York City. President Trump has shown particular interest in these elections, especially the New York City mayoral race. California is voting on Proposition 50, which involves redistricting and could add Democratic seats in Congress.
Key Facts
Elections are taking place in the U.S. for state and local offices, which include governor races in New Jersey and Virginia.
New York City is voting for a new mayor.
California's Proposition 50 aims to redraw district lines to potentially favor Democrats.
President Trump is actively following the elections, especially the New York City mayor's race.
Democrats view these elections as an opportunity to counter President Trump's policies.
Republicans are looking to use these elections to support President Trump's agenda.
Shifts to the right were noted in New Jersey and Virginia since the 2020 elections.
In California, some voters oppose Proposition 50, seeing it as a political move to gain more Democratic seats.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated the payment process for non-U.S. citizens applying for a green card. Starting October 28, 2025, applicants can no longer use checks or money orders and must pay electronically using specified forms.
Key Facts
The change affects non-U.S. citizens applying for green cards or U.S. citizenship.
Applicants must now use electronic payments instead of checks or money orders.
Payments can be made with credit, debit, or prepaid cards using Form G-1450.
ACH payments, electronic bank transfers, require Form G-1650.
An exemption for paper-based payments requires proving specific conditions using Form G-1651.
The new rules aim to reduce fraud, lost payments, and processing time.
USCIS will reject applications if the new payment methods are not followed.
Over 90% of previous payments were from checks and money orders, causing delays.
The Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, announced that the ongoing government shutdown might cause flight delays and airspace closures in the U.S. due to issues like air traffic controllers and TSA officers working without pay. This situation could worsen in November, potentially creating significant problems for travelers and airports.
Key Facts
The U.S. government shutdown is causing concerns about airspace closures and flight delays.
Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are working without pay due to the shutdown.
The situation may lead to significant disruptions in November if unresolved.
Some airports are already experiencing delays and cancellations.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of "mass chaos" if conditions continue.
President Donald Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to New York City if Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral race, labeling him a communist. Mamdani, who leads in the polls, identifies as a democratic socialist, not a communist. Trump supports independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, discouraging votes for Curtis Sliwa.
Key Facts
President Trump has backed Andrew Cuomo in the New York mayoral race.
Trump threatened to reduce federal funds to New York City if Zohran Mamdani wins.
Trump described Mamdani as a communist, while Mamdani calls himself a democratic socialist.
Mamdani is leading in polls with 46.1%, ahead of Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.
Trump's statements follow his comments on CBS News, expressing concerns about funding New York under Mamdani's leadership.
Andrew Cuomo, previously a Democrat, is now running as an independent candidate.
Mamdani, a Ugandan-born U.S. citizen, focuses on affordability, including rent freezes and universal childcare.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has started processing employment visa applications again after a pause due to a federal government shutdown. This means U.S. employers can resume submitting applications for H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and PERM visa programs. The halt had created backlogs and delays, affecting the hiring of foreign workers.
Key Facts
The DOL halted visa application processing during a federal government shutdown.
Employers can now submit applications for H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and PERM visas again.
The pause had caused backlogs and delayed start dates for foreign workers.
The Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) platform is back online for applications.
LCAs are required to file H-1B petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Approval of LCAs usually takes 7 to 10 days.
Employers need to plan submissions carefully due to expected backlogs.
President Donald Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo, an independent candidate, for New York City's mayoral race. Trump supports Cuomo over Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, who leads in the polls, due to his opposition to Mamdani's policies. Cuomo, a former governor, distanced himself from Trump's support.
Key Facts
President Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent in the New York City mayoral race.
Cuomo lost the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani, who is leading the polls with 46% support.
Mamdani, a Democratic candidate, has policies focused on affordable housing and childcare, and Trump described him as a "communist."
Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City if Mamdani wins.
The Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa, is third in the polls with 16% support.
Cuomo responded to Trump's endorsement by saying he is proud to be a Democrat and disagreed with being called a "bad Democrat."
Politifact has stated that Mamdani is not a communist, explaining that communism involves a centrally planned economy.
The election is closely watched due to the diverse backgrounds and policies of the candidates.
Dick Cheney, who passed away at 84, was a significant figure in American politics. He served as vice president under President George W. Bush and played a key role in the "War on Terror." Cheney was known for his influence in various governmental roles and later criticized President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Dick Cheney was 84 years old when he passed away.
He was vice president under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.
Cheney played a major role in the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks, including the Iraq invasion.
Before being vice president, he served as Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush during the Gulf War.
He was a member of the House of Representatives for a decade.
Cheney criticized the leadership of the Republican party under President Donald Trump later in his life.
Cheney used legal deferments to avoid military draft during the Vietnam War era.
He began his political career working in the White House under President Gerald Ford.
Gold’s Gym in Los Angeles received many negative online reviews after singer Tish Hyman said her membership was canceled for complaining about a transgender woman in the women's locker room. The incident has added to a national debate over transgender rights and women's privacy in public spaces.
Key Facts
Tish Hyman, a singer, reported her membership at Gold's Gym was revoked after she complained about a transgender woman in the women's locker room.
The gym in question, recently acquired by EoS Fitness, saw over two dozen one-star reviews on Google in 24 hours following the incident.
In her social media posts, Hyman described feeling uncomfortable and violated by the encounter in the locker room.
Hyman shared a video of the incident and stated that other women had previously reported the same individual to the gym staff.
The gym's online presence was flooded with negative reviews, with some reviewers stating they were canceling their memberships.
Prominent conservative figures on social media expressed support for Hyman's stance.
President Donald Trump's recent executive orders have addressed transgender issues, which remain a controversial topic in the U.S.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney passed away at the age of 84. He died from complications related to pneumonia and heart and blood vessel diseases, according to his family.
Key Facts
Dick Cheney died at 84 years old.
The cause of death was complications from pneumonia and heart and blood vessel diseases.
Cheney served as Vice President under President George W. Bush.
He is known for making the vice presidency a more powerful role in the U.S. government.
Cheney also worked as the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
He served as a White House chief of staff.
He was a congressman from Wyoming.
Cheney's family described him as a noble and loving man.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has reached its lowest point in his second term, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll. This poll indicates a net approval rating of -8 percentage points for Trump. The ongoing government shutdown and focus on domestic issues are contributing factors to the decline in his approval.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating is at a second-term low with a net rating of -8 percentage points according to Rasmussen Reports.
Rasmussen is known for being favorable to Republicans, making this result notable.
The poll surveyed 1,500 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.
At the start of his second term, Trump's approval rating was 56 percent, but it has decreased over time.
The approval rating dropped to 47 percent in April when he implemented tariffs and to 46 percent during the government shutdown in October.
Current polling shows 45 percent of likely voters approve of Trump's performance while 53 percent disapprove.
Other polls, like The Economist/YouGov and RealClearPolitics, also show low approval ratings for Trump.
Factors contributing to the decline include the ongoing government shutdown and a focus on domestic policy.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised concerns about military actions being put on trial while the court reviews whether a contractor can be liable for military operations. This comes from a case where a former soldier, Winston T. Hencely, sued government contractor Fluor after being injured in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber working for a subcontractor. The court is examining if contractors have the same legal protections as the military under federal laws.
Key Facts
Justice Kavanaugh questioned the possibility of military actions being examined in state courts.
The case involves Winston T. Hencely, who was injured in a 2016 suicide attack in Afghanistan.
Fluor is arguing that the lawsuit could affect federal control over military actions.
The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) usually grants the government immunity from lawsuits but is unclear about contractors.
Justice Gorsuch questioned why Congress, not the court, isn't deciding on contractor immunity.
Fluor says they were not informed about the bomber's Taliban ties by the military.
The case decision is pending and expected early next year.
President Donald Trump announced that SNAP benefits will not be distributed until the government reopens. SNAP helps provide food assistance to around 42 million Americans.
Key Facts
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
President Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social.
The announcement followed an earlier decision to partially fund SNAP after federal judges' orders.
The White House directed inquiries about SNAP to Trump's post on Truth Social.
SNAP benefits aid nearly 42 million Americans, many in vulnerable groups.
The distribution delay is linked to the government's ongoing closure.
