Cities like Albuquerque, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco are suing the Trump administration over changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The new rule could deny loan forgiveness to public workers whose employers are deemed to engage in activities with a "substantial illegal purpose," a term defined by the education secretary. The lawsuit argues this could unfairly target cities that oppose administration policies.
Key Facts
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program was started in 2007 to forgive student loans for workers in public service after ten years.
Changes to the PSLF program rules will take effect on July 1, 2026.
The rule change could deny loan forgiveness to workers whose employers are seen as engaging in illegal activities.
The definition of "substantial illegal purpose" will be determined by the education secretary.
Cities like Boston and San Francisco, along with major teachers unions, are part of the lawsuit.
The lawsuit argues the changes could unfairly impact workers where local governments oppose certain federal policies.
The rule aims to ensure that taxpayer money does not support illegal activities.
The Education Department has yet to comment on the lawsuit but defends the rule as legally grounded.
New York City's mayoral candidates are making a final effort to encourage voter turnout ahead of Election Day. Candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa are actively campaigning across all five boroughs to become the next mayor of New York City. Early voting has concluded in the city with over 735,000 ballots already cast.
Key Facts
Election Day for New York City's mayoral race is approaching.
Candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa are campaigning across the city.
Zohran Mamdani aims to be the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
Andrew Cuomo is running as an independent, trying to return to politics after resigning as governor.
Curtis Sliwa is focusing on public safety in his campaign.
Over 735,000 early voting ballots have been cast in the city.
This year's early voting numbers differ from past years, including last year when over 1 million ballots were cast.
Newsweek examined several claims made by President Donald Trump in a "60 Minutes" interview concerning topics such as trade and the economy. Out of eight claims reviewed, two were confirmed as true while six were found to be false. The interview occurred as the U.S. continues to scrutinize President Trump's statements.
Key Facts
President Trump participated in a "60 Minutes" interview with CBS News.
Newsweek investigated eight claims from the interview; two were true, and six were false.
Trump claimed that previous tariffs on China were removed under Joe Biden, but this was found false.
The Biden administration maintained many tariffs on China and even added new ones.
Trump correctly stated that U.S. electricity production reached new highs in 2025.
The U.S. increased electricity output by 2% in early 2025 compared to 2024.
Trump falsely claimed major chip makers were relocating from Taiwan to the U.S. due to tariffs.
The U.S. government is at risk of experiencing its longest shutdown ever due to a disagreement between Democrats and Republicans. President Donald Trump has stated he will not negotiate about health care subsidies until the government is reopened. The shutdown affects federal workers and millions who rely on government aid.
Key Facts
The government shutdown could become the longest in history, now in its 33rd day.
President Trump refuses to negotiate on health care subsidies while the government is closed.
Millions of Americans face losing food and health care aid if the shutdown continues.
Senate Democrats have consistently voted against reopening the government.
Trump suggests removing the Senate filibuster rule to push Republican policies.
The current impasse renews discussions on the Affordable Care Act's future.
Federal workers are missing paychecks, increasing the shutdown's impact on everyday lives.
Republicans need five more Democratic votes to pass their bill to reopen the government.
The U.S. Department of Justice is looking into a campaign event involving New York Assembly member Zohran Mamdani and Jeremy Corbyn, a former leader of the U.K. Labour Party. Concerns have been raised about possible foreign influence in Mamdani's campaign for the upcoming New York City mayoral election. The involvement of Corbyn, a foreign national, has prompted a review under U.S. election laws.
Key Facts
The Justice Department is examining a campaign event because of Jeremy Corbyn's involvement.
Jeremy Corbyn participated in a phone-banking session to support Zohran Mamdani's election campaign.
Corbyn was the leader of Britain's Labour Party from 2015 to 2020 and is currently an independent member of parliament.
U.S. election law prohibits foreign nationals from influencing American elections.
Zohran Mamdani is running for the New York City mayoral election and represents Astoria, Queens in the state assembly.
Mamdani's platform includes affordable housing, expanding public transit, and labor rights.
Corbyn's participation highlights broader concerns about foreign influence and legal gray areas in U.S. politics.
The campaign is scrutinized as November 4, the date of the mayoral election, approaches.
Democrats are spending significantly more money on advertising compared to Republicans for upcoming elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. This spending aims to influence key races and is seen as a preview of the 2026 midterm elections. In contrast, Republicans are focusing on mobilizing voter turnout through President Trump's political operation.
Key Facts
Democrats are outspending Republicans in advertisements for elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate in Virginia, and her allies spent $50 million on ads versus $25 million by her Republican opponent.
In New Jersey, Democrats led by Mikie Sherrill spent $61 million on ads, compared to $41 million by Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court race also sees Democrats significantly outspending Republicans, focusing on abortion rights in their ads.
Virginia's attorney general race is an exception, with the Republican incumbent spending twice as much as the Democratic challenger.
California's Proposition 50 is backed by significant Democratic-favored ad spending, totaling $94 million against $37 million in opposition.
Republicans are launching a multimillion-dollar voter turnout effort in Virginia and New Jersey, driven by President Trump's political team.
This election spending and strategy serve as a test for the 2026 midterm elections.
Actor George Clooney stated that Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate was a "mistake." He expressed no regrets about his earlier op-ed urging Biden to exit the race due to concerns about his age. Hunter Biden criticized Clooney for commenting on his father's mental sharpness.
Key Facts
George Clooney said it was a mistake for Kamala Harris to replace Joe Biden in the Democratic nomination.
Clooney wrote an op-ed suggesting Biden should step aside due to age concerns.
Joe Biden stepped aside, and Kamala Harris took the nomination, eventually losing to President Trump.
Clooney believes running against her own record put Harris in a difficult position.
Hunter Biden criticized Clooney for commenting on Joe Biden's mental sharpness.
Kamala Harris mentioned she might run for the presidency again in the future.
Many young voters, known as Gen Z, are voting early in the New York mayoral election, possibly supporting Zohran Mamdani, a progressive candidate. Mamdani is predicted to lead the race, as polls show significant support from younger voters and overall higher turnout compared to previous elections.
Key Facts
117,042 Gen Z voters (ages 18-29) have voted early in the New York mayoral election.
This represents 16% of the total votes and is 130.1% more than the 2021 election turnout for this age group.
Zohran Mamdani, a progressive candidate, has policies like rent freezes and city-owned grocery stores.
He is supported by prominent figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders.
An October poll shows 62% of people aged 18-34 support Mamdani.
Latest polls give Mamdani a 16-point lead over his rival Andrew Cuomo.
Mamdani's candidacy has led to increased interest and turnout among young and progressive voters.
The New York City mayoral election will be held on November 4.
Steve Bannon responded to reports of a disagreement within the MAGA movement about the possibility of President Donald Trump running for a third term in 2028. Bannon suggested there are plans for Trump to remain in office beyond 2028, despite the U.S. Constitution's 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms. President Trump stated that the Constitution clearly prohibits a third term.
Key Facts
Steve Bannon commented on reports of a division in the MAGA movement over Trump possibly running in 2028.
Bannon posted "Trump '28" on social media, hinting at plans for Trump to continue in office.
The 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution limits a president to two terms.
Trump acknowledged that the Constitution prevents him from running for a third term.
There are disputes within Trump's supporters, with some pushing for a third term and others opposing it.
Trump stated in an interview that he does not plan to run for a third term, emphasizing the constitutional limits.
Bannon maintains there are "many different alternatives" for Trump to be president again post-2028, though specifics are unclear.
Speaker Mike Johnson noted that amending the Constitution to allow a third term is unlikely.
Kevin Coughlin, a Republican candidate, has dropped out of the 2026 House race in Ohio's 13th Congressional District. The decision came after redistricting shifted the district in favor of Democrats. This change is part of a broader national trend where both parties are looking to gain advantages through new congressional maps.
Key Facts
Kevin Coughlin announced he is no longer running for Ohio's 13th Congressional District in 2026.
Redistricting has made this district lean toward Democrats.
In 2024, Coughlin narrowly lost to the Democratic incumbent by less than 10,000 votes.
Coughlin had significant political support and raised over $500,000 before deciding to drop out.
The Ohio Redistricting Commission agreed on a new map without going through the state legislature.
The redistricting agreement aimed to avoid challenges from voters that might occur if passed through the legislature.
The new district map generally gives Republicans an advantage in Ohio, but not in Coughlin’s district.
The Cook Political Report adjusted its ratings for Ohio districts after the new map approval.
FBI Director Kash Patel traveled on a government jet from Mar-a-Lago in Florida to Nashville, Tennessee. The trip, reportedly to see his girlfriend perform, drew criticism as it took place during a government shutdown. The FBI stated that no rules were broken with the travel.
Key Facts
Kash Patel is the FBI Director.
He flew from Mar-a-Lago, Florida, to Nashville, Tennessee.
The trip's purpose was reportedly to see his girlfriend perform at an event.
Online criticism arose because the trip used a government jet during a government shutdown.
The FBI responded that using a government jet was necessary for security and did not break any rules.
Public flight data confirmed the flight path from Mar-a-Lago to Nashville.
There was speculation about Patel trying to block tracking of government jets, but available data confirmed the flight path.
Patel's girlfriend is a 26-year-old country music singer from Arkansas.
Two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the SNAP food aid program using emergency funds, despite a legal dispute about its usage. The ongoing government shutdown has affected millions, leading to the SNAP funding issue, and President Trump maintains that it's up to Democrats to resolve the shutdown.
Key Facts
Federal judges ordered the Trump administration to keep the SNAP program funded using emergency funds.
The SNAP program ran out of money on Saturday, impacting 42 million people.
There is debate over the legality of using emergency funds for regular SNAP benefits.
The government shutdown began on October 1 and is ongoing.
President Trump has traveled frequently during the shutdown, unlike past presidents who stayed to negotiate.
The GOP-led House passed a short-term funding bill, aiming to pressure Senate Democrats.
New York City is preparing for mayoral elections with key candidates Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo.
About 60,000 people in New Jersey will share $4.9 million due to a legal settlement with Middlesex Water Company. The lawsuit was over the company's drinking water containing high levels of PFAS chemicals, which are linked to health risks. The agreement is considered a major settlement in the state.
Key Facts
The settlement involves 60,000 New Jersey residents and totals $4.9 million.
Middlesex Water Company faced claims for having high levels of a chemical called PFAS in its drinking water.
PFAS are chemicals known to cause health issues and were found above safe levels in the water supply.
The legal case began in October 2021 due to water testing done in 2020 and 2021.
The company advised residents to use bottled water due to the contamination.
This is the largest settlement of its kind in New Jersey.
PFAS chemicals are widely used for their durability but pose health risks.
The EPA is considering changes to PFAS safety standards, which is a concern for safety advocates.
FBI Director Kash Patel has responded to criticism regarding his use of a government jet to attend an event featuring his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins. This reaction comes amid claims that Wilkins, a country music singer, is involved in espionage, which she is legally contesting. Patel has also reportedly fired a top FBI official, which has added to the controversy.
Key Facts
Kash Patel is the FBI Director and has faced criticism for allegedly using a government jet to see his girlfriend perform.
Alexis Wilkins is a 26-year-old country music singer and political commentator with over 90,000 Instagram followers.
A rumor suggests Wilkins is a spy for Israel's Mossad, which she denies, and she is suing a former FBI agent for defamation over this claim.
The relationship between Patel and Wilkins began in early 2023 after meeting at a conservative event.
Patel has fired a top FBI official, Steven Palmer, according to reports that have not been independently verified by Newsweek.
The controversy includes criticism of the use of federal funds during a government shutdown.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has reached a new low during his second term, according to an average of multiple polls. The polls show that more people disapprove of his job performance than approve, with the ongoing government shutdown cited as a contributing factor. Trump had higher approval earlier in his term, but current ratings are affecting political dynamics, especially with elections approaching.
Key Facts
President Trump’s net approval rating is currently at -8.9 percentage points.
44.3% of people approve of Trump’s performance, while 53.2% disapprove.
A government shutdown is ongoing and may be impacting these ratings.
A separate poll by The Economist/YouGov recorded a net approval rating of -19 points during the same period.
Trump's approval rating has dropped compared to its peak in January 2025, when it was +6.2 percentage points.
His current approval rating is slightly lower than former President Biden's was during a similar time in his second term.
The polls surveyed 1,623 people and have a margin of error of 3.4%.
Elections, including the one for New York mayor, are taking place, potentially influenced by these ratings.
The news article discusses the controversy surrounding CBS's "60 Minutes" for airing an edited version of an interview with President Donald Trump. The interview lasted over 70 minutes, but only about 30 minutes were shown on television, leading to criticism and legal actions. The full and edited versions were later made available online for viewers.
Key Facts
President Trump was interviewed by CBS’s "60 Minutes" for over 70 minutes.
CBS aired only about 30 minutes of this interview on television.
The interview was Donald Trump’s first on "60 Minutes" after a legal dispute with CBS.
Previously, Trump sued CBS over editing an interview with Kamala Harris, claiming bias.
CBS posted both the full and edited versions of the Trump interview online after airing.
Some viewers and the White House criticized CBS for editing the interview.
CBS’s parent company paid Trump $16 million to settle the earlier lawsuit.
Trump's interactions with CBS improved under new management at Paramount.
A federal government shutdown is causing flight delays and cancellations in the United States. Air traffic controllers are not being paid, leading to increased sick calls and reduced staffing. This issue is impacting air travel across major airports and could worsen during the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
Key Facts
Over 21,000 flight delays occurred on Sunday, with an additional 7,000 on early Monday.
The federal government shutdown means 13,000 air traffic controllers are not receiving pay.
A ground stop advisory was issued by the FAA on Sunday, halting takeoffs.
Staffing for air traffic control has been reduced by about 50% in some areas.
Newark, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Chicago O'Hare are among the most affected airports.
Delay numbers peaked at 701 flights and 38 cancellations by 7 p.m. ET on the reported day.
The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is a concern due to its record travel numbers the previous year.
Political disagreements between Democrats and Republicans are prolonging the shutdown.
President Donald Trump has spent two weeks away from Washington, D.C., during a government shutdown. This is different from how past presidents usually acted in similar situations.
Key Facts
President Trump is away from Washington while the government is shut down.
The government shutdown is now in its second month.
Past presidents, including Trump previously, typically stayed in Washington during shutdowns.
This situation marks a change in how the current president is handling shutdown politics.
The decision contrasts with traditional methods used by presidents during shutdowns.
A video shows federal immigration agents punching a restrained man in Evanston, Illinois, after a car accident involving a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle. The Department of Homeland Security stated the action was a defensive response to the man allegedly grabbing an agent's genitals. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss is launching investigations into the incident, focusing on the use of force and the car collision.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Evanston, Illinois, after a car hit the back of a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle.
Video footage shows a crowd gathering, with agents using pepper spray and one agent punching a restrained man.
The man reportedly grabbed an agent’s genitals, which DHS claims led to the use of force.
Three U.S. citizens were detained during the operation.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss announced two investigations: one on the use of force and another on the vehicle collision.
The Evanston Police Department is gathering evidence to send to the Illinois attorney general’s Civil Rights Division.
Several people received medical treatment due to pepper spray exposure during the incident.
There are ongoing concerns and criticisms about the tactics used by immigration enforcement agents.
President Donald Trump faced scrutiny after stating he did not know Changpeng Zhao, a cryptocurrency billionaire he pardoned. Zhao had pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering. The pardon and Trump's comments stirred debate over his use of pardon powers.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, last month.
Zhao had pleaded guilty to federal charges related to money laundering in 2023.
He served a four-month prison sentence and was released in September 2024.
In an interview, Trump stated he did not know Zhao despite pardoning him.
Trump suggested he pardoned Zhao due to a belief that the Biden administration treated him unfairly.
The White House commented that there were no fraud allegations or victims in Zhao's case.
The pardon has sparked debate over the extent of Trump's use of presidential pardon powers.
