Thirty more people face federal charges for civil rights violations after a protest at a Minnesota church. The protest occurred because a pastor at the church works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest involved entering the church service and chanting, which led to disruptions.
Key Facts
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against 30 additional people related to a protest in a Minnesota church.
The protest took place in January and targeted a church where a pastor is also an ICE official.
The latest charges come after earlier indictments of journalists and activists.
Protesters interrupted a church service by chanting against ICE and calling for justice for a woman killed by an ICE officer.
A total of 39 individuals are now charged with conspiracy against religious freedom.
Some protesters are accused of conducting surveillance of the church before the protest.
The Justice Department received praise from the church lawyer for the indictments.
The protests are part of wider tensions in Minnesota related to federal immigration enforcement actions.
President Donald Trump suggested he has almost decided whom to endorse in the Texas Republican Senate primary, but has not announced his choice. During an event in Corpus Christi, Trump promoted his energy policies and made political remarks, but kept the focus on energy production as a key issue. The Texas Senate race, involving candidates Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt, continues to attract national attention.
Key Facts
President Trump hinted at a potential endorsement in the Texas Senate primary but did not name a candidate.
The primary includes Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Trump visited Corpus Christi, Texas, to discuss energy policies and made political remarks during his speech.
Sen. Ted Cruz, who was present, has not endorsed a candidate in the race.
Energy policy was central to Trump's speech, focusing on fossil fuel production and energy independence.
Trump highlighted domestic drilling and reversing clean-energy initiatives as part of his energy policy achievements.
The Texas Senate race has gained national interest and highlights divisions within the Texas GOP.
Democratic leaders are reviewing a new proposal from the White House to end the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. Both sides continue to negotiate to resolve the issue.
Key Facts
The Department of Homeland Security is currently shut down.
The White House and Democratic leaders are exchanging proposals to end the shutdown.
The White House sent a new counteroffer to Democrats on Thursday.
A White House official described the new offer as "serious."
The negotiations are ongoing between the White House and Democratic leaders.
President Donald Trump questioned if the Supreme Court's decision on tariffs could be reconsidered. The Court ruled against his tariff policy, stating that the president cannot impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the ruling, suggesting it could unfairly benefit other countries and companies.
Key Facts
President Trump questioned if the recent Supreme Court decision on tariffs could be looked at again.
The Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariff policy in a 6-3 decision.
The case involved Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump.
The Court decided the president cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs.
The ruling emphasized Congress's constitutional power over taxation.
President Trump expressed concerns that the ruling could benefit countries and companies that have historically profited at the expense of the U.S.
Trump praised the three justices who dissented in the decision.
Misty Clanton Roberts, a former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, is on trial for sex crimes, including charges of having improper relations with a minor. She has pleaded not guilty, and her trial includes evidence such as text messages and a photo. The trial follows her resignation as mayor in 2024.
Key Facts
Misty Clanton Roberts is accused of having sexual relations with a minor while serving as a mayor.
She faces charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile.
Roberts has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors presented text messages between Roberts and the alleged victim's mother and a photo as evidence.
The trial includes testimony from a person who delivered Plan B (emergency contraception) to Roberts.
Roberts' lawyer argues the case was discovered through social media rumors.
The trial initially resulted in a mistrial, and proceedings are ongoing.
Roberts was the first woman to serve as mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, and she resigned in 2024.
President Donald Trump stated that he is not planning to declare a national emergency for the 2026 midterm elections, despite a draft executive order suggesting such a move. This draft idea, viewed by PBS News, includes potential steps like managing voting methods.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump said he is not considering declaring a national emergency for the 2026 midterms.
A draft executive order suggests the president could have significant control over the elections if such an emergency is declared.
The draft document mentions issues related to election integrity and foreign interference.
The proposal includes ideas like requiring hand-counting of ballots and enforcing voter ID at polls.
PBS News reviewed the 17-page draft order.
President Trump questioned the source of the information when asked about the draft.
Congress is preparing for a vote on a resolution to prevent U.S. military action against Iran without Congress's approval. The resolution aims to limit military actions initiated by President Trump.
Key Facts
A bipartisan group in Congress plans to vote on a war powers resolution about Iran.
The resolution would stop any U.S. military action against Iran without Congress's approval.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced the plan for the vote.
Jeffries mentioned that Americans do not want another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
The vote is expected to happen as soon as next week.
President Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with ongoing Iran talks but is waiting for further developments.
A new poll from the University of Texas at Tyler indicates that Senator John Cornyn leads Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Representative Wesley Hunt in the 2026 Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary. Cornyn holds 41% of the likely voter support, Paxton has 35%, and Hunt has 15%, with some voters still undecided.
Key Facts
Senator John Cornyn is currently leading with 41% among likely voters.
Ken Paxton has 35% of the potential vote in the poll.
Wesley Hunt holds 15% of the likely voter support according to the poll.
9% of those surveyed were unsure of who they would vote for.
The poll included 1,117 registered voters and 959 likely voters.
The margin of error for the survey is about 3%.
The Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary election is set for March 3, 2026.
If no candidate gets a majority in the primary, a runoff will occur in late May.
A 56-year-old Rohingya refugee named Nurul Amin Shah Alam was found dead in New York after the U.S. Border Patrol released him at a Tim Hortons restaurant. He was nearly blind and had health issues. His death has caused public anger.
Key Facts
Nurul Amin Shah Alam was a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee.
He was nearly blind and had medical problems.
U.S. Border Patrol agents released him at a Tim Hortons restaurant.
He was found dead a few days after being released.
The incident happened in New York.
Officials described the release as a "courtesy ride."
A new poll of the 2026 Florida governor's race shows Republican Representative Byron Donalds slightly ahead of David Jolly, a former Republican now running as a Democrat. Florida has become more Republican over the years, but Democrats are trying to make it competitive again. The poll found some voters are still undecided, which could impact the final outcome.
Key Facts
Byron Donalds leads David Jolly by five percentage points in the poll.
The poll surveyed 1,200 registered voters and has a margin of error of ±2.77 percentage points.
President Trump's endorsement plays a significant role, with 63% of Republicans more likely to vote for a candidate he supports.
David Jolly leads his Democratic primary opponent, Jerry Demings, by 8 points.
Byron Donalds leads in the GOP primary with 33%, ahead of other Republican candidates.
Florida has been moving toward the Republican side, notably supporting President Trump by large margins in the last elections.
Around 17% of voters are still undecided in the governor's race.
Betting odds and political analysts currently favor Republicans to win the governor's race.
President Donald Trump stated that he is unaware of any plans to declare a national emergency related to the upcoming midterm elections. This response came after a report suggested that supporters of Trump were promoting a proposal to increase presidential control over voting due to supposed foreign interference.
Key Facts
President Trump denied having knowledge about a national emergency declaration for the midterms.
Trump was asked about this potential order by a reporter; he questioned the source of the information.
A report from the Washington Post claimed that Trump supporters are pushing a proposal concerning election interference.
The proposal allegedly seeks to enhance presidential authority over election processes.
The story is still developing, with more updates expected.
This news piece was produced with assistance from Newsweek's AI tool, Martyn.
During a private deposition, former President Bill Clinton stated he never saw any signs of President Donald Trump being involved with Jeffrey Epstein. The deposition took place before the House Oversight Committee in New York, where Clinton was questioned about his own connection to Epstein. Some members of the committee expressed differing views on what Clinton said regarding Trump's involvement.
Key Facts
Former President Bill Clinton testified in a deposition related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Clinton said he never saw any signs that President Donald Trump was involved with Epstein.
Representative James Comer mentioned Clinton demurred on whether Trump should be called to testify.
Representative Robert Garcia disputed Comer's characterization of Clinton's statements.
There are calls to release the full transcript of Clinton's deposition to clarify his comments.
This deposition marks the first time a former president has been compelled to testify before Congress.
Clinton denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
Clinton stated he saw no indications of sexual abuse related to Epstein.
The Trump administration is reviewing refugees who came to the U.S. during President Biden's time in office. This review affects refugees in Minnesota who are not yet permanent residents.
Key Facts
A family from Venezuela fled due to threats and violence linked to their opposition to the government.
They were granted refugee status and moved to the U.S. in 2021.
The family settled in Minnesota in 2023.
President Trump’s administration is examining refugees who arrived under President Biden.
The focus is on refugees in Minnesota who are not permanent residents, numbering about 5,600 people.
A temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded at Falcon Dam in Starr County, Texas. If confirmed, this would be the highest winter temperature ever recorded in the United States. The reading surpasses the previous record of 104 degrees set in 1902 in Rio Grande City, Texas.
Key Facts
Falcon Dam recorded a temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit in February.
If confirmed, this would set a new record for the hottest U.S. winter temperature.
The previous winter record was 104 degrees in Rio Grande City, Texas, in 1902.
The average February high in southern Texas is usually in the upper 70s or 80s.
La Puerta, Texas, also recorded a high of 104 degrees, marking the first 100-degree U.S. temperature of 2026.
Weather forecasts predict above-average temperatures in Texas for the next week.
San Antonio, Texas, set a new record high of 95 degrees, surpassing the 91-degree record from 1917.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Israel soon, as President Donald Trump expresses dissatisfaction with ongoing US-Iran talks. Rubio's trip will focus on relations with Iran and Lebanon, and implementing Trump's plan for Gaza. Meanwhile, tensions rise as Trump hints at possible military action against Iran if negotiations falter.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, plans to visit Israel from March 2 to 3.
President Trump is unhappy with the progress of negotiations with Iran.
The trip will address US relations with Iran, Lebanon, and the situation in Gaza.
This is Rubio's fifth visit to Israel as Secretary of State.
The US and Iran held a recent round of indirect nuclear talks in Switzerland.
President Trump has suggested a willingness to use military action if needed concerning Iran.
US military presence near Iran has increased, including two aircraft carriers.
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has allowed embassy staff in Israel to leave due to safety concerns.
Bill Clinton testified to a House committee, saying he didn't know about Jeffrey Epstein's activities when he flew on his plane. He stated he saw nothing wrong during his interactions with Epstein. The inquiry is part of an investigation into Epstein's connections with notable figures.
Key Facts
Bill Clinton testified in a closed-door session about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Clinton said he would have reported Epstein to police if he had known about any illegal activities.
He mentioned Epstein had hidden his activities very well.
Clinton flew on Epstein's plane several times in the early 2000s.
Documents released include photos of Clinton with women whose faces are obscured.
The House panel is also investigating Epstein's involvement with the Clintons' charitable foundation.
Republicans have not accused the Clintons of any wrongdoing in the inquiry.
Democrats want President Trump to testify, citing his previous social interactions with Epstein.
The National Weather Service forecasts that severe weather is expected to impact nearly half of the United States soon. States in the Plains, Mississippi, and Ohio valleys may experience thunderstorms and severe weather patterns. People in these areas are advised to prepare for potential storms and monitor weather updates closely.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service predicts severe weather will affect almost half the U.S.
The shift involves rain, thunderstorms, and severe weather in the Plains, Mississippi, and Ohio valleys.
Warmer air moving north and stronger winds are creating conditions for thunderstorms.
States at higher risk include Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois, among others.
AccuWeather describes the weather shift as a clash between winter and spring.
Preparations, including securing outdoor items and ensuring emergency kits, are advised.
No severe thunderstorm warnings are currently in effect, but preparation is encouraged.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced changes to Scouting America's policies, focusing on transgender youths, prompted by the Pentagon’s push against diversity efforts. Scouting America will now require members to register with their birth gender, and some programs are being adjusted, such as introducing a Military Service merit badge. The Pentagon has threatened to withdraw support if Scouting America does not comply with these changes.
Key Facts
Scouting America will change its policies related to transgender youths, as requested by the Pentagon.
Members must register with their biological sex, not their gender identity.
The Pentagon wants to ensure boys and girls do not share bathrooms, tents, or similar spaces.
A new Military Service merit badge will be introduced.
The Pentagon will review Scouting America’s compliance with these changes in six months.
Scouting America changed its name from Boy Scouts of America, allowing girls to join.
The Pentagon is concerned with what it calls "woke culture" and wants to move away from diversity efforts.
President Trump has issued an executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke with President Trump about his concerns over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests, stating they do not improve public safety. After meeting in person and discussing further by phone, President Trump promised to review the cases of several Columbia University students facing immigration proceedings.
Key Facts
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met with President Trump in the Oval Office.
The original meeting topic was affordable housing, but it shifted focus to ICE arrests.
Mamdani expressed that ICE arrests do not help public safety.
He provided names of detained Columbia University students to President Trump.
President Trump said he would review the cases and one student's release was ensured.
Four additional students related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations have ongoing cases.
Mayor Mamdani requested that all related immigration cases be dropped.
