Federal authorities charged 33 people with drug trafficking in Philadelphia. They allegedly distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in the Kensington neighborhood, known for drug activities. Authorities arrested most of the suspects and worked with U.S. and local officials to carry out this operation.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice charged 33 alleged members of a drug trafficking group in Philadelphia with a 41-count indictment.
The group is accused of distributing fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine.
The arrests took place mainly in the Kensington area, identified as a significant location for drug trade.
Federal, state, and local authorities conducted a joint investigation leading to the arrests.
President Trump has focused on combating the opioid crisis, with recent crackdowns on drug trafficking.
In Philadelphia, drug overdose deaths have decreased from 1,310 in 2023 to 1,045 in 2024 as reported by local health departments.
The alleged leaders of the group include Jose Antonio Morales Nieves and Ramon Roman-Montanez, both managing operations on Weymouth Street.
The indictment is the largest federal case of its kind prosecuted by the district this century.
Authorities in North Carolina are looking into a shooting at a party that left two people dead and injured at least eleven others. The police say the event took place on Dixon Drive near Maxton, with over 150 people fleeing before they arrived. No suspects have been named, but officials believe the incident was isolated and poses no further danger to the public.
Key Facts
A shooting happened at a large party on Dixon Drive near Maxton, North Carolina.
Two people died, and at least eleven others were injured.
Several of the injured people are in critical condition.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation with help from other agencies.
More than 150 people fled from the scene before law enforcement arrived.
No suspect or person of interest has been identified yet.
Officials believe the shooting was an isolated incident, meaning it was not part of a larger threat.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will send observers to watch polling sites in five California counties and one New Jersey county during elections next month. The DOJ says this is to ensure election transparency and compliance with federal law. Some California officials criticize this move, claiming it could be an intimidation tactic.
Key Facts
The DOJ plans to monitor polling sites in six counties: five in California and one in New Jersey.
This action is intended to ensure election transparency, security, and compliance with federal law.
The Civil Rights Division of the DOJ will handle the monitoring.
California's GOP requested federal election observers due to concerns about election irregularities.
In New Jersey, a governor's election will take place, with Democrat Mikie Sherrill slightly leading in polls.
California will vote on Governor Newsom’s redistricting plan, which could impact future House seat distribution.
Governor Newsom's office criticized the federal monitoring, describing it as potential voter intimidation.
Deploying federal election observers during elections is a long-standing practice in the U.S.
Kamala Harris, the former U.S. Vice-President, mentioned in a BBC interview that she may consider running for President in 2028. She believes that there will be a female president in the future and expresses her continued interest in politics. During the interview, she criticized President Trump and shared her thoughts on leadership and political challenges.
Key Facts
Kamala Harris said she might run for President in 2028.
She thinks there will be a woman president in the future.
Harris criticized President Trump, calling him a "tyrant" and accusing him of authoritarian actions.
She has been mentioned as an outsider for the Democratic ticket, with polls showing her behind others like actor Dwayne Johnson.
Harris stated she never relied on polls for making decisions about running for office.
Harris published a book about her campaign experience, titled "107 Days."
She expressed disappointment about American business leaders bowing to political pressure.
The White House dismissed her comments, stating she should have moved on after the election.
Senator Bernie Sanders discussed why he thinks Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election. Sanders believes that Harris didn't focus enough on the working class and was worried about upsetting big businesses. He also commented on the Democratic Party's struggles and the influence of big donors on Harris' campaign.
Key Facts
Bernie Sanders believes Kamala Harris lost the 2024 election due to not focusing on the working class.
Sanders claims Harris was cautious about offending big businesses during her campaign.
Harris' campaign lasted 107 days, and some of her aides believed it was "flawless."
Sanders mentioned that Republican billionaires outspent Harris, but many Democratic billionaires supported her.
Sanders' new book, "Fight Oligarchy," criticizes the influence of big money on political campaigns.
A Harris spokesperson did not reply to requests for comments on Sanders' interview.
Sanders encouraged Harris to focus on both abortion rights and working-class issues.
Democratic Party members are debating the reasons for their loss in the election.
If the U.S. federal government shutdown continues, many low-income Americans may lose access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in November. The shutdown is due to disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over federal funding and healthcare subsidies. The Trump administration is looking for ways to fund SNAP temporarily, but there's uncertainty about how long benefits can continue.
Key Facts
About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP for food assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture warned states that SNAP might run out of funds in November if the shutdown persists.
The ongoing government shutdown is caused by disagreements over federal funding and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
The Trump administration can use SNAP's contingency fund or other funds to cover some of the benefits temporarily.
Some states have indicated that if the shutdown continues, SNAP benefits may not be available in November.
High-income recipients would see bigger cuts in benefits first, according to federal regulations.
Social media posts have spread the idea that food stamps will stop completely on November 1, but this may vary by state.
California plans to support food banks with the National Guard and $80 million in state aid if SNAP funds run out.
President Donald Trump has ordered the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to build a new ballroom that can hold 650 people. The project has raised controversy, with some calling it unnecessary and expensive, while President Trump claims it is a long-needed upgrade funded by private donors.
Key Facts
The East Wing of the White House, where the first lady's offices were, was demolished to build a new ballroom.
The new ballroom is planned to cover 90,000 square feet and hold up to 650 people.
The project's cost initially estimated at $200 million, has increased to $300 million, with funding reportedly from private donors.
Satellite photographs showed the East Wing was completely demolished by October 23, 2023.
Demolition work began on October 20, 2023, according to White House officials.
Comedian Bill Maher made jokes about the speed of the demolition and discussed the symbolic meaning of the construction with guests on his show.
The project has drawn criticism from figures like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called it a "vanity project."
Kamala Harris mentioned she might consider running for President in 2028. She shared that her desire to serve remains strong and believes that one day there will be a female President. Harris has not made a final decision yet about running.
Key Facts
Kamala Harris has suggested she may run for President in 2028.
Harris stated she has spent her career serving others and feels it is part of her.
She believes her grandnieces will see a female President in the White House at some point.
Harris did not confirm her decision to run but indicated she sees a political future for herself.
The information came from an interview Harris gave to the BBC.
A mother discusses her 18-year-old son's mental health problems and his social media use during crises. The son has posted videos and messages online showing his struggles, which included hospitalizations and issues with medication. The mother focuses on managing her own well-being while trying to support her son.
Key Facts
The 18-year-old son posted videos from the hospital on Snapchat showing his mental health struggles.
Doctors diagnosed the son with psychosis and considered it possibly drug-induced.
The son has been hospitalized multiple times and had interactions with the police.
He has difficulty understanding his condition due to anosognosia, meaning he lacks insight into his illness.
The medications prescribed made him feel uncomfortable, leading him to stop taking them.
His social media posts have served as an indicator for his family about his mental state.
The mother has focused on her own well-being while trying to assist her son.
The library at the University of Maryland in Baltimore County has a large collection focused on parapsychology. This collection includes unusual items like a haunted stuffed mongoose.
Key Facts
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County has a parapsychology collection.
Parapsychology is the study of paranormal or unexplained phenomena.
The collection includes a stuffed mongoose said to be haunted.
The library also features typical facilities like rows of books and a cafe.
The visit to the collection was covered on Weekend Edition Saturday.
A report suggests that left-wing terrorism in the U.S. is increasing, but the data on this topic is complicated and debated. President Trump and others have pointed to recent acts of violence, while federal data historically shows right-wing terrorism as the more persistent threat.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about left-wing violence following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report suggests that far-left terrorism incidents outnumbered far-right ones in early 2025.
No clear evidence links Kirk's alleged killer to leftist groups.
Federal law enforcement generally considers right-wing extremism as the main domestic terrorist threat in past years.
The report's conclusions are debated and raise questions about how to collect and analyze terrorism data.
The report used data from various sources due to the lack of a single comprehensive domestic terrorism database in the U.S.
Researchers face challenges in categorizing incidents due to data ambiguities.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a legal brief with the Supreme Court challenging President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the legality of these tariffs, which are based on a national emergency law, in early November. Newsom argues that the tariffs harm California's economy and exceed the president's authority.
Key Facts
Governor Gavin Newsom is challenging President Trump's tariffs by filing a brief with the Supreme Court.
The tariffs were implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Newsom claims the tariffs could cost California's economy $25 billion and over 64,000 jobs.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on November 5.
Some Democratic states and small businesses have sued, saying the tariffs are illegal.
Lower courts have ruled that the Trump administration overstepped its authority with these tariffs.
The Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, has often supported Trump administration policies in the past.
Weather advisories warn that up to 20 inches of snow may fall in parts of the western United States, affecting states like Oregon and Washington. Heavy snow and strong winds could make travel very difficult in several areas over the weekend.
Key Facts
Snowfall of up to 20 inches is expected in southern Oregon.
Advisories are in place for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Hawaii.
Snow could reach 6 to 14 inches in parts of the Cascades and Blue Mountains.
Winds in the affected areas may hit 60 mph, causing hazardous conditions.
In Idaho, up to 12 inches of snow may fall in regions above 7,000 feet.
Montana could see up to 3 inches of snow in higher sites, with more snow Sunday into Monday.
Hawaii's Big Island might get up to five inches of snow at high elevations.
Travelers are advised to be cautious and monitor road conditions due to snow and ice.
People in the rural South, especially in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, rely heavily on Medicaid for health coverage. President Donald Trump's new tax and spending law plans to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade, which could result in many losing their health insurance.
Key Facts
Medicaid is very important for many low-income people in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana.
The new tax and spending law signed by President Trump aims to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid over ten years.
Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016, resulting in a lower uninsured rate in the Deep South.
The law introduces new work and eligibility reporting requirements for Medicaid recipients, starting in 2027.
317,000 low-income people in Louisiana could lose health coverage according to researchers.
Nationwide, an estimated 10 million people could lose coverage because of this law.
In 2023, almost half of Louisiana's population relied on Medicaid.
Louisiana is the only state in the Deep South that expanded Medicaid.
A top U.S. Border Patrol officer, Gregory Bovino, reportedly violated a court order limiting tear gas use during protests in Chicago against President Trump's immigration policies. Allegations include that Bovino threw tear gas into a crowd during a demonstration, which was captured on video. The incident is part of a larger debate over federal enforcement methods during a campaign called "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago.
Key Facts
Gregory Bovino is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection commander in charge of federal enforcement in Chicago.
A court filing claims Bovino threw tear gas at protesters in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.
This action allegedly violated a restraining order by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis limiting crowd control tactics.
A video reportedly shows Bovino throwing tear gas canisters during a protest.
Bovino and other federal agents are part of a lawsuit alleging excessive force intended to suppress the press and civilians.
"Operation Midway Blitz" has led to over 1,000 arrests and scrutiny of federal tactics in Chicago.
Judge Ellis mandated that agents use body cameras during immigration enforcement and interactions with the public.
The Trump administration defends agents' actions, stating they followed procedure and acted to ensure safety.
Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill leads Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a small margin in the New Jersey governor race, according to various polls. New Jersey is one of only two states holding gubernatorial elections this year, and this race is seen as a test of Republican strength in a state that usually supports Democrats.
Key Facts
Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, leads by 5 points over Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the New Jersey governor race.
New Jersey is holding a gubernatorial election to choose a successor to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy.
New Jersey has historically voted for Democrats in both gubernatorial and presidential elections.
Recent trends show Republicans gaining ground in New Jersey, with President Trump improving GOP performance in 2024.
Ten polls show Sherrill’s lead ranging from one to eight points.
A previous survey in May showed Sherrill leading by 13 points, but her lead decreased after military records about her time at the U.S. Naval Academy surfaced.
Most Democrats plan to vote for Sherrill, while most Republicans support Ciattarelli.
Independent voters are divided, with 49% for Sherrill and 40% for Ciattarelli.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily stopped an order that allowed President Trump to deploy 200 National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. This decision delays any federal deployment until the court reviews the case further.
Key Facts
President Trump tried to deploy National Guard troops in Portland under federal control.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay halting this action temporarily.
The court's decision will pause the deployment until at least October 28.
This legal issue is part of ongoing challenges against federal deployments in certain cities.
Oregon's Attorney General praised the decision, citing constitutional concerns.
A hearing took place to discuss lifting the block on deploying troops, with a decision expected soon.
President Trump's administration argues deployment is necessary due to protests in Portland.
Local leaders have contested the federalization of local National Guard units.
The Virginia governor election is approaching, with Democrat Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in several recent polls. The race is tight, highlighting Virginia's unpredictable political climate. The election is seen as an early indicator of voter sentiment before the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Virginia governor election is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
Polls show Democrat Abigail Spanberger with a small lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.
Newsweek's poll tracker indicates Spanberger is ahead with 51% to Earle-Sears' 43%.
Virginia has a history of unexpected results in its gubernatorial elections.
The race is important as it is an early test before the 2026 midterm elections.
Spanberger has a significant lead among independent voters.
20% of voters in a Virginia Commonwealth University poll are still undecided.
Political analysts classify the race as likely to end in Spanberger's favor.
With ten days until the New York mayoral election, Zohran Mamdani leads in polls, holding 45% of the support. Andrew Cuomo is behind with 28%, while Curtis Sliwa has 15% support. Mamdani's campaign has gained attention due to his progressive platform and support from notable political figures.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani has a strong lead in the New York mayoral race with 45% support in recent polls.
Andrew Cuomo is in second place with 28%, and Curtis Sliwa has 15%.
The election is gaining national attention due to its potential impact on New York City's future policies.
Mamdani's platform includes rent freezes and publicly owned grocery stores.
Prominent endorsements for Mamdani include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders.
Mamdani's support is highest among younger, progressive, and foreign-born voters.
Andrew Cuomo's support base tends to be older and more moderate.
Curtis Sliwa has strong backing among Republicans and Trump supporters.
Many American families may miss their November food assistance (SNAP) benefits if the government shutdown does not end soon. A survey shows that people relying on these benefits might skip meals or use food banks if they do not receive their usual help. The delay is due to the government's inability to pass a budget.
Key Facts
The government shutdown has continued for 24 days, affecting SNAP benefit distribution.
SNAP helps 42 million Americans buy groceries each month.
A survey of SNAP users showed that 60% would turn to food banks and 44% would skip meals if benefits are delayed.
Without congressional approval, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cannot issue new SNAP benefits.
59% of survey respondents reported no preparation for a missed payment, and 73% felt "extremely stressed" about affording food.
SNAP benefits are added each month to electronic cards for families to use.
People are encouraged to buy non-perishable foods and other essentials before possible delays.
The ongoing shutdown awaits a budget agreement between Democrats and Republicans.
