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.
A fall foliage map from Explore Fall indicates which U.S. states are currently experiencing peak autumn colors. As of early Friday, areas with the best leaf colors include parts of the Midwest and Northeast. Some areas are past peak, while others are still in the early stages of changing colors.
Key Facts
A fall foliage map highlights states with peak autumn colors.
Peak colors are seen in parts of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Missouri, and the Northeast.
Regions like Montana and Vermont are mostly past their peak colors.
Areas with high color include parts of Indiana and Kansas.
Moderate colors are noted in parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Oklahoma.
Low color is reported in much of Mississippi and Alabama.
Places like Florida and South Texas have little to no fall foliage.
AccuWeather notes the best time for fall colors varies across regions, with the Northeast and Midwest peaking from late September to mid-October.
The Farmers' Almanac has shared its weather predictions for Thanksgiving week across the U.S., providing travelers with important information. These forecasts indicate varied weather conditions, including snow and rain, across different regions.
Key Facts
The forecast covers the period from Monday, November 24, to Thursday, November 27.
Thanksgiving is considered the busiest holiday for travel in the U.S.
The Northeast and New England can expect unsettled weather with some light snow, clearing by Thanksgiving.
The Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Midwest are predicted to have light snow followed by clearer weather.
The Southeast might experience fair weather, rain, and then clearing.
The North Central U.S. could see light snow across the Rockies and Plains.
South Central states like Texas may have unsettled weather with rain.
The Northwest is forecast to have unsettled conditions with a rainy Thanksgiving.
The Southwest is expected to have problematic weather, with light snow in parts of Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani addressed attacks on his Muslim faith in a speech given before early voting starts in the mayoral race. Mamdani criticized opponents for spreading Islamophobic messages, stating these attacks impact him and the city's large Muslim population. The speech followed controversial remarks by his opponent, Andrew Cuomo, and recent public endorsements from key Democrats.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate, responded to attacks on his Muslim faith one day before early voting.
Mamdani's speech took place outside a mosque in the Bronx, focusing on Islamophobia affecting him and New York's Muslim community.
Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani’s main opponent, faced criticism for agreeing with a radio host’s Islamophobic comments.
The race involves high-profile political figures, with Andrew Cuomo having lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani.
Mamdani has support from several prominent Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Mamdani shared incidents of discrimination, including personal stories of family and staff facing bigotry.
Current NYC Mayor Eric Adams, not running again, endorsed Cuomo despite prior corruption allegations.
Mamdani won the Democratic primary in June and is projected to be a strong contender in the general election.
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, a current New York Assemblymember, received an endorsement from U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in his bid to become New York City's mayor. Jeffries supports Mamdani despite some disagreements, citing his focus on affordability and inclusivity. This endorsement adds to the existing backing Mamdani has from other notable Democrats.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is running for New York City Mayor and could become the city's first Muslim mayor.
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Mamdani, highlighting his focus on affordability and inclusion.
Mamdani is competing against Andrew Cuomo, an independent, and Curtis Sliwa, a Republican.
Jeffries joins other Democrats like Governor Kathy Hochul and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in supporting Mamdani.
Mamdani's campaign emphasizes improving life for all New Yorkers and countering President Trump's policies.
The election is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
Republican Congressman Mike Lawler criticized Jeffries' endorsement of Mamdani.
Senator Bernie Sanders supports Mamdani, emphasizing his commitment to the working people of New York.
In 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives has met and voted on only 87 days, which is less than most non-election years in the past two decades. House Speaker Mike Johnson has been keeping lawmakers away from Washington, D.C. when tensions rise or when policy decisions are delayed. Some Republicans support this approach, saying they use the time for work in their districts, while others express frustration at not being able to legislate in Washington.
Key Facts
The House of Representatives had only 87 voting days in 2025 so far, fewer than usual for off-election years.
The only non-election year with fewer voting days in the last two decades was 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has been using distance as a strategy during times of tension or stalled policies.
If the House doesn't return until December, it will end with 99 voting days, the lowest in 20 years.
Some Republicans claim district work periods involve community service and local engagement, not vacations.
Criticism exists regarding being "sidelined" from working in Washington, including missed legislative opportunities.
Johnson argues the House completed its work by passing necessary funding measures.
The U.S. Department of Justice plans to send election observers to California and New Jersey for off-year elections. The department's aim is to monitor polling sites and ensure election transparency and security, following requests from state Republican parties.
Key Facts
The Justice Department will station observers in Passaic County, New Jersey, and five counties in California: Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside, and Fresno.
The department's goal is to ensure transparency and compliance with federal election laws.
California is holding a special election to address changes in congressional districts.
New Jersey's election includes an open seat for governor, attracting large spending from both political parties.
Some Democrats criticize the Justice Department's decision as unnecessary interference.
The Republican Party's letter mentioned past voting irregularities in these California counties.
The Justice Department has requested voter roll information from several states, including California.
A truck rammed into a U.S. Coast Guard station in San Francisco, and the driver was shot by law enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that more federal enforcement could be considered if similar incidents continue.
Key Facts
A truck rammed into a Coast Guard station in San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday night.
Law enforcement officers shot and wounded the driver, who was then detained for a mental health evaluation.
The incident happened at a site known for protests against federal immigration agents.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem mentioned the possibility of deploying more federal forces if violence continues.
President Trump had previously reconsidered sending federal agents to San Francisco after discussions with the city's mayor.
A bystander was injured by a fragment during the incident, treated at a hospital, and released.
The Trump administration has decided not to use $5 billion in emergency funds to continue food assistance benefits (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The Department of Agriculture memo states that these funds are for emergencies like natural disasters and can't be used for regular benefits. Some states plan to cover food aid costs themselves as federal support is uncertain.
Key Facts
The Trump administration declined to use $5 billion in emergency funds for SNAP benefits.
The Department of Agriculture memo says these funds are for emergencies like natural disasters.
The government shutdown, starting October 1, could affect millions of SNAP recipients.
Democratic lawmakers urged the administration to use reserve funds for food aid.
The memo blames Congressional Democrats for the government closure.
Some states like Louisiana, Vermont, and Virginia plan to cover SNAP costs temporarily.
SNAP recipients in some states have been advised to seek local food assistance if needed.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed reports that Chi Ossé might challenge him in a primary election, calling the idea unserious. Ossé, a New York City Council member, has privately talked about running but publicly stated he is not planning to do so. An internal poll showed Jeffries with a strong lead over Ossé in a hypothetical election.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and represents Brooklyn, New York.
Chi Ossé, a New York City Council member, was reported to be considering a primary challenge against Jeffries.
Jeffries called the idea of Ossé running against him "not a serious question."
Ossé stated that he does not intend to run for Congress.
An internal poll showed Jeffries leading Ossé 72% to 21% in a hypothetical match-up.
Jeffries endorsed Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic mayoral candidate, on Friday.
Some progressive Democrats think Jeffries took too long to support Mamdani, causing tension within the party.
Jeffries claims the Democratic Party is unified and dismisses notions of internal division.
The U.S. Department of Justice has hired 36 new immigration judges after laying off over 125 judges earlier this year. These new judges include both permanent and temporary positions and will serve in courts across 16 states, addressing the backlog of immigration cases. The move comes as part of efforts to manage increased immigration enforcement and court case delays.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice (DOJ) hired 36 new immigration judges.
25 of these new judges are temporary.
Judges will work in courts across 16 states.
The hiring follows the DOJ laying off more than 125 judges over the past year.
The new judges include both permanent judges with federal backgrounds and temporary judges from military legal services.
The Trump administration aims to increase arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Immigration courts are backlogged with millions of cases, causing delays as far as 2029.
Earlier this year, Congress allocated over $3 billion to the DOJ for immigration activities, including hiring more judges.
A video circulated by top Democrats shows White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that building a new ballroom is President Trump's main priority. However, the clip was edited and lacks context, as Leavitt did not compare the ballroom to other issues like inflation, health care, or the government shutdown.
Key Facts
Democrats shared a clip of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt discussing President Trump's priorities.
The clip shows Leavitt saying a new ballroom is the president’s main priority.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the House Democratic Caucus posted about the clip on social media platform X.
The Democratic posts criticized the clip, arguing that the administration should focus on issues like high living costs and the health care crisis.
The video clip was edited in a way that removed important context.
Leavitt did not say the ballroom was more important than issues like inflation or the government shutdown.
Around 658,000 civilian employees working for federal agencies, including Defense, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs, did not receive their full paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown. More employees are expected to miss pay in the coming days. The situation is part of a broader pattern of financial impacts caused by the shutdown, affecting a total of nearly 1.4 million federal employees.
Key Facts
658,000 civilian employees missed full paychecks from several federal departments, such as Defense and Veterans Affairs.
The government shutdown is causing these missed payments.
On Tuesday, 686,000 more employees will miss their paychecks, followed by 37,000 on Thursday from the Departments of State and Education.
If the shutdown lasts until the end of October, about 1.8 million paychecks will not be paid out; if it lasts until December 1, that number rises to 4.5 million.
Approximately 670,000 federal workers are on furlough, and 730,000 are working without pay due to the shutdown.
The White House has indicated it might not provide back pay for furloughed employees, but the IRS stated back pay is guaranteed.
The Defense Department received a $130 million donation to cover some military payments during the shutdown.
Since the shutdown began, approximately 20,000 unemployment claims have been filed by affected federal employees.
The CEO of the Alamo Trust, Kate Rogers, resigned after Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized her views in a public letter. Patrick suggested that her academic paper, which questioned certain education policies and recommended a broader historical focus for the Alamo, was incompatible with how the site's history is currently told. The Alamo Trust manages the historic site, which is set for a major renovation.
Key Facts
Kate Rogers resigned as CEO of the Alamo Trust after criticism from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Patrick sent a letter to the Alamo Trust's Board, suggesting Rogers should resign or be removed.
The criticism was based on a paper Rogers wrote for her doctorate that questioned the Texas Legislature's education policies.
Rogers' paper suggested that history at the Alamo should have a broader focus, including the role of slavery and Indigenous peoples.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick opposes changing the traditional narrative of the Alamo's history.
The Alamo is a historic site known as "the Shrine of Texas Liberty" and draws over 1.6 million visitors yearly.
Texas plans a $400 million renovation of the Alamo, with a new museum and visitor center opening in 2027.
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai criticized Patrick's actions as political interference.
The government shutdown is now in its 24th day, and federal workers have missed a paycheck. Many of these workers are relying on food banks to help feed their families.
Key Facts
The U.S. government shutdown has entered its 24th day.
Federal workers have missed a paycheck due to the shutdown.
The shutdown is affecting the financial situation of many families.
Some federal workers are using local food banks for food assistance.
The Capital Area Food Bank in Washington is one organization providing help.
New satellite images show that a section of the White House's East Wing has been completely demolished. This is part of the construction work for a new ballroom that President Trump plans to build.
Key Facts
New satellite images reveal demolition work at the White House.
The facade of the East Wing has been torn down.
The demolition clears space for a new multi-million dollar ballroom.
President Trump plans to build this ballroom.
BBC Verify's Jake Horton analyzed the satellite pictures.
The images show the current stage of the construction process at the White House.
David Brooks and Kimberley Atkins Stohr discussed recent political events, including the removal of the East Wing of the White House. They also talked about President Trump's request for payment from the Department of Justice, redistricting conflicts in different states, and the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza.
Key Facts
The entire East Wing of the White House is being demolished.
President Trump is seeking payment from the Department of Justice.
There are ongoing battles over redistricting in several important states.
A ceasefire is holding in Gaza after two weeks of conflict.
David Brooks is a columnist at the New York Times.
Kimberley Atkins Stohr is a journalist at the Boston Globe.
The Trump administration has instructed Colorado to stop importing gray wolves from Canada for its reintroduction program. Instead, wolves should come from Northern Rockies states, creating potential challenges for Colorado's sourcing plans. This federal directive marks a significant change from the previous administration's approach.
Key Facts
The Trump administration has directed Colorado to source gray wolves from the Northern Rockies, not from Canada or Alaska.
Colorado started releasing wolves west of the Continental Divide in 2023, following a voter-approved reintroduction plan from 2020.
Roughly 30 wolves currently live in Colorado, with a long-term goal of more than 200.
Colorado's agreement with British Columbia to relocate wolves this winter may be affected by the new federal directive.
Northern Rockies states like Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have shown reluctance to provide wolves to Colorado.
The federal rule designates Colorado's wolf population as "experimental," suggesting but not mandating sourcing from the Northern Rockies.
Colorado's government is exploring options to continue with the wolf reintroduction this winter, despite federal guidance.
