President Donald Trump's approval rating in Nevada has dropped from 52% in March to 47% in September. Nevada, a key state that Trump won in the 2024 election, is experiencing a decline in support for him, which could impact the Republican Party's performance in future elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating in Nevada fell from 52% in March to 47% in September.
Trump won Nevada in 2024, marking the first Republican win there since 2004.
Nevada has faced rising rent and house prices, affecting residents' expenses.
A YouGov/Economist poll showed low support for Trump among Gen Z, with a 25% approval rate.
An Echelon Insights poll indicated Trump's overall disapproval increased from 51% to 53%.
Morning Consult reported that Trump's approval is now negative in all swing states.
The federal government is currently shut down, and there is no agreement between Republicans and Democrats to end it. As a result, many federal employees are missing paychecks, and some government services are disrupted. The shutdown is linked to disagreements over healthcare subsidies and other spending decisions.
Key Facts
The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025.
Republicans and Democrats have not agreed on a solution to end the shutdown.
Senate failed to pass measures to pay some federal employees during the shutdown.
Federal workers are missing their paychecks, but they should receive back pay after the shutdown ends.
The shutdown is partly due to disagreements over healthcare subsidies related to the Affordable Care Act.
The Agriculture Department plans to reopen some offices to help farmers access aid.
Open enrollment for ACA coverage begins November 1, affecting many families' health insurance costs.
Federal workers and others affected by the shutdown are seeking support from local organizations.
A Palm Beach commission approved the construction of a new helipad at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club. The helipad will be for occasional use, mainly for security purposes, and will require a building permit before construction starts.
Key Facts
A new 60-foot helipad at Mar-a-Lago has been approved by the Palm Beach Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The helipad will include a sidewalk and lights for potential night use.
Nearby residents have voiced concerns about the noise from helicopters.
The helipad is intended for emergency use, not daily travel.
Mar-a-Lago, not the town, will pay for the helipad, which will be taken down at the end of Trump's presidency.
The original helipad was removed after Trump's first term in office.
President Trump listed Mar-a-Lago as his main residence in 2019.
A building permit is needed before construction can begin, but no timeline is set yet.
Democrats in Colorado and Virginia are considering changing their congressional district boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This decision follows moves by Republicans in several states to adjust their own maps. The efforts aim to make districts more favorable for Democrats.
Key Facts
Democrats in Colorado and Virginia are planning to change congressional maps to gain an advantage in the 2026 elections.
Historically, the party in the White House often loses seats in midterm elections.
President Donald Trump's approval ratings have been declining.
California is the only Democratic state that has made major redistricting changes so far.
Virginia Democrats currently hold five out of 11 districts and aim to target more.
Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser of Colorado wants to change the state’s constitution, allowing for future mid-decade redistricting.
Colorado backed Kamala Harris by about 11 percentage points last year.
Legal changes to allow redistricting in Colorado before 2030 would require a challenging constitutional amendment.
A new poll shows a decrease in President Donald Trump's favorability among Hispanic adults since he began his second term. Hispanic voters express increasing financial stress and dissatisfaction with Trump's policies on the economy and immigration. This shift in opinion may impact future elections, as Hispanic voters have become a significant and growing part of the electorate.
Key Facts
President Trump’s favorability among Hispanic adults dropped from 44% to 25% since January.
73% of Hispanic adults now believe the country is going in the wrong direction, up from 63% in March.
Economic concerns remain high among Hispanic voters, with many feeling continued financial stress.
Hispanic voters accounted for 10% of the electorate in the 2024 election.
43% of Hispanic voters supported Trump in the last election, an increase from 35% in 2020.
Approval of Trump's handling of the economy and immigration has decreased among Hispanic adults.
Hispanic communities are affected by Trump's strict immigration policies, which some link to economic challenges.
Hasan Piker discussed the rise of Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist aiming to become New York City’s mayor, on Newsweek's podcast, The 1600. Piker sees Mamdani as a test for how Democrats present themselves in the digital age, challenging the party to embrace more progressive candidates. The podcast also covered contrasting political styles of President Trump and President Biden.
Key Facts
Hasan Piker and Carlo Versano discussed Zohran Mamdani’s potential as New York's next mayor on Newsweek's podcast.
Mamdani is described as a democratic socialist not apologizing for his progressive views.
Piker views Mamdani’s campaign as a test for the Democratic Party's openness to progressive candidates.
The discussion highlighted the difference in communication styles of President Trump and President Biden.
The podcast addressed challenges of digital scrutiny in political campaigns, referencing Graham Platner’s controversy.
National Democratic figures have not yet publicly endorsed Mamdani, with some expected to soon.
Piker believes the Democratic Party should take stronger positions rather than just opposing Republicans.
Demolition crews have started tearing down the East Wing of the White House to create a large ballroom as part of a $300 million renovation funded by private donors. This project by President Donald Trump is the biggest expansion in over 70 years and does not use taxpayer money. Previous presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, also made significant changes to the White House for various functional and aesthetic reasons.
Key Facts
President Trump is overseeing a $300 million renovation of the White House, funded by private donors.
The East Wing is being demolished to make space for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
This is the biggest White House expansion in over 70 years.
The new ballroom will accommodate up to 999 people, eliminating the need for external tents during events.
Theodore Roosevelt modernized the White House in 1902 by adding the West Wing.
Franklin D. Roosevelt added the East Wing in 1942, which included a bomb shelter during World War II.
Harry Truman led a major reconstruction of the White House from 1948 to 1952, due to structural issues, costing about $5.7 million (modern value around $53 million).
The East Wing of the White House was demolished to make way for a new 90,000 square foot ballroom. This project is estimated to cost between $250 million to $300 million. The new venue will be used for events like parties and state visits.
Key Facts
The White House East Wing has been torn down.
A new ballroom that will be 90,000 square feet is planned for the site.
The estimated cost for this project ranges from $250 million to $300 million.
The ballroom will host events like parties and official state visits.
President Donald Trump is overseeing this development.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries plans to endorse Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, for New York City mayor. This endorsement occurs just before early voting begins on Saturday.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader.
Jeffries will endorse Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor.
Zohran Mamdani is a Democratic socialist.
The endorsement announcement was reported by Politico.
Early voting for the mayoral race begins on Saturday.
Newsweek contacted the offices of Jeffries and Mamdani for comments.
A former staff member of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner claims she was offered $15,000 to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) before leaving the campaign. Platner, who is running as a Democrat, faces controversies involving past Reddit posts and a tattoo linked to Nazi symbols. Despite these issues, a recent poll showed Platner leading in the Democratic primary.
Key Facts
Graham Platner's former political director, Genevieve McDonald, says she was offered $15,000 to sign an NDA, but she declined the offer.
Platner's campaign stated the payment was standard severance, not linked to an NDA requirement.
Platner is competing against Governor Janet Mills in the Democratic primary for a Senate seat.
The primary vote is crucial for Democrats aiming to regain control of the Senate, where Republicans currently have a 53-47 majority.
Controversies involving Platner include old Reddit posts and a tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol.
Platner has apologized for these controversies, claiming he was unaware of the Nazi connection to the tattoo.
A recent poll indicates Platner is ahead of Mills, with 58% of likely Democratic voters showing support for him.
Federal agents arrested six U.S. citizens in the Chicago area in connection with immigration enforcement activities under Operation Midway Blitz. The arrests have highlighted tensions between protestors and federal agents, with accusations of violence on both sides. The Department of Homeland Security reports an increase in assaults against its agents during these operations.
Key Facts
Six U.S. citizens were arrested by federal agents in the Chicago area.
The arrests occurred during Operation Midway Blitz, an immigration enforcement initiative.
Two people arrested, Elianne Bahena and Jacqueline Lopez, work for Chicago Alderman Michael Rodriguez.
Federal agents reported threats and an attempted vehicle ramming during their enforcement efforts.
Isabel Mata allegedly threatened an officer with a hit and her case has been passed to the FBI.
Alexis Correa, linked to a gang, was arrested after trying to ram a federal vehicle.
Three Mexican nationals were arrested after a vehicle incident involving an agent.
The Department of Homeland Security states there is a reported rise in violence against agents.
A new proposal in California aims to introduce a one-time 5% tax on billionaires to raise $100 billion for health care and education. This comes after President Trump signed a law significantly cutting federal Medicaid and food aid funding. The funds from the proposed tax would help cover the shortfall and maintain health coverage for low-income residents.
Key Facts
The tax targets the wealth of California's billionaires and could generate approximately $100 billion.
The effort is led by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to address federal funding cuts.
President Trump signed a law that reduces federal Medicaid and food assistance spending by over $1 trillion over 10 years.
California might lose $30 billion annually in Medicaid funding, potentially affecting up to 3.4 million residents.
The proposed tax revenue would primarily maintain Medi-Cal coverage and support public education.
The initiative needs over 870,000 signatures to appear on the ballot by November 2026.
A small portion of the funds would aid K-12 education amid threats of reduced federal grants.
Governor Gavin Newsom has historically opposed wealth-targeted tax increases and highlighted potential federal funding cuts' impact.
Cheryl Hines, married to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., responded to rumors about an alleged affair involving Kennedy and journalist Olivia Nuzzi. Hines dismissed the allegations as campaign-related chaos and rumors. Nuzzi admitted to having a personal relationship with Kennedy, but said it was not physical.
Key Facts
Cheryl Hines is married to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is the Health and Human Services Secretary.
There are rumors of an affair between Kennedy and journalist Olivia Nuzzi.
The relationship between Kennedy and Nuzzi reportedly started in December 2023 and ended in August 2024.
Nuzzi admitted to having a personal relationship but stated it was not a physical affair.
Cheryl Hines called the rumors "chaos" tied to Kennedy's presidential campaign.
Nuzzi worked as New York Magazine’s Washington correspondent and wrote about Kennedy.
Nuzzi expressed regret for not disclosing the relationship and plans to discuss it in an upcoming memoir.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. A federal court in Virginia set the trial date for January 26, 2026. James is the third person opposing President Donald Trump to face federal charges recently.
Key Facts
Letitia James is the New York Attorney General.
She pleaded not guilty to bank fraud and making false statements.
The trial will occur in the Eastern District of Virginia.
The trial date is set for January 26, 2026.
The trial is expected to last about one week.
James is the third person opposing President Trump to face federal charges recently.
A doctor from Dallas, Texas, gave up her medical license after being sued for giving gender transition drugs to minors. The lawsuit claims she broke a Texas law that bans such treatments for people under 18.
Key Facts
A Dallas pediatrician surrendered her Texas medical license.
The doctor faced a lawsuit from Attorney General Ken Paxton.
She was accused of prescribing cross-sex hormones to minors.
The lawsuit was filed in October 2024.
The doctor allegedly violated Senate Bill 14.
Senate Bill 14 prohibits puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgeries for minors' gender transition.
Satellite images show that the East Wing of the White House has been demolished to make way for a new ballroom ordered by President Trump. The construction will create a 90,000 square-foot ballroom expected to hold over 650 people, and it is funded by private donors.
Key Facts
Satellite images confirm the East Wing of the White House has been demolished.
President Trump is building a new 90,000 square feet ballroom at the White House.
The ballroom will accommodate over 650 people.
Initial construction costs were estimated at $200 million but have risen to $300 million.
The project is funded by private donors, not taxpayer money.
The East Wing demolition began on a Monday in October, once housing the First Lady's offices.
Construction is set to begin soon, but no completion date has been announced.
A couple received a complaint email about loud noises and smoking from their apartment, even though they haven't fully moved in yet. The situation gained attention on social media, where the couple explained they were not making noise or smoking inside. The couple believes the complaints are not accurate and are considering relocating.
Key Facts
The couple received a complaint email one week after moving into their new apartment.
The email mentioned complaints about loud music and smoking from their unit.
The couple stated they haven't been living there full-time and weren't the source of the noise or smoke.
Smoking is not allowed inside the complex, and the couple claims to smoke only outside.
They noted that weed is legal where they live.
Complaints in apartments about secondhand smoke are common, according to the American Lung Association.
The story attracted widespread attention on social media, with many users sharing similar experiences.
A man's body was found hanging and on fire beneath a highway overpass in Houston. Police are investigating the incident and are trying to determine the cause of death, with an autopsy pending.
Key Facts
The man was found around 10 p.m. on Thursday near a homeless encampment in northeast Houston.
Firefighters who responded to a report of a brush fire discovered the man's body.
The police reported that the man had burns on his body and was hanging under the overpass.
The victim is believed to be between 40 and 50 years old, but has not been identified.
Police suspect it is highly unlikely to be a suicide.
Homicide detectives are investigating, and no witnesses have come forward yet.
The cause of death will be determined by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
People with information are encouraged to contact Houston police or Crimestoppers of Houston.
The U.S. military carried out its 10th strike on a suspected drug-running boat in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of six people. This operation, linked to the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela, reflects an increased U.S. military presence in the region under President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth compared these actions to anti-terrorism efforts post-9/11, while some lawmakers questioned the legality of the operations.
Key Facts
The U.S. military conducted a strike on a suspected drug-running boat in the Caribbean, killing six people.
The boat was allegedly operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, which has origins in a Venezuelan prison.
This strike is part of an increased pace of military operations targeting drug cartels in recent weeks.
Two other strikes this week were in the Pacific Ocean, where much cocaine is smuggled.
A video of the strike was shared on social media, showing a missile hitting a boat at night.
The operation occurred in international waters and was the first conducted at night.
President Donald Trump stated these actions are similar to the U.S. strategy against terrorists after 9/11.
Some lawmakers are concerned that these strikes may violate international law without proper authorization from Congress.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing court on charges related to mortgage fraud in Virginia. The charges accuse her of lying to get better loan terms for a house. The case involves some political tension, as President Trump has criticized James, who has taken legal action against him in the past.
Key Facts
Letitia James is the New York Attorney General.
She faces charges of bank fraud and making false statements about a 2020 home purchase in Norfolk, Virginia.
The charges claim she rented out the home despite agreeing to use it personally, which got her better loan terms.
President Trump has criticized James and has called for legal action against her.
James has denied the charges and criticized the legal system's use for political reasons.
The prosecutor presenting the case against James is a former Trump lawyer.
James has requested that information about her case not be leaked to the media.
Lawyers for James are challenging the appointment of Lindsey Halligan, the prosecutor handling her case.
