The White House has started tearing down part of the East Wing to construct a new $250 million ballroom for President Donald Trump. This project moves forward without the required approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees construction projects in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
The East Wing of the White House is being partially demolished to build a ballroom.
The construction lacks approval from the National Capital Planning Commission.
President Trump announced the construction project on social media.
The planned ballroom will be privately funded and not cost taxpayers.
Offices in the East Wing, including the First Lady's, will be temporarily relocated.
The East Wing was originally built in 1902 and last renovated in 1942.
The new ballroom will be a significant change to the White House, featuring a 90,000-square-foot space.
President Trump stated that previous presidents wanted a ballroom, and this new one will respect the existing mansion's structure.
A U.S. appeals court has allowed President Donald Trump to send National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The decision overturns an earlier judge's order that blocked the deployment, despite objections from local and state leaders.
Key Facts
President Trump can deploy National Guard troops to Portland.
A U.S. appeals court approved the deployment.
The justice department requested the court's ruling.
A legal challenge against Trump's action is ongoing.
About 200 troops are set to protect federal buildings.
Local and state officials disagree with the need for intervention.
Portland is one of several cities where Trump has ordered troop deployments.
Republicans in North Carolina are working on a plan to change the state's congressional map. This plan would get rid of a district that can go either way in elections. These changes might weaken the voting power of Black communities and other minority groups.
Key Facts
North Carolina Republicans are changing the congressional map.
The plan would remove the state's only swing district.
A swing district is one where either political party could win.
The new map could reduce the political influence of Black voters.
Redistricting is a way to redraw boundaries for political areas.
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund is involved in discussions about these changes.
Former President Joe Biden has completed a round of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. This marks an important step in his ongoing health treatment. Biden had previously announced his condition and treatment plan, which also involves hormone therapy.
Key Facts
Joe Biden completed radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
He underwent treatment at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia.
Biden was diagnosed with metastasized prostate cancer in May 2025.
His treatment plan includes radiation therapy and hormone treatment.
Biden previously had successful Mohs surgery for skin cancer in September.
The American Cancer Society notes prostate cancer is the most common cancer in U.S. men.
The organization estimates 313,780 new prostate cancer cases in the U.S. this year.
The five-year survival rate for distant-stage prostate cancer is 38 percent.
Millions of people are protesting against President Trump's policies. The U.S. government has been shut down for three weeks without any resolution. Meanwhile, discussions continue about GOP redistricting efforts and the construction of a new White House ballroom.
Key Facts
Millions are protesting against President Trump's agenda.
The U.S. government shutdown has lasted for three weeks.
There is no resolution yet to end the government shutdown.
GOP redistricting efforts might help them in future elections.
Construction has begun on a new White House ballroom.
Musician Kenny Loggins requested that President Trump remove his song, "Danger Zone," from an AI-generated video. The video shows a fighter jet dumping waste on protesters and was shared by President Trump on social media. This is part of a pattern where Trump's administration uses creators' work without getting permission, leading to repeated complaints from artists.
Key Facts
Kenny Loggins asked President Trump to take down a video using his song without permission.
The video was shared on social media and used AI technology to create images.
The video depicted a fighter jet dropping waste on protesters.
President Trump's administration has been criticized for using copyrighted work without asking first.
The White House responded to Loggins with a meme related to the movie "Top Gun."
Large protests called No Kings took place across the country against President Trump's policies.
Other artists, such as The White Stripes, Celine Dion, and ABBA, have also asked Trump's team to stop using their music.
The administration's use of AI-generated content has been a controversial issue.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced that Medicare's open enrollment for seniors will proceed as usual despite a government shutdown. He emphasized new rules to prevent fraud in Medicaid and encouraged seniors to use online tools to choose their health coverage.
Key Facts
Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7.
Enrollment will continue as usual, despite a government shutdown.
Dr. Oz mentioned that Medicaid spending has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
New rules include work requirements to prevent fraud in the Medicaid system.
Seniors are advised to use tools on Medicare.gov for informed health coverage choices.
Medicare is described as a significant part of the U.S. social safety net.
Medicare operations have not yet been affected by the government shutdown.
A man named Billy Joe Cagle was arrested at Atlanta's airport after his family reported that he planned to use an assault rifle there. Police found a rifle and ammunition in his truck outside the airport. Cagle faces several charges, including making threats and illegal firearm possession.
Key Facts
Billy Joe Cagle was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
His family alerted the police after he livestreamed plans to attack the airport.
Police found an AR-15-style rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition in his truck.
Cagle is a convicted felon and is not allowed to own firearms.
He faces charges such as making terroristic threats and possessing a firearm illegally.
Surveillance video showed Cagle moving toward a security checkpoint in the airport.
Federal authorities are investigating how he obtained the weapon.
Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey are asking a federal judge to dismiss charges against him. They argue that President Donald Trump has driven these charges due to personal hostility and political motives. The legal team claims that the prosecutor was improperly appointed just before charges were filed.
Key Facts
James Comey’s lawyers want the criminal case against him dismissed.
They say President Trump is using the charges as a personal vendetta.
The charges involve accusations that Comey lied to Congress.
Comey’s team argues that the prosecutor was unlawfully installed.
The legal strategy focuses on the motives behind the charges and the prosecutor's appointment.
President Trump has publicly criticized Comey in the past.
A court hearing on the motions to dismiss is expected this fall.
Prosecutors maintain that the charges are based on evidence, not politics.
Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey asked a judge to drop the charges against him. They claim the case is driven by President Donald Trump's dislike of Comey and an improperly appointed U.S. attorney filed the charges.
Key Facts
James Comey is the former FBI Director.
Lawyers argue the prosecution is motivated by President Trump's personal dislike of Comey.
The case was filed by a U.S. attorney appointed shortly before filing the charges.
Comey's lawyers call the prosecution "vindictive," meaning done to punish someone.
The legal team believes the U.S. attorney was not properly appointed.
President Donald Trump won a court case that allows him to send 200 National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, amid protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The case highlights debates about the president's power and the balance between federal and state control. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Trump's decision, but one judge disagreed.
Key Facts
President Trump was allowed by a court to send 200 National Guard troops to Portland.
The protests in Portland were against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
The decision was made by two judges in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, with one judge disagreeing.
The ruling sparked discussions about presidential power and state versus federal authority.
The court's majority opinion found the decision within a "range of honest judgment."
Judge Susan Graber dissented, saying Congress did not authorize using the Guard for controlling protests.
Judge Graber argued this erodes constitutional principles like state control over militias and the right to assemble.
The case is part of ongoing legal battles about military intervention in domestic affairs.
The Trump administration has introduced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applicants. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has instructed applicants to use a specific payment portal and explained who needs to pay and who is exempt.
Key Facts
The new fee for H-1B visa applicants is $100,000.
President Donald Trump announced this fee change a month ago.
USCIS provided details on a payment portal for applicants.
Applicants must show a receipt proving they paid the fee to apply.
Details on who is exempt from the fee have been shared by USCIS.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears are in contention to become Virginia’s governor. The two candidates have differing views on abortion, which could affect Virginia's abortion laws. This election is important as many are watching how the issue of abortion may influence future elections across the United States.
Key Facts
Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears are running for governor of Virginia.
Spanberger supports a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights.
Earle-Sears opposes abortion rights and has been clear about her stance.
Virginia is the only Southern state with broad abortion access after a 2022 Supreme Court decision.
The outcome of this election could influence abortion policies in Virginia.
Many Virginia voters, according to a survey, believe abortion should be legal in most cases.
Both candidates have highlighted other key issues such as the economy and transgender rights.
President Trump's administration has faced criticism for its aggressive immigration enforcement in Chicago, leading to over 1,000 arrests. U.S. Border Patrol agents in Chicago now use body cameras to document their actions, as required by a judge.
Key Facts
U.S. Border Patrol agents are working on immigration enforcement in Chicago.
These agents now have body cameras to record their activities.
A judge mandated that agents wear and use cameras during arrests and searches.
The enforcement has led to complaints about aggressive tactics.
More than 1,000 arrests have occurred in the Chicago area.
The policy change is part of President Trump's broader immigration crackdown.
President Donald Trump's nominee for the Office of Special Counsel, Paul Ingrassia, faces criticism over racist and antisemitic private text messages. The messages included offensive remarks and were verified by Politico through multiple sources. Ingrassia's attorney claimed the messages were meant as jokes, but they have sparked controversy before his Senate confirmation hearing.
Key Facts
Paul Ingrassia is nominated by President Trump to lead the Office of Special Counsel.
Politico reported that Ingrassia sent racist and antisemitic text messages.
The texts included derogatory comments about Black and Asian people.
Ingrassia described himself as having a “Nazi streak.”
His attorney argued that the messages were “satirical humor” and questioned their authenticity.
The controversy arises ahead of Ingrassia’s Senate confirmation hearing.
These revelations come shortly after a scandal involving other Young Republicans making similar comments.
A growing number of Americans believe using violence might be needed to address the country's problems. This reflects a rise in tensions and disagreements in the United States.
Key Facts
More Americans feel that violence might be needed to solve national issues.
This belief indicates increased tensions and societal disagreements.
The information was shared on a program called "All Things Considered."
The discussion involves current social challenges in America.
A new poll shows Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is trailing Democrat Abigail Spanberger by 5 points in the Virginia governor's race. The election is seen as important for national political trends before the 2026 midterm elections. The poll results show a close contest with both candidates focusing on different key issues.
Key Facts
Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, is 5 points behind Democrat Abigail Spanberger in the latest poll.
The poll was conducted with 937 likely voters from October 15 to October 17, with a margin of error of 3.19%.
Earle-Sears has a 43% favorable rating with a 46% unfavorable rating; Spanberger has a 47% favorable rating and a 44% unfavorable rating.
Another poll showed a narrower gap, with Spanberger at 47.5% and Earle-Sears at 45.3%, with a 2.9% margin of error.
Spanberger focuses on economic issues and federal worker protection, linking Earle-Sears to President Trump's policies.
Earle-Sears emphasizes cultural and social issues, critiquing Spanberger's record on immigration and safety.
Early voting in Virginia lasts until November 1, with Election Day on November 4.
The race is closely watched as an indicator of national political sentiment before the midterm elections.
Dr. Melanie Nadler Litt, a dentist from Cobb County, Georgia, who went missing, was found safe after a former patient recognized her. The search for Litt involved police and the public after she failed to show up for work. The police confirmed she was not in danger and there was no foul play involved.
Key Facts
Dr. Melanie Nadler Litt, a dentist, went missing in Cobb County, Georgia.
Litt was found safe on a Sunday after a former patient, Billy Robertson, recognized her and called 911.
She had been missing since failing to arrive at work the previous Tuesday.
Her vehicle was found abandoned in a parking lot, but her phone was left at home.
Litt's husband, who was out of state, reported her missing.
Litt graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has lived in Marietta since 2004.
The police confirmed that there was no indication of foul play in her disappearance.
The police expressed gratitude for the public's assistance during the search.
A report on the toxicity of a chemical called PFNA, a type of PFAS, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet been released, causing concerns. Representative Chellie Pingree has asked the EPA why the report is delayed and is seeking transparency. PFAS are chemicals found in many household items and can be harmful, especially if they contaminate drinking water.
Key Facts
The EPA completed a report on PFNA, a chemical in the PFAS family, in mid-April, but it has not been made public yet.
PFAS chemicals, including PFNA, are in items like non-stick cookware and can harm health and contaminate water.
Representative Chellie Pingree from Maine sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin questioning the delay in releasing the report.
The EPA acknowledged receiving Pingree’s letter but has not provided further information.
PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily.
In April, the EPA announced actions to address PFAS in drinking water, including creating guidelines to limit these chemicals.
Pingree mentions possible harm from PFNA, including impacts on development and reproduction.
There are concerns about interference with the EPA's scientific work, particularly regarding PFAS regulation.
The Supreme Court will decide if people who regularly use marijuana can legally own guns. This is in response to a case involving a man from Texas and a law that bans illegal drug users from having firearms. The Justice Department is appealing a lower court's decision that mostly invalidated this law.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is reviewing a case about marijuana users owning guns.
President Trump's administration wants the case against a Texas man to continue.
The Texas man was charged because he had a gun and admitted to using marijuana regularly.
The law in question prohibits illegal drug users from having firearms.
A lower court mostly overturned this law, prompting the appeal.
This case follows the Supreme Court's 2022 decision that expanded gun rights.
