A woman named Courtney Blake shared a video about growing up with a "Red 40" mom, showing her mother's home filled with colorful snacks and drinks. The term "Red 40" mom is based on a cultural joke about parents who focus on including or avoiding certain types of food, like the "almond mom" trend. Experts note that Red Dye 40 is a common food additive in the U.S., approved by authorities and seen as safe, although some parents are concerned about its presence in children's diets.
Key Facts
Courtney Blake grew up with a "Red 40" mom who kept her house stocked with colorful snacks.
The term "Red 40" mom references a playful twist on the "almond mom" trend.
"Red 40" moms are characterized by not seeing food as something bad and allowing balance in diets.
Red Dye 40 is a synthetic color agent commonly used in snacks and approved by the U.S. FDA.
Ed McCormick, a food science expert, says Red 40 is safe but could reflect ultra-processed diet trends.
Red 40 is often found in candies, sodas, and cereals, such as Skittles and Froot Loops.
Despite her upbringing, Blake now promotes a balanced diet with mostly healthy snacks for her own family.
Blake notes that her mom’s philosophy was about moderation in food and other activities.
In the past 12 days, three people in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody have died. The incidents have raised concerns about medical care and conditions within ICE detention centers.
Key Facts
Three individuals in ICE custody died in a 12-day period, according to ICE news releases.
A 67-year-old Jordanian man named Hasan Ali Moh'D Saleh died from cardiac arrest in a Miami hospital on October 11.
Saleh had underlying health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.
ICE had encountered Saleh several times since he first entered the U.S. in 1994.
Saleh was ordered removed from the U.S. in 2020 but was detained again in September 2025.
A 34-year-old Mexican national, Leo Cruz-Silva, died on October 4 in Missouri; ICE noted the death as a likely suicide.
Cruz-Silva had a history of multiple arrests and removals from the U.S. since 2010.
Another detainee, Huabing Xie from China, died on September 29 in California after a reported seizure.
There are concerns that a military parade might close part of the Interstate 5 (I-5) in California during a protest called “No Kings.” The protest is against President Donald Trump and coincides with a military event for the U.S. Marine Corps' anniversary. The White House and the Marine Corps have denied that the parade will cause road closures.
Key Facts
The "No Kings" protest is against President Trump and started in June 2025.
Over 2,500 protest events are planned across the country on October 18.
Reports claimed that a military parade might close I-5 in California.
The parade is related to the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized potential road closures.
The White House called reports about the road closure "fake news."
The California Department of Transportation is preparing for possible freeway closures as a safety measure.
The protest events may cause traffic jams, especially near Oceanside and Camp Pendleton.
Several news organizations have lost access to the Pentagon because they did not agree to new rules that limit how they can report on the U.S. military. These new guidelines require journalists to follow a 21-page document to gain press credentials, but more than 30 media outlets have refused to comply. Despite losing direct access, these outlets plan to continue reporting on the Pentagon.
Key Facts
Over 30 news outlets, including major ones like The New York Times and CNN, have lost Pentagon access.
A new set of 21-page guidelines for press access was introduced by the Pentagon.
The new rules are said to restrict media freedom and could criminalize certain reporting.
The Pentagon Press Association stated that the Department of Defense began taking media badges from many outlets.
The new rules limit reporters' movements in the Pentagon and control the publishing of some information.
The guidelines were first introduced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in September.
Media outlets argue the rules violate constitutional rights to freedom of speech and press.
The Pentagon claims the policy is meant to protect national security and troops.
President Trump has been directing the Department of Justice to take legal actions against individuals he considers opponents. High-profile legal battles are leading to significant financial burdens for those charged, as defending against these charges can cost millions of dollars. The White House supports these actions, emphasizing transparency and accountability in the justice system.
Key Facts
President Trump instructed the Department of Justice to prosecute his perceived enemies.
Recent indictments include former FBI Director Jim Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Legal defense in high-profile cases can cost from $1 million to over $25 million.
Former officials like Jim Comey have received help from former colleagues to manage legal expenses.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff is under investigation for alleged mortgage fraud.
Schiff set up a legal defense fund to handle his legal costs.
The Trump administration supports DOJ prosecutions as part of its justice reform efforts.
Reports suggest that President Donald Trump acknowledged CIA activities in Venezuela. A judge stopped layoffs linked to a government shutdown, ensuring military pay continued during this period. However, there is ongoing uncertainty about the situation.
Key Facts
President Trump appeared to confirm CIA operations in Venezuela.
A judge blocked layoffs that were planned due to the government shutdown.
Military personnel received their pay despite the shutdown.
The situation remains uncertain as future developments are unclear.
The information was discussed during a morning news segment.
Virginia's upcoming election for governor has two main candidates: Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. Late-breaking issues, like federal workforce cuts and controversial texts from a Democratic candidate, are influencing the race. This election occurs before the midterms and could provide insight into voter feelings about President Trump's administration.
Key Facts
Virginia holds its governor election on November 4, in an off-year cycle.
Abigail Spanberger, a former U.S. Representative, is the Democratic candidate.
Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor, is the Republican candidate.
Virginia has about 320,000 federal workers, many affected by recent federal cuts and a government shutdown.
A controversy involving violent text messages by a Democratic attorney general candidate may be swaying public opinion.
Historically, the party not in the White House often wins Virginia's governor race.
The election results could impact other positions on the ballot.
Many affected federal workers in Virginia feel motivated to vote due to recent job losses.
The discussion about making buses free in New York City has sparked different opinions among transit advocates. Zohran Mamdani, a mayoral candidate, supports free buses, but some experts believe more frequent and reliable service would attract more riders. Other cities in the U.S. have had mixed results with free bus programs.
Key Facts
The Bx18 bus line in the Bronx was part of a pilot program where rides were free last year.
Zohran Mamdani, running for mayor, promotes free bus rides as part of his campaign.
The bus fare currently costs $2.90 for adults in New York City.
Some transit advocates argue that speedier bus services could attract more riders.
Opponents argue that instead of free rides, funds should focus on improving service frequency and reliability.
Kansas City eliminated bus fares in 2020 but faced funding challenges.
Cities like Boston and Alexandria have found alternative funding to make some bus lines free.
The article discusses internal conflicts among College Republican groups in the United States. These groups are struggling with division and leadership issues, impacting their influence on young voters. The situation has raised concerns about their future role in Republican politics.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump was re-elected for a second term in 2024 with support from young voters.
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, played a significant role in increasing support from young voters for the Republican Party.
Kirk's work helped reduce the gap in young voter support for Republicans from 30 points in 2016 to 19 points in 2024.
Kirk's assassination has led to uncertainty about the future influence of Turning Point USA among young voters.
The College Republican National Committee (CRNC) has faced divisions, resulting in multiple competing factions.
These factions include College Republicans United, the National Federation of College Republicans, and College Republicans of America.
Each faction claims to best represent the MAGA coalition and wishes for the Republican National Committee (RNC) to endorse a unified group.
The College Republican groups have encountered controversies and scandals, affecting their unity and effectiveness.
A study found that tree swallows near U.S. military bases have high levels of PFAS chemicals. These chemicals, often used in fire-fighting foam, can be harmful to wildlife and humans as they build up in the food chain. The study highlights the spread of these chemicals in the environment and their presence in wildlife.
Key Facts
PFAS are chemicals that can linger in the environment for a long time and build up in living organisms.
These chemicals are used in various products, including firefighting foam at military bases.
Researchers studied tree swallows at 10 locations near U.S. military bases and found high PFAS levels.
PFAS levels in these birds were 40 times higher than in other environments.
PFHxS, a specific PFAS chemical, made up a significant portion of the total PFAS levels in the birds.
Despite high PFAS levels, the study did not find obvious impacts on the health of the birds studied.
PFAS can be indicators of environmental contamination and affect human and animal health.
Birds are exposed to these chemicals through insects and materials at military sites.
A last-minute solution made sure that military personnel were paid during the ongoing government shutdown. However, families of military members still worry about future payments since there is no permanent fix for the shutdown yet.
Key Facts
Military personnel received their pay due to a last-minute arrangement.
The government is currently experiencing a shutdown.
Military families are worried about future financial uncertainty.
The shutdown continues without a long-term resolution.
The lack of a permanent solution causes ongoing concern for those relying on military salaries.
A video showing Nancy Pelosi telling a reporter to "shut up" after being asked about her involvement in the deployment of the National Guard during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack went viral. The reporter questioned Pelosi about her concerns regarding a new committee investigation into her actions on that day. Pelosi explained that she did not refuse the National Guard and claimed the reporter used biased questions.
Key Facts
Nancy Pelosi was questioned by a LindellTV reporter outside the U.S. Capitol.
The reporter asked if Pelosi was concerned about being blamed by a January 6 committee.
The reporter also asked why Pelosi supposedly refused National Guard help on January 6.
Pelosi told the reporter to "shut up" and said the president, not she, decides on the National Guard deployment.
Pelosi accused the reporter of asking biased questions.
A video of this encounter gained over 1.5 million views on X (formerly known as Twitter).
LindellTV is a media outlet started by Mike Lindell, a supporter of President Trump.
San Francisco officials have opposed President Donald Trump's suggestion to send the National Guard to the city, which he described as troubled by crime. President Trump stated that some government officials requested federal troops, but local leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, disagree and assert that crime has decreased.
Key Facts
President Trump has proposed sending the National Guard to San Francisco, calling the city a mess.
Local officials, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, have rejected the need for federal troops.
Trump claims that unidentified officials requested the troops, but local leaders deny this.
Some Democratic politicians argue that Trump is overstepping his authority and targeting Democrat-run areas.
Governor Newsom states that violent crime in San Francisco has decreased by 22% in the last year.
Figures like Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Tesla CEO Elon Musk support the use of federal troops in the city.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie trusts local law enforcement to handle the city's issues.
Brown University rejected a funding proposal from President Donald Trump's administration. The proposal would have offered benefits like federal grants in exchange for commitments that Brown felt would limit academic freedom. Brown is one of several universities to decline this agreement.
Key Facts
Brown University turned down a funding offer from President Trump's administration.
The proposal required universities to sign a 10-point agreement, which included commitments affecting academic freedom.
Brown's president, Christina Paxson, expressed concerns that the deal would limit the university's independence.
The proposal aimed to promote conservative viewpoints on campuses.
Brown is among nine universities invited to sign this compact.
MIT also declined the proposal earlier.
The compact lacked guarantees for maintaining control over curriculum or academic speech.
Brown had previously made a different agreement with the administration in July, including a payment of $50 million and other terms.
In 2024, the number of U.S. states with obesity rates at or above 35% decreased slightly compared to the previous year, according to a report. However, obesity-related health issues remain a significant concern. The report suggests that recent reductions in federal health program funding could affect progress in tackling obesity.
Key Facts
In 2024, 19 states had adult obesity rates at or above 35%.
This is a decrease from 23 states the year before, marking the first drop since 2013.
In 2014, only three states had obesity rates at or above 35%.
The highest obesity rates in 2024 were in West Virginia (41.4%), Mississippi (40.4%), and Louisiana (39.2%).
No state had an obesity rate below 25% in 2024.
The Trust for America's Health bases its findings on data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Obesity rates are higher among Black and Hispanic Americans, and in low-income households.
The report criticizes recent federal funding cuts to public health programs targeting obesity and chronic disease.
President Trump and Elon Musk are upset about a recent court decision where two teenagers who attacked a staff member at DOGE, known as 'Big Balls,' were given probation instead of jail time. Judge Kendra D. Briggs sentenced the teens to probation and prohibited them from contacting each other. President Trump and Musk criticized the verdict, with Trump calling it "terrible" and Musk suggesting it was racially biased.
Key Facts
Two 15-year-olds assaulted a DOGE staff member named Edward Coristine, known as 'Big Balls.'
The teenagers received probation instead of jail time.
Judge Kendra D. Briggs made the sentencing decision.
The probation terms prevent the two teenagers from contacting each other.
President Trump expressed disappointment over the verdict, calling it "terrible."
Elon Musk commented on X, calling the verdict "racist" and criticized the judge.
The story is still developing and may have updates.
President Donald Trump plans to build a triumphal arch, called the 'Arc de Trump', in Washington DC to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary. The arch is to be privately funded by Trump's supporters and is part of broader development efforts, including updates to the White House and clearing homeless encampments in the capital. Trump has presented plans with different sizes for the arch and prefers the largest version.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to build a triumphal arch in Washington DC named 'Arc de Trump.'
The arch aims to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary.
Trump's supporters reportedly fund the construction of the arch.
Trump wants the arch to resemble the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.
The arch is part of Trump's broader plans to make changes in Washington DC, including updates to the White House.
Trump has proposed other developments like a new $250 million ballroom and paving over the Rose Garden.
He intends to clear homeless encampments in the capital city.
Trump has shown different sizes for the arch and prefers the largest version.
Many Democratic candidates running for the U.S. House are not committing to support Hakeem Jeffries as their party leader. These candidates are either undecided, critical of Jeffries' leadership, or seeking more progressive changes. This signals a shift in some Democrats' views on their party leadership.
Key Facts
Over 100 Democratic candidates responded to Axios about their stance on voting for Hakeem Jeffries as party leader.
20 candidates stated they would not vote for Jeffries, while five more said they were likely to oppose him.
57 candidates have not committed to supporting Jeffries, citing issues like ideological differences and a desire for strategic changes.
Only 24 candidates expressed full support for Jeffries, with another seven likely to support him.
Some candidates believe new leadership is needed to oppose President Trump more vigorously.
One point of contention is Jeffries' lack of endorsement for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Several candidates who are critical of Jeffries are raising significant funds and challenging incumbent Democrats.
Jeffries has faced unanimous support since 2022, but this may change in the next Congress due to growing dissatisfaction.
Senate Democrats are deciding how to handle a vote on funding the Defense Department. They are unsure if Majority Leader John Thune will propose a defense bill alone or with other bills. This decision comes as Democrats consider their strategy amid a government shutdown issue.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats met privately to discuss their response to a proposed Defense Department funding vote.
Majority Leader John Thune plans to push for a decision but Democrats are unsure of his exact plan.
Democrats need clarity on whether the defense bill will be standalone or combined with other bills.
Some Democrats are ready to block a procedural vote moving the defense funding forward.
There is internal debate among Democrats about the political impact of the vote related to a government shutdown.
Some Democrats worry voting for the bill might reduce their negotiating power over health care-related shutdown issues.
Democrat Senator Chris Coons said he would oppose proceeding without clear information.
Senator Mark Kelly highlighted the rising concern over health care costs as a priority issue.
The new superintendent of public schools in Oklahoma, Lindel Fields, has canceled a rule that required schools to have Bibles in classrooms and teach from Scripture. The mandate, established by the previous superintendent Ryan Walters, faced opposition and a lawsuit, as critics argued it violated the constitutional separation of church and state.
Key Facts
Lindel Fields is the new superintendent of public schools in Oklahoma.
Fields canceled the rule that required Bibles in classrooms.
The previous superintendent, Ryan Walters, set the mandate.
Walters' policy was opposed by civil rights groups.
A lawsuit against the Bible mandate is ongoing in the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Critics argue the mandate violated the principle of separating church and state.
The issue has sparked national debate on religion in public education.
Walters had intended to install Bibles in classrooms for grades five through 12.
