A mass shooting happened in Leland, Mississippi, during a homecoming event on Friday night. Four people died, and twelve others were injured. The police are investigating, but no suspect is in custody yet.
Key Facts
A shooting occurred in Leland, Mississippi, during a high school homecoming event.
Four people were killed, and 12 others were injured in the incident.
The event took place after a homecoming football game attended by families and visitors.
Leland Mayor John Lee said the town, with about 3,700 people, is usually peaceful.
Two injured individuals were flown to a medical center for treatment.
The Leland police department is not commenting since the investigation is ongoing.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is helping with the investigation.
The U.S. has seen over 330 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Montana is set to experience heavy snowfall as a winter storm hits the state, bringing dangerous conditions. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for difficult travel and potential power outages. High elevations could see up to 20 inches of snow, while areas like Glacier National Park are expected to be heavily impacted.
Key Facts
A winter storm warning is set for Montana from Saturday evening to Monday noon.
The storm is expected to drop up to 20 inches of snow in high elevation areas.
Driving conditions may become very dangerous or impossible, especially in Glacier National Park.
The National Weather Service warns of hypothermia and frostbite risks for those unprepared.
Potential power outages and infrastructure failures could occur due to heavy, wet snow.
Washington’s Cascades are also expecting snow, with up to 7 inches at higher elevations.
This is the first significant snowfall of the season for these regions.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a truck driver named Anmol Anmol in Oklahoma for being in the country illegally. Anmol had a New York State commercial driver's license that did not show his full name. This incident is part of President Trump's increased enforcement on immigration.
Key Facts
ICE agents arrested Anmol in Oklahoma on September 23.
He had a New York State commercial driver's license issued in April 2025.
The license showed his name as "No Name Given Anmol."
The New York DMV confirmed the license was genuine and followed federal guidelines.
Anmol entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and was later released by the Biden administration.
ICE conducted the arrest during a joint operation with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Over 120 alleged illegal immigrants were arrested in the operation.
The case highlights issues between federal and state coordination on immigration and licensing.
Laura Loomer, a far-right activist, criticized President Trump and the GOP on social media for allowing the construction of an Air Force training facility for Qatari pilots in Idaho. She expressed her dissatisfaction by threatening not to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. The facility is part of a long-standing military partnership between the U.S. and Qatar.
Key Facts
Laura Loomer is upset about plans to build a training facility for Qatari pilots in Idaho.
The U.S. will create a facility for Qatari pilots to fly F-15 jets at an existing Air Force base.
The U.S. has had a military partnership with Qatar for a long time.
Plans for the facility in Idaho began several years ago and involved local approval.
Qatar will pay for the construction costs of the facility.
Qatar already hosts a large U.S. military base in the Middle East.
President Trump recently signed an order to defend Qatar with U.S. military support.
Loomer has made demands such as banning Muslims from political office and opposing Sharia Law.
Luigi Mangione's legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the last federal charge against him that could lead to the death penalty. Mangione is accused of murdering Brian Thompson, a UnitedHealthcare executive, but has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers argue the charges do not involve violent crimes and that evidence against him was gathered improperly.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson.
Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania on December 9, 2024, five days after the alleged murder in New York City.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges.
His legal team filed to dismiss the federal charge that carries the death penalty, arguing it does not involve violent crimes.
They claim evidence was improperly gathered without a search warrant and that statements were made before Mangione was read his rights.
In September, a New York judge dismissed two terrorism charges against Mangione but upheld a second-degree murder charge.
Attorney General Pam Bondi is seeking the death penalty and called the murder a "premeditated, cold-blooded assassination."
Four people died and at least 12 others got hurt in a shooting in Leland, Mississippi. The incident happened around midnight when people were in town for a high school event. No one has been arrested yet, and the police are still investigating.
Key Facts
The shooting occurred in Leland, Mississippi.
Four people died as a result of the shooting.
At least 12 people were injured.
The incident took place around midnight.
The shooting happened during the Leland High School homecoming event.
Four of the injured were taken to local hospitals by helicopter.
Zillow conducted an analysis of rental markets and found 13 major U.S. metropolitan areas where over a third of apartments rent for under $1,000. Most affordable rentals were found in the Midwest and South, with Wichita, Kansas, having the highest percentage. The study noted the challenge of saving for a home due to increasing home and rental prices.
Key Facts
Zillow found 13 major metros with over one-third of apartments renting for less than $1,000.
Wichita, Kansas, has the highest share with 54% of rentals under $1,000.
McAllen, Texas, also has more than half of rentals priced below $1,000.
Rent has gone up with an average of $2,023 for all property types in the U.S.
Renters need to save 5% of their income for 8.7 years to make a 10% down payment on a home.
Rental affordability is better in areas like Ogden, Utah, where high income meets lower rent.
Places like Miami and New York have fewer affordable apartments relative to income.
Lawyers for Luigi Mangione have requested that a New York federal judge dismiss certain charges from his federal indictment, including the charge carrying the death penalty, related to the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, Brian Thompson. The defense argues that Mangione's rights were violated during his arrest since he was not informed of his rights, and officers searched his belongings without a warrant.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione is accused of killing Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare's CEO, in December.
Lawyers want some charges dismissed, including the one that carries the death penalty.
Mangione's defense claims he wasn't read his rights before being questioned by police.
His lawyers also argue the search of his backpack, which had a gun and ammunition, was done without a warrant.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges.
The charge carrying the death penalty involves using a firearm for committing murder in connection with other crimes of violence.
The U.S. Attorney General had publicly urged seeking the death penalty in this case.
Mangione was arrested five days after the shooting due to a tip from a McDonald's in Pennsylvania.
Former President Joe Biden has started radiation therapy for prostate cancer. He was diagnosed with this aggressive form of cancer in May. This therapy will last for five weeks and is part of a broader treatment plan.
Key Facts
Joe Biden is undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
The cancer was diagnosed in May.
The treatment plan includes both radiation and hormone therapy.
The radiation therapy is expected to last for five weeks.
Joe Biden is also taking hormone medication.
Earlier, Joe Biden had surgery in September to remove skin cancer lesions.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) declined a federal funding deal from President Trump's administration that linked funding to specific policies. MIT's President Sally Kornbluth stated that the proposed agreement would limit freedom and was not in line with MIT's values. The deal required universities to cap international student enrollment, freeze tuition, and adopt certain definitions and programs.
Key Facts
MIT was the first university to reject the proposed federal funding deal from President Trump's administration.
The deal, called the "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," required a cap on international student enrollment and a tuition freeze.
It also mandated that universities adopt federal definitions of gender and not have programs that belittle conservative ideas.
The proposed deal offered benefits like federal grants for universities that complied.
The proposal was sent to nine universities including the University of Virginia and Brown University.
MIT's President said the plan conflicted with the university's principle that funding should be based on merit.
Other universities like Dartmouth and the University of Pennsylvania also expressed reservations about the agreement.
The University of Texas showed some willingness to engage with the proposal.
The Trump administration is partnering with social media influencers to influence public views on National Guard deployments related to protests in Portland, Oregon. The focus is on changing narratives around protests against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Key Facts
The Trump administration collaborates with influencers on social media platforms.
The goal is to influence how people perceive National Guard deployments in Portland.
Portland is experiencing protests related to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
These social media efforts are part of a strategy by the Trump administration.
The initiative involves right-wing social media influencers.
The influencers share content to shape public opinions about the protests and ICE.
The government shutdown is affecting farmers in the United States by stopping the flow of information and funding from the Department of Agriculture. This includes delaying financial aid that farmers were counting on to help them through tough economic times.
Key Facts
The U.S. government is currently experiencing a shutdown.
The shutdown is affecting the Department of Agriculture.
Farmers are not receiving information and funding due to the shutdown.
A planned bailout for farmers is on hold because of the shutdown.
The agriculture sector is already in a deep recession, adding to the challenges farmers face.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff suggested that National Guard troops could help reduce crime in San Francisco, creating controversy. President Trump has considered sending National Guard troops to other Democratic-led cities for similar reasons. This marks a shift in Benioff's political stance as he previously supported more progressive causes.
Key Facts
Marc Benioff is the CEO of Salesforce and he suggested using National Guard troops to fight crime in San Francisco.
President Trump has sent National Guard troops to other cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and is thinking about doing the same in cities like Chicago and Portland.
Benioff's suggestion has upset some local leaders, including Matt Dorsey and other San Francisco officials.
Previously, Benioff supported progressive causes including a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton and a tax to help homeless services.
In a recent interview, Benioff mentioned that his company hires many off-duty police officers for their events.
San Francisco officials have expressed opposition to the idea of National Guard deployment, favoring local efforts to increase police staffing.
Benioff and several other tech leaders have shown support for Trump following his re-election as President in 2024.
President Donald Trump had a medical checkup at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and was found to be in "exceptional health" by his doctor. During the visit, he received vaccines and was assessed for various health conditions. This checkup was part of his regular health evaluations.
Key Facts
President Trump had a medical checkup at Walter Reed Medical Center.
The checkup included lab tests and preventive health assessments.
Trump, aged 79, got his yearly flu shot and a COVID-19 booster.
His physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, declared him in "exceptional health."
Trump was previously diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in older adults.
The checkup assessed his cardiac age, showing it to be 14 years younger than his actual age.
The White House maintains discretion over releasing presidential health information.
The checkup happened before Trump's planned trip to the Middle East.
President Trump signed a proclamation to observe Columbus Day, highlighting the explorer's legacy. This move seeks to emphasize Columbus Day as a significant holiday despite the growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day. Critics point out the controversial aspects of Columbus' history.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to celebrate Columbus Day.
The proclamation aims to “reclaim” Columbus' legacy, emphasizing his courage and virtues.
Columbus Day has been challenged in recent years, with Indigenous Peoples Day being recognized instead by some individuals and locations.
As of 2025, 30 U.S. states and 3 territories recognize Columbus Day, while 17 states and Washington, D.C., mark Indigenous Peoples Day.
Columbus, born in Italy in 1451, reached the Americas in 1492, believing he had arrived in Asia.
Columbus Day was first celebrated in 1892 by President Benjamin Harrison and declared a federal holiday by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1934.
The proclamation did not mention Indigenous Peoples Day, which critics argue represents the negative impacts of Columbus' arrival on Indigenous populations.
A mom in New York hides a prepaid phone in her children's school bags to ensure they can contact her during emergencies, defying the school's cell phone ban. She criticizes the current rules, suggesting an alternative method that allows students to access their phones in emergencies without having them during class. The issue arises amid concerns for student safety, including school shootings and other violent incidents.
Key Facts
A New York mom, Angel Ericson-Katerle, defies a school phone ban by hiding a prepaid phone in her kids' school bags.
She uses the hidden phone to ensure her children can contact her during emergencies.
The video of her strategy has been viewed 3.7 million times on TikTok.
Ericson-Katerle suggests an alternative solution where phones are stored in classroom pouches but accessible during emergencies.
Under current rules, students must leave phones in their lockers.
A 2024 survey found that parents want children to have phones for emergency communication at school.
Ericson-Katerle highlights concern over school safety, citing statistics on school shootings.
She advocates for increased security in schools, suggesting more police presence.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a new military task force aimed at tackling drug cartels operating in Latin America and the Caribbean. This move is part of President Trump’s efforts to stop drug smuggling into the U.S. and follows recent military actions against suspected cartel operations.
Key Facts
Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a new counter-narcotics Joint Task Force.
The task force targets drug cartels in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The task force combines military and federal law enforcement resources.
Lt. Gen. Calvert Worth is the appointed commander of the task force.
The U.S. military has increased resources in the Caribbean region.
This initiative is in line with President Trump’s anti-drug smuggling efforts.
At least 21 people died in airstrikes on alleged drug boats off Venezuela.
Over 10% of U.S. naval assets operate under the U.S. Southern Command.
Alexandra, a recent cybersecurity job employee, lost her job after posting on social media about the death of activist Charlie Kirk. The post quickly gained attention online, leading to public pressure on her employer to terminate her. This situation highlights how social media can impact employment, especially when influential figures participate in the discussion.
Key Facts
Alexandra lost her job for a social media post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's death.
An account with over 500,000 followers reposted her Facebook post, increasing online attention.
The repost included Alexandra's name and her employer's name.
Her employer fired her via email less than three hours after the post was spread on social media.
Alexandra received threats online, including personal details about her location in New York City.
Alexandra's family moved from the Soviet Union to the U.S. for more freedom, which she feels is now at risk.
Texas Mayor Javier Villalobos expressed concerns about President Donald Trump's mass deportation policy, saying it could harm the U.S. economy by removing immigrants who contribute by paying taxes. He supports deportation of dangerous individuals but believes law-abiding immigrants should have a chance to work legally. Villalobos calls for a practical immigration reform approach that considers the country’s labor needs.
Key Facts
Mayor Javier Villalobos heads the city of McAllen in South Texas.
Villalobos objects to mass deportations, fearing they may hurt the economy by removing tax-paying immigrants.
In 2022, immigrants paid around $96.7 billion in taxes in the U.S.
President Trump plans to execute the largest mass deportation in U.S. history, which could greatly impact agriculture.
Villalobos suggests creating pathways for immigrants to work legally instead of deporting them.
He criticizes immigration operations near sensitive areas like courtrooms, saying they deter people from attending legal proceedings.
Villalobos advocates for gradual immigration reform starting with DACA and increased cooperation between Republicans and Democrats.
A Texas business owner, Daniel Keene, shared views online about the H-1B visa program, leading to backlash, threats, and financial losses. Keene posted a comment calling for the cancellation of H-1B visas, which are used by U.S. employers to hire foreign workers, and the post went viral. As a result, he faced negative online reviews, lost sales, and issues with his church and gym memberships.
Key Facts
Daniel Keene owns Boundaries Coffee, a coffee chain in Texas, near Dallas.
Keene made a viral online post calling for the cancellation of H-1B visas.
His post included a remark about raising his children in America, not India.
Following the post, Keene received threats and faced a $20,000 extortion attempt.
Keene's business lost $8,000 in sales in two weeks.
The church he attended disputed claims about asking him to leave over his immigration views.
His gym membership was revoked, citing values of inclusivity and respect.
Keene's actions sparked significant community and business consequences.
