President Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center will award the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Bill Maher, a well-known critic of the president. This announcement comes after an initial denial from the White House, which had called reports of the award fake news. The award ceremony is set for June 28, shortly before the Kennedy Center temporarily closes for renovations.
Key Facts
Bill Maher, a critic of President Trump, will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center.
The Kennedy Center confirmed Maher as the recipient despite earlier denials from the White House.
The White House initially called reports of Maher's award “fake news.”
Maher will be the 27th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize, joining past winners like David Letterman and Tina Fey.
The award ceremony will take place on June 28 and will be shown on Netflix.
The Kennedy Center is set to close for two years of renovations after the ceremony.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has filed a new policy under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that allows it to expand its project activities with reduced environmental reviews. This change uses provisions from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and adopts existing exclusions from other federal agencies.
Key Facts
DHS filed a new policy to expand its project roles under NEPA.
The change allows for fewer environmental reviews for certain projects.
This action is based on the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.
DHS is adopting categorical exclusions from agencies like NASA and the Department of Interior.
These exclusions include activities like prescribed burning and maintenance of unmanned aircraft.
DHS will assess each proposed action for any special circumstances.
The policy change is designed to streamline project activities while ensuring they are similar to other agencies' actions.
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Vice President JD Vance's chances of winning the 2028 presidential election have decreased, according to prediction and betting markets. His odds have dropped below other contenders like Governor Gavin Newsom. This change follows geopolitical events and shifting voter opinions.
Key Facts
JD Vance's odds for the 2028 presidential race have dropped to 18% on Polymarket.
Vance's odds fell from 22.4% in February when a conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran began.
Gavin Newsom's odds are close to Vance's at 17%.
Prediction market Kalshi also shows Vance's odds near an all-time low of 19.2%.
Traditional betting markets now favor Newsom over Vance, with Vance's odds slipping to 4/1.
Vance remains the favorite for the Republican nomination, ahead of Marco Rubio.
Democrats are favored to win the presidency in 2028, according to Star Sports' odds.
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A plane and a firetruck were removed from the runway at LaGuardia Airport after a crash on March 22. The crash killed two pilots and injured 41 people, causing the airport to close temporarily. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
Key Facts
The crash happened on March 22 at LaGuardia Airport.
Two pilots died, and 41 people were injured in the crash.
LaGuardia Airport, one of the busiest in the U.S., was shut down for hours.
Both runways at the airport have been cleared for use.
The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the crash.
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A Republican-led subcommittee in the U.S. House blocked a Democratic effort to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. about a large Pentagon loan to Vulcan Elements, a company linked to him. The Democrats wanted to investigate possible influence by President Trump's administration in awarding the loan, but Republicans voted against the subpoena.
Key Facts
The House Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee blocked a motion to subpoena Donald Trump Jr.
The issue involves a $620 million loan from the Pentagon to Vulcan Elements, a rare earth magnet maker.
Donald Trump Jr. is a partner at 1789 Capital, which has a financial stake in Vulcan Elements.
Democrats suspect this could suggest improper influence from President Trump's administration.
The proposed subpoena was part of an effort to get Trump Jr. to testify about his involvement.
The committee also wanted to subpoena key figures related to the loan but Republicans blocked the move.
Democrats argue that this was the largest loan issued by the Defense Department's Office of Strategic Capital.
1789 Capital and Vulcan Elements deny any improper involvement in securing the loan.
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TSA agents in the U.S. are working without pay due to a funding lapse, while ICE agents continue to receive salaries because they are funded separately. The federal government shutdown impacts airport operations, leading to staffing shortages and longer wait times for passengers.
Key Facts
TSA officers are working without pay as the government shutdown affects their funding.
ICE agents keep getting paid because they have funding through a different law called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
ICE agents are being sent to help at airport checkpoints due to TSA staffing shortages.
The shutdown has led to long wait times at airports because many TSA workers are absent.
There are disagreements in Congress over new funding bills, connected to immigration enforcement changes.
Some airports advise travelers to arrive earlier due to increased wait times.
Over 450 TSA officers have reportedly quit because they cannot afford basic needs.
The White House has directed ICE involvement at major airports like JFK and O’Hare.
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A video of First Lady Melania Trump entering a White House event with a humanoid robot caught public attention. The video featured music from the movie "Hook," surprising viewers due to its nostalgic connection. The event focused on AI roles in education and child safety.
Key Facts
Melania Trump entered the White House event with a humanoid robot named Figure 03.
The robot was made by AI robotics company Figure.
Music from the 1991 film "Hook," composed by John Williams, played during the entrance.
People online reacted with surprise and amusement to the music choice.
The event highlighted artificial intelligence in education and child safety.
Figure 03 showcased its abilities by walking, speaking, and greeting people in different languages.
This event is not the first time music choices at the White House have sparked discussion.
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Rent prices across the United States vary significantly, with $2,000 buying very different apartments depending on the city. In large cities, $2,000 might only rent a small studio, while in smaller cities, it could afford a spacious three-bedroom apartment. This variation highlights the importance of understanding regional differences when planning a move.
Key Facts
A $2,000 rent budget buys different sized apartments depending on the city and region.
In bigger cities like Boston and Los Angeles, $2,000 often only gets a studio apartment.
In smaller cities such as Memphis and Buffalo, the same budget can rent a three-bedroom apartment.
The average rent across the U.S. for a one-bedroom is $1,630 per month.
In Portland, Maine, most rentals are under $2,000, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,839.
In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the high cost of rent means only 17% of rentals fall below $2,000.
Nationally, 46 out of 50 states have average rents below $2,000.
Understanding how far $2,000 goes in different cities can aid in planning moves and managing budgets.
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Young people in the U.S., especially Gen Z and millennials, show a strong interest in adopting large dogs from shelters. However, challenges related to housing, particularly pet restrictions and additional costs, prevent many from doing so.
Key Facts
A report found that Gen Z and millennials are almost twice as likely to want large dogs compared to older generations.
Large dogs spend about 70% more time in shelters than smaller dogs.
Housing restrictions, such as breed or size limits, are major barriers to adopting large dogs.
A study of rental properties showed less than 10% have no pet restrictions.
Costs for large dogs are higher, making them less affordable amid inflation and rising rents.
On average, large dogs stayed 17 days in shelters in 2025, compared to 14 for medium dogs and 10 for small dogs.
Confidence in handling large dogs is lower among those unlikely to adopt them.
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The U.S. Census Bureau plans to test using postal workers to gather census information in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 2026. This trial aims to see if postal workers' local knowledge can help with census data collection for the 2030 Census. This new method could impact how the census counts people and allocates federal funding.
Key Facts
The Census Bureau will use USPS workers in a 2026 test to prepare for the 2030 Census.
Postal workers will collect census responses from households that do not reply online.
The test will happen in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Postal workers already know their routes and could help with accurate data collection.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggests using USPS workers for the census.
A past review indicated that using postal workers might not be cost-effective.
The bureau will evaluate if this reduces follow-up visits and improves data quality.
In 2020, the Census Bureau employed over 230,000 temporary workers for similar tasks.
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A recent poll shows two Democratic candidates, Graham Platner and Governor Janet Mills, leading Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine's Senate race. The poll was conducted by Emerson College Polling and surveyed 1,075 likely Maine voters.
Key Facts
Two Democratic candidates are ahead of Senator Susan Collins in a new poll.
The poll was conducted by Emerson College Polling from March 21 to 23.
Graham Platner leads Collins with 48% to 41% of the vote.
Governor Janet Mills leads Collins with 46% to 43% of the vote.
The poll surveyed 1,075 likely voters in Maine.
There is a margin of error of +/- 2.9%.
12% of voters support another candidate or are undecided in the Platner vs. Collins matchup.
8% of voters support another candidate, and 3% are undecided in the Mills vs. Collins matchup.
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Some U.S. states are working on laws to stop immigration officers, like those from ICE, from wearing masks that hide their identities while on duty. New Jersey and Washington have already passed such laws, while other states are either considering or proposing similar measures. These laws are meant to make it easier to identify law enforcement officers, but some argue it might put officers at risk.
Key Facts
New Jersey and Washington recently passed laws stopping law enforcement, including ICE agents, from wearing masks that hide their identities.
California previously passed a similar law, but a judge struck it down, noting certain conditions under which such a ban could be permissible.
Supporters argue these measures help the public identify who is enforcing the law.
Critics worry that banning masks can put officers in danger and might expose them to threats.
Some states considering similar laws include Alaska, Florida, New York, and Virginia, among others.
The measures generally have exceptions, like for undercover work or safety equipment.
President Donald Trump does not support ICE agents wearing masks at airports, where they assist with TSA operations.
The legislative push follows significant federal operations by masked agents in major U.S. cities.
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The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a nationwide alert about certain raw, organic beef and pork products. These products, made by Blackwing Meats and Blackwing Organic Meats, may pose health risks because they might display false inspection labels. Consumers are urged not to eat these products and to either discard or return them.
Key Facts
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a health alert for certain beef and pork products.
The products were made by Blackwing Meats and Blackwing Organic Meats from April 2024 to March 2026.
These items include various types of beef and pork like steaks and ground meat.
Some products had false USDA inspection marks or no inspection marks at all.
The alert stems from an investigation into labeling misuses.
There are no confirmed illnesses linked to these products yet.
Consumers should avoid eating these products and discard or return them.
The USDA advises keeping track of official announcements for updates on this issue.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to a new low in his second term, according to polling averages tracked by Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin. This decline comes as public opinion remains largely against the ongoing Iran war.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at a second-term low, about minus 16.7 according to Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin.
The approval ratings are affected by the public's negative view of the ongoing war with Iran.
The Silver Bulletin tracks approval ratings by averaging public polls and updates daily.
Trump did not receive the usual boost in approval ratings that often occurs when a conflict begins.
Support for the Iran war is around 40%, while opposition has grown from 48% to 52%.
Trump's core supporters' views remain stable, but opposition has increased among the broader public.
Additional U.S. troops have been deployed to the Middle East, and a 15-point peace plan has been sent to Iran.
Other polling aggregates show similar trends in Trump's approval ratings.
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A woman shared online that her husband has a long-standing habit of moving or discarding her personal belongings despite her requests to stop. She questions whether he does this on purpose or if they simply have different views on personal space. Many people online commented that his actions show a lack of respect for her preferences.
Key Facts
The woman is 46 years old and uses the name Gallumbits42 on Reddit.
She described her husband as moving, hiding, or throwing away her things over many years.
The husband claims he is trying to help by tidying up.
Important items like a health insurance letter have been found misplaced.
Conversations about his behavior have not led to change.
Online comments suggest that the husband's actions show disregard for her.
The woman has started locking cupboards to prevent her belongings from being moved.
Her husband dismisses her concerns as overly emotional.
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Georgia lawmakers are looking at a new bill that would limit how much local governments can raise property taxes each year. The bill aims to ease the burden on homeowners but may reduce funding for local services. The bill is currently being considered by the Georgia state Senate.
Key Facts
Georgia lawmakers are reviewing a bill to cap property tax increases.
The proposed cap is either 3% per year or the current inflation rate, whichever is higher.
The bill includes a provision for local governments to use a penny sales tax to recover lost funds.
Property tax bills in the U.S. have increased by nearly 24% from 2019 to 2023.
Older homeowners are significantly affected by property taxes, with 13% paying more than 10% of their income.
Georgia's current effective property tax rate is 0.79%.
The bill does not require a constitutional amendment, unlike similar measures in other states.
The Georgia state Senate is now reviewing the bill.
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"No Kings" protests are planned across the U.S. this weekend against President Donald Trump's policies. Over 3,100 events will take place in various cities to express opposition to his administration. Previously, similar protests occurred in June and October of 2025.
Key Facts
The "No Kings" protests are set to happen nationwide this weekend.
Over 3,100 protest events are planned across the U.S.
This is the third "No Kings" protest, following earlier ones in June and October 2025.
Protests are a response to President Trump's administration and policies.
Events are listed for various cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and more.
The group opposing President Trump cites issues like immigrant policies and foreign wars.
The "No Kings" group is updating a map showing protest locations on its website.
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The National Weather Service has warned thousands of people in eastern Nebraska about possible health problems due to high levels of fine particle pollution, known as PM2.5, caused by smoke. This pollution can lead to symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, particularly affecting sensitive groups like the elderly and those with existing health conditions. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities and keep indoor air clean until conditions improve.
Key Facts
Residents in parts of eastern Nebraska have received health warnings due to high PM2.5 levels.
The areas affected include multiple counties and cities such as Omaha and Lincoln.
PM2.5 particles are tiny and can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
The pollution is primarily caused by smoke from prescribed fires and wind patterns.
The National Weather Service has classified air quality as "unhealthy" for sensitive groups.
Sensitive groups include the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with heart or lung issues.
People are advised to limit outdoor activities and keep indoor air clean by using air purifiers.
The Environmental Protection Agency also underscores the danger of PM2.5 pollution when levels are high.
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A woman in California recorded a situation in a parking lot where her car alarm went off, attracting a lost 4-year-old girl seeking help. The child had left home looking for her mother, and the woman stayed with her while contacting authorities. The event went viral online, sparking discussions on chance encounters and safety.
Key Facts
The incident happened when a woman's car alarm went off in a parking lot late at night.
A 4-year-old girl approached the woman's car, having left home alone searching for her mother.
The woman stayed with the child and called the police for assistance.
Child safety experts recommend staying with a lost child and calling law enforcement.
The woman shared the video on TikTok, and it gained over 30 million views in three days.
The event led to discussions about the "burnt toast theory," a concept on how small inconveniences might lead to positive outcomes.
The final outcome for the child remains unclear as no official updates were provided.
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A woman spent $600 on an emergency vet visit for her dog, Molly, who had stopped eating. The vet determined the dog was not sick but likely bored with her food. The story highlights discussions on social media about whether dogs can get bored with their food.
Key Facts
Molly the dog stopped eating for two days, prompting her owner to take her to the vet.
The vet visit cost $600, but the dog was not sick; she was just tired of eating chicken.
The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that dog owners spend about $598 on vet care annually.
The video about Molly’s vet visit was posted on TikTok and garnered nearly 1 million views.
There is debate among experts whether dogs get bored with their food or not.
The American Kennel Club says dogs usually like routine, while another institute suggests lack of variety could affect their enjoyment of meals.
Social media users shared stories about their own pets’ eating habits and creative ways they encourage them to eat.
News outlets, including Newsweek, reported on Molly’s story, using AI technology to assist in the writing process.
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