New dietary guidelines proposed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may significantly differ from past guidelines. Kennedy wants to simplify them to a few pages focusing on whole and local foods. This change could impact federal food programs and policies.
Key Facts
The U.S. updates dietary guidelines every five years based on scientific research.
The 2025 scientific report recommends eating fruits, vegetables, lean meats, legumes, and whole grains, and avoiding saturated fats, added sugar, and refined carbs.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to make the guidelines simpler and more focused on "whole foods."
The current guidelines influence federal food aid programs, like school lunches and military meals.
Many people still mistakenly link the guidelines with the old food pyramid.
The guidelines are criticized for being too complex, which affects their adoption by the public.
Experts say that simple advice alone may not change American eating habits or reduce diet-related diseases.
President Trump introduced a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, which is a visa program for skilled workers. This fee could negatively affect rural schools and hospitals that rely on foreign workers to fill critical roles, such as teachers and doctors. Employers argue that they depend on these workers to fill roles that are otherwise difficult to fill due to a lack of American applicants.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications on September 19.
This fee is primarily meant for new H-1B visa applicants, not current visa holders.
The H-1B visa is used to hire skilled workers in fields like education and healthcare.
The U.S. has a shortage of teachers and doctors, which is worsened in rural areas.
Rural communities struggle to attract workers due to lower wages and fewer living amenities.
Large companies may handle the fee, but it's difficult for rural schools and hospitals.
A coalition filed a lawsuit to stop the fee because of its adverse effects on communities.
J-1 visas, which are short-term, are not affected by the new fee but offer no permanent residency path.
President Donald Trump posted on social media calling for the jailing of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. He accused them of not protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
Key Facts
President Trump made the social media post on a Wednesday morning.
He targeted Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Chicago, and JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois.
Both Johnson and Pritzker are members of the Democratic Party.
Trump accused them of failing to protect ICE officers.
The reason for Trump's specific objection in this case was not clear.
The comment follows a pattern where Trump calls for legal action against opponents.
Traditionally, there is a norm of maintaining the Justice Department's independence from such political calls.
Many U.S. states are set to raise their minimum wage rates by 2026. The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since 2009, but these state-level increases aim to better match the current cost of living. Eighteen states have confirmed they'll implement these changes starting January 1, 2026.
Key Facts
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009.
By 2026, 18 states will increase their minimum wage rates.
In Arizona, the minimum wage will increase from $14.70 to $15.15.
California will move from $16.50 to $16.90.
Hawaii will see the largest increase from $14.00 to $16.00.
Some states, like Alabama and Mississippi, do not have their own minimum wage laws; the federal rate applies.
Certain workers are not covered by minimum wage laws, such as salaried executives and some farmworkers.
Efforts to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour are ongoing.
President Trump will host a discussion about Antifa, a group he plans to label as a "domestic terrorist organization." The details of the meeting, set for Wednesday afternoon, have not been shared by the White House.
Key Facts
President Trump intends to label Antifa as a "domestic terrorist organization."
Antifa refers to a collection of far-left militant groups.
It is not clear how this designation will affect Antifa due to its decentralized nature.
The meeting is set to occur on Wednesday afternoon.
The White House has not provided detailed information about the meeting.
The event is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that eight people were arrested for allegedly working with a Houston-area abortion provider accused of performing illegal abortions and practicing medicine without a license. This investigation involves clinics run by Maria Rojas, who was previously indicted on multiple felony counts.
Key Facts
Eight people were arrested in Texas for allegedly helping in illegal abortion procedures.
Four of the arrested individuals are foreign nationals.
The arrests are part of an investigation into clinics connected to Maria Rojas.
Maria Rojas faced 15 felony charges earlier this year for illegal abortion activities.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated the clinics put people's safety at risk.
The arrested individuals are accused of helping to run unlicensed clinics in Houston.
Texas has strict laws regarding abortion procedures.
President Donald Trump has deployed or threatened to deploy the National Guard to several U.S. cities to address crime, which has raised concerns among some Republican senators. These senators worry that using the military in this way could set a bad precedent for future presidents. The deployments have led to lawsuits and debates about presidential powers and the role of the military in domestic affairs.
Key Facts
President Trump has considered sending National Guard troops to Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon.
His administration claims these deployments are needed to address crime and protect federal property.
Some Republican senators worry about the precedent set by deploying the National Guard for domestic policing.
Senator Thom Tillis expressed concern that a future Democratic president might use the National Guard similarly.
Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Susan Collins both shared concerns about militarizing domestic policing.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas supports the deployments, with Texas National Guard troops arriving in Chicago.
Critics argue that the deployments do not justify using the Insurrection Act, traditionally used for more severe uprisings.
Several states, including Illinois, have taken legal action against these deployments, with some court rulings blocking the use of federal troops.
Police in Washington, D.C. arrested a man named Louis Geri with over 200 explosive devices outside a church before the Supreme Court's new term began. They found a manifesto expressing strong negative feelings toward the Supreme Court, the Catholic Church, and other groups. The arrest happened during heightened concerns about political violence in the United States.
Key Facts
Louis Geri was arrested outside a church in Washington, D.C. with over 200 explosive devices.
The arrest occurred before the annual "Red Mass," a religious service for the legal community.
Geri had a manifesto showing hostility towards the Supreme Court and other groups.
None of the Supreme Court justices attended the Red Mass due to security concerns.
Geri threatened to detonate explosives when police asked him to move his tent.
He described his devices as grenades and explosives made with nitromethane.
Geri is from New Jersey but had been living in Arizona and was previously convicted of indecent exposure.
The incident raises concerns about political violence and the safety of public figures.
Former FBI director James Comey faces legal charges in a case led by Lindsey Halligan, a U.S. Attorney with no prosecution background. Concerns arise about Halligan's legal qualifications and potential risks to her law license. The case involves claims about Comey misleading investigators during his FBI tenure.
Key Facts
James Comey, prior FBI director, is facing legal charges for misleading investigators.
Lindsey Halligan is the prosecutor in the case but has no previous experience as a prosecutor.
Concerns have been raised that Halligan could lose her law license over her handling of the case.
Disbarment is a process that revokes a lawyer’s license, which begins if state bar authorities see misconduct.
The Department of Justice contends Comey is guilty of misleading investigators during his time at the FBI.
The charges require proving that Comey knowingly made false statements to investigators.
The case is being managed in the Eastern District of Virginia, a court known for handling high-profile cases quickly.
Critics, including former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy, question the strength and validity of the case against Comey.
A legal battle is taking place over President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. States are divided along party lines on this issue, with some supporting Trump’s authority and others challenging it. The core of the lawsuit is whether the deployment was lawful and necessary, with oral arguments set to begin on October 24.
Key Facts
President Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., citing "out of control" crime.
The lawsuit questions whether this use of the National Guard is lawful and constitutional.
23 states with Republican attorneys general support Trump's decision, arguing it is necessary for safety.
22 states with Democratic attorneys general oppose the decision, claiming it undermines city and state rights.
The lawsuit also ties into similar actions in cities like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago.
Over 2,000 troops from Washington D.C. and other states were sent to patrol the city.
Oral arguments in the case are scheduled to start on October 24.
A Chicago pastor, Rev. David Black, has joined a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming he was shot by ICE officers during a protest outside an immigration facility. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU and others, accuses federal agents of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators and reporters in Broadview, Illinois.
Key Facts
Rev. David Black is a pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago.
He claims ICE officers shot him without warning during a prayer vigil outside the Broadview ICE facility.
The ACLU and a coalition of journalists, clergy, and residents filed the lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois.
The lawsuit accuses federal agents of using tear gas, pepper balls, and force against peaceful protesters.
The suit challenges the Trump administration's handling of protests and claims it violated First Amendment rights.
The lawsuit could impact how federal agencies manage protests and protect freedom of speech and press.
Video footage on Instagram reportedly shows the incident involving Pastor Black.
The complaint names President Trump, DHS, and ICE leadership as responsible for the actions.
A dog named Maya, a 3-year-old German shepherd, ended up at the Southampton Animal Shelter in New York after her owner passed away. Maya is now looking for a new home because the family members could not take care of her. Despite settling into the shelter, Maya is struggling to attract potential adopters.
Key Facts
Maya is a 3-year-old German shepherd at the Southampton Animal Shelter in New York.
Her owner passed away, leading her to the shelter as family could not care for her.
Transition to the shelter was challenging, as shown by a study indicating high stress in newly sheltered dogs.
Maya has become more confident by mixing with other dogs in playgroups.
Despite her improvements, Maya is not receiving much adoption interest.
The shelter suggests she would do well with an active, experienced pet owner.
A friendly home with another dog could benefit Maya.
President Donald Trump criticized Chicago's leadership, suggesting Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson should be jailed for not protecting federal immigration officers. Governor Pritzker responded strongly, condemning Trump's call and actions, such as deploying National Guard troops and other federal measures in Illinois.
Key Facts
President Trump called for the jailing of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Trump criticized them for not protecting federal immigration officers in Chicago.
Protests and clashes with ICE agents occurred in Broadview, Illinois.
Illinois state officials are trying to stop Trump from sending National Guard troops to Chicago.
Governor Pritzker accused Trump of authoritarian actions, including deploying federal forces and surveilling citizens.
Pritzker made his response public by posting on social media platform X.
Former FBI Director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The charges relate to his 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. His trial is set to begin on January 5, 2026.
Key Facts
James Comey is charged with lying to Congress and obstructing its proceedings.
He pleaded not guilty through his lawyer, Pat Fitzgerald.
The trial is scheduled for January 5, 2026.
The indictment followed President Trump's request for a quicker investigation.
Erik Siebert, initially handling the case, was replaced by Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump attorney.
Comey plans to challenge the charges, citing potential issues with prosecution fairness and the grand jury process.
The charges date back to Comey's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020.
Special prosecutors from North Carolina are assisting in the case.
The U.S. government is in a shutdown, with Congress unable to agree on a plan to reopen it. President Trump and lawmakers are at odds over funding and health care issues, and no public negotiations are happening, although some behind-the-scenes discussions seem to be taking place.
Key Facts
The U.S. government shutdown has entered its second week.
The Senate is having repeated unsuccessful votes to reopen the government.
President Trump has threatened to mass fire federal workers and withhold back pay.
There are no public negotiations to end the shutdown at this time.
Republicans in Congress believe they are in a strong position politically against Democratic demands.
Democrats are concerned about potential health care price increases and hold Trump responsible for the shutdown.
Some senators from both parties are discussing possible solutions for health insurance issues.
President Trump indicated he is open to negotiations to reach a health care agreement but wants the government to reopen first.
A study by University of Maryland researchers found that many patients with sickle cell disease were not properly prioritized in U.S. hospital emergency departments during severe pain episodes. These patients experienced long waits for pain medication, which are crucial for managing their condition.
Key Facts
Sickle cell disease affects around 100,000 people in the U.S., mostly individuals of Black or African ancestry.
The disease can cause extreme pain known as vaso-occlusive crises because of misshaped blood cells blocking blood flow.
Guidelines suggest prioritizing these patients with an emergency severity index (ESI) score of two for quick pain management.
In this study, only 34.8% of patients received the proper ESI score of two.
Patients with the less urgent ESI score of three waited about 178 minutes for pain medication.
The study highlights the need for improved triage to reduce waiting times and improve care for these patients.
Most of the patients in the study were female (58%) and of a median age of 33.
The average reported pain level for these patients on a scale of 1 to 10 was nine.
Lydia Hayes from St. Louis looked through old photos with her great-grandma and noticed a pattern of not smiling much in them. This observation led to a TikTok video and an emotional realization about her past, where she recognized her tough childhood but felt proud of her progress and her children's brighter future.
Key Facts
Lydia Hayes, 24, is from St. Louis, Missouri.
She went through old photos of time spent with her great-grandmother in Illinois.
Hayes realized she didn't smile much in these photos.
She made a TikTok video about this discovery.
This led to an emotional realization about her difficult childhood.
A 2024 study in Neuropsychologia found that negative images activate brain regions, enhancing memory recall.
Hayes found comfort in seeing how far she has come since then.
She hopes her children will have happy memories to look back on.
James Comey, the former director of the FBI, pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges related to his 2020 testimony before the Senate. The trial is scheduled to begin on January 5, and both sides have agreed to a slow pretrial process due to the complicated nature of the charges and the need to review classified information.
Key Facts
James Comey used to be the director of the FBI.
He is facing charges linked to his testimony before the Senate in 2020.
Comey pleaded not guilty in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.
His lawyer, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, asked for a jury trial.
The trial is set to start on January 5.
The charges in the case are complex, needing more time to prepare for trial.
Both sides agreed to review classified materials before trial.
The case is seen as being influenced by political factors.
President Donald Trump aims to have his image on a new commemorative $1 coin from the U.S. Mint for the nation's 250th anniversary. While typically U.S. currency does not depict living people, there are no strict legal barriers to this proposal.
Key Facts
President Trump wants his picture on both sides of a commemorative $1 coin.
The U.S. Mint creates both legal tender coins and special commemorative ones.
Traditions usually prevent living people from being depicted on U.S. currency, but it’s not entirely forbidden.
Trump is not the first living person to be depicted on U.S. coins.
The proposal relates to the nation’s 250th anniversary coin series.
The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 guides the design rules.
The Act allows images on the front but restricts them on the back of the coin.
Any decision on this coin rests largely with administration officials, as per the current laws.
Durra Ground Cinnamon sold in California and Michigan has been recalled due to potential lead contamination. The FDA advises consumers, especially parents of young children, to avoid using the spice and seek medical help if exposure is suspected. Lead exposure is dangerous, with severe long-term health effects, especially for children.
Key Facts
The FDA announced the recall of Durra Ground Cinnamon due to possible lead contamination.
The affected cinnamon was sold in 100-gram containers in California and Michigan from August 24 to October 6.
The recalled product can be identified by its UPC 6251136 034139, Batch No.: 06 B:02, and "Best by" date of May 2026.
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health problems, particularly in children.
No illnesses linked to the cinnamon have been reported yet.
Consumers are advised to return the product for a full refund and avoid using it.
The FDA found elevated lead levels during product testing, prompting the recall.
Consumers can contact Eureka Inc. for more information about the recall.
