Prosecutors in some U.S. states are increasingly charging low-income women with crimes related to pregnancy, especially in states with strict abortion laws. This rise in cases follows the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the national right to an abortion, leading to debates and legal issues about fetal rights and the treatment of pregnant women.
Key Facts
Since the Supreme Court overturned national abortion rights, at least 412 pregnant women have faced charges related to pregnancy.
Before this decision, about 85 women per year faced such charges over 16 years.
The Dobbs ruling in 2022 increased legal recognition of fetuses as persons in some states.
In one case, a woman in Kentucky was charged after using abortion pills.
Most cases in the last two years were in Oklahoma and Alabama.
Substance use during pregnancy was the sole charge in 67% of such cases.
Over 75% of the defendants were low-income, needing court-appointed lawyers or benefits like Medicaid.
Recent legislative efforts in 19 states sought to grant legal rights to fetuses, but none have passed yet.
Madison Sheahan, deputy director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), plans to step down from her position to run for Congress. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised Sheahan for her leadership at ICE and her commitment to serving Ohio and the country.
Key Facts
Madison Sheahan is currently the deputy director of ICE.
Sheahan plans to resign from her position to pursue a congressional seat.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised Sheahan for her work at ICE.
Noem described Sheahan as a dedicated leader who effectively managed ICE's responsibilities.
Sheahan's campaign will focus on serving the state of Ohio and the country.
Homeowners in various U.S. states are facing property tax deadlines soon. Missing these deadlines can result in interest charges. Some states offer early payment discounts.
Key Facts
Property tax deadlines vary by state, with several occurring in January.
Mississippi offers a 2% discount for January payments, with taxes due by February 1.
Wisconsin's first tax installment is due by January 31.
North Carolina allows tax payments without interest until January 5.
South Carolina requires full tax payment by January 15.
Nevada’s third tax installment can be paid without penalty by January 15.
New York had a January 1 deadline, with a grace period until January 15, for properties valued less than $250,000.
Texas has a January 31 deadline for tax payments without penalties.
Online fundraisers for TJ Sabula, a Ford worker who heckled President Donald Trump, have raised more money than the fundraiser for Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent who was involved in a controversial shooting. Sabula, who works at the Ford plant in Michigan, heckled Trump during his visit to the plant and subsequently faced suspension.
Key Facts
Two fundraisers for TJ Sabula have raised a total of $811,010.
Sabula is a Ford worker and member of the United Auto Workers Local 600.
President Trump visited the Ford F-150 plant in Dearborn, Michigan.
During Trump's visit, Sabula heckled him, leading Trump to respond with a rude gesture.
Sabula was suspended from his job after the incident.
A fundraiser for Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent involved in a shooting, has raised $744,508.
Sabula's fundraiser aims to support him and his family while he is suspended from work.
A delivery of 24 SUVs to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Burlington, Massachusetts, has raised concerns about possible changes in immigration enforcement. Local officials and communities are worried about what the new vehicles might mean for ICE's activities in the area.
Key Facts
24 unmarked SUVs were delivered to the ICE Field Office in Burlington, Massachusetts.
The delivery was recorded and shared on social media by an activist group.
The Department of Homeland Security did not confirm any increase in operations.
Local officials, including Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, expressed concern over the delivery.
No official notice or confirmation of any new enforcement actions has been issued by ICE.
The SUVs' purpose is not clear; they may be part of routine updates to the agency's vehicles.
Tensions are heightened following a recent incident involving a fatality in Minneapolis related to ICE activity.
Support for President Trump's immigration policies is decreasing, with many Americans disapproving of actions by the immigration enforcement agency, ICE. Critics have raised concerns about ICE's tactics and incidents, including a fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen. Democrats are challenging these policies in Congress.
Key Facts
President Trump is focusing on mass deportations as part of his immigration policy.
Public opinion is shifting against ICE, with many Americans disapproving of its methods.
A majority of Americans now support abolishing ICE, according to polls.
There have been incidents of ICE arresting U.S. citizens and using forceful tactics.
A recent fatal shooting by DHS raised further criticism.
The Trump administration has invested millions to promote its deportation agenda.
Democrats in Congress are pushing for oversight of ICE activities.
President Trump continues to pursue his campaign promise of increased deportations.
The ACLU has filed a record number of legal cases against President Trump in his first year back in office. They are challenging his actions on immigration, civil rights, and other issues. The ACLU has already started more than 230 cases, aiming to match or surpass their activity during his previous term.
Key Facts
The ACLU plans to file nearly 900 legal challenges against President Trump.
They previously filed 434 cases in all four years of Trump's first term.
More than 230 cases have already been filed in Trump's first year back in office.
The ACLU claims a 64% success rate in affecting Trump policies through legal means.
They stopped the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deporting Venezuelan migrants.
They blocked indiscriminate use of force against protesters and journalists in some cases.
The U.S. Supreme Court allowed certain ICE raids and a passport policy to continue, marking ACLU defeats.
The ACLU has acted quickly, even suing within two hours of a Trump executive order on birthright citizenship.
A polar vortex is causing cold air to move into the central and eastern parts of the United States, bringing temperatures that are much lower than usual. This weather pattern is expected to continue through January and possibly into early February, affecting states from Minnesota to Florida.
Key Facts
The polar vortex is pushing cold air across the central and eastern U.S.
Temperatures could be 10–20 degrees colder than normal in cities like Chicago and New York.
The cold air may cause more snow, including lake-effect snow and snow flurries.
Businesses are advised to expect higher heating demands and possible travel disruptions.
States affected include those from the Midwest and Northeast down to northern Florida.
Freeze watches and warnings have been issued in parts of Florida.
The polar vortex is an area of low pressure and cold air around the Earth's poles, which becomes stronger in winter.
Protests started in Minneapolis after a Venezuelan man was shot in the leg by a federal immigration agent during a traffic stop. This incident happened shortly after another agent in the city killed a 37-year-old mother named Renee Good.
Key Facts
Protests occurred in Minneapolis due to a shooting by a federal immigration agent.
A Venezuelan man was shot in the leg during a traffic stop.
The shooting led to public demonstrations in the city.
This incident followed another recent event where an agent killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother.
The community responded swiftly with protests against these incidents.
President Donald Trump said he might use the Insurrection Act to send troops into Minneapolis to handle protests. This comes after incidents involving federal officers and local residents in the city.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act in Minneapolis.
The Insurrection Act allows the president to deploy troops for law enforcement in the U.S.
Protests are happening in Minneapolis due to actions by federal officers.
A federal officer shot and wounded a Minneapolis man who attacked with a shovel and broom.
Earlier, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a person named Renee Good.
President Trump wants to use military forces despite objections from state governors.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has introduced its 2026 "Love" stamp collection. These Forever stamps feature bird illustrations and are available online and at post offices across the country.
Key Facts
The USPS launched the 2026 "Love" stamps on January 13.
The stamps show pairs of birds with heart-themed designs by James Yang and Ethel Kessler.
The collection continues a tradition started in 1973 with the first Love stamp.
The 2026 stamps are Forever stamps, meaning their value matches current First-Class Mail rates and won't change with future rate increases.
The stamps are sold in sheets of 20 at post offices and online, including through Amazon.
The Love stamp series is often used for special occasions like weddings and Valentine's Day.
The USPS aims for these stamps to be both functional for postage and attractive to collectors.
The annual release of Love stamps supports USPS modernization efforts.
Nebraska is moving ahead with new Medicaid work requirements that ask low-income adults to work 80 hours each month to keep their health coverage. The state will start these requirements on May 1, 2026, before the federal deadline. This rule affects thousands in Nebraska and is part of a federal law signed by President Trump.
Key Facts
Nebraska will require Medicaid recipients to work 80 hours a month starting May 1, 2026.
These work requirements come earlier than the federal deadline of January 2027.
The policy affects able-bodied adults ages 19 to 64 who meet specific income guidelines.
Nearly 70,000 people in Nebraska will be notified about these new rules.
Exemptions exist for groups like disabled individuals, pregnant women, and caregivers of young children.
The policy is based on a federal law signed by President Trump in 2025, known as HR1.
Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services is coordinating with federal agencies to ensure compliance.
Concerns have been raised about potential loss of coverage for some people under these new requirements.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul supports a plan that would let people in New York sue federal immigration agents if their rights are violated. The proposal is part of her broader immigration agenda aimed at increasing accountability and protecting vulnerable locations. Similar laws exist in states like California and New Jersey.
Key Facts
New York residents could sue federal immigration agents in state courts if the agents violate their constitutional rights.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced her support for this proposal in her 2026 State of the State address.
The plan has support from some state lawmakers and aims to address concerns about aggressive federal immigration tactics.
There has been increased urgency for such measures following the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent.
Other states, including California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, have similar laws allowing lawsuits against federal officials.
The proposal is part of a broader immigration agenda that includes protecting sensitive locations like schools and hospitals from federal enforcement without judicial warrants.
President Trump's administration has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries. This action takes effect on January 21 and impacts those seeking to move permanently to the U.S., but not tourists or people with short-term visas. The suspension is part of broader immigration restrictions the administration has been implementing.
Key Facts
The U.S. will stop processing immigrant visas for 75 countries starting January 21.
Affected regions include Latin America, the Caribbean, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
This suspension only impacts those seeking permanent residency, not temporary visitors or workers.
The U.S. government has not provided a timeline for when the visa suspension might end.
The suspension does not affect dual nationals applying with a valid passport from an unaffected country.
Recent months have seen increased immigration restrictions under President Trump's administration.
The U.S. set the lowest cap on refugee admissions for the 2026 fiscal year, allowing only 7,500 refugees, primarily from South Africa.
The administration has also increased fees for H-1B visas, which companies use to hire skilled foreign workers.
President Donald Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act to send troops to Minnesota if protests continue against federal immigration enforcement. This follows incidents involving ICE agents, including a shooting in Minneapolis and the death of a protester. Trump criticizes Minnesota's leaders for not stopping the protests.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act in Minnesota.
The Insurrection Act allows for federal troops to be deployed domestically.
Protests erupted after a second person was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
The Department of Homeland Security stated the shooting victim attacked an agent.
A Venezuelan national, said to be in the U.S. illegally, was involved in the shooting.
A protester named Renee Good was fatally shot after allegedly driving towards an ICE agent.
The Trump administration claims the shooting was self-defense, but there is some dispute.
Democratic leaders in Minnesota oppose the increased presence of ICE officers.
The Justice Department is investigating five U.S. legislators after they released a video urging military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders. These legislators, who are Democrats and have military or intelligence backgrounds, say they are being targeted for speaking out. The issue revolves around concerns over orders given by President Trump and accusations of them encouraging insubordination.
Key Facts
Five U.S. legislators released a video telling military and intelligence members not to follow illegal orders.
The legislators involved are Democrats with past military or intelligence service.
President Trump accused these legislators of acting seditiously, which is considered a serious crime.
The FBI started an inquiry into the legislators after the video surfaced.
Senator Mark Kelly is also under investigation and faces possible military discipline for his involvement.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an investigation into Kelly and suggested penalties, including demotion.
Kelly has filed a lawsuit against the Defense Department for limiting his free speech.
President Trump has been testing presidential authority through various military actions, causing controversy.
An event at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence hosted the American Humane Society's Hero Dog Awards Gala. Attendees wore 18th-century style costumes and dog masks, which led to online criticism. The event aimed to honor brave and inspiring dogs.
Key Facts
The event was the American Humane Society's 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards Gala.
It took place at Mar-a-Lago on January 9.
Attendees wore costumes resembling 18th-century European aristocracy and dog masks.
A video from the event shows people dancing in costumes, which went viral, receiving 1.7 million views.
The event aims to recognize dogs for bravery, healing, and second-chance stories.
The winner of the Hero Dog Award was a therapy dog named Sergeant Bo.
President Donald Trump was seen addressing the crowd at the event.
The Mar-a-Lago resort is available for rental by the public, so the presence of events there does not automatically imply the president's involvement.
Social media users have raised questions about reports that an ICE officer named Jonathan Ross had internal bleeding after an incident in Minneapolis. Homeland Security stated that Ross was injured during a confrontation where he shot Renee Good. Video and eyewitness accounts have led to debates about whether Ross was hit by Good's vehicle, as some officials claim.
Key Facts
Jonathan Ross is an ICE officer who allegedly had internal bleeding after an incident where he shot Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7.
The Department of Homeland Security stated Ross's injury involved internal bleeding but gave no specifics about its severity.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Ross was hit by Good’s vehicle and acted in self-defense.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other officials dispute this version, pointing to video evidence.
Video footage shows Ross shooting at Good's vehicle, but does not clearly show the vehicle hitting him.
Reports indicate Ross was treated at a hospital and released on the same day.
Social media discussions, especially from left-leaning users, question the validity of Ross's internal bleeding claims.
Renee Good was shot in the head during the incident after ICE officers surrounded her vehicle.
Seventy House Democrats have joined in support of impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The charges include not following Congress's instructions, misuse of power, and benefiting personally from her position. These impeachment efforts come amid heightened scrutiny of ICE activities under President Donald Trump's policies.
Key Facts
Representative Robin Kelly introduced three articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem.
The charges are obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing.
Noem allegedly stopped members of Congress from entering DHS facilities holding undocumented immigrants.
The impeachment articles also accuse Noem of violating legal procedures and constitutional rights through ICE's actions.
An incident involving the shooting of a woman by an ICE agent is cited as excessive force.
Noem is accused of using $200 million in taxpayer money for a recruitment ad campaign without following normal procedures.
A firm tied to a close acquaintance of Noem received a contract without a competitive process.
A new poll shows that Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are trailing behind two Republican candidates, John Cornyn and Wesley Hunt, in possible Texas Senate races. Both Democrats are tied in polls only against Ken Paxton, the state's Attorney General. The outcome of the race depends on the Republican primary results, suburban voter turnout, and undecided voters.
Key Facts
Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are both Democratic candidates aiming for a Texas Senate seat.
John Cornyn and Wesley Hunt are two leading Republican candidates in the race.
Both Crockett and Talarico are tied against Republican Ken Paxton at 46 percent each.
In matchups against Cornyn and Hunt, both Crockett and Talarico are trailing by 3 to 5 percentage points.
About 9 percent of voters remain undecided in each potential matchup.
The results of the Republican primary will significantly impact the race.
Suburban turnout and consolidating undecided voters are key factors for the Democrats.
