House Republicans have introduced a plan with 15 steps to make it easier for more Americans to own homes. The plan aims to tackle the high costs of buying a home, which became more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal includes changes to federal housing programs and taxes to help first-time buyers and others struggling with current prices.
Key Facts
The U.S. homeownership rate was at 65% in mid-2025, a drop since late 2019.
President Donald Trump has mentioned plans for aggressive housing reforms.
The "Pathway to Homeownership" is part of a proposed second reconciliation bill by House Republicans.
One measure involves "The Don Payment Program," offering low down payment options through the FHA.
Another measure proposes selling or leasing unused federal properties at low rates to boost affordable housing.
The plan includes removing capital gains tax for first-time homebuyers.
It suggests imposing taxes on foreign nationals buying U.S. properties for investment.
The proposal seeks to end the Child Tax Credit marriage penalty.
Justice Elena Kagan sided with the conservative majority in a Supreme Court case about Illinois' mail-ballot rules. The court ruled 7-2 that the candidates did not have the right to challenge the deadline for receiving ballots. This decision means that late-arriving ballots in Illinois will continue to be counted under the current rules.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court case is called Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections.
Justice Elena Kagan, usually aligned with liberal justices, joined the conservative majority in the decision.
The court ruled 7-2 that the candidates did not have legal standing to challenge Illinois’ ballot-receipt deadline.
Illinois’ practice involves counting certain ballots even if they arrive after the official deadline.
Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh, formed the majority opinion.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote a separate opinion that Justice Kagan supported.
Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor disagreed with the majority decision.
The ruling confirms that Illinois can continue counting late-arriving ballots under existing rules.
FBI agents searched the home of a Washington Post reporter in Virginia as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of taking secret documents. During the search, they took a phone and a watch belonging to the reporter, Hannah Natanson.
Key Facts
The FBI carried out a search at reporter Hannah Natanson's home in Virginia.
This search is linked to an investigation into a government contractor accused of taking government secrets.
The FBI took Natanson's phone and a Garmin watch during the search.
Hannah Natanson writes about changes in the federal government under the Trump administration.
Searching a reporter's home is unusual and shows the government's strong focus on stopping leaks.
The Washington Post reported this search as part of their news coverage.
President Trump's administration has made changes to improve the NEPA permitting system in the U.S. The goal is to speed up building projects and reduce delays. These changes are part of efforts to make energy and infrastructure development faster and more efficient.
Key Facts
The U.S. aims to build critical infrastructure and secure energy more efficiently.
The Trump administration took steps to simplify the NEPA permitting process.
NEPA originally required federal agencies to report on the environmental impact of major actions.
Over time, the permitting process under NEPA became slow and cumbersome.
President Trump issued an Executive Order to make the process faster and less complicated.
CEQ issued new rules that cut back on regulations, starting in 2025.
The Supreme Court emphasized that courts should respect agency expertise in environmental reviews.
These changes align with the BUILDER Act, which set deadlines and limits for NEPA processes.
President Donald Trump's administration is investigating Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin for her involvement in a video urging military members to resist "illegal orders." Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, shared that the investigation is being led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. The video has been labeled "seditious" by President Trump.
Key Facts
Senator Elissa Slotkin is under investigation by President Trump's administration.
The investigation relates to a video Slotkin organized, urging troops to resist "illegal orders."
Slotkin disclosed the investigation to The New York Times.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is leading the inquiry.
The video was posted on Slotkin's social media account in November.
President Trump and his aides called the video "seditious."
The FBI has contacted Slotkin and other Democrats involved for interviews.
New York plans to expand free and affordable child care for children under five years old. Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani aim to make child care universal across the state, offering significant cost savings for families. This plan is projected to cost $4.5 billion by 2027.
Key Facts
New York's plan focuses on children under five, aiming to provide universal child care.
The initiative includes free child care for 2-year-olds in high-need areas and strengthening the 3K program.
Governor Hochul proposes an additional $1.7 billion investment, totaling $4.5 billion by 2027.
Universal pre-K is expected to roll out by the 2028-2029 school year.
Mayor Mamdani's 2-Care program will gradually provide free care citywide over four years.
The initiative also aims to expand child care subsidies for thousands of families across the state.
Governor Hochul will create an Office of Child Care and Early Education to oversee the program.
The announcement followed President Trump’s administration's temporary freezing of child care funds in some states, including New York, due to fraud concerns.
The U.S. State Department has temporarily stopped visa processing in 75 countries while it reviews how it checks applicants who might become dependent on government support. This pause affects countries including Somalia, Russia, and Iran, and is part of broader changes to immigration policies under President Trump.
Key Facts
The U.S. State Department is halting visa processing in 75 countries.
This pause began on January 21.
The countries affected include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen.
The reason for the pause is to reassess how visa applicants are screened for public charge risks (likelihood of becoming dependent on government assistance).
The changes are part of wider immigration policy updates under President Donald Trump.
The information about this decision came from an internal memo.
House Republicans have proposed a new bill that aims to cut the federal deficit by over $1 trillion. The proposal includes plans to make homeownership easier, lower drug prices, and reduce government spending. The bill also seeks to make some of President Trump's policies permanent.
Key Facts
The bill is designed to cut the federal deficit by more than $1 trillion.
It covers increasing access to homeownership and lowering drug prices.
The plan aims to stop future administrations from reversing Trump's policies.
The U.S. government reported a $145 billion budget deficit in December.
The proposal includes repealing the federal death tax and removing capital gains tax for certain home sales.
Noncitizens would lose access to Medicaid and food assistance programs under the new plan.
The "Don" Payment Program offers low down payment options for creditworthy homebuyers.
Tax penalties would apply to foreign nationals buying U.S. real estate for investment purposes.
Timothy Busfield, an Emmy Award-winning actor and director, was arrested in New Mexico on charges of child sexual misconduct. Busfield has denied the allegations, and his wife, Melissa Gilbert, supports him. Authorities are investigating the claims, which have drawn attention to child safety in the entertainment industry.
Key Facts
Timothy Busfield surrendered to police after New Mexico issued an arrest warrant for him.
He faces charges of inappropriate contact with minors and child abuse.
Busfield's attorney claims the charges are false and stem from a personal vendetta.
Melissa Gilbert, known for her role in "Little House on the Prairie," supports her husband and has not made public statements.
The allegations involve Busfield's time directing the TV series "The Cleaning Lady."
Authorities are focusing on safety measures for children in the entertainment industry.
The case has sparked discussions on handling allegations against high-profile figures.
An AI-generated video falsely claimed to show Gilbert speaking on the matter.
President Trump is using his authority to directly influence parts of the U.S. economy, such as prices and markets. His actions include a criminal investigation of the Federal Reserve and other measures aimed at easing cost-of-living concerns before the November elections. This approach has raised questions about the impact on institutional stability and traditional economic practices.
Key Facts
President Trump is actively intervening in the U.S. economy, focusing on prices, markets, and interest rates.
The Trump administration is conducting a criminal probe of the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
Trump has approved large-scale economic measures, like buying $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities and considering bans on institutional investors in housing.
He proposed capping credit card interest rates at 10% to help reduce consumer debt burdens.
Trump's actions include efforts to revive Venezuela’s oil industry and influence on U.S. energy costs.
These interventions largely rely on executive orders rather than lasting legislative changes.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the Federal Reserve investigation could harm financial markets.
Some Republicans in Congress have expressed concern about these economic strategies, including efforts to replace Fed Chairman Powell.
Chuck Schumer is working to get top Democrats to run for the Senate in 2026. He wants to prevent more Supreme Court justices appointed by President Trump if Republicans keep control. Schumer aims to flip at least four Senate seats currently held by Republicans to give Democrats a majority.
Key Facts
Chuck Schumer wants Democrats to win more Senate seats in 2026.
Schumer got his preferred candidates to run in North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, and Alaska.
Democrats need to win four Republican-held seats and protect a seat in Georgia.
Schumer said the threat of Trump appointing two more Supreme Court justices motivated candidates.
Schumer aims to block Republicans from taking a Senate seat in Michigan.
There are possible impeachment discussions of top Trump officials by Democrats.
Schumer said that if Democrats gain the majority, Trump will have to work with them.
Schumer faces challenges within his party, like a primary contest in Maine.
Obesity in the United States increased significantly from 2013 to 2022, although there has been a slowdown since a peak in 2022. New Mexico saw the most substantial rise in obesity, and there are ongoing discussions to redefine obesity measurement beyond traditional body mass index (BMI).
Key Facts
Between 2013 and 2022, obesity rates rose considerably in the U.S., with New Mexico experiencing a 33.7% increase.
New Mexico's current obesity rate is 35.3%, making it one of the highest in the country.
Limited access to fitness facilities in New Mexico is suggested as a contributing factor to rising obesity rates; the state has 9 fitness facilities per 100,000 residents.
Minnesota and Oregon follow New Mexico with 30.6% and 26.8% rises in obesity rates, respectively.
Harvard researchers are exploring new ways to define obesity, which could classify nearly 70% of American adults as obese under new guidelines.
The analysis also shows the variations in overall health scores, with Idaho scoring highest at 7.14 out of 10 and Louisiana lowest at 2.54 out of 10.
West Virginia has the country's highest obesity rate at 41.2%, while Colorado has the lowest at 24.9%.
Federal agents searched the home of a Washington Post reporter, Hannah Natanson, as part of an investigation into a government contractor suspected of mishandling classified information. The FBI took her phone and a Garmin watch during the search related to a Maryland-based system administrator's alleged removal of classified documents. The FBI and the Justice Department did not comment on the investigation.
Key Facts
Federal agents searched the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson.
The search was part of an investigation into a contractor accused of mishandling classified material.
Natanson's phone and a Garmin watch were seized during the search.
The focus of the investigation is a Maryland-based system administrator.
This system administrator is suspected of removing classified reports from government systems.
The FBI and the Justice Department have not provided comments on the case.
A winter storm is forecasted to bring significant snowfall to various states in the northern and eastern United States. Areas like Michigan, Indiana, and New York are expected to experience heavy snow, causing potentially dangerous travel conditions. The National Weather Service has issued weather advisories due to expected snow and wind.
Key Facts
A winter storm is expected to bring snow from the Appalachians to the Great Lakes and the interior Northeast.
Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio could see snow starting Wednesday, moving east by Wednesday night.
Some locations downwind of the Great Lakes may receive 6 to 12 inches of snow.
Wind gusts could reach 40 miles per hour, reducing visibility and making travel dangerous.
Upstate New York, including cities like Syracuse and Rochester, could also see large amounts of snow.
Lake effect snow could produce over a foot of snow in southwestern Michigan and northwestern Indiana.
Several areas are under a winter weather advisory by the National Weather Service.
A lake effect snow warning is in place for Erie County, Pennsylvania, predicting travel difficulties.
A Colorado company, Outside The Breadbox, has issued a nationwide recall of certain bread crumbs due to potential undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall, stating that no illnesses have been reported. The recall is ongoing, and consumers are advised to return the product for a refund.
Key Facts
The company Outside The Breadbox issued a recall for 8-ounce bread crumb packages.
The recall is due to undeclared milk and eggs, which are allergens.
The affected products have a UPC code of 8738 9900 1554 and an expiration date of 05/20/2026.
Products were sold in Colorado stores and online nationwide from January 12, 2025, through November 24.
The FDA said an error in packaging and production caused the issue.
No health issues have been reported linked to these bread crumbs as of January 12.
Consumers can return the product for a full refund and may contact the company for more information.
Food allergies can lead to severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has had minor fluctuations since an ICE officer shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7. Different polls show small changes in Trump's approval, with some indicating a slight decline and others showing a small improvement. Public opinion remains divided over the shooting incident and its justification.
Key Facts
Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on January 7.
The officer involved in the shooting was identified as Jonathan Ross.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the officer's actions, saying Good tried to run him over.
Some polls showed Trump's approval rating slightly decreased following the incident.
Rasmussen Reports showed Trump's net approval rating at -14 points on January 13.
Decision Desk HQ's average had Trump at -10.9 points, down from -10 points.
Morning Consult found Trump's net approval dropped from -5 to -8 points.
An Economist/YouGov poll showed a small improvement in Trump's rating from -17 to -14 points.
50% of people polled believed the shooting was not justified, while 30% thought it was.
Some Republicans in Minnesota want to impeach Governor Tim Walz. They accuse him of not doing enough to handle fraud in the state. To succeed, the impeachment needs support from both political parties in the Minnesota House and Senate.
Key Facts
State representative Mike Wiener drafted articles of impeachment against Governor Tim Walz.
Republicans in the Minnesota House express concern about fraud allegations in the state.
Significant fraud incidents, including a $250 million welfare fraud, have been reported in Minnesota.
Impeachment would require approval from both the Minnesota House and Senate.
The House is currently divided equally between Democrats and Republicans.
The articles of impeachment accuse Walz of not properly handling public funds and fraud-related issues.
Governor Walz has ended his bid for reelection amid the controversy.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announced an update to the state's child tax credit plan, which includes a significant expansion in benefits for families with children. The expansion, part of the 2026 state budget, aims to increase the financial credit available to families, helping over 2.75 million children in New York. Hochul also discussed broader plans for child care and education in her annual address.
Key Facts
New York's child tax credit is called the Empire State Child Credit.
The 2026 budget includes an expansion of this credit.
Families with children under 4 will receive up to $1,000 per child annually starting in 2026.
Families with children aged 4 to 16 will receive up to $500 per child starting in 2027.
Over 2.75 million children in New York are expected to benefit from this expansion.
Governor Hochul also announced plans for universal pre-K throughout New York by 2028.
The expansion aims to help with child care costs and improve family finances.
An ICE agent named Jonathan Ross, who was involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, might file a defamation suit against people who called him a "murderer." The incident involved the shooting of Renee Nicole Good, which federal agents claim was self-defense, but others, including some politicians, have criticized as murder. The FBI is leading the investigation and has excluded Minnesota state investigators from accessing key case materials.
Key Facts
Jonathan Ross is an ICE agent involved in the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good.
The shooting happened during a federal enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
Federal authorities claim it was self-defense, while critics, including some lawmakers, describe it as murder.
No criminal charges have been filed against Ross or any ICE agent involved.
The FBI is leading the investigation, excluding Minnesota state investigators from the process.
Some politicians, like Representatives Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley, publicly labeled the incident as murder.
The potential defamation suit by Ross would address the public and online accusations against him.
During an interview, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commented on President Donald Trump's diet, suggesting it includes unhealthy foods like McDonald's and KFC when he's on the road. However, Kennedy Jr. noted that Trump generally eats well at home and maintains good health despite his age.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discussed President Trump's diet in a podcast interview.
Kennedy Jr. said Trump eats fast food like McDonald's and KFC when traveling.
At home, Trump reportedly eats healthier meals.
Kennedy Jr. described Trump as having "incredible health."
Trump is 79 years old and has faced questions about his stamina.
Kennedy Jr. mentioned that Trump's testosterone levels are high for his age.
Trump claims he is in "perfect health" and passed cognitive tests.
Trump's doctor stated he is in "excellent overall health."
