A federal prosecutor in Minnesota has revealed that half or more of the $18 billion in federal funds allocated to 14 state-run programs since 2018 may have been stolen through 'industrial-scale fraud.' The schemes involve companies providing no services while pocketing funds for lavish lifestyles, impacting critical social services.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, recognizing its medical uses and easing research barriers. This significant shift in U.S. drug policy does not federally legalize recreational use but aims to reduce tax burdens for cannabis businesses and facilitate medical research.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation on December 17, 2025, from the White House, detailing his administration's achievements and agenda for 2026. The speech focused heavily on the economy, immigration, and healthcare, while also announcing a 'Warrior Dividend' for military members. The address came as Trump sought to boost his popularity ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
President Trump delivered a national address from the White House on December 17, 2025, discussing the US economy, defending his tariff policies, and announcing $1,776 'warrior dividends' for approximately 1.45 million military service members, funded by tariff revenue.
The White House has announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, citing 'climate alarmism.' The move, confirmed by OMB Director Russell Vought, has drawn strong criticism from scientists and lawmakers concerned about its impact on weather forecasting and climate research.
The U.S. government has formally admitted that failures by both Army helicopter pilots and air traffic controllers contributed to a deadly midair collision near Washington D.C. on January 29, 2025. The crash, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a Black Hawk helicopter, claimed the lives of all 67 people aboard. This admission was made in response to a civil lawsuit.
A bipartisan coalition of four moderate Republican lawmakers and Democrats successfully forced a House vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years, bypassing GOP leadership. The move, driven by concerns over rising healthcare costs and the expiration of current subsidies, sets the stage for a January 2026 vote.
The FBI announced the arrest of four individuals linked to the anti-capitalist Turtle Island Liberation Front, accused of plotting coordinated New Year's Eve bomb attacks targeting logistics centers across Los Angeles and Orange County. The suspects were apprehended in the Mojave Desert while allegedly testing explosive devices.
The U.S. State Department has officially designated Clan del Golfo, Colombia's largest drug cartel, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This move, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to intensify financial pressure and escalate the anti-drug campaign against the violent criminal group, known for extensive cocaine trafficking and attacks on civilians and officials.
President Donald Trump ordered a 'total and complete blockade' on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or departing Venezuela on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The move escalates pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's administration, citing drug trafficking and other crimes, and follows a recent US seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. Venezuela condemned the action as a violation of international law.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth briefed Congress on Tuesday regarding the escalating U.S. military force and deadly boat strikes near Venezuela. The closed-door sessions addressed congressional concerns over a September 2 strike that killed two survivors and the broader U.S. military buildup in the region, which has included numerous lethal boat strikes and the recent seizure of an oil tanker.
The U.S. military confirmed strikes on three alleged drug vessels in the Eastern Pacific on Monday, December 15, 2025, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. The operation, part of an ongoing counternarcotics campaign, was conducted by US Southern Command.
A new West Health-Gallup poll indicates that 29% of Americans identify healthcare costs as the most urgent national health problem, marking the highest level since 2004. The survey also found a record-low 16% satisfaction with U.S. healthcare costs and a record-high 23% viewing the system as 'in crisis'.
President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on December 15, 2025, formally designating illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' (WMD). The move aims to escalate federal efforts against the opioid crisis, citing fentanyl's extreme lethality and its role in funding criminal organizations.
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a targeted review of Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance program on December 15, 2025. This action follows discoveries of widespread fraud across various state benefits programs, prompting concerns about the integrity of the UI system. A specialized strike team will conduct an onsite investigation.
President Donald Trump has appointed Thomas Emanuel Dans to lead the United States Arctic Research Commission (USARC), an independent federal agency advising on Arctic research. Dans, a finance and policy expert, previously served as a Commissioner and at the U.S. Treasury.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on December 11, 2025, aiming to curb state-level artificial intelligence regulations. The order seeks to establish a uniform national framework for AI governance, citing concerns that a 'patchwork' of state laws could stifle innovation and hinder U.S. competitiveness. It includes provisions for a federal task force to challenge state laws and potential funding restrictions.
A powerful winter storm swept across the US Northeast and Midwest on December 13-14, 2025, dumping heavy snow, causing over 1,000 flight delays and 100 cancellations, and leading to at least four fatalities. The storm was followed by an arctic blast, bringing dangerously low temperatures and wind chills to millions.
Ongoing legal and political battles over gerrymandering continue to shape electoral maps across the United States, raising significant concerns about partisan dominance, voter representation, and potential civil tension. Recent court decisions and legislative actions in states like Texas, Alabama, and North Carolina highlight the persistent struggle to define fair electoral districts.
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act (S. 390). This bipartisan legislation aims to enhance public safety in Indian Country by bolstering tribal law enforcement, improving resources for missing persons cases, and addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).
