National Headlines

National News 01/09/26

GoFundMe Raises Hundreds of Thousands for Family of Woman Killed in Minneapolis

(Minneapolis) A GoFundMe supporting the family of Renee Nicole Good, the 37 yo wife and mother gunned down by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Wednesday, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. ABC 6 News in Rochester, Minnesota, reports Good was a U.S. citizen born in Colorado. Her record appears to show nothing involving law enforcement beyond a traffic ticket. Good’s ex-husband said she was not known as an activist, but had dropped her six year old at school and was driving home when she and her wife encountered the group of heavily armed ICE agents, who videos show attempted to forcefully open her vehicle door as she turned to go the other way. He described his ex-wife as a “devoted Christian who took part in youth mission trips to Northern Ireland when she was younger” and who hosted a podcast with her second husband, who died in 2023.

Senate Advances Bill to Block Further Military Action in Venezuela

(WaPo) The U.S. Senate yesterday advanced a bill to block further military action in Venezuela, following the stunning raid by U.S. forces to capture that country’s President, Nicolas Maduro, and bring him to trial in the United States. The Washington Post reports the bill is largely symbolic, but foreshadows a rare assertion of Congress’s role in using lethal force. The vote was 52-47, with five Republicans joining all Democrats. The timing for a final vote was not immediately clear. The measure would mark the first time in the current administration Congress has voted to constrain the President’s expansive use of the military in conducting foreign policy.

White House Announces Withdrawal from International Bodies

(WaPo) In a move that will no doubt further isolate the United States, the Trump Administration has announced it will withdraw from dozens of international organizations. According to the Washington Post, the US plans to withdraw from 66 bodies, entities associated with everything from climate change to migration policies, 31 of which are associated with the United Nations. In a statement, the White House said all funding to the organizations would be withdrawn because they “operate contrary to U.S. national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty.”

National News 01/08/26

CPB Board Votes to Dissolve Organization

(Undated) In a blow to public media, leaders of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting this week voted to dissolve the organization. The private nonprofit previously funneled federal funding to PBS, NPR, and hundreds of other public television and radio stations across the country. The move follows a decision by Congress last summer to cut more than a billion dollars from the CPB, federal funding that made up about 12% of the annual budget of Maine’s public broadcasting network. Critics see it as another step in the slippery slide down the slope of censorship and control over the media.

Denmark in “Full Crisis Mode” Over Greenland

(Denmark) President Trump’s continued assertions that the United States needs Greenland for “national security purposes” has Denmark’s leaders in full crisis mode. Denmark, which is responsible for Greenland’s defense, has condemned the President’s ongoing rhetoric, particularly following what many see as an illegal invasion of oil-rich Venezuela by the U.S. and Trump’s refusal to rule out military action in acquiring mineral-rich Greenland. Denmark’s Prime Minister warned yesterday any actions against Greenland by the US would challenge NATO and international principles and that attacking another NATO country would end alliances. NATO, of course, created after WWII to guarantee the freedom and security of its members. Article 5 of the treaty states “an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.”

Trump Warns Republicans, “I Could Be Impeached”

(Washington, DC) With high stakes elections looming, President Donald Trump this week warned Republicans they must win the 2026 Congressional midterms or else he will get impeached by Democrats. The Associated Press reports ahead of the November elections, which could stall his agenda and expose him to congressional investigations, Trump prodded allies who narrowly control the House to put aside their differences and push his policies on gender, healthcare, and government control to an American electorate angry about the rising cost of living.

ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Woman in Minneapolis

(Minneapolis) An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Wednesday shot and killed a 37 yo woman during operations in Minneapolis. ABC News reports the victim was a U.S. citizen who was an observer and who Minneapolis City Council member Jason Chavez said was “watching out for our immigrant neighbors”. ICE agents allege the woman was attempting to run over law enforcement officers and that the officer fired defensively, but video posted on social media appears to show the woman attempting to drive away as agents opened fire. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the incident an “act of defensive terrorism.” But Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged citizens to remain calm and not to give the Administration an excuse to send in troops. He also told ICE to “…get the [expletive] out of Minneapolis,” adding “We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some sort of safety, and you are doing the opposite.”

National News 01/07/26

Trump Administration Overhauls Childhood Vaccine Schedule

(Washington, DC) Effective immediately, the US CDC will no longer recommend every child be immunized for rotavirus, influenza, Hepatitis A and other diseases. According to the Washington Post, officials claim the new guidance aligns with other countries. But many experts warn the changes are built on faulty assumptions and will endanger children. Vaccines that are still routinely recommended include MMR, Polio, Chicken Pox, Dtap, Tdap, HIb, PCV, and HPV.

Hegseth Launches Proceedings Against Senator Mark Kelly

(Washington, DC) In a move sure to trigger lawsuits and already angering proponents of free speech, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth launched administrative proceedings against Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. Hegseth is targeting the former astronaut over a video posted by Kelly in November, reminding U.S. troops they are within their rights in disobeying illegal orders, a move sources say infuriated the President. Hegseth is reportedly seeking to demote Kelly’s military status and cut his pension. Kelly was quick to fire back, comparing his family’s generations of military service to the President’s five deferrals because of bone spurs. Kelly asserted he would not be intimidated and said, “Hegseth and Trump don’t get to decide what Americans … get to say about their government.” A former Army attorney said of Hegseth’s actions the message was loud and clear – toe the line or we can ruin your life.

Noem Moves to Cut FEMA Workforce

(Washington, DC) Even as disasters grow more frequent and wreak more extensive damage, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said she wants to reduce staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, by half. Emails seen by The Washington Post detail potential reductions to thousands of disaster response and recovery roles, with terminations likely to come in waves. Cuts began New Year’s Eve, with the elimination of 65 staffers from the agency’s largest workforce known as CORE … staffers who are among the first on the ground after a disaster and who often remain for years to help communities recover.

National News 01/05/26

Venezuela Takeover

(Undated) In an unprecedented move, the United States on Saturday conducted what’s being called a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, taking President Nicolas Maduro and his wife captive and accusing them of narco-terrorism. The invasion followed dozens of attacks against what President Trump called the country’s “drug-smuggling” boats. Leaders in the U.S. and around the world were quick to condemn the attack, with one calling it “a blatant, illegal, and criminal act with no legal basis.” Congress, which has broad authority to authorize or prohibit the President’s war powers, has so far done neither, with members expected to address the issue this week. Trump has gone so far as to say the US will now “run” the South American country, while tapping its vast oil reserves. Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC, holds one of the largest oil reserves in the world, and many question why other dictators, such as Putin, have been given a pass. Still others accused the President of creating a distraction from the Epstein files, exorbitant increases in healthcare costs, and growing economic concerns here at home.

Mamdani Sworn in as Mayor of New York City

(NYC) It was a striking scene Thursday as Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim and self-declared Democratic Socialist, was sworn in as Mayor of New York City by a Jewish Progressive, Bernie Sanders. Mamdani is the first South Asian person and first Muslim to serve as Mayor and the first to use the Quran at his swearing in. The 34-yo is also the youngest mayor in more than a century. In his inauguration speech, Mamdani promised to deliver an agenda of “safety, affordability and abundance – where government looks and lives like the people it represents.” Among challenges the new mayor will face – finding funds to fulfill his ambitious agenda and opposition from President Trump, who’s been outspoken in portraying Mamdani a “communist”.

Department of Homeland Security Pauses Immigration Applications for 20 More Countries

(Undated) The Department of Homeland Security is pausing immigration applications from an additional 20 countries. The decision follows an expansion of travel restrictions that went into effect on Jauary 1. The new list includes mostly African countries, including Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Thirty nine countries are now under full or partial travel bans to the United States. In a memo, the Administration defended the pause, saying the excluded countries have “high overstay rates, significant fraud, or both.”

Obituary

Tatiana Schlossberg

(Undated) Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of John F. Kennedy and daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg passed away this week at the age of 35. Schlossberg was a journalist who chronicled the changing climate. Last month, she published a deeply personal essay in the New Yorker, revealing her cancer diagnosis and criticizing her cousin, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., calling him an “embarrassment”. Schlossberg’s cancer was discovered in May 2024 while she was in the hospital giving birth to her second child. Schlossberg was just 35 and is survived by her parents, husband and two young children.

National News 01/02/26

Homeland Security Seeks to Fast Track Demolition of Historic Buildings

(WaPo) The East Wing of the White House could be just the first casualty of the Trump Administration. The Washington Post reports the Department of Homeland Security is seeking to fast-track demolition of more than a dozen historic buildings at the St. Elizabeth’s West Campus. Officials say the buildings present a danger and security risks, but threats of demolition have prompted opposition from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and others. The campus is the site of the nation’s first federally operated psychiatric hospital and has been redeveloped, primarily to consolidate headquarters for the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Fire at Swiss Alps Ski Resort Leaves Dozens Dead, Injured

(Switzerland) Several dozen people are presumed dead and more than 100 people were injured during a fire that broke out at a ski resort in Switzerland early on New Year’s Day. Local police said the incident happened about 1:30 a.m. at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, SW Switzerland. Swiss officials say the blaze spread quickly. They continue to look for a cause but have ruled out an attack. The upscale resort offers views of the Matterhorn and is popular with young people who come to the area for skiing and other winter sports.

National News 12/29/25

FEMA’s Lack of Response a Hardship for Victims of Helene

(NC) Over 800 storm victims battered by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina more than a year ago say they have applied for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. The Washington Post reports so far, not a single approval has come through. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein calls the paralysis “absolutely unacceptable” and is pushing for answers.

Zelenskyy/Trump Meet

(Washington, DC) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was to meet with President Donald Trump yesterday in Florida for further talks on ending the nearly four-year war begun when Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, hoping to seize territory. The President shared on social media that he had a “very productive phone call with … Putin” prior to the meeting with Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy was expected to discuss security guarantees. A broad coalition of European countries, now called the Berlin team, is now part of the ongoing talks. Russia on Saturday bombarded Kyiv with missiles and drones. Following the attack, Canada pledged an additional 2.5B in economic aid for Ukraine.

Trump Approves Strikes Against Nigeria

(AP) President Donald Trump on Christmas Eve announced the U.S. had launched a “powerful and deadly” strike against forces of the Islamic State group in Nigeria. The President has spent weeks accusing the West African country’s government of failing to rein in the targeting of Christians.

Brigette Bardot Dies

(AP) Brigette Bardot, the 1960’s French sex symbol turned militant animal rights activist, has died. The Associated Press reports Bardot died Sunday at her home in southern France. She was 91. Bardot became an international celebrity as a sexualized teen bride in the 1956 movie “And God Created Woman”. Directed by then-husband Roger Vadim, it triggered a scandal with scenes of the long-legged beauty dancing on tables unclothed.

National News 12/24/25

Clinton Calls for Release of Epstein Files

(Washington, DC) A spokesperson for former President Bill Clinton is accusing the Department of Justice of using the selective release of Epstein documents to imply wrongdoing where there is none. Angel Urena challenged the department to immediately release any remaining materials mentioning or showing Bill Clinton. In a written statement, Urena said, “The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton.” Clinton himself has called for release of all the files to avoid “insinuation”, saying he has nothing to hide.

U.S. Economy Grows at Strong Rate

(AP) The U.S. economy showed a surprisingly strong growth rate of 4.3% in the third quarter, the most rapid expansion in two years. The Associated Press reports the growth was driven by consumers, who continue to spend in the face of ongoing inflation. A number of economists believe the growth spurt may be short-lived, with the federal shutdown dragging down the economy in the fourth quarter and a growing number of Americans fatigued by stubbornly high inflation. A survey published Tuesday by the Conference Board showed consumer confidence slumped close to levels not seen since the US rolled out broad tariffs on its trading partners in April.

Trump Administration Seeks to Void Asylum Claims

(Washington, DC) The Trump Administration has mounted a nationwide campaign to void the asylum claims of thousands of immigrants by arguing they can be deported to countries that are not their own. That’s according to internal government data obtained by CBS News. The effort targets asylum seekers with pending cases in immigration courts across the U.S. – courts that are not part of the judicial branch but are run by the Justice Department, with lawyers from ICE representing the government in the proceedings.

National News 12/23/25

Weiss Abruptly Pulls Expose on Trump Deportations

(CBS) CBS News has abruptly pulled an investigative segment on the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelan migrants, set to air on “60 minutes”. The piece focused on the prisoners being sent to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison. The Washington Post reports the decision came directly from the network’s conservative editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, who defended her decision, saying the details of horrific abuse had been reported on by others two months earlier. The segment’s production team had requested comment from the White House, the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, but the administration declined to grant the journalists an interview. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi called the administration’s refusal “a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story.”

Trump Administration Begins Recalling Career Diplomats

(AP) The Trump Administration this week began recalling nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorships and other senior embassy posts, as it moves to reshape the U.S. diplomatic posture abroad with personnel deemed fully supportive of the President’s “America First” priorities. State Department officials confirmed the removals to the Associated Press, stating the positions were “a personal representation of the president.” The diplomats, all of whom were installed under the Biden Administration, were informed their tenures would end in January.

National News 12/22/25

NORAD to Track Santa Again This Year

(ABC) For the 70th consecutive year, people of all ages will be able to monitor Santa’s progress Christmas Eve, thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado, otherwise known as NORAD. ABC News reports more than a thousand volunteers will be taking calls to 877-HI-NORAD from 4 a.m. to midnight Mountain Standard Time on the 24th. Santa seekers will also, for the first time this year, be able to place a call through the program’s website, which organizers say will be easier for those outside North America. Don’t forget to leave out the milk and cookies.

President Trump Announces Lower Prescription Prices

(Washington, DC) President Trump on Friday announced nine drugmakers have signed on to lower the cost of their prescription drugs in the U.S. The Associated Press reports companies, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, and Novartis, have agreed to reign in Medicaid drug prices to match what they charge in other countries. As part of the deal, new drugs made by those companies will also be charged at the so-called “most favored nation” rates.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Housing Limits

(PPH) A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to halt changes to a grant program that could leave thousands across the country homeless. The Portland Press Herald reports U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy ruled on a lawsuit filed by 20 States Attorneys General, including Maine’s Aaron Frey, that challenged the Trump Administration’s proposed limits on support for long-term housing.

12/19/25 National News

Brown University Killer Found Dead

(Providence, RI) Authorities say the Brown University shooter who killed two and left nine others wounded last Saturday has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. They say the body of the Portuguese national, 48 yo Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, was found in a storage facility in New Hampshire. He’s also suspected of murdering an MIT professor in Brookline, Massachusetts days after the Brown shooting. Although Neves Valente was enrolled at Brown in 2000, he had no current affiliation with the University. A motive for the killings remains unclear.

US Announces Massive Arms Sales to Taiwan

(AP) The Trump Administration Thursday announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan. The package, valued at more than $10B, further strained relationships with China. The State Department said the package includes medium-range missiles, howitzers, and drones, drawing an angry response from the Chinese government, which claims Taiwan as a province, though it has not ruled the country since 1949. If approved by Congress, it would be the largest ever U.S. weapons package to Taiwan.

Partisan Plaques

(Washington, DC) President Trump has added plaques to his newly-installed Presidential Walk of Fame, with messages he claims were written by him “to highlight Presidents good, bad and somewhere in between.” The plaques include references to “sleepy Joe Biden, the worst President in history” and refers to Biden’s “severe mental decline” and “the Biden Crime Family” under a picture of an autopen. Beneath Presidential portraits, Barack Obama is described as “the most divisive President in history”. A plaque placed by a portrait of Ronald Reagan claims he was a fan of the young Donald Trump.

12/18/25 National News

Chief of Staff Faces Criticism of Interview with Vanity Fair

(Washington, DC) President Trump is defending his White House Chief of Staff after she gave candid interviews to Vanity Fair that included less than flattering descriptions of those in power in the nation’s capitol. Among other commets, Susie Wiles told the magazine the President has “an alcoholic’s personality”, Spokesperson Pam Bondi “whiffed” on the Epstein files, and Vice President J.D. Vance’s pro-Trump makeover was politically motivated. Wiles reportedly gave eleven on-the-record interviews that were published Tuesday. She defended her words, saying they were taken out of context. Trump called the interviewer “misguided”, but Vanity Fair backed the articles, saying the conversations with Wiles were “on the record”.

Reiner Killings

(Undated) Nick Reiner, the 32 yo son of slain director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, appeared in court yesterday, but did not enter a plea. He’s charged with two counts of first degree murder in the stabbing death of his parents. Reiner’s attorney told the court it was “too early” for a plea and that he and the prosecution had agreed to delay the arraignment, now set for January 7th.

Republicans Break with Speaker Mike Johnson on ACA Vote

(AP) Four centrist Republicans yesterday broke with Speaker Mike Johnson and signed onto a Democratic-led petition that will force a House vote on a proposed three-year extension of ACA tax credits. The credits lower health insurance costs for millions of Americans. The Associated Press reports the stunning move comes after House Republican leaders pushed forward a healthcare bill that failed to address the soaring monthly premiums millions will face when the tax credits for those who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace expire at the end of this year. Three Republicans from Pennsylvania, along with Mike Lawler of New York, pushed the number of signatures to 218, the number needed to force a floor vote on their bill.

12/17/25

National News

Trump Ignites Fury with Post Following Reiner Murders

(Washington, DC) President Trump this week ignited a firestorm when, less than a day after acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife were found murdered in their Los Angeles home, he hinted the icon was killed because he was critical of Trump. In part, a post on his Truth Social page read, “Rob Reiner … has passed away … reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME,” adding “He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump…” Pushback was swift, including from Republicans like Thomas Massie of Kentucky who called the rant “inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.”

Brown University Shooter Remains at Large

(Providence, RI) The Brown University shooter who killed two and wounded nine others Saturday remains at large. Officials had initially taken into custody a “person of interest”, but later determined he was not involved. New pictures and video released by authorities shows a person in dark clothes and a mask near the scene of the shooting. Classes and exams at the University have been canceled for the remainder of the semester, and security has been tightened on campus and across Providence. The FBI is offering a $50K reward for information leading to an arrest.

National News 12/16/25

Authorities Arrest Reiners’ Son in Connection with Homicide

(Los Angeles) Authorities have arrested 32 yo Nick Reiner, son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, in connection with the murder of his parents. The couple was found slain Sunday afternoon in their Los Angeles home. The suspect was taken into custody late Sunday and booked early Monday morning. He’s being held in the Los Angeles County Jail on $4M bond. Nick Reiner once told news sources he was homeless in Maine, New Jersey, and Texas and spent nights on the street as he battled addiction. Celebrities,including former President Barack Obama, Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, Stephen King and others have expressed shock and sadness at the tragic loss.

Person of Interest in Brown University Shooting Released

(Providence) The search for a gunman in the Brown University shooting continued for a third day yesterday. Authorities told the Washington Post a person of interest was released early Monday morning. Two students were killed and nine others injured, one of whom remains in critical condition. The gunman entered the engineering building on Saturday during the second day of final exam week, shooting students during an exam review session. The University has heightened security on campus and has canceled all classes for the remainder of the semester.

Father and Son Suspected in Bondi Beach Attack

(Australia) Authorities in Australia say a father and son are responsible for killing 15 people and wounding at least 40 others in a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at a popular beach in Sydney on Sunday. One of the shooters, the father, was killed in the attack; his 24 yo son was hospitalized . He’s expected to be charged in what sources are describing as a terrorist attack aimed at the Jewish population.

National News 12/15/25

“Person of Interest” Detained in Brown University Shooting

(Rhode Island) Authorities in Rhode Island Sunday say they have taken into custody a suspect they’re calling a “person of interest” in the December 13th shooting at Brown University that left two people dead and nine wounded. A gunman opened fire inside a campus engineering building Saturday before fleeing toward downtown Providence, setting off a massive manhunt. No names have been released, but University President Christina Paxson told the Washington Post all the victims are students. One remained in critical condition, while the others were in stable condition as of yesterday afternoon.

Indiana Republicans Take Bold Stand Against Gerrymandering

(AP)) Members of both political parties are applauding Indiana Republican legislators for standing firm against the President’s push toward gerrymandering. Indiana adopted new U.S. House districts four years ago, opting for maps considered “fair” in reflecting the state’s communities. Recently, Governor Mike Braun, under pressure from President Trump, tried to redraw the lines to help Republicans gain more power. The new map would have helped the heavily conservative state win all nine congressional seats. But Indiana State Senators rejected it. One source called the attempt to redraw districts to benefit one party “a fundamental undermining of a key democratic condition.”

Hanukkah Shooting in Australia

(Sydney, Aus) A child is one of at least 16 people killed in an attack by gunmen in Australia over the weekend. The Associated Press reports hundreds had gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah when two gunmen opened fire. Besides those killed, at least 38 people were wounded in the terrorist attack authorities say targeted the Jewish community. It is the deadliest shooting in nearly three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.

Rob Reiner and Wife Slain in Los Angeles Home

(Los Angeles) Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, were found slain yesterday afternoon in their home in Los Angeles. Authorities are calling it a robbery/homicide. On Monday, police arrested the 32-year-old son of the filmmaker, Nick Reiner, in connection with the case.

National News 12/12/25

Time Names 2025 Person of the Year

(Undated) Time Magazine has named its 2025 Person of the Year, the architects of Artificial Intelligence, or AI. OpenAI’s ChatGPT at launch was the fastest-growing consumer app of all time and has now surpassed 800 million weekly users. A key figure is Jensen Huang, CEO of Nividia, the world’s most valuable company and the company that holds a near-monopoly on the advanced chips powering the AI boom. And while AI is transforming the planet in positive ways, researchers have found it can also scheme, deceive, and blackmail, leaving us all with mixed emotions about a technological future that seems unstoppable and that has turned what was once science fiction into everyday reality.

Senate Rejects Extension of Affordable Care Act Tax Credits

(Washington, DC) Look for a steep increase in healthcare costs next year. The Senate yesterday rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, virtually guaranteeing a steep rise in premiums for millions of Americans. The Republican-controlled Senate rejected a Democratic bill that would have extended subsidies for three years and a Republican alternative that would have created new health savings accounts. Republicans argue the plans are too expensive and need to be overhauled. The Affordable Care Act was President Barack Obama’s signature law passed along party lines in 2010 to expand access to insurance coverage.

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Flies From Bangor to Oslo for Nobel Prize

(Bangor) Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado, who has been in hiding, arrived in Oslo Thursday, where her daughter received the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Machado credited President Trump with weakening the current regime and told reporters she would return to Venezuela when security conditions were right. According to the Associated Press, the plane on which Machado arrived flew to Oslo from Bangor.

National News 12/11/25

EPA Removes References to Human-Caused Climate Change

(WaPo) The Environmental Protection Agency has removed references to human-caused climate change from its website. The Washington Post reports the EPA has tweaked pages to focus on the “natural processes” driving climate change and wiped other pages from the internet. An example is a clear statement from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that stated, “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land.” That statement now deleted. Climate scientist Daniel Swain called it one of the more dramatic scrubbings seen so far in the climate space, noting not only have pages been removed, but replaced with inaccurate information. Swain called it “a deliberate effort to misinform”.

Miami Elects First Democratic Mayor in Decades

(Miami, FL/WaPo) A pivotal win for Democrats this week. Miami, Florida elected its first Democratic mayor in almost 30 years. Former County Commissioner Eileen Higgins’ win capped a strong election year for Dems, who have taken advantage of backlash against the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. The Washington Post reports the administration’s move to eliminate bond hearings for immigrants facing deportation has resulted in an explosion of legal challenges claiming the policy violates due process.

Trump Proposes Asking Foreign Visitors for Social Media History

(CBS News) The Trump Administration is proposing a request for visitors from several dozen nations that enjoy visa-free travel to the U.S. to submit additional personal information before entering the country, including five years of their social media history. CBS News reports a notice this week from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the proposal. The list of 42 countries in the visa waiver program includes European nations like the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as well as other allies around the world, including Australia, Israel, and Japan.