united states news

Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett is delaying her decision until Monday on whether to seek reelection to the House or enter the competitive Democratic Senate primary race. The 44-year-old civil rights lawyer, known for viral confrontations with Republicans, has been conducting strategic calls with Democratic figures including asking Colin Allred to switch to a gubernatorial run and discussing voter mobilization with Stacey Abrams. While supporters believe her fundraising prowess and ability to energize base voters could help Democrats compete in the traditionally red state, critics worry her controversial statements and partisan image could backfire in a statewide race and harm down-ballot candidates. Texas Democrats are divided over whether Crockett represents a genuine opportunity or another case of party self-sabotage in a state they haven't won statewide since 1994.

President Trump criticized European nations as weak and decaying in a Politico interview, focusing on their handling of migration and the Ukraine conflict while threatening to reduce US support for Ukraine. He pressured Ukrainian President Zelensky to accept a peace deal involving territorial concessions to Russia, claiming without evidence that Zelensky was blocking progress despite Russian acceptance of the proposal. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper countered by highlighting European strength through defense investments and support for Ukraine, while noting Putin's continued escalation. Trump's comments followed the release of a new National Security Strategy questioning Europe's viability and the reliability of some alliances, which drew mixed reactions from European leaders. The remarks intensified concerns among European and Ukrainian officials that the US might pursue a quick resolution that undermines Ukraine's long-term security interests.

President Donald Trump is holding a rally in Pennsylvania to defend his economic policies as public approval of his handling of the economy has declined significantly, with polling showing a 15-point drop since March. The event comes after Democrats successfully focused on affordability issues in November elections, raising Republican concerns about the 2026 midterm contests. Trump blames his predecessor Joe Biden for economic problems and points to various policy measures as solutions, while Democrats argue his tariffs and other policies are actually driving up consumer prices. Economic data reveals that inflation reached 3% in September and grocery prices have risen nearly every month since Trump took office in January, despite his claims of bringing costs down.

A Canadian senator is challenging the century-old territorial dispute over Machias Seal Island by questioning why Ottawa permits an American tour company to operate there while that company advertises the island as part of Maine. Senator Jim Quinn from New Brunswick has raised concerns about Bold Coast Charter Company's permit and its listing on a Canadian government website, arguing that Canada should more forcefully assert its sovereignty over the uninhabited island that hosts an important puffin colony and Canadian Coast Guard lighthouse. The dispute gains urgency amid broader tensions following President Trump's tariff threats and remarks about Canada becoming America's 51st state. While both nations claim the island and share fishing rights in surrounding waters following a 1984 international court ruling, Quinn believes current geopolitical pressures require Canada to take a firmer stance on this border vulnerability.

A federal court has struck down President Trump's executive order that halted all new wind energy permits, ruling the ban was unlawful and lacked proper justification. The order, signed in January, had frozen both offshore and onshore wind project approvals nationwide, prompting seventeen states and a clean energy organization to file suit against the administration. Judge Patti B Saris determined that federal agencies failed to provide adequate reasoning for the policy change and couldn't indefinitely suspend permit reviews without a clear timeline. While the ruling forces agencies to resume considering applications, energy experts warn that officials could still delay or deny permits through extended review processes, making the decision more symbolic than transformative for the struggling wind energy industry.

Washington D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith announced her resignation effective December 31st, citing personal reasons and a desire to rest after 28 years in law enforcement. Her departure occurs amid multiple controversies, including a congressional investigation into alleged MPD crime data manipulation and community concerns about collaboration between local police and federal immigration enforcement agencies. During her tenure since summer 2023, Smith oversaw significant crime reductions including a 52% decline in shootings and decreased homicides, while implementing controversial measures like juvenile curfew zones. Her resignation comes at a turbulent time as community leaders and activists debate policing strategies, federal-local law enforcement coordination, and the recent fatal police shooting of 25-year-old David Warren Childs in November.

Nine days after Honduras's presidential election, the electoral council has yet to declare a winner amid accusations of vote manipulation and foreign interference. Conservative candidate Nasry "Tito" Asfura, endorsed by US President Donald Trump, currently holds a slim lead with approximately 40.53% of votes counted, while centrist Salvador Nasralla trails narrowly at 39.16%. The vote counting has experienced multiple delays attributed to technical issues, and both trailing candidates have alleged electoral fraud, with third-place finisher Rixi Moncada calling for complete annulment of the results. Adding to the controversy, Trump recently pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was serving time for drug trafficking, prompting Honduras to issue an international arrest warrant for him. # Key Takeaways

Suzanna Shkreli, a former Michigan Lottery Commissioner and cabinet member in Governor Whitmer's administration, has entered the Democratic race for Michigan Secretary of State, joining three other candidates already competing for the party's nomination. The winner will be chosen by Democratic delegates at an April 19 convention rather than through a primary election, and will face a Republican challenger amid concerns from Democrats about potentially losing the office. Shkreli's platform includes implementing digital driver's licenses, accelerating election result reporting, and expanding senior services at state branches. Her candidacy emphasizes her prosecutorial experience and immigrant background, framing the race as crucial for protecting democratic institutions against what she characterizes as extremist threats. # Key Takeaways

Twelve former FBI agents have filed a lawsuit claiming they were wrongfully terminated for kneeling during a 2020 racial justice protest in Washington DC following George Floyd's killing. The agents argue they used the kneeling gesture as a tactical decision to de-escalate a dangerous confrontation with protesters, despite being inadequately prepared for the situation. Their dismissal letters, which arrived more than five years after the incident, cited a "lack of impartiality," and the agents believe FBI Director Kash Patel ordered their terminations due to perceived political disloyalty to President Trump. The lawsuit seeks reinstatement and back pay, joining other recent legal actions by former FBI personnel who claim they were fired for political reasons under Patel's leadership.

The Washington Informer hosted a roundtable discussion at the True Reformer Building focused on non-carceral approaches to violence prevention in Washington D.C. Rev. Delonte Gholston, a senior pastor who returned to D.C. after friends and family became gun violence victims, shared his work organizing churches and communities through PeaceWalksDC over the past seven years. His initiatives include Fund Peace Now, which provides entrepreneurship training and employment for young people, and Gen Peace, which seeks to expand the city's summer youth employment program with after-school job opportunities. Gholston emphasized that achieving genuine safety in the District requires collaborative effort from all community sectors, describing the current moment as requiring "all hands on deck" to create meaningful change. # Key Takeaways

In 2021, Detroit voters approved a reparations ballot initiative, leading to the formation of a 13-member Detroit Reparations Task Force that spent years examining how municipal policies systematically harmed Black residents through discriminatory practices, displacement, and economic neglect. The Task Force submitted a comprehensive 558-page report in October 2025 that proposes sweeping reforms across housing, economic development, policing, utilities, education, environment, and cultural programs designed to repair generational harms inflicted on Black Detroiters. The plan includes specific eligibility criteria for descendants of those who experienced systemic disenfranchisement and recommends both direct assistance and structural policy changes, funded through mechanisms like land value capture and corporate taxation. However, implementation now depends entirely on Detroit City Council's willingness to adopt these recommendations, with the incoming mayor's administration currently reviewing the proposals and no definitive action yet taken. # Key Takeaways

Dr. Anthony O. Kellum's Thanksgiving message urges Black Americans to pursue homeownership as a critical tool for building generational wealth and closing the racial wealth gap. He argues that despite historical barriers like redlining and discriminatory lending practices, property ownership remains the most powerful avenue for economic empowerment and stability. The article emphasizes that waiting for perfect market conditions is a mistake, as numerous resources including grants and down payment assistance programs are currently available but underutilized. Kellum frames homeownership not merely as a financial transaction but as a strategic act of claiming opportunity, honoring ancestral sacrifices, and transforming community outcomes for future generations.

Congressional lawmakers from both parties are attempting to force the Trump administration to release unedited video footage of a controversial September 2nd military strike in the Caribbean by restricting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel budget. The incident involved a "double-tap" attack where a second strike killed two survivors clinging to wreckage from an initial strike that killed nine people, raising serious questions about whether the action violated laws of war requiring combatants to rescue wounded survivors. The provision is embedded in a massive defense spending bill authorizing $901 billion, and would limit three-quarters of Hegseth's travel funds until the footage is provided to congressional committees. While Trump initially said releasing the video would be "no problem," he later denied making that statement and deferred the decision to Hegseth, who remains noncommittal.

Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen has warned that the ice cream brand faces destruction under its current ownership by Magnum Ice Cream Company, which recently spun off from Unilever through a European stock market listing. The conflict centers on a longstanding dispute over Ben & Jerry's independent board and its ability to pursue social activism, which was guaranteed when Unilever acquired the company in 2000. Magnum has declared that board chair Anuradha Mittal no longer qualifies to serve following an internal audit, though Mittal claims this is a manufactured attack meant to undermine the board's authority. Cohen argues that Magnum is violating the legally binding agreement protecting Ben & Jerry's independence and warns that eliminating the brand's values-driven mission will alienate its loyal customer base and reduce it to just another commodity product.

Zohran Mamdani, New York City's incoming mayor, has announced he will relocate to the historic Gracie Mansion rather than keep his rent-stabilized Queens apartment, citing family security concerns and the need to concentrate fully on his affordability agenda. The decision marks a shift from his campaign messaging, during which he connected his housing policy platform to his own living situation in a modest Astoria apartment where he paid approximately $2,300 monthly. Political opponents had criticized him for occupying the rent-controlled unit despite coming from a wealthy, accomplished family. The 1799 Federal-style mansion overlooking the East River has housed most NYC mayors since World War II, though billionaire Michael Bloomberg notably declined to live there during his tenure.

President Trump has decided to permit Nvidia and other US chip manufacturers to sell advanced H200 chips to vetted Chinese customers, reversing previous export restrictions. This decision follows intensive lobbying efforts by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and includes a requirement that companies pay either 15% or 25% of their Chinese revenues to the US government, though the exact figure remains unclear. The policy aims to balance American economic interests and job creation with national security concerns, allowing sales only to customers approved by the Department of Commerce. While Nvidia welcomed the announcement, security experts warn that providing China access to advanced chips could enhance its military AI capabilities, even as Beijing continues developing its domestic semiconductor industry to reduce dependence on American technology.

Iron Forums is a faith-based peer community established in 2003 that brings together Christian business leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives who seek fellowship while navigating the challenges of leadership. The organization, named after a biblical proverb about mutual strengthening, provides a supportive space where members can integrate their Christian faith with their professional roles without apology. Leaders like Chrissy Thornton, CEO of Associated Black Charities in Baltimore, and Dr. Frances "Toni" Draper, CEO of AFRO News, have found the organization transformative in helping them balance their spiritual beliefs with business responsibilities. The group facilitates meaningful discussions through structured curricula and self-assessment processes while expanding to new chapters, including a recently launched women's forum in Baltimore.

Detroit Opera is launching its 2025-26 season with "Highways and Valleys," a double-bill production featuring two American operas centered on love and struggle. The December performances pair William Grant Still's *Highway 1, USA*, which explores a Black couple's pursuit of the American dream, with Kurt Weill's *Down in the Valley*, receiving a world-premiere staging set in a Birmingham jail. The production reunites acclaimed artists including director Kaneza Schaal and several celebrated vocalists, with costume and scenic design that honors Detroit's working-class heritage. Detroit Opera is amplifying the event's impact through community programming at churches and libraries, while offering discounted tickets to make the performances accessible to diverse audiences.

Alina Habba, who previously served as Donald Trump's personal attorney, has stepped down from her position as New Jersey's US Attorney following a legal challenge to her appointment. A federal appeals court ruled that her temporary appointment, which bypassed Senate confirmation requirements, violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and was therefore unlawful. Attorney General Pam Bondi accepted the resignation while criticizing the court's decision and announcing that Habba would continue working at the Justice Department as a senior adviser. This case is part of a broader pattern affecting multiple Trump-appointed US attorneys whose appointments have been challenged for circumventing the traditional Senate confirmation process. # Key Takeaways

The CHAMPAINT event series, founded by sisters Siana and SuVon Treece through their Artistic Expressions Gallery, recently held a successful sold-out holiday edition at Detroit's Beacon Park. The festive sip-and-paint gathering brought together art enthusiasts of varying experience levels in the park's Design House Tent for an evening featuring champagne and painting activities. The business is currently growing through private event bookings and newly launched online paint kit sales. An upcoming collaboration with Remembering Cherubs is planned for early January, featuring a vision board fundraiser that combines artistic creation with charitable giving. # Key Takeaways

Debut author Donny Wilson has written *Motor City Magic*, a novel that reimagines Detroit as a city infused with hidden supernatural elements woven into its iconic landmarks and everyday spaces. The story centers on Nolan, a café owner on a journey of self-discovery who finds that his coffee shop serves as more than just a gathering place—it becomes a conduit for magical encounters and emotional connection. Drawing on his filmmaking background, Wilson crafts cinematic scenes that capture Detroit's authentic spirit of resilience and reinvention through characters grappling with personal struggles. The author aims to honor Detroit's unique energy by showing that magic exists not in distant fantasy realms but within the city's neighborhoods, markets, and community spaces that locals already recognize as special. # Key Takeaways

Ernesto Cuevas Enciso, a 34-year-old construction worker and DACA recipient, was detained by ICE while driving to work in Ypsilanti, despite having pending legal permanent residency applications and valid work authorization. Community leaders, including Michigan state senators and Detroit city council members, are demanding his release, arguing he was following proper immigration procedures and should be allowed to remain with his wife, a U.S. citizen, and their one-year-old child. The detention represents a shift in ICE policy under the Trump administration, which now arrests individuals with pending immigration applications rather than waiting for application outcomes. Cuevas Enciso is being held at a reopened for-profit detention facility near Baldwin, Michigan, and is one of several Detroit-area residents recently detained, including four students who advocates say are also in federal custody.

Holiday Detroit, an annual performance showcase, will present its seventh edition at the Music Hall on December 18th. Producer and Director Lisa McCall is leading an expanded production featuring over 100 performers, including eight musicians, multiple vocalists, dancers, student performers from Voyageur College Preparatory High School, and nationally recognized artists. The show blends diverse musical styles from Motown to gospel and hip-hop with choreography and storytelling that celebrates Detroit's cultural heritage. McCall, an entertainment industry veteran with nearly three decades of experience who has worked with legends like Aretha Franklin, has received numerous honors for her contributions to the arts and Detroit community. # Key Takeaways

Warner Bros Discovery has become the center of a major acquisition battle between two suitors offering vastly different proposals. Netflix has announced a deal to purchase Warner Bros' studio and streaming divisions for $82.7 billion, planning to spin off the remaining assets as a separate company. Paramount Skydance, controlled by the Ellison family, has responded with a hostile takeover bid valued at $108.4 billion that would acquire the entire company, including its traditional TV networks. Both deals face significant regulatory scrutiny due to competition concerns, while the ultimate outcome remains uncertain given the complex political connections and market dynamics at play. # Key Takeaways

Over 60 community organizations and the Trust SD Coalition protested on December 4th, demanding San Diego remove Flock Safety's automated license plate recognition system from the city. The coalition's concerns stem from a data breach that occurred in January 2024, where thousands of unauthorized searches of San Diegans' location data were conducted by outside entities, violating California's Senate Bill 34 which prohibits sharing such information with federal or out-of-state agencies. City officials concealed this breach in their required February 2025 surveillance report, only revealing it later. The groups argue that the insecure storage of residents' travel data puts vulnerable communities at risk of unjust detention or deportation.

Dr. Carolyn Haliburton Carter argues that artificial intelligence systems are digitally replicating America's historic One-Drop Rule by learning and perpetuating racial biases embedded in historical data. She traces how racial classification systems from slavery—which used fractional measurements like "Mulatto" and "Octoroon" to control people through quantified ancestry—now manifest in AI technologies that categorize identity through facial recognition, DNA testing, and algorithmic decision-making. These modern systems reproduce structural racism in areas like hiring, policing, healthcare, and financial services, with facial recognition showing significantly higher error rates for darker-skinned individuals and algorithms reinforcing historical patterns of discrimination. While scholars like Joy Buolamwini and Dr. Ruha Benjamin are challenging these algorithmic hierarchies, Carter emphasizes that communities must reclaim technology through increased literacy, accountability for developers, and community-led data projects that prioritize restoration over ranking. # Key Takeaways

The Supreme Court's conservative majority signaled support for expanding presidential power to fire leaders of independent federal agencies during arguments in a case involving Rebecca Slaughter's dismissal from the Federal Trade Commission. Trump removed Slaughter for being inconsistent with administration priorities, despite laws requiring commissioners only be fired for cause such as inefficiency or misconduct. The case challenges a 90-year-old precedent that protects certain agencies from political interference by limiting presidential removal authority. Conservative justices expressed concerns about unaccountable agencies, while liberal justices warned that overturning this longstanding precedent would fundamentally restructure government and eliminate Congress's ability to create independent oversight bodies.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott, which began 70 years ago on December 5, 1955, is being commemorated with events reuniting descendants of civil rights leaders and original participants who remember distributing flyers and walking for 381 days to protest segregated buses. The historic boycott, sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her seat, successfully challenged bus segregation laws and established a model of nonviolent economic protest that activists continue to employ today. Modern organizers have launched contemporary boycotts targeting corporations like Target and Amazon over their diversity policies and political affiliations, drawing direct inspiration from the Montgomery example. While today's boycotts utilize social media and focus on consumer purchasing power rather than carpools and walking, the fundamental strategy of leveraging economic pressure to drive social change remains unchanged. # Key Takeaways

Canadian provinces are grappling with how to handle millions of dollars worth of American alcohol that was removed from shelves in protest of US tariffs imposed in February. While some provinces like Manitoba and Nova Scotia have decided to sell their remaining inventory and donate the proceeds to local charities such as food banks, others like British Columbia have redirected stock to restaurants and bars rather than retail consumers. Ontario holds the largest stockpile at approximately C$80 million and plans to maintain its boycott until favorable trade terms are reached, though some products risk expiring soon. The boycott has significantly impacted American liquor exports to Canada, which have plummeted by 85 percent, causing concern among US distilled spirits producers. # Key Takeaways

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) represented far more than healthcare policy reform—it became a lightning rod for racial animus directed at America's first Black president. The law, which contained sixty-two provisions specifically designed to address racial health disparities and constituted what advocates called the most comprehensive minority health legislation in U.S. history, fundamentally challenged centuries of inequitable healthcare access for marginalized communities. Republican opposition to the ACA intensified not despite its success in reducing racial health gaps and expanding coverage, but precisely because of these achievements under Black presidential leadership. The relentless attacks on "Obamacare" mirrored the birtherism conspiracy theories and personal attacks against Obama himself, revealing how policy opposition became inseparable from racial resentment. This pattern demonstrates that the ongoing legislative and legal efforts to dismantle the ACA stem from its symbolic representation of a Black president prioritizing the health and humanity of poor and minority populations. # Key Takeaways