united states news

Abigail Spanberger, a 46-year-old former CIA operative and three-term congresswoman, has been projected to win Virginia's gubernatorial race, becoming the state's first female governor. She defeated Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears by campaigning on economic concerns, opposing Trump administration policies, and rejecting culture war politics in education debates. The Democratic sweep of all three statewide offices in Virginia signals significant voter discontent with the Trump administration and provides Democrats with a potential strategy for upcoming midterm elections. Spanberger emphasized kitchen-table issues like healthcare costs, food prices, and the impact of tariffs rather than personality-driven politics, a messaging approach she believes could guide other Democratic candidates in 2026. # Key Takeaways

Former Vice President Dick Cheney passed away at age 84 from complications of pneumonia and heart disease, ending the life of one of America's most polarizing political figures. During his time in the Bush administration, he orchestrated the Iraq War based on false intelligence about weapons of mass destruction and championed controversial policies including torture and warrantless surveillance. His legacy is particularly contentious among Black and minority communities, who cite his apparent ignorance of racial health disparities, documented racist remarks, and the disproportionate impact of his foreign policy decisions on communities of color. In his later years, Cheney broke with Republican orthodoxy by opposing Donald Trump and endorsing Kamala Harris for president in 2024.

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, a local news publication, received eight journalism awards last week recognizing excellence in both print and digital media. Reporter Macy Meinhardt earned six print awards and two video honors for her investigative work covering topics including governance issues, a charter school crisis at Harriet Tubman Village, and disputes over park space development. Video journalist Tihut Tamrat collaborated with Meinhardt on two award-winning video pieces about housing development concerns in the Encanto neighborhood. The publication views these accolades as validation of their commitment to community-focused reporting that serves San Diego's Black community. # Key Takeaways

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has established a Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission to examine and propose changes to the state's congressional district maps. The bipartisan five-member panel, led by Senator Angela Alsobrooks and including former Attorney General Brian Frosh and Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss, will conduct public hearings and gather community feedback before making recommendations to the governor and state legislature. This initiative is part of a broader national wave of redistricting controversies occurring in multiple states as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. Maryland last formed such a commission in 2011, and the current effort emphasizes transparency and fair representation in response to concerns about politically motivated map-drawing processes. # Key Takeaways

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook delivered her first public remarks since President Trump's August attempt to fire her, stating that current interest rates are appropriately positioned to address ongoing inflation concerns. Cook, who is the first Black woman to serve as a Fed governor and the first central banker to face a firing attempt, is currently involved in a Supreme Court case challenging Trump's authority to remove her. In her Monday speech, she emphasized her commitment to reaching the Fed's 2% inflation target while acknowledging risks to both employment and price stability. Despite voting for rate cuts at recent meetings, Cook maintained that monetary policy should remain moderately restrictive given inflation still exceeds the target, though she expressed confidence inflation will continue declining once tariff effects subside.

This article traces the history of Veterans Day from its origins as Armistice Day in 1918 through its transformation into a holiday honoring all American veterans in 1954. The author emphasizes that current celebrations fail to adequately recognize the contributions and sacrifices of African American service members who fought for their country despite facing systemic racism, segregation, and violence at home. The piece highlights numerous Black military heroes throughout American history, from Crispus Attucks in the Revolutionary War through modern generals like Colin Powell, documenting their extraordinary service and the injustices they endured. The author calls for African Americans to take special pride in remembering their community's military legacy on Veterans Day, ensuring these heroes are not forgotten amid parades and commercial activities.

Virginia is making history with its current Election Day, as the state will elect its first woman governor regardless of whether Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears wins the race. Spanberger, a moderate former congresswoman, has campaigned on affordability issues and holds a growing lead in recent polls, while Earle-Sears, a Trump-endorsed Marine Corps veteran, has focused on tax cuts and immigration enforcement while opposing LGBTQ+ protections. The lieutenant governor and attorney general races remain extremely competitive, with state Senator Ghazala Hashmi holding a narrow lead over John Reid, and the attorney general contest between Jay Jones and incumbent Jason Miyares being the closest of all. National figures like former Presidents Obama and Trump have weighed in on these races, which are viewed as indicators of broader political sentiment heading into future elections.

Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, appeared on a radio program to criticize the Trump Administration's failure to follow federal court orders requiring the immediate distribution of SNAP benefits to families. She explained that these benefit interruptions directly harm schools by affecting meal programs, and that hungry students cannot learn effectively in classrooms. In response to the crisis, educators have created food pantries and other resources to support struggling families. Pringle urged Americans to engage civically through voting and various forms of activism, promoting the NEA's online resources for protecting public education. # Key Takeaways

The Justice Department has launched a federal investigation into whether Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation leaders misused the tens of millions of dollars donated during the 2020 racial justice protests following George Floyd's murder. Federal investigators have recently issued subpoenas and executed at least one search warrant targeting the foundation and related Black-led organizations, though the probe began under the Biden administration before gaining renewed momentum under Trump. The foundation, which received over $90 million in donations in 2020, has faced ongoing criticism for lack of transparency, particularly after purchasing a $6 million Los Angeles property in 2022, though no previous investigations have proven wrongdoing. The investigation is being led from the Central District of California by Bill Essayli, a former Republican state assemblyman who previously called BLM a "radical organization" while in private practice. Civil rights groups have expressed concern that the Trump administration may be targeting progressive organizations critical of the president. # Key Takeaways

Over the past two legislative sessions, Governor Gavin Newsom has approved only 11 out of 30 reparations-focused bills proposed by California's Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), recently vetoing five significant bills from their "Road to Repair" package. Reparations advocates, already dissatisfied with the CLBC's bill selection, are urging caucus members to engage more directly with community voices when drafting future legislation. Some activists view the vetoes as unsurprising and argue the rejected bills would not have meaningfully benefited descendants of enslaved people. While the governor did sign legislation creating California's Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, advocates like Chad Brown and Cheryce Cryer are developing their own strategies to influence the 2026 legislative session with community-centered proposals.

Dick Cheney, the former US Vice President who served under George W. Bush, has died at age 84 from complications related to pneumonia and heart disease. During his tenure from 2001, he transformed the vice presidency into an exceptionally powerful position, becoming a principal architect of America's post-9/11 "war on terror" and a leading advocate for the Iraq invasion based on claims about weapons of mass destruction that were never found. His legacy remains deeply divisive, with supporters praising his dedication to national security while critics view him as responsible for a catastrophic war that caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. In his later years, Cheney dramatically broke with the Republican Party by opposing Donald Trump and endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris, which alienated him from his own party while earning unexpected praise from former liberal critics. # Key Takeaways

Dick Cheney, who died at 84, was an unconventional and powerful vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, known for wielding exceptional influence and occasionally breaking from his boss's positions. His career was marked by controversial moments including accidentally shooting a hunting companion, having his pacemaker modified to prevent potential hacking by foreign agents, and being sequestered in secret locations after the 9/11 attacks where he authorized shooting down hijacked planes. Despite being a Republican vice president, he publicly supported same-sex marriage in 2004 while Bush opposed it, citing his lesbian daughter and declaring that "freedom means freedom for everyone." His tenure was also notable for breaching Senate decorum by using profanity at a colleague who accused him of profiting from the Iraq War through his former employer Halliburton.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries displayed a notably sharper and more forceful leadership style during his recent CBS "Face the Nation" appearance, addressing criticism that he had been too cautious in recent months. He directly blamed President Trump and Republicans for the ongoing government shutdown and rising costs affecting American families, including inflation and expensive tariffs. Jeffries also highlighted healthcare concerns, warning of potential massive Medicare cuts and the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits that help millions afford coverage. His combative yet focused performance demonstrated the assertive leadership style that Democrats had hoped for when they elevated him to lead the caucus, as he characterized Trump as an existential threat to American values and way of life.

The San Diego Office of the City Clerk is organizing a Community Listening Session to gather public input on improving resident access to City Council agendas, notices, and municipal information. The event aims to identify barriers and opportunities for enhancing communication and civic participation in local government decision-making processes. During the session, attendees will learn about the City Clerk's responsibilities and available engagement tools like online agendas and virtual meeting options. City Clerk Fuentes emphasized that effective resources are meaningless if residents don't understand how to utilize them, making direct community feedback essential for improvement. # Key Takeaways

Following a federal government shutdown that threatened to halt SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million Americans, the Trump administration announced it would provide partial funding for November after federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ordered the government to maintain the program. The USDA will use $4.65 billion from an emergency fund, covering roughly half of the normal $8 billion monthly cost, though the exact amounts beneficiaries will receive and timing remain unclear. Multiple states have responded by increasing food bank funding and creating emergency programs to supplement benefits, while Democratic officials criticize the administration for not fully funding the program despite having the authority to do so. The partial funding solution potentially sets up a similar crisis for December if the shutdown continues, leaving millions of low-income Americans uncertain about their ability to afford groceries.

The Trump administration's suspension of SNAP benefits during a government shutdown is creating severe hardship for millions of Americans, particularly affecting Black communities who represent over 25% of recipients despite being only 12.6% of the population. Although two federal judges ruled that the administration must continue funding SNAP, officials indicated benefits lost on Saturday could take at least a week to restore. The disparity in SNAP usage reflects systemic racism stemming from centuries of discriminatory policies that have prevented Black families from accumulating generational wealth, with current data showing Black households earn approximately $36,000 less annually than white households. For Native American communities, the SNAP suspension violates treaty obligations and has prompted multiple tribal nations to declare states of emergency, while food assistance organizations across the country scramble to meet increased demand from families choosing between food and other essential expenses.

Yum! Brands is considering selling its Pizza Hut chain due to persistent underperformance, particularly in the United States where same-store sales have declined for multiple consecutive quarters. While Pizza Hut struggles to attract budget-conscious customers and loses market share to competitors like Domino's and Papa Johns, other Yum! properties including KFC and Taco Bell continue demonstrating strong sales growth. The company's new CEO Chris Turner believes Pizza Hut may achieve better results operating independently outside the Yum! portfolio. This strategic review comes amid broader challenges facing the fast-food industry, including reduced consumer spending driven by inflation and economic uncertainty. # Key Takeaways

Mary Sheffield, Detroit's 38-year-old City Council President and heavily favored mayoral candidate, has made affordable housing and eviction prevention central to her political career and campaign platform. After the tragic carbon monoxide deaths of two children whose unhoused mother had sought help from Detroit's housing system, Sheffield's initiatives have taken on renewed urgency. Her signature achievement, the 2022 right-to-counsel ordinance, has provided free legal representation to over 12,000 low-income households facing eviction, with approximately half retaining their homes and predominantly serving Black women with children. Sheffield's broader vision includes creating neighborhood hubs that consolidate housing assistance, job placement, mental health services, and childcare referrals, alongside programs for senior home repairs and youth after-school programming within two miles of every public school. # Key Takeaways

Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency in response to a federal government shutdown that threatened food assistance for nearly 700,000 state residents. The governor allocated $72 million total—$62 million for direct food aid and $10 million for food banks—while criticizing the Trump administration for refusing to distribute appropriated SNAP funds despite their availability. As federal workers went unpaid and food pantries experienced unprecedented demand, two federal judges ruled that the administration must release emergency SNAP funding, with one ordering partial payments by November 5. The Trump administration announced it would comply with the court orders and not appeal, bringing relief to Maryland officials who had been pursuing legal action to ensure continued food assistance for vulnerable families. # Key Takeaways

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has allocated $62 million in state funds to ensure residents receive their full November SNAP food assistance benefits after the Trump administration announced it would only distribute partial payments during an ongoing government shutdown. This emergency measure affects approximately 360,000 Maryland households who rely on food stamps, as the federal government plans to pay only about half of the benefits owed to 42 million Americans nationwide. Despite two federal judges ruling that suspending SNAP payments violates the law, the administration has refused to use contingency funds for full payment, forcing states to bridge the gap. Maryland has also joined a multistate lawsuit challenging the federal decision and declared a state of emergency to address broader shutdown impacts on its 269,000 federal workers.

Dick Cheney, who died at 84, had an extensive political career spanning from the 1970s through the 2010s, serving in multiple Republican administrations including as Vice President under George W. Bush. Originally from Nebraska, he rose through Washington politics to become White House chief of staff at age 34, later served as Defense Secretary during the Gulf War, and became an influential vice president who helped shape post-9/11 foreign policy including the Iraq invasion. His later years were marked by a dramatic break with the Republican Party as he became a vocal opponent of Donald Trump, even endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024. Despite his conservative credentials, Cheney evolved on some issues like gay marriage, ultimately leaving a complex legacy that drew both praise and criticism across the political spectrum.

Michigan voters are participating in municipal elections on Tuesday, with particularly significant races in Detroit for mayor and city council positions that may indicate trends for upcoming state and congressional elections. Detroit's mayoral race features City Council President Mary Sheffield as the favorite against Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., while several competitive council district races pit candidates with different progressive Democratic visions against each other. Beyond Detroit, suburban school districts are seeking voter approval for substantial bond proposals to fund facility improvements, and controversial races in Southfield and Dearborn are drawing attention due to candidates' political alignments and stances on national issues. The elections also include contests in Hamtramck to replace the outgoing mayor who received a federal appointment.

A grassroots organization called Lift Every Voice and Vote Detroit (LEVV) is working to increase voter turnout in Detroit by mobilizing faith communities and church congregations. The coalition, backed by the National Black Empowerment Council, organized concerts featuring gospel singer Shirley Murdock at seven churches over the weekend before Election Day to energize voters. Leaders emphasized that Detroit's historically low turnout rate of 17% in the August primary diminishes the city's political influence on issues critical to Black communities, including public safety, education, and programs like SNAP benefits. The organization aims for 100% voting participation among church members, viewing faith institutions as essential vehicles for civic engagement and community development.

The United States is holding off-year elections featuring several critical state and local races that could signal voter sentiment ahead of next year's congressional midterms. New York City's mayoral contest pits progressive Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani against independent Andrew Cuomo, with the winner potentially becoming either the city's youngest or most experienced leader in generations. Gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey are closely watched, with Virginia poised to elect its first female governor regardless of outcome. California voters are deciding whether to allow mid-decade redistricting of congressional maps, a Democratic response to Republican redistricting efforts in other states. President Trump's influence permeates multiple races through his criticisms, endorsements, and the ongoing national debate over redistricting strategies. # Key Takeaways

Diane Ladd, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in films like Wild at Heart and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, has passed away at age 89 at her California home with her daughter Laura Dern by her side. Throughout her multi-decade career, Ladd earned three Academy Award nominations and became part of Hollywood history as the first mother-daughter pair to receive Oscar nominations for the same film, Rambling Rose, alongside Laura Dern. Her career breakthrough came in 1974 with Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, and she continued working until 2022. Despite initially discouraging her daughter from pursuing acting, Ladd frequently collaborated with Dern on screen and co-authored a book with her in 2023 about their relationship. # Key Takeaways

The Trump administration announced it will only provide partial SNAP benefit payments to approximately 42 million Americans this month as the government shutdown continues into its sixth week. Federal court judges had ordered the administration to make full payments or find alternative funding sources, but officials chose to send only about half of November's benefits without tapping additional reserves. In response to the federal funding crisis, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser authorized using $30.5 million from local emergency contingency funds to fully cover November SNAP and WIC benefits for District residents. The shutdown, which started October 1st, has left vulnerable families facing food insecurity, prompting local governments to step in where federal support has faltered. D.C. officials estimate that approximately 85,000 households and 141,000 residents depend on these nutrition assistance programs monthly.

Virginia state Senator Ghazala Hashmi is competing in Tuesday's lieutenant governor election against Republican John Reid, with both candidates potentially making historic breakthroughs—Hashmi as the first Muslim woman elected to U.S. statewide office and Reid as the first openly gay Republican in such a position. While both candidates could break barriers, they have emphasized policy issues over their historic potential, with Hashmi focusing on opposing Trump's agenda and education funding, while Reid emphasizes tax cuts and transgender sports policies. Hashmi, an Indian-born community college administrator who first won state office in 2019, has faced religious discrimination including from Governor Glenn Youngkin, who said he doesn't want her in the state. Final polling shows Hashmi and the Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger holding strong advantages over their Republican opponents in what could be a transformative election for Virginia.

The Trump administration has extended the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. through February 2026, maintaining over 2,300 troops from D.C. and several Republican-led states throughout the city. District officials, including Attorney General Brian Schwalb and Mayor Muriel Bowser, have strongly opposed the presence through a federal lawsuit arguing the deployment violates local self-governance laws and amounts to an illegal military occupation. The administration justifies the extended mission as necessary for security, though D.C. officials counter that violent crime is at record lows and no local assistance was requested. The controversy highlights the District's vulnerability to federal overreach due to its lack of statehood, with civil rights organizations warning the military presence threatens residents' safety and constitutional rights.

Russell Vought, who controls the Office of Management and Budget, has systematically frozen or canceled billions of dollars in federally funded programs, disproportionately targeting Democratic-led cities and vulnerable communities. Under the guise of efficiency and fiscal restraint, he has eliminated funding for public transit, disease research, public health programs, and social services while overseeing the removal of over 200,000 federal employees. Congressional leaders and courts have found his actions to be illegal impoundments of funds that Congress had legally appropriated, characterizing them as partisan political attacks rather than legitimate budget decisions. His policies, which he frames within a Christian nationalist ideology, have particularly devastated Black and low-income communities by eliminating over $400 billion in critical programs including housing, education, and medical research funding. # Key Takeaways

The Trump administration announced it will distribute only half the regular monthly food assistance to over 42 million Americans receiving SNAP benefits due to an ongoing government shutdown that has lasted more than a month. Federal courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ordered the USDA to use $5.25 billion in emergency contingency funds to provide at least partial payments, though this falls short of the program's typical $8 billion monthly cost. The funding crisis began when the government shutdown on October 1st left the federally-funded but state-administered program without resources. Multiple states and organizations have filed lawsuits against the administration over the food aid freeze, with some states pledging to use their own funds to maintain benefits. # Key Takeaways