united states news

The Detroit City Council voted 7-2 to criminalize the use of chewing tobacco and nicotine pouches, making them misdemeanor offenses with $100 fines, while giving offenders an opportunity to stop before being penalized. The ordinance faced opposition from two council members who questioned enforcement feasibility and governmental overreach in regulating adult behavior. This effort is part of the national "Knock Tobacco Out of the Park" campaign, which reportedly has support from the Detroit Tigers. Detroit joins 18 other cities that have implemented full smokeless-tobacco bans in sports arenas, with proponents arguing the measure helps protect youth from tobacco marketing and exposure.

Murals throughout Washington D.C. have emerged as powerful symbols preserving the city's culture and identity amid federal challenges to home rule and the government shutdown. These artistic expressions in neighborhoods like Shaw, The Wharf, and Anacostia showcase important historical and cultural figures including Duke Ellington, Benjamin Banneker, and Marvin Gaye, serving as acts of defiance and statements of belonging. Despite the removal of the Black Lives Matter mural near the White House under pressure from President Donald Trump, these artistic expressions continue to represent resilience and resistance for residents who view them as affirmations that their history cannot be erased. The murals tell the authentic story of Washington D.C. and its people, particularly highlighting Black culture and history that remains central to the city's identity.

Recent data from the Michigan League for Public Policy reveals nearly three-quarters of Michigan high school students are unprepared for college based on standardized test benchmarks, despite increased education spending. Michigan students are performing below the national average and learning less than children in other Midwest states, with particularly poor results in fourth-grade math. While high school graduation rates have improved, college readiness continues to decline, prompting Governor Gretchen Whitmer to acknowledge the state's unacceptable situation of higher-than-average per-pupil investment yielding bottom-tier educational outcomes. Michigan has implemented financial aid programs including Michigan Reconnect and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to address these challenges, while also expanding enrollment in the Great Start Readiness Program.

Christopher Moynihan, a 34-year-old previously pardoned by Donald Trump for his role in the 2021 Capitol riot, has been arrested for allegedly planning to assassinate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. According to court documents, Moynihan made explicit threats in text messages, writing that Jeffries "must be eliminated" and that he "cannot allow this terrorist to live." Jeffries expressed gratitude to law enforcement for apprehending "a dangerous individual who made a credible death threat" against him. This case joins other incidents of political violence in the US this year, including fatal attacks targeting both Democratic lawmakers and a conservative activist.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' attorneys have filed a notice to appeal his conviction and 50-month prison sentence for transportation to engage in prostitution. Judge Arun Subramanian imposed the substantial sentence, along with a $500,000 fine and five years of probation, stating it was necessary to demonstrate that abuse of women "is met with real accountability." Combs was acquitted on more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, despite prosecutors' allegations that he used his industry power to coerce girlfriends into sexual encounters with male escorts. At his sentencing hearing, Combs apologized to his victims, describing his actions as "disgusting, shameful, and sick," while requesting a more lenient 14-month sentence.

Ecuador has released an Ecuadorean national who survived a recent U.S. military strike on a submarine in the Caribbean allegedly used for drug smuggling, stating there was "no report of a crime" against him. The man, identified as Andrés Fernando Tufiño, and a Colombian survivor named Jeison Obando Pérez, are the first people to survive the series of U.S. counter-narcotics strikes that have killed at least 32 people since early September. President Trump claimed the vessel was carrying "mostly fentanyl and other illegal narcotics," though experts note fentanyl typically enters the U.S. through Mexico, not the southern Caribbean. The U.S. has deployed approximately 10,000 troops along with military aircraft and ships to the region, mainly targeting vessels departing from Venezuela.

A US appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, overturning a previous judge's order that had blocked the deployment during a legal challenge. However, deployment remains uncertain because a second court order prohibiting Trump from sending any troops to Oregon is still in effect. The Justice Department argued troops are needed to address protests at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, with the appeals court calling Trump's 60-day deployment plan a "measured response." The ruling has drawn criticism from Oregon officials including Governor Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who expressed concern about presidential power over state forces.

Belize has signed an agreement to serve as a "safe third country" for migrants seeking asylum in the United States, allowing those deported from the US to apply for asylum in Belize instead of returning to their home countries. The agreement requires approval from the Belize Senate and includes security measures to protect Belize's sovereignty, with Prime Minister John Antonio Briceño describing it as a job program for qualified individuals who can contribute to Belize's economy. The US State Department praised the deal as an important step in ending illegal immigration, while opposition in Belize has expressed concerns about potential burdens on taxpayers and national security implications. This agreement is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to implement migration policies that include deporting undocumented migrants to countries other than their homeland.

Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Israel to bolster the fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement, accompanied by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner who also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Their mission comes amid rising tensions following a violent incident where Israel reported a Hamas attack killed two soldiers, prompting Israeli airstrikes that killed dozens of Palestinians. The Trump administration is pushing to advance beyond the current ceasefire to the second phase of its 20-point Gaza peace plan, which would establish an interim Palestinian government, deploy international forces, withdraw Israeli troops, and disarm Hamas. Despite recent violence threatening the 12-day truce, President Trump maintains the ceasefire remains intact while warning Hamas it would face eradication if it violated the agreement.

Kevin Federline's new memoir "You Thought You Knew" details his troubled relationship with ex-wife Britney Spears, alleging her erratic behavior as a mother including substance use during pregnancy and frightening incidents involving their sons. Federline expresses concern for Spears' wellbeing while defending his support of her past conservatorship, which he describes as a "lifeline" in its early days. Spears has publicly denied these allegations, calling the memoir "extremely hurtful" and suggesting Federline is attempting to profit from their association now that child support payments have ended. Federline claims he waited until his sons were older to publish his account, stating he wants to tell his version after years of silence while others defined his story.

D.C. Council member Charles Allen has introduced legislation to reform how D.C. Water handles service disconnections amid $35 million in unpaid utility bills. The D.C. Water Billing and Disconnection Modernization Amendment Act of 2025 would require clear disconnection timelines, prohibit shutoffs during extreme weather, and mandate notifications to tenants when landlords fail to pay water bills. Many apartment buildings in D.C. use master water meters where landlords collect payments from tenants but sometimes don't forward these payments to the utility, leading to surprise disconnection notices for residents who believed they had paid. The bill would also establish programs to help landlords resolve arrears and create pathways for tenants to establish water service in their own names when landlords fail to pay.

Construction has begun on President Trump's new $250 million White House ballroom, with parts of the East Wing being demolished. The privately funded project, which Trump claims has been "dreamt about" by presidents for over 150 years, will reportedly be "near" but not directly touching the main White House structure. Critics, including former National Park Service historian Robert K. Sutton and architectural organizations, have expressed concern about the lack of transparency and proper review processes typically required for such significant modifications to this historic building. Despite releasing some information and design drawings featuring gold chandeliers and seating for hundreds, the White House has not disclosed the identities of the "generous Patriots" funding the project.

The United States and Australia have signed a significant agreement to boost supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals, challenging China's market dominance. The deal supports $8.5 billion in "ready-to-go" projects to expand Australia's mining and processing capabilities, with $1 billion to be jointly invested in projects across both countries within six months. President Trump confirmed that Australia's submarine deal with the US and UK (Aukus) would proceed as planned despite earlier concerns. This partnership aims to reduce dependence on China, which currently controls approximately 70% of rare earths mining and 90% of processing for these materials essential to defense equipment, computer chips, and vehicles.

The October 18 "No Kings" protests mobilized approximately 7 million people nationwide, including 200,000 in Washington D.C., in a nonviolent demonstration against President Donald Trump's policies. Speakers including Keya Chatterjee from FREE DC, Senators Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders addressed issues of healthcare, voter rights, and government overreach during the rally. The protesters voiced concerns about Trump's executive actions affecting marginalized communities and demanded an end to the ongoing government shutdown. Organizers and participants emphasized that while the protests were significant, lasting change would require continued action through community connections, economic pressure, and future mobilization, including the "Flood DC" demonstrations planned to begin November 5.

Young Black Americans are creating modern "freedom zones" by migrating to cities offering opportunity, affordability, and community. According to Apartment List's 2025 Best Cities for Black Professionals report, Washington D.C. ranks first with a 92% Black employment rate and the highest median Black income nationwide at $52,988. Other leading destinations include Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Chicago, each offering distinct advantages from high homeownership rates to thriving Black-owned business communities. Unlike the historical Great Migration that fled Southern oppression, this movement includes reclaiming Southern cities while building self-sustaining communities as federal social safety nets diminish.

Major changes to Social Security set to take effect through 2026 are raising concerns about disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups, particularly African Americans. The reforms include raising the full retirement age to 67 for those born in 1960 or later, eliminating paper checks, tightening disability coverage eligibility, and altering benefit taxation. Experts warn these changes may exacerbate longstanding systemic inequities in a program that has historically disadvantaged Black Americans through occupational exclusions and other barriers. Analysis shows Black retirees currently receive 19% less in benefits than white retirees, and the proposed changes could further widen this gap due to factors like shorter life expectancy and different working conditions among minority populations.

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is furloughing approximately 1,400 employees as the US government shutdown enters its 20th day, leaving fewer than 400 workers to maintain operations. This marks the first time in the agency's history since its establishment in 2000 that furloughs have been implemented. The NNSA, responsible for safeguarding the US nuclear stockpile and preventing nuclear proliferation globally, will maintain security of the nuclear arsenal despite these cuts, though modernization efforts will be hampered. Meanwhile, the political impasse continues with Senate Republicans and Democrats unable to reach agreement on government funding legislation, with healthcare funding being a major point of contention.

Former NFL running back Doug Martin, 36, died while in police custody after an alleged home break-in and struggle with Oakland police officers on Saturday. Martin, nicknamed "Muscle Hamster," spent most of his seven-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he made a significant impact, including a record-setting rookie season in 2012. His family announced his passing with the cause of death listed as "unconfirmed," while the Oakland Police Department stated he became unresponsive during detention and later died at a hospital. The Buccaneers organization expressed deep sadness at Martin's "sudden and unexpected passing," highlighting his Pro Bowl selections and lasting impact on their franchise.

Detroit voters can now participate in the November 4 General Election through multiple voting options, including mail-in ballots and early in-person voting which begins October 25 and runs through November 2. The Department of Elections is hosting a block party to promote early voting, continuing an initiative they began during the August primary. Over 30,000 absentee ballots have already been returned according to election officials, and residents can request absentee ballots until specific deadlines before Election Day. This expanded access to voting stems from a 2022 ballot initiative that requires local clerks to provide at least nine days of early voting for statewide elections.

Janai Nelson, President of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, presented arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court to preserve Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in the Louisiana v Callais case. At issue is whether creating a second majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana constitutes unconstitutional racial gerrymandering, with opponents claiming it violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. Civil rights experts, including Spencer Overton and Mary Frances Berry, observed that Nelson faced significant challenges from six justices while defending a doctrine that "has been working for 40 years." The Supreme Court's decision, expected in early 2024, could significantly impact representation for Black and Hispanic communities in the 2026 midterm elections.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed "Wakiesha's Law" (Assembly Bill 1269) on October 13, requiring jails to promptly notify families when incarcerated individuals are seriously hospitalized or die in custody. The legislation, authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, was created in response to the case of Wakiesha Wilson, whose family wasn't notified of her death for four days after she was found unresponsive in her cell at the Los Angeles Police Department detention center in 2016. The law aims to increase transparency and accountability in a system where in-custody deaths have risen significantly, with LAPD reporting a 400% increase in such deaths from 2022 to 2023. Despite opposition from the California State Sheriffs' Association, which claimed the bill leaves "many open questions," the legislation passed to provide families with what supporters describe as "basic decency and respect."

California has made several significant policy changes in recent weeks, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing multiple bills and launching new initiatives. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan's AB 247 will raise incarcerated firefighters' pay from $5 per day to at least federal minimum wage, recognizing their dangerous work battling wildfires. California also joined a 14-state Governors Public Health Alliance to strengthen science-based health policy and combat political interference. Additionally, the state's universal financial aid application policy has increased college enrollment among Black, Latino, and low-income students, while the new CalRx program will offer affordable state-branded insulin starting in 2026. California is also enhancing emergency preparedness with a new regional facility in Southern California.

The Supreme Court is poised to potentially weaken the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act in an upcoming Louisiana redistricting case to be argued Wednesday, signaling a possible reversal of its 2023 decision that preserved race-based remedies. The Court has expanded the legal question to directly address whether VRA remedies tied to race might violate constitutional equal protection guarantees. This case centers on a dispute over Louisiana's congressional districts and whether a second majority-Black district should be created in a state where approximately one-third of residents are African American. The outcome could significantly impact future congressional and legislative redistricting nationwide, continuing a pattern of the Roberts Court limiting civil rights-era remedies.

The ongoing federal government shutdown has created a vacuum of official economic data, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics can no longer publish its monthly employment report. Private firms including ADP, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Carlyle have stepped in with their own analyses, collectively indicating job losses and a cooling labor market. ADP reported 32,000 private-sector jobs lost in September, with the heaviest losses in manufacturing, construction, and professional services, particularly affecting the Midwest region. Adding to the crisis, a memo from the Office of Management and Budget suggests that furloughed federal workers may not receive back pay once the shutdown ends, contradicting the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act and creating further hardship for the approximately 49,000 District residents who are federally employed.

The US Supreme Court will review a case challenging the constitutionality of a federal law that prohibits habitual illegal drug users from possessing firearms. The Trump administration requested the review after a lower court ruled in favor of Ali Hemani, who argued that the charge against him for possessing a gun while being a regular marijuana user violated his Second Amendment rights. The government contends the law is necessary to prevent dangerous individuals from owning guns and is narrowly tailored since users can regain gun rights if they stop using illegal substances. This case follows Hunter Biden's conviction under the same law in 2024, before receiving a pardon from his father, and comes amid the conservative Supreme Court's generally pro-gun rights stance.

The Biden administration's 2021 policy restricting ICE from detaining pregnant, postpartum, or nursing immigrants except in extreme circumstances appears to be routinely disregarded under the Trump administration, according to multiple lawsuits and advocate reports. Congress recently allowed a requirement to lapse that mandated biannual reporting on how many such immigrants are being detained, making it impossible to quantify the exact numbers. Medical professionals have raised serious concerns about detention conditions for pregnant immigrants, including inadequate nutrition, inconsistent medical care, and psychological stress that can threaten pregnancy outcomes. Multiple cases documented in the article detail disturbing situations including a U.S. citizen detained while nine months pregnant, a woman who miscarried in custody, and a nursing mother separated from her infant.

The Aukus security pact, a £176bn ($239bn; A$368bn) trilateral submarine deal between Australia, the UK, and the US, is currently under review by the Trump administration to ensure alignment with its "America First" agenda. The review, led by Elbridge Colby, has raised concerns despite reassurances from the UK and Australia that such assessments are standard procedure when new governments take office. The deal includes Australia purchasing three Virginia-class submarines from the US starting in 2032, followed by the development of a new nuclear-powered submarine model, along with collaboration on advanced military capabilities such as hypersonic missiles and AI. Though not explicitly stated, the pact is widely understood as a counter to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, which China has condemned as "extremely irresponsible."