President Trump announced he would meet with OMB Director Russ Vought to discuss potential cuts to federal agencies, aiming to leverage the government shutdown. Trump’s post on Truth Social indicated the meeting would determine which “Democrat Agencies” should be cut, and whether those cuts would be temporary or permanent. This comes as the government entered its first shutdown since 2019 due to a funding dispute over the Affordable Care Act subsidies. Vought, a key figure behind the conservative “Project 2025” plan, which outlines overhauls to the federal government, will be instrumental in advising Trump on these decisions.
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Tyson Foods will pay $85 million to settle a consumer lawsuit accusing the company of conspiring with competitors to inflate pork prices. This settlement, which is the largest in over seven years of antitrust litigation, will bring consumers’ total recovery to $208 million. The preliminary agreement requires court approval and marks Tyson as the last publicly traded company to settle in the case. The alleged price-fixing conspiracy, involving multiple companies, reportedly occurred from 2009 to 2018.
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A violent attack occurred at a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, resulting in two fatalities and a suspect shot dead by police. The incident began with an attack on a security guard and involved a vehicle being driven at members of the public, with three others left seriously injured. Following the attack, authorities declared a “major incident” and a “marauding terror attack.” Law enforcement is currently investigating the incident and has urged anyone with relevant information or footage to come forward, as the Prime Minister has condemned the attack and additional police resources are being deployed.
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The U.S. government entered a shutdown on October 1st, but the construction of the new White House ballroom will continue. President Trump announced the 90,000 square foot ballroom in July, to be located in the East Wing and funded by private donations, separate from federal budget negotiations. This funding allows the ballroom’s construction to proceed regardless of the government shutdown. The ballroom, planned to host foreign dignitaries, is expected to feature luxurious gold details similar to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and open before the end of his term.
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A recent Quinnipiac poll indicates a significant shift in public opinion of Senator John Fetterman, with Republicans now holding a more favorable view than Democrats. Fetterman’s approval among GOP voters surged to 62% since 2024, while Democratic approval plummeted to 33%. This shift aligns with Fetterman’s voting record, which frequently diverges from the Democratic party line, including votes to keep the government open and confirming GOP nominees. Despite these actions and the changing perceptions, Fetterman has affirmed he will remain a Democrat.
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While discussing his cautious approach to descending stairs, the speaker launched into an unexpected commentary about former President Obama. He expressed a lack of respect for Obama’s presidency but specifically referenced his quick descent of stairs, contrasting it with his own careful method. This tangent, including a vocal imitation, seemed unprompted and surprising given the context of the audience. The speaker implied that Obama’s stair-descending style was reckless.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Donald Trump for continuing ballroom construction during a government shutdown. Newsom’s office shared an image of Trump with Marie Antoinette’s face, highlighting the contrast between the president’s lavish spending and potential cuts to public services. Despite the shutdown, a White House official confirmed that the $200 million expansion, privately funded by donors, will proceed. Companies like Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Palantir are reportedly contributing to the project.
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In response to the government shutdown, Republicans are threatening punitive measures against Democrats, including federal worker layoffs and freezing funding in blue states. House Speaker Mike Johnson warned of increased “pain,” while former President Trump explicitly endorsed partisan payback. The administration is implementing holds on infrastructure projects in New York and clean energy programs in several blue states. Some Republicans express concerns about these retaliatory actions potentially hindering a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government, as Democrats remain firm on extending health insurance subsidies.
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A US citizen and construction worker, Leo Garcia Venegas, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration after being detained twice by immigration agents in Alabama. The lawsuit challenges workplace raids targeting industries with large immigrant workforces, alleging unconstitutional enforcement tactics and targeting based on appearance and ethnicity. Despite providing identification, Venegas was detained in raids where agents allegedly lacked warrants and focused on Latino-looking workers. The Department of Homeland Security dismissed the suit, asserting that arrests are based on legal status, not race.
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Polish authorities are investigating a suspected Russian plot to carry out sabotage attacks using drones and disguised explosives. The probe, stemming from the detention of an agent allegedly working for Russia’s GRU, revealed instructions to bury and retrieve explosive-filled “sweetcorn” tins. Evidence suggests that these operations were planned not only in Poland but also in Lithuania and Germany, with similar tins discovered in Lithuania and drone components transported between the three countries. If convicted, the suspect could face a life sentence, with the investigation expected to conclude by year’s end.
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John Q. Hosedrinker