The Supreme Court is considering a longshot appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, potentially calling for a review of the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. Davis seeks to overturn a lower court order requiring her to pay damages for denying a marriage license, with her lawyers citing Justice Clarence Thomas’s calls to eliminate the same-sex marriage ruling. Justices like Roberts and Alito, who dissented in the original decision, remain on the court, with Justice Barrett suggesting that overturning same-sex marriage might be more complex than the abortion ruling due to reliance on the decision.
Read More
During a recent address to aspiring conservative staffers, Steve Bannon urged Republicans to aggressively seize control of governmental institutions and solidify Donald Trump’s executive orders into law before the upcoming midterm elections. Bannon expressed concern over potential legal repercussions, including imprisonment for MAGA loyalists, if Republicans lose future elections. He views recent Democratic victories as a warning, advocating for intensified action to counter the perceived radicalization of Trump’s opponents and to eliminate any existing obstacles. Bannon also suggested targeting political adversaries, like newly-elected New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, with legal challenges.
Read More
Vice President Vance criticized a federal court ruling mandating full SNAP payments for November, arguing the judiciary shouldn’t dictate spending during the government shutdown. He asserted the administration’s preference to fund SNAP once Democrats end the shutdown, which has already been the longest in US history. The administration planned to cut off SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million Americans, which Judge John McConnell had previously ordered them to fund, leading to the Justice Department’s appeal of the ruling and casting uncertainty on the program. The administration has been attempting to shift funds to cover some government operations, but has indicated it may not be able to do so for SNAP.
Read More
Russia has condemned the United States for employing “excessive military force” in the Caribbean under the guise of combating drug trafficking and has expressed its support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Kremlin confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation as tensions escalate between Washington and Caracas, especially due to U.S. strikes and Venezuela’s request for military assistance from Moscow. These recent actions by the U.S. have led to concerns about destabilization within the region. Moscow emphasizes the importance of de-escalation and adherence to international law.
Read More
Elected six weeks ago, the Arizona representative-elect has been denied being sworn in by Speaker Mike Johnson, setting a modern-day record for the longest wait. During this time, the House has been in recess while crucial economic and social issues remain unaddressed, potentially affecting millions of Americans. The hold-up appears to stem from the representative-elect’s potential decisive vote on releasing the Epstein files. This unprecedented move, denying over 800,000 Arizonans representation, has led to a lawsuit and calls for the House to return to session immediately to fulfill its duties.
Read More
Sweden and Ukraine are strengthening their defense cooperation, with Sweden assisting in the production of 400 long-range drones, which are frequently used to strike targets inside Russia. Sweden has also committed to providing significant financial aid for military support, in addition to previously allocated funding. Furthermore, Ukraine is planning to purchase between 100 and 150 JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets. This collaboration, along with the provision of advanced weapons systems like the Archer artillery system, supports Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt Russian logistics.
Read More
Norway has temporarily suspended its ethical investing rules, according to Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, to prevent its $2.1 trillion oil fund from being forced to divest from major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet due to their work for the Israeli government. The decision follows US concerns and the fund’s prior divestment from Caterpillar. Stoltenberg expressed worries that such divestments could undermine the fund’s diversified investment strategy and its importance to Norway’s budget, especially as the ethics council was set to review the tech companies and others on a UN blacklist. The move, supported by opposition parties, has drawn criticism from left-wing politicians who believe it prioritizes large corporations and US interests over ethical considerations.
Read More
Joe Khan secured a historic victory in Bucks County, becoming the first Democrat elected district attorney since the 1800s. Khan, who won with over 54% of the vote, attributed his success to a campaign focused on authentic representation and a commitment to good governance. His victory signals a shift in the county’s political landscape, especially considering the area’s recent voting history. Khan’s win sends a beacon of hope, promising positive change.
Read More
The US labor market is experiencing a significant downturn, as evidenced by a recent report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas. October saw 153,000 job cuts announced, the highest number since 2003, bringing the total for 2025 to 1.1 million, a level reminiscent of past economic crises. The tech sector is particularly affected, with AI adoption and economic factors contributing to the layoffs. These mass layoffs have sparked concern among Democratic lawmakers who point to the policies of former President Donald Trump as contributing factors to the current economic situation.
Read More
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered U.S. airlines to cancel flights due to air traffic controller staffing shortages stemming from the ongoing government shutdown, resulting in hundreds of cancellations. The flight cuts, representing approximately 3% of Friday’s schedule, are expected to escalate over the next week. These disruptions, occurring during a period of lower travel demand, have already caused airlines to adjust schedules and resulted in a notable increase in one-way car rental reservations. While the financial impact remains uncertain, the cancellations could potentially affect booking demand in the near term.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker