A U.S. government report found that major banks have closed accounts or refused business to some customers because of their political or religious views and the industries they work in. The report studied complaints made under President Trump’s executive order and showed that both conservative and liberal groups were affected, as well as certain industries like oil, coal, and firearms.
Key Facts
The report was released by the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
It reviewed 100,000 complaints and many bank decisions from 2020 to September 2025.
Nine large national banks had policies that influenced their decisions based on political, religious, or business activities.
Some customers selling Trump-related merchandise were dropped by WePay, a payment processor owned by JPMorgan Chase.
JPMorgan corrected issues found in WePay’s processes and the business no longer operates.
Banks also restricted services to industries like oil and gas, coal mining, and firearms.
The Bank Policy Institute said banks support fair access but must manage risks responsibly.
The OCC emphasized that all Americans should have equal access to financial services regardless of their beliefs or affiliations.
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The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Republicans in a case about cheaper TV advertising rates before the midterm elections. This policy lets party committees, not just individual candidates, buy ads at lower prices. Two liberal justices disagreed with the decision.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made its decision on Wednesday.
The case involves TV advertising costs for political ads.
The ruling favors Republicans for the second time in this legal fight.
The new policy allows entire party committees to access cheaper ad rates.
Previously, only individual candidates could get the lower rates.
Democrats oppose this change and have challenged it in court.
Two liberal justices dissented, meaning they disagreed with the majority decision.
The cheaper ad rates apply to both political parties.
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Republican Chris McGowan and Democrat Dave Dawson are debating for the U.S. House seat in Iowa's 4th Congressional District. They aim to replace Republican Randy Feenstra, who left his seat to run for governor.
Key Facts
The debate between McGowan and Dawson takes place at 8 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.
The debate can be watched live on Iowa PBS.
Randy Feenstra, the current representative, is stepping down to run for governor of Iowa.
Feenstra is a Republican supported by President Donald Trump.
Feenstra served three terms in Congress.
Feenstra lost the governor race to businessman Zach Lahn.
The Cook Political Report rates the 4th District race as "Solid Republican."
This race is part of the 2024 elections for the U.S. House of Representatives.
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The FBI denied a report from MS NOW that said FBI Director Kash Patel had traveled to Russia for a meeting. The FBI shared a video showing Patel attending an event in Virginia on the same day.
Key Facts
MS NOW reported that FBI Director Kash Patel was in Russia on Tuesday.
The report was aired on the MS NOW morning show “State of Play” with Peter Alexander.
MS NOW said two unnamed sources confirmed Patel’s presence in Russia.
The FBI publicly denied the claim.
The FBI posted a video proving Patel was in Virginia on Tuesday.
The video shows Patel at an event, contradicting the MS NOW report.
MS NOW was formerly known as MSNBC.
The report about Patel’s travel was proven false by the FBI evidence.
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Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff admitted he did not follow up on a reported gang rape at a fraternity in 2024 and was unaware of the case outcome or punishments. The situation has led to calls for his resignation and a Faculty Senate vote on a no-confidence resolution over handling of sexual assault cases.
Key Facts
A student reported being gang raped at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024.
President Kotlikoff knew about the report but never checked what happened afterward.
The woman dropped out of Cornell, and some students were expelled or suspended, but Kotlikoff only learned this recently.
Kotlikoff called the allegations “deeply disturbing” and started investigations and a task force on sexual assault.
The Tompkins County District Attorney first declined charges but reopened the case after a lawsuit and was later removed by the governor.
New York’s Attorney General was appointed as a special prosecutor, and an independent review was ordered.
Cornell’s Faculty Senate debated a no-confidence resolution against the administration’s handling of sexual assault reports.
Some faculty members called for Kotlikoff’s resignation, citing concerns about how complaints are handled and fear of retaliation.
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A recent Pew Research poll shows that 44 percent of American adults are having a hard time paying for basic needs like healthcare and food because of rising inflation. The survey was done in late July and August.
Key Facts
44 percent of U.S. adults say they struggle to afford basic necessities.
Basic necessities include medical care, food, housing, and utilities.
The poll was conducted by Pew Research in late July and August.
Rising inflation means prices for goods and services are going up.
Many Americans report financial stress due to higher living costs.
The data reflects current economic challenges faced by families.
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A Republican House member, Rep. Don Bacon, said that President Trump’s plans for new laws may fail in the current Congress session unless the administration changes recent actions seen as benefiting Russia in the war with Ukraine. Bacon, who sometimes disagrees with the White House on foreign policy, called for a different approach to support Ukraine.
Key Facts
Rep. Don Bacon is a Republican from Nebraska and an Air Force veteran.
Bacon warns that Trump’s legislative goals could fail during the lame-duck session of Congress.
The failure depends on whether the administration reverses actions related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The recent actions are viewed as helping Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Bacon has previously expressed disagreements with the White House about foreign policy.
The lame-duck session refers to the time between elections and when new members take office.
Bacon emphasizes the importance of supporting Ukraine in the conflict.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass apologized to voters during a debate for not being in the city during the large wildfires in January 2025. She expressed regret for her absence while discussing the ongoing mayoral race.
Key Facts
The wildfires happened in Southern California in January 2025.
The fires were described as massive, affecting the region significantly.
Karen Bass is currently the mayor of Los Angeles.
She is running for re-election as mayor.
During a mayoral debate, Bass apologized for not being present in the city during the fires.
The apology was directed toward voters concerned about her absence.
The apology took place on a Tuesday night during the debate event.
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A news outlet, MS NOW, incorrectly reported that FBI Director Kash Patel traveled to Russia for meetings with Russian security officials. Patel was actually at a law enforcement event in Virginia, and MS NOW has since corrected the mistake.
Key Facts
MS NOW reported that FBI Director Kash Patel had landed in Russia for meetings with the FSB, Russia’s security service.
Kash Patel was photographed at a law enforcement event in Lynchburg, Virginia, on the same day.
Virginia Republican Representative John McGuire hosted the event and shared photos with Patel.
The FBI shared images to prove Patel was at Liberty University, not in Russia.
Patel called the MS NOW report false and demanded an apology.
MS NOW issued a correction, admitting the error and stating Patel remained in the U.S.
The initial report was based on unnamed sources and mentioned a planned trip to Russia that was described as tentative.
This news story is still developing with potential updates coming.
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Rep. Dan Crenshaw supports President Trump’s effort to establish an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. However, Crenshaw criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for breaking the ceasefire after it was agreed upon.
Key Facts
Rep. Dan Crenshaw is a Republican lawmaker from Texas.
Crenshaw supports President Trump’s call for a pause in energy-related conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The proposed energy ceasefire aims to reduce tension and conflict connected to energy supplies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to the ceasefire at first.
Putin is accused of betraying the ceasefire by not following through with the agreement.
Crenshaw stressed that trying for peace, even if difficult, is necessary.
The issue centers on the ongoing conflict and energy weaponization between Russia and Ukraine.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at a large Army meeting during changes in Army leadership. He talked about the Pentagon’s plans for using autonomous systems (machines that operate on their own) and urged Congress to approve a large defense budget.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the current Defense Secretary.
He spoke at an Army convention focused on leadership and military technology.
The Army is experiencing changes in its leaders.
Hegseth supports using autonomous systems in the military.
He asked Congress to approve a big budget for defense spending.
He defended a decision to reduce the number of generals at the Pentagon by 20 percent.
The Pentagon is the part of the government that manages the U.S. military.
The meeting lasted more than one hour.
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The U.S. government plans to reduce the size of the National Health Interview Survey, which tracks Americans' health. Researchers worry that cutting many questions will cause the survey to undercount disabled people, making it harder to understand their needs.
Key Facts
The National Health Interview Survey is 69 years old and monitors health data in the U.S.
The government wants to cut at least half of the survey’s questions to save money.
Survey response rates have been decreasing over time.
Shortening the survey may cause many disabled people, such as wheelchair users and those who are blind or deaf, to be counted as not disabled.
This miscount could affect how the government measures health needs and the impact of programs like Medicaid for disabled Americans.
Advocates and researchers warn that fewer questions means less accurate information on disability.
The changes come as civil rights offices face staff cuts and longer wait times for services to disabled students.
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The U.S. government has removed sanctions on Jorge Rodriguez, the leader of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of Venezuela’s interim President, Delcy Rodriguez. This change is part of talks between the U.S. and Venezuela aimed at improving energy cooperation and political negotiations.
Key Facts
Jorge Rodriguez was taken off the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions blacklist on Wednesday.
He has led Venezuela’s National Assembly since 2021 and was reappointed after Nicolas Maduro was removed by the U.S.
Both Jorge and Delcy Rodriguez were previously sanctioned under President Trump’s first term due to their roles supporting Maduro.
U.S. officials see lifting sanctions as part of a plan to stabilize Venezuela and support political transition.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said new talks with Venezuela are set to continue soon and called for all opposition groups to participate.
Washington has already lifted some sanctions on Venezuela’s central bank and national airline.
Jorge Rodriguez has helped pass laws allowing more foreign investment in Venezuela’s oil, mining, and power sectors.
The U.S. now has access to 17 Venezuelan oil fields following agreements made after Maduro’s removal.
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A Georgia small-business owner sued Flock and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office for illegally using license plate reader technology to search and track his vehicle without valid reasons. Murkerson claims the sheriff’s deputies misused the system multiple times and that Flock’s software lacked proper safeguards to prevent such abuse.
Key Facts
Tyler Murkerson was arrested in February 2023 for a seatbelt violation, but charges were dropped months later.
Murkerson sued the sheriff’s office in September 2024 for excessive force, and that case was settled recently.
After the lawsuit, deputies reportedly searched Murkerson’s license plate multiple times using Flock’s system without legitimate investigation reasons.
Deputies entered unclear or meaningless reasons for the searches, such as “info,” “37,” or “hehehe.”
Flock’s software allowed free-text entries for searches rather than requiring official case numbers.
In August 2026, Flock said it would update its system to require case codes for all law enforcement searches to prevent misuse.
The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office started auditing its use of Flock’s system after these issues, with three employees resigning during the audit.
There has been increased criticism and several law enforcement agencies have stopped using Flock over concerns about privacy and surveillance abuses.
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Dr. Raj Panjabi talks about three health topics: the return of measles, the health effects of GLP-1 drugs, and ways to prevent disease and live longer. This information aims to help people understand how to stay healthy today.
Key Facts
Measles is becoming more common again.
GLP-1 drugs are medicines that may have health benefits.
Preventing diseases can help people live longer lives.
Dr. Raj Panjabi shared this information in a recent discussion.
The focus is on practical ways to protect health and improve longevity.
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President Donald Trump shared a real video showing a man being fatally attacked by a tiger, followed by an AI-made video of himself taming a tiger. These posts upset the victim’s family and many people, who said the content was disrespectful and caused more pain during a difficult time.
Key Facts
The victim was 23-year-old William Chapman, who had severe mental illness and died after entering a tiger enclosure in Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
President Trump posted the real footage with the caption "Don’t ever mess with nature!" and later an AI video of himself interacting with a tiger.
The AI video shows Trump pretending to wrestle and then befriend a tiger, set to the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."
William Chapman’s family asked people to stop sharing images and videos of the attack because it causes them distress.
Trump’s posts were criticized online as insensitive and disrespectful to the family and their loss.
South Yorkshire’s mayor said Trump’s AI video mocked the tragedy and the family’s suffering.
Some believe Trump shared the videos to distract from political issues, although no proof supports this.
British broadcaster Piers Morgan called the posts “appallingly tasteless” and asked Trump to delete them.
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Several Reform UK party councillors and candidates were secretly filmed making racist, violent, and sexist remarks. Three councillors have quit the party, which is now investigating the incidents while leader Nigel Farage has delayed a planned announcement because of the scandal.
Key Facts
Reform UK councillors and candidates were caught on film making racist, violent, and misogynistic comments.
Three councillors have resigned from the party amid the controversy.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, postponed a major announcement in Essex due to the fallout.
Undercover footage shows Alan Feeney calling Asian homeowners "parasites" and claiming only 1% of the population should be non-white.
Feeney resigned from the party "for personal reasons" after being deputy mayor of Solihull.
Other Reform members made extreme comments, including calls to kill King Charles and derogatory remarks about female colleagues.
The party claims it vets all election candidates and is investigating the undercover report.
Reform UK accused ITV and the production company of using deceptive methods to gain access and conduct the undercover filming and mentioned an ongoing police investigation related to security breaches against Nigel Farage.
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Iowa Representative Ashley Hinson praised an EPA proposal that would change rules about renewable fuels. The change could help Iowa farmers by ensuring more biofuel demand, important in a close Senate race between Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek.
Key Facts
The EPA plans to reallocate biofuel blending requirements from some small oil refineries to bigger fuel producers.
This aims to keep overall demand for biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel, made from corn and soybeans.
The proposal is not final and comes just three weeks before the midterm elections.
Iowa’s Senate race is competitive as Hinson (Republican) faces Turek (Democrat) for the seat of retiring Senator Joni Ernst.
Hinson said the reallocation protects farmers and biofuel producers from losing demand due to refinery exemptions.
Some farmers appreciate the proposal but feel it only fixes problems caused by past refinery exemptions.
The proposal might improve corn and soybean prices by keeping biofuel demand steady.
The Turek campaign did not comment on the proposal when contacted.
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A person of interest has been identified in a sexual assault case at a fraternity near the University of Chicago. The individual is not a student or affiliated with the university and has been banned from campus while the police investigation continues.
Key Facts
The sexual assault was reported early Sunday morning at an Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity house near the University of Chicago.
The victim is a woman not affiliated with the university.
The person of interest fled the fraternity after being interviewed.
University cameras and license plate readers helped identify the suspect and the evidence was shared with the Chicago Police Department.
The university has banned this individual from campus but has not released their name.
The alleged victim was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for care.
The AEPi fraternity chapter has been told to stop all events during the investigation.
Alpha Epsilon Pi headquarters is cooperating with the university and local police on the case.
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Americans who use heating oil are facing much higher prices this winter due to global factors. President Donald Trump has made a deal to import diesel fuel from Russia to help ease costs, but some U.S. senators oppose this because of the war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
Heating oil prices in Maine are about $5.97 per gallon, up from $4 last year.
Some families expect to spend around $5,000 to heat their homes this winter.
Heating oil prices are linked to diesel prices because both come from similar refining processes.
Diesel prices have nearly doubled in a year, reaching $6.29 per gallon.
The rise in diesel and heating oil prices is partly due to Russia stopping diesel exports after attacks on its refineries amid the war with Ukraine.
President Trump made a deal to import 300,000 tons of diesel fuel from Russia to lower costs.
Some U.S. senators oppose lifting sanctions on Russian oil because of the ongoing war.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration says that households using heating oil will face higher costs compared to those using natural gas or propane.
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