Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the U.S. House and a convicted criminal, died at age 84. He admitted to sexually abusing teenage boys and served 13 months in prison for hiding payments related to the abuse.
Key Facts
Dennis Hastert was the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House in U.S. history.
He died at his home in Plano, Illinois, while in hospice care.
Hastert pleaded guilty in 2015 to breaking banking laws by hiding large cash withdrawals.
These withdrawals were connected to hush money to cover up his sexual abuse of teenage boys.
Prosecutors said he molested at least four boys, some as young as 14.
No sexual abuse charges were filed because of time limits on prosecution.
He served 13 months in federal prison and was released in 2017.
Hastert is known for the "Hastert Rule," a guideline that the Speaker only brings bills to vote if most of the majority party supports them.
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The U.S. Supreme Court refused to review Roy Moore's appeal to bring back an $8.2 million defamation verdict from a lower court case involving a 2017 Senate race ad. This means a lower appeals court decision wiping out the jury's original ruling that Moore was defamed will stand.
Key Facts
Roy Moore sued Senate Majority PAC for defamation over a 2017 ad during his failed Senate campaign.
The ad was funded by a Democratic-aligned super PAC and criticized Moore amid misconduct allegations.
A federal jury initially awarded Moore $8.2 million, agreeing he was defamed.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals later canceled the verdict, saying Moore did not prove the PAC acted with malice.
The Supreme Court declined to hear Moore's appeal, keeping the appeals court ruling in place.
Moore has denied allegations that he inappropriately touched or dated underage girls decades ago.
Senate Majority PAC maintained the ad was truthful and lawful political speech.
The ruling upholds legal protections for political ads against defamation claims by public figures.
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A new CBS News poll shows that Democrats may have an advantage in the race for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The poll also finds that high prices and inflation are affecting how voters feel before the midterm elections.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by CBS News ahead of the midterm elections.
It estimates that Democrats could gain control of the House of Representatives.
Voters are concerned about high prices and inflation.
These economic concerns are influencing voters' decisions.
The poll reflects public opinion across the United States.
The midterm elections will determine which party controls the House.
This information is based on data collected recently by CBS News.
Economic issues remain a key factor in voter attitudes going into the elections.
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The victim in a Cornell University gang rape case told investigators she “felt like bait” during the alleged attack. She has filed a lawsuit against the university and others involved, accusing members of the Chi Phi fraternity.
Key Facts
The victim’s name is kept private and is called Jane Doe in legal documents.
The incident is connected to the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University.
Jane Doe reported feeling like “bait” during the alleged assault.
She provided statements to school investigators at the time of the incident.
Jane Doe has filed a lawsuit against the university and other parties connected to the case.
The Associated Press reviewed the records related to the investigation.
The case involves allegations of gang rape.
The investigation and lawsuit focus on events happening at Cornell University.
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During the 2025-2026 school year, nearly 12,000 books were banned in US public schools, the highest number recorded in one year. Texas led with over 8,100 banned books, largely due to a new state law, and the overall bans affected more than 7,000 different titles by over 4,000 authors and illustrators.
Key Facts
There were almost 12,000 book bans in US public schools in 2025-2026, reaching a record high.
Since 2021, PEN America recorded 34,000 total book ban instances in schools.
Texas had the most bans, with over 8,100, mainly because of the Texas law SB13.
Florida had been the leading state in school book bans for the three years before 2025-2026.
Over 7,000 unique book titles were banned, involving more than 4,000 authors, illustrators, and translators.
The most banned book in 2025-2026 was *Sold* by Patricia McCormick, a story about a teen sold into sexual slavery.
Fiction and manga made up more than 90% of the young adult books banned.
Efforts by parents, students, and educators are pushing back against the increase in book bans, especially in Florida school districts.
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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he thinks he knows who leaked the draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. He spoke about this during an interview on “Fox News Sunday” and said he expected the decision to upset many people.
Key Facts
Justice Samuel Alito made the statement in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”
The leaked draft was about overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that protected abortion rights.
The final case related to this is Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health.
Alito said he has an “opinion” or guess about the identity of the leaker.
He expected the ruling would anger many people who disagree with it.
The leak was a major event that caused controversy and public debate.
This was one of the biggest Supreme Court decisions in recent years regarding abortion laws.
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The Supreme Court decided not to hear a case involving Sunoco, an oil company, ordered to pay over $100 million in a lawsuit for late royalty payments without interest in Oklahoma. Justice Brett Kavanaugh disagreed with most conservatives by saying the Court should review the case, while Justice Samuel Alito did not participate, possibly due to financial interests in related oil companies.
Key Facts
Sunoco was ordered to pay $103 million for not paying interest on late royalty payments, violating Oklahoma law.
The lawsuit was a class action representing many royalty owners who said they were owed money.
Sunoco asked the Supreme Court to review how class members were identified in the lawsuit.
The Court refused to take the case, denying the petition for writ of certiorari.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh said he would have agreed to hear the case, breaking from most conservative justices.
Justice Samuel Alito did not participate in the decision; he holds stocks in some Sunoco competitors, which might explain his absence.
Alito also recused himself from a climate change case earlier in the term, possibly for similar reasons.
The case raises questions about how courts certify groups in class action lawsuits and determine who can get damages.
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President Donald Trump is campaigning in Nebraska with Senator Pete Ricketts, who is running for reelection against an independent candidate supported by Democrats. This visit is part of a series of rallies by Trump in conservative areas ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump is campaigning in Grand Island, Nebraska.
He is supporting Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts in his reelection campaign.
Ricketts is running against an independent candidate backed by national Democrats.
The rally is part of a 32-day series of campaign events before the midterm elections on November 3.
Trump has recently held rallies in conservative states like Oklahoma and Alabama.
He will rally again in Texas shortly after the Nebraska visit.
Ricketts stated that Trump’s visit is to help him get reelected.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has started its new term, beginning with discussions on a major climate change case. This term will include several important cases affecting the country.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court’s new term has officially begun.
Early cases include a significant climate change issue.
The Court hears arguments to decide on important legal questions.
The term sets the stage for decisions that affect U.S. laws and policies.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
Its decisions impact the entire country.
The Court’s work this term will be closely watched by the public and officials.
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Actor Robert De Niro criticized President Donald Trump using strong language and urged voters to act in the upcoming elections. He emphasized that power belongs to the people according to the U.S. Constitution.
Key Facts
Robert De Niro spoke out strongly against President Trump.
He used harsh words, calling the president a “coward” and a “piece of s—.”
De Niro encouraged voters to “take back the power” in the next elections.
He mentioned that power to the people is a key idea in the U.S. Constitution.
The comments came as part of De Niro’s public remarks before an election.
President Trump is currently serving his second term after the 2024 election.
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The Supreme Court decided not to review Roy Moore’s case involving a large defamation jury verdict. This ends his legal fight over a 2017 campaign ad that showed claims of sexual misconduct against him.
Key Facts
Roy Moore is a former Alabama Supreme Court justice.
A jury had previously awarded him $8.2 million for defamation related to a 2017 election campaign ad.
The ad featured allegations of sexual misconduct against Moore.
An appeals court overturned the jury’s $8.2 million defamation verdict.
Moore asked the Supreme Court to review this appeals court decision.
On Monday, the Supreme Court said it would not hear Moore’s appeal.
This ruling ends Moore’s legal battle over the case.
The case took place in the context of U.S. political campaigns and elections.
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The Cornell University Police made a drug arrest at the Chi Phi fraternity house less than a day before an alleged gang rape took place there in 2024. The university’s president called the case very disturbing.
Key Facts
Cornell University Police arrested someone for drugs at the Chi Phi fraternity house.
The arrest happened about 22 hours before an alleged gang rape.
The alleged rape victim is referred to as Jane Doe.
Cornell’s president, Michael Kotlikoff, made a video statement about the case.
He described the situation as deeply disturbing.
The incident is part of an ongoing investigation.
The news was reported as part of a crime log released by the university police.
The case has drawn significant attention on and off campus.
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Karoline Leavitt, who served as White House press secretary under President Donald Trump and stepped down in August, is joining Fox News as a TV contributor. She was the youngest press secretary in White House history and left her role to spend more time with her family and work with a pro-Trump political group.
Key Facts
Karoline Leavitt was the White House press secretary until August 2024.
She was the youngest person ever to hold that position.
Leavitt left to care for her family after having her second child.
She planned to work with Maga Inc., a pro-Trump political group.
Leavitt was the first sitting press secretary to announce a pregnancy.
She tried to change how the White House media operated, including managing which journalists covered the president closely.
Leavitt often brought conservative commentators into briefing sessions.
President Trump frequently praised her work and considered her a strong supporter.
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The Supreme Court refused to review a request by the Charleston church shooter to remove his trial judge, Richard Gergel. This means the judge will continue overseeing the death penalty trial, as an appeals court had already ruled there was no reason to remove him.
Key Facts
The case involves the man who carried out the Charleston church massacre.
The shooter asked to disqualify U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel from the trial.
The reason was a claim that Judge Gergel was not impartial.
The appeals court previously decided the judge should remain on the case.
The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal, leaving the lower court’s decision in place.
The trial involves the death penalty process.
This decision means the trial will proceed under Judge Gergel’s supervision.
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Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, died at age 84 from natural causes. He served as House Speaker from 1999 to 2007 and later went to prison after pleading guilty to charges related to paying hush money to conceal past sexual misconduct as a high school wrestling coach.
Key Facts
Dennis Hastert served as Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2007, the longest tenure for a Republican in that role.
He helped pass major parts of President George W. Bush’s agenda, including large tax cuts and expanded Medicare drug benefits.
Hastert was previously a high school wrestling coach who won a state championship and was named national coach of the year in 1976.
In 2015, Hastert was accused of evading banking laws to pay hush money to cover up past sexual abuse of teenage wrestlers.
Prosecutors said Hastert abused at least four boys from 1965 to 1981 during his time as a coach in Yorkville, Illinois.
He pled guilty to evading banking regulations but never directly admitted to sexual abuse in court.
Hastert was sentenced in 2016 to 15 months in prison.
The case significantly damaged his political legacy.
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The Supreme Court decided not to review Keith Raniere’s appeal against his conviction for racketeering and sex trafficking. This means his conviction and long prison sentence will stay as decided by a lower federal court.
Key Facts
Keith Raniere led the NXIVM group, described as a sex cult.
He was convicted of racketeering, which involves organizing illegal activities as a group.
He was also convicted of sex trafficking charges.
A federal appeals court had already upheld his conviction and prison sentence.
The Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal, so the lower court’s decision stands.
Raniere faces a prison term that will last decades.
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The Supreme Court decided not to review a case about whether a Michigan public school can stop students from wearing “Let’s Go Brandon” shirts. The case involved two brothers who said the ban violated their right to free speech.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court declined to hear the case about the school’s ban on the shirts.
The shirts had the phrase “Let’s Go Brandon,” which is a slogan used by some conservatives to criticize President Joe Biden.
The case was brought by two brothers attending a public school in Michigan.
The brothers argued that banning the shirts violated their First Amendment right to free speech.
The school had decided to ban the shirts due to potential disruption or controversy.
By not taking the case, the Supreme Court lets lower court decisions stand.
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The head of Tennessee’s prison system is resigning after a failed execution of Christa Pike. Governor Bill Lee has ordered an independent review of the incident, which will be led by a former U.S. attorney.
Key Facts
A planned execution in Tennessee went wrong last week.
Christa Pike was the person being executed.
The head of Tennessee’s prison system will step down because of the incident.
Governor Bill Lee announced an independent investigation into the botched execution.
The investigation will be conducted by a former U.S. attorney.
The event has drawn attention to Tennessee’s prison and execution procedures.
The news comes as part of broader coverage on legal and political topics in the U.S.
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The Supreme Court refused to reinstate a Pennsylvania judge who was suspended for posting political opinions on Facebook. The judge, Mark Cohen, was suspended for sharing posts supporting Democratic politicians, raising questions about free speech and rules judges must follow.
Key Facts
Judge Mark Cohen from Pennsylvania was suspended in 2024 by a judicial discipline board.
His suspension was due to many Facebook posts praising Democratic leaders like President Joe Biden and Governor Josh Shapiro.
Cohen challenged the suspension, claiming it violated his free speech rights.
The Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal, leaving the suspension in place.
This case involves the balance between judges’ right to free speech and maintaining impartiality in the judiciary.
The decision means judges need to be careful about political posts on social media.
The suspension reflects rules that judges must follow to avoid showing political bias.
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Karoline Leavitt, who worked as President Donald Trump’s main spokesperson during his second term, will start working for Fox News as a contributor next month. She will join other former Trump administration officials and allies at the network.
Key Facts
Karoline Leavitt was President Trump’s White House press secretary during his second term.
She is the only person to serve as his main spokesperson in that period.
Leavitt will join Fox News as a contributor starting next month.
Other former Trump administration members will also join Fox News.
The news was reported by The New York Times.
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