Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized reporters for their perceived double standard in covering California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass amid the recent wildfires devastating the Los Angeles area. The fires, which have spread rapidly through Pasadena and other regions, have claimed at least five lives, destroyed hundreds of buildings, and displaced thousands of residents.
Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria’s Freedom Party (FPÖ), has been tasked with forming a government after the collapse of a coalition among mainstream parties. Kickl, a staunch Euroskeptic and outspoken conservative, has sparked controversy with his policies, including a bold stance on immigration and opposition to EU climate and economic policies.
In a controversial press release, the Biden administration addressed the mysterious "anomalous health incidents" (AHIs) that have affected hundreds of U.S. personnel and their families worldwide since 2016. Known as "Havana Syndrome" due to its initial reports in Cuba, the symptoms include unexplained head pressure, ear pain, and dizziness. The release comes just days before President Trump is set to return to office.
Raleigh is the only city in North Carolina to receive funding in the latest round of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grants from the Biden administration. The $635 million in grants, part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, includes $2.4 million for the deployment of 56 EV charging ports across the city.
Pennsylvania’s steel industry faced significant challenges this year as federal decisions threatened operations at two major companies: Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel. While Gov. Josh Shapiro joined bipartisan efforts to protect Cleveland-Cliffs’ Butler County plant, his neutrality on the U.S. Steel merger has drawn criticism from state lawmakers and workers.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) suffered a significant setback in her congressional career, losing her bid to become the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. In a vote among House Democrats, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) defeated Ocasio-Cortez 131-84 for the prominent role. The defeat highlights ongoing tensions between Ocasio-Cortez’s progressive approach and the Democrat establishment.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during an interview with Joe Rogan that Biden administration staff called the company to demand they censor content pertaining to COVID-19.
California’s insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, issued a one-year moratorium on non-renewals and cancellations in areas affected by the state's fires.
