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Updating . . .
California Policy and Politics Thursday
California cities pay a lot for water; some agricultural districts get it for free -- Even among experts the cost of water supplies is hard to pin down. A new study reveals huge differences in what water suppliers for cities and farms pay for water from rivers and reservoirs in California, Arizona and Nevada. Rachel Becker and Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett Calmatters -- 12/11/25
Trump administration adds militarized zone in California along southern US border -- The Trump administration is adding another militarized zone to the southern U.S. border to support border security operations — this time in California. Associated Press -- 12/11/25
Justice Department drafting a list of ‘domestic terrorists’ -- Justice Department leadership has directed the FBI to “compile a list of groups or entities engaged in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism” by the start of next year, and to establish a “cash reward system” that incentivizes individuals to report on their fellow Americans, according to a memo reviewed by The Times. Michael Wilner and Ana Ceballos in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/11/25
Wildfire
With Altadena burning, L.A. County lacked satellite mapping tool used by other agencies -- During the Eaton fire, when aircraft were grounded, officials couldn’t see the fire’s westward advance — relying instead on ground observations in heavy smoke. FireGuard data showed fire advancing toward west Altadena hours before evacuation alerts were issued, where nearly all 19 Eaton fire deaths occurred. Grace Toohey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/11/25
California delays wildfire rules that would force homeowners to clear vegetation -- California officials are again delaying the finalization of rules that could require nearly 2 million homeowners to remove plants and other combustible materials within 5 feet of their homes — a move that has attracted controversy but that experts say could provide a property-saving buffer against fires. Brooke Park in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/11/25
Sen. Adam Schiff: I’m not fond of Trump but am ‘willing to work with anyone’ -- Sen. Adam Schiff gave his first major speech in the Senate on Wednesday and recalled how he has had to endure bitter criticism from President Donald Trump and his allies, but remains hopeful about the country’s future. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/11/25
Barabak: The U.S. Senate is a mess. He wants to fix it, from the inside -- Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley has devoted years to overhauling the filibuster. He wouldn’t ban the move, but make senators work so they’d maybe think twice. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/11/25
Kamala Harris quells new speculation about CA governor run in 2026 -- Two sources close to Harris who were unauthorized to speak publicly confirmed Wednesday that she plans to stay out of the race. Nicole Nixon and Lia Russell in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/11/25
Sacramento-area Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump sentenced in child porn case -- Kyle Travis Colton, 38, was found guilty in July of receiving sexually explicit materials involving a minor and, on Monday, was sentenced in Sacramento federal court to 80 months in federal prison. The Citrus Heights man was immediately remanded to the prison system by U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd, court records show. Sharon Bernstein in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/11/25
County Fairs
How California’s county fairs have become cotton candy for fraud, theft and mismanagement -- Like many of California’s fairs, the one in Humboldt County is a cherished local institution, beloved for its junk food, adorable baby animals and exhibits of local arts and crafts. Rock star chef Guy Fieri, who grew up in town, even turns up to host the chili cook-off. Jessica Garrison in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/11/25
Marketplace
Fed lowered interest rates Wednesday. Will California consumers notice? -- The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rates by a quarter-point Wednesday, but whether it will help the slow-moving California economy and give consumers a meaningful boost is questionable. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/11/25
Housing
Pro-housing group sues Newsom over duplex ban in wildfire zones -- It’s the latest chapter in the fight over how much density should be allowed in the rebuilding of fire-stricken communities such as Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Jack Flemming in the Los Angeles Times$ Liam Dillon Politico -- 12/11/25
AI
AI Hackers Are Coming Dangerously Close to Beating Humans -- After years of misfires, artificial-intelligence hacking tools have become dangerously good. So good that they are even surpassing some human hackers, according to a novel experiment conducted recently at Stanford University. Robert McMillan in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/11/25
California lawmakers discuss protecting actors, creators from AI exploitation -- At issue was copyright law and how it intersects with artificial intelligence, an issue that’s been gaining prominence since Scarlett Johansen called out OpenAI in May 2024 for giving ChatGPT a voice that sounded remarkably like hers. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/11/25
Sam Altman says he can’t imagine raising a newborn without ChatGPT— and the internet is disappointed -- Sam Altman has revealed that he relies on artificial intelligence to teach him to take care of his child, launching the internet into a heated debate about the repercussions of such technology on social development. Zara Irshad in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/11/25
Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI, licenses Mickey Mouse to Sora AI platform -- As part of the three-year licensing pact, Sora will be able to generate short, user-prompted social videos that can be viewed and shared by fans, drawing from a library of more than 200 animated and creature characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, according to a statement from Disney on Thursday. The deal doesn’t cover any talent likenesses or voices. Molly Schuetz Bloomberg in the Los Angeles Times$ Ben Fritz and Joseph De Avila in the Wall Street Journal$ Brooks Barnes in the New York Times$ -- 12/11/25
Environment
Southern California mountain lions recommended for threatened status -- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended granting threatened species status to roughly 1,400 mountain lions roaming the Central Coast and Southern California, pointing to grave threats posed by freeways, rat poison and fierce wildfires. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/11/25
‘Pretty amazing’: Salmon seen in upper reaches of Russian River for first time in decades -- Coho salmon have pushed more than 90 miles up California’s Russian River, reaching the watershed’s upper basin for the first time in more than three decades — the latest of many recent milestones for the endangered fish. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/11/25
Education
UC Berkeley agrees to rehire and pay $60K to Israeli professor -- UC Berkeley has agreed to pay $60,000 to a former professor and dance researcher and rehire her to settle a lawsuit that said she was denied a new teaching position because she is from Israel. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/11/25
Rural California gets a lifeline in school funding as Congress restores money it cut -- The Secure Rural Schools Act, which Congress passed overwhelmingly this week, is headed to President Donald Trump for final approval. It would bring $471 million for schools, roads, fire prevention, public safety and other critical needs. In California, 39 counties would share more than $40 million. Carolyn Jones Calmatters -- 12/11/25
Student loans crisis looms as Biden-era payment pause nears end, UC report warns -- A new analysis from the University of California’s nonpartisan California Policy Lab shows the majority of student loans in the U.S. are not actively being repaid, and one in four loans that are being paid are in delinquency. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/11/25
Street
40,000 people died on California roads. State leaders looked away -- Over the past decade, nearly 40,000 people have died and more than 2 million have been injured on California roads. As an ongoing CalMatters investigation has shown this year, time and again those crashes were caused by repeat drunk drivers, chronic speeders and motorists with well-documented histories of recklessness behind the wheel. Robert Lewis and Lauren Hepler Calmatters -- 12/11/25
Newton: Crime is down and kids are back, but drugs still plague Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park -- A walk through the park Monday morning found evidence of progress: most spaces were relatively clean and a couple young boys scurried around on the playground equipment, their watchful dads nearby. But there were also painful reminders of how far this area has to go. Jim Newton Calmatters -- 12/11/25
Roblox sued by Southern California families alleging children met predators on its platform -- Video gaming platform Roblox is facing more lawsuits from parents who allege the San Mateo, Calif., company isn’t doing enough to safeguard children from sexual predators. Queenie Wong in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/11/25
As California prisons face ‘wave’ of sex assault lawsuits, new audit highlights slow discipline -- A new report on discipline in California prisons highlights slow handling of several sex assault cases filed against officers. In lawsuits, women have accused 83 officers of sexual misconduct. Nigel Duara Calmatters -- 12/11/25
Also
Arellano: In Trump’s regime, Catholics are among the most powerful — and deported -- Tomorrow, it will be the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and She couldn’t come soon enough. 2025 will go down as one of the best and worst years ever to be a Catholic in the United States. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/11/25
Walters: Trump sides with agriculture again in California’s neverending water wars -- From the onset of his foray into presidential politics a decade ago, Donald Trump has been obsessed with managing California’s water, often interjecting himself into decades-long conflicts over how the precious commodity should be divvied up. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 12/11/25
TED Talks to be based in San Diego, bringing jobs and new venues -- Seeking to redefine its place in a changing media landscape, TED — the New York-based nonprofit behind the globally recognized TED Talks — is moving its flagship event to San Diego, potentially creating dozens of new jobs. Noelle Harff in the San Diego Union Tribune$ -- 12/11/25
POTUS 47
How a U.S. admiral decided to kill two boat strike survivors -- Ahead of the Sept. 2 mission, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given an order to U.S. forces to kill the passengers, sink the boat and destroy the drugs, three people familiar with the operation said. It appeared to Bradley that none of those objectives had been achieved, the admiral would later recount for lawmakers. Noah Robertson, Alex Horton and Ellen Nakashima in the Washington Post$ -- 12/11/25
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention -- A federal judge in Maryland ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from immigration detention on Thursday while his legal challenge against his deportation moves forward. Associated Press -- 12/11/25
Fed Chair Jerome Powell Says U.S. May Be Drastically Overstating Jobs Numbers -- The country could be losing 20,000 jobs a month, Powell said, a concern that was part of the decision to cut interest rates. Matt Grossman and Harriet Torry in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/11/25
Trump’s handling of the economy is at its lowest point in AP-NORC polling -- President Donald Trump’s approval on the economy and immigration have fallen substantially since March, according to a new AP-NORC poll, the latest indication that two signature issues that got him elected barely a year ago could be turning into liabilities as his party begins to gear up for the 2026 midterms. Linley Sanders and Will Weissert Associated Press -- 12/11/25
Trump’s ‘chilling’ social media snooping rule imperils World Cup, critics warn -- U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to require tourists to hand over their social media data ahead of next year’s World Cup generated outrage on Wednesday. Seb Starcevic and Ali Walker Politico Joseph De Avila and Michelle Hackman in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/11/25
U.S. Blueprint to Rewire Economies of Russia, Ukraine Sets Off Clash With Europe --U.S. peace proposals envision U.S. companies tapping a roughly $200 billion pool of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Joe Parkinson, Benoit Faucon and Drew Hinshaw in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/11/25
House passes defense bill, forcing Pentagon's hand on boat strike videos -- The agreement would withhold a quarter of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the Pentagon provides Congress with unedited videos of airstrikes against alleged drug smuggling boats. It also goes after Trump’s push away from European allies and demands a rationale when the Defense Department fires officials. Connor O'Brien Politico Noah Robertson in the Washington Post$ -- 12/11/25
Remember the Torture Memos? The Boat Strike Memos May Be Worse -- The Trump administration needs to release the legal analysis underpinning its controversial military campaign. Ankush Khardori Politico -- 12/11/25
US seizes Cuba-bound Venezuelan oil tanker, ramping up pressure on Maduro -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday that U.S. officials have seized a “very large” oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a major escalation of the administration’s months of efforts to punish the South American petrostate. Eric Bazail-Eimil and James Bikales Politico Shelby Holliday, Costas Paris and Collin Eaton in the Wall Street Journal$ Tyler Pager, Eric Schmitt and Nicholas Nehamas in the New York Times$ Samantha Schmidt, Matt Viser and Karen DeYoung in the Washington Post$ -- 12/11/25
Trump Administration Opens Applications for Million-Dollar Visas -- The Trump administration debuted a website on Wednesday that opens up applications for a “gold card,” an expedited visa that the federal government plans to provide to people who pay at least $1 million. Madeleine Ngo in the New York Times$ -- 12/11/25
Tariffs have cost U.S. households $1,200 each since Trump returned to the White House, Democrats say -- Using Treasury Department numbers on revenue from tariffs and Goldman Sachs estimates of who ends up paying for them, the Democrats’ report Thursday found that American consumers’ share of the bill came to nearly $159 billion — or $1,198 per household — from February through November. Paul Wiseman Associated Press -- 12/11/25
Trump still hasn’t endorsed a plan to avoid impending Obamacare hikes for millions -- The Senate will vote Thursday on a key Republican health care plan, but its fate is uncertain, and Trump still hasn't endorsed any specific proposals. Cheyenne Haslett and Alex Gangitano Politico -- 12/11/25
How voters really feel about affordability -- Trump brushes it off, but the evidence is piling up that Americans are unhappy with their economic situations. Amber Phillips in the Washington Post$ -- 12/11/25
California Policy and Politics Wednesday
Federal Reserve cuts key rate but signals higher bar for future reductions -- The Federal Reserve reduced its key interest rate for the third time in a row Wednesday but signaled that it may leave rates unchanged in the coming months, a move that could attract ire from President Donald Trump, who has demanded steep reductions to borrowing costs. Christopher Rugaber Associated Press -- 12/10/25
Trump must end National Guard deployment in L.A., judge rules -- A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump Administration must end the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. Federal judge Charles R. Breyer said in his ruling that the guard should be returned to the control of Gov. Gavin Newsom. Joseph Serna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
Californians are being detained by ICE despite being U.S. citizens. Will it keep happening? -- Cary Lopez Alvarado, a U.S. citizen, was nine months pregnant when, according to her lawyers, federal immigration agents seized her in June while she was standing outside a gate on private property in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne. They shoved her onto a parked truck and put shackles under her stomach, her lawyers said. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/25
This county just created the Bay Area’s first ‘ICE-free zone’ -- Santa Clara County supervisors on Tuesday passed an ordinance that will limit federal immigration officers from carrying out raids on municipal property — creating what was believed to be the Bay Area’s first official “ICE-free zone.” Jessica Flores in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/25
Huntington Beach loses challenge in federal court to state sanctuary -- A federal judge has dismissed Huntington Beach’s lawsuit against the state’s landmark sanctuary law, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Claire Wang in the Orange County Register$ -- 12/10/25
OpenAI files its first ballot measure on AI in California -- OpenAI is diving into California’s competitive world of ballot measure politics for the first time to counter another kids’ AI safety proposal with its own plan for reining in the very technology it develops. Tyler Katzenberger Politico -- 12/10/25
The Silicon Valley Campaign to Win Trump Over on AI Regulation -- At a November meeting in the Oval Office, Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang gave President Trump an ominous message: A patchwork of artificial-intelligence laws in states such as California threatened technology development in the U.S. Amrith Ramkumar, Natalie Andrews and Annie Linskey in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/10/25
This might be the defining issue in the race to succeed Nancy Pelosi -- State Sen. Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan stood side by side, smiling, as they cut a ceremonial red ribbon to mark the debut of a new affordable-housing complex on the west side of the city last month. J.D. Morris, Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/25
Top California budget adviser reflects on ‘daunting’ fiscal outlook -- Gabriel Petek, California’s Legislative Analyst, warned in a report last month that the state’s current $18 billion deficit is driven by structural spending imbalances that could balloon to $35 billion annually in the coming years. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/25
Walters: Cap and trade gets a new name and a new mission beyond cutting carbon pollution -- Nineteen years ago, during actor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s governorship, he and the Legislature created a program that would, in theory, reduce California’s emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases deemed to affect the planet’s climate. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 12/10/25
Workplace
Hollywood has already faced steep job cuts. The Warner deal could make it worse -- Industry workers fear that a consolidation between two major players in Hollywood could further decrease production and lead to the sweeping job cuts that typically occur after big corporate acquisitions. Many have pointed to the downsizing that followed Walt Disney Co.’s $71-billion purchase in 2019 of much of Rupert Murdoch’s Fox entertainment assets. Meg James and Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
CA auditor confirms unions’ concerns that contractors are taking state jobs -- Several state medical and correctional facilities in California failed to meet required staffing levels, a recent report from the California State Auditor found. The audit, which was pushed by state worker unions, confirmed labor groups’ concerns that departments are filling vacancies with contracted workers, instead of public employees. William Melhado in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/25
Intel trims more South Bay jobs as chip maker seeks to steady the ship -- The tech company revealed it cut 59 jobs, all in Santa Clara, where the company has its headquarters. The cuts took place on Nov. 30, but were posted to the state Employment Development Department website this week. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/10/25
California puts $5.5M toward helping inmate firefighters land jobs after release -- Ramey said the new funding would help his organization double the number of former inmates it moves through its program to about 200 people annually within the next three years. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/25
Education
UC Berkeley suspends pro-Palestinian lecturer over political advocacy in classroom -- UC Berkeley has suspended a lecturer and pro-Palestinian activist for political advocacy in the classroom, drawing criticism from Muslim rights advocates who have already declared the university a “hostile campus” for their allies. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/25
Congress approves an economic lifeline for rural schools in California and elsewhere -- Despite broad bipartisan support, the Secure Rural Schools Act, run by the U.S. Forest Service, expired in the fall of 2023, with final payments made in 2024. School budgets are largely supported by property taxes. The Secure Rural Schools Act aids districts surrounded by untaxed federal land. On Tuesday, the U.S. House overwhelmingly voted to extend the program through 2027. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
California schools inch closer to rescuing mental health funds slashed by Trump -- California school districts were bracing for their mental health grants to be cut at the end of the month, but a recent court ruling could force the Trump administration to temporarily release the remaining funds used for school social workers and counselors. Vani Sanganeria EdSource -- 12/10/25
Hunger is squeezing California students — and it could get worse -- Three in 10 Californians say they or someone in their home has cut back on food to save money. Nearly 3 in 4 California families with a child under 6 say they have struggled with one or more basic needs, such as utilities, housing, food, health care and child care. Emma Gallegos EdSource -- 12/10/25
Housing
After California lawsuits, Trump administration pauses plan to divert billions of dollars from homeless housing -- The Trump administration has temporarily paused a plan to divert billions of dollars in homelessness spending away from permanent housing, a move that critics of the plan, including a Silicon Valley congressman, said is a win for local efforts to fight homelessness and prevent formerly unhoused Californians from being forced back to the street. Ethan Varian in the San Jose Mercury$ Jason DeParle in the New York Times$ -- 12/10/25
S.F. housing nonprofit fund hits $100 million, promising faster and cheaper affordable homes -- The nonprofit that has a proven track record of using creative approaches to lower the cost of affordable residential construction, has raised another $50 million for its Bay Area Housing Innovation Fund, bringing total investment to $100 million. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/25
L.A. City Council passes ordinance to streamline affordable housing -- During her first week in office three years ago, Mayor Karen Bass issued a sweeping directive to speed up affordable housing applications. Now, that plan is permanent. Jack Flemming in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
How to make San Diego more affordable? Mayor Gloria is betting on this kind of housing -- San Diego is launching an effort to make its pricey single-family neighborhoods more affordable to young families by rezoning some properties to allow duplexes, cottages, townhomes and bungalow courts. David Garrick in the San Diego Union Tribune$ -- 12/10/25
Insurance
Home insurance costs are up 150% in one part of California. This map shows premiums by county -- Mariposa County had the highest insurance costs in California last year, at a median of about $3,700. That was more than double the 2014 premium, reflecting the seventh-fastest surge among the U.S. counties in the paper’s data. Christian Leonard, Sriharsha Devulapalli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/25
Environment
California wildlife officials quietly shift on killing a high-profile predator -- In a move that reverses nearly a decade of practice, California wildlife officials have quietly begun to allow killing mountain lions in order to protect another iconic native — bighorn sheep. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
Street
Stockton mass shooting update: Masked gunmen fired at least 50 rounds from multiple firearms, sheriff says -- Masked men who attacked a crowded banquet hall in Stockton last month fire at least 50 rounds from multiple firearms, sheriff’s officials said. Sheriff warns that it could take weeks to identify the motive and the gunmen in the crime. Salvador Hernandez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
Also
Woman delivers baby in Waymo robotaxi en route to San Francisco hospital -- A Waymo spokesperson said the company’s remote Rider Support team detected “unusual activity” in the vehicle during the trip and called the passenger to check on her. Staff also contacted 911, the company said, but the robotaxi reached the hospital before emergency responders. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/25
The battle for street parking in L.A.: One man wages war through TikTok requests -- In Los Angeles, the battle for public parking spaces has been likened to a blood sport. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
Muni tax: Some Boomer homeowners get exemptions. But what about Gen Z renters? -- Roughly a third of homeowners in San Francisco could be exempt from a parcel tax to save Muni, owing to a provision that spares seniors from having to pay. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/25
Lopez: Affordability is a hoax? An offer to Trump from a free lunch program: ‘Travel with me’ -- Frank McRae, a retiree who lives in Koreatown, did not hesitate when I asked what he’d say to President Trump about his claim last week that the affordability crisis is a hoax. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
POTUS 47
New poll paints a grim picture of a nation under financial strain -- Nearly half of Americans said they find groceries, utility bills, health care, housing and transportation difficult to afford, according to The Politico Poll conducted last month by Public First. Erin Doherty Politico -- 12/10/25
Trump’s speech on combating inflation turns to grievances about immigrants from ‘filthy’ countries -- At a Pennsylvania rally meant to focus on inflation, Trump repeatedly attacked immigrants from ‘filthy’ countries and questioned why the U.S. doesn’t accept Scandinavian immigrants. Josh Boak and Marc Levy in the Los Angeles Times$ Chris Cameron in the New York Times$ Matt Viser in the Washington Post$David E. Sanger in the New York Times$ -- 12/10/25
Supreme Court poised to strike down Watergate-era campaign finance limits -- Supreme Court conservatives signaled Tuesday that they will probably strike down limits on money political parties can raise to support candidates. The ruling would enable parties to accept unlimited contributions from wealthy donors in what critics say would increase corruption risks. David G. Savage in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/25
Did the Trump administration violate the law by pushing redistricting? -- Sen. Alex Padilla Tuesday urged the federal government’s independent special counsel to more aggressively investigate whether the Trump administration violated the law by pressing Republican state officials to redraw congressional boundaries to help the GOP. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/25
Legal Groups Sue Justice Dept. for Secret Memo Justifying Boat Strikes -- “The public deserves to know how the Trump administration has justified the outright murder of civilians as lawful,” the organizations said in their lawsuit. Jonah E. Bromwich in the New York Times$ -- 12/10/25
House panel plans to end its boat strike probe, GOP chair says -- The abrupt announcement casts doubt on what has been perhaps the most muscular oversight effort from Congress during Pete Hegseth’s tenure as secretary of defense. Noah Robertson, Dan Lamothe and Tara Copp in the Washington Post$ -- 12/10/25
Asserting a Personal Role in Warner Bros. Battle, Trump Seeks to Expand His Powers Again -- The move comes as the Supreme Court also appears poised to put antitrust enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission under his control. Charlie Savage in the New York Times$ -- 12/10/25
A Scientific Pipeline to the Nobel Prize Fueled by Immigrants -- As three immigrants claim Nobel Prizes in science for the United States this year, experts warn that immigration crackdowns could undo American innovation. William J. Broad in the New York Times$ -- 12/10/25
DHS inks contract to create its own fleet of Boeing 737s for deportations -- The agency will spend nearly $140 million to buy the planes, funding that comes from a massive budget increase for immigration enforcement approved by Congress. Marianne LeVine and Jacob Bogage in the Washington Post$ -- 12/10/25
‘Come North!’ Canada Makes Play for H-1B Visa Holders With New Talent Drive -- The government says it will fast-track immigration for U.S. H-1B visa holders and spend more than $1 billion to attract researchers from the United States and the rest of the world. Matina Stevis-Gridneff in the New York Times$ -- 12/10/25
GOP moves to let Obamacare subsidies expire as Trump promises ‘money to the people’ -- Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are moving decisively away from extending key Obamacare tax credits that help more than 20 million Americans pay for health insurance — following direct cues from President Donald Trump while also stoking ire among many in the GOP who fear severe political repercussions. Meredith Lee Hill and Benjamin Guggenheim Politico -- 12/10/25