MORNING NEWS UPDATE: DECEMBER 13, 2025
- Measles Outbreak and Quarantines: Hundreds quarantined in South Carolina amid rapidly spreading measles in unvaccinated communities; concerns rise over vaccine policies under new administration.
- Immigration and Deportation Cases: Ongoing trials and releases involving alleged MS-13 members and mistaken deportations; federal jury deliberates on judge accused of obstructing ICE arrest.
- Tragic Local Incidents: Family of 6-year-old killed in go-kart crash sues Florida adventure park, alleging inoperable seatbelts; separate reports of child deaths in storms.
- Military and Defense Concerns: U.S. personnel raise legal concerns over involvement in strikes on suspected drug boats; House passes $901 billion defense bill.
Affordable Care Act Subsidy Expiration Looms: Enrollees in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are expressing deep concern over the upcoming expiration of government-sponsored health subsidies, which is predicted to result in higher costs and worse coverage for many families.
AP Poll Highlights Consumer Strain: A new AP-NORC poll finds that a large share of American shoppers are feeling financial strain this holiday season, dipping into savings and looking for bargains due to persistent high prices for groceries, electricity, and gifts.
Fossil Fuel Execs Deny Wrongdoing Amid Calls for Investigation: Two fossil fuel executives with close ties to the Trump administration are denying any wrongdoing following a report on a significant share-buying spree that occurred days after a meeting with senior White House officials, a matter for which top Democrats are now calling for a formal investigation.
- Redistricting Battles: Indiana Republicans defy President Trump by rejecting gerrymandered congressional map demands.
- Healthcare and Subsidies: House Republicans unveil plan to address rising insurance costs and extend ACA subsidies; debates over expiring Obamacare tax credits.
- Economic Messaging: Trump emphasizes strong economy amid voter concerns over affordability; critiques of rising costs persist.
- Retribution Efforts: Justice Department fails to indict New York AG Letitia James, seen as blow to Trump's political rival targeting.
- Immigration Policies: New requirements for foreign visitors to provide social media history; pauses on asylum applications continue.
Trump Issues Executive Order Banning State AI Laws: President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order that aims to ban states from creating "cumbersome" regulations around artificial intelligence.
The order specifically singles out Colorado's first-in-the-nation AI law as an example of over-regulation. National Education Association (NEA) Criticizes AI Order: The NEA President, Becky Pringle, issued a statement strongly criticizing the President's executive order on AI, warning it is a "dangerous" move that could deepen inequities and is an attempt to override state and local authority in favor of "Big Tech."
Democrats Call for Investigation into Trump Allies' Stock Trades: Senior Democrats, including Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Chris Van Hollen, are calling for an investigation into the share-buying spree by executives of a liquefied natural gas company, alleging potential corruption and "pay-to-play schemes" within the Trump administration.
- Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Massive Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine; U.S.-led peace talks ongoing amid power outages and casualties.
- Thailand-Cambodia Border Fighting: Deadly clashes continue despite claimed ceasefire; Thailand dissolves parliament for new elections.
- Venezuela Tensions: U.S. seizes oil tanker, escalates sanctions; threats of regime change and military actions.
- Gaza and Middle East: Deaths from winter storms in Gaza amid ceasefire violations; IDF targets Hamas commanders.
- Syria Anniversary: Syrians mark one year since toppling Assad regime, celebrating lifted sanctions.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Peace Talks: At least two people were killed in a drone attack in Russia's Saratov region, while Russia launched new drone and missile strikes on Ukraine's energy and port infrastructure.
This escalation comes as U.S.-led peace talks to end the war continue, with a major obstacle remaining over the status of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. Deep Concerns Over Israeli Raids in Occupied West Bank: The UN human rights office has expressed alarm over intense Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank, as well as reports of a new "settler road" being built on confiscated Palestinian land.
The UN is calling for an end to unlawful demolitions and settler violence. US Security Policy Forces Choice on Taiwan/China: Taiwan's Foreign Minister stated that the updated U.S. national security policy is forcing Latin American and Caribbean countries to choose sides between Taipei and Beijing, arguing that Taiwan is a better choice for "coprosperity."
Displaced Civilian Numbers Rising in Cambodia: The number of Cambodians internally displaced by border conflict in the northern part of the country has reached nearly 300,000, with 11 casualties reported since tensions flared on December 7th. Foreign nationals are advised to avoid travel to the affected areas.
- Higher Education Challenges: University leaders discuss job placement struggles for graduates amid ideological and financial pressures on campuses.
- Conferences and Innovations: Events like IEEE conferences and HPC/AI summits hosted; new labs and collaborations inaugurated.
- Policy and Reforms: Discussions on civics education tours; releases of test questions and reports from state departments.
- Philanthropy and Access: Focus on scholarships and programs supporting girls' education and global partnerships.
NEA's Opposition to Federal AI Executive Order: The National Education Association (NEA) President issued a statement condemning President Trump's executive order blocking state-level AI regulation, arguing that decisions about AI must prioritize students' and educators' well-being over corporate interests.
Student Robotics Team Wins Award and Advances: A team of student roboticists, the "Wolf Pack Bots" from the University of Nevada, Reno, won the Innovation Award at a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) qualifier for their children's book about Great Basin archaeology and have advanced to the FLL Championship.
- Federal Reserve Actions: Third quarter-point interest rate cut; projections reset amid tariff impacts and slower growth forecasts.
- Inflation and Markets: Services inflation accelerates in Europe; U.S. markets rotate to old-economy stocks post-Oracle results.
- Global Outlook: Projections for 1.9% U.S. GDP growth in 2025; concerns over deficits, debt interest costs exceeding defense spending.
- Venture Funding: AI and climate tech dominate largest rounds; resilient IPO activity despite challenges.
echnology Stock Selloff Pulls Wall Street Down: Major technology stocks, particularly those related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) like Broadcom and Nvidia, experienced significant drops, pulling the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq composite down from their recent record highs.
Consumer Sentiment Low Ahead of Holidays: An AP-NORC poll suggests that a large percentage of Americans feel the economy is "poor" and are feeling strained by high prices, leading many to cut back on holiday spending.
Federal AI Regulation Conflict: The White House's new executive order to block states from creating their own AI-regulation laws has been a major technology story, setting up a potential legal battle with states like Colorado.
Companies Crack Down on Employee Social Media: There are reports of companies adjusting policies and increasing monitoring of workers' online conduct following recent fervor over employee social media posts.
- AI Competition: OpenAI releases new tech to counter Google's advances; intense rivalry in foundation models and infrastructure.
- Investments and Spending: Oracle stock plunges on massive AI outlays; AI startups capture majority of digital health funding.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: Concerns over chipmaking tools from China-linked firms; privacy bills for health data from wearables.
- Fast Charging Advances: New devices support quicker charging; broader adoption in smartphones and tablets.
- Norovirus Surge: Ultra-contagious variant drives outbreaks; hand sanitizer ineffective against stomach bug.
- Flu Season Concerns: Mutated H3N2 strain spreading globally; potential vaccine mismatch warnings.
- Vaccine and Outbreak Issues: Measles spreads in unvaccinated areas; debates over childhood schedules and science under RFK Jr. influence.
- Research Breakthroughs: Discoveries in protein-RNA interactions for fibrosis treatment; benefits of polyphenols for heart health.
- Health Subsidies Expiration Poses Challenge for ACA Enrollees: A major health story is the impending loss of government-sponsored health subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will drastically increase the cost of insurance for many Americans next year.
- College Football Bowls: 2025-26 bowl season underway, including major matchups like Citrus Bowl.
- Soccer Highlights: Inter Miami wins first MLS Cup; Lionel Messi arrives in India for tour amid fan frenzy.
- Cricket Updates: Youth Asia Cup and SEA Games T20 action; high scores and debut records.
- Other Events: Tennis integrity fines; preparations for 2026 World Cup with expanded format.
FCS Playoff Football Matchup: The Illinois State Redbirds are set to meet the UC Davis Aggies in the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs today, marking the second straight season the teams have met in the postseason.
AHL Hockey Game Preview: The Hershey Bears are scheduled to host the Charlotte Checkers in an AHL hockey game tonight at the GIANT Center.
