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Sunday, feb 16
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Donald Trump
Politics
White House Valentine's Day Post Playing Off 'Roses Are Red' Poem Sparks Controversy
A Valentine’s Day post from the White House social media accounts sparked controversy after featuring a rhyme about illegal immigration, drawing sharp reactions from both supporters and critics. The post, shared across X, Instagram, and Facebook, reimagined the classic "roses are red, violets are blue" poem with a political twist: "Roses are red, violets are blue, come here illegally, and we’ll deport you." Set against a pink backdrop, the poem was accompanied by images of President Donald Trump and border czar Tom Homan, with the caption “Happy Valentine’s Day” followed by a red heart emo…
Business
Retail Spending Slips As Inflation Climbs In January, Adding To Economic Concerns
After a solid holiday season, US retail sales took a surprising step back to start 2025, snapping a streak of growth and fueling worries about the economy. Retail and food services sales fell 0.9 percent in January, according to Census Bureau data released on Friday, Feb. 14. The decline reversed the trend from December 2024's revised increase of 0.7 percent, signaling that consumers may be feeling the squeeze from rising prices. Economists had predicted only a slight decline, with Dow Jones estimating a 0.2 percent drop, NBC News reported. The sales totals were seasonally adjusted but…
News
Petition Making Waves to Rename Long Island Sound In Connecticut's Honor
Shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America on US maps, a new petition is calling to rename the Long Island Sound to reflect Connecticut’s contributions to pizza. A Change.org petition asks lawmakers to rename the Long Island Sound as the Gulf of Connecticut. "America has long ignored the greatness of CONNECTICUT! Such as being the pizza capital of the WORLD!!!" the Change.org petition reads. The joke petition had nearly 500 signatures by Thursday evening, Feb. 13. Gov. Ned Lamont also took a shot at Trump’s president…
Politics
Poll Shows Shift In Trump's Popularity, Especially Among This Group Of Americans
President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have taken a noticeable dip, according to a new —and one demographic shift stands out. The poll, conducted from Sunday, Feb. 9 to Tuesday, Feb. 11 by Economist/YouGov, found that more Americans now disapprove of Trump (48 percent) than approve (46 percent), marking a reversal from previous weeks. His personal favorability has also declined, with 52 percent of respondents viewing him unfavorably, compared to 46 percent who see him favorably. Biggest Decline Among Younger Adults The most striking shift in Trump’s standing comes from younger ad…
Business
Inflation Climbs To Start 2025, Fueled By Dramatic Egg Price Jump, Fears Over Trump Policies
Inflation unexpectedly accelerated in the first month of 2025, adding political and economic pressure to President Donald Trump's campaign promise of immediate relief to high consumer prices. In January, overall inflation climbed 3.3 percent year-over-year for core items and 0.5 percent monthly, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released on Wednesday, Feb. 12. That ran slightly ahead of economists' prediction of 3.2 percent inflation, NBC News reported. Core items exclude notably volatile prices for food and energy. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) still inc…
Politics
Another American Hostage To Be Freed Following Teacher's Return From Russia, US Envoy Says
One day after Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel returned home from Russian imprisonment, another American hostage is expected to be freed, President Trump’s special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, told Fox News. The unnamed hostage is expected to be released on Wednesday, Feb. 12, Boehler, an Albany native and UPenn graduate, said during an interview with Sean Hannity on Tuesday evening, Feb. 11. “It’s another in a stream of hostages. It’ll be unilateral as well. And I can’t release [the person’s name] until the person’s released, obviously it could endanger the hostage release and that I c…
News
Gulf Of America Name Change Activated By Google Maps, FAA
The Gulf of America, the area that has been known for centuries as the Gulf of Mexico, is now being used by the US government and some online platforms. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Google Maps have implemented the controversial name change. The shift follows an official update by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and was reinforced by a proclamation from President Donald Trump, who on Sunday, Feb. 9, declared the date as the first-ever Gulf of America Day. The announcement came directly from US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who posted on social m…
Politics
Trump Wants US Treasury To Stop Making Pennies: Here's Why
President Donald Trump is calling for an end to the production of pennies, arguing that the cost of minting them far exceeds their actual value. As he departed the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday night, Trump took to Truth Social to announce his directive to halt penny production, calling it a "wasteful" government expense. "For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents," Trump wrote. "Let's rip the waste out of our great nations budget, even if it's a penny at a time." The financial burden of the penny has long been debated. Acco…
Sports
Eagles Seek Revenge, Kendrick Ignites Halftime, Free Stream Offered: Your Super Bowl LIX Guide
America's biggest unofficial holiday is here and Super Bowl Sunday offers so much beyond what happens on the field inside the Caesars Superdome. The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. This showdown is a rematch of the NFL's 2023 championship game when the Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35 at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs have been slight betting favorites at -1.5 on most sportsbooks since the matchup was finalized. That's a reversal from when they were about two-point underdogs in Super B…
Politics
Judge Blocks Trump Birthright Citizenship Ban
A federal judge has issued an indefinite nationwide preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, marking a significant legal setback for the administration. US District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland ruled Wednesday, Feb. 5, in favor of five pregnant undocumented women who challenged Trump’s executive order. The policy aimed to redefine the 14th Amendment, excluding children of undocumented immigrants from receiving automatic US citizenship at birth. Boardman determined the order directly conflicts with the "plai…
Politics
Trump Wants To Shut Education Department: Here's Why, What It Means
President Donald Trump says he's considering an executive order to dismantle the functions of the US Department of Education, aiming to eventually abolish the agency. This move aligns with his administration's broader strategy to decrease the federal government's size and return control of education policy to the states. The proposed executive order would maintain only those functions required by statute within the department, while other programs would be transferred to different agencies. An agency can't be abolished without Congressional approval. This reflects Trump's campaign pr…
Business
Proposed 25% US Tariff On Canadian Goods Will Be Paused After Earlier Deal With Mexico
Just hours after a similar agreement was reached with Mexico, the United States has agreed to paused planned tariffs on Canadian goods for 30 days. The deal was reached late Monday afternoon, Feb. 3 after President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded their second conversation of the day. "I just had a good call with President Trump," Trudeau said in a statement announcing that Canada is implementing a $1.3 billion border plan "reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increase…
Business
US, Mexico Reach Deal To Delay 25% Tariffs
Mexico and the US have reached an agreement to delay steep tariffs that were set to take effect on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Click here for a new, updated story: Proposed 25% US Tariff On Canadian Goods Will Be Paused After Earlier Deal With Mexico Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the deal Monday morning, Feb 3. It will pause the 25 percent levies for a month, and follows negotiations between Mexican officials and the Trump administration on border security and drug trafficking. Mexico committed to deploy 10,000 troops dedicated to stopping illegal drugs and migrants from…
Sports
Canadian Hockey Fans Boo US National Anthem After Tariffs Ordered
In a striking display of discontent, Canadian hockey fans booed the US national anthem during NHL games, expressing their displeasure hours after President Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs on Canadian goods went into effect on Saturday, Feb. 1. This reaction underscores the growing tension between the two neighboring countries. At the Ottawa Senators game against the visiting Minnesota Wild, fans jeered during "The Star-Spangled Banner," signaling their frustration with the US administration's trade policies. Similarly, in Calgary, spectators at a Flames game against the De…
Business
Trump Tariffs Take Effect: Expect To Pay More For These Items, Experts Say
US tariffs on goods from its three largest trading partners -- neighboring nations Canada and Mexico as well as China -- have gone into effect after President Trump signed an order late Saturday afternoon, Feb. 1. Canada and Mexico have been slapped with 25 percent tariffs. The rate for China, America's main economic rival, is 10 percent. Canada also has an adjusted 10 percent rate for energy products, include crude oil. Mexico and Canada account for about 70 percent of US crude oil imports. Now, many economists are warning that American consumers will be paying more for a host of staple i…
Politics
Elon Musk Lieutenants Given Access To US Treasury Department’s Payments System: Report
Representatives from a team led by billionaire businessman and political activist Elon Musk have been granted access to the US Treasury Department’s payments system, a move that could significantly impact federal spending oversight, according to a new report. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent authorized the change late Friday, Jan. 31, giving Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team access to the federal payment system, which manages disbursements for the entire US government, The New York Times says. The decision follows a standoff with David Lebryk, a longtime Treasury …
Business
Trump Vows To Hit Canada, Mexico, China With Tariffs: Here's When, How Much
Donald Trump's months-long threats of implementing tariffs on other countries are apparently hours away from becoming a reality. Click here for a new, updated story - Trump Tariffs Take Effect: Expect To Pay More For These Items, Experts Say White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced at a news conference Friday afternoon, Jan. 31 that both of America's neighbors, Canada and Mexico, will be slapped with 25 percent tariffs on goods. A third nation, China, America's main economic rival, will be hit with 10 percent tariffs. They take effect on Saturday, Feb. 1, and are "for …
Politics
Trump To Federal Workers: Remove Pronouns On Email Signatures
Federal employees across multiple agencies have been directed to remove pronouns from their email signatures. The move stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump seeking to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government, according to internal memos obtained by ABC News. It's also part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to dismantle DEI initiatives in federal agencies. The directive takes effect at the end of the business day Friday, Jan. 31. The measure has sparked concerns among workplace advocates, with som…
Police & Fire
Everywhere ICE Agents Have Been Spotted In CT; What To Know About Raids, Your Rights
As President Donald Trump pushes ahead with his controversial initiative to detain and deport millions of migrants, people across Connecticut have begun reporting on social media where they’ve spotted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. ICE agents have spread out nationwide, arresting more than 5,500 people in the first week of Trump’s presidency, according to ABC News — nearly tripling the number of arrests in an average week during Joe Biden’s term. NBC News reported the agency has a daily quota of 1,250 to 1,500 arrests. However, tracking these arrests and detain…
News
Fed Pauses Interest Rate Cuts Despite Trump's Push For Immediate Reduction
The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate in place, pausing further cuts and ignoring a demand by President Donald Trump to immediately drop rates. After three months of reductions, the Fed decided to keep the key interest rate target at 4.25 to 4.5 percent. The Fed announced the decision on Wednesday, Jan. 29, after its first meeting since President Trump returned to the White House. Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed is monitoring inflation and economic stability under the Trump administration. "We remain committed to supporting maximum employment, bringing inflation sustain…
Politics
Trump Calls For End To Income Tax, Offers Buyouts To 2 Million Federal Employees
President Donald Trump is calling for the elimination of federal income tax, advocating for a shift to a tariff-based revenue system. He argues that this approach, which he says previously made the US “richer” and a more “powerful” economy, would mark a pivotal turning point for the nation. "America is going to be very rich again, and it's going to happen very quickly," Trump said during a speech in Florida on Monday, Jan. 27 at the 2025 Republican Issues Conference at the Trump National Doral Miami. "Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich foreign nations, we should be tariffing an…
News
Trump Clears Air On Mystery Drones In CT Skies: 'Not The Enemy'
After months of speculation and sky-high conspiracy theories, the mystery around those mysterious drones has finally been grounded. Sort of. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt relayed a message “directly” from President Donald Trump during her first press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 28, addressing the drones that have been seen over the tri-state since late last year. “After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for research and various other reasons,” Leavitt quoted Trump as sayi…
Business
Arabica Coffee Prices Spike Amid Colombia-US Tariff Dustup
Prices of Arabica coffee hit record highs in the aftermath of threats of tariffs by both the United States and Colombia after a dispute involving migrant deportation flights. Arabica futures hit a record of $3.56 in the Intercontinental Exchange on Monday, Jan. 27, a day after the back-and-forth dustup a day earlier, according to The Wall Street Journal. The previous record of $3.48 was recorded in early December. The US imports about 30 percent of its coffee from Colombia. Colombia agreed to accept the flights after earlier turning back two planes. This prompted President Donald Trump to…
Politics
Trump Justice Department To Investigate January 6 Prosecutors
The Trump administration will investigate prosecutors who oversaw the criminal cases against Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack defendants, according to a brand-new report. Earlier report - Trump Ends All Jan. 6 Cases With Pardons, Dismissals, Commutations, Signs Flurry Of Orders Calling the probe a "special project," Ed Martin, the acting US Attorney for Washington, DC, asked prosecutors to turn over notes, documents, files emails and other information related to the cases in an email on Monday, Jan. 27, the Wall Street Journal reports. Hours after being sworn in to a second non-consecuti…
Politics
Colombia Agrees To Accept Migrant Deportation Flights After Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs
Colombia, one of the United States' key allies in Latin America, has agreed to accept migrant deportation flights after earlier turning back two planes, prompting President Donald Trump to threaten steep sanctions. Trump said Sunday afternoon, Jan. 26 that he would impose "emergency" 25-percent tariffs on Colombian goods after it blocked the flights. But negotiations between the countries led to an agreement late Sunday night and Trump withdrew the tariff threats. “The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all undocume…
Politics
Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs After Colombia Turns Back Flights Carrying Migrants From US
President Donald Trump says he will impose 25 percent "emergency" tariffs on Colombian goods after the key South American ally refused to allow two two flights from the US carrying migrants to land. Click here for a new, updated story - Colombia Agrees To Accept Migrant Deportation Flights After Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs "The US cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals," Colombia President Gustavo Petro said in a statement on Sunday, Jan. 26. "I deny the entry of American planes with Colombian migrants into our territory. "The US must establish a protocol for the dignifie…
Politics
Trump Pulls Dr. Anthony Fauci's Security Detail
The taxpayer-funded security detail assigned to Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the government's main spokespersons during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been pulled by President Donald Trump. The 84-year-old Fauci, the former National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious diseases director, served as one of the lead members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force under Trump, who often publicly criticized his advice. Earlier in the week, Trump pulled security for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ex-National Security Advisor John Bolton, both of whom face assassination threats tied to …
Politics
Trump Orders JFK, RFK, MLK Secret Assassination Files To Be Released
The declassification and release of all remaining federal records related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been ordered to be released by President Trump, who called it “long overdue” and in the public interest. The executive order, issued on Thursday, Jan. 23, mandates the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to present plans for the release of these secret records. Files concerning the JFK assassination on Nov. 22 1963 are to be addressed within 15 days, while records related …
News
Mystery Drones Over NJ? Trump Says 'I Just Got Here! But Promises Answers
Since November, New Jersey skies have been abuzz with mystery drones. And now President Donald Trump promises answers. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump addressed the peculiar sightings, including reports of drones flying over his Bedminster golf club, calling the activity “interesting” and vowing to get to the bottom of it. "In fact, I’d like to know because I just got here. I just came here. I would like to find out what it is and tell the people," he said Monday, Jan. 20 after an inquiry from a reporter. "In fact, I’d like to do that. Can we find out what that was, Susie? OK? W…
Politics
At Least 13 From CT Pardoned By Trump For Jan. 6 Capitol Attack
As he promised, President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of or pardoned some 1,500 people who took part in the riots at the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. While the riots caused consternation and fear throughout the nation's political infrastructure, Trump has maintained that those in prison or on trial were political prisoners and "hostages," targeted by former President Joe Biden's Justice Department. “What they’ve done to these people is outrageous,” Trump said as he signed a flurry of executive orders in the Oval Office on Monday, Jan. 20, hours after being inaugurated, acc…
Politics
ICE Enforcement Allowed At Schools, Churches Under New Trump Policy
Federal immigration authorities now have the ability to arrest individuals in and around schools and churches — areas previously considered sensitive. This new policy change involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, announced on the second day of the new Trump Administration on Tuesday, Jan/ 21 by Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman and represents a significant shift from long-standing guidelines. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest," Huffman said in a statement. "The Trump Administration …
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