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As we speak’s prime tales
President Trump travels to Mount Pocono, Pa., as we speak to debate his administration’s efforts to handle a prime concern for voters: affordability. Yesterday on the White Home, the president previewed his speaking factors, stating, “Democrats triggered the affordability downside.” He additionally stated that his administration is working to repair it. Current polls present voters blame the president’s insurance policies for prime costs.
President Trump participates in a roundtable dialogue with farmers within the Cupboard Room of the White Home on Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington, DC.
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Alex Wong/Getty Pictures
🎧 The president will ramp up home journey to pitch his insurance policies to the American folks late this yr into subsequent yr, a senior White Home official, unauthorized to talk publicly, tells NPR’s Tamara Keith. The official additionally stated that the president will stability discussing the administration’s perceived financial successes with acknowledging that extra work stays. It isn’t but recognized if the president will pair his messaging with new insurance policies. In latest weeks, many officers have requested for endurance, saying it’s going to take time for Trump’s insurance policies to have an effect on the financial system.➡️ Trump introduced a $12 billion bailout for farmers harm by his tariffs. The administration frames the fee as bridge cash till the president’s commerce offers repay, which acknowledges financial ache factors.
The Supreme Court docket’s conservative majority seems poised to grant Trump a big win after yesterday’s arguments. The case facilities on whether or not the president ought to have the authority to fireside members of impartial companies, such because the Federal Reserve and Federal Commerce Fee. At the moment, the regulation restricts the president’s capability to dismiss these members and solely permits him to fireside them for specified causes like malfeasance or neglect of obligation.
🎧 The conservative justices seemed to be involved that the separation of powers has turn out to be murky, NPR’s Andrea Hsu tells Up First. Either side of the argument agreed that impartial companies don’t solely operate as a part of the chief department as a result of their board members and commissioners additionally make guidelines and resolve instances. The selections they make affect the American folks. Solicitor Common D. John Sauer, who represents the Trump administration, argued that this lack of accountability to the president causes an issue. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the administration’s request would destroy the construction of presidency and take away from Congress the idea that some companies are higher off impartial.
Indiana state senators will convene a particular session this week to vote on new political maps. These maps may assist Republicans seize all 9 of Indiana’s congressional seats. That is the most recent in an unprecedented wave of mid-cycle redistricting introduced on by the president’s calls for to spice up his get together’s probabilities in subsequent yr’s midterms.
🎧 Indiana is very notable as a result of it’s not recognized what may occur with the vote, NPR’s Sam Gringlas says. The state is at present represented by seven Republicans and two Democrats, which suggests if the brand new political maps move, Republicans may wipe Democrats from the state’s delegation. Many Republican leaders within the state have heard from their constituents that they do not need the brand new map to move. Leon Bates, who was outdoors of the state Capitol with a whole bunch of individuals chanting, advised Gringlas {that a} new map would chop up his predominantly Black group.
Life recommendation

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The times are dwindling all the way down to get the most effective vacation present on your family members. As you store, you have seemingly encountered engaging gives like “further 20% off” or “final likelihood offers.” These are a number of the advertising strategies that retailers use to get you to spend extra, however are they really good offers? Life Equipment spoke with consultants to study extra about these techniques and supply tips about tips on how to outsmart the gimmicks:
🛍️ Retailers usually use a way of urgency with phrases like “purchase now” to hurry shopping for choices. Keep in mind that corporations consistently produce merchandise, and also you may discover a higher deal.🛍️ When a price ticket shows an merchandise’s “authentic worth,” focus as a substitute on the precise worth of the merchandise. Assess whether or not you suppose the precise worth listed is an effective deal.🛍️ Retailers could hike costs earlier than busy seasons after which provide steep reductions. Get round this by doing a worth comparability and in search of historic pricing knowledge on-line.
For tips about tips on how to keep away from advertising tips this vacation season, take heed to this episode of NPR’s Life Equipment. Subscribe to the Life Equipment publication for knowledgeable recommendation on love, cash, relationships and extra.
Image present

The Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, 1575, by Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) is usually thought-about the world’s first atlas. The library has two copies.
Greta Rybus/for NPR
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Greta Rybus/for NPR
A bodily map gives a particular expertise {that a} telephone or a automotive’s GPS can not replicate. When unfold out, a map gives a strong sense of scale and site. It might probably trace on the pleasure of distant locations and serves as a reminder that we’re only a small a part of an enormous world with a wealthy historical past. College students can uncover this angle on the Osher Map Library and Smith Heart for Cartographic Schooling, on the College of Southern Maine in Portland. On the heart, college students can discover maps and globes, together with fashionable ones and a few that date again a whole bunch of years, sourced from around the globe. Take a peek contained in the library that brings these maps to life.
3 issues to know earlier than you go

A screenshot of what ICEBlock seems like for iPhone customers.
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