Gridlock Over Obamacare Subsidies Keeps Government Shutdown

Federal operations remain partially shuttered after Congress failed to reach a budget deal by Thursday night, forcing thousands of government workers into furlough and suspending non-essential services nationwide. The standoff has intensified amid President Trump’s threat to urge GOP senators to eliminate the filibuster for this bill, prompting pushback from the Senate GOP leadership, which has vowed to protect the filibuster

Senate Democrats seek renewal of enhanced Obamacare subsidies, a central sticking point in talks. Republicans criticize the cost of those subsidies, which they say benefit largely wealthier people. With both sides entrenched, critical deadlines for federal agencies and assistance programs loom for next week, though two federal judges ruled today that the USDA must use $5-6 billion in contingency funds to fund the SNAP program. The Trump administration has signaled openness to using those funds, asking for guidance from the court.

As of Friday, informal negotiations remain in progress as the Senate remains in recess until Monday.

 

Trump Administration May Be Eyeing Venezuela Military Targets

The United States is reportedly poised to launch military strikes against Venezuelan targets, aiming to pressure President Nicolas Maduro’s regime, which is accused of running a major drug cartel.

Unnamed sources told the Miami Herald that U.S. strikes could target military facilities “at any moment,” although President Trump has not publicly confirmed a final decision. The Trump administration has also conducted at least 14 operations against small vessels, claiming these actions target drug trafficking.

Tensions are escalating as U.S. forces deploy near Venezuela, and international concern is growing over potential conflict.

 

Atlantic Hurricane Season Ramps Up after Previously Quiet September

Hurricanes Gabrielle, Humberto, and Imelda have marked the peak of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Gabrielle moved east of Bermuda as a Category 4 hurricane, causing high swells but minor damage in the Azores before dissipating over the Iberian Peninsula.

Hurricane Humberto, a Category 4 with 140 mph winds, is centered about 300 miles southwest of Bermuda and projected to pass west of the island Tuesday night, producing dangerous surf, rip currents, and up to 2 inches of rain in Bermuda. U.S. impacts are limited to hazardous coastal conditions from Florida to the Carolinas.

Imelda, now a tropical storm but forecast to become a hurricane by Tuesday, is tracking northeast well offshore. While the Bahamas face heavy rain, the risk for direct U.S. landfall has diminished, though localized flooding and beach erosion remain threats along parts of the Atlantic coast. Emergency declarations in the Carolinas have been lifted as threats ease, though Bermuda remains in the storm’s path and is under a Hurricane Watch.

 

Actor Robert Redford Dies at 89

Robert Redford, acclaimed actor, director and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, died September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah, at age 89. Rising to fame in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All the President’s Men," Redford won an Oscar for directing "Ordinary People."

He was also known for environmental advocacy and a champion for independent filmmaking.

 His publicist stated Redford died peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Tributes poured in from across Hollywood and beyond, reflecting on his storied career and impact on cinema and conservation.

 

Charlie Kirk’s Funeral Draws Thousands Amid Political Shockwave

Charlie Kirk, a leading voice in conservative youth politics, was remembered this week at a widely attended funeral service in Glendale, Arizona, following his assassination earlier this month. Kirk’s rise from founding Turning Point USA in 2012 to becoming a prominent figure in national debate drew tens of thousands to pay their respects at the stadium in his adopted home state.

The service, highlighted by tributes from politicians and Christian music performers, reached capacity as mourners traveled from across the country to honor his legacy. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and a host of speakers focused on Kirk’s commitment to engaging young Americans in public life. 

The assassination rattled the American political landscape. On the night of September 10, Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University when a rifle shot from a nearby rooftop fatally wounded him. In the chaos that followed, emergency responders rushed Kirk to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police soon apprehended Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old with documented ideological motivations and evidence tying him to the shooting, such as Discord messages and text messages. The investigation remains active as Robinson begins court appearances. 

Kirk’s parents, colleagues, and friends attended the Arizona services, echoing the outpouring of grief that has swept much of the politically active youth community. Funeral organizers noted the breadth of Kirk’s impact, with lines forming early and a roster of influential speakers reflecting on his trademark energy and message. As Turning Point USA faced unprecedented uncertainty, Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk was unanimously elected to succeed him as CEO and Chair by the organization’s board.