Latest News Digest – December 27, 2025

National News

President Trump Targets ISIS in Nigeria - On December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day), the United States conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS)-affiliated militants in northwest Nigeria's Sokoto State, targeting camps in areas like the Bauni forest in Tangaza and reportedly near the village of Jabo. President Donald Trump announced the operation on Truth Social, describing it as a "powerful and deadly strike" against "ISIS Terrorist Scum" who he claimed were "targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians." He revealed he delayed the strikes by a day to deliver them as a "Christmas present" to the militants, and warned of potential further actions if violence continued. – Truth Social

Offshore Wind Projects Halted Due to Security Concerns – Five major projects under construction for offshore wind energy were halted by the Trump administration after the Pentagon found that turbine structures could interfere with critical military radar systems.  Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted on social media on December 22^nd, stating that the five paused projects were “expensive, unreliable, heavily subsidized. ONE natural gas pipeline supplies as much energy as these five projects COMBINED.” – The Epoch Times

Jeffrey R. Holland, Next in Line to Lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dies at 85 - Jeffrey R. Holland, a prominent leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the head of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, passed away at the age of 85 on December 27, 2025. As the next in line to become the church's president under its established succession plan, his death creates a notable shift in the organization's leadership structure, which has millions of members worldwide. Holland was known for his influential teachings, administrative roles, and efforts to modernize aspects of the church while maintaining its core doctrines. His passing comes amid ongoing discussions within the faith community about generational transitions and doctrinal emphases, potentially influencing future policies on issues like family structure and missionary work. The event has prompted tributes from church officials and members, emphasizing his legacy of faith and service. No immediate successor announcements were made, but the Quorum is expected to reorganize soon, ensuring continuity in this major U.S.-based religious institution. – CBSNews.com

Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Holiday Travel Across the U.S. -  A powerful winter storm swept across large parts of the United States on December 27, 2025, bringing heavy snowfall, significant ice accumulation, and dangerously low wind chills that dropped below zero in many areas. Originating in the Midwest and moving eastward, the storm affected regions from northern Minnesota to the Eastern Seaboard, leading to widespread disruptions including thousands of flight cancellations, road closures, and power outages. Holiday travelers faced major delays at airports like those in New York City, where over 4 inches of snow fell, and in the Northeast, where ice buildup created hazardous driving conditions. The National Weather Service issued alerts for millions, warning of continued impacts into the following week, exacerbating post-Christmas travel chaos and straining emergency services. – NPR.org

Disability Rights Advocate Bob Kafka Dies at 79 - Bob Kafka, a key figure in the disability rights movement and organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), died at the age of 79 on December 27, 2025. Kafka dedicated his life to advocating for policies that support individuals with disabilities, particularly through community-based attendant programs rather than institutionalization, influencing landmark legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). His work involved grassroots activism, protests, and lobbying, which helped shift public and governmental perceptions toward greater inclusion and accessibility. – NPR.org

Alaska Airlines Grounds Fleet Due to IT System Meltdown Alaska Airlines grounded its entire fleet on December 26, 2025, following a major IT system failure, the latest in a series of airline computer meltdowns disrupting travel. The outage, attributed to potential cybersecurity issues or outdated infrastructure, caused widespread delays and cancellations, affecting thousands of passengers during the busy holiday season. – NPR.org

Arkansas Ticket Wins $1.817 Billion Powerball Jackpot - A Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas won a staggering $1.817 billion jackpot on December 25, 2025, during the Christmas Eve drawing, ending a three-month period without a top winner and marking the second-largest prize in U.S. lottery history. The jackpot escalated due to high ticket sales, with additional winners claiming smaller prizes like $100,000 and $50,000. This windfall brings excitement to the state, potentially boosting local economies through taxes and spending. The winner's identity remains anonymous pending claim, but such events often lead to stories of life-changing fortunes. – ABCNews.go.com

President Trump Pushes Senate Republicans to Scrap the Filibuster, Wants the SAVE Act Passed - The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a proposed U.S. federal bill aimed at requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. It amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to prevent noncitizens from registering, building on existing laws that already prohibit noncitizen voting.  President Trump posted on his Truth Social account that the filibuster should be terminated and the SAVE Act should be passed.  The filibuster is a procedural tactic unique to the United States Senate that allows a senator (or group of senators) to delay or entirely block a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, or other matter by extending debate indefinitely. – Truth Social Post

AmericaFest Attracts Record-Breaking Crowd After Founder Charlie Kirk’s Assassination – The Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event held in Phoenix, AZ, December 18 – 21, drew more than 30,000 people, which was a record for the event. The inaugural AmericaFest was launched in December 2021 as a four-day conference featuring conservative speakers, entertainment, and activism focused on celebrating American values, freedom, and patriotism. It quickly became one of TPUSA's flagship annual events.  This year’s speakers included Erika Kirk, the founder’s widow and mother of his two children, pundits Megyn Kelly, Steve Bannon, and Glenn Beck, Vice-President J.D. Vance, border czar Tom Homan, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Hollywood conservatives Russell Brand and Rob Schneider, and rapper Nicki Minaj. – The Epoch Times

President Trump Announced Deals with Nine More Drug Companies – In a continued effort to lower drug prices for the American people, President Trump announced most-favored-nation pricing deals with 14 of the 17 largest drug manufacturers.  He is also launching an online portal for consumers, TrumpRx.gov that will provide more information for where to purchase prescriptions for reduced prices.  For more information, read the featured article appearing today in our ShastaUnfiltered.com newspaper. – The Epoch Times

California News

California Drops Lawsuit Over High-Speed Rail Funding Cuts - California dismissed its lawsuit against the Trump administration on December 27, 2025, over $4 billion in cut federal funding for the high-speed rail project, shifting focus to private investors. The long-delayed initiative faces ongoing challenges, affecting transportation infrastructure plans. This resolution could accelerate alternative funding but highlights federal-state tensions. – ABCNews.go.com

Powerful Storms Hit California Causing Four Deaths - The past week in California was dominated by a series of powerful atmospheric river storms, bringing heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, mudslides, strong winds, and mountain snow. This made it one of the wettest holiday periods in decades, particularly in Southern California, where Christmas Eve and Christmas Day set records for rainfall in many locations. Northern California saw the initial impacts earlier in the week, with significant precipitation leading to flash flooding. The storms caused at least four deaths, numerous rescues, power outages affecting tens of thousands, road closures, and evacuations, especially in burn scar areas prone to debris flows. Governor Gavin Newsom declared emergencies in multiple counties. By December 27, conditions were beginning to dry out, with sunshine returning to Southern California over the weekend. – LATimes.com; weather.com

Miraculous Birth of Baby Boy - The story making headlines this holiday week involves a remarkable medical case from California, often described as a "medical miracle." Suze Lopez, a 41-year-old emergency room nurse from Bakersfield, gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Ryu during a complex surgery in August 2025 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Lopez had been living with a large ovarian cyst (a benign dermoid cyst weighing over 22 pounds, roughly the size of a basketball) for years. She had previously lost her right ovary to a similar cyst. Attributing her growing abdomen and discomfort to the cyst, she scheduled surgery for its removal. A routine pre-surgery pregnancy test revealed she was pregnant—nearly full-term—and scans showed an extremely rare abdominal ectopic pregnancy, where the fetus developed entirely outside the uterus, hidden behind the massive cyst.

Doctors assembled a team of about 30 specialists. On August 18, 2025, they carefully moved the cyst aside, delivered the baby boy (weighing approximately 8 pounds with a full head of hair), and then removed the cyst. The procedure was high-risk: Lopez experienced significant blood loss requiring transfusions, and Ryu spent time in the NICU but had minimal complications. Both Suze and Ryu are now reported to be healthy and thriving. Doctors plan to publish the case in a medical journal due to its unprecedented nature. APNews.com