Latest News Digest – November 12, 2025

National News Stories

House Votes to End Government Shutdown Following Senate Deal:  On November 10, 2025, the U.S. Senate approved a short-term government funding bill by a 60-40 vote, with support from nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats, ending the longest federal shutdown in history that had stretched over a month. The measure then went to the House for final approval today (November 12^th), with House Republicans and a handful of House Democrats passing a new continuing resolution (CR) in a largely party-line 222-209 vote. The bill is expected to be signed tonight by President Trump. – Yahoo.com

Supreme Court to Rule on Post-Election Mail Ballots:  The Supreme Court agreed on November 11, 2025, to hear a pivotal case that could bar states from counting mail ballots postmarked by Election Day but received later, a practice currently permitted in about 20 states and territories. This decision may reshape voting access nationwide, potentially affecting millions of voters and intensifying debates over election integrity as the nation approaches future cycles. – Reuters.com

U.S. Mint in Philadelphia Presses Final Penny  The Treasury Department will no longer be minting pennies because the cost to mint one penny is 3.7 cents, costing U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars annually.  Existing coins will continue to be legal tender, but no new pennies will be minted.  The penny has been produced for 232 years and modern pennies are made of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.  The composition of pennies has changed over the years, going from 100% copper from 1793 – 1857, then to various copper mixes with zinc, nickel, and tin.  There was even a steel-only composition in 1943. -  Fox News; learn.apmex.com

Trump Says Tariff Revenue to Fund $2K Checks for Americans and Lower Nation’s $38 Trillion Debt: President Donald Trump declared on November 9, 2025, that new tariffs and duties will soon enable the U.S. to pay lower and middle income Americans $2,000 payments and any remaining funds would be directed toward paying down the nations’ massive $38 Trillion debt. – Foxbusiness.com

Northern Lights Seen from Northern Colorado Tuesday Night.

Geomagnetic Storms Light Up Skies with Northern Lights Vivid northern lights dazzled viewers across numerous U.S. states on the night of November 12, 2025, triggered by intense geomagnetic storms, with forecasters anticipating continued displays into November 13. The rare auroral event, visible as far south as the Midwest and Northeast, provided a stunning natural phenomenon but also raised concerns about minor disruptions to power grids and satellite communications. – Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA)

California News Stories

Atmospheric River Poses Flood Risks to Southern California A powerful atmospheric river is barreling toward Southern California on November 11, 2025, threatening heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, and debris flows in wildfire-burned areas like those affected by recent blazes. Emergency officials are urging residents to prepare for potential evacuations and infrastructure strain, as the storm could deliver several inches of rain in a short burst, exacerbating vulnerabilities in urban and rural zones alike. The strongest rains and winds will hit the valley of Northern California Thursday morning and afternoon. – Weather Norcal; The San Francisco Chronicle; The Desert Sun

Newsom's Brazil Trip for Climate Summit Sparks Controversy: California Governor Gavin Newsom's attended a COP30 climate summit meeting in Brazil yesterday and met with foreign ministers.  When speaking about the devastating Pacific Palisades fire in Los Angeles, he blamed the fire on Climate Change, rather than the failures of the Los Angeles Fire Department to completely put out an earlier smoldering fire.  The Lachman Fire was deliberately set on January 1, 2025, in Topanga State Park by a 29-year-old former Pacific Palisades resident and Uber driver.  Dry Santa Ana winds starting on January 7, reignited the still smoldering fire and lack of water supplies to the fire hydrants hampered efforts to put out the blaze. –  justice.gov; abcnews.go.com; the guardian.com; nypost.com

Former Chief of Staff to Gavin Newsom was Charged with Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy to Defraud the U.S.:  Dana Williamson, former Chief of Staff for Gavin Newsom from late 2022 to December 2024, was charged by the Department of Justice with 23 counts of bank and wire fraud.  Prosecutors allege she conspired with four others, including Xavier Becerra’s ex-chief of staff, to skim over $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign fund.  – X Post of Benny Johnson; DOJ Eastern District of California