With Over 8.2 Million Inflation Refund Checks Out the Door, Governor Fulfills Her Commitment to Putting More Money in New Yorkers’ Pockets
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that 8.2 million checks have now been mailed to eligible New Yorkers under the state’s first-ever Inflation Refund Check program.
“Today marks the day that over 8.2 million inflation refund checks have been mailed out, putting money back into the pockets of individuals across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “We followed through on our commitment to deliver meaningful relief to hard-working New Yorkers, and will continue, every day, to look for additional opportunities to deal with the nation’s ongoing affordability challenge.”
Governor Hochul secured the Inflation Refund Check initiative in the FY 2026 State Budget. It’s the largest program of its kind in state history — providing $2.2 billion in direct, unrestricted financial aid to more than 8.2 million New Yorkers.
Over the last two months, inflation refund checks of up to $400 have been mailed to those who meet eligibility criteria. The main phase of large-scale check mailing is now complete. However, checks will continue to be mailed in small numbers in the weeks ahead as the State Tax Department determines that additional taxpayers are eligible.
Here’s a breakout of the number of checks and amounts going to each region of the state:
Inflation Rebate Check – Enacted Budget
Beneficiaries
Total Benefit ($M)
Western NY
585,000
152.7
Finger Lakes
513,000
134.3
Southern Tier
251,000
66.7
Central New York
321,000
83.8
Mohawk Valley
198,000
52.4
North Country
156,000
42.4
Capital Region
475,000
122.8
Mid-Hudson
924,000
234.2
New York City
3,536,000
828.8
Long Island
1,251,000
316.4
All
8,210,000
2,035
Inflation Refund Checks are a key element of the Governor’s Affordability Agenda. Other elements include:
Cutting taxes for the middle class to their lowest levels in 70 years;
Expanding New York’s Child Tax Credit to up to $1,000 per child, and;
Ensuring universal free school meals to save families around $1,600 per child.
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards today announced the “Queens Holocaust Memorial,” a new public site to honor the memory of the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust as well as the survivors who rebuilt their lives in New York City. The memorial will be located on the grounds of Queens Borough Hall and serve as a permanent site of remembrance, education, and unity. The city and the Office of the Queens Borough President have allocated a total of $3 million to support the project’s development; the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) will oversee the site designation and coordination with community stakeholders and civic leaders. The City will advance a formal design process to build a commemorative garden and public artwork. The artist selection process will be led by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ “Percent for Art” program in consultation with artists, historians, and Holocaust survivors.
“It is not enough to say ‘never again’ — we have to live it with our actions too. By preserving the stories of both victims and survivors, by creating a permanent space for remembrance and reflection, by promoting understanding and solidarity across generations, this memorial will live out the meaning of ‘never again,’” said Mayor Adams. “As our city and our country confront the rising tide of antisemitism, our administration will not remain silent. We will use our office to call out hate wherever we find it, encourage compassion wherever we need it, and create a city where everyone can live side by side in harmony.”
“No matter how much time passes since the evils of the Holocaust, New York City’s commitment to the pledge of ‘Never Again’ must never waver. That is why, in the face of rising tides of heinous anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial across our society, I could not be prouder to lead this effort alongside the administration and the Queens’ Jewish community in creating this critically important memorial here at Queens Borough Hall,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The Queens Holocaust Memorial will not only pay a touching tribute to the six million innocent Jews murdered by the Nazis and the survivors who settled in our borough afterward, but it will also serve as daily inspiration for our fight to forge a future free of anti-Semitism. I thank all our city and community partners for their commitment to see this memorial through.”
“When hate crimes, vandalism, and extremist rhetoric targeting Jewish communities are happening both nationally and globally, this memorial will stand not only as a powerful testament to those lost and to those who rebuilt, but also as a rebuke to intolerance and a reminder of our imperative to confront hatred with moral clarity,” said Moshe Davis, executive director, Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism.
“This Holocaust Memorial Garden we begin to build today, is a reminder of what can happen if we forget the past. It will also serve to keep our focus on the present, while we hope for our future,” said Michael Nussbaum, chairman, Holocaust Memorial Garden. “The Memorial Garden will be a place where anyone can come to reflect and seek peace.”
New York City is home to more Holocaust survivors than any other city in the world. Following the liberation of the concentration camps, thousands of survivors came to New York, many settling in Queens, where they rebuilt their lives, raised families, established businesses, enriched the city’s cultural institutions, and helped make New York a global center of Jewish life.
The memorial was originally proposed by the Queens Jewish Community Council in partnership with local civic and faith leaders. The City of New York will formally designate and dedicate the site for the purpose of a Holocaust Memorial through a DCAS assignment letter. The Queens Jewish Community Council will lead additional fundraising efforts to support the design and construction of the commemorative artwork. When complete, the Queens Holocaust Memorial will be the first major Holocaust memorial in Queens, joining other sites of remembrance throughout New York City. The memorial site will host Holocaust remembrance ceremonies, educational programs for students, and community gatherings that promote understanding and solidarity across generations and communities.
“I have seen how education helps young people understand the world around them and recognize the dangers of prejudice and intolerance. This memorial garden will give students and families a place to learn, reflect, and confront the realities of antisemitism and other forms of hate crimes,” said Toby Stavisky, New York State senator. “Michael Nussbaum and I both began our careers as social studies teachers, and we know how important it is to reach children early. That’s why I committed $1 million in capital funding to help bring this project to life. This garden will serve as a living classroom and a reminder that understanding our history is essential to ensuring that ‘never again’ is not forgotten.”
“This Holocaust Memorial in Queens honors the profound anguish and undeniable truth of actual genocide that tore families and communities apart. But it also reflects the extraordinary resilience of those who survived. Of people who carried unimaginable pain yet still chose hope, rebuilding, and the promise of a new future,” said Sam Berger, New York State assemblymember. “Many Holocaust survivors, my grandparents among them, came to Forest Hills seeking safety, dignity, and a chance to start again. They didn’t just rebuild their own lives. They helped build Queens. Their strength, their values, and their determination are woven into the rich and diverse history of this borough. They opened businesses, raised families, contributed to our civic life, and helped create the vibrant community we are proud to call home.
“Trauma leaves its mark, but it does not have to define us,” continued Berger. “This memorial stands as a reminder of the past we must never forget, and as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who transformed their suffering into a legacy of resilience, community, and hope.”
“The Queens Holocaust Memorial Garden will create a lasting place of reflection and remembrance for the Jewish community in Queens. This garden will stand in honor of the six million Jews who were systematically persecuted and murdered, as well as the millions of non-Jewish civilians, soldiers, and prisoners of war who also perished across Europe,” said Melinda Katz, district attorney of Queens. As time passes and we lose more Holocaust survivors—those who witnessed these atrocities firsthand—it becomes our collective responsibility to preserve their stories and protect the truth. I thank Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Memorial Garden Chairman Michael Nussbaum for their commitment in bringing this meaningful project to life. This memorial will serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred to ensure that history never repeats itself.”
“This Holocaust Memorial Garden is symbolic of the times we live in. A garden shows the beauty that surrounds us, while the memorial honors the memories of those who were brutally murdered during the Holocaust. It is vital to continue to honor the memory of the Holocaust, while also providing support to the remaining 14,700 survivors who live in New York City,” said Masha Pearl, executive director of The Blue Card. “This is a beautiful creation, and we are honored to take part in this memorial. Thank you to Mayor Eric Adams and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for making this vision a reality.”
In 1789, just years after America’s triumph over tyranny in the Revolutionary War, President George Washington established the first National Day of Thanksgiving, declaring “the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” Decades later, in the midst of the bloody Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln implored the Nation to join in unity for “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” In every generation since, this spirit of reverence, trust, and gratitude has preserved our way of life and made America the strongest, greatest, and most resilient Nation the world has ever known.
From the pilgrims who settled our continent and the patriots who won our independence on the battlefield to the pioneers who tamed the west and the warriors who have preserved our freedom in distant lands, the spirit of gratitude and grit embodied by those who celebrated the first Thanksgiving more than 400 years ago have stood at the very heart of what it means to be an American.
This year, God has bestowed abundant blessings all across our land and indeed the entire world. As we give thanks to Him, we continue to advance our Nation through strong leadership and commonsense policy. As a result, the American economy is roaring back, we are making progress on lowering the cost of living, a new era of peace is sweeping around the world, our sovereignty is being swiftly restored, and the American spirit is coming back greater and more powerful than ever before.
As we prepare to celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, this Thanksgiving, we summon the faith, resolve, and unflinching fortitude of the giants of American history who came before us. We vow to build a future that echoes their sacrifice. Above all, we offer our endless gratitude to Almighty God for His love, grace, and infinite blessings.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 27, 2025, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our many blessings.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
How many more innocent Americans have to be victimized before Democrat politicians admit their sick, soft-on-crime insanity is a blood-soaked catastrophe?
Last week in Democrat-run Chicago, a 26-year-old woman was riding the ‘L’ train when a career criminal with 72 prior arrests — including eight felony convictions and seven misdemeanors — doused her in gasoline, chased her screaming through the train car, and set her on fire in broad daylight. She’s now fighting for her life with horrific burns because the predator who did this was walking free.
This animal was walking free because of the radical, dangerous “no cash bail” law proudly signed by Governor JB Pritzker and celebrated by Chicago’s defund-the-police Mayor Brandon Johnson. Just three months ago, after this same monster was arrested for another violent crime, a county judge cut him loose on electronic monitoring — a condition he repeatedly violated with zero consequences right up to the day he lit an innocent woman on fire.
While President Trump fights tooth and nail to make America’s cities safe again — crushing these reckless Democrat policy disasters, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with police, and surgingfederalresources into the neighborhoods Democrats have abandoned — delusional politicians like Pritzker and Johnson arrogantly double down on the same failed policies that handed a violent thug a can of gasoline and a match.
Enough is enough. President Trump is taking our streets back from the savages who terrorize them and from the Democrats who keep setting them free.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Talent Executive Director Doug Lipari announced two major Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and Vicinity, covering more than $7 billion in city capital projects to build and renovate libraries, recreation centers, clean energy systems, water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure. The PLAs lock in fair wages, union benefits, and strong safety standards while including community hiring requirements that prioritize residents of NYCHA housing and low-income neighborhoods, helping connect underserved New Yorkers to good-paying union careers. Nearly 100 city procurements totaling over $7.5 billion have already been released with community hiring goals, and a new memorandum of understanding with BCTC and the Building Trade Employers’ Association will recruit 700 pre-apprentices from public housing and disadvantaged communities into free pre-apprenticeship programs that feed directly into union apprenticeships. This initiative advances Mayor Adams’ “moonshot” goal of connecting 30,000 New Yorkers to apprenticeships by 2030, strengthens the city’s construction workforce pipeline, and ensures that New Yorkers who build the city’s future infrastructure also gain long-term pathways to the middle class.
Mayor Adams Announces New Project Labor Agreements Covering More Than $7 Billion in City Projects to Build Critical Infrastructure and Deliver Good-Paying, Union Careers
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Office of Talent and Workforce Development (NYC Talent) Executive Director Doug Lipari today announced two Project Labor Agreements (PLA) with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and Vicinity (BCTC). These PLAs — which cover more than $7 billion in city capital projects — establish fair wages, union benefits, and safety protections for workers on city projects. They will help connect more underserved New Yorkers to quality union careers and apprenticeship opportunities through community hiring requirements and allow the city to complete capital projects more effectively and efficiently through the use of standardized work rules.
“Under our administration, we haven’t just talked about creating opportunities, we’ve put our money where our mouth is and invested real dollars in real projects and delivered the good-paying jobs New Yorkers need,” said Mayor Adams. “If the city is going to build a new library or recreation center, we want to make sure those jobs pay well during the day and get workers home safe at night. With more than $7 billion labor agreements, we’ll do both — all while hiring from the local community and completing critical projects faster. That’s a win for everyone involved.”
“Project Labor Agreements are a proven tool for delivering capital projects efficiently, establishing fair wages and working conditions, and creating robust career pathways for New Yorkers,” said Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Doug Lipari. “These new PLAs reflect the city’s strong partnership with the Building and Construction Trades Council and solidify the city’s dedication to the future construction workforce through Community Hiring.”
The newly signed PLAs announced today will serve a broad range of city capital projects. The Citywide Renovation and New Construction PLA will apply to new construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of city-owned buildings and structures; for instance, this PLA will apply to projects like construction of recreation centers and solar photovoltaic systems for public schools, as well as renovation of water treatment facilities and libraries like the recently announced renovation of Baisley Park Library in Jamaica, Queens. The PLAs follow last year’s announcement of a new infrastructure design-build PLA and furthers the Adams administration’s commitment to establish work standards for family-sustaining wages and benefits, industry-specific safety standards, and training opportunities.
The PLAs announced today also include community hiring requirements, which allows the city to use its purchasing power to set workforce and hiring goals on city contracts and provide hardworking New Yorkers good-paying union career opportunities that pave a path to the middle class. Since launching, nearly 100 city procurements — totaling more than$7.5 billion — have been released with community hiring goals. These include construction and building services contracts that require a significant portion of labor hours be performed by people who live in New York City Housing Authority housing or in a ZIP code where at least 15 percent of the population lives below the federal poverty threshold.
Today’s announcement will also create additional apprenticeship opportunities in the construction sector through community hiring requirements and advance Mayor Adams’ 2023 State of the City moonshot goal of connecting 30,000 New Yorkers to apprenticeships by 2030. Through a new memorandum of understanding (MOU), the city, BCTC and the Building Trade Employers’ Association of New York City (BTEA) will work collectively to recruit and fill 700 pre-apprenticeship positions with residents of NYCHA housing and low-income communities. These pre-apprenticeship programs provide free skills and training and offer individuals direct entry into unionized apprenticeship programs. These efforts demonstrate the commitment to invest in the next generation of the City’s construction workforce and provide a pathway for career advancement.
“We are thrilled that city-funded projects are being produced with union labor, safer work requirements, and community hiring that will bring good job opportunities to the underserved while upgrading libraries, recreational centers, and other public works,” said New York City Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa.
“Thank you to President LaBarbera, Paul O’Connor and Santos Rodriguez along with Deputy Mayor Carrion Jr. and the whole mayoral team who worked on this project labor agreement,” said New York CityCouncilmember Julie Won. “As the representative of the council district that is home to UA Local 1 Plumbers, I am always happy to support apprenticeships and the expansion of PLAs in the City, and I will work to make it priority that we get new PLAs all future projects in my district.”
“In order for capital projects to reach their true economic potential, it is critical that they generate family-sustaining careers for hardworking New Yorkers,” said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “PLAs like the ones signed help them to do just that and more by establishing fair wages, safety standards, and community hiring initiatives that boost apprenticeship opportunities and open up more pathways to the middle class. We are happy to collaborate with the Mayor’s Office and NYC Talent on these agreements and our members look forward to being catalysts for these important projects that will improve the lives of countless New Yorkers.”
“It is great that New York City and the Building Trades continue their great relationship with the signing of these Project Labor Agreements. These city capital projects will create more opportunities for men and women to become apprentices in our programs. It will provide them with fair wages and union benefits, making their lives better and providing the pathway to the middle class,” said John Jovic, business manager/FST, Local 12 Heat and Frost Insulators. “I would like to thank Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera and his staff, as well as Mayor Adams and his staff for all their hard work in putting these Project Labor Agreements together.”
“Plumbers Local 1 and its 6,000 members are honored to host the signing of this historic PLA with NYC. The phrase ‘The great multiplier is defined as a factor or effect that causes a relatively small initial change to have a larger, widespread impact.’This project labor agreement is exactly that, the great multiplier. It is by no means a small change, it is significant, but its impact on the future of New York City will be even more significant. It will not only upgrade critical infrastructure; it will also build a better New York City and continue to build for years to come.This future will be built by residents of New York City who will be given access into our great labor organizations,” said Paul O’Connor, business manager, United Association of Plumbers Local 1. “To quote George Meany ‘the basic goal of labor will not change. It is-as it has always been, and I’m sure always will be, to better the standards of life for all who work for wages, and to seek decency and justice and dignity for all Americans.’ This quote is as accurate today as it has always been. I want to thank Gary LaBarbera, the mayor, and his staff for securing not only this PLA but a prosperous future for New Yorkers.”
“This Project Labor Agreement is a win for New York City’s working families. It means more good-paying union jobs, stronger apprenticeship opportunities for the next generation, and a commitment to building our city the right way with skill, safety, and dignity,” said Joseph Azzopardi, business manager and secretary-treasurer, District Council No. 9, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. “I want to thank President Gary LaBarbera for his leadership and partnership, and Mayor Eric Adams for recognizing the value that union labor brings to every project. Together, we’re creating pathways into the trades and ensuring New York’s future is built by the very people who call it home.”
“More than $7 billion in Project Labor Agreements is the kind of big, bold commitment New York needs right now, and continues to prove that building labor in New York City is a solid investment in our future. This deal means faster projects, safer jobs, and fairer wages for the union trades who build our city every day,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., president and CEO, New York Building Congress. “It opens the door for thousands of apprentices to earn and learn on real projects, from recreation centers and libraries to clean energy systems. This is how you grow middle-class careers, modernize critical infrastructure, and prove that public investment and union labor move New York forward together.”
“The 200+ members of the Building Contractors Association have long found that project labor agreements can benefit all parties involved in a construction project,” said John O’Hare, managing director, Building Contractors Association. “When these PLA’s provide training and opportunities for the next generation of building trades tradesmen and tradeswomen, it adds another valuable component to the agreement. We look forward to working with city officials, the affiliated unions of the Building Trades and the communities who will benefit from this massive and important project.”
As Americans prepare for Thanksgiving 2025, families across the country are seeing signs of economic relief that the Trump Administration credits to its efforts to unleash American energy, cut regulations, and fight inflation, following what it describes as the worst inflation crisis in 40 years under Joe Biden and the Democrats. Local reports from states including Colorado, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and others show gas prices falling—often below $3 per gallon and in some places nearing $2—just in time for holiday travel, while multiple Farm Bureau surveys reveal that the cost of a classic 10-person Thanksgiving meal has dropped, with notable savings on turkeys and other staples and some states like Louisiana and Michigan coming in well below the national average. While emphasizing that this is not “mission accomplished” and that Americans are still paying too much after years of what it calls reckless Democrat spending and regulation, the Trump Administration frames these lower gas and grocery prices as early evidence that its push for bold, structural economic changes is beginning to deliver tangible savings for American families.
More Relief on the Way as Economic Wins Bring Savings to Gas Pump, Thanksgiving Table
As millions of American families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, they’re seeing a dose of the economic relief President Donald J. Trump is fighting to deliver. After inheriting the worst inflation crisis in 40 years from Joe Biden and Democrats, the Trump Administration’s actions to unleash American energy, slash regulations, and crush inflation are translating into lower gas prices in many states and a decrease in the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.
Make no mistake: this is not “mission accomplished.” Americans are still paying far too much after four years of reckless Democrat spending and regulation — and that’s why the Trump Administration is relentlessly fighting to deliver the bold, structural changes that will bring lasting relief to all American families.
Here’s what local news outlets are reporting as those signs of change start to appear:
KDVR-TV (Denver, CO): Cheapest gas prices in Denver hit less than $2 Sunday ahead of Thanksgiving weekend Gas prices in Denver are trending down just in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend, with one station in the city even hitting less than $2 on Sunday, according to GasBuddy. Just in the last week, gas prices in Denver have fallen 14.5 cents per gallon, hitting a $2.47 per gallon average Monday morning, GasBuddy reported. That number is lower than the national average of $3.03 per gallon, and it is even nearly 30 cents lower than Denver’s average prices a year ago.
KIMT-TV (Des Moines, IA): Lower Turkey Prices Bring Thanksgiving Savings to Iowa Iowans can look forward to saving on their Thanksgiving meals this year. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s survey reveals the average cost of a classic 10-serving holiday meal is $55.18, down 5% from last year. In the Midwest, the average is slightly lower at $54.38. The survey highlights a decrease in frozen turkey prices as a major factor in the overall savings. Items like a 16-pound turkey, fresh cranberries, and dinner rolls have all seen price drops, attributed to lower wheat prices.
KSAT-TV (San Antonio, TX): San Antonio gas prices set to hit pandemic-era lows for Thanksgiving San Antonio drivers may have noticed some interesting movement at the pump this week… Thanksgiving travelers are still expected to see cheaper gas at the pump compared to last year.
The Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI): Ingredients that go into Preparing a Thanksgiving Meal to Cost Less this Year In Michigan, those making the holiday meal will pay even less, $51.80 for a meal serving 10 people, Theresa Sisung, industry relations specialist for the Michigan Farm Bureau, told the Free Press.
WBIW Radio (Bloomington, IN): Indiana gas prices drop sharply ahead of holiday travel Hoosier drivers are getting a break at the pump just in time for the busy holiday travel season, with average gasoline prices in Indiana falling 12.3 cents per gallon in the last week.
WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, New York): The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner is Down for the Third Year in a Row The American Farm Bureau Federation says the average price for a 16-pound turkey in the U.S. is $21.50. That’s down more than 16 percent from last year.
WKYC-TV (Cleveland, OH): Gas prices plummet in Northeast Ohio Gas prices have gone down in Northeast Ohio within the last week, bringing the average cost in Akron and Cleveland below $3 per gallon. Akron saw the biggest drop, falling 38.1 cents within the last week.
WMUR-TV (Manchester, NH): Lower gas prices expected for Thanksgiving travelers this year Anyone who plans to hit the roads for Thanksgiving travel this year will likely see the cheapest gas prices in the past few years. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in New Hampshire are expected to be the lowest they have been for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2021.
KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh, PA): Gas prices in the Pittsburgh area on the decline ahead of Thanksgiving travel One small consolation for your trip is the price of gas… We are on a downward trajectory. We should see some solid relief in Pittsburgh over the next few weeks in terms of falling gas prices.
WLUK-TV (Green Bay, WI): Gas prices drop ahead of busy travel week Average gasoline prices in Green Bay have fallen 5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.75/g today, according to GasBuddy… GasBuddy forecasts a national average price of gas of $3.02 per gallon on Thanksgiving Day, matching last year and marking one of the cheapest holiday averages since 2021.
The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, LA): Thanksgiving Dinner with Turkey is Bargain in Louisiana, Where Costs Are Below U.S. Average A Thanksgiving family feast to feed 10 people in Louisiana this year is more affordable than any other state in the U.S. except for Arkansas, according to the annual American Farm Bureau cost survey. The cost for 11 market basket items including a whole frozen turkey in Louisiana in 2025 is $44.70. That’s more than $10 cheaper than the national average of $55.18.
WAND-TV (Decatur, IL): Illinois Farm Bureau: Turkey Prices have Dropped Around 16% Thanksgiving dinner prices in Illinois are going down. The Illinois Farm Bureau said that turkey prices have dropped around 16%, just over a dollar per pound. Other Thanksgiving staples like stuffing and pie crusts are also getting cheaper.
KJZZ Radio (Phoenix, AZ): Arizona Thanksgiving Meal Prices are Down 21 Cents from Last Year, Farm Bureau Says If you’re already preparing for next week’s Thanksgiving celebration, you might have noticed slightly lower food costs. A traditional Thanksgiving — we’re talking turkey and all the fixings plus desert for an Arizona family of 10 — will cost $53.17 or roughly $5.31 per person, according to the Arizona Farm Bureau.That’s down 21 cents from last year.
WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids, MI): Thanksgiving Dinner Will Cost Less This Year With Michigan Families Getting Bigger Savings Good news is coming to Michigan dinner tables this Thanksgiving as families will spend less on their holiday feast compared to last year. According to the Michigan Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving dinner survey, the average cost for a traditional meal serving 10 people has dropped to $51.80 in Michigan — nearly $4 below the national average of $55.12.
In Geneva on November 23, 2025, Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Secretary Driscoll, and the Ukrainian delegation held an in-depth and constructive meeting to review the latest draft peace agreements, with Ukrainian representatives confirming that their key concerns—security guarantees, long-term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation, and political sovereignty—were comprehensively addressed. They stated that the revised draft now credibly safeguards Ukraine’s security in both the near and long term, supported by a strengthened security guarantee architecture, non-aggression commitments, energy stability measures, and reconstruction plans. Secretary Rubio and his team reaffirmed the United States’ commitment, under President Trump’s goal of ending a war that has claimed millions of lives, to ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and prosperity remain central to the diplomatic process. Both sides welcomed the significant progress made and agreed to continue close consultations as the agreements move toward final refinement and a durable, comprehensive peace.
Readout of Peace Talks in Geneva
Between Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Witkoff, Mr. Kushner, Secretary Driscoll, and the Ukrainian Delegation
Today, Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Witkoff, Mr. Jared Kushner, and Secretary Driscoll held an extensive and productive meeting with the Ukrainian delegation to review the latest draft agreements under discussion. The conversation was candid, detailed, and conducted in a spirit of partnership and shared purpose.
The Ukrainian delegation affirmed that all of their principal concerns—security guarantees, long-term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation, and political sovereignty—were thoroughly addressed during the meeting. They expressed appreciation for the structured approach taken to incorporate their feedback into each component of the emerging settlement framework.
Ukrainian representatives stated that, based on the revisions and clarifications presented today, they believe the current draft reflects their national interests and provides credible and enforceable mechanisms to safeguard Ukraine’s security in both the near and long term. They underscored that the strengthened security guarantee architecture, combined with commitments on non-aggression, energy stability, and reconstruction, meaningfully addresses their core strategic requirements.
Secretary Rubio and his team reiterated the United States’ firm commitment to ensuring that Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and future prosperity remain central to the ongoing diplomatic process. They emphasized that this work is driven by President Trump’s goal of ending a war that has taken the lives of millions of people and preventing further loss of life through a durable and enforceable peace. Both sides welcomed the steady progress made and agreed to continue consultations as the agreements move toward final refinement.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that today marked a significant step forward, and that continued close coordination will be essential as the Parties work toward a durable, comprehensive peace.
Yes, on November 23, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly vowed to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), effectively banning it under U.S. law. This announcement came during an interview with Just the News, where Trump stated that “final documents are being drawn” and that the designation would be pursued “in the strongest and most powerful terms.” The move aligns with longstanding bipartisan efforts in Congress and recent state-level actions, such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s November 2025 declaration labeling the Muslim Brotherhood (and affiliated groups like CAIR) as terrorist entities, prohibiting land purchases, and enabling lawsuits to dismantle their operations.
Background and Context
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is a transnational Islamist organization with affiliates worldwide. It has been banned as a terrorist group in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia, and Jordan due to accusations of promoting extremism, funding militias, and undermining secular governance. In the U.S., Trump attempted a similar designation during his first term (2017–2021), but it faced internal resistance and was not completed. Renewed momentum stems from:
Bipartisan Legislation: A House bill (H.R. 1234) and Senate bill (S. 567), co-sponsored by figures like Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Fetterman (D-PA), would mandate the FTO label, enabling sanctions, asset freezes, and travel bans.
Recent Triggers: Israel’s ongoing conflicts with Hamas (which has Brotherhood roots) and Hezbollah, plus a French government report on Brotherhood influence in Europe, have amplified calls for action.
U.S. Precedents: The DHS recently deported a British journalist suspected of Brotherhood ties, signaling enforcement readiness.
If enacted, the FTO status would criminalize material support to the group, targeting its U.S.-based networks like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which critics link to Brotherhood ideology.
Reactions and Implications
Support: Pro-Israel groups like ISGAP and AIPAC praised the move as a “serious” counter to ideological threats. Netanyahu reportedly thanked Trump, hinting at similar Israeli actions against Brotherhood-linked parties.
Criticism: Some progressive voices and Muslim advocacy groups argue it risks stigmatizing legitimate political Islam and free speech, potentially echoing past overreaches like the post-9/11 Patriot Act.
Global Ripple: Allies like Egypt and the UAE may expand cooperation, but Qatar (a Brotherhood funder) could face U.S. pressure, though Trump’s business ties there raise skepticism about full enforcement.
This development marks a significant escalation in Trump’s national security agenda, building on his first-term travel bans and “America First” rhetoric. For real-time updates, monitor official White House statements or congressional trackers.
Why is this so controversial?
Supporters say:
The Brotherhood is the ideological parent of violent groups (Hamas, etc.), and that treating it like a terrorist network will help cut financing and support pipelines. New York Post+1
Several countries (Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia) already list it as a terrorist organization, and they argue the U.S. is “catching up.” The Washington Institute+1
Critics say:
The movement is globally fragmented, with some branches participating in elections and non-violent politics; a blanket designation could be overbroad and hard to justify under U.S. law. The Washington Institute
A broad FTO label could criminalize ordinary association and advocacy, hit Muslim civil society groups in the U.S., and fuel Islamophobia rather than improve security. Human Rights Watch
Lawyers point out that FTO designations can be challenged in U.S. courts if the evidentiary record is thin or politically driven. Brennan Center for Justice
On 23 November 2025, representatives of the United States and Ukraine met in Geneva for discussions on the U.S. peace proposal. The talks were constructive, focused, and respectful, underscoring the shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace.
Both sides agreed the consultations were highly productive. The discussions showed meaningful progress toward aligning positions and identifying clear next steps. They reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace. As a result of the discussions, the parties drafted an updated and refined peace framework.
The Ukrainian delegation reaffirmed its gratitude for the steadfast commitment of the United States and, personally, President Donald J. Trump for their tireless efforts aimed at ending the war and the loss of life.
Ukraine and the United States agreed to continue intensive work on joint proposals in the coming days. They will also remain in close contact with their European partners as the process advances.
Final decisions under this framework will be made by the Presidents of Ukraine and the United States.
Both sides reiterated their readiness to continue working together to secure a peace that ensures Ukraine’s security, stability, and reconstruction.
According to a press release, the House Judiciary Committee reports that the Biden-Harris Justice Department secretly obtained Chairman Jim Jordan’s phone records from January 1, 2020 onward using a grand jury subpoena issued to Verizon on April 25, 2022, without his knowledge. The subpoena, tied to the “Arctic Frost” investigation that underpinned Special Counsel Jack Smith’s election case against former President Trump, sought extensive data including call logs, texts, voicemail, payment sources, IP addresses, and location information, and was paired with a nondisclosure order to prevent alerting Jordan. The release states that under Smith’s leadership, the DOJ also collected phone records of more than a dozen Republican members of Congress, with Jordan’s records requested by prosecutor Timothy Duree, who worked with senior prosecutor Thomas Windom, now referred to DOJ for criminal prosecution by the Committee. It further alleges that members of Smith’s team failed to fully cooperate with the Committee’s oversight efforts and accuses the Special Counsel’s office of weaponizing the justice system through partisan prosecutions, prosecutorial misconduct, and constitutional abuses.
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– In response to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan’s request for documents and communications between Verizon Wireless and former Special Counsel Jack Smith, newly obtained documents reveal that the Biden-Harris Administration Justice Department obtained Chairman Jordan’s phone records over a two-year period.
The Biden-Harris Justice Department obtained a grand jury subpoena issued on April 25, 2022—without Chairman Jordan’s knowledge—for “all call detail records” beginning on January 1, 2020, including but not limited to records for inbound and outbound calls, text messages, direct-connect communications, voicemail messages, addresses, as well as sources of payments, IP addresses, and location information.
The subpoena was accompanied by a nondisclosure order asserting that notifying Chairman Jordan of the existence of the subpoena could “result in flight from prosecution, destruction of or tampering with evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses, and serious jeopardy to the investigation.”
The Arctic Frost investigation, which launched on April 13, 2022, formed the basis of Smith’s election case against President Donald Trump. Under Smith’s leadership, the Biden-Harris Justice Department secretly obtained the phone records of over a dozen sitting Republican Members of Congress.
Chairman Jordan’s phone records were requested by Timothy Duree, a Justice Department prosecutor who worked with Thomas Windom, one of Smith’s top prosecutors who was recently referred to the DOJ for criminal prosecution by the Committee.
Several members of Smith’s Special Counsel team failed to fully cooperate with the Committee’s investigation into the Biden-Harris Justice Department’s weaponization of the rule of law. The disturbing tactics employed by Smith’s team during its partisan and politically motivated prosecutions of President Trump undermined the integrity of the criminal justice system. As Special Counsel, Smith was ultimately responsible for the prosecutorial misconduct and constitutional abuses committed by his office.
