On November 26, 2025, the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit conceding that the EPA’s 2024 air quality standard for particulate matter—issued under the Biden administration—violated the Clean Air Act by bypassing the required thorough scientific review and using an unlawful regulatory shortcut. The Trump administration argues that vacating the costly and restrictive rule will restore legal compliance, protect Americans from burdensome regulations that may cause more economic harm than environmental benefit, and reaffirm the EPA’s obligation to base air-quality decisions on complete science rather than expedited procedures.
Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division Highlights to D.C. Appeals Court the Illegality of 2024 EPA RuleShare
For Immediate Release
Earlier this week, the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to void the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s 2024 air quality standard for particulate matter, because EPA recognizes that it took an unlawful regulatory shortcut in imposing the rule.
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to conduct a thorough review of the underlying science before revising an air quality standard. Under the previous administration, the EPA decided it could not be bothered to do the science, so it took an illegal regulatory shortcut to adopt a stifling and costly national air quality standard for particulate matter through a truncated reconsideration process.
Under President Donald J. Trump’s Administration, the EPA has renewed its commitment to following the law. ENRD’s filing this week concedes the illegality of the 2024 rule. During the Biden Administration, EPA violated the Clean Air Act by issuing its rule without a thorough review of the science and without considering the costs of its shortcut. Discarding the rule would bring EPA back into compliance with the Clean Air Act and protect Americans from burdensome environmental standards that may ultimately do more harm than good.
Company’s Global Headquarters at 25 Kent Avenue Represents $10 Million Capital Investment and 600 New High-Tech Jobs in Williamsburg. New Facility Will Drive $67 Million in R&D Spending To Advance AI, Personalization, and E-Commerce Innovation
Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the grand opening of Queen One’s new global headquarters — the Rise and Fly Vision Centre — in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Spanning more than 30,000 square feet at 25 Kent Avenue, the facility will serve as the company’s central hub for innovation, community collaboration, and next-generation e-commerce development. The project represents a more than $10 million capital investment and is expected to create 600 full-time, high-tech jobs in New York City over the next five years, alongside an estimated $67 million in research and development investment.
“New York’s tech sector is thriving, and Queen One’s expansion in Brooklyn is proof that innovation and opportunity continue to rise here in the Empire State,” Governor Hochul said. “The Rise and Fly Vision Centre represents the next chapter of New York’s e-commerce leadership — blending technology, creativity, and community to create hundreds of high-quality jobs and cutting-edge solutions that will shape the digital economy for years to come.”
The company’s expansion is supported by up to $6 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development (ESD) in exchange for the job creation commitments.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Queen One’s investment in Williamsburg is a powerful example of how New York continues to attract and grow world-class technology companies. This project strengthens Brooklyn’s position as a hub for innovation while bringing hundreds of good-paying jobs to the city. We are proud to support Queen One’s vision for the future of e-commerce through our Excelsior Jobs Program.”
Queen One Founder and CEO Ryan Urban said, “The Time is Now. Time to Work. Time of Your Life. Queen One is officially in process. We’re honored to be part of the bedrock of innovation in Brooklyn. Thank you to the state of New York and the best city in the world for this special partnership and incredible opportunity. There are so many vibrant success stories in New York right now and we’re pulsing with excitement with what’s to come in the next 10 years.”
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball said, “Queen One’s decision to open its global headquarters in Brooklyn underscores the strength of New York City’s tech sector and the diverse talent that continues to draw world-class innovators to the five boroughs. Bridging modern e-commerce innovation with AI and community collaboration, Queen One joins a growing list of companies choosing NYC to scale and NYCEDC is proud to work with Queen One as they build a home in the Applied AI capital of the world.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her commitment to fostering an innovation economy that creates real opportunity for New Yorkers, and I’m proud that the State Legislature has worked alongside her to champion investments that keep cutting-edge companies right here in our communities. The opening of Queen One’s Rise and Fly Vision Centre is a powerful reminder that when we invest in the talent, creativity, and diversity of New York City, we fuel the kind of technological growth that delivers good jobs, strengthens our neighborhoods, and builds a more inclusive future for the tech sector.”
Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “Congratulations to Queen One on their exciting vision for a new technology business concept and for doing what so many high-tech innovators have done, choose New York State to start and grow their business. Governor Hochul and our team at Empire State Development have made attracting and expanding technology success stories a major part of New York’s economic growth. Technology companies repeatedly choose New York because of our educated workforce and the science and technology focus of Empire State Development.”
Queen One’s headquarters opening in Brooklyn marks another milestone in New York City’s evolution as a premier destination for tech innovation and entrepreneurship. The city’s combination of diverse talent, substantial capital resources, world-class academic institutions, and creative energy continues to draw both industry leaders and emerging companies. Strategic expansions from firms like OpenAI, Duolingo, and StubHub, alongside investments from high-growth companies such as Figma, Rippling, Rokt, and Quadrature, demonstrate the momentum behind New York’s tech sector. With Queen One now operational in Brooklyn, the company joins a thriving ecosystem driving breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure. Through these strategic investments and expansions, New York positions itself as the premier market where technology companies build, scale, and drive lasting impact.
Since 2021, New York State’s tech sector has added nearly 35,000 new jobs and New York City is now home to more than 2,000 AI start-ups. The number of tech businesses in the state has increased by 30 percent to more than 31,400 businesses, and New York City’s tech sector has added jobs at nearly 10 times the rate of the city’s overall economy.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
About Queen One
Queen One is the brand technology platform bringing life, energy, and guaranteed revenue to websites and communication programs. Guided by the belief that every product has a story, Queen One is building a platform that helps communicate their value and drive real revenue for Commerce brands worldwide. The company’s headquarters, The Rise and Fly Vision Centre, brings together technical and commercial teams that strengthen New York’s innovation corridor and support job creation in the city’s technology sector.
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.
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.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general won a major court ruling blocking the Trump administration from eliminating four federal agencies that support libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses, workers, and efforts to combat homelessness. A federal judge in Rhode Island granted summary judgment stopping an Executive Order that sought to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The court agreed with the attorneys general that the president cannot unilaterally shut down agencies created and funded by Congress, calling the administration’s actions unlawful and barring future attempts to carry out the order. James called the decision a major victory for protecting critical services that communities rely on every day.
Attorney General James Wins Lawsuit Stopping Elimination of Four Vital Federal Agencies
Court Bars Trump Administration from Dismantling Federal Agencies Supporting Libraries, Museums, Minority-Owned Businesses, Workers, and Services for the Unhoused
– New York Attorney General Letitia James today won her lawsuit protecting four federal agencies from being illegally dismantled by the Trump administration. The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island today granted a motion for summary judgment brought by Attorney General James and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general. In April, Attorney General James co-led the coalition in suing the administration to stop the implementation of an Executive Order that would dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). The court’s order permanently blocks the administration from eliminating these four agencies.
“The federal government’s illegal attack on these agencies threatened vital resources for workers, small businesses, and the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Attorney General James. “This is a major victory in our ongoing work to defend important services that New Yorkers rely on every day. I will keep fighting to stop the chaos and destruction of this administration’s attempts to dismantle our government.”
In April, Attorney General James and the coalition sued to stop the administration’s elimination of three federal agencies:
IMLS, which supports museums and libraries nationwide through grantmaking, research, and policy development;
MBDA, which promotes the growth and inclusion of minority-owned businesses through federal financial assistance programs; and
FMCS, which promotes the peaceful resolution of labor disputes.
In May, Attorney General James and the coalition secured a preliminary injunction stopping the administration from implementing the Executive Order, which sought to dismantle these three agencies. In June, the coalition filed an amended lawsuit seeking to protect another agency targeted by the same Executive Order, USICH, which coordinates the federal government’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness nationwide.
Attorney General James and the coalition argued in the lawsuit that the Executive Order’s elimination of all four agencies violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by attempting to override Congress. The president does not have the power to unilaterally eliminate federal agencies created and funded by Congress, and he cannot arbitrarily and suddenly cease agency programs. In its decision on the motion for summary judgment, the District Court sided with Attorney General James and the coalition, ruling that the administration’s actions were unlawful, and barred the administration from taking any future actions to carry out the Executive Order’s elimination of the four agencies.
This lawsuit is led by Attorney General James and the attorneys general of Rhode Island and Hawaii. Joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies throughout the state will increase patrols to target impaired and reckless driving during the Thanksgiving travel season. Funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), the special enforcement period runs from Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, November 30 and also will address other unsafe driving behaviors, including violations of the state’s Move Over Law.
“Thanksgiving is the beginning of the busy holiday season with thousands of people traveling to gather and celebrate with friends and family,” Governor Hochul said. “Those celebrations should not be marred by tragedy caused by impaired or reckless driving on our roadways. I urge drivers to stay alert, stay sober and move over when you see vehicles stopped on the side of the road. I thank our troopers and local law enforcement for spending time away from their loved ones to work on Thanksgiving and throughout the holidays to help keep New York’s roadways safe.”
In addition to increased traffic volume during the Thanksgiving holiday period, it also is a time of the year associated with increased alcohol use. During the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday period, law enforcement officers arrested 1,705 drivers for driving while impaired or intoxicated, and issued 10,078 speeding tickets, and 1,702 tickets for distracted driving.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “We want everyone to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their friends and families this year and for years to come. Impaired driving can change the very fabric of a family and alter holiday memories forever. Nobody wants to live with the consequences of poor decisions that could have been easily avoided.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Every year, there are preventable tragedies and a wake of victims left behind because of the decisions made by reckless and impaired drivers. As we drive throughout the state to see our family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday, driver safety is absolutely imperative. The New York State Police proudly joins our law enforcement partners in the continued effort to discourage, detect, and apprehend impaired and drunk drivers.”
The State Police will supplement regular patrols statewide through efforts including fixed sobriety checkpoints and utilizing Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) patrol vehicles to better spot distracted drivers and those talking or texting on handheld devices. These unmarked vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
The average drinking and driving arrest costs up to $10,000. Individuals arrested for drunk and drugged driving face the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and expenses from attorney fees, fines, car towing and repairs, and lost time at work.
Construction Closures Suspended
To help ease travel during the busy holiday season, lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended beginning 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26 through 6 a.m. on Monday, December 1.
The construction suspension aligns with New York State’s Drivers First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work. Motorists should be aware some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.
Text stops, including park-and-ride facilities, rest stops, service areas and parking areas along state highways support the state’s effort to reduce distracted driving.
In advance of the busy travel week for the Thanksgiving holiday, all 27 service areas located on the New York State Thruway are now open. Motorists can view the service areas and plan their stops on the Thruway Authority’s website and on the free mobile app, which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app also provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert emails, which provide the latest conditions along the Thruway.
Travelers can also check NYSDOT’s 511NY before traveling by calling 5-1-1, visiting the 511 website, or downloading the free 511NY mobile app on the App Store or Google Play. The free service allows users to check road conditions, view 2,219 traffic cameras and link to air and transit information. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the most important times of the year for families across New York to gather with their loved ones, and we want to make sure everyone gets to their destinations safely. By lifting construction restrictions during one of the busiest weekends for travel, we’re helping all New Yorkers spend less time in traffic and more time with one another. We urge all motorists to drive carefully this holiday season, and if you do come across one of our crews over the coming weeks, please slow down and give them room to do their jobs safely.”
New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and suspending construction activities will help motorists get to their destinations with fewer delays. We urge motorists to make safety a priority-remain alert, don’t drive distracted or impaired, and slow down and move over if it’s safe to do so for all vehicles on the side of the road. We thank our partners at New York State Police Troop T for patrolling the Thruway and keeping motorists safe.”
Chautauqua County Sheriff and President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association James Quattrone said, “The Thanksgiving holiday is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. It is also a time when some people may drive impaired which puts themselves and others in danger. Law enforcement will be on the lookout for impaired and aggressive drivers. The Sheriffs of New York State want you to enjoy the long holiday weekend, be safe, courteous drivers, and have a plan to not drive impaired.”
New York State Association of Chiefs of Police President and Mount Pleasant Police Department Paul Oliva said, “As we enter the season of giving thanks for our blessings, local law enforcement will be out conducting Impaired Driver and Excessive Speed engagement details, ensuring that travel on our roadways is safe for everyone. Please drive attentively so all can make their destinations to enjoy the holiday weekend with family and friends.”
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their “Have a Plan” mobile app, is available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi or rideshare service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties and provides a way to report a suspected impaired driver.
ABC “News” is not journalism — it’s a Democrat spin operation masquerading as a broadcast network. The network’s longstanding commitment to hoaxes, character assassinations, and outright fiction targeting only one side of the political aisle is a deliberate deception to wage war on President Trump and the millions of Americans who elected him to multiple terms.
ABC “News” has a long, rich tradition of peddling lies, conspiracies, and outright opinion thinly veiled as fact:
In 2017, ABC suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross after he falsely reported that President Trump had directed Michael Flynn to contact Russian officials before the 2016 election.
In 2020, ABC suspended veteran correspondent David Wright after he was caught identifying himself as a “socialist” and admitting the network pushes an anti-Trump agenda and airs stories designed for profit, not news.
In 2020, George Stephanopoulos — longtime Democrat operative turned wannabe “journalist” — failed to ask Joe Biden about his son Hunter’s infamous laptop or the swirling allegations of impropriety.
In 2024, Stephanopoulos repeatedly lied about President Trump’s legal cases. After being sued for promoting these defamatory lies, the network agreed to settle for $16 million and issue a statement of regret.
In October 2024, the network erroneously “fact checked” President Trump at least five times during the presidential debate — but failed to call out his opponent a single time.
Following President Trump’s historic 2024 election victory, 90% of the network’s coverage of his cabinet nominees was negative.
In January, ABC News gave 27 times more coverage to President Trump’s pardons of January 6 defendants than of Biden’s last-minute pardons to his corrupt family members.
In January, ABC News editorialized in a partisan way that President Trump’s personnel directives were “retribution.”
In February, ABC News mischaracterized the Trump Administration’s effort to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the bloated federal bureaucracy as an “attack on veterans.”
In April, ABC News peddled the debunked lie that the Trump Administration was unilaterally deporting U.S. citizen babies.
In June, ABC News’s senior national correspondent Terry Moran smeared White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as a “world-class hater” whose “hatreds are his spiritual nourishment” — just one entry in a long series of Moran’s obvious liberal bias during his tenure.
In June, ABC News aired what it called a “violent Border Patrol detention” — but failed to mention the detained illegal immigrant had been chasing federal agents with a weed whacker.
In June, ABC News praised violent Los Angeles rioters for “self-policing” — as local businesses and property were being harmed — during coverage critical of President Trump’s National Guard deployment.
In July, ABC News used its special coverage of the One Big Beautiful Bill signing ceremony to falsely claim the legislation would “mostly” benefit “the wealthiest Americans” and repeat the debunked talking point that millions of Americans would “lose their healthcare.”
In July, ABC News refused to cover the Office of National Intelligence’s announcement of a landmark investigation into Obama-era politicization and manufacturing of intelligence assessments.
In July, ABC News dismissed the vicious MS-13 gang — whose motto is literally “kill, rape, control” — as a “clique.”
In September, Stephanopoulos repeatedly — and falsely — insisted that people had somehow “died” because of the Trump Administration’s decision to shutter a bloated, wasteful bureaucratic agency.
