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Lithuania's Defense Minister Laurinas Kasciunas and Ukraine's Defense Minister have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a mechanism to support the security and defense forces. The new round of cooperation will facilitate investments in the Ukrainian defense industry. In particular, the memorandum will open up new opportunities for Lithuanian investment in the Ukrainian defense industry. This was announced by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov. The head of the defense ministry emphasized that the memorandum envisages a long-term agreement, under which the first tranche of EUR 10 million has already been agreed. In particular, Umerov noted that the Lithuanian side is already working on finalizing bureaucratic procedures, and the first tranche to support Ukrainian DeepStrike will be transferred in the near future. "In addition to signing the memorandum, we discussed our key priorities for 2025: training and equipping Ukrainian brigades, providing ammunition, air defense systems, and developing cooperation in the defense industry. We thank Lithuania for its support and trust in Ukrainian technologies," Umerov said. As a reminder, Switzerland has banned the export of ammunition to a Polish company after about 645,000 Swiss-made small-caliber shells entered Ukraine. Earlier it was reported that Canada had handed over another NASAMS anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine. The air defense system was ordered from the United States in 2023. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!A special election will be held next year for the vacant 36th state Senate district seat. The primary will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and the general election will take place on Tuesday, April 29, per Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation ordering the special election. The 36th state Senate district — which spans Orange and Los Angeles counties — was most recently represented by Republican Janet Nguyen , who was sworn in last week as Orange County’s First District supervisor . The district is predominantly coastal, stretching from Seal Beach down to San Clemente. It stretches inland to include Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Westminster in Orange County, as well as Artesia and Cerritos in Los Angeles County. Republicans account for 37.11% of registered voters in the district, as of the secretary of state’s latest tally on Oct. 21 , and Democrats make up 33.93% while 22.61% are no party preference. Huntington Beach Councilmember Tony Strickland, a Republican, has already launched a bid for the seat . He previously spent 10 years in the California Legislature where he represented parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The governor’s proclamation Tuesday also set a special election on the same dates for the 32nd Assembly district seat, which was represented by now-Rep. Vince Fong. The San Joaquin Valley Republican had been on the ballot twice in November, for the Assembly seat as well as the House seat to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Staff writer Hanna Kang contributed to this report. Related Articles

WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday passed a $895 billion measure that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. It passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. People are also reading... Lawmakers said service member pay failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. "No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "This bill goes a long way to fixing that." The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation's borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators had wanted to increase defense spending some $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a "tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions within the bill. "We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it," Wicker said. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., speaks with reporters Nov. 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many non-defense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, have proven effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts "These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives," Smith said. "And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar service members' children from having access to that." Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted on the ban and said the provision "taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation." Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, "I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates." Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, "and yet, here it is in this bill." Branden Marty, a Navy veteran who served for 13 years, said the loss of health coverage for transgender medical treatments could prompt some with valuable experience to leave the military, affecting national security because "we already struggle from a recruiting and retention standpoint." He also said the bill could regularly force service members into difficult choices financially. "It will be tough for a lot of them because of out-of-pocket expenses, especially enlisted members who we know already struggle with food insecurity," said Marty, the father of a transgender teenager. "They don't get paid very much, so they're going to be making a lot of choices on a day-to-day, tactical level." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., responds to reporters Dec. 6 during his weekly news conference at the Capitol in Washington. J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team did not tell Democrats how to vote on the bill. "There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well," Jeffries said. Overall, 81 Democrats voted for the bill and 124 against it. On the Republican side, 200 voted for the bill and 16 against it. "It's disappointing to see 124 of my Democrat colleagues vote against our brave men and women in uniform over policies that have nothing to do with their intended mission," Johnson, R-La., said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January. U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors Rising threats from debt collectors against members of the U.S. armed forces are undermining national security, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal watchdog that protects consumer rights. To manage the impact of financial stress on individual performance, the Defense Department dedicates precious resources to improving financial literacy, so service members know the dangers of notorious no-credit-check loans. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Andrew Cohen, the director of financial readiness in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. But debt collectors are gaining ground. Last quarter, debt collection complaints by U.S. military service members increased 24% , and attempts to collect on “debts not owed” surged 40%. Complaints by service members against debt collectors for deceptive practices ballooned from 1,360 in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,833 in the first quarter of 2024. “There’s a connection between the financial readiness and the readiness of a service member to perform their duty,” said Jim Rice, Assistant Director, Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Laws exist to protect the mission readiness of U.S. troops from being compromised by threats and intimidation, but debt collectors appear to be violating them at an alarming pace. “If they’re threatening to call your commander or get your security clearance revoked, that’s illegal,” says Deborah Olvera, financial readiness manager at Wounded Warriors Project, and a military spouse who’s been harassed herself by a collection agency that tried to extort money from her for a debt she didn’t owe. But after she requested the name of the original creditor, she never heard from them again. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities.” —Andrew Cohen, Director of Financial Readiness at the Pentagon Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it’s illegal for debt collectors to threaten to contact your boss or have you arrested because it violates your financial privacy. The FDCPA also prohibits debt collectors from making false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of a debt, even for borrowers with bad credit scores. But according to the data, debt collectors are increasingly ignoring those rules. “Debt collection continues to be one of the top consumer complaint categories,” said a spokesperson at the Federal Trade Commission. The commission released a report earlier this year revealing that consumers were scammed $10 billion in 2023, a new benchmark for fraud losses. In his book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, David Graeber argues that debt often creates a relationship that can feel more oppressive than systems of hierarchy, like slavery or caste systems because it starts by presuming equality between the debtor and the creditor. When the debtor falls into arrears, that equality is then destroyed. This sense of betrayal and the subsequent imbalance of power leads to widespread resentment toward lenders. Jon Bilous Most Menacing Loan Messengers Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock The debt collector reportedly harassing military service members most was Resurgent Capital Services, a subsidiary of collection giant Sherman Financial Group. The company tacks on accrued interest and junk fees and tries to collect on debts purchased for pennies on the dollar from cable companies, hospitals, and credit card companies, among others. Sherman Financial Group is run by billionaire Benjamin Navarro, who has a reported net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. Sherman Financial also owns subprime lender Credit One Bank and LVNV Funding, which outsource collections to Resurgent Capital. According to CFPB data, the second worst offender is CL Holdings, the parent company of debt-buyer Jefferson Capital Systems. The company has also been named in numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau for alleged violations of the FDCPA, such as failing to properly validate debts or update credit reports with accurate information. Under the leadership of CEO David Burton, Jefferson Capital Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CompuCredit Corporation, which markets subprime credit cards under the names Aspire, Majestic, and others. The third most referenced debt collector is publicly traded Portfolio Recovery Associates [NASDAQ: PRAA], which was forced to pay $27 million in penalties for making false representations about debts, initiating lawsuits without proper documentation, and other violations. Portfolio Recovery Associates is run by CEO Vikram Atal. Fourth place for alleged worst offender goes to Encore Capital Group [NASDAQ ECPG], which was required to pay $42 million in consumer refunds and a $10 million penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Encore collects under its subsidiary Midland Credit Management Group. These debt collectors all operate under a veritable shell game of company and brand names, almost none of which are disclosed on their websites, sending consumers on a wild goose chase to try and figure out how they’re related to each other. But despite their attempts to hide their tracks behind a smoke screen of subsidiaries, a leopard can’t change its spots, and the CFPB complaint database makes it harder for them to try. Olena Yakobchuk Loan Harassment Hotspots Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock Although widely considered a consumer-friendly state, complaints spiked most in California, which saw a 188% increase in complaints filed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. California is home to 157,367 military personnel, making it the most populous state for active-duty service members. The second-largest increase in debt collection complaints was in Texas, which saw a 66% jump from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense reports 111,005 service members stationed in the Lone Star State, which is the third-most populous state for active-duty military. The rising trends do not correlate to the number of military personnel by state. Complaints against debt collectors in Virginia, the second most populous state with 126,145 active duty personnel, decreased by 29% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. And complaints filed quarter-over-quarter in North Carolina, the fifth most populous state with 91,077 military personnel, decreased by 3% in the same period. The third largest percentage increase in debt collection complaints was from service members stationed in Maryland, where alleged harassment reports jumped 112% from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. Maryland ranks number 12 with just 28,059 active duty service members. Fourth place goes to Ohio – the 28th most populous active-duty state – where complaints doubled, followed by Arizona – the 15th most populous military state – where complaints were up 70% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. Bumble Dee Billionaire Bets on Bad Credit Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock In 2007, Congress passed the Military Lending Act to cap the cost of credit to a 36% annual percentage rate, inclusive of junk fees and late charges, for active duty military service members. That rate is still considerably higher than average credit card rates, which range from 8% for borrowers with excellent credit scores to as high as 36% for borrowers with bad credit. But lenders still get hauled into court for violating the MLA. Don Hankey, the billionaire subprime auto lender who funded Donald Trump’s $175 million appeal bond , is among those violators. His company, Westlake Financial, which markets high-interest car loans for bad credit, has been sued twice by the Department of Justice for harassing military service members. In 2017, the DoJ alleged Hankey’s Westlake Financial illegally repossessed at least 70 vehicles owned by military service members. Westlake Financial paid $700,000 to settle the charges. In 2022, Westlake Financial paid $250,000 for allegedly cheating U.S. troops out of interest rates they were legally entitled to. Westlake Financial continues to receive complaints from military service members alleging abusive debt collection practices on its no-credit-check loans. A steady year-over-year increase in the number of complaints filed against Westlake Financial continued from 2020 to 2023. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data shows a 13% increase in the number of complaints against the company from 2020 to 2021, a 28% increase from 2021 to 2022, and a torrential 119% surge from 2022 to 2023. The numbers suggest systemic complaint-handling processes and inadequate customer service resources. PeopleImages.com - Yuri A Lenders Try to Shutter CFPB Photo Credit: Cynthia Shirk / Shutterstock On May 16, 2024, a deceptively named predatory lending industry front group dubbed the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) lost a legal attempt to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In an effort to deprive Americans of essential consumer protections, the lobby group argued that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure was unconstitutional. But the Supreme Court denied its claim. In a 7-2 ruling, the Court held that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure is indeed constitutional. That means the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot be defunded, but it does not mean the agency cannot be defanged. The New York Times suggested that Hankey’s incentive to finance Trump’s $175 million bond could have been a reciprocity pledge to neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election. If Trump wins a second term, he could replace Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Rohit Chopra, an American consumer advocate, with a predatory lending advocate. In 2020, the Trump Administration secured a Supreme Court ruling that made it easier for the president to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The ruling struck down previous restrictions on when a president can fire the bureau’s director. Like other federal agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also been confronted for overstepping its bounds, pushing too far, and acting unfairly against entities it regulates. Cynthia Shirk Holidays, Interest Rates Not to Blame Photo Credit: Lux Blue / Shutterstock Seasonality and rising interest rates do not explain the increase in debt collection complaints from service members. The surge in complaints is not tied to predictable seasonal fluctuations or changes in interest rates. The increase in debt collection complaints by service members may point to underlying systemic issues, such as aggressive and predatory debt collection practices that exploit the unique financial vulnerabilities of service members, who face frequent relocations and deployments. Debt Complaints by Service Members From Q1 2021 to Q4 2022 Up 4% From Q4 2022 to Q1 2023 Up 6% From Q4 2023 to Q1 2024 Up 24% The 24% spike in debt collection complaints exhibits no correlation to fluctuations in interest rates. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates From 3.08% in Q4 2021 to 3.82% in Q1 2022 From 6.66% in Q4 2022 to 6.37% in Q1 2023 From 7.30% in Q1 2023 to 6.75% in Q4 2024 Pandemic stimulus checks were also not a factor. COVID-19 relief benefit checks went through three major rounds during the pandemic. The final round of Economic Impact Payments went out in March 2021 . To better understand the rising trend of debt collection complaints, we calculated the increase in the total number of complaints and the percentage increase quarter-over-quarter. For example, New Jersey has the second largest percentage increase in complaints quarter-over-quarter, but the total number of complaints increased by just 16. Shutterstock Methodology The data for this study was sourced from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database. The dataset specifically targeted complaints filed by U.S. military service members, identified using the tag “Servicemember” within Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. Readers can find the detailed research methodology underlying this news story in the accompanying section here . For complete results, see U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors on BadCredit.org . Jon Bilous Veteran homelessness is on the rise despite government efforts—here's how it happens Veteran homelessness is on the rise despite government efforts—here's how it happens Homelessness reached record levels in 2023, as rents and home prices continued to rise in most of the U.S. One group was particularly impacted: people who have served in the U.S. military. "This time last year, we knew the nation was facing a deadly public health crisis," Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said in a statement about the 2023 numbers. He said the latest homelessness estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development "confirms the depth of the crisis." At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to HUD. While that's about half of what it was in 2009—when the organization began collecting data—things have plateaued in recent years despite active efforts to get that number to zero. Although they make up just 6.6% of the total homeless population, veterans are more likely to be at risk of homelessness than Americans overall. Of every 10,000 Americans, 20 were experiencing homelessness. Of veterans living in the United States, that number jumps to 22, HUD data shows. Complicated by bureaucracy, family dynamics, and prejudice, the path from serving in the military to homelessness is a long one. According to a 2022 study by Yale School of Medicine researchers, homelessness typically occurs within four years of leaving the military, as veterans must contend with the harsh reality of finding a job in a world where employers struggle to see how skills on the battlefield transfer to a corporate environment. These days, veterans also deal with historically high rent and home prices, which causes many to rely on family generosity while figuring out a game plan. Stacker examined academic studies, analyzed government data, and spoke with members of the Biden administration, experts, and former members of the armed forces to see the struggles members of the military face when leaving the armed forces. Photo illustration by Michael Flocker // Stacker // Canva Veterans struggle to find a path forward The Department of Veterans Affairs offers transition assistance to the roughly 250,000 service members who leave each year. However, those programs can be burdensome and complex to navigate, especially for those who don't have a plan for post-military life. Only a small portion of veterans have jobs lined up when they leave, according to 2019 Pew Research. Many also choose to live with relatives until they get on their feet, which can be longer than anticipated. Some former service members are unsure what kind of career they'd like to pursue and may have to get further education or training, Carl Castro, director of the Military and Veteran Programs at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, told Stacker. "It takes years for that kind of transition," Castro said. Many have trouble finding a job after leaving the service, even if they are qualified. Some employers carry misconceptions about those who have served. A 2020 analysis from the journal Human Resource Management Review found that some veterans face hiring discrimination due to negative stereotypes that lead hiring managers to write them off as a poor culture fit. Underemployment, or working low-wage jobs below their skill level, is also an issue. While the unemployment rate for veterans was 3% in March 2024, a study released by Penn State at the end of 2023 found three years after leaving the service, 61% of veterans said they were underemployed because of perceived skill mismatches . This phenomenon can have long-term economic effects, and eventually, that frustration can boil over, strain relationships, and potentially lead to housing instability. Working, especially a low-wage job, is not protection against homelessness. A 2021 study from the University of Chicago found half of people living in homeless shelters and 2 in 5 unsheltered people were employed, full or part-time. Stacker Vets with mental health issues most at risk for homelessness For veterans, housing costs certainly play a role, but those who leave the military also face systemic barriers. "It's worrying there are people that continue to fall through the cracks," said Jeanette Yih Harvie, a research associate at Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Just under a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness have a severe mental illness , according to 2022 HUD survey data. They are also likely to have chronic illnesses but are unable to maintain preventative care, which only exacerbates these problems. Veterans facing homelessness are more likely to have experienced trauma , either before or after joining the military, according to Yale researchers who analyzed the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Childhood trauma was among the most significant commonalities among vets who become homeless. Substance use disorder is also widespread and can indicate an undiagnosed mental illness . Racial and ethnic disparities are at play, too. A 2023 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that Hispanic and Black veterans were more likely to screen positive for PTSD, and Hispanic veterans were more likely to report having suicidal ideation. Overall, access to mental health care has improved in the last decade or so. In December 2023, the VA announced it would open nine additional counseling centers. However, the stigma of getting help remains, especially after years of being conditioned to be self-reliant and pull oneself up by their bootstraps. That help, in the form of public policy, is slowly working to catch up to the need. In 2023, the Biden administration invested millions into research programs and studies on suicide prevention by the VA office in addition to a proposed $16 billion to improve quality and lower-cost mental health care services for veterans. And, in February of this year, HUD and the VA announced they would give up to $14 million in vouchers to public housing agencies for veterans experiencing homelessness. The program would also offer case management and other services. Still, with a culture that pushes people to keep going, it can be challenging for servicemembers to take advantage of these opportunities, Harvie said. "When you've been doing that for the last 15 or 20 years, it's difficult to stop and say, 'I'm the person that needs help.'" Story editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Stacker Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!

Gov JB Pritzker on Wednesday said he would be willing to speak with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming border czar to discuss his mass deportation plan, but questioned whether Tom Homan has the legal “authority” to execute Trump’s broad initiative. The Democratic governor’s comments at an unrelated Chicago news conference came two days after Homan ripped into Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson at a Northwest Side political fundraiser, declaring Chicago would be ground zero for his plan. “ At some point, he’s going to become a part of the Trump administration and so, I’m open to dialogue with him,” Pritzker said. “I will say that he ... does not have the authority to do the things that he’s talked about. Being a border czar is not an official position in the government and will be up to the President of the United States and up to the leaders of the Customs and Border patrol to make decisions about how we’ll manage the border. ” Homan, the former acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump’s first term, threatened to arrest people who are found with the undocumented criminals he is targeting. And though he reiterated that there was no plan to separate families, he said “it may happen.” Speaking on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Trump said that ICE would be “starting with the criminals.” It’s unclear whether that means trying to pick up migrants or undocumented criminals in prisons and jails — or within communities. But the first Trump administration struggled with cooperation from legal authorities in sanctuary states. Pritzker said he would cooperate with authorities to help find the “violent criminals” that the Trump administration is targeting, but vowed to protect the state’s documented immigrants, migrants and immigrants lacking legal status, who have protections under state law. “They’ve tried very hard to become documented, to use the levers that are available..but they’re here and they’re holding down jobs and they’re paying taxes that they don’t get benefits from,” Pritzker said of immigrants lacking legal status. “And I believe it’s my obligation to protect them too. Those are residents of the state of Illinois.” The governor, however, expressed concern that laws on the books, including one making Illinois a sanctuary state, won’t be adhered to under a second Trump administration. “I’m proud of those laws in the state of Illinois. I’m proud of those laws that protect people who are undocumented here that, by the way, protect those who are migrants and those who are documented immigrants too,” Pritzker said. “But we have laws that protect undocumented immigrants, and I’m going to make sure to follow the law. I’m concerned that the Trump administration and his lackeys aren’t going to follow the law, but I will.” Pritzker also said he would block the Illinois National Guard from being deployed to assist with any mass deportations. “I think that’s un-American. I think calling out the National Guard to be engaged in, you know, this endeavor is something that should be Customs and Border Patrol, if they want to be involved,” Pritzker said. "... But the civilian, the military, part-time military that are part of the Illinois National Guard didn’t join so they could essentially go to war in another state.” Pritzker’s comments came as he signed an executive order that will create a new Illinois Director of Housing Solutions to combat the state’s housing crises and increase the number of middle-class homes and rental options across the state. The order will also relaunch the SmartBuy program, which offers a 30-year fixed rate first mortgage with $5,000 in deferred down payment and closing cost assistance. The program will also provide up to $40,000 in student loan relief to borrowers buying a home in Illinois.

Fox News Politics: Wray Makes Way

Bills defense out to prove against high-scoring Lions that it's better than its dud vs. Rams

NoneFive-star quarterback commit Bryce Underwood took to social media to celebrate Michigan ’s upset win over rivals Ohio State . On Saturday at Ohio Stadium, the Wolverines stunned the No. 2 Buckeyes thanks to game-changing plays on special teams alongside a resolute defensive performance to come away 13-10 victors. The result stunned the fans, with the stuttering Michigan offense doing just enough to move into Ohio State territory to set up Dominic Zvada’s game-winning 21-yard field goal. The defeat severely damaged Ohio State’s chances of reaching the Big Ten championship game, and Michigan players went to celebrate by planting a large flag with a Block M at midfield. Their actions sparked a mass brawl in the middle of the field, which lasted several minutes. Ashton Jeanty shows class after making Boise State history in final Heisman push Michigan vs. Ohio State erupts into mass brawl as cops intervene, pepper spray used Underwood is a Michigan native who recently hit headlines as he flipped his commitment from LSU to the Wolverines . He has already ingratiated himself among the team’s fans, but the 17-year-old certainly garnered more support by posting the Michigan logo on his Instagram story. Underwood represents the first five-star player to sign with the Wolverines since cornerback Will Johnson, who established himself as one of the best defensive backs in college football and will likely be a premier selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Michigan has missed out on high-profile in-state quarterbacks in recent years and desperately needed a strong prospect to overhaul the offense under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore. Underwood, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300 recruiting rankings , announced the news with a video posted to Instagram with the caption "Hometown Hero." With his flip, the teenager becomes the highest-rated commit in Michigan program history and the top prospect in Moore's inaugural recruiting class. Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news While starring for Belleville High School, Underwood has led the Tigers to back-to-back state titles in his first two seasons under center, then earned Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2023 while completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,329 yards and 44 touchdowns. With only one regular-season loss since Sept. 2021, Underwood and Belleville entered the state playoffs this month as favorites to claim the program's third state championship in four years. Underwood had been committed to LSU since January 2024, only for Michigan to entice him thanks to a competitive NIL package . The Wolverines’ successful pursuit of the No. 1 ranked recruit was ultimately boosted by Larry Ellison, the world's second-richest man. Once Underwood signs with the Wolverines, he will become the first No. 1 overall recruit to join the program since defensive tackle Rashan Rary in 2016. Underwood also would join Gary and defensive backs Jabrill Peppers (2014 class) and Dax Hill (2019) as the only five-star prospects to land in Ann Arbor since 2006, while he represents the Wolverines' highest-ranked quarterback pledge since Ryan Mallett in the 2007 class. Michigan, the defending NCAA champions, is 7-5 following the dramatic win over Ohio State. Meanwhile, the No. 2 Buckeyes could now miss out on a meeting with No. 1 Oregon in the Big 10 Championship, with Penn State likely to clinch a berth. However, Ohio State will certainly be in the inaugural edition of the expanded College Football Playoff bracket. Want to watch more live sports? Peacock has your favorite sports, shows, and more all in one place. Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 so you can stream live sports like NFL, Premier League, and Big Ten Football.

Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City.WASHINGTON — FBI Director Chris Wray on Wednesday became the latest part of institutionalist Washington to act in the interest of the institution he led even as incoming President-elect Donald Trump makes clear he intends to burn them all to the ground. Like parents modeling good behavior to a toddler, President Joe Biden and members of his administration have been performing the rituals of a democracy going through a normal transfer of power to benefit a man who tried to end that democracy just four years earlier. Vice President Kamala Harris conceded her election loss and congratulated Trump. Biden invited him to the White House in the following days and pledged a smooth transition. Special counsel Jack Smith last month dismissed dozens of felony charges that could have put Trump in prison for decades because of standing Department of Justice policy that doesn’t allow it to prosecute a sitting president. And, Wednesday, Wray — who was appointed by Trump in 2017 and has more than two years to go in his 10-year term ― told his colleagues that he would resign before Trump takes office in January, given Trump’s desire to install loyalist and fellow conspiracy theorist Kash Patel in that job. “This is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important in how we do our work,” Wray said in a video released by the FBI of his remarks. “This is not easy for me. I love this place, I love our mission and I love our people.” Whether the strategy of teaching the value of American institutions by example will work with Trump remains to be seen. Bradley Moss, a lawyer in Washington who specializes in national security work, has his doubts, and said Wray should have forced Trump to fire him, given the man Trump wants to replace him with. “Utterly spineless. By doing this, Director Wray has guaranteed the very thing he was supposed to avoid: the FBI becoming a politicized institution,” Moss said. “If there was any question that going forward the position of director will change every time the party in power changes, something the Watergate statutory reforms were supposed to prevent, that idea is dead.” FBI directors serve 10-year terms as a result of a post-Watergate reform implemented after President Richard Nixon tried to use both the FBI and the CIA to cover up his attempts to cheat in the 1972 election by spying on the Democratic Party. Not long afterWray announced his decision, Trump — a convicted criminal who eluded federal charges by winning back the presidency — continued lying about his prosecutions and the FBI’s role in them. “Under the leadership of Christopher Wray, the FBI illegally raided my home, without cause, worked diligently on illegally impeaching and indicting me, and has done everything else to interfere with the success and future of America,” Trump posted on social media. In fact, the search of Trump’s South Florida country club was approved by a federal judge. Agents who executed the warrant found dozens of secret documents that Trump had refused to turn over despite a subpoena demanding that he do so. Further, Wray had nothing to do with either of Trump’s impeachments — the first in 2020 for his attempt to extort Ukraine into smearing Biden; the second for his Jan. 6, 2021, coup attempt. Both impeachments were carried out by the House of Representatives. In May 2017, Trump fired then-FBI director James Comey after he refused to pledge Trump his personal loyalty. Trump replaced him with Wray, who at the time was in the private sector after having served in the Justice Department under President George W. Bush. Mark Warner, a Democratic senator from Virginia who will soon go from chair to ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he was sorry to see Wray step down. “I understand that Director Wray is simply trying to do what he has always done – which is act with integrity – and I thank him for the principled leadership he brought to the FBI and for his service to the country,” Warner said in a statement. Patel, who worked in Trump’s first administration in various roles but seemed most interested in undermining evidence that Russia had helped Trump win in 2016, said in an interview last year that he would go after Trump’s critics if Trump returned to the White House. “We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in the government, but in the media,” Patel . “Yes, we’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. We’re going to come after you. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out, but yeah, we’re putting you all on notice.” In fact, no one helped Biden “rig” any election. Biden beat Trump by 7 million votes in 2020. Nonetheless, in a book he wrote called “Government Gangsters,” Patel laid out in an appendix who may need going after. They include former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr, former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham, former Trump Defense Secretary Mark Esper as well as Biden, Harris, and Trump’s 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton. Patel made clear that his list “was not exhaustive.” Moss said that if Wray had stayed on and Trump had fired him, the courts likely would have backed Trump. “But it would have come with a political cost. And the legal fight over the ability to fire Wray given the statutory protection instituted post-Watergate would have been bloody,” he said. Mike Davis, a former Senate lawyer who has been working on Trump’s transition team, said Wray was smart to step down. “My best guess: Chris Wray would have been fired, publicly humiliated and legally defeated.” Related...

Israel, Palestinians explore Gaza truce with US envoy on Mideast shuttle missionWASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a significant policy change designed to streamline the process for taxpayers filing returns with duplicate dependents while enhancing protections against identity theft. Starting with the 2025 tax filing season, the IRS will allow e-filed tax returns claiming dependents who have already been listed on another taxpayer’s return, provided the primary taxpayer includes a valid Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). This marks a major shift in the agency’s handling of such cases, which previously required affected taxpayers to file their returns by paper—a more time-consuming alternative. The new policy is expected to expedite tax refund processing for individuals filing in this scenario and underscores the IRS’s broader efforts to address identity theft risks. The change will particularly benefit taxpayers claiming critical credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), which can significantly impact families’ financial stability. Under existing procedures, when a dependent was already claimed on another return, subsequent returns would be rejected, leaving taxpayers no choice but to file by mail. The updated policy allows taxpayers facing such issues to electronically file their returns by including their IP PIN, a six-digit code issued by the IRS to verified individuals. Beginning in the 2025 tax season, e-filed Forms 1040, 1040-NR, and 1040-SS will be accepted under these conditions. This adjustment does not alter the IRS’s commitment to reject tax returns with duplicate dependent claims that lack an IP PIN. Taxpayers without an IP PIN in these cases must still file paper returns, potentially delaying their refunds. The new protocol also applies to attached forms relevant to dependents, including Forms 2441 (Child and Dependent Care Expenses), 8863 (Education Credits), and Schedule EIC (Earned Income Credit). However, the filing of duplicate dependent claims for prior tax years (2022 and 2023) will only be accepted by paper. The Identity Protection Personal Identification Number plays a pivotal role in protecting taxpayers against identity theft. It ensures that only the rightful owner of a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number can file a federal tax return in their name. The IRS issues IP PINs exclusively to verified individuals, preventing unauthorized use of personal information for fraudulent filings. Commissioner Danny Werfel has highlighted the importance of the IP PIN in preventing tax refund theft and easing filing complications. By incorporating the IP PIN into the electronic filing process, the IRS not only strengthens its fraud prevention mechanisms but also reduces the administrative burden for taxpayers. Eligible individuals must provide their IP PIN each year when filing their federal returns, either electronically or by mail. The number changes annually, further enhancing its security role. The IRS encourages taxpayers to register for an IP PIN as soon as possible to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming tax season. The system will be undergoing annual maintenance until early January 2025, which will temporarily suspend the issuance of new IP PINs. Taxpayers who already have an IRS Online Account are advised to secure their IP PIN . Online Accounts also allow users to access previous filings, current tax information, and records from documents such as Forms W-2 and 1099. For those unable to register online, alternative options, such as in-person verification at IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers, are available. This policy change is expected to significantly reduce wait times and complications for taxpayers filing returns with duplicate dependent claims. Taxpayers claiming the EITC and CTC stand to benefit the most, as these credits are often crucial for lower- to middle-income individuals and families. Filing electronically ensures faster processing, making access to these financial benefits more seamless. Additionally, the expanded use of IP PINs bolsters the IRS’s broader initiatives to combat tax-related identity theft. The agency has regularly emphasized the importance of protecting taxpayer information as digital filing becomes the norm. This update aligns with the IRS’s ongoing modernization agenda, which seeks to make tax administration more efficient and user-friendly. By expanding digital services, such as the IP PIN and Online Accounts, the agency aims to accommodate the growing number of taxpayers relying on electronic filing while addressing persistent concerns around data security. The IRS’s proactive measures demonstrate its commitment to adapting tax administration policies to meet the evolving needs of taxpayers while upholding strict protections for sensitive financial data. This enhancement positions the agency to better serve taxpayers in an increasingly interconnected technological environment, ensuring fair and simple access to the tax system for all. Taxpayers are encouraged to stay informed about IP PIN registration and the upcoming changes as the IRS continues to implement improvements heading into the 2025 tax season. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .Trump's casting call as he builds out his administration: TV experience preferred

The man who ended Nadal's career helps the Netherlands beat Germany to reach the Davis Cup final