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Today’s Headlines
President Trump Addresses Detroit Economic Club
Yesterday, President Trump addressed the Detroit Economic Club, where he discussed the state of the U.S. economy. While he primarily focused on economic issues, Trump also veered into other subjects, addressing voter concerns about affordability. With the midterm elections looming, economic issues are expected to be at the forefront of voter concerns. Learn more about his speech here.
President Trump speaks at the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Michigan, on Jan. 13, 2026. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧 In his address, Trump frequently switched topics and criticized over half a dozen political figures, including former President Joe Biden, NPR’s Tamara Keith reports for Up First. Trump praised the economy and claimed that “affordability” is a term fabricated by Democrats, which Keith notes could undermine his message. The president announced plans to propose measures to reduce housing costs by targeting private equity firms at the upcoming World Economic Forum. Read more about this here.
The Department of Labor released its latest inflation report, revealing that inflation remained unchanged from November to December.
- 🎧 Natural gas prices have surged by over 10% in the past year, according to the Labor Department. This increase impacts nearly half of U.S. households that use natural gas for heating, leading to higher utility bills, NPR’s Scott Horsley notes. As natural gas is also a key source of electricity, its price hikes contribute to rising costs. Grocery prices also saw a notable increase last month. Many economists predict that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates when policymakers convene later this month, given that inflation is still above the target. Find out more here.
Federal Prosecutors Resign in Minnesota
In Minnesota, at least six federal prosecutors have resigned following pressure from the Justice Department to investigate the widow of Renee Macklin Good, who was fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis. The focus shifted from the agent involved to the widow, causing disruptions in other federal investigations, including a probe into social services fraud. Learn more about the resignations here.
- 🎧 The resignations represent a significant loss of experienced DOJ personnel, reports Minnesota Public Radio’s Matt Sepic. The Justice Department’s insistence on probing Becca Good, Renee’s widow, for ties to activist groups has raised concerns about resource allocation. According to a source, the administration’s focus on immigration has diverted attention from other critical investigations. Read more here.
Deep Dive
People wait outside immigration court in October 2025 in San Francisco. Minh Connors/AP
The San Francisco Immigration Court is set to close by year’s end, as announced by the Trump administration. For the past year, immigration judges have faced mounting pressure to expedite cases and increase deportations. Chief Immigration Judge Teresa Riley informed court employees and judges of the closure via email, detailing that staff will be transferred to the Concord Immigration Court, 30 miles away. This closure is part of the administration’s broader push to dismiss judges. Read more here.
- ➡️ Nearly 100 judges were dismissed in 2025, according to NPR’s findings, corroborated by the judges’ union and various courts.
- ➡️ The U.S. starts this year with less than half the number of judges it had previously. Certain courts, such as those in Aurora, Colo., and Oakdale, La., currently have no judges at all.
- ➡️ With fewer judges, immigrants face potential delays in their cases until as late as 2030, increasing the risk of arrest and deportation.
Living Better
Even light to moderate exercise can boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Maskot/Getty Images
Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
Movement can significantly improve mood and alleviate depression symptoms, according to a recent study. Researchers analyzed 73 randomized controlled trials involving around 5,000 individuals with depression, many of whom had tried antidepressants. Findings highlighted that “exercise is one of the most evidence-based tools for improving mood,” according to psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Mateka. Exercise mirrors some medication effects in the following ways: Learn more about these findings here.
- 🚴 Exercise enhances neurotransmitter function, such as serotonin and dopamine, similar to how medications help.
- 🚴 Physical activity stimulates the release of brain growth factors, countering the decrease in neuroplasticity caused by depression.
- 🚴 Starting prescribed exercise can be challenging for those with depression, but light to moderate activity can be as beneficial as an intense workout.
3 Things to Know Before You Go
Cartoonist Scott Adams poses with his a life-size cutout of his creation, Dilbert, in 2014. Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
- Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, has passed away at 68. He announced in May 2025 that he had metastatic prostate cancer. Read more here.
- The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against Pearl, an AI-powered search engine, for allegedly locking consumers into unwanted recurring charges. Find out more here.
- “Synergy,” the Word of the Week, is not just corporate jargon. The term has historical roots in Christianity, medicine, and psychology. Learn about its history here.
This newsletter was edited by Yvonne Dennis.
