The long-fought battle to repeal the decades-old Social Security penalty on teachers, police officers, and other government retirees has reached a historic milestone. On Friday night, the U.S. Senate cast a resounding vote in favor of granting nearly 3 million Americans—more than 90,000 of whom are in Louisiana—the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned throughout their careers. This monumental achievement is a huge win for retirees who have long been penalized by the outdated Windfall Elimination Penalty (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

As Republicans gear up to introduce a tax package next year, a growing number of prominent GOP lawmakers are expressing support for expanding the child tax credit. This shift comes as a response to the concerns of working families, with some calling for the credit to increase significantly. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, for example, is backing the idea of raising the child tax credit to $5,000 per child, a dramatic increase from the current $2,000.

In what has been a devastating and heartbreaking year, Emma Chawner, a former X Factor contestant, announced the death of her father, Philip, just 11 months after her mother, Audrey, passed away. The timing of this loss, so close to Christmas, has shaken her family and followers alike. Emma, who first stepped into the public eye on the popular ITV talent show in 2007, has faced overwhelming grief and shared her journey with fans through social media, where she has received an outpouring of love and support.

On Saturday, Seoul became the stage for a dramatic and intense showdown, with thousands of demonstrators lining the streets in rival protests supporting and opposing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. These protests were held just one week after Yoon's impeachment over his short-lived and controversial declaration of martial law. The city was buzzing with the energy of passionate citizens, some calling for his ousting while others rallied to restore his suspended powers.

Christmas television can be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, TV executives are scrambling to make sure everyone from toddlers to centenarians are entertained. But in trying to please all ages, they often end up pleasing no one, leaving viewers feeling like it’s better to just curl up with a blanket and skip the holiday programming altogether. Yet, every so often, a real gem shines through in the festive lineup, something that makes all the endless reruns of old Christmas specials and cheesy movies worth it.

In a major move on Friday evening, the New York Yankees decided to trade veteran catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds, shaking up the roster with a significant swap. This trade is part of the Yankees' ongoing efforts to make strategic adjustments as they gear up for the future. The 32-year-old Trevino, who had spent the last three seasons with the Yankees, is heading to Cincinnati in exchange for two key players: right-handed relief pitcher Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson. The deal is generating plenty of buzz and sets the stage for what could be an interesting new chapter for both teams.

When the Selection Committee Dropped the Ball: Lessons from the College Football Playoff Debacle

Houston Astros fans might feel a sense of déjà vu with the latest free-agent signing of first baseman Christian Walker. It’s not hard to understand why, considering the team’s recent experiences. On paper, the signing may draw comparisons to a similar move a couple of years ago, but a closer look reveals why this decision could chart a different path for the Astros.

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are gearing up to reverse their historically-poor performances at Villa Park when they visit Aston Villa this Saturday. The match promises excitement, drama, and plenty of opportunities for fans to witness some top-tier soccer action. Here’s everything you need to know about this eagerly-anticipated Premier League showdown.

Jason Beck's Move to Utah: A Game-Changer for the Utes’ Offense

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, despite weathering another challenging season of double-digit losses, remains steadfast in his desire to continue his career in Cleveland. However, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year has made it clear that his patience hinges on the team's ability to show him a definitive plan for creating a winning environment soon.

Why is the NBA, a league brimming with more talent than ever, facing declining ratings this season? This puzzling trend has sparked widespread debate, with everyone from fans to analysts offering their theories on what's causing it.

Donald Trump, the U.S. President-elect, made a bold statement on Friday, warning that the European Union (EU) might face tariffs unless the bloc addresses its growing trade deficit with the United States. He emphasized that one key way the EU could reduce this deficit was by significantly increasing its oil and gas imports from the U.S. In his post on Truth Social, Trump made it clear that the EU would need to take substantial steps in energy trade to avoid the imposition of tariffs: "I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large-scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!"

In the early hours of Friday, December 20, Russia launched a ballistic missile strike on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, killing at least one person and injuring twelve others, according to Ukrainian officials. This attack is part of the ongoing conflict that has been intensifying for nearly three years. Moscow justified the missile barrage, claiming it was retaliating for a Ukrainian missile attack on Russian soil earlier this week, in which American-made weapons were used.

The United States is teetering on the edge of a government shutdown, with less than 12 hours remaining before the federal government could come to a halt. This looming crisis comes down to whether Congress can manage to pass a spending bill before midnight. If they fail, the government will officially shut down, triggering a series of disruptions for both federal services and employees across the country.

In fiscal year 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) saw a dramatic surge in deportations, reaching levels not seen in a decade. According to a government report released Thursday, ICE deported over 271,000 unauthorized immigrants, marking the highest total since 2014 and surpassing the previous record set under the Trump administration in 2019. This sharp increase in deportations has captured the public's attention as it underscores the Biden administration's approach to border control in its final year in office.

The tension in the U.S. House of Representatives reached a boiling point Thursday evening, as Republicans attempted to fast-track a government funding measure. Unfortunately for them, the maneuver failed to garner enough support, bringing the government one step closer to a shutdown. The proposed measure required a two-thirds majority, but the vote came up short: 174 in favor, 235 against, and one member present. With funding set to run out on Friday night, lawmakers are racing against time to prevent the shutdown. The bill itself, designed to keep the government running through mid-March and suspend the debt ceiling for two years, still faces a tough road ahead. It would need approval from the Senate, controlled by the Democrats, and even if it made it there, President Biden has already signaled his refusal to sign it.

The debut trailer for Superman: Legacy has certainly sparked plenty of excitement, giving fans a glimpse of the heroes, villains, and universe that will unfold in the new DC cinematic era. While many have focused on the major characters shown in the trailer, there’s one sneaky superhero who flew under the radar—at least for most viewers.

At first glance, Cody Bellinger’s baseball career might seem like a tale of identity theft, especially when you look back at his breakout year in 2019. That season, he was a 23-year-old powerhouse, dominating the National League and leaving opposing pitchers helpless in his wake. With 47 home runs, 115 RBIs, and a .305 batting average, Bellinger didn’t just win the MVP award—he did so in a runaway. It was a campaign that had the world buzzing and baseball fans wondering just how far this young star could go.

On Thursday night, during the first quarter of the Lakers' game against the Sacramento Kings, LeBron James took a brief break from the action. As he walked off the court in the same city where he had played his very first NBA minutes over 21 years ago, little did anyone know that this would be his final walk before achieving yet another milestone in his legendary career. By the time he returned to the game in the second quarter, LeBron had etched his name in the record books again, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most regular season minutes played in NBA history.