Asylum cases under threat as Trump administration seeks mass cancellations

The Trump administration has filed more than 8,000 motions in U.S. immigration courts seeking to dismiss or transfer pending asylum cases. The filings ask judges to remove certain claims from the court docket and send some asylum seekers to third countries under existing agreements. The actions form part of a broader government effort to reshape how and where asylum claims are processed, while immigration judges review each request and decide whether to grant or deny the government’s motions.

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NICU infants send first letters to Santa with nurses’ help

Nurses at Methodist Hospital | Westover Hills in San Antonio help newborn and NICU babies create first letters to Santa during the holiday season. Staff write on behalf of infants, with input from parents, and provide the letters as keepsakes that record early milestones and hospital experiences. The activity takes place alongside regular medical care and follows infection-control procedures. Families often save the letters and sometimes return in later years to show their children’s progress.

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Millions in unclaimed property up for grabs in Bexar County, Texas comptroller says

The Texas comptroller reports that millions of dollars in unclaimed property are available to residents and businesses in Bexar County. Funds include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, and other dormant assets. Officials urge Bexar County residents to search the state’s free online database through the comptroller’s website and file claims at no cost. The state holds unclaimed property indefinitely until the rightful owner or heir submits proper documentation and the claim is approved.

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San Antonio mayor calls for reversal of summer meal program veto

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has asked Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to reverse his veto of funding for a federal Summer EBT meal program that could provide grocery benefits to low-income children across Texas. The request comes as state officials face a federal deadline to opt into the program, which offers electronic food assistance to families of students who receive free or reduced-price school meals. The governor previously cited concerns about long-term federal funding and administrative costs in his decision.

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China slams FCC ban on new foreign-made drones as discriminatory

The Federal Communications Commission is blocking new approvals for certain foreign-made drones, including many from China, citing U.S. national security and communications network concerns. Chinese officials call the measure discriminatory and say it unfairly targets Chinese manufacturers. The decision affects future equipment authorizations and could change availability and sourcing in the U.S. drone market. Industry groups, retailers and drone users are watching for detailed implementation rules and potential effects on prices, product choices and cross-border technology trade between the United States and China.

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Justice Department publishes expansive new set of Epstein records

The U.S. Justice Department has released more than 11,000 new documents and photos tied to Jeffrey Epstein under a federal disclosure law. The files include investigative reports, internal communications, court-related materials, and images from prior probes. Many names and details appear redacted to protect victims and sensitive law-enforcement information. Officials describe the move as part of an ongoing effort to make Epstein-related records public on a rolling basis. The new release adds to earlier document tranches and offers a broader view of federal interest in Epstein’s activities, prosecutions, and custody before his 2019 death.

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Local congressman presses USDA for answers on dangerous equine virus

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting detailed information on monitoring and response efforts for equine herpesvirus outbreaks. The congressman asked USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to explain surveillance, communication with state agencies, event guidance, and available resources for managing the highly contagious horse disease. The inquiry focuses on how federal authorities track cases, support Texas officials and work with veterinarians, horse owners and equine event organizers as the state reports EHV cases linked to major gatherings.

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Denmark summons U.S. ambassador over Trump’s appointment of Greenland envoy

Denmark will summon the U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen after former President Donald Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, the autonomous Arctic territory within the Danish realm. Danish officials plan to seek clarification on the envoy’s mandate, its impact on existing defense and foreign policy arrangements, and how Washington will coordinate with Copenhagen and Greenland’s self-rule government. The move highlights Greenland’s strategic role in the Arctic, ongoing U.S. military and diplomatic interests in the region, and Denmark’s constitutional responsibility for foreign affairs and security on behalf of the island.

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Texas employers logged 27,188 major layoffs in 2025, led by a few large corporate cuts

Texas companies reported 27,188 layoffs in 2025 through WARN filings, a slight drop from 2024 but still driven by major cuts at Tyson Foods, FedEx, Chewy, TTEC and Southwest Airlines, along with smaller reductions across logistics, manufacturing and services. The data show how a handful of large events and dozens of moderate layoffs reshaped workforces statewide even as the broader Texas economy continued to add jobs.

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Undocumented migrants can get $3,000 for voluntary deportation, DHS says

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has tripled its “exit bonus” for certain undocumented migrants who agree to leave the country voluntarily by December 31, 2025. Eligible migrants can now receive $3,000 for self-deportation, as part of federal efforts to manage immigration enforcement and reduce reliance on formal deportation proceedings. The program operates within existing immigration law governing voluntary departure and remains limited to migrants who meet specific criteria set by authorities.

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