Texas still needs a plan for its growing water supply issues, experts say
Panelists at The Texas Tribune Festival shared their opinions on what the state should do after voters approved a historic investment in water infrastructure.
Texas A&M system approves policy to restrict faculty from advocating “race and gender ideology”
Faculty are also prohibited from teaching material inconsistent with approved syllabi. The changes come in response to a recent controversy over gender identity classroom discussions.
Texas Democratic candidates pitch themselves as the best to beat Gov. Greg Abbott
Gina Hinojosa said Abbott is to blame for corruption in Texas and Andrew White spoke on abortion and immigration.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore doubles down on his state’s redistricting response to Texas
Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival, the Democrat also emphasized he wasn’t running for president in 2028.
DNC staffers ruthlessly mocked for fuming over remote work reversal: ‘Get yourselves together’
Democratic National Committee employees were mercilessly mocked this week after news came out that staffers were very unhappy with a recent directive from DNC Chairman Ken Martin end to remote work for employees who will now be required to show up to the office five days a week. Leadership of the union representing DNC employees put out a statement following news of the new directive, describing it as “callous.” Reports from those on the staff-wide call also described an immediate flurry of thumbs-down emojis and other signs of anger upon news of the new requirement. “It was shocking to see the DNC chair disregard staff’s valid concerns on today’s team call,” they wrote. “D.N.C. staff worked extremely hard to support historic wins for Democrats up and down the ballot last Tuesday, and this change feels especially callous considering the current economic conditions created by the Trump administration.” Martin reportedly told employees that if they don’t like the new policy, they should go find a job elsewhere. And Martin wasn’t the only Democrat who had some harsh and pointed words for the Democratic Party staffers. Neera Tanden, former President Joe Biden’s domestic policy advisor, had a similar message for DNC staffers, suggesting there were many eager folks waiting in line who would likely be more than willing to go into the office. PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS TURN ON PARTY LEADERSHIP AFTER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENDS WITHOUT HEALTHCARE GUARANTEES “If you think democracy is on the line – working in the office is not a big ask,” Tanden wrote in a post on X. “And there are plenty of other people willing to step up. Get yourselves together people.” A left-wing group, the Center for New Liberalism, echoed the view that the staffers “should look elsewhere” if working from home is a “must-have.” “When you accept a job on a campaign, or with an org like the DNC, DCCC, etc, your single purpose is to win the election. It is a demanding job that requires long hours & sacrifices,” the group wrote on X. “The other part of this is that I suspect [work from home] staff are probably losing opportunities for themselves by not being in the office. Campaigns require a lot of personal sacrifice, but the people who are good at their job and work to make themselves noticed in the office usually tend to go on to do big things!” One Florida-based Democratic strategist, Steve Schale, who led Barack Obama’s statewide efforts in Florida in 2008 and returned to help his campaign in 2012, said the DNC should implement a “requirement” to ensure those who want to work at the DNC really have what it takes. “There should be a requirement that to work at the DNC that you’ve done at least two cycles on an actual battleground campaign, where terms like flex hours & hybrid work don’t exist,” Schale wrote on X. 6 HOUSE DEMOCRATS EXPLAIN BREAKING WITH PARTY TO END SHUTDOWN Meanwhile, Republicans did not spare the opportunity to slam Democratic Party staffers as well. “You can’t make this up — the DNC union is pissed that the Chairman is calling staff back into the office 5 days a week,” former Trump White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, said after learning of the anger. GOP strategist, Matt Gorman, quipped that the image of DNC staffers logging onto a Zoom call in their pajamas amid all the chaos of Biden’s reelection “is hilarious.” “The best part is that they still get two full months before they actually have to get out of bed 5 days week,” GOP National Press Secretary Kiersten Pels said. “Is this a political committee or a daycare?” Martin reportedly told his employees that the work-from-home policy the DNC implemented during COVID was never meant to be permanent, describing it as a “Band-Aid” that has long needed to be ripped off. He did say that remote work would still be allowed on a case-by-case basis, however. The staffer’s union said it is considering all options in terms of challenging the measure. The group previously ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the DNC over the summer that “reaffirms its commitment to making hybrid work available,” but also includes language that allows for a full return to in-person working as long as there is a 60-day notice period, according to the New York Times. Earlier this year, the Congressional Progressive Staff Association sent a letter to top House and Senate leaders proposing a rotating 32-hour work week for congressional staffers, arguing it would be a more “sustainable approach to work on a national level.” The proposal was widely mocked, however. “Why not be bold and ask for a 0-hour workweek?” quipped Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., at the time. “I wonder how blue-collar Americans would feel about white-collar workers demanding a 32-hour workweek.”
Arizona lawmakers’ flight makes emergency landing in Kansas City after passenger disruption
An American Airlines flight carrying four members of Arizona’s congressional delegation to Washington, D.C., diverted Tuesday to Kansas City, Missouri, after a passenger became disruptive. The airline told Fox News Digital that Flight 1218 left Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Nov. 11, 2025, and was rerouted because of “a disruptive customer.” “On Nov. 11, American Airlines flight 1218, with service from Phoenix (PHX) to Washington, D.C. (DCA), diverted to Kansas City (MCI) due to a disruptive customer,” American Airlines told Fox News Digital. “Law enforcement met the flight and removed the customer, and the flight later re-departed for DCA, where it landed normally. “We thank our customers for their patience and our crew members for their professionalism.” WITH THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THREATENING AIR TRAVEL, A GOP BILL SEEKS TO KEEP FLIGHTS RUNNING Rep. Greg Stanton, a Democrat from Arizona, posted on X that he and three Republican colleagues — Reps. Eli Crane, Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar — were aboard when the incident occurred. “Flying to DC rn to vote no on CR that fails to lower health care costs. @RepEliCrane, @RepAndyBiggsAZ & @RepGosar all on this flight. We’re making emergency stop in Kansas City to remove disruptive passenger. None of my colleagues is the disruptor. Freedom Caucus losing its mojo,” Stanton wrote. HOUSE DEMOCRAT SIDES WITH TRUMP OFFICIALS ON AIR TRAFFIC CUTS AMID SHUTDOWN CHAOS Flight data shows the Airbus A320 had been airborne for roughly two hours and 40 minutes before diverting to Kansas City International Airport around 6:15 p.m. local time. Video posted to X by another passenger shows Kansas City police officers boarding the plane to remove a woman who apologized as she was led away, saying, “We live in a fascist state.” AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSENGER RESTRAINED, KNOCKED TO FLOOR WHILE BARGING INTO COCKPIT: VIDEO The flight departed again about an hour later and landed at Reagan National Airport shortly after 10 p.m. “On a serious note, thank you Kansas City police for handling the situation professionally and without incident,” Stanton later wrote. Stanton said he was headed to Washington to vote against the Republican continuing resolution to end the government shutdown, while his GOP colleagues supported the plan. President Trump signed the legislation Wednesday, formally reopening the federal government after a 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. The House passed the Senate’s funding bill, 222-209, restoring federal paychecks, funding air traffic controllers and replenishing nutrition programs.
Trump shares adorable moment with kids visiting Oval Office: ‘My name is Donald’
President Donald Trump paused a busy Oval Office day to greet visiting children, handing out small gifts and saying, “My name is Donald,” in a sweet moment captured and shared online by communications advisor Margo Martin. The short clip, viewed hundreds of thousands of times within hours of being posted, struck a lighter note during a packed news cycle after the government shutdown, giving supporters and critics alike a glimpse of the president’s softer side. The video racked up nearly 500,000 views within two hours of being posted to Martin’s X account. Martin often shares behind-the-scenes footage of Trump that can’t be seen anywhere else. In the video, a speaker off camera says, “He wants to know what your name is.” ANDREA BOCELLI GIVES TRUMP IMPROMPTU OVAL OFFICE PERFORMANCE DURING WHITE HOUSE VISIT” The president then responded, “My name is Donald,” with a grin. In the video, Trump offers challenge coins to the children, journalist Salena Zito’s grandchildren. The White House told Fox News Digital the children had stopped by to say hello. The video is the latest in a pattern of sweet moments Trump has shared with some of his youngest supporters, including coloring with kids at the Easter Egg Roll earlier this year. He is the grandfather of eleven grandchildren. TRUMP DANCES WITH MALAYSIAN PERFORMERS AS HE KICKS OFF ASIA TOUR IN LIVELY FASHION “She said yes — she’s smart,” Trump said in the video, laughing before adding with a grin, “She’s so cute.” One commenter said under the video, “that’s a grandpa doing grandpa stuff,” and another added, “kindness transcends politics” with a folded hands emoji. Moments like this have routinely dominated social feeds, as viral interactions caught on camera can break through the news cycle and deliver massive digital reach for the White House. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The video ended with the president offering pens to Zito’s grandchildren. “OK, do you want a pen?” President Trump asked. “One of them. One, two, three.”
UN Ambassador Waltz reveals Trump’s Middle East peace plan is ‘the only way forward’
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the U.N. that President Trump’s historic Middle East peace plan is “the only way forward” as he negotiates a resolution that would codify the Trump administration’s Gaza deal in the international body in a way that is “fully consistent with an America First agenda.” Fox News Digital spoke exclusively to Waltz after he convened partners and allies to discuss the United States’ intention to present a resolution to the U.N. Security Council on Gaza. The resolution will endorse the Board of Peace, set parameters for Gaza’s transitional governance and launch the International Stabilization Force outlined in the president’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. MIKE WALTZ SEES TRUMP’S GAZA PLAN AS ‘ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE’ “Only President Trump has the ability to bring all sides together, just as he did at Sharm El-Sheik,” Waltz told Fox News Digital. “He’s the only person who can truly bridge the divides between the Israelis, the Palestinians and others in the region.” AS TRUMP ADMIN PUSHES GAZA PEACE PLAN, HISTORY SHOWS UN PEACEKEEPING’S MIXED RECORD Waltz said the president’s plan is “the best chance for real peace in the Middle East in a generation.” “And, frankly, it’s a real test for the United Nations — to step up, support the president’s plan and start implementing it,” Waltz told Fox News Digital. “We’ve seen the death and destruction the war in Gaza caused,” Waltz said. “If we can rally the international community to come together and resolve it using the tools of the U.N., that’s absolutely the right thing to do, and it’s fully consistent with an America First agenda. “This process of securing peace in Gaza with a Security Council resolution is really about getting the U.N. back to basics,” Waltz continued. “That’s what we’re calling it — back to basics. It’s about strictly focusing on establishing and keeping peace and, in this case, supporting what the president has already set in motion.” President Trump’s plan to end the Gaza conflict calls for Gaza to be a de-radicalized, terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors. It also calls for Gaza to be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza and more. Under the peace plan, Israeli forces would withdraw from the region, and a temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people of Gaza will be created. US MILITARY TO OVERSEE NEXT PHASE OF PEACE DEAL FROM COORDINATION BASE IN ISRAEL That government will be under the oversight of a new international transitional body called the “Board of Peace,” chaired by President Trump and other members and heads of state. The resolution would essentially make the plan international law, a U.N. source said. As for timing, a U.N. source told Fox News Digital that negotiations typically take months in the United Nations, but the U.S. Mission is hoping to get this done in “weeks.” “We are looking to move quickly,” the source said. “The ceasefire is fragile. We don’t want things to fall apart in any way, shape or form. The sooner we get this resolution done, the sooner countries can begin contributing troops to the stabilization force.” The source also told Fox News Digital that representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Qatar — not members of the Security Council — presented the resolution with Waltz and the U.S. Mission to the broader Security Council. “We think that’s really strong,” the source said. “This is about getting humanitarian aid in, stabilizing, governing and rolling up our sleeves and getting to work and having the international community pay for it.” EXPERTS URGE TRUMP TO BAN TERROR-LINKED UN AGENCY FROM HIS GAZA PEACE PLAN The source said the resolution would create a mechanism, led by Jared Kushner, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio that would ensure “the dollars are going to be used efficiently with a private sector mentality in mind.” Rubio has said the Trump administration is “seeing things we never thought we’d see before, like the number of countries willing to participate in this effort, be it through money or personnel, or both or expertise. “We’ve never seen this sort of international cohesion behind something,” Rubio said. “So, we have to be pursuing those opportunities because they’re really great, historic and important.” Meanwhile, the source said the U.S. is “in the thick of negotiations” but is “moving lightening-fast by U.N. terms.” “They do not want to be part of opposing the best chance we’ve had for peace in a generation,” the source said. “And they don’t want to play the part of bureaucratizing and then being responsible for the fighting resuming.” The president has described the peace plan as “the start of a grand concord and lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a truly magnificent region.” “I believe that so strongly,” Trump said of the plan. “This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”