JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1095

Philadelphia — The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed a lower court and disqualified Alina Habba from serving as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Judges found the Trump administration's efforts to keep Habba after her interim appointment expired violated federal vacancies law. The court heard oral arguments on Oct. 20 and upheld U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann’s August finding that Habba lacked lawful authority. The Justice Department had appealed to the 3rd Circuit after Habba participated in cases following a withdrawn nomination. The unanimous decision was issued Monday. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting independent research.

Washington — First lady Melania Trump unveiled the White House holiday decorations Monday, announcing the theme "Home Is Where the Heart Is" for the family's first holiday since she resumed the role. The displays reference next year’s 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, and the Blue Room Christmas tree will honor Gold Star families after the East Wing was demolished. Several dozen volunteer decorators installed dozens of trees, 75 wreaths, thousands of lights and more than 25,000 feet of ribbon, with officials and photographs documenting the rooms and displays. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House on Nov. 26, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday via a hospital video feed. Prosecutors charged him with first‑degree murder, assault with intent to kill and weapons offenses; court filings allege he shouted an Arabic phrase during the attack. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died; Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized currently. Authorities say another Guardsman returned fire and Lakanwal was subdued. The administration paused asylum decisions and government officials discussed seeking the death penalty. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. Corporate disclosures and financial updates from multiple listed companies were published Tuesday, reporting financing actions, board changes, operational results, and treasury strategies. Kestra Medical filed a Form S-1 for an underwritten offering and reported preliminary Q2 fiscal 2026 revenue; other firms announced stock actions, insider purchases, distributions, bitcoin treasury allocation, and conference presentations. Dates include filings and actions between November 21 and December 3, 2025; several items referenced Nasdaq and SEC procedures. Markets will receive formal filings and full financial reports in coming weeks. Regulatory reviews and filing timelines continued. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn competed Tuesday in a special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District to replace Republican Mark Green. Van Epps led modestly in late polls and gathered high-profile support from President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who campaigned on his behalf. Behn emphasized affordability and drew national Democratic surrogates. Emerson College polling showed a 48%-46% lead for Van Epps within the margin of error. Voter turnout and demographic splits were cited as decisive. Results will influence House control narratives heading into 2026. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. GasBuddy data showed the national average gasoline price fell below $3 per gallon over the Thanksgiving weekend, and local outlets reported week-over-week declines in multiple states this week. Drivers in Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois, and Wyoming saw averages fall between 5 and 26 cents per gallon, with some stations reporting prices under $2 a gallon. Analysts cited completed refinery maintenance and planned OPEC production increases for December as contributors to downward pressure on oil and pump prices. Markets and agencies provided station-level data to support the reported changes. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Indianapolis, lawmakers proposed new congressional districts that Republicans drafted Monday to reshape Indiana’s nine U.S. House seats and aim to flip two Democratic-held districts. The Indiana House reconvened to consider draft maps splitting Marion County and altering the 1st and 7th districts; the Senate will meet Dec. 8. House leaders advanced House Bill 1032 to allow mid-decade redistricting, and hearings were scheduled. President Trump and state Republicans publicly pushed the change to increase GOP odds in upcoming midterms. Protesters and Democrats criticized the move. Lawmakers scheduled committee hearings for further public testimony. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

DEDHAM, Mass. Jurors this week heard prosecution and defense arguments in the murder trial of Brian Walshe, who is charged with first-degree murder in the disappearance of his wife, Ana, on Jan. 1, 2023. Prosecutors presented internet search histories, recovered items from dumpsters, forensic testimony and recorded police interviews; they say the evidence shows premeditation. Defense attorneys argued Ana died suddenly and the defendant panicked, producing alternative explanations. Walshe pleaded guilty to disposing of a body and misleading police last month but denies murder. The trial continues with additional witness testimony Monday. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

St. Paul, Minnesota Federal prosecutors and state officials this week detailed widespread fraud statewide that siphoned more than $1 billion from Minnesota safety-net programs during the Covid era, with dozens charged and roughly 59 convicted across multiple schemes. Authorities say fraud emerged over about five years, including businesses billing for services not provided and patterns concentrated in some Somali-American communities. Gov. Tim Walz acknowledged prosecutions, said the state "attracts criminals," and declined to accept broader administrative blame while urging against demonizing communities. The cases have spurred political scrutiny ahead of competitive elections. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.