Stories from January 25, 2025

Exclusive: White House in talks to have Oracle and U.S. investors take over TikTok
The aim is to place oversight control in the hands of American software company Oracle and other investors. Under federal law, TikTok must split apart from China, or face a nationwide ban.
Middle East latest: Israel says it won't complete its withdrawal from Lebanon by Sunday
Israel’s military says it won’t complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Sunday as outlined in its ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah militants. The confirmation came Saturday while another fragile ceasefire — between Israel and the Hamas militant group — saw a second release of hostages from Gaza and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.
Trump calls on the federal government to recognize North Carolina's Lumbee Tribe
President Trump made good on a campaign promise to ask the Department of the Interior to recognize the Lumbee people of North Carolina — a tribe whose Native identity has long been called into question.
Hegseth is quickly sworn in as defense secretary after dramatic Senate vote
Pete Hegseth has been sworn as the nation’s 29th secretary of defense. Hegseth took the oath Saturday in Washington from Vice President JD Vance less than 12 hours after a dramatic late-night vote in the Senate installed him as the Pentagon's leader.
Local governments across U.S. signal they won't aid Trump migrant crackdown
Local government officials around the U.S. signal they won't assist — and in some cases they'll actively oppose — the Trump administration's efforts to conduct a massive deportation of migrants.
North Dakota’s overturned abortion ban won’t be in effect during appeal, court rules
North Dakota’s highest court has ruled that the state’s overturned abortion ban will not be enforced during an appeal of a judge’s ruling that struck down the law in September. The ruling Friday comes after attorneys for the state had asked the Supreme Court for a stay pending appeal. 
Democrats' Minnesota House boycott echoes earlier walkouts in other states
Democrats in the Minnesota House who have boycotted daily sessions are using tactics that lawmakers elsewhere have tried dozens of times in seeking to thwart their opponents. Lawmakers have created chaos with boycotts or walk-outs at least two dozen times in the past. During the Civil War in 1863, a Unionist governor thwarted Democratic opponents by having fellow Republicans in the legislature bolt.
Breezy and cloudy Saturday with light snow showers
A classic winter weekend with seasonal temperatures in the 20s. Saturday will bring cloudy skies and breezy northwest winds, with wind chills in the single digits. Light snow is possible, with minor accumulations as a clipper system passes through.
Hamas releases 4 more hostages as part of ceasefire agreement with Israel
Four female soldiers taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023 by Hamas were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza on Saturday morning, and then transferred to the Israeli military.