NEWS OFFICIAL USA: December 2018

Monday 31 December 2018

29 states have minimum wages above the federal level

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have minimum wages above the federal level of $7.25 an hour

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2Qc2wkF

Death of migrants at border 'unacceptable, un-American': New Dem caucus chair

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a member of the incoming House Democratic leadership, placed the blame for the migrant deaths in U.S. custody on the Trump administration.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2s371V2

'This Week' Transcript 12-30-18: CBP Commissioner McAleenan, Jeffries, McChrystal

This is a rush transcript for "This Week" airing Dec. 30, 2018.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2EVBrjO

WATCH: Trump blames Democrats for deaths of 2 migrant children as the shutdown drags on

The president also threatened to cut off U.S. aid to Central America if another reported migrant caravan isn't stopped.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2EUplro

WATCH: Outgoing White House chief of staff challenges definition of border wall

John Kelly announced his decision to leave after the midterm elections. When asked why he stayed for a year and half during some very tumultuous months, Kelly replied: "duty".

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2EYbX6u

WATCH: 'This is truly a game of chicken': ABC News' Mary Bruce on government shutdown fight

The "This Week" Powerhouse Roundtable reflects on the biggest stories of the week and looks ahead to 2019.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2AopUXa

WATCH: US border chief on child deaths in CBP custody: 'Absolutely devastating for us'

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan explains how the agency is responding to the migrant influx on the U.S.-Mexico border.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2GNyLYh

WATCH: Gen. McChrystal: For a president, visiting troops is not 'time to tout your politics'

ABC News' Martha Raddatz interviews retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, on "This Week."

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2RmPDJm

WATCH: Trump holding 'American people hostage' with shutdown: Incoming Dem caucus chair

An incoming member of the House Democratic leadership, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, discusses on "This Week" how they will handle the government shutdown and impasse over border wall funding.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2GKhSxG

WATCH: No end in sight for the partial government shutdown

Tourists begin to feel the effects of the shutdown while hundreds of thousands of federal workers remain out of work or are asked to work without pay.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2EVcZ2g

WATCH: Shutdown stalemate with no end in sight

As the government shutdown enters its second week, the White House and Democrats remain at an impasse over funding for President Trump's proposed border wall.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2SpCuMY

WATCH: Trump threatens to close entire southern border over wall

Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers would not fund the president's "immoral" and "expensive" wall.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2GLWOa5

WATCH: Political moments that shaped 2018

2018 will be remembered as a year of significant political upheaval, both in Washington and across the United States.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2s05fUU

WATCH: Trump threatens to 'close Southern Border' if Dems don't fund border wall

Trump and Democrats have been at an impasse over funding for the border wall.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2TaT5E6

WATCH: Government shutdown continues

House lawmakers are being told not to expect further votes this week, all but ensuring the shutdown will enter a second week and stretch toward the new year.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2GJjpny

No meeting scheduled to end shutdown before new year

Democrats will assume control of the House on Jan. 3.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2Vin2UF

US needs 'to invest in Central America,' US border chief says

The Trump administration border chief said the U.S. needs 'to invest in Central America,' which is at odds with a Trump tweet saying aid to the countries will be cut off.

from ABC News: Politics https://abcn.ws/2BMvTVM

Police department invites people to turn in meth for 'testing'

The Harahan Police Department is very concerned about Zika virus.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2St0JJY

Fiery, multi-car wreck in NYC kills driver; charges filed

It happened about a block from the World Trade Center.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EVPHKg

Was that a bed bug on my couch? This app has the answer

A researcher at Ohio State University has come up with a new app that has tips on spotting bed bugs and getting rid of them

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2Ao9BKd

Your New Year's Eve forecast from East to West

Two systems are set to combine along the East Coast on Monday.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EU6RXS

California authorities seek motive in triple slaying

A Central Coast man stabbed and beat his sister, mother and a third person.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2QZQws5

During New Year's Eve, here's how to stay safe in the cold

Here's what to know about staying warm and safe outside.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2BytYnC

California inmate who walked away from San Quentin is caught

California authorities captured an inmate who was sought for nearly four days.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2LCBa6V

WATCH: A jetway collapsed as paramedics were escorting a sick passenger off the plane

Deadly multi-car crash was caught on a dash-cam.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EYjgKz

WATCH: The miracle in the hotpot and the lost wedding ring

These women sharing a moment of joy didn't know each other even though they live in the same county.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2ApXOLd

WATCH: 2 storms moving across the country

New Year's Eve revelers with outdoor plans may have more than just security to deal with

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EUfKS0

WATCH: Authorities on high alert ahead of the big New Year's Eve party in Times Square

Officials stressed there have been no credible threats to the festivities, but ISIS propaganda on the internet has prompted heightened vigilance across the country.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EWlIRF

WATCH: Police on the lookout for a man who opened fire on a family inside a car

The family was attacked as they were leaving a Walmart parking lot; a 7-year-old child was killed in the attack.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EUfIcQ

WATCH: Lion is shot and killed after attacking a woman in North Carolina

Officials at a wildlife preserve say one of the lions escaped its enclosure while a worker was cleaning the area.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2F0sp50

WATCH: Trump blames Democrats for the deaths of 2 children in border patrol care

Federal workers enter the ninth day of the government shutdown as Trump blames the Democrats for both the shutdown and the deaths of children held at border patrol.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2GMPTgO

WATCH: California senator calls on Trump to bring Saudi suspect back to the states

An exchange student from Saudi Arabia is accused of fleeing the country after a deadly hit-and-run crash.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2ViHiFL

WATCH: Alabama celebrates win over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl

The Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers will face off in the title match for the third time in four years on January 7.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EZOaCQ

WATCH: Thief steals luxury yacht from dock

The suspected thief who stole $1 million yacht faces several charges: DUI, grand theft and vandalism.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EXxTOf

WATCH: Jetway collapses as paramedics respond to sick passenger

Airport personnel responded to a sick passenger on one flight when a jetway collapsed at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2CI28Hh

WATCH: NYPD prepares for New Year's Eve

The New York Police Department will be using drones in Times Square as part of its security plan for the first time.

from ABC News: U.S. https://abcn.ws/2EZMadO