The debt continues to rise

$306 billion was used to fix damages from natural disasters throughout the year. This made 2017 the costliest year ever for natural disasters. Americans all over the United States were left struggling after multiple hurricanes and tropical storms devastated entire states. Government services were used in order to help the victims of these disasters leading to the highest amount of money ever spent.

Immigration changes

The Trump Administration is trying to end protection for more than 200,000 El Salvador immigrants. News also broke out that the Trump Administration plans on ending citizenship for Haitians, Nicaraguans and Sudanese immigrants as well. Immigrants from these countries will have an 18-month delay, giving people a chance to find another means of obtaining legal status or prepare to leave the U.S. They are also reviewing the protective status of citizens from Honduras, Nepal, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and South Sudan. This review will take place in May of 2018 to see if the status will be revoked.

Meal-kits: A thing of the past

Investors are no longer putting money towards meal-kit companies and now, they are losing faith. Companies like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh are no longer making as much money as the logistical standards are becoming an issue. Is it now too expensive to mail perfectly packaged food to your doorstep?

The desert turns cold?

The Sahara desert received snow for the third time in forty years. On Sunday, Jan. 7, the town of Ain Sefra near Algeria received over 10 inches of snow. They reportedly received only one inch, but nearby areas received up to 15 inches.

DACA not removed

The White House criticized a judge after he made the decision to temporarily block President Donald Trump’s request to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The White House called the decision “outrageous.” Trump will continue to push for an alternative way for immigrants to enter America, but still wants DACA removed.

California covered in mud

California is still having weather issues following the major wildfires. Parts of California are covered in mud after mudslides destroyed cities. The death toll has reached 17 and people are searching for their loved ones as mud wreaks havoc throughout Santa Barbara. As people have sifted through the remains of buildings, they found that four children have been added to the death count and 43 people remain missing.

The right to no privacy

The House of Representatives voted on Jan. 11 to renew surveillance for American’s emails, text messages, photos and other forms of communication. This program includes the government being allowed to access any of these records without a warrant. The House renewed this program for six years with a vote of 256-164.This program is part of  Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. An alternative bill was proposed by Reps. Justin Amash, R-Mich and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. However, their bill failed to pass with a vote of 183-233.