By CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to bestow ceremonial pardons on two turkeys and fly to his private Florida resort on Tuesday to celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday interlude during what has been a turbulent and uncertain chapter of his second term.

Waddle and Gobble, the two birds that will be spared from the dinner table, enjoyed luxury hotel accommodations ahead of their White House visit. The turkey pardon is a presidential tradition dating back years.

However, Thanksgiving may not provide Trump with much political respite after Democrats won sweeping victories in New Jersey, Virginia and elsewhere earlier this month. Some research indicates that holiday meals could cost more this year, despite the president’s insistence otherwise, a reminder of persistent frustration with elevated prices.

Turkeys Waddle and Gobble, who will receive a Presidential Pardon at the White House ahead of Thanksgiving, visit with the Love Family, with 3-month-old Boone Love in his Thanksgiving themed jammies, in the turkey’s hotel room at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, in Washington, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Meanwhile, Trump is struggling to advance a plan to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine after an earlier version faced swift criticism from European allies and even some Republicans. The U.S. military is also poised to target Venezuela with military strikes, part of an anti-drug operation that could ultimately destabilize the country’s leadership.

In Washington, Trump faces the possibility of a splintering Republican coalition ahead of next year’s midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Some members of his party already took the rare step of crossing the president by successfully pushing legislation to force the Justice Department to release more documents about the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Related Articles

Rights groups slam Trump administration for ending Myanmar deportation protection as civil war rages

Thousands of arrests by Trump’s crime-fighting task force in Memphis strain crowded jail and courts

Trump administration plans to review refugees admitted under Biden, memo obtained by The AP says

New survey finds rising pessimism among U.S. Hispanics

Drugs sneaked into Ohio prison soaked into the pages of ‘Hillbilly Elegy’

Trump faced a setback in court this week when a federal judge tossed cases against James Comey and Letitia James, two targets of the president’s retribution campaign.

Comey, a former FBI director whom Trump fired during his first term, was charged with making a false statement and obstructing Congress. James, the New York attorney general who investigated the president between his two terms, was charged with mortgage fraud.

Both pleaded not guilty and said the prosecutions were politically motivated, pointing to Trump’s public demands for the Justice Department to punish his enemies.

The judge said the interim U.S. attorney, a former member of Trump’s personal legal team, who obtained the indictments was illegally appointed. However, the decision was made without prejudice, so the Justice Department could try again to charge Comey and James.

All of the latest developments contribute to a moment of frenetic activity for the White House, which would normally be settling in for a quiet and festive holiday season.

However, despite the traditional arrival of a Christmas tree on Monday, the presidential residence will be much different this year. Although holiday tours are expected to continue, Trump’s decision to demolish the building’s East Wing to make room for a new ballroom has turned part of the White House grounds into a construction site.

By HALLIE GOLDEN and THOMAS PEIPERT, Associated Press

ERIE, Colo. (AP) — “Gus” the turkey has been spending Thanksgiving week much differently than millions of other unlucky gobblers across the U.S.

As he trots in a sprawling animal sanctuary on the Colorado plains, he is stopped every few steps by staff who pet him, hug him or even give him a peck on his red face. Gus has been there since 2023 after being pardoned by the governor.

A pardoned tom turkey named Gus fans his tail feathers in an enclosure at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Erie, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“What do you think? Do you want to do snuggles today?” Lanette Cook, education and engagement manager at the Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Erie, says to Gus.

Gus is among a growing number of turkeys that are being “adopted” instead of being covered in gravy and eaten at Thanksgiving dinner tables.

An increasing number of farm animal sanctuaries across the country have started promoting this alternative version of Thanksgiving in which families “adopt” turkeys and donate money to their lifelong care. In return, they receive photos, certificates and sometimes even one-on-one visits with the birds.

The goal: Spare a few of the tens of millions of turkeys slaughtered this time of year, many of which are raised in what animal rights advocates say are inhumane conditions in factory farms.

Some people will adopt for themselves and feature their turkey’s photo on their Thanksgiving table, while others will gift the adoptions to friends or family members.

At Luvin Arms, a $25 donation comes with a certificate, photo and either a virtual or in-person visit, explained Kelly Nix, its executive director. Since launching the program in 2022, the sanctuary, located about 25 miles north of Denver, has seen the number of sponsorships double every year. And this year they’re on track to reach their goal of $18,000, she said.

Kelly Nix, executive director of Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, confers with a pardoned tom turkey named Gus at the sanctuary, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Erie, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Luvin Arms’ website features Gus and a gaggle of turkeys along with their personality traits (Gus is very talkative!) as part of its sponsor-a-turkey program. It encourages the public to donate for the birds for Thanksgiving and maybe even rethink their holiday traditions.

The funds have helped pay for extending the turkeys’ outdoor pasture area, along with feeding and rescuing more turkeys. They’ve helped with veterinary bills, which can sometimes cost thousands of dollars because of the medical complications that arise for turkeys that come from factory farms, which breed them to grow very big in a short period of time, said Nix. In the wild, turkeys tend to live an average of three or four years, according to the National Wild Turkey Federation.

But the sanctuary says the program is about more than just the turkeys or money. There’s also an important educational factor, whether learning about the conditions in factory farms or that turkeys are more than just centerpieces.

Related Articles

Russian hackers target US engineering firm because of work done for Ukrainian sister city

Torn roofs and smashed windows among damage to over 100 homes in a tornado near Houston

Today in History: November 25, Elian Gonzalez rescued

Tyson’s beef plant closure in Nebraska will impact a reliant town and ranchers nationwide

New owner to open Mississippi barn where Emmett Till was killed as a memorial site

“Even if it makes you stop and double think what it is you’re about to do,” said Nix. “Or that you’re like, ‘wow this is a life of a sentient being,’ for us that’s a conversation starter.”

Farm Sanctuary, which is located in New York and California, is believed to be the first to launch this type of turkey adoption program, kicking it off in 1986. Gene Baur, its president and co-founder, said initially the public was not only confused about the program but about the concept of rescuing farm animals altogether.

In the nearly four decades since, the sanctuary has rescued thousands of turkeys. And the public has not only caught on to the concept but in some years has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars, Baur said.

“We grow up with certain traditions. But just because something is a tradition doesn’t mean that it needs to remain as a tradition,” said Baur.

Barn Sanctuary has had a similar program since 2023 in Chelsea, Michigan. Chase DeBack, its advocacy, education and engagement coordinator, said it’s about shining a more positive light on the birds and their distinct personalities.

He rattles off some of the organization’s residents like they’re close friends: Lewis isn’t much of a people person but loves spending times with the girls. Sabrina and Hilda are always interested in what people are bringing into the coop and what everyone’s doing.

“You only hear about kind of the dead turkeys,” said DeBack. “And so we really wanted to shine a light on the unique personalities that turkeys have and how loving and caring they are for humans and for each other.”

Golden reported from Seattle.

By WAFAA SHURAFA, Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas says it will return the body of an Israeli hostage Tuesday, part of last month’s fragile ceasefire that has held despite Israeli strikes on Gaza, mounting Palestinian casualties, and mutual accusations of violations.

Related Articles

Today in History: November 25, Elian Gonzalez rescued

Sudan’s top general rejects US-led ceasefire proposal, calling it ‘the worst yet’

US-backed aid company in Gaza shutters operations as Israel’s military and defense minister clash

BBC leaders grilled by lawmakers over its standards after Trump threatened to sue

Germany’s Christmas markets open with festive cheer and tight security

Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced it found the body earlier this week in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in central Gaza. The body will be handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross Tuesday afternoon, Hamas said on Telegram.

Palestinian militants have released the bodies of 25 hostages since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire started on Oct. 10. Three are believed to still be in Gaza.

The process has been slow, threatening the truce.

Hamas says it has not been able to reach all of the remains because they are buried under rubble from Israel’s two-year offensive in the Palestinian territory. Israel has accused the militants of dragging their feet and threatened to resume military operations or withhold humanitarian aid if all remains are not returned.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Tuesday that the delay amounted to a ceasefire violation.

Israel has released the bodies of 330 Palestinians back to Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect.

Palestinians walk among the ruins of destroyed buildings in Gaza City Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Palestinian officials have struggled to identify the bodies without access to DNA kits. Only 95 have been identified, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, which is staffed by medical professionals. It maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

Israel has not provided details on their identities.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, children and families confronted the aftermath of heavy rains, which have left thousands once again displaced and exposed to the elements. The rains have underscored the dire humanitarian conditions millions in Gaza face.

The war began with the Hamas-led terrorist attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed some 1,200 people and took over 250 hostage. Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says 69,775 Palestinians have been killed and 170,863 injured in Israel’s retaliatory offensive. The toll has gone up during the ceasefire, both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war. The ministry reports 345 have been killed and, in total, 588 bodies recovered since the ceasefire began.

It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed.

HOUSTON (AP) — A tornado that raced through residential areas north of Houston damaged more than 100 homes, tearing off roofs, moving garages off their foundations and smashing windows, authorities in Texas said.

Related Articles

Today in History: November 25, Elian Gonzalez rescued

Tyson’s beef plant closure in Nebraska will impact a reliant town and ranchers nationwide

New owner to open Mississippi barn where Emmett Till was killed as a memorial site

Udo Kier, striking German actor from ‘My Own Private Idaho’ and ‘Ace Ventura,’ dies at 81

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a rare Superman comic book! And it fetched $9.12M!

No injuries were reported in the storm Monday that uprooted trees, downed power lines and created paths of debris throughout some neighborhoods.

Heavy fog made it difficult to assess all the damage Tuesday morning, but calmer weather conditions were expected to prevail in the area. Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms were expected farther south during the day, considered one of the busiest travel days of the Thanksgiving holiday period. Rain and snow was in the forecast in other areas of the country closer to Thanksgiving, according to the National Weather Service.

Some people hunkered down in their homes and hid in closets during the Texas storm. More than 20,000 customers were without power at one point Monday.

“I had the door and I was trying to hold it shut so that nothing would end up in the house,” Miriam Harris told KTRK-TV. “It was so forceful.” She suffered roof and tree damage, and some of her holiday light display was mangled.

In Klein, about 25 miles north of Houston, officials were working to fix multiple reported gas leaks, remove trees that were blocking roads, and clean up debris around homes and businesses, said Ja’Milla Lomas, a spokesperson for the Klein Fire Department. Damage also was reported in Cypress and Spring.

One engine crew temporarily took shelter in a resident’s garage as high winds moved through the area, posted the Cy-Fair Fire Department, which represents a collection of stations throughout the Houston region.

Photos and drone video posted on Facebook by the Harris County Precinct 4 constable showed roofs with shingles ripped off. Some debris blocked roads.

The damage affected the Memorial Northwest neighborhood, according to the office of Mark Herman, the constable. There also were several weather-related vehicle crashes.

The Houston Fire Department dispatched five members of its saw team to cut up and remove toppled trees, spokesperson Rustin Rawlings said.

The weather service had issued a tornado watch for southeastern Texas, including Houston, until 1 a.m. Tuesday. It also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of southeastern Texas.