Personal Newscast 9/29/2026

Trump Unveils Massive Iowa Steel Plant Project
President Trump announced plans for what the White House calls the largest steel plant in American history, to be built in Iowa by Mesabi Metallics. The roughly $15 billion project is expected to create up to 6,000 construction jobs and 1,750 permanent positions, with production targeted to begin around 2030. Officials described it as a fully integrated American supply chain using iron ore from Minnesota. The announcement comes as Republicans look to highlight manufacturing gains ahead of the midterms.

Source: Fox News / Just The News

Iran Conflict: Trump Rejects Latest Offers, Claims Control of Hormuz
President Trump rejected Iran’s most recent proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks on terms he called unacceptable, stating Tehran is under severe economic pressure. He asserted the U.S. has “total control” of the strait and left the door open to additional strikes while expressing confidence the conflict will end soon. Iranian officials continued to criticize the administration as oil flows through the waterway remain well below pre-war levels.

Source: Fox News / Just The News / Newsmax

Army National Guard Hits 2026 Recruiting Goal
War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Army National Guard achieved its fiscal year 2026 recruiting target of 37,155 soldiers, marking the third consecutive year of success and the first sustained streak of this kind since 2013. The active-duty Army had already met its own goal months earlier. Officials pointed to improved retention and recruiting momentum across multiple components.

Source: Just The News

Education Department Rescinds Biden-Era Title IX Rules
The Department of Education finalized the rollback of the previous administration’s Title IX regulations, restoring the 2020 framework that defines sex strictly according to biological sex. Officials called the move a win for girls’ and women’s sports and fairness in education. The change follows earlier court developments and continues the administration’s broader shift on related policies.

Source: One America News / Just The News

Attacks on ICE Officers Surge
The Department of Homeland Security reported 647 attacks on ICE agents between January 2025 and September 2026, a sharp increase compared with 37 during a comparable period under the prior administration. Officials and lawmakers criticized sanctuary policies, saying they contribute to hostility toward federal immigration enforcement. The figures come amid continued efforts to expand detention capacity.

Source: Just The News

Vance and RFK Jr. to Headline MAHA Summit
Vice President JD Vance and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are scheduled to speak at a Make America Healthy Again summit as some supporters question whether the movement has drifted from its original focus. The event highlights ongoing internal discussions within the administration’s health agenda heading into the final stretch before the midterms.

Source: Newsmax

Roku Adds Free Live Channels; YouTube TV Drops Three Networks
Roku expanded The Roku Channel’s free live lineup with Fear Factor and Stingray Stargaze. Meanwhile, YouTube TV subscribers will lose Court TV, Tastemade, and The Young Turks on September 30; previously recorded content from those channels will also become unavailable. The networks remain accessible on other platforms, including free ad-supported services.

Source: Cord Cutters News

FCC Pauses Verizon’s Copper Landline Shutdown Plan
The Federal Communications Commission delayed automatic approval of Verizon’s request to retire traditional copper home phone networks in nine states after pushback from residents, advocates, and at least one member of Congress. The agency said more review is needed. A narrower request covering certain business services was allowed to proceed.

Source: Cord Cutters News

DOJ Escalates Election Integrity Efforts
The Justice Department stated it will take “aggressive actions” to secure the midterm elections and has charged dozens of noncitizens in recent weeks with unlawful voting and registration offenses. Separately, a court ruling temporarily blocked a system that would have allowed bulk verification of voter citizenship using federal data.

Source: Just The News

Durable Goods Orders Beat Expectations
August orders for big-ticket U.S.-made goods came in stronger than expected, offering a positive data point for the manufacturing sector. Separate reports noted record diesel prices creating pressure on farmers and continued elevated home inventory levels.

Source: Just The News