'Christmas for farmers'

What Trump's $12 billion in aid means for farmers

View online. YOUR MORNING December 9, 2025 Good morning, NewsNation. For more fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 – Download the NewsNation app here >   Did a friend send you this newsletter? Subscribe to this newsletter and more here > What Trump's $12B aid package means for America's farmers Farm aid: There's hope on the horizon for farmers in the form of a new $12 billion aid package. President Donald Trump announced the relief, which is being hailed as a lifeline for agricultural communities hit by rising costs and the trade war fallout. The latest > Costs vs. crops: Farm groups pushed for the aid to help cover expenses for next year's planting season. An analysis of government data found farmers are in the red for a third year in a row – spending $179 billion to produce $144 billion worth of crops. Farmer bankruptcies skyrocket > Timing: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says farmers could receive aid as soon as February. She said $11 billion will go out to farmers immediately and another $1 billion will be put aside for specialty crops. Is the money coming from tariffs? > Hegseth to brief top Congressional members on Venezuela strikes Gang of 8: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will brief the "Gang of 8" today on alleged drug-trafficking boat strikes off the coast of Venezuela. One in particular — a follow-up attack on Sept. 2 — has stirred controversy on both sides of the aisle. What to expect > Second strike: Lawmakers are split on the attack after reviewing the second strike's footage. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., described it as "troubling," while Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. called it "justified" after seeing the video. Venezuela flexing its own defenses > Video: Hegseth has not committed to releasing the video. Trump said he's deferring to Hegseth on whether to release it. "Whatever Hegseth wants to do is OK with me," the president said. Boat strike fallout > Trump says survivors of scrutinized US strike were trying to right boat > Sen. Cotton: Identities of those on alleged drug boat are known > Subscribe to Frontlines with Robert Sherman's newsletter > Maine whistleblower alleges Minnesota-like fraud in state's Medicaid program Exclusive: Taxpayers in Maine have been bilked out of millions of dollars from the state's Medicaid program, according to a whistleblower who likened the case to a scandal in Minnesota, where people in the Somali community are accused of defrauding taxpayers of $1 billion. Details > Family files lawsuit against Royal Caribbean after passenger's death ruled homicide Cruise death: The family of a California man who died on a Royal Caribbean cruise last year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging the company overserved him alcohol and used excessive force they say led to his death. The latest > Homicide: Michael Virgil, 35, died Dec. 13, 2024, during a Navigator of the Seas cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico. NewsNation affiliate KTLA obtained the Medical Examiner's report, which lists Virgil's manner of death as homicide. What we know > Lawsuit: The suit says Virgil, who had a beverage package, was served more than 30 alcoholic drinks in the hours leading up to his death. The suit alleges security tackled him when he got lost trying to find his room and held him in a position that restricted breathing. Details > Royal Caribbean: The cruise line told TMZ: "We were saddened by the passing of one of our guests, worked with authorities on their investigation, and will refrain from commenting any further on pending litigation." Read more > Anna Kepner's stepbrother a suspect in her death as investigation continues > Missing American cruise ship passenger Ann Evans found by police > Ex-police clerk demanded $50K for Amy Bradley's location, PI says > Cheryl Hines on if husband RFK Jr. will run for president in 2028 Hollywood to Washington: Actress Cheryl Hines, best known for her role on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," spoke with NewsNation about navigating life as the wife of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. while promoting her new book "Unscripted." Watch the interview > Another presidential run? Hines, who has been married to Kennedy for over a decade, said she never anticipated her husband's political career. When asked if Kennedy would run for president in 2028, Hines said no, but she acknowledged her husband has surprised her before. Details > Watch: In part two of this interview, airing tonight on "Elizabeth Vargas Reports," Hines discusses meeting Trump, as well as ongoing friction with the Kennedy family and former Hollywood friends. Find your channel > Jimmy Kimmel just extended his ABC run — but by how much? > Prince Harry's victory may clear way for children to visit King Charles > Trump: Netflix-Warner Bros. deal 'could be a problem' >  WHAT WE'RE WATCHING 👀 Trump heads to Pennsylvania to tout his economic plan. Japan assesses damage from the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that injured more than 30 people. Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, returns to court. Kiss singer Gene Simmons testifies before a Senate committee on royalties for musicians. The Federal Open Market Committee meeting begins, with an interest rates decision expected Wednesday. The Supreme Court hears a campaign spending limits case. Charlie Kirk's book on observing the Sabbath is published. A hearing is set in the "It Ends With Us" lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.  A massive manhunt is underway after an inmate escaped from a Louisiana jail last week, according to reports. The search for Keith Eli > Never-before-seen footage of Brian Walshe's $463 shopping trip for cleaning supplies was shown at the Massachusetts man's murder trial. Video > A former South Carolina court clerk who helped with the Alex Murdaugh murder trial pleaded guilty to criminal charges for showing sealed court exhibits to a photographer. Details > A driver was injured after a small plane crashed into a vehicle on a Florida interstate. The latest > Twelve former FBI agents who were fired after kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington are suing to get their jobs back. What to know > An Ohio school district is looking into allegations that a first-grade teacher made students rub his feet in class. Read more > The Trump administration launched a new office in Georgia to vet immigrants using the latest technology, including artificial intelligence. Details > New video shows humpback whales feeding on the Southern California coast. Watch > NOMINATE A REMARKABLE WOMAN Do you know an incredible woman who's making a difference through community service, personal achievement or innovation? She could receive a $25,000 donation for the nonprofit of her choice and an all-expenses-paid VIP trip to Nashville! Nominate a Remarkable Woman in your life by Dec. 19! Nominate > 88-year-old grocery cashier overwhelmed by $1.7M gift More than 15,000 people pitched in to donate $1.7 million to an 88-year-old veteran who was working at a Michigan grocery store. Read more >   Find a good news story each day in NewsNation's Your Morning newsletter! Subscribe > This NewsNation email is written by Caitlyn Shelton and NewsNation staff. LATEST BUSINESS NEWS Wall Street pulls back from its record heights  > Pope Leo on AI: Tips to navigate the next tech revolution  > Trump says AI executive order coming soon  > Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, challenging $72B Netflix bid  > LATEST CRIME NEWS DC pipe bomb mystery begins to unfurl   > Family files lawsuit against Royal Caribbean after passenger's death ruled homicide  > Manhunt underway for prisoner who escaped Louisiana jail  > Murder trial continues for Brian Walshe, accused of killing his wife  > LET US HEAR FROM YOU! SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK. Feedback | Unsubscribe | About Us   Copyright © 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use   To ensure you receive these emails in the future, please add info@nxsemail.newsnationnow.com to your address book, contacts or list of safe senders.