December 16, 2025 – US Headlines

Story gist: A shooting occurred at Brown University. The FBI released photos of the suspect and offered a $50,000 reward for information.

Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN provides live updates on the FBI’s suspect photos and reward, emphasizing law enforcement response to the shooting. Center U.S. Embassy outlet frames it around removal of Uzbekistanis from the U.S., highlighting immigration enforcement. Right-leaning coverage absent, omitting potential emphasis on immigrant involvement in campus crime or border security.

Story gist: A shooting occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Ahmed el Ahmed tackled one gunman and is recovering in hospital, while two others were killed trying to disarm the gunman.

Bias summary: Left-leaning NYT emphasizes surviving hero Ahmed el Ahmed’s recovery after tackling a gunman. Center People.com focuses on the surviving hero’s parents praising his courage as a ‘hero.’ Right-leaning News.com.au highlights the two heroes slain in the disarmament attempt, emphasizing deaths over survival stories.

Story gist: President Trump signed an executive order classifying illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN frames the story by centering Trump as the actor in a straightforward headline, emphasizing his direct role. Center White House uses the official title without additional context or attribution. Right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, absenting perspectives that might highlight policy strength against cartels or border threats.

Story gist: ACA enrollees face premium increases as federal subsidies expire at year’s end. Congress debates extension amid Speaker Mike Johnson’s disputes with GOP centrists and senatorial efforts.

Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN frames story around Speaker Johnson’s ‘battles’ with GOP centrists, emphasizing Republican disunity. Center Bloomberg highlights neutral ‘senatorial scramble’ for solution under time pressure, avoiding partisan blame. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting potential defenses of conservative fiscal restraint or ACA critiques.

Story gist: Federal authorities arrested four suspected extremists in a New Year’s Eve bombing plot across Southern California.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like LA Times label suspects an ‘antigovernment group,’ emphasizing ideological ties. Center outlets like PBS use neutral ‘suspected extremists’ phrasing. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting conservative framing or emphasis on law enforcement success or border/security angles.