HERE'S What You Should Be Reading Now!

U.S. factory, construction data brighten economic outlook

- Reuters 

A new report shows that factory activity in the United States “increased more than expected in December . . . a further sign of strong economic momentum at the end of 2017.” Manufacturers are upbeat and anticipate a “ramp-up” in orders during the next year, the Institute for Supply Management report says.

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Trump’s Homeland Security chief pledges help with North Bay fire recovery

- San Francisco Chronicle 

President Donald J. Trump’s new Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen toured northern California’s wildfire devastation this week, vowing that “the White House would fully back recovery efforts.” The secretary’s “stop in Southern California coincided with the Trump administration’s disaster declaration for the area,” the Chronicle reports.

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US construction spending hit record high in November 

- The Associated Press 

Private construction spending hit an all-time high in November of 2017, according to a new report from the Commerce Department. “Builders spent 0.8 percent more on construction projects in November, the fourth consecutive monthly gain,” The Associated Press reports.

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ICE is increasing presence in California because of 'sanctuary state' law, says Trump immigration chief

- The Los Angeles Times

Thomas Homan, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said that the Trump Administration is preparing to “significantly increase” the agency’s enforcement presence in California. The move comes as a result of California’s new “sanctuary state” law, which took effect New Year’s Day. “If the politicians in California don’t want to protect their communities then ICE will,” Homan said.

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Food stamp rolls decline by more than 2 million in FY 2017

- The Washington Free Beacon

The number of people receiving food stamps fell by more than two million during the 2017 fiscal year, according to data recently released by the Agriculture Department. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has implemented new policies intended to streamline access and efficiency within the program, the Free Beacon writes.

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Poll: Voters show massive support for Trump immigration policies 

- Breitbart

A recent NumbersUSA poll of likely 2018 voters showed overwhelming support for immigration policies that put America first. The poll is significant because it “asked respondents to pick from competing priorities, not just whether they want to welcome more immigrants,” Breitbart reports.