November 2015 Current Events: U.S. News

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

World News | Business News | Disasters & Science News

Here are the key events in United States news for the month of November 2015.

• Royals Win Their First World Series in 30 Years (Nov. 1): After losing to the San Francisco Giants in game 7 of the World Series last year, the Kansas City Royals defeat the New York Mets to win their first title in 30 years. The Royals win in five thrilling games. The final game ends in the 12th inning when the team scores five runs to win 7-2.

  
  Kansas City Royals celebrate their World Series victory, Nov. 1, 2015
  Source: AP Photo/Peter Morgan

• Obama's Immigration Overhaul Halted by Appeals Court (Nov. 9): In New Orleans, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, rules 2 to 1 in favor of a lawsuit by 26 states to block the Obama administration's immigration plan. The three-judge panel rules that the lawsuit will likely succeed in a trial. The lawsuit is an attempt to block President Obama's plan to overhaul the immigration rules, which includes work permits for up to five million people and deportation protection.

• Lawmakers Call for Tougher Refugee Screening in Light of Paris Attacks (Nov. 16):In reaction to the attacks in Paris, 25 Republican governors vow to stop Syrian refugees from entering their states. The governors argue that the safety of U.S. citizens is at stake, pointing out that one of the terrorists involved in the Paris attacks entered Europe while posing as a migrant. Members of Congress and Republican presidential candidates speak out against President Obama's plan for the U.S. to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees. However, the three Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O'Malley continue to support Obama's plan for taking in refugees. (Nov. 19): The House of Representatives approves a bill to increase screening procedures for Syrian refugees. Passing with a vote of 289 to 137, the bill will require the director of national intelligence, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and the F.B.I. director to determine that each refugee is not a threat. The bill must now pass the Senate. President Obama says he will veto the bill if it gets to his desk.

• U.S. Issues Worldwide Travel Alert (Nov. 23): In light of the recent attacks in Paris and an increase in international terrorists threats, the U.S. State Department issues a warning that Americans should be alert when traveling, especially during the holidays. The travel alert is in effect until Feb. 24, 2016. The announcement also says that current information suggests that ISIS, al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups will continue to plan attacks in multiple regions.

• Video Release Sparks Chicago Protests (Nov. 24): Hundreds of protesters take to Chicago streets after dashboard-camera footage is released of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being shot. The video is released on the same day that Jason Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder. Dyke is the Chicago Police Officer who shot McDonald 16 times on South Pulaski Road on Oct. 20, 2014. The video shows McDonald walking down the middle of the street, armed with a three inch knife, and veering away from police cars. He then spins around and falls due to 16 shots being fired in 15 seconds, all shots fired by Van Dyke. Van Dyke has turned himself in to authorities and is being held without bail. The video is also released on the one year anniversary of the Michael Brown shooting verdict in Ferguson where a grand jury ruled not to indict Officer Darren Wilson. (Nov. 30): Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel asks for Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy to resign. In a press conference discussing McCarthy's dismissal, Emanuel says, "Superintendent McCarthy knows that a police officer is only as effective as when he has the trust of those he serves. The undeniable fact (is) that the public trust in the leadership of the department has been shaken and eroded."

  
  Chicago protesters, Nov. 24, 2015
  Source: AP Photo/Paul Beaty

• Three Killed at Planned Parenthood Shooting in Colorado Springs (Nov. 27): A police officer and two others are killed after a shooter attacks a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. Nine more are wounded. Hundreds of people are asked to stay in nearby buildings while police worked to apprehend the shooter, Robert L. Dear, Jr., age 57. (Nov. 30): Dear appears in court via live video. Judge Gilbert Anthony Martinez of Colorado's Fourth Judicial District charges Dear with murder in the first degree. The shooting comes at a time when anti-abortion groups have increasingly attacked Planned Parenthood and the funding it receives from the government.