This is an LA Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Faith Pino, and you're listening to headlines from L.A. Times Studios.

Here are some of today's top stories from the Los Angeles Times.

We start with President Trump, who addressed the nation on Wednesday night.

Good evening, America.

11 months ago, I inherited a mess, and I'm fixing it.

After just one year, we have achieved more than anyone could have imagined.

In an 18-minute speech, the president defended and supported his administration's policies.

New York Times White House reporter Katie Rogers says, quote,

it'll keep fact-checkers busy for hours.

And Trump announced a new initiative called the Warrior Dividend.

One million, four hundred and fifty thousand military service members will receive a special

we call warrior dividend before Christmas, a warrior dividend. In honor of our nation's founding in

1776, we are sending every soldier $1,776.

Here's some other stories we're tracking out of D.C.

First, President Trump signed an order Thursday that reclassifies cannabis from a Schedule 1 drug,

the most restrictive category shared by heroin, to a Schedule 3 drug, which includes

ketamine. Some say the White House's move could ease cannabis regulation and increase research.

Also, tensions between Venezuela and the United States continue to escalate, with President

Trump's partial blockade on oil tankers leaving and entering Venezuela.

Many analysts believe oil makes up more than 80% of their economy, and U.S. sanctions on

Venezuela already had a crippling effect on the country.

...