5 Things to Know for Nov. 18: Raleigh Border Sweep, Epstein Files Vote, Gaza 'Board of Peace', Inflation Reality, Drug Price Cuts

Five things to know for Nov. 18

Market watch: Bitcoin has erased its gains for the year and faces renewed volatility, though many investors remain optimistic about a possible rebound.

1. Border enforcement in Raleigh: Border Patrol agents have arrived in Raleigh, North Carolina, and operations could begin as soon as today. The Department of Homeland Security says it will intensify immigration enforcement in some Democrat-led cities as part of a broader push to detain undocumented immigrants and address crime. Two state lawmakers were briefed Monday and expect the Raleigh operation to be smaller than the recent sweep in Charlotte, where federal agents arrested more than 130 people — 44 with criminal records, including two people identified as gang members. Gov. Josh Stein urged residents to remain peaceful and report wrongdoing to local authorities.

2. House to vote on Epstein files: The House is scheduled to vote today on a measure aimed at forcing the release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The bill faces a two-thirds threshold to pass the chamber. Republican leaders warned last week that some GOP members might break with President Donald Trump and support disclosure. After initially opposing the release, Trump said over the weekend he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk, saying he does not want the issue to overshadow his administration’s record.

3. U.N. approves Gaza plan: The U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-backed resolution aimed at laying groundwork for a more durable peace in Gaza. The resolution calls for creating a transitional "Board of Peace" to oversee disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions and to help guide reconstruction. The text references Palestinian statehood but sets no timeline. President Trump wrote on his social platform that he intends to chair the board and said it will include "the most powerful and respected leaders throughout the world." The proposal reflects key Israeli demands while attempting to build international oversight for reconstruction.

4. Inflation and prices: President Trump has said prices have fallen during his second term, claiming groceries and other costs are "coming down very substantially." Official data tell a more nuanced story: annual inflation was 3% in September, the highest since January; grocery prices rose 1.4% between January and September; and consumer prices have increased on average about 1.7% during Trump’s second term, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some categories, like pharmaceuticals and eggs, have seen declines while other items, including those affected by tariffs, have risen recently.

5. Drugmakers cut prices amid pressure: Facing growing competition in the weight-loss market and pressure from the White House, Novo Nordisk said Monday it is lowering list prices for Wegovy and Ozempic for cash-paying patients. The move is part of a broader industry trend to offer direct-to-consumer discounts. Novo Nordisk and rival Eli Lilly recently struck a deal with the administration to expand access to Medicare and Medicaid in exchange for lower prices, and these price adjustments follow that push.

In brief

• The TSA is investigating how a meat cleaver was brought onto a Delta flight in Portland, Oregon.
• Butterball CEO Jay Jandrian describes ways retailers are helping shoppers get more value from turkey this Thanksgiving.
• Cher is set to return to the "Saturday Night Live" stage.
• Sophie Grégoire Trudeau commented on reports of Justin Trudeau’s reported relationship with pop star Katy Perry.
• Check your local forecast for the latest weather in your area.
• Watch CNN’s Rachel Tashjian for a breakdown of the Met Gala’s 2026 theme and what it signals for fashion’s biggest night.

Today’s edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNN’s Andrew Torgan. For more news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com.