national - Page 23 of 38 - The Rapid City Post

FILE - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives at the White House, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon,File)

US national debt reaches a record $37 trillion, the Treasury Department reports

August 12, 2025

The U.S. government’s gross national debt has surpassed $37 trillion, setting a new record. This highlights the rapid acceleration of debt on America’s balance sheet and the increasing cost pressures on taxpayers. The Treasury Department reported this update on Tuesday. The national debt reached this level years sooner than pre-pandemic projections due to heavy borrowing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts warn that the growing debt could lead to reduced living standards and increased interest rates. The Joint Economic Committee estimates another trillion dollars could be added in about 173 days.

FILE - A Spirit Airlines 319 Airbus approaches Manchester Boston Regional Airport for a landing, Friday, June 2, 2023, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Spirit Airlines sounds the alarm on its future ability to stay in business

August 12, 2025

Just five months after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Spirit Airlines is warning about its future ability to stay in business. Spirit Aviation Holdings, the budget carrier’s parent company, says it has “substantial doubt” about its ability to continue as a going concern within the next year — which is accounting-speak for having the resources needed to sustain operations. In a quarterly report issued on Monday, Spirit pointed to “adverse market conditions” that it’s continued to face despite recent restructuring and other efforts to revamp offerings. That includes weak demand for domestic leisure travel, which Spirit said persisted in the second quarter of its fiscal year.

FILE - The Theodore Levin United States Courthouse is photographed in Detroit on July 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Michigan jury awards nearly $60M to man who said his rights were violated by prosecutor

August 12, 2025

A jury has awarded nearly $60 million to a man who accused a disgraced Michigan prosecutor and a police officer of violating his rights in filing sexual abuse charges. The criminal case against Sean MacMaster was ultimately dismissed by the state attorney general in 2019. The jury says Brian Kolodziej and state police Lt. David Busacca acted intentionally or with reckless disregard for the truth. MacMaster claimed Kolodziej pursued sex charges against him in an effort to impress a girlfriend who was related to MacMaster’s former wife. The MacMasters were in a contentious child custody battle.

A sign welcoming people to Fort Stewart in Georgia is seen on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Army sergeant charged with attempted murder in the shootings of 5 Fort Stewart soldiers

August 12, 2025

An Army sergeant accused of shooting five fellow soldiers at a Georgia base has been charged by the military with attempted murder. The suspect was also charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence. An Army spokesperson said one of the victims was the suspect’s romantic partner. Sgt. Quornelius Radford was arrested last Wednesday, when officials say he opened fire with a personal handgun on members of his supply unit at Fort Stewart, which is southwest of Savannah. Fort Stewart officials say soldiers restrained and disarmed the gunman before military police arrived. All five of the wounded soldiers survived the attack.

Scientists standing by to rescue rare manatee sighted in cold New England waters

August 12, 2025

A manatee was recently spotted off the coast of Massachusetts for the first time in almost a decade. Scientists told The Associated Press Friday that officials are standing by to intervene if needed. The manatee was first seen July 26 off the southwestern coast of Cape Cod in the area of Nantucket Sound. Bystanders found it beached a few days later on the tidal flats in Mattapoisett and pushed the manatee back into the water. The animals usually find habitat in warmer southern waters. Experts say the animals could become sick, starve or die in the colder New England water.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and his wife, Elaine Chao, wave to the crowd at the annual Fancy Farm picnic Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Fancy Farm, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Sen. McConnell and wife join Kentucky ceremony marking expansion of their archives

August 12, 2025

Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao’s status as a powerhouse couple was on display as they attended a ceremony in Kentucky for the archives that will catalogue their careers. On Tuesday, they marked the expansion of the McConnell Chao Archives at McConnell’s alma mater, the University of Louisville. McConnell is in his final term after the Republican senator revealed in February he won’t seek reelection in 2026. His wife Chao is a former U.S. labor and transportation secretary for Republican administrations. UofL President Gerry Bradley says the archives will be an invaluable source for scholars and historians by offering insights into the couple’s careers.

New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Andrew Cuomo swipes at Zohran Mamdani over a classic New York topic: rent

August 12, 2025

As he seeks to boost his campaign for New York City mayor, Andrew Cuomo is proposing an overhaul to New York City’s rent laws and escalating his attacks on the frontrunner, Zohran Mamdani. In recent days, Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, has urged his opponent to move out “immediately” from his rent stabilized apartment, accusing him of taking housing from those less fortunate. On Monday, the former governor released a proposal that would limit income for those in rent regulated units. That plan has drawn skepticism from some housing experts. A spokesperson for Mamdani accused Cuomo of being out of touch with the needs of middle class New Yorkers.

4 arrests after home reportedly owned by Brad Pitt was ransacked by burglars, police say

August 12, 2025

Police say four people have been arrested in connection with a burglary earlier this summer at a Los Angeles home reportedly owned by actor Brad Pitt. Officers responded June 25 to a break-in at the house in the Los Feliz neighborhood. Police said at the time that suspects broke in through the front window, ransacked the home and fled with miscellaneous property. Detectives have made four arrests, but police didn’t immediately release the suspects’ names. Officials could not identify who owned or lived in the home. Pitt reportedly bought the property for $5.5 million in April 2023.

From ‘Bodies’ to new albums, allow Offset and JID to reintroduce themselves

August 12, 2025

Atlanta rappers JID and Offset have new albums out this month. Before JID released “God Does Like Ugly” last week, and before Offset will release “Kiari” on Aug. 22, the pair teamed up for an unusual Hot 100 hit. Titled “Bodies,” the song combines Offset’s melodic flow with JID’s lyrical dexterity atop a sample of a Drowning Pool’s 2001 hit. JID told The Associated Press it is one of his favorite compositions. He also described his new album as intentional. Offset says “Kiari” is a very personal album. It features John Legend and arrives after Cardi B filed to divorce him.

This photo provided by U.S. Dept. of Justice, shows intercepted eastern box turtles that a New York man pleaded guilty Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in federal court in New York to exporting more than 220 parcels containing around 850 eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles, according to the U.S. Justice Department. (U.S. Dept. of Justice via AP)

Man admits trying to smuggle 850 protected turtles valued at $1.4 million to Hong Kong

August 12, 2025

A man admitted trying to smuggle protected turtles worth more than $1 million from New York City to Hong Kong. They were shipped in boxes labeled “plastic animal toys.” Federal prosecutors say Wei Qiang Lin, a Chinese national who lives in Brooklyn, pleaded guilty Monday to exporting more than 220 parcels containing around 850 eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles. These turtles feature colorful markings and are a “prized feature” in global pet markets. Officers saw them at a border inspection, bound and taped inside knotted socks. Prosecutors say Lin also shipped venomous snakes. He faces up to five years in prison.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during a news conference on President Donald Trump's plan to place Washington police under federal control and deploy National guard troops to Washington, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump’s Washington police takeover echoes history of racist narratives about urban crime

August 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has taken control of the District of Columbia’s law enforcement and ordered National Guard troops to deploy onto the streets of the nation’s capital. He argued Monday the extraordinary move is a response to an urgent public safety crisis. But his rhetoric echoed that of conservative politicians going back decades who have denounced American cities, especially those with majority non-white populations or led by progressive politicians, as lawless or crime-ridden and in need of outside intervention. Advocates in Washington’s Black community say they had been preparing for a potential federal crackdown in the district since 2020, when Trump deployed U.S. troops during racial justice protests after the murder of George Floyd.

Federal law enforcement officers patrol The Wharf, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Federal becomes local: The nation’s capital finds itself at the center of a Donald Trump maelstrom

August 11, 2025

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has responded to President Donald Trump’s plan to take over the Metropolitan Police Department and call in the National Guard. Bowser emphasized that crime has been dropping and Trump’s state of emergency doesn’t match the numbers. She acknowledged that the city has little choice but to comply. Bowser linked the takeover to the larger issue of D.C. statehood, stating that limited autonomy makes the city vulnerable. Trump’s decision fits a pattern of using emergency declarations to rule by executive order. Bowser maintains that violent crime has decreased, a claim supported by Trump’s former U.S. attorney nominee.

FILE - Crosses are surrounded by flowers and other mementos at a memorial, June 9, 2022, for the victims of a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Uvalde school records show teenage gunman’s spiral before 2022 shooting

August 11, 2025

School district officials have released text messages, personnel files and student records of the shooter from the 2022 attack at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 students and two teachers. Monday’s document release follows a yearslong legal battle over public access to the material. Media organizations, including The Associated Press, had sued the district and county in 2022 for the release of their records. It is not the public’s first glimpse inside the slow law enforcement response to the shooting. Last year, city officials in Uvalde released police body camera videos from their officers and 911 calls.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump’s tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says

August 11, 2025

President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law will result in less income for the poorest Americans while sending money to the riches, according to a new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The CBO estimates that the 10% of poorest Americans will lose roughly $1,200 a year as they experience restrictions on programs like Medicaid and food assistance. The richest 10% will see their income increase by $13,600 from tax cuts. American households will see more income from the tax cuts, including middle income households. But the largest benefit will go to the top 10% of earners.

FILE- Shipyard workers at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., prepare a submarine for float-off, July 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

Republicans, Democrats alike exhort Trump: Keep security pact with Australia and UK alive

August 11, 2025

U.S. lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to maintain a security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom to supply nuclear-powered submarines. The Pentagon has announced a review of the AUKUS agreement, raising concerns about U.S. shipbuilding capabilities. The review is expected to be completed in the fall. The partnership is seen as crucial to countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. However, a report warns that U.S. shipbuilding limitations could jeopardize the agreement. Australia has invested heavily in the U.S. submarine industrial base, aiming to accelerate production and support its defense strategy.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi look on. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump’s order to deploy troops in DC is his latest use of the National Guard in cities

August 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has ordered 800 National Guard members to help law enforcement fight crime in Washington. The Army said Monday that only 100 to 200 soldiers will be on the city’s streets at any time and current plans have the troops supporting police rather than conducting law enforcement themselves. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Guard members will be “flowing into the streets of Washington in the coming week.” The deployment is just the latest example of Trump sending the National Guard into cities to support immigration enforcement or fight crime over the objection of local and state officials.

Trump nominates conservative economist to head agency that compiles jobs, inflation data

August 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has nominated E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, to head the agency that compiles and publishes the nation’s employment and inflation figures. Antoni, if approved by the Senate, would replace Erika McEntarfer, who was appointed commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics by former President Joe Biden. Trump fired McEntarfer Aug. 1 after the July jobs report showed hiring slowed sharply this spring, with job gains in May and June revised much lower than initially estimated. Trump accused McEntarfer, without evidence, of rigging the jobs data for political reasons.

FACT FOCUS: Trump exaggerates, misstates facts on Washington crime

August 11, 2025

In justifying a federal take over of policing in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump claims that crime in the capital city is on the rise and that homicide rates in 2023 were the highest ever seen. Neither is true, as the city’s own crime statistics show. Violent crime did spike in 2023 following the pandemic, but instances of violent crime have fallen in the intervening years. The city recently recorded a 26% drop in violent crime last year. Trump also said homicide data from decades ago isn’t available, but records from the 1980s and 1990s show the number of homicides routinely exceeded the numbers seen today.

FILE - This combo of images released by the Arkansas Department of Corrections shows the recapture of escaped inmate Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief and convicted killer, by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol, June 6, 2025, near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) northwest of Calico Rock prison. in Calico Rock, Ark. (Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP, File)

Arkansas authorities say additional employees disciplined at prison where ex-police chief escaped

August 11, 2025

Additional employees at an Arkansas prison have been disciplined for not following procedures at a prison where an inmate known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” escaped earlier this summer. Arkansas Division of Correction Director Dexter Payne told lawmakers on Monday that employees at the Calico Rock prison had been suspended. Payne says another demoted for allowing inmates to use an outdoor kitchen dock unsupervised. The dock played a key role in the May 25 escape of Grant Hardin. Payne says corrections officials have nearly completed the report on their critical incident review of the escape.

Business spat between Daryl Hall and John Oates has been resolved in arbitration, attorneys say

August 11, 2025

A court filing says Daryl Hall and John Oates have resolved their dispute over a Hall & Oates business partnership through arbitration. The filing by Hall’s attorneys Monday shows the estranged duo reached a private ending after details of the rift between the duo went public in court documents after Hall sued Oates in 2023. A judge required the status update on a legal case that has been dormant for a year and a half. It’s unclear when the arbitration ruling was reached, or what the outcome was. An attorney for Hall declined to comment. Representatives for Oates did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

FILE - National Guard troops and the U.S. Capitol Police keep watch as heightened security remains in effect around the Capitol grounds in Washington, March 3, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Trump’s moves toward taking over Washington are unprecedented. Here’s what the law says

August 11, 2025

President Donald Trump took unprecedented steps toward federalizing Washington, D.C., saying it’s needed to fight crime even as city leaders pointed to data showing violence is down. He took command of the police department and deployed the National Guard under laws that give the federal government more power over the nation’s capital. The Home Rule Act of 1973 gave residents the power to elect a city council and mayor in 1973, though the measure still left significant power to the federal government. It lets the president deploy the National Guard and temporarily take over the police department, but a further takeover would require an act of Congress.

Ford CEO Jim Farley speaks at the Louisville Assembly Plant, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Ford hits the pedal on EV production with $2 billion overhaul of Kentucky plant

August 11, 2025

Ford says it will invest nearly $2 billion to retool a Kentucky plant to produce electric vehicles. The automaker says the goal is to produce EVs that are more affordable, profitable to make and outcompete rival models. Ford’s top executive unveiled the new EV strategy at the company’s Louisville Assembly Plant on Monday. The factory will be revamped to manufacture electric vehicles after producing gas-powered vehicles for decades. Ford says the first EV vehicle to roll off the assembly line will be a midsize, four-door electric truck that’s set to debut in 2027.

Trump’s new congressional map in Texas still stymied as Gavin Newsom urges president to give up

August 11, 2025

Texas Republicans were unable again Monday to approve new congressional districts to meet President Donald Trump’s demands. Dozens of Democrats remain outside the state, denying their GOP colleagues the attendance required to vote on the president’s maps. The standoff is now into its second week and has spread to multiple states. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking President Donald Trump to stop his push or else his Democratic state will answer. Republicans are trying to redraw five U.S. House districts at Trump’s urging. The president is looking for ways to bolster the chance that the GOP will keep control of Congress in the 2026 elections.

CEO of Nvidia Jensen Huang speaks during a press conference at the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen after attending the third China International Supply Chain Expo, in Beijing, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

US will get a 15% cut of Nvidia and AMD chip sales to China under a new, unusual agreement

August 11, 2025

Nvidia and AMD agreed to share 15% of their revenues from chip sales to China with the U.S. government, President Donald Trump confirmed at a press conference on Monday. Trump’s administration halted the sale of advanced computer chips to China back in April over national security concerns, but Nvidia and AMD revealed in July that Washington would allow them to resume sales of the H20 and MI308 chips, which are used in artificial intelligence development.

The State House is seen in Augusta, Maine on June 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

Maine can’t enforce foreign election interference law that appeals court calls unconstitutional

August 11, 2025

Maine can’t enforce a voter-approved foreign election interference law that a federal appeals court says likely violates the Constitution by limiting political donations. Voters in the state overwhelmingly approved a referendum that bans foreign governments and companies with 5% or more foreign government ownership from donating to state referendum races. The law has been on hold pending federal lawsuits from utilities companies and media organizations that raise constitutional challenges about it. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston says it affirms a lower-court ruling that the law likely violates the First Amendment.

This image provided by the Office of the State Fire Marshal shows the aftermath of a house fire in Waldorf, Md., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (Office of the State Fire Marshal via AP)

4 children and 2 adults are killed when fire rips through a house in Maryland

August 11, 2025

Authorities say four children and two adults were killed when fire ripped through a house in Charles County, Maryland. WTOP News reports one person managed to escape the blaze that broke out around 8:40 a.m. Sunday at the home in Waldorf, about 55 miles south of Baltimore. It took about 70 firefighters more than an hour to control the flames. One firefighter was hospitalized and another first responder was treated at the scene for unspecified injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire says the blaze originated on the right side of the home within an enclosed porch.

President Donald Trump, from left, speaks with reporters as Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Photos of Trump’s emergency declaration as the National Guard is activated in Washington

August 11, 2025

WASHINGTON WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he’s activating the National Guard to help reduce crime across Washington.

This still image from video and provided by the U.S. Coast Guard shows a 75-foot passenger vessel running aground near Kewalo Basin Harbor, Honolulu, on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

Yacht-sized passenger boat runs aground in high surf off Hawaii beach

August 11, 2025

A yacht-sized passenger boat has run aground in the high surf off a Hawaii beach. The vessel precariously rode a series of powerful waves and appeared to nearly flip on its side before coming to rest. Two crew members were on the 60-foot vessel when it ran aground Saturday outside of Honolulu’s Kewalo Basin Harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard said the boat’s fuel, oil and batteries were removed. A company planned to tow it away at high tide. The grounding was captured on video from various onlookers who screamed as the boat careened down a swell on its side.

FILE - Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks during a meeting between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state cabinet at the Florida capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Some Florida officers are continuing to charge people under halted immigration law

August 11, 2025

Some law enforcement officers are continuing to charge people under a Florida law that bans people living in the U.S. illegally from entering the state, even though a federal judge has halted enforcement of the law while it’s challenged in court. Two more people were arrested and charged under the law in July, according to a report Florida’s attorney general is required to file as punishment for defying the judge’s ruling. The state attorney’s office dismissed the illegal entry charges against the men, according to the court filing.

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2020, file photo, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave Canada House in London. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

Prince Harry, Meghan and Netflix extend partnership for streaming programs

August 11, 2025

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, announced Monday that their media company’s partnership with Netflix has been extended with a multiyear, first-look deal. Archewell Productions first collaborated with the streaming giant in a 2020 deal that produced the successful documentary series “Harry & Meghan.” The couple and Netflix also announced upcoming collaborations, including a second season of, “With Love, Meghan,” a lifestyle reality show starring the Duchess, and a scripted adaptation of Carley Fortune’s book, “Meet Me at the Lake.” Netflix’s chief content officer call Harry and Meghan “influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.”

In this long-exposure photo, a meteor streaks across the sky, seen above palm trees, in Bal Harbour, Fla., early Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, during the Perseid meteor shower. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Venus and Jupiter appear close in the sky as summer’s best meteor shower peaks soon

August 11, 2025

The Perseid meteor shower is peaking soon. This year, a bright moon will hinder viewing during peak viewing early Wednesday, so experts suggest waiting a week for darker skies. Venus and Jupiter will also appear close in the sky. The Perseids are known for their fireballs. Under ideal viewing conditions with no moon, the shower can produce more than 60 meteors per hour. But moonlight will interfere this year. The source of the Perseids is debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Viewing lasts until August 23. The next major meteor shower, the Orionids, peaks in late October.

FILE - Federal agents escort a family to a transport bus after they were detained following an appearance at immigration court, July 22, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Trump’s big bill is powering his mass deportations. Congress is starting to ask questions

August 11, 2025

Included in the Republican Party’s big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts is funding to power President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda. The nearly $170 billion is almost double the Department of Homeland Security’s annual budget and is raising alarms. Americans are watching scenes of immigrants being taken from city streets and job sites. Detention centers are rising in communities across the nation. The crush of new money is raising questions in Congress from lawmakers who are expected to provide oversight. Trump border czar Tom Homan insists they’re detaining and deporting the “worst of the worst.” But polling shows Americans’ views on the issue are shifting.

FILE - The U.S. Capitol building gives backdrop to a homeless man resting on a steam vent on the National Mall, Dec. 18, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Trump is promising new steps to tackle homelessness and crime in Washington

August 10, 2025

President Donald Trump is promising new steps to tackle homelessness and crime in Washington. And that’s leading the city’s mayor to voice concerns about the potential use of the National Guard to patrol the streets in the nation’s capital. Trump says in a social media post that he plans a White House news conference at 10 a.m. Monday to discuss his plans to make the District of Columbia, in his words, “safer and more beautiful than it ever was before.” On Thursday, the Republican president directed an increased federal law enforcement presence in the Democratic-run city for seven days, “with the option to extend as needed.” Federal agencies including the FBI assigned more than 120 officers and agents to assist in Washington.

FILE - California National Guard members are positioned at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, on June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File)

Trial to start on whether deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles violated federal law

August 10, 2025

A federal judge in San Francisco will hear arguments on whether military troops deployed this summer by the Trump administration to Los Angeles violated a federal law that bars troops from conducting law enforcement duties within the country. Judge Charles Breyer will decide whether the Posse Comitatus Act, an 1878 law that prevents the president from using the military as a domestic police force, was violated by the 4,700 California National Guard members and Marines sent following protests. The case could set precedent for how Trump can deploy the guard in the future in California or other states.

FILE - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks with former television journalist Gretchen Carlson, not shown, at an event on April 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Whitmer told Trump in private that Michigan auto jobs depend on a tariff change of course

August 10, 2025

Michigan’s governor met privately with President Donald Trump to urge him to change course on tariffs that are having a big impact on automakers in her state. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer came for the Oval Office meeting Tuesday with a visual presentation to warn that the tariffs threaten Michigan’s economy and undermine Trump’s promises to revive manufacturing. Trump has stuck with high import taxes despite pushback from auto executives as the tariffs cost the industry billions and trigger layoffs. Whitmer’s rare access to Trump as a leading Democrat underscores the political and economic stakes as the president considers escalating tariffs further.

Lobsterman Josh Hupper adds flowers to Sunshine Stewart's paddleboard prior to a memorial service, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in St. George, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Maritime memorial celebrates life of paddleboarder killed in Maine

August 10, 2025

Friends and family of a Maine woman whose killing on a rural pond shocked the community have celebrated her life with a maritime service. Forty-eight-year-old Sunshine Stewart, of St. George, went missing in July while paddleboarding on Crawford Pond, a popular summer destination in Union. She was later found dead, and police charged 17-year-old Deven Young, of Frankfort, Maine, with murder in connection with her death. Stewart’s loved ones called Sunday’s memorial a “maritime celebration of life.” It included a procession of boats in the Tenants Harbor section of St. George, where Stewart lived.

Firefighter battle the Canyon Fire on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Hasley Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Colorado prison evacuated as growing wildfire becomes one of the largest in state history

August 10, 2025

A Colorado prison was evacuated as one of the largest wildfires in state history continued to grow, with officials warning residents of remote areas to be ready to leave as gusty winds and low humidity feed the flames. Evacuation orders were already in place for mountain communities as the Lee Fire charred more than 167 square miles across Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. It’s just 6% contained on Sunday. Officials say all 179 incarcerated people were safely removed from the Rifle Correctional Center on Saturday. In California, crews reached 62% containment on the 8-square-mile Canyon Fire that forced evacuations after breaking out Thursday near the LA County and Ventura County line.

A police officer stands by a make shift memorial outside scene of Monday's deadly shooting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

Hundreds honor security guard killed in New York office tower shooting

August 10, 2025

The life of Aland Etienne, the security guard who was killed last month at a Manhattan office tower, is being remembered. Hundreds turned out for a memorial on Saturday for the father and grandfather, who was among four people killed on July 28 by a gunman targeting the headquarters of the National Football League. Etienne was 46 years old, an immigrant from Haiti who came to the U.S. in 2017. He’s being remembered as a dedicated father and grandfather who was faithfully working at his post when the gunman opened fire. Etienne’s brother called him a humble, steady and kind New York hero.

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears greets voters at her military-themed rally at Saucy’s Sit-Down Bar.B.Q in Hopewell, Va., on Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Olivia Diaz)

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is on the defensive in Virginia’s race for governor

August 10, 2025

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears says she’s running her campaign for Virginia governor like a military-style operation. And at this point, a few months away from the November election, it’s looking like a campaign on the defensive. The lieutenant governor is facing a Democratic Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman who has more campaign money and a unified party behind her. Earle-Sears has replaced a pastor with little political experience who had been her campaign manager. And her team has failed to gain traction with big money donors. An Earle-Sears victory would make her the first Black woman in U.S. history to serve as a governor.

A Congolese refugee’s 8-year struggle to reunite with her family in the US

August 10, 2025

A Congolese refugee who had been separated from her family for eight years was on the verge of joining them in the United States when President Donald Trump halted the refugee program in January. She was one of at least 12,000 refugees who had imminent travel plans canceled. Many of them had already sold belongings in anticipation of resettlement. A lawsuit brought by refugee aid groups and a handful of individuals, including the Congolese woman, is still playing out in the courts. The Congolese woman made it to the U.S. earlier this year thanks to a narrow window created by a court ruling that was later overturned. But thousands of refugees remain in limbo.

FILE - President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order relating to clemency for anti-abortion protesters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

What to know about how Trump’s judicial picks could reshape abortion rights for decades

August 10, 2025

A review by The Associated Press shows that several of President Donald Trump’s nominees to the federal courts have revealed anti-abortion views, been associated with anti-abortion groups or defended abortion restrictions. Some have helped defend their state’s abortion restrictions in court and some have been involved in cases with national impact, including on access to medication abortion. Legal experts and abortion rights advocates warn of a remaking of the federal courts in a way that could pose enduring threats to abortion access nationwide.

FILE - Protesters hold competing signs outside Manhattan federal court during an abortion-rights demonstration in New York, May 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon, File)

Trump has said abortion is a state issue. His judicial picks could shape it nationally for decades

August 10, 2025

Many of President Donald Trump’s picks to be federal judges have revealed anti-abortion views, been associated with anti-abortion groups or defended abortion restrictions. With Senate confirmation, they’d have lifetime appointments and be in position to roll back abortion access long after the Republican president leaves the White House. Of the 17 judicial nominees so far in Trump’s second term, an Associated Press review finds at least eight have argued in favor of abortion restrictions or against expanded abortion access. No such records could be found for the other nine, nor did the AP review find evidence that any nominees support increased access to abortion.

FILE - A customer shows a new Labubu doll to media during the opening of Germany's first shop for Labubu plush dolls in Berlin, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

$7K worth of Labubu dolls stolen from Los Angeles store, authorities say

August 9, 2025

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an incident in which thieves stole about $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls, the agency said. The incident took place early Wednesday morning at a store in a Los Angeles suburb. The suspects used a stolen vehicle in the incident, authorities said. The store said on social media that it was still in shock and asked people to help find the suspects. The store posted surveillance footage that shows a group of people in hoodies and face coverings shuffling through items and taking boxes from the store.

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., speaks during a town hall meeting, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Davenport, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Hundreds cheer Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego as Democrats take offensive against Trump’s tax bill

August 9, 2025

Hundreds of Democrats cheered Sen. Ruben Gallego in eastern Iowa as the Arizona Democrat criticized President Donald Trump’s tax bill at a town hall meeting in Davenport. Democrats have been searching for months after last year’s election defeat to gain traction in opposing Trump’s second term in the White House. The massive tax-break and spending-cut bill he signed last month appears to have galvanized Democrats. Democratic activists believe the measure’s political vulnerabilities could make it hard for Republicans to protect narrow majorities in Congress in next year’s midterm elections. At Saturday’s town hall, Gallego said the massive, Republican-backed tax-break and spending-cuts bill likely will make “America poorer and sicker.”

President Donald Trump participates in a trilateral signing ceremony with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Commercial fishing in a vast Pacific nature area is halted after a judge blocks a Trump order

August 9, 2025

Commercial fishing that recently resumed in a vast protected area of the Pacific Ocean must halt once again after a judge in Hawaii sided with environmentalists challenging a Trump administration rollback of federal ocean protections. The remote Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is home to turtles, marine mammals and seabirds. Environmental groups say they will get snagged by longline fishing, an industrial method involving baited hooks from lines for miles. Environmentalists argued President Donald Trump’s executive order to allow this and other commercial fishing changed regulations without providing a process for public comment and rulemaking. U.S. District Judge Micah W. J. Smith granted a motion by environmentalists on Friday.

FILE - Michelle Bowman, Vice Chair for Supervision of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, takes a seat for an open meeting of the Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve, in Washington, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

A top Federal Reserve official says dour jobs data backs the case for 3 rate cuts

August 9, 2025

A top official at the Federal Reserve is saying that this month’s stunning, weaker-than-expected report on the U.S. job market is strengthening her belief that interest rates should be lower. Michelle Bowman pointed to July’s hiring slowdown, along with her belief that inflation is heading down toward 2% despite President Donald Trump’s tariffs. She was one of two Fed officials who voted a week and a half ago in favor of lowering interest rates. They lost out as nine other Fed officials voted to keep rates steady. Lower rates can help the economy but can also fuel inflation.

FILE - New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks Feb. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Justice Department targets New York attorney general, a Trump foe. Here’s what to know

August 9, 2025

President Donald Trump’s Justice Department is zeroing in on New York Attorney General Letitia James. A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that James has been subpoenaed for records related to the lawsuit she won against Trump for lying about his wealth. Another person said the subpoena is part of an investigation into whether James violated Trump’s civil rights. The people could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Democratic attorney general for New York has denied any wrongdoing. Her lawyer has accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the Justice Department.

Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested, gets love during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Photos of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest held in California

August 9, 2025

SANTA ROSA, Calif. By NOAH BERGERAssociated Press SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is held at

FILE - Mayor of the District of Columbia Muriel Bowser speaks as U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, left, listens during a news conference in Washington, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

As federal takeover threats loom, the city of Washington waits for the White House to make its move

August 8, 2025

President Donald Trump’s promised law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C., did not appear to happen as scheduled on its first night. The streets were bustling with revelers, but there was no visible increase in law enforcement. Trump had announced a security lockdown starting at midnight, following a weekend assault on a government official. He has threatened to take federal control of the city, citing safety concerns. Mayor Muriel Bowser has not publicly responded. Trump’s plans could include deploying the National Guard, but further actions may face legal challenges. The situation remains fluid as the city awaits further developments.

Empty chairs belonging to Texas House Representatives remain empty as House Republicans conduct business on the floor of the Texas Capitol, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)

How Texas Democrats’ walkout has launched a fight across the US over political maps

August 8, 2025

Texas Republicans have escalated the penalties against Democrats as they enter a second week camped out in states across the country to block new U.S. House maps pushed for by President Donald Trump to win more seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit to remove 13 members from office, and Gov. Greg Abbott has moved to vacate the chair of the House Democratic Caucus leader. Democrats face increasing fines and civil arrests as Abbott has threatened to call another special session after lawmakers adjourn on Aug. 19.

In this image from surveillance video obtained by the Louisiana State Police, Trooper Kasha Domingue confronts Clifton “Scotty” Dilley in Baton Rouge, La., early July 10, 2018. (Louisiana State Police/U.S. District Court via AP)

Louisiana to pay $9 million to a man who was shot in the back by state trooper during traffic stop

August 8, 2025

Louisiana officials have agreed to pay $9 million to a man who was partially paralyzed after a state trooper shot him in the back during a 2018 traffic stop in Baton Rouge. The state reached the settlement last month following a federal lawsuit brought by Clifton “Scotty” Dilley. The settlement is among the largest of its kind in the state’s history involving a police shooting. The shooting was mentioned in a U.S. Justice Department report this year that found that Louisiana State Police used excessive force during arrests and vehicle pursuits for years. Dilley says he hopes his lawsuit will effect change in the state police.

FILE - Former FBI and CIA head William H. Webster speaks to reporters in Washington, Oct. 25, 2002. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File)

Former FBI and CIA Director William H. Webster dies at 101

August 8, 2025

William H. Webster, the former FBI and CIA director whose troubleshooting skills and integrity helped restore public confidence in those federal agencies, has died, his family announced Friday. He was 101. Webster led the FBI from 1978 to 1987 and the CIA from 1987 to 1991, the only person to guide the nation’s top law-enforcement agency and its primary intelligence-gathering organization. President Jimmy Carter selected Webster, a Republican, for a 10-year term as FBI chief as the bureau sought to improve an image tarnished by revelations of domestic spying, internal corruption and other abuses of power.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepares to give a television interview outside the White House Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Hegseth reposts video on social media featuring pastors saying women shouldn’t be allowed to vote

August 8, 2025

The man who oversees the nation’s military has reposted a video on X, formerly Twitter, about a Christian nationalist church that included various pastors saying women should no longer be allowed to vote and should “submit” to their husbands. The extraordinary repost from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was made Thursday night. It illustrates his deep and personal connection to a Christian nationalist pastor with extreme views on the role of religion and women. In the post, Hegseth commented on a report by CNN examining Doug Wilson, cofounder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches. The report featured various pastors of the denomination advocating the repeal of women’s right to vote from the Constitution and parishioners saying that women should “submit” to their husbands.

ARCHIVO – En esta foto de arresto sin fecha, proporcionada por el Departamento de Correccionales de Tennessee, se muestra a Byron Black. (Departamento de Correccionales de Tennessee vía AP, Archivo)

Attorney says heart device did not shock Tennessee man in execution who said he was ‘hurting so bad’

August 8, 2025

The attorney for a Tennessee man who said he was “hurting so bad” during his lethal injection this week says his implanted defibrillator did not shock him during the execution. Kelley Henry, an attorney for Byron Black, said Friday that her team received an initial evaluation of the data from his implantable cardioverter defibrillator during Black’s execution. She said the ICD information eliminates one possible cause for Black’s comment about pain, and other actions such as the instances in which he picked his head up off the gurney and groaned. But she said many questions remain unanswered.

FILE - Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., asks questions during hearing May 14, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP, File)

Trump removes Billy Long as IRS commissioner, giving him the shortest-ever tenure in the role

August 8, 2025

President Donald Trump has removed former U.S. Rep. Billy Long as IRS commissioner less than two months after his confirmation. It wasn’t immediately clear why Long was dismissed. His quick exit makes him the shortest-tenured IRS commissioner confirmed by the Senate since the position was created in 1862. Long announced on social media that Trump nominated him for an ambassadorship to Iceland. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting IRS commissioner. Long’s departure adds to the turmoil at the IRS, which has faced significant turnover and staff reductions. Long, a former auctioneer, had no background in tax administration and previously sponsored legislation to eliminate the IRS.

A firefighter battles the Canyon Fire on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Hasley Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Firefighters make progress against blaze that forced thousands to flee north of Los Angeles

August 8, 2025

Firefighters in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles are making good progress in their battle against a brush fire that forced thousands of people to evacuate. The Ventura County Fire Department says the Canyon Fire ignited Thursday afternoon and spread rapidly in dry, steep terrain in Ventura and Los Angeles counties to cover more than 8 square miles. It was 25% contained as of Friday afternoon. The fire is burning just south of Lake Piru, a reservoir located in the Los Padres National Forest. It’s close by Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area burned by the Hughes Fire in January.

FILE - A newspaper with a photograph of Etan Patz is seen on May 28, 2012, at a makeshift memorial in the SoHo neighborhood of New York, where Patz lived before his disappearance on May 25, 1979. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Prosecutors may appeal to US Supreme Court on 1979 missing child Etan Patz case

August 8, 2025

Prosecutors say they may appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to try to restore a murder conviction in the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz. A federal appeals court recently overturned the conviction of Pedro Hernandez. He is the former shop clerk who became a suspect over 30 years after the New York City first-grader vanished. Prosecutors asked the appeals court Friday to hold off sending the case back to a lower-level federal judge to set a retrial date. A message seeking comment was sent to Hernandez’s lawyers. Hernandez already has been tried twice, as his 2017 conviction came after a prior jury couldn’t reach a verdict.

This photo provided by Flagler County Sheriff's Office in Florida shows Autumn Bardisa being taken into custody Tuesday, Aug. 5, in Palm Coast, Fla. (Flagler County Sheriff's Office via AP)

A Florida woman posed as a nurse and treated thousands of unsuspecting patients, officials say

August 8, 2025

Authorities say a Florida woman posed as a licensed nurse and provided medical care to thousands of patients. Officials say 29-year-old Autumn Marie Bardisa participated in medical services involving more than 4,400 people from June 2024 until January 2025. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office says she faces multiple charges, including practicing health care without a license. She’s being held on a $70,000 bond and is due in court next month. Officials say Bardisa used another health care worker’s license number to gain employment at a medical facility. No lawyer who could speak on Bardisa’s behalf was listed in local court records.

FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., listens to journalists at the end of his visit to Israel, in Jerusalem, Wednesday, 2024. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

Bauer, South Carolina’s former lieutenant governor, ends GOP primary challenge to Sen. Graham

August 8, 2025

Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer has suspended his GOP primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham. Bauer announced the decision on social media, citing a “political climate that rewards deception over honesty.” He launched his campaign 38 days ago, criticizing Graham for not being conservative enough. Bauer has not endorsed any remaining candidates. Graham, who has President Trump’s support, wished Bauer well. Bauer, a longtime Trump backer, previously served as South Carolina’s lieutenant governor and has run for other offices. Republicans dominate South Carolina politics, making GOP primaries highly competitive.

Rana Mourer waves an American flag outside of the migrant detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Ochopee, Fla. (AP Photo/Alexandra Rodriguez)

Florida updated agreement on handling detainees at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but a month after it opened

August 8, 2025

Florida’s corrections agency and ICE updated an agreement on handling federal immigration detainees, but they did it more than a month after ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ opened. This update was made public Thursday in court documents. The facility built in the Florida Everglades has faced criticism for allegedly restricting detainees’ access to attorneys and immigration courts. A civil rights lawsuit has been filed, and a federal judge has ordered officials to clarify who has legal authority over detainees. Another judge in a separate lawsuit temporarily halted construction on Thursday while she considers whether it violates environmental laws. Florida claims detainees have had access to legal counsel.

Owner Michelle Souliere, left, chats with a frequent customer at the Green Hand Bookstore in Portland, Maine, on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

From Stephen King to New Jersey diners, History Press books cover local lore around the US

August 8, 2025

A writer from Maine, Sharon Kitchens has turned her passion for Stephen King’s books into a published work. Her book, “Stephen King’s Maine,” explores the real-life settings and inspirations behind King’s stories. Published by The History Press, it’s part of a series focused on regional and local histories. The History Press is now part of Arcadia Publishing and aims to make community histories accessible. Kitchens’ book gained attention after Stephen King endorsed it on Instagram. The History Press often works with local specialists who are passionate about preserving their community’s history, offering them a platform to share untold stories.

The Rev. Oona Casanova Vazquez, lead pastor of the South Bay Church of the Nazarene in Torrance, stands outside Santa Ana Immigration Court during a prayer vigil for immigrants in Santa Ana, Calif., Thursday, July 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Deepa Bharath)

Faith leaders rally to support immigrants facing deportation in Southern California

August 8, 2025

Faith leaders in Southern California have been supporting immigrant communities during increased immigration arrests and raids. Many pastors and people of faith have been offering comfort, holding prayer vigils and accompanying refugees and asylum-seekers to their court hearings. Churches and nonprofits are also delivering groceries, food and medicine to those afraid they’ll be arrested when they leave their homes. Some congregations are also providing rent assistance to individuals who have lost or quit their jobs out of fear of being apprehended. Others are streaming live services so those who are apprehensive will not be isolated from their congregations.

FILE - Immigrants seeking asylum walk through the ICE South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, on Aug. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Judge to consider the fate of an agreement on protecting immigrant children in US custody

August 7, 2025

A federal judge is set to hear a Trump administration request to end a long-standing policy on protections for immigrant children in federal custody. The Flores settlement limits how long Customs and Border Protection can hold immigrant children and requires safe conditions. Advocates argue the protections are necessary and have submitted accounts of poor conditions in detention centers. The Trump administration says conditions have improved since the settlement was formalized in 1997. But advocates for the children say the government is holding children beyond the time limits set out in the agreement. A hearing is set Friday in Los Angeles. The Trump administration request comes after the Biden administration successfully pushed to partially end the agreement last year.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro addresses supporters during an event marking the anniversary of his disputed re-election and the birthday of late President Hugo Chavez, in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Trump doubles reward to $50 million for arrest of Venezuela’s president to face US drug charges

August 7, 2025

The Trump administration is doubling to $50 million a reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and accusing him of working with cartels to flood the U.S. with fentanyl-laced cocaine. The announcement was made Thursday by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Maduro was indicted in Manhattan federal court in 2020 on federal charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. Maduro remains entrenched after defying the U.S. and several Latin American governments who condemned his 2024 reelection as a sham and recognized his opponent as Venezuela’s duly elected president.

President Donald Trump departs an event to mark National Purple Heart Day in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump orders increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington to ‘make DC safe again’

August 7, 2025

The White House has announced an increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., for at least the next week to combat crime. This move follows President Donald Trump’s suggestions that his administration could take over running the city. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that federal personnel from various police forces would be visible on the streets starting at midnight. This initiative will last for at least a week, but there will be the option to extend. The decision comes after a recent assault on a government worker, and amid Trump’s criticism of rising crime in the city. Local officials, however, can point to declines in carjackings and homicides since 2023.

FILE - Demonstrators holds up a banner during a citizenship rally outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Judge blocks Trump’s birthright order nationwide in fourth such ruling since Supreme Court decision

August 7, 2025

A federal judge in Maryland has ruled the Trump administration cannot withhold citizenship from children born to people in the country illegally or temporarily, issuing the fourth court decision blocking the president’ birthright citizenship order nationwide since a key U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman’s preliminary injunction was expected after the judge said last month she would issue such an order if the case were returned to her by an appeals court. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to her later in July. An email to the White House for comment was not immediately returned.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Lehigh Valley International Airport, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Allentown, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump opens the door for private equity and crypto as 401(k) retirement plan options

August 7, 2025

Millions of Americans saving for retirement through 401(k) accounts could have the option of putting their money in higher-risk private equity and cryptocurrency investments. That’s according to an executive order signed Thursday by President Donald Trump. His order could give those financial players long-sought access to a pool of funds worth trillions. There’s no immediate change in how people invest part of their work earnings. Federal agencies would need to rewrite rules and regulations to allow the expanded choices, and that would take months or more to complete. New plans from employers could invest in alternative assets, particularly private equity, cryptocurrencies and real estate.

FILE - Stephen Miran, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, walks at the White House, June 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Trump to nominate top economic aide Stephen Miran to Federal Reserve board

August 7, 2025

President Donald Trump has nominated a top economic adviser to the Federal Reserve’s board of governors for four months, temporarily filling a vacancy while continuing his search for a longer-term appointment. Trump on Thursday named Stephen Miran, the chair of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, to fill a seat vacated by governor Adriana Kugler, a Biden appointee who is stepping down Friday. Miran, if approved by the Senate, will serve until January 31, 2026.

In this photo provided by the Azerbaijan's Presidential Press Office on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, right, and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan pose for a photo prior to their talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Azerbaijani Presidential Press Office via AP)

Trump will meet Friday with leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign US-brokered peace deal

August 7, 2025

Armenia and Azerbaijan’s leaders are set to meet with Donald Trump on Friday to sign a peace deal. Trump announced this on his social media platform, Truth Social. The agreement, brokered by Trump’s administration, aims to end decades of conflict and reopen key transportation corridors in the South Caucasus. U.S. officials say the deal includes a major transit corridor, which will be named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. This corridor will link Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan region. The agreement follows earlier talks and a visit by Trump’s special envoy to Baku.

Lucasfilm and Disney settle with actor Gina Carano following her firing from ‘The Mandalorian’

August 7, 2025

Gina Carano has settled her lawsuit against Lucasfilm and Disney over her firing from “The Mandalorian.” The actor had filed suit in federal court last year alleging she had been dismissed from the “Star Wars” series in 2021 for expressing right-wing views on social media. Carano thanked Elon Musk for helping fund the lawsuit “and asking for nothing in return.” Lucasfilm said in a statement that the company “look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future.” The specific terms of the agreement were not made available.

President Donald Trump makes an announcement about Apple with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the Oval Office, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump orders colleges to prove they don’t consider race in admissions

August 7, 2025

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum requiring colleges to prove they do not consider race in admissions. This follows a Supreme Court ruling in 2023 against affirmative action. The court allowed colleges to consider how race has shaped students’ lives if applicants shared that information in essays. Trump’s Republican administration accuses colleges of using personal statements as proxies to consider race. The policy issued Thursday has similarities to parts of agreements with Brown and Columbia universities, which agreed to provide data on race as part of settlements to restore their federal funding. Conservatives argue colleges still consider race through proxy measures, but no clear pattern emerged in the racial makeup of last year’s freshman class.

Closure of Midwest-based newspaper chain leaves dozens of communities without a news source

August 7, 2025

News Media Corp., an Illinois-based publisher, has announced the abrupt closure of dozens of newspapers across five states due to financial problems. The company said Thursday that it will shut down 14 operations in Wyoming, seven in Illinois, five in Arizona, four in South Dakota and one in Nebraska. This move affects small-town newspapers that were often the primary news source, worsening the issue of news deserts in rural areas. The closure comes amid a decades-long decline in local newspapers, with the U.S. losing over a third of its print newspapers since 2004. Employees expressed shock and disappointment at the sudden announcement.

President Donald Trump greets attendees as he departs an event to mark National Purple Heart Day in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump honors Purple Heart recipients, including 3 who sent him medals after attempt on his life

August 7, 2025

President Donald Trump has recognized nearly 100 Purple Heart recipients at the White House. On Thursday, he honored three service members who gave him their medals after an attempt on his life at a Pennsylvania rally. Trump expressed gratitude for their gesture and shared stories of valor. National Purple Heart Day is marked annually on August 7. During the ceremony, Trump also mentioned authorizing a 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, calling him the “father of the roadside bomb.” The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who are killed or wounded while engaging in enemy action or resulting from acts of terrorism.

President Donald Trump holds charts as he speaks about the economy in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump defends the US economy with charts after job reports showed warning signs

August 7, 2025

President Donald Trump has summoned reporters to the Oval Office to present charts that he says shows the economy is solid. This follows a recent jobs report that raised concerns and led to the firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Stephen Moore, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, joined Trump to discuss the economy. Moore argued that Trump was right to dismiss the BLS head, citing overestimated job numbers during Joe Biden’s term. Trump aims to reset the economic narrative amid sluggish job growth and rising inflation. Inflation concerns have increased due to Trump’s tariffs.

President Donald Trump speaks while making an announcement about Apple with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the Oval Office, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump orders federal regulators to probe alleged bank discrimination against conservatives

August 7, 2025

President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into whether banks have discriminated against conservatives and industries like gun manufacturers and cryptocurrency companies. This executive order addresses “debanking,” where banks close accounts or refuse business with certain industries. Trump accuses banks like JPMorgan and Bank of America of targeting him and his allies, something both bansk have denied. The order directs federal regulators to ensure banks don’t discriminate based on political or religious beliefs and to refer cases to the Department of Justice. This could lead to civil or criminal investigations. The banking industry argues it has the right to choose business partners, citing risk concerns.

FILE - Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin speaks, Feb 3, 2025, in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

EPA cancels $7 billion Biden-era grant program to boost solar energy

August 7, 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency has terminated $7 billion in funding for solar programs approved under the Biden administration, including projects for nearly 1 million households in low-income communities. Environmental groups, state departments of energy and other recipients say the EPA’s move is illegal and that the funding has already been disbursed. Solar is a renewable energy that’s widely regarded as a way to introduce cleaner power onto the electrical grid and lower energy bills for American consumers.

FILE - Kelly Clarkson arrives with Brandon Blackstock for the ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington on Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and former manager, dies at 48

August 7, 2025

Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and talent manager Brandon Blackstock has died of cancer. His death was first reported by People. He was 48. A representative for the Blackstock family shared a statement to The Associated Press explaining that Blackstock battled cancer for more than three years. Blackstock was the father to four children, two from a previous marriage and two with Clarkson. He was previously Clarkson’s manager and also formerly represented Blake Shelton. Clarkson and Blackstock were married in October 2013. In 2020, she filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.

FILE - A briefcase of a census taker is seen as she knocks on the door of a residence, Aug. 11, 2020, in Winter Park, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Trump seeks to change how census collects data and wants to exclude immigrants in US illegally

August 7, 2025

President Donald Trump has instructed the Commerce Department to change how the Census Bureau collects data, seeking to exclude immigrants in the United States illegally. The Republican president said Thursday the census’ data collections will be based on “modern day facts and figures” and use information gained from the 2024 presidential election. It’s an indication Trump might try to inject his politics into a head count that determines political power and federal spending. Trump says people in the U.S. illegally would be excluded from census counts. Census changes could play into Trump’s efforts to urge Texas and other Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps. A census expert says Trump “cannot unilaterally order” a new one.

A top Republican in the Georgia governor’s race is suing his rival over campaign financing

August 7, 2025

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is suing Lt. Gov. Burt Jones over how Jones is financing his campaign as both Republicans run for governor in 2026. Carr claims Jones’ ability to use a special leadership committee gives him an unfair advantage by allowing unlimited fundraising. Carr says that because he has to follow campaign contribution limits, Jones’ use of the leadership committee violates Carr’s rights to free speech and equal protection. The Thursday lawsuit was filed in federal court in Atlanta. It seeks to stop Jones from raising or spending money from his leadership committee before the May primary. Jones’ campaign dismisses Carr’s complaints.

Gloria Simeon, co-founder of the Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition, speaks during an interview outside her smokehouse in Bethel, Alaska, on June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Trump’s push for drilling, mining sharpens debate for Alaska Natives about land they view as sacred

August 7, 2025

When Alaska Natives debate proposals to drill and mine the landscape of the nation’s largest state, it involves more than an environmental or economic question. It’s also a spiritual and cultural one. They have hunted and fished for subsistence food for generations. Some fear that extraction industries could threaten these activities in a similar way that other factors have contributed to a salmon crisis on Alaska’s longest rivers. Such debates have intensified with the Trump administration’s aggressive push to increase extraction here. Other Alaska Natives say such projects boost their economies. Opponents fear permanent environmental damage. Advocate Gloria Simeon says her people have been stewards of the land for millennia and take that relationship seriously.

This image provided by NASA/European Space Agency shows an image captured by Hubble of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on July 21, 2025, when the comet was 277 million miles from Earth. (NASA/European Space Agency via AP)

Hubble Space Telescope takes best picture yet of the comet visiting from another solar system

August 7, 2025

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the best picture yet of a high-speed comet visiting our solar system from another star. NASA and the European Space Agency released the latest photos Thursday. The interstellar comet was discovered last month by a telescope in Chile. Astronomers originally estimated the size of its icy core at several miles across, but Hubble’s observations have narrowed it down to no more than 3.5 miles. It’s only the third known object from another solar system to pass our way. It poses no threat to Earth.

Keeping work from spoiling a vacation takes planning and the right phone settings

August 7, 2025

The summer vacation season is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere, but navigating the line between work time and personal time is tricky for a lot of people. With laptop computers and smartphones making it possible to log in anytime to do work from anywhere, many find it hard to disconnect even when they take vacations. Others feel so compelled to keep working that they feign illness instead of going on family outings. Experts say planning ahead and setting up your smartphone to reduce email requests and office notifications can help keep work from intruding on your time off.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attends a news conference, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

RFK Jr.’s vow to overhaul vaccine injury program echoes grievances of anti-vaccine movement

August 7, 2025

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants to rework the U.S. program for compensating Americans injured by vaccines. The plan has long been a target of anti-vaccine groups and changing it could have far-reaching consequences for vaccine availibility. Government officials set up the program in the 1980s to limit the legal risks for vaccine makers. At the time many companies were leaving the business due to class action lawsuits. Kennedy and other critics have complained that the program shields vaccine makers from litigation and is too stingy in compensating injured patients.

Independent candidate for Michigan governor is betting on partisan fatigue in the midterms

August 7, 2025

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has been a career Democrat in the battleground state of Michigan but is now planning to run for governor as an independent. Duggan recently told The Associated Press that he’s tired of all the partisan fighting. He says he’s committed to working with anyone reasonable in the Legislature, regardless of party affiliation. He’s also vowed to stay out of national political talking points. Duggan’s decision has infuriated some in Michigan’s Democratic Party who feel his independent run could split the vote and potentially help the Republican candidate. Current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run again.

FILE - A hiring sign is displayed at a retail store in Mount Prospect, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

US applications for jobless benefits up modestly but remain at a healthy level

August 7, 2025

The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits rose modestly last week, a sign that employers still retaining workers despite economic uncertainty related to U.S. trade policy. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending Aug. 2 rose by 7,000 to 226,000, slightly more than the 219,000 new applications analysts forecast. The report is the first government labor market data release since Friday’s grim July jobs report sent financial markets spiraling downward, spurring President Donald Trump to fire the head of the agency that tallies the monthly jobs numbers. Applications for jobless benefits serve as a proxy for layoffs.

A mural of past concerts at Toad's Place is displayed above one of the bars in New Haven, Conn., on Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

From the Stones to Cardi B, this college haunt has attracted big acts for 50 years

August 7, 2025

A Connecticut nightclub with a storied history is celebrating its 50th year in business. Toad’s Place in New Haven has drawn legendary acts ranging from The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen to Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B and Snoop Dogg. Owner Brian Phelps started as the club’s manager in 1976. He says the key to Toad’s longevity has been showcasing diverse musical styles while also hosting dance parties and “battle of the bands”. The Stones played a surprise show there in 1989, followed five months later by what is believed to be Dylan’s longest show — more than four hours.

A customer shops a grain isle at New India Bazar, where most merchandise is imported from India and Canada, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Fremont, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Trump’s broad tariffs go into effect, just as economic pain is surfacing

August 6, 2025

President Donald Trump has started imposing higher import taxes on goods from over 60 countries, including the European Union, Japan and South Korea. These tariffs, which began Thursday, are part of Trump’s strategy to reduce the trade deficit and encourage foreign investment in the U.S. However, the economic impact is already visible, with signs of stalled hiring, rising inflation and declining home values. Despite the uncertainty, Trump remains optimistic about economic growth, while many experts warn of potential long-term damage.

A protester stands outside the migrant detention dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Facility, Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla. (AP Photo/Alexandra Rodriguez)

Judge considers whether Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center violates environmental law

August 6, 2025

A federal judge heard arguments about an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe want to halt the project, claiming it violates environmental laws and threatens sensitive wetlands. The lawsuit in Miami challenges the detention center, built over a month ago on a Miami-Dade County airstrip. A separate lawsuit by civil rights groups argues detainees’ rights are being violated. Attorneys for federal and state agencies argue the case was filed in the wrong jurisdiction. The judge hasn’t yet ruled on this argument.

President Donald Trump arrives to speak before signing an executive order about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Washington, as Vice President JD Vance watches. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump maintains influence over GOP and keeps potential successors vying for his favor

August 6, 2025

President Donald Trump has hinted that Vice President JD Vance might be the favorite to succeed him as the leader of the MAGA movement. Trump has also mentioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a potential political partner for Vance. Trump’s comments highlight his ongoing influence over the Republican Party and intent to keep potential successors vying for his favor. While Trump hasn’t ruled out a third term, he’s praised Vance’s performance. Vance has been active in promoting Trump’s policies and has taken on significant roles in both domestic and foreign affairs. Other Republicans are also positioning themselves for possibly entering the 2028 race.

President Donald Trump pauses while speaking during an announcement about Apple with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the Oval Office, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Judge issues temporary injunction against Trump administration cancellation of humanities grants

August 6, 2025

A federal judge in Oregon has issued an injunction temporarily stopping the mass cancellation of National Endowment for the Humanities grants to humanities councils around the country. Judge Michael H. Simon says the cancellations were likely unconstitutional and the lawsuit challenging the actions would likely succeed on merits. The judge says the defendants’ conduct reflects a “deliberate decision to flout Congressional command and refuse to spend appropriated funds.” The Department of Government Efficiency and the National Endowment for the Humanities canceled dozens of grants to state and local humanities’ councils in April as part of President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting efforts.

Alicia Arden, who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual battery in 1997, reads a statement alongside her attorney, Gloria Allred, during a news conference in Los Angeles Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Victims feeling exhausted and anxious about wrangling over Epstein files

August 6, 2025

Women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein are feeling skeptical and anxious after the Justice Department requested a court take the rare step of unsealing transcripts of secret testimony related to the sex-offending millionaire’s case. In letters addressed to federal judges in New York this week, several victims said Trump was just seeking to placate segments of his base who are unhappy with the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation. Other victims said they would support the disclosure, provided the government took steps to ensure their privacy. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment on the victims’ statements.

Federal agents hid in back of rental truck at start of raid outside LA Home Depot

August 6, 2025

U.S. Border Patrol agents jumped out of the back of a rented Penske truck and made arrests at a Los Angeles Home Depot store during an immigration raid. An agency official called Wednesday’s raid “Operation Trojan Horse.” The early morning operation near downtown LA came just days after a federal appeals court upheld a federal judge’s order blocking the Trump administration from conducting indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in Southern California. A spokesperson for Penske Truck Rental says the company is looking into the use of its vehicles by federal officials, adding that its regulations prohibit transporting people in truck cargo areas.

FDA flags problems with two Boston Scientific heart devices tied to injuries and deaths

August 6, 2025

U.S. health officials have issued warnings on two separate Boston Scientific heart devices recently linked to injuries and deaths. The agency said Wednesday an issue with defibrillator wires could cause the implants to fail to deliver adequate electrical shocks. The company warned doctors about the issue last month. Separately, the FDA flagged updated instructions for the company’s Watchman heart implant, which is used to reduce the risk of stroke. Boston Scientific said it has seen an increased risk of dangerous blockages in the bloodstream depending on how the device is implanted. The company says the problem is not related to the device design.

FILE - A Confederate Memorial is seen in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Dec. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File)

Restoration of torn-down Confederate monument will cost $10 million over 2 years, military says

August 6, 2025

A U.S. Army official says restoring a memorial to the Confederacy that was removed from Arlington National Cemetery at the recommendation of Congress will cost roughly $10 million total. It was the latest development in a Trump administration effort to combat what it calls “erasing American history.” Once back in the cemetery, the monument will also feature panels nearby that will offer context about its history. That’s according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity about a project still in progress. The Pentagon expects it to take about two years to restore the monument to its original site.

FILE - People gather to light candles in a makeshift memorial to honor Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim who were killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, during a candlelight vigil outside of the White House in Washington, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Man accused of killing Israeli Embassy staffers indicted on federal hate crime and murder charges

August 6, 2025

The man accused of shooting two Israeli Embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington has been indicted on federal hate crime and murder charges. The indictment against Elias Rodriguez was unsealed Wednesday and includes nine counts, including hate crime resulting in death. It also could clear the way for the Justice Department to potentially seek the death penalty. Rodriguez is accused of killing Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in May, reportedly shouting “Free Palestine” during his arrest. Prosecutors say Rodriguez planned the attack, flying from Chicago with a handgun. Witnesses described him pacing outside before opening fire. He allegedly confessed inside the museum afterward.

FILE - People shop at a Claire's in New York, Saturday, March 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Claire’s, known for piercing millions of teens’ ears, files for Chapter 11, 2nd time since 2018

August 6, 2025

Mall-based teen retailer Claire’s, known for helping to usher teens into a key rite of passage _ ear piercing _ but now struggling with a big debt load and changing consumer tastes, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The bankruptcy filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on Wednesday, marked the second time since 2018 and for a similar reason: high debt load and the shift among teens heading online. It follows the bankruptcies of other teen retailers including Forever 21, which filed for bankruptcy protection in March and eventually shut its U.S. business as traffic in U.S. shopping malls fades and competition from online retailers like Amazon, Temu and Shein intensifies.

A federal agent escorts a man to a bus after he was detained following an appearance at immigration court, Monday, July 28, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Homeland Security removes age limits for ICE recruits to boost hiring for Trump deportations

August 6, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security has removed age limits for new hires at the agency responsible for immigration enforcement. This change aims to expand hiring after Congress provided a massive funding boost. On Wednesday, the department announced that it waived age limits so more people could join ICE, which is at the center of efforts to carry out mass deportations. Congress recently passed a bill allowing ICE to hire 10,000 more staff. Applicants can now be as young as 18. New recruits must pass medical and drug screenings and complete a physical fitness test. ICE is also offering bonuses and benefits to attract new hires.

FILE - Astronaut Butch Wilmore is interviewed at Johnson Space Center on March 31, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, file)

Stuck astronaut Butch Wilmore retires from NASA less than 5 months after extended spaceflight

August 6, 2025

One of NASA’s two previously stuck astronauts has retired. NASA announced Butch Wilmore’s departure from the space agency on Wednesday. Wilmore and Suni Williams launched last summer as test pilots on Boeing’s first astronaut flight. What should have been a weeklong trip to the International Space Station turned into a stay of more than nine months because of Boeing’s malfunctioning Starliner. Starliner came back empty. Wilmore and Williams returned to Earth in March with SpaceX. The 62-year-old Wilmore had already retired from the Navy. Williams, also a retired Navy captain, is still with NASA.

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a news conference at the Drug Enforcement Administration, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

What to know as Trump’s immigration crackdown strips tuition breaks from thousands of students

August 6, 2025

Tens of thousands of U.S. college students without legal residency are losing access to in-state tuition as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration. The Justice Department has been suing states to end these tuition breaks. The lawsuits started in Texas in June and have expanded to Kentucky, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. Federal law prohibits in-state tuition benefits for students in the country illegally if those benefits are denied to out-of-state U.S. citizens. Texas’ program, once widely supported, has faced criticism from Republicans as they take a tougher stance on immigration. The impact is being felt nationwide, with some states ending or reconsidering these tuition breaks.

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus in the Rose Garden of the White House, May 15, 2020, in Washington. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, left, and Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listen. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Trump once hailed mRNA vaccines as a ‘medical miracle.’ Now RFK Jr. is halting advancement

August 6, 2025

President Donald Trump once hailed mRNA vaccines as a “miracle” for combating COVID-19. Now, his administration seems to have shifted its stance. On Tuesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the cancellation of $500 million in mRNA development contracts with pharmaceutical companies. This decision effectively halts U.S.-backed efforts to use the technology for future pandemics, cancer treatments, or flu prevention. Trump had previously emphasized his role in pushing for the vaccines’ development, calling them a “medical miracle.” Despite their initial success, the administration’s current actions suggest a change in perspective.

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