American attorney and political official, current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (since Feb 2025)
The New World screwworm fly has reappeared in U.S. cattle, expanding from initial detections in June. Officials are deploying sterile-fly programs, traps, and close herd checks to curb spread. The outbreak risks the $113 billion cattle industry and can affect pets and wildlife; rapid veterinary treatment remains crucial.
Trump has claimed Walmart is lowering prices on several items, including ground beef, in a move he says the administration requested to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday. Walmart confirms price rollbacks but did not mention the White House. Inflation remains elevated, with consumer prices up 4.2% over the past year.
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order imposing a one-year statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centres that use 50 megawatts or more, directing regulators to complete an environmental impact review and consider rules to make developers pay for power, contribute to grid upgrades and lose tax breaks. The move has drawn praise from community and environmental groups and rebuke from industry and national conservatives.
Trump is rallying defense leaders and investors in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to spotlight a robust defense budget and U.S. industrial ties amid concerns over war funding, inflation, and a volatile security landscape. The event features top defense officials and corporate leaders as Republicans push for greater investment while critics warn of deficits.
Two Forest Service biologists were kidnapped near Gumboot Lake in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Joseph Charles Henrichsen and his son Phoenix have been charged with kidnapping federal employees after a near daylong standoff that ended with the hostages released and the suspects in custody. A large multiagency response was mounted, and prosecutors say the pair face life in prison if convicted.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told the Senate Appropriations Committee the US-Israel war on Iran has cost $37.5bn so far and that the Pentagon needs an $87bn supplemental request, including about $67bn for the Iran campaign. Lawmakers have challenged the figures, criticised shifting rationales for the conflict and warned funding gaps will force cuts to training and readiness.
Firefighters have established containment lines around Spokane-area blazes, with cooler weather offering limited relief. Thousands remain evacuated as investigations probe arson and natural causes amid a record-breaking Northwest fire season.
The Trump administration has announced a plan to import up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef tariff-free for 90 days, with a pledge to sell at 25% below market prices. Officials say the move aims to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd and ease inflation, but ranchers and some lawmakers warn it could hurt domestic producers. Several outlets report on the development with various details and feedback from stakeholders.
A MAHA-backed letter to Trump, Kennedy and cabinet officials has voiced health-first concerns about coal-powered data centers and urged a shift toward solar, geothermal, and efficiency. The move signals growing friction between MAHA activists and the administration as data centers draw increasing scrutiny.
The administration has announced a temporary, tariff-free import surge of up to 300,000 metric tons of lean ground beef to ease prices amid a shrinking U.S. cattle herd. Congress and ranchers are watching closely as imports blend with domestic meat, potentially reshaping supply and labeling rules.
The Republican midterm convention is underway in Dallas with Trump set to speak on both nights, as organizers chase turnout amid flagging support and a crowded field. Donors are offered tickets and VIP experiences, while several high-profile Republicans skip the event, citing cost and strategic concerns. The schedule features Trump, Vance, and key GOP leaders as the party aims to energize voters ahead of November.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a directive redefining what constitutes a prohibited take under the Endangered Species Act, signaling that harm or killing must be intentional to count. The move, echoed across multiple outlets, has sparked lawsuits and warnings from environmental groups.