Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture managing national forests and grasslands
Indiana has been granted a waiver to consolidate $50 million in federal education funding into a single pool with fewer restrictions, enabling the state to weight accountability differently and pursue limited school-choice adjustments. The move mirrors similar waivers in Iowa and Louisiana and aims to cut compliance costs while expanding state control. Critics warn it could reduce transparency and shift funds away from vulnerable students.
AP and partner outlets reveal that DEA agents monitored but did not seize fentanyl shipments in New Mexico to build cases against traffickers. Whistleblower testimony has sparked investigations from the inspector general and state authorities, while New Mexico’s governor and attorney general demand accountability.
A sweeping heat dome is driving extreme temperatures across the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. Cities are opening cooling centers, urging hydration, and preparing for heat-related illnesses during the holiday weekend. Officials warn that temperatures and humidity will push heat indexes well into the 100s Fahrenheit as heat waves persist.
Three federal wildland firefighters have died while battling fast-moving wildfires in Utah and Colorado. Two others were injured as crews encountered a evolving blaze cluster near the Utah–Colorado line. The incidents revive scrutiny of a new Wildland Fire Service and a push for full suppression, drawing in resources from multiple Interior Department agencies.
Authorities say multiple mountaineering incidents are under way worldwide, with hikers requiring urgent assistance on high-altitude routes. A sequence of falls and injuries has prompted rescue efforts on Mount Shasta and Everest, while local authorities warn of dangerous conditions and advise climbers to reassess plans.
Mark Aaron Gatz has pleaded guilty to violating fire restrictions and unlawfully living in the Tonto National Forest. He has been sentenced to time served and three years of probation after authorities found an illegal campsite with about 1,000 pounds of trash and an active campfire. He has six prior warrants and faces up to five years in prison for related charges.
Trump's orders have reduced national monument sizes in Utah, reopening decades-long battles over land protections under the Antiquities Act. Biden previously restored boundaries and expanded protections, while legal questions about unilateral changes persist. The shift has sparked backlash from conservationists and tribes, and from Utah officials seeking more development room.
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.
Fire officials report multiple wildfires across the Western U.S. have intensified, with the Old Trails Fire in Washington near Spokane expanding rapidly and prompting evacuations, while Oregon faces closures and near-term risk as crews contend with hot, dry, windy conditions.
An AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near Salado, Texas, killing two crew members. Fort Hood is leading the investigation. A grass fire sparked by the crash has prompted evacuations and road closures; authorities say the situation is developing as responders work to secure the site.