Capital and cultural hub of Arkansas
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.
The latest data from multiple outlets shows a nationwide trend of falling homicide rates in 2026, with significant declines in many cities and pockets of increases in a few, including San Francisco and Norfolk. Experts say factors are widespread and not tied to one policy or leadership style, while some cities dispute the official tallies.
Rising heat advisories affect millions across the central Plains to the Southeast, with temperatures pushing toward 100 F and humidity making it feel hotter. In the U.K., calls for legal maximum workplace temperatures gain momentum as workers advocate protective laws amid intensifying heat waves.
An eight-year-old girl from Ruston, Louisiana, has died after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater. Officials say exposure most likely occurred at Lake Claiborne during summer; the infection is nearly always fatal. Authorities stress caution for swimmers and nose-clipping to reduce risk.