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Federal agencies and state officials have reported coordinated cyberattacks that have targeted internet-connected controllers at water and wastewater utilities in at least a dozen states since late July. Operators have had passwords changed and been locked out, forcing many plants to revert to manual control; officials say drinking water remains broadly safe while investigations continue.
South Carolina has held a special Republican primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and has produced a runoff. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman have advanced; Rep. Russell Fry finished a close third. The Aug. 25 runoff will almost certainly decide the GOP nominee who will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
A curated selection of playful decor pieces is redefining livable luxury, blending bold pastels with eclectic furnishings. Designers say whimsy brings personality, while careful layering keeps spaces polished rather than kitschy.
Human Rights Watch reports that federal civil-rights offices have been trimmed under President Trump’s term, with staff losses across DOJ, Education, HUD, and EEOC, weakening enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. The report cites interviews, court filings, and directives showing a shift away from civil-rights protection.
The American school bus has long defined a national look. A 1939 conference set the shade for visibility. Buses peaked in the 1980s, transporting over 60% of students. But driver shortages and other factors are reshaping access, signaling a new era for school transportation.
The Guardian reports that federal investigators have scrutinized progressive groups opposing Donald Trump’s deportations, a shift from inquiry into deportation agents’ conduct in Minneapolis. The administration has framed protests as potential criminal activity, but First Amendment protections remain central to the disputes.
Five people and several domesticated animals were found dead at a Forest Grove property west of Portland after a vehicle fire was reported. The suspect was later found dead in Enumclaw, and authorities say the investigation is ongoing while seeking to identify the victims and determine connections.
An independent arbitrator has ruled that The Washington Post did not have sufficient cause to fire columnist Karen Attiah over her social media posts after Charlie Kirk’s killing and has ordered the paper to reinstate her with full back pay and benefits. The decision has been issued this week and is binding under the paper’s labor agreement.
The State Department has said it will revoke B‑1 and B‑2 business and tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for people who have sought or are seeking asylum. The action, coordinated with DHS and described as rolling, would reclassify many pending asylum holders and would not necessarily cause immediate deportations; officials expect legal challenges.
Target has pulled a children’s Halloween costume and has apologised after critics said the product and its promotional image evoked Jim Crow–era minstrel caricatures. The retailer has deleted the listing, opened an internal review and said the item "should never have been part of our assortment," while activists and some analysts have renewed boycott calls and warned of reputational fallout.
Investigations into Christian Castro’s case have intensified as Minnesota seeks extradition while Texas weighs whether he qualifies as a fugitive. A judge’s ruling has constrained or delayed the release, with potential flight risk and ongoing legal battles shaping the case.
General Mills has shifted to natural colorings derived from fruits, vegetables and spices in most U.S. cereals. About 90% of U.S. retail products are now free of artificial dyes, with remaining items set to convert by end-2027. Kellogg has followed suit, and other major brands have pledged to remove synthetic dyes amid regulatory and consumer pressure.
ICE has signed a no-bid contract to acquire 6,000 conductive distraction and de-escalation gloves from Compliant Technologies for use in high‑tension encounters. The deal, worth up to $20 million, has drawn pushback from civil rights advocates and some Democrats who warn of safety and accountability risks. The procurement notice was published this week and underscores ongoing debates over law enforcement tools in immigration enforcement.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has acquired a controlling stake in the Los Angeles Angels from the Moreno family, with closing expected in early 2027. The deal expands KSE’s sports empire across NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS properties, underscoring its growth in major markets.
US carriers are returning to Ben Gurion, expanding seats as demand climbs for the Jewish New Year and holidays. Despite new capacity, fares remain high through autumn, with relief not expected until November as demand shifts post-election.
A downtown Minneapolis shooting has left at least one dead and several others injured. Police say two officers are among the wounded as emergency services respond and residents are urged to avoid the area.
NHL enforcer Ryan Reaves has announced his retirement after 16 seasons, ending a career defined by physical play and leadership. He has played for multiple teams, including the Blues, Golden Knights, Rangers and Wild, and leaves with 66 goals, 140 points and more than 1,100 penalty minutes.
Progressive Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has been targeted in a January town hall attack. A man, Anthony James Kazmierczak, has pled guilty to planning and carrying out the assault, acknowledging his political motivations. The sentence includes federal charges and a related state case; Omar was unharmed and continued with her event.
The White House has withdrawn Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead ICE after Sen. Rand Paul’s push for more information about deadly Minneapolis shootings stalls confirmation. Schroyer, a longtime Oklahoma state trooper, had been nominated in June. ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017 and is currently led by an acting head.
The federal government has redirected resources to search state voter rolls for noncitizen registrants and has charged dozens of people for alleged illegal voting. Officials and experts say the totals uncovered so far are tiny compared with more than 200 million registered voters, while states and courts have pushed back against rushed federal reviews as early voting begins ahead of Nov. 3.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Christian Castro has a federal count of making false statements about the January shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. He has appeared in state court on assault charges and was extradition battles; Minnesota prosecutors sought his transfer from Texas. The hearings mark the first Justice Department case against a federal officer tied to Operation Metro Surge.
Federal immigration officers have shot a man in Austin during a traffic stop and foot pursuit on Sunday; the 28-year-old Venezuelan, identified by relatives and his lawyer as Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, has been taken to hospital in serious but stable condition. Austin officials have demanded an independent investigation and criticised ICE for not providing details.
The high court has heard arguments on whether migrants must have a meaningful chance to object before being deported to third countries. The government has argued this would slow removals, while critics say due process protections are essential. Several flights have already been affected as the legal fight continues.
Two civil lawsuits allege that federal agents’ operations in Minneapolis, part of Operation Metro Surge, violated the rights of Renee Good and others. The suits seek damages and name high‑level officials and officers among the defendants. The cases follow killings that sparked widespread protests.