City in Minnesota, the Twin Cities pair with Saint Paul
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.
The biggest World Cup clash in years has Spain facing Argentina after a dramatic knockout run. The Scotsman notes the tournament's high stakes, while US coverage highlights American audience engagement and tourism spillover.
A coalition of states and the federal government are clashing over anti-ICE measures and undercover enforcement rules. New York’s budget package tightens cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while other states and the DOJ have filed lawsuits or threatened legal action to defend or contest these policies.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has unveiled a sweeping housing plan aimed at delivering 200,000 affordable homes, expanding public and nonprofit ownership, and reforming construction rules. While supporters say it will unlock supply at scale, critics warn it could slow development and raise costs for landlords and tenants. The plan is being rolled out with a focus on building through public, nonprofit, and private partnerships.
The Minneapolis police chief has resigned after investigators have found that he has interfered with a probe into allegations of misconduct and intimate relationships with city employees. A written reprimand has been issued and 17 open complaints remain as the city continues to seek a permanent replacement. Acting leadership is in place.
President Donald Trump has signed a $70 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the end of his term, ending a months-long impasse that began after two civilians were killed during January immigration operations. Republicans passed the measure through budget reconciliation after Democrats demanded enforcement safeguards and blocked funding earlier this year.
An ICE agent, Christian Castro, has been arrested in Texas after Minnesota prosecutors charged him with four counts of second‑degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime related to the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa‑Celis during Operation Metro Surge. The arrest follows earlier revelations that officers provided false information and the case is part of heightened scrutiny of federal agents’ conduct in Minnesota.
A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis was diverted to Madison, Wisconsin, after an unruly passenger attempted to breach the cockpit. The plane has landed safely, and authorities are investigating. No injuries are reported among the 147 passengers and six crew members.
Senate and House debates intensify over a $70 billion three-year funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, with lawmakers grappling over a controversial $1.8 billion settlement fund for Trump allies. The measure has sparked intra-party divisions and a series of amendments as leadership seeks to finalize funding through the end of Trump’s term.
A Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan to Chicago diverted to Miami after a passenger attempted to open exit doors and attacked a crew member. Off-duty staff and passengers helped restrain him before authorities arrested him in Miami. A separate Bluetooth-word incident on a Newark flight prompted a later security sweep and reboarding.
The Senate has cleared a path to debate a roughly $70 billion bill funding ICE and CBP, with Republicans rallying to pass it via budget reconciliation. Democrats are set to offer amendments, including a bid to permanently ban a $1.776 billion settlement fund tied to allies who supporters say were persecuted.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that training hours and curriculum for new ICE recruits will be restored to standard levels starting July 1, following criticism that the program was shortened during a hiring push. DHS and ICE officials say the changes include firearm training, de-escalation tactics, and constitutional instruction.
Multiple recent reports have revealed unsafe conditions across U.S. immigration detention sites and a rising death rate since January 2025. Federal watchdog and medical examiner findings have shown missing evidence, inadequate medical care, suicides and a homicide ruling after a Haitian asylum seeker died days after release. Protests and hunger strikes are escalating at privately run centres.
The city is pushing large-scale housing reforms, with mayoral plans to expand affordable housing and convert unused properties underway. But residents in Mitchell-Lama Tracey Towers face a 30.6% rent hike over four years to cover mortgage and operating costs, highlighting the tension between expansion and affordability.
Fired 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley has accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of steering coverage to align with the administration, saying changes were demanded to depict protesters as more violent and to frame a shooting victim’s car a certain way. The uproar follows a broader leadership overhaul at 60 Minutes and CBS News, with longtime staffers departing and new leadership pledging independence.
A funding measure for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has cleared the Senate, moving to the House and then to President Trump’s desk. The package secures funding for ICE and CBP through Trump’s term and builds on last year’s broader DHS windfall. Democrats warn of insufficient oversight amid ongoing enforcement clashes.
AAPI Data and AP-NORC poll finds about half of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults say they or someone they know has felt immigration pressure in the past year, with many carrying proof of status and changing routines. The survey shows most view the U.S. as no longer a great country for immigrants, while many identify strongly with their heritage. South Asian communities show higher exposure to these concerns.
Recreational anglers increasingly rely on forward‑facing sonar to locate fish in real time. The technology, costing about $2,500 for a full setup, is expanding quickly across Minnesota and other states, prompting debates about the sport’s meaning and fish populations. A Wisconsin study suggests sonar users may catch fewer fish but may land slightly longer ones, fueling the discussion.
Fifteen people have been charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers and related offenses linked to Direct Action Minnesota during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. Twelve arrests were made; two remain at large and one is in custody. The defendants are tied to antifa groups and coordinated actions to disrupt immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, raising questions about protest rights and federal response.
A wave of new reporting outlines how President Trump has framed power in global terms while facing constraints from the economy and institutional checks. The latest material shows a push to broaden influence beyond the United States, even as aides warn of political and economic limits.
A chorus of firsthand accounts shows travel and everyday life are being reshaped by technology, cost, and shifting priorities. From AI packing hacks to pandemic-era lessons, readers describe how trips and routines adapt in 2026.
Congress has passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with overwhelming bipartisan majorities to speed construction, restrict corporate buyers and ease federal rules. President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned signing and said he will not sign until Congress passes voter ID and other measures in his proposed SAVE America Act, leaving the legislation’s enactment uncertain.
The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, affecting about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, with broader implications for about 1.3 million TPS holders from 17 countries. The ruling signals potential deportations and reshapes humanitarian protections in the United States.
A federal lawsuit filed this week accuses Oakland police and Falck emergency responders of restraining a 36-year-old man during a mental health crisis, leading to his death. The case highlights ongoing concerns about police restraint and emergency medical response in Oakland.
The Supreme Court has allowed the administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, affecting about 1.3 million people from 17 countries. The decision, written by Justice Alito, sides with the administration’s authority over TPS but drew sharp dissent from Justice Kagan, who highlighted racist remarks by Trump related to Haitian migrants.
The departments overseeing immigration enforcement have escalated operations, with arrests rising toward 2,000 daily and detentions climbing, amid a broader push to meet aggressive deportation targets. Multiple watchdogs and rights groups are raising questions about transparency and accountability.
The Trump administration has nominated Lance Schroyer, a 29-year law-enforcement veteran and former Oklahoma State Trooper, to head U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The nomination follows Mullin’s push and comes as ICE expands under a nationwide growth plan. Senate confirmation is pending amid scrutiny of detainee deaths and ICE practices.
AP-NORC finds Americans remain divided over the meaning of Old Glory, with Republicans and older white adults more likely to display the flag as unifying, while younger Democrats and Black adults are less inclined to fly it. The survey of 2,596 adults ahead of the 250th anniversary shows a persistent split in how the flag is perceived and used in daily life.
Free-expression advocate rights group has filed a lawsuit alleging that federal agents threatened a Rochester, N.Y. resident for online criticism of ICE. The suit names Homeland Security Secretary Mullin and ICE leadership, arguing First Amendment protections were violated.
Democrat Graham Platner has withdrawn amid sexual-assault allegations, triggering a rapid search for a replacement nominee ahead of a July 27 deadline. The Maine Democratic Party plans a nominating convention to select the nominee, while candidates race to present themselves to roughly 600 delegates.
Mexico has escalated its response to the killings of Mexican nationals in U.S. ICE custody. Foreign Minister Velasco Álvarez has announced plans to file criminal complaints with U.S. prosecutors and pursue civil lawsuits against detention-center operators, arguing for accountability and criminal investigations into the deaths. The move follows the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and a rising death toll in ICE custody in 2026. President Sheinbaum has said Mexico will move beyond diplomatic notes to seek accountability.
A sweeping heat dome has kept tens of millions under heat alerts from the Midwest to the East Coast. Overnight temperatures are failing to cool, heightening health risks and straining power grids. El Niño is intensifying the heat, and cooling centers, water, and hydration remain critical.
An ICE officer has shot and killed a 26-year-old Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine, during an immigration enforcement operation. DHS has said the officer fired "fearing for public safety" after the vehicle attempted to flee. The agent has been placed on leave and federal and state authorities have opened investigations amid local protests.
Officials say a string of fatal incidents involving immigration enforcement have prompted renewed scrutiny of DHS vetting and tactics. The Maine and Houston shootings have sparked demands for independent investigations and reforms as lawmakers push for oversight.
Canadian wildfire smoke is spreading toward the Great Lakes and Northeast, pushing air quality into unhealthy ranges. Officials warn residents to stay indoors, wear masks where needed, and prepare cooling options as heat intensifies.
President Trump has told ICE to resume traffic stops after Homeland Security had ordered a temporary pause following two fatal shootings during vehicle encounters in Maine and Texas. The decision reverses a short internal review and comes as protests, congressional questions and international criticism have grown.
Waymo plans to launch its robotaxi service on its own app in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028, ending exclusive rides with Uber in those markets. Uber confirms the contract will run through May 2028, while exploring non-Waymo AVs on its platform. Tensions between the companies have risen ahead of broader AV regulation debates.
Wildfires across western Ontario have sparked a heat dome and are sending smoke toward the Great Lakes and northeastern US. Air quality in Toronto, Detroit and Minneapolis ranks among the worst in the world, prompting officials to issue warnings and distribute masks as residents face health risks.
Wildfire smoke from Canadian blazes is driving unhealthy air quality across the US Northeast and Great Lakes. Officials warn residents to limit outdoor activity as rain is forecast to disperse smoke. Spain and Argentina prepare for the World Cup final in New Jersey amid concerns about air quality.
Aer Lingus has announced a transformation plan to cut costs and 6% of capacity, targeting a 12-15% operating margin as fuel costs and macro challenges weigh on earnings. The carrier will cut 290 head office jobs plus 70 pilot and 140 cabin roles, removing several unprofitable routes, with more changes expected through 2027.
As AI infrastructure expands, builders report shortages in electricians and skilled trades, while energy and material costs tighten the supply chain. The buildout is powering new, well‑paid jobs even as critics flag environmental and energy concerns.
The ICE body camera program has moved forward with purchases, training, and nationwide deployment, following recent fatal shootings during stops in Texas and Maine. Officials cite funding and the need for accountability, while critics question delays and transparency.
Wildfire smoke from Canadian and U.S. fires has created unhealthy air across the Midwest, Northeast and beyond. Official alerts urge residents to stay indoors as air-quality deteriorates. Climate-linked fires are intensifying, with conditions likely to persist and spread smoke further south and east.
Governor Walz has signed the Grandparents’ Happy Hour measure, allowing alcohol at senior living events with prior notice, removing usual licensing barriers. The law goes into effect August 1 and aims to boost social life and dignity for residents.
The Guardian reports deadly ICE incidents amid growing calls to abolish ICE and hold officials to account. Victims’ families urge prosecutions and retroactive liability, signaling a broader push for systemic reform and legal repercussions for those involved.
Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan-born resident, has died after police restrained him in Bologna. Video showing officers holding him face-down and him pleading for help has sparked street protests, clashes with riot police and a manslaughter investigation; prosecutors have requested officers' bodycam footage and paramedics are also under inquiry.
The fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act has cleared the House with a 216-212 vote. The package includes $1.15 trillion in military spending and provisions boosting US-Israel cooperation. Democrats fault the price tag and war-related provisions; Republicans argue the plan funds readiness. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration as debates loom over offsets and enforcement measures.
The Trump administration is facing internal debate as ICE shootings prompt a pause in traffic stops, then a reversal. White House and DHS officials argue over training, body cameras, and tactics amid ongoing criticism of immigration enforcement.