A landlocked state of the American West
The Speaker is campaigning across multiple states to defend Republican-held seats while pursuing a broader message on cost of living and reform. The push follows a six-week sprint across 20 states, with a focus on key battlegrounds as November nears.
A global look at paid time off shows most countries guarantee some leave by law, but the U.S. stands apart, treating it as a voluntary benefit. Top earners in the U.S. still enjoy paid time off at lower rates than peers in other economies, while debates over policy and AI-era work norms shape future protections.
Prosecutors have presented DNA, notes and witness statements linking Tyler Robinson to the Sept. 10 shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. A Utah judge is deciding whether there is enough evidence for a trial on aggravated murder. The hearing is ongoing and the decision will come after Sept. 1.
Public hearing in Provo revisits the Charlie Kirk shooting at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors present evidence that Tyler Robinson killed Kirk, with DNA, notes and witness statements to Twiggs shaping the case. Defense fights for transparency and argues against the death penalty before a trial.
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.
A 65-year-old grandfather was tossed eight feet in the air by a bull bison at Yellowstone National Park’s Bridge Bay Campground. He sustained a broken femur but is recovering in hospital. Officials say bison injure more people in Yellowstone than any other animal and visitors must stay at least 25 yards away. The incident is drawing renewed attention to park safety during mating season.
The Sunshine Protection Act has passed the House to make daylight saving time permanent in most of the United States. Senate consideration is uncertain and health experts warn permanent DST could disrupt sleep, while some communities push for permanent standard time. The decision hinges on balancing public health, regional impacts, and the logistics of time-zone alignment.
David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old nurse, has survived a pole impalement on Granite Peak in Montana. After self-assessing the injury and with friends’ support, he decided to descend about 10 miles over rugged terrain using a Garmin inReach to call for help. He reached a clinic, then a hospital, and was discharged within days, with plans to return to work.
University of Minnesota research shows driving at posted speed limits could save millions in fuel costs daily, cut emissions, and add less than a minute to commutes. The study analyzed 120 million US trips on highways 45 mph or higher, finding speeding is common but yields negligible time savings.
The Interior Department has finalized rules that require individualized protection plans for species added to the threatened list and mandate economic analyses for critical habitat. Critics warn the move could hamper wildlife recovery, while supporters say it balances conservation with development. Several species, including monarch butterflies and the grizzly bear, are cited in ongoing debates.
Lindsay Clancy's trial opens in Plymouth as prosecutors argue premeditated killings of her three children, while her defense contends postpartum psychosis. Jurors will weigh mental state against intent amid extensive testimony and competing medical expert views.
A 65-year-old man was injured when a bison charged him and his grandson at Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone National Park. Medical staff report multiple fractures; the grandson was not harmed. Park officials warn visitors to keep distance from bison.
Congress has approved and blocked war powers resolutions aimed at forcing Trump to end hostilities with Iran, in a developing conflict that has driven oil above $100 a barrel. The House has passed a symbolic concurrent resolution, while the Senate has rejected the joint measure, reflecting bipartisan concern as midterm pressures mount.
Wildfires are generating pyrocumulonimbus clouds, creating their own weather and complicating firefighting. Reports from independent and BBC/France 24 coverage describe fire-generated thunderstorms, lightning, and unpredictable winds as heatwaves persist across Europe and North America. Scientists warn climate change is increasing these events’ frequency and intensity.
The Spokane Complex Fires are burning near Spokane, Washington, with multiple blazes uncontained. Evacuations have intensified to tens of thousands, and authorities warn that hotter, drier conditions could worsen the situation. Firefighters are contending with wildland-urban interface terrain, extreme weather, and ongoing investigations into ignition sources. The outlook remains challenging as temperatures rise later in the week.
A Montana teenager has saved a man from drowning in the Yellowstone River after a raft and paddleboard were knocked into the water by a bridge collision. The teen used a lariat to rope the victim to shore; authorities credit the救援 as life-saving.
The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed deregulation of Head Start, shifting many requirements to state and local authorities while adding new dietary and fitness rules. The plan aims to free up billions to expand slots, but critics warn it could erode safeguards for vulnerable children.
The administration has finalized a rule that ends federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-affirming care for minors, including puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries. Mental health services remain funded. Seventeen states currently cover some degree of gender-affirming care under Medicaid and CHIP, while many hospitals have paused treatments.
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.
Beef prices have risen as U.S. cattle numbers shrink and imports face constraints. The White House is moving to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of lean ground beef to be imported for 90 days at a 25% discount, seeking to ease consumer costs ahead of the midterms. Ranchers warn the measure could undermine long-term herd growth and U.S. cattle profitability.
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.
Justus Kelley has won Miss USA 2026, becoming the first married woman, first mother, and the first contestant in her 30s to win the pageant as the 75th edition crowns her in Miami. The Virginia native uses the platform to champion foster care and reflects on her family’s dedication.
A fossil from 324 million years ago suggests insects had more legs than today and may reshape understanding of early arthropods during the hexapod gap.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the multistate cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce over after cases have fallen sharply. Federal investigators have linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce imported from central Mexico by Taylor Farms; about 12,800 people were infected, 570 were hospitalised and two people died.
Trump has pledged a $5,000 dividend for every American if Republicans retain control of Congress; the plan faces legal, fiscal and political hurdles and is criticized by experts and opponents as economically risky.
A guide to lesser-known fall landscapes across the United States, highlighting offbeat spots from the Midwest to New England and beyond, with practical tips on crowds, reservations, and hidden gems.
Pantheon Regeneration plans to restore peatlands from Virginia to Florida, blocking ditch networks to raise water levels, reduce carbon emissions, and sell credits to fund conservation; the project seeks to protect biodiversity and defend large coastal and inland peat systems from degradation.
Scientists have used tooth enamel chemistry to estimate Tyrannosaurus rex’s body temperature at about 36°C, placing it among warm‑blooded animals. The research, based on clumped isotope thermometry, is published in Science Advances and relies on enamel from three teeth from Hell Creek Formation fossils.
Grand Teton National Park staff have euthanized a bear after a pattern of food-conditioned behavior escalated, posing an unacceptable safety risk to visitors. Park officials say the decision followed darting the animal and transporting it from backcountry Delta Lake. Visitors are urged to secure food and belongings to prevent future incidents.
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.
Flash flooding across the Navajo Nation has claimed three lives in New Mexico, as monsoon moisture drives heavy rain and widespread road damage. Officials warn residents to avoid flooded roads and to follow emergency guidance; updates indicate multiple communities remain isolated.
A well-preserved dinosaur-era feather has been found in fossilised dinosaur dung, shedding light on why birds survived the mass extinction. The find, described in Current Biology, shows a feather with bones and fish scales, offering new clues about the neonith birds’ resilience.
AP News reports that President Trump is welcoming Chinese leader Xi Jinping with a state visit and a high-stakes push to redefine economic ties, even as critics warn of social and political tensions. The administration has secured stakes in more than 30 private companies, including Intel and Westinghouse, as part of a broader strategy, while Republicans mount attack lines over socialism and government involvement in the economy.
Two Precision pilots have died in a helicopter crash near Ostrander Lake while supporting the Dome Fire. The AS332 Super Puma went down with no other people aboard. Investigations by the FAA and NTSB are underway as incident responders honor the pilots and continuing firefighting efforts proceed.