A landlocked Western state in the Mountain West
Public lands policy moves under renewed scrutiny as the administration signals potential changes to long-standing access rules, with Senators and regulators weighing the impacts on conservation, recreation and energy development.
Zach Lahn has won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Iowa, challenging Trump’s pick Randy Feenstra. Democrat Rob Sand is seeking to flip the governorship, arguing for balanced government amid a Republican trifecta in Des Moines. The primary outcome also intersects with potential shifts in California and a Democratic Senate bid in Iowa.
A wave of city and state actions curbs datacenter expansion amid AI investments. Seattle and New York push moratoriums to reassess power, water use, and community impact while major employers accelerate AI spending and layoffs.
California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act has gone into effect after signing in 2022. It requires producers to cut single-use plastics, increase recycling, and fund waste programs. A coalition of 17 states and environmental groups are suing, arguing the law overreaches and raises consumer costs. California defends the law as pushing toward a circular economy.
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.
Solar generation has surpassed coal in the US grid, led by rooftop and utility-scale projects, signaling a growing dominance of renewables. The Energy Information Administration data show renewables outpacing coal in total power delivery, with solar near the gap but not yet yearly total. The trend continues as demand climbs and permitting hurdles 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.
Kramnik has publicly accused Naroditsky of cheating; Naroditsky denied the allegations before his death. The federation says the claims lacked adequate evidentiary support, and Kramnik plans to appeal the suspension while Naroditsky’s death is treated as a tragedy.
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.