A landlocked Western state in the Mountain West
Multiple US states have announced partnerships with Turning Point USA, promoting school chapters and religious content in public education. These moves have sparked debate over free speech, religious influence, and educational neutrality amid ongoing legal and political tensions. The story is current as of Saturday, 18 April 2026.
Temperatures are rising across multiple regions, driven by ongoing climate patterns. Spain, Brazil, and North America are experiencing above-average heat, with forecasts indicating these trends will continue. A potential super-strength El Niño is contributing to global warming, impacting weather patterns worldwide. This story is current as of Mon, 20 Apr 2026.
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 federally deployed wildland firefighters have died while battling fast-moving wildfires in Colorado and Utah. Two others were injured after shelter injuries as the Knowles, Gore, and Snyder Mesa fires merge, highlighting questions around a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the push for full suppression.
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.
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 persistent heat dome has kept millions under extreme heat alerts across the Midwest to the East Coast. Nighttime temperatures remain dangerously high, raising health risks and straining power grids. Officials urge hydration, cooling centers, and check-ins on vulnerable residents.
A 65-year-old grandfather was tossed eight feet into the air by a bull bison at Bridge Bay Campground, Yellowstone National Park. He has broken his femur in four places and is recovering after surgery. Visitors are advised to keep at least 25 yards from bison and never approach them for photos.
A University of Minnesota study shows that driving at posted speed limits could save drivers millions in fuel costs and reduce emissions, with only a small daily time toll. The research analyzes 120 million trips across four Wednesdays in 2021, finding that speeding is common but slowing down offers clear benefits for gas, climate, and safety.