A broad, historical term for state-based military units with national function
A $14m renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has produced a dark blue lining that is peeling and the water has returned to bright green from an algae bloom. Federal crews have been treating the water with ozone nanobubbles and hydrogen peroxide and are vacuuming algae, while the administration has claimed vandalism and reported arrests without publicly releasing evidence.
Washington, D.C. faces a pivotal mayoral race as candidates push back against federal intrusions under President Trump. Janeese Lewis George leads Kenyan McDuffie in the Democratic primary, positioning herself to become the city’s first socialist mayor. The contest now centers on affordability, public safety, and the city’s autonomy from federal oversight, with ranked-choice voting in play for the first time.
Trump has publicly blamed vandalism for algae growth and peeling paint at Washington’s Reflecting Pool shortly after a $14.8 million renovation. Multiple outlets report on the algae, the blue bottom paint and ongoing investigations as officials deploy nano-bubble ozone and hydrogen peroxide to address the issue.
Since Friday, Chicago has seen multiple shootings during Juneteenth weekend celebrations, with at least two dozen incidents and several fatalities. President Trump has urged Governor Pritzker to request federal help, while local officials defend policing strategies. Chicago officials report both ongoing violence and federal deployment debates.
The Reflecting Pool renovation has faced algae blooms and peeling blue lining after a $14m, no-bid project. President Trump claims vandalism caused the damage, with arrests reported. Officials have not publicly released evidence to support the vandalism allegations, and the pool may be drained for further repairs ahead of the 250th anniversary.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on any country that implements a digital services tax on US tech companies, saying the levy would "supersede" trade deals and be applied immediately. European officials have warned they will respond to unilateral measures; legal and practical hurdles make the timetable for any US action unclear.
The Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial has faced algae blooms, peeling paint and security concerns after a multi‑million renovation. Officials say vandalism claims are under investigation while critics demand transparency. New proposals call for nature‑based algae control as the administration faces questions over maintenance and costs.
O’Hara has reached a settlement with the District of Columbia over his 2025 protest following Trump’s guard surge. The agreement drops his claims against the district and four MPD officers; the dollar amount is undisclosed. The case against Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck remains active.
The Reflecting Pool renovation has been plagued by an algae bloom and peeling coating after initial completion, with officials citing vandals, while investigations highlight contracting questions and security measures as the 250th anniversary approaches.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the president can remove leaders of most independent federal agencies, overturning the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor precedent, while carving out an exception for the Federal Reserve. The decisions leave Lisa Cook in place for now but open the door for presidents to exert new control over agencies such as the FTC, shifting regulatory power toward the White House.
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.
The Reflecting Pool renovation amid America’s 250th celebrations has exposed ongoing problems. Algae blooms reappeared after a $14 million upgrade, while officials cite sabotage and lawmakers probe no‑bid contracts and the costs tied to the milestone.
Brockton officials have imposed a temporary safety curfew from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday to reduce violence linked to post-game celebrations as Cape Verde faces Argentina in the knockout stage. Alcohol service is restricted after 7 p.m., with exemptions for first responders and essential personnel. The move follows recent shootings and stabbings near downtown Brockton and police say the majority of celebrations have been peaceful.
David Hearn has been indicted on a felony count of destruction of property linked to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation. He denies vandalism, saying the damage existed before his visit. Prosecutors say evidence shows a deliberate act. A July 9 hearing is scheduled.
Two National Guard members opened fire during a Memphis pursuit, killing Tyrin Johnson, 20. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is examining the shooting as officials call for transparency while debates over federal task force deployments continue.
Federal agents with the Memphis Safe Task Force shot and killed a man during a hotel-room arrest in Memphis. The incident followed a separate fatal shooting last weekend involving the same task force. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading the inquiry and will review both cases for potential charges.
Olympian David Hearn has entered a guilty/not guilty plea in D.C. court over damage to a reflecting pool liner. Prosecutors allege he caused over $1,000 in damage; his lawyers say the case is politically motivated. The pool’s renovation under Trump has faced ongoing problems, including algae blooms and subsequent repairs.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national accused in the November ambush near the Farragut West Metro Station, has collapsed health-wise and is being treated at George Washington University Hospital after reportedly refusing food and water. Prosecutors have sought the death penalty on a 17-count indictment; a judge has granted access to limited medical records for court considerations.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national charged in a Washington, D.C. ambush, has been rushed to a hospital with life-threatening conditions after allegedly refusing food. Prosecutors seek the death penalty; a judge has ordered access to medical records as his health deteriorates behind federal custody.
Lindsey Graham has died at 71. Trump has described Graham’s “one bad moment” during Jan. 6 as the only lapse, saying he called Graham to walk back the remark. Reports note timelines differ, with logs not showing a call on Jan. 6, 2021.
West Virginia faces a severe flood emergency as heavy rainfall triggers widespread damage. Governors mobilize National Guard and declare a state of emergency across all 55 counties. Rescues continue as utilities restore power and crews clear debris. Officials warn that the situation remains volatile with high water and saturated ground.
Puerto Rico’s northeast faces 48-hour water rationing as heat persists. Officials warn that outages are spreading and infrastructure remains underfunded, with government and lawmakers pressing for accountability amid protests and protests.
The Pentagon has extended the Washington, D.C. national guard deployment until January 20, 2029. Local officials say the presence is a burden and not improving safety, while federal authorities cite crime reductions. The situation remains politically charged as city leaders push for withdrawal and review of federal actions.
States are expanding literacy training for K-5 teachers under new laws and funding. Michigan requires all K-5 reading teachers to complete training in the science of reading, with LETRS as a named option. California and others have invested heavily in literacy coaches and pre-K expansion to lift reading outcomes, while still aiming to improve early-grade proficiency.
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.
President Trump has attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, praised some journalists, mocked others and repeatedly attacked news organisations and named reporters. The event has followed the April shooting that forced the original dinner to be abandoned and featured tighter security and awards for reporters, including a Wall Street Journal team.
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.
Democratic state official Francesca Hong has seen a shift in her gubernatorial bid as old social media posts are scrutinized. While she emphasizes focusing on policy and delivering for Wisconsinites, Republicans and some Democrats worry about electability in a close general election. The race is drawing national attention as endorsements and opposition converge ahead of the August primary.
The National Guard remains deployed in Washington, D.C. under a federal surge begun last summer to combat crime. A Defense Department estimate puts average staffing at 2,500 through January 2029, costing about $1.4 billion, as local officials question autonomy and the measure’s efficacy while crime trends continue to fall.
California voters will decide Prop 40 in November. Billionaire wealth, tax politics, and business interests collide as wealthy residents consider plans that would impose a 5% one-time tax on net worth to fund healthcare, with heavy pushback from residents and business leaders.
Mexico’s Michoacán state has resumed USDA avocado inspections after a security crackdown following arrests tied to extortion. The move comes as U.S. officials say security forces will continue to protect inspectors, with shipments anticipated to normalize as interdiction measures prevail in the avocado belt.
A year into the National Guard and federal policing surge in Washington, DC, the deployment has been extended through 2029. Arrests have risen, crime trends are mixed, and debates over local autonomy and federal authority persist as costs climb and legality remains contested.
U.S. authorities have charged Melissa L. Farris with depredation of property and destruction of veterans’ memorials after the World War II Memorial fountain was defaced with red graffiti and soap. The incident follows similar vandalism at nearby sites and comes amid ongoing debate over the Reflecting Pool case.
Lopez Beltrán has alleged that U.S. visa revocations targeting Mexican officials are a political interference, saying there is no evidence of immoral or criminal acts by him. The US government has not commented publicly. Mexican President Sheinbaum condemned the move as interference while pledging sovereignty.
Reports show a continued decline in violent crime and property crime across the U.S., with homicide hitting near historic lows. President Trump has spotlighted these figures on a campaign stop, while experts caution that the reasons behind the trend are complex and not tied to any single policy.
Heavy rains have inundated central Indiana, prompting local officials to seek federal help. Governors say President Trump has pledged to approve a presidential emergency declaration, unlocking resources for rescue and recovery as floodwaters crest along the White River. Dozens have been rescued; several fatalities are confirmed amid the deluge.
The Hawk Fire near Reno has reached about 27% containment and stretched over roughly 23 square miles. Officials say Modest progress is being made as evacuation orders remain for tens of thousands. The fire is considered human-caused, with questions still surrounding its origin. Schools are closed and residents face ongoing danger as winds shift.
Fire has raged across two states, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate. In Texas, the Ross Fire is spreading through ranchland, with several structures lost. In Nevada, the Hawk Fire near Reno has damaged dozens of homes and prompted resettlement efforts as evacuation orders remain in place.
Puerto Rico faces severe drought with over a third of the island in extreme conditions and 30% in severe drought. San Juan has seen record drought and heat; authorities have activated water-rationing programs, while the U.S. Virgin Islands have declared a drought disaster. Farmers report losses as hydroponics and soil crops wither, and infrastructure struggles compound the crisis.
A U.S. judge has authorized emergency feeding for Rahmanullah Lakanwal amid a high-stakes murder case tied to a Washington, D.C. incident near the White House. The court order allows nonconsensual nutrition and medical care as prosecutors press for life-saving measures while defense attorneys challenge the move.
Unrest in Syria’s Sweida province has left 10 government security personnel wounded as clashes unfold between state forces and local armed groups. The fighting follows days of tension over exams and previous attacks, with reports of civilian injuries and ongoing exchanges of fire.
The FBI has seized cryptocurrency linked to Hamas’ fundraising and disrupted its online platforms. Authorities have also taken control of domains and platforms used for fundraising and recruitment, and gathered information on thousands who attempted to donate.
An avalanche on Mount Mizhirgi in Russia’s North Caucasus hits a group of climbers. Ten have descended safely; several others remain unaccounted for as rescue efforts continue amid treacherous terrain and ongoing avalanche risk. Reports from multiple outlets confirm ongoing recoveries and casualties as agencies coordinate search operations.