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A roundup of how families and schools are navigating back-to-school transitions. Absence and anxiety are prompting guidance from healthcare and education professionals, with communities offering routines, support, and practical tips to ease the shift.
Federal officials have removed two Pennsylvania fatalities from the CDC’s national measles death tally and said they are reviewing whether measles caused those deaths. Pennsylvania has reported two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents died during a large local outbreak; the U.S. has recorded roughly 2,777 cases this year, the highest total since 1991.
ICE has rolled out body-worn cameras to all field officers by the end of August, aiming for transparency after recent deadly shootings. Policy allows withholding footage if release could impede investigations or privacy, with potentially prompt releases within 72 hours if the agency deems it in the best interests. Critics warn this could enable selective disclosures.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to spend up to $20 million to outfit ICE officers and agents with CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E. gloves that deliver electrical shocks to gain quick compliance. The devices, produced by Compliant Technologies, are intended as a non-lethal de-escalation tool but have drawn civil rights concerns and questions about misuse. Training and policy work are ongoing, with some jurisdictions already using similar devices.
Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter in a transaction valuing the franchise at about $12.5 billion. The sale has been announced this week, requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and is subject to due diligence and Kushners divestment of a Miami Heat stake.
Federal authorities have arrested 11 individuals tied to a multiyear scheme that manufactured more than 1,000 sham marriages between U.S. citizens and immigrants to obtain permanent residency. Defendants faced charges including marriage fraud, immigration document fraud, and conspiring to encourage unlawful residence.
The 28-year-old Mangione has pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges linked to the December 2024 killing of Thompson in Manhattan. He faces a maximum life sentence in federal court. He remains charged in New York state with eight felonies including second-degree murder, with a September trial date, as lawyers contend about double jeopardy across courts.
A wave of extreme heat is forcing people to rethink work, commuting and leisure. From London offices to outdoor pools, residents are adapting with new routines and strategies in response to record temperatures this summer.
Mangione has pleaded guilty in a federal case accusing him of stalking and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024. A state murder trial is set for September 8, while the federal case could lead to a life sentence. Prosecutors say a large trove of evidence supports the guilt, including surveillance video and a 3D-printed pistol.
Two unvaccinated residents in Pennsylvania have died from measles, triggering a public health debate. Governor Shapiro says vaccinations could have averted the deaths, while RFK Jr. questions the figures, fueling a political row that experts warn could hinder responses to the outbreak.
This Date in Baseball, August 21 - Babe Ruth becomes the first major leaguer to hit 600 career home runs
The Cavaliers have secured a multi-year deal with James Harden, including a player option for 2028-29 and a trade kicker, after Harden declined a $42.3 million option earlier this summer. The move follows Cleveland’s recent trades, including acquiring Peyton Watson from Denver. Harden has averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 games for Cleveland this season, and his career marks span 1,221 games across multiple teams.
Jessica Bowie has been arrested in Albany after an FBI counterterrorism operation foiled her plan to bomb the New York State Capitol using an inert explosive in a DoorDash bag. She has pledged allegiance to ISIS and is under heavy investigation for radicalization online.
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.
An independent arbitrator has ruled that The Washington Post did not have sufficient cause to fire columnist Karen Attiah over her social media posts after Charlie Kirk’s killing and has ordered the paper to reinstate her with full back pay and benefits. The decision has been issued this week and is binding under the paper’s labor agreement.
The Oklahoma governor runoff has defined the race as a high-cost contest driven by Trump’s endorsements; Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei have spent heavily, with Mazzei’s loan-financed bid facing a runoff after the June 16 first round.
Apple unveils new M6 and M5 Ultra chips across Mac Mini and Mac Studio, boosting on‑device AI workloads. Analysts say the upgrades sharpen local inference capabilities, with higher memory bandwidth and multi‑chip configurations. Pricing rises from this week’s preorders, signaling heavier investment in AI-enabled workflows.
Unrivaled has secured a Series C that values the women’s 3-on-3 league at $650 million, nearly doubling from last year. The round includes Ten Pillar Sports Fund and UC Investments, with notable backers like Carmelo Anthony, Alex Morgan, Geno Auriemma and Trae Young. Player equity pools have grown to about $200 million as the league expands its footprint and tour stops.
Police in Upper Pottsgrove Township, Pa., have fatally shot Glen Pysher IV after he entered the rear of a homeowner’s residence during a late-night incident. Pysher, 22, was unarmed and on a FaceTime call with friends when he was shot. The shooting is being investigated by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and DA's office.
Airlines are ramping up routes to Tel Aviv as Delta and United resume US-Israel flights and Israir plans launches, with fares remaining high amid limited competition. New services and capacity could bring relief later this year as markets stabilize.
Defense motions and court dates dominate coverage as Penn State fraternity cocaine-trafficking allegations move toward-of hearing. Prosecutors aim to consolidate cases with 14 defendants; hearings continue with multiple co-conspirators in Centre County.
A wave of court rulings on prediction markets, led by Kalshi, has put federal and state regulators at odds. The Ninth Circuit has ruled Nevada may apply its gaming laws to Kalshi’s sports-event contracts, a decision echoed by other circuits as litigation intensifies. The Supreme Court is likely to weigh in as cases diverge.
The U.S. Department of Justice and Walmart have reached a settlement over claims that Walmart pharmacies violated the Controlled Substances Act by failing to report red flags tied to opioid prescriptions. Walmart has not admitted liability. The settlement resolves claims from 2013 onward, with earlier related actions already settled in 2022. Walmart shares edged higher after the announcement.
The probe into unpaid fuel at Mansfield Oil and KRSM centers on a discounted gas network backed by the White House. Authorities say KRSM sold fuel at low prices while Mansfield seeks payment and questions the network’s link to Freedom Fuel. Prices have risen since the Iran conflict, affecting voters ahead of midterms.
New data from Truveta shows vitamin K refusals at birth have surged in 2026, driven by political messaging around vaccines. The rate of non-administration increased sharply in the first half of the year, with 81-fold higher risk of life-threatening bleeding without the shot for infants in their first six months. Health officials warn the trend risks newborn lives as US debates policy changes echoed by Kennedy and Trump.
Elizabeth Warren-Wilson is undertaking a complete retranslation of The Odyssey, stating it is not a revision but a fresh version. The project enlarges her Iliad-informed approach, adds endnotes, and revises terms like 'slave' to reflect more precise ancient Greek terminology. Nolan’s Odyssey film has drawn strong reactions from critics and scholars.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele has charged Upper Pottsgrove Police Cpl. Sean Farrell with voluntary manslaughter in the August 23 death of Glenwood Earl Pysher IV. Body-worn camera footage shows Pysher with hands up as Farrell fires, contradicting the officer’s account. Pysher was not armed and was at a distance of roughly 17–20 feet when shot. Farrell turned himself in and is awaiting a Sept. 10 preliminary hearing.
US carriers are returning to Ben Gurion, expanding seats as demand climbs for the Jewish New Year and holidays. Despite new capacity, fares remain high through autumn, with relief not expected until November as demand shifts post-election.
The U.S. Mint has launched a commemorative $1 coin bearing President Trump’s portrait to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Mint has priced rolls of 25 at $61 and bags of 100 at $154.50; coins are valid legal tender but have sold out online and drawn legal and political criticism.
Amazon Prime Video has reached a multi-year deal to carry exclusive local streaming of NHL games for six teams in their regional markets, starting in the 2026-27 season. The Hurricanes, Ducks, Blue Jackets, Stars, Wild and Blues will stream live games, plus pre- and post-game shows, in their home regions. The NHL says clubs selected the Amazon offer after evaluating proposals from multiple partners.