A US state in the Great Plains, known for Mount Rushmore and the Missouri River
The Gates Foundation has released a three-page summary of a WilmerHale review into its past engagements with Jeffrey Epstein. The review finds no evidence of payments to Epstein or illegal activity, but notes that Gates and foundation staff met Epstein about 30 times from 2011 to 2014, focusing on a donor-advised fund concept and a grant to the International Peace Institute. Gates expresses regret and the foundation says it will strengthen governance and vetting.
Purdue Pharma has reached a plan to dissolve the company and replace it with Knoa Pharma as a broad settlement resolving thousands of opioid lawsuits takes effect. The Sackler family’s contributions total up to $7 billion over 15 years, with most funds going to government entities to fight the opioid crisis. Individual victims will receive a smaller portion, while many observers urge greater accountability.
The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System and related projects are expanding water capacity along the Missouri River. The base system now delivers 44 million gallons daily to 20 communities, with two expansions under way and a separate pipeline project to support growth in the Black Hills region. Together, the initiatives could cost tens of billions and serve hundreds of thousands more residents over the next 40–50 years.
The Senate has cleared a path to debate a roughly $70 billion bill funding ICE and CBP, with Republicans rallying to pass it via budget reconciliation. Democrats are set to offer amendments, including a bid to permanently ban a $1.776 billion settlement fund tied to allies who supporters say were persecuted.
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.
President Donald Trump has delayed Jay Clayton’s Senate confirmation and said Bill Pulte will remain acting director of national intelligence. Trump has tied progress on renewing Section 702 surveillance authority and Clayton’s confirmation to passage of a voter ID bill and has ordered Pulte to cut ODNI staff and return employees to their home agencies.
Fall River Health Services is funding infrastructure for Cascade Hills, a subdivision near Hot Springs, SD, to create 48 affordable housing units for staff amid a persistent worker shortage. South Dakota Housing Authority has approved grants; prices in the plan range around $285,000–$350,000 for varied housing types. Construction may begin soon as infrastructure work starts.
President Donald Trump has delayed the Senate confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton and is keeping Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Trump has tied renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to passage of his SAVE America voter ID bill, making an immediate FISA reauthorization unlikely.
McKenna Wendel's missing case has culminated in five charges against her uncle Mark Milk and additional conspiracy and accessory counts against a Brookings resident, with prosecutors tying the case to a earlier manslaughter commutation. Details remain guarded as investigations proceed.
President Donald Trump has unveiled a Qatari‑donated Boeing 747 that the Air Force has converted and repainted as a temporary Air Force One. The plane has completed flight testing, will serve as a "bridge" until purpose‑built VC‑25Bs arrive around 2028, and has drawn questions about cost, security and the ethics of accepting a foreign gift.
The new SNAP cost-sharing rules require states with high payment error rates to cover a portion of benefit costs starting in October 2027. Several states face bill totals in the billions, raising the possibility that some may withdraw from the program. The Trump-era changes aim to curb waste, while critics warn of deeper harm to vulnerable families.
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.
The Trump administration has restricted refugee admissions globally while planning to admit white South Africans, and may for the first time offer welcome kits and materials that present a pro-Trump historical narrative. The policy shift is provoking debate about refugee treatment and racial politics in the United States.
Trump has canceled a signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill, saying he will not sign until Senate passes the SAVE America Act. The move follows a tense exchange at a Capitol Hill luncheon where Cassidy challenged the administration’s Iran war approach. The episode highlights deep GOP rifts as lawmakers balance housing affordability with stricter voting measures ahead of midterms.
Trump has tied support for a housing bill to passage of the SAVE America Act, arguing for stricter voter-ID rules while facing Senate resistance and intra-party divisions. The White House awaits responses as lawmakers maneuver on two intertwined priorities ahead of the midterms.
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.
The House has canceled votes and sent lawmakers home amid a standoff over the defense bill and the SAVE America Act, with Trump insisting on voting-rights provisions. The Senate has moved independently on Iran and war powers, while Republicans face internal divisions as they navigate leadership and policy pressure.
Donald Trump has used Mount Rushmore addresses to frame communism as a mortal threat while casting progressive Democrats as a broader political risk, as the US marks its 250th anniversary amid heat waves and large-scale political events.
Thousands gather for July 4th celebrations in Washington as security tightens and a severe heat wave tests public endurance. Trump headlines a Freedom 250 program on the National Mall, while other cities adjust plans amid storms and high temperatures.
Trump has framed America’s 250th anniversary as a moment to press for voting restrictions and to cast communists as a threat, delivering a concise, politically charged speech on the National Mall after a weather delay.
The 250th anniversary is being marked amid partisan tensions, with leaders touting democracy while critics warn of deeper erosions in institutions and norms.
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.
Sotheby’s has sold a 67‑million‑year‑old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton nicknamed “Gus” for $50.1 million, the highest price ever paid for a dinosaur at auction. The specimen, about 61–63% complete, was excavated in South Dakota from 2021–23; scientists are warning that private ownership will restrict research access.
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.
CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business quality-of-life rankings have drawn criticism from conservatives who say the methodology unfairly targets red states. Critics argue the list conflicts with population growth data and different state policy outcomes.
Idahoans United for Women and Families has qualified an initiative for the November ballot that would replace the state’s near-total abortion ban with a law allowing abortions until fetal viability. The measure would align Idaho with pre-Dobbs norms, potentially expanding access and triggering broad political debate ahead of elections.
The Sunshine Protection Act has passed the House to make daylight saving time permanent in most of the United States. The Senate is considering it amid concerns about sunrise times, sleep health, school schedules, and regional impacts. Public opinion shows broad support for ending clock changes. Health experts warn permanent DST could disrupt sleep patterns and health outcomes for Americans.
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 FDA has upgraded Amy’s Kitchen recall of Organic Lentil Soup - Light Sodium to Class II, citing potential spoilage from a lid defect that could pose a health risk. The recall covers over 15,000 cases across multiple states and parts of Canada. Separately, General Mills is recalling Pillsbury rolls for possible glass contamination, affecting businesses nationwide. A related egg recall covers nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs over Salmonella fears. These actions follow ongoing safety concerns in the U.S. food supply.
Over the past weeks, U.S. and Canadian grocers have pulled iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico after a Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms products. FDA and CDC warn consumers to discard recalled items and seek refunds. The recall now covers 27 states and multiple brands, with thousands of illnesses reported.
The nomination of Jay Clayton to lead the National Intelligence Directorate is advancing through the Senate Intelligence Committee, but Democrats press him on the 2020 election and his time as SDNY U.S. attorney. The panel has signaled a vote next week, with the full Senate likely to follow.
The fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act has cleared the House with a 216-212 vote. The package includes $1.15 trillion in military spending and provisions boosting US-Israel cooperation. Democrats fault the price tag and war-related provisions; Republicans argue the plan funds readiness. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration as debates loom over offsets and enforcement measures.