A landlocked Plains state in the U.S., gatekeeper of Mount Rushmore, with a sparse population and a dividing Missouri River.
The LUX‑ZEPLIN (LZ) collaboration has reported a single unexplained particle interaction recorded on 16 June 2023 at the Sanford Underground Research Facility that matches the expected signature of a WIMP. The team has presented the finding at a conference, uploaded a paper and asked the wider physics community for scrutiny; the result falls short of the 5‑sigma discovery threshold.
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.
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.
Several states are placing abortion-related measures on ballots this fall, with Idaho proposing a return to viability-based access, while Missouri, Nevada and Virginia consider constitutional changes or other revisions. The movement follows a wave of post-Dobbs ballot initiatives that have shaped access across the country.
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.
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 Organic Lentil Soup – Light Sodium recall to Class II after a lid defect raised spoilage concerns. Separately, General Mills has recalled Pillsbury roll doughs for potential glass contamination, and Midwest Poultry Services has halted shipments as nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs are recalled over Salmonella fears. No illnesses are confirmed yet.
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 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.
The National Defense Authorization Act has cleared the House with a 216-212 vote, boosting military spending and strengthening US-Israel defense cooperation. The measure now faces Senate scrutiny, with Democrats criticizing the price tag and war-related provisions while Republicans defend funding for readiness and security. The package also includes provisions tied to the SAVE America Act and election-related funding.
The Senate and House are pressing ahead with scheduling amid talks on government funding, crypto regulation, and voting integrity. Republicans push for votes on the SAVE Act and the CLARITY Act, while Democrats warn that bipartisan support is required to avert a lapse in funding and to address other urgent policy items.
Conferences back the Protect College Sports Act after last-minute concessions on NIL deals and associated entities. The bill now faces a possible floor vote before the August recess, with ongoing negotiations over a retention pool, cap rules, and alignment with the House settlement.
Lawmakers have advanced a stopgap funding package to keep the government running through Dec. 11, while negotiations over full-year funding and policy riders continue. The measure blocks funding transfers to border enforcement, delays a hemp ban by one month, and avoids a government shutdown ahead of midterm elections.
A multi-state outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has infected at least 55 people nationwide, including four hospitalizations. Cases are linked to Minnesota grower Everything Sprouts and its Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. FDA and CDC are coordinating testing and monitoring, with recalls and safety reviews ongoing.
A federal judge has issued an injunction blocking Ohio's proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration ahead of the Oct. 5 deadline. The ruling cites the National Voter Registration Act, which the judge says takes precedence and requires offering registration at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles without extra citizenship documentation.
Alaska’s primary has reshaped the general elections, with Dan J. Sullivan secured a spot in the Senate race amid questions about ballot naming and party alignment. Mary Peltola and Dan S. Sullivan are leading the Senate race, while Nick Begich and Bill Hill vie for other key contests. The primary results hinge on ranked-choice counting and post-election counting.
Justus Kelley has won Miss USA 2026, becoming the first married woman, first mother, and the first contestant in her 30s to win the pageant as the 75th edition crowns her in Miami. The Virginia native uses the platform to champion foster care and reflects on her family’s dedication.
The FDA, CDC and state health officials have identified more cases of cyclosporiasis in Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, bringing the national tally to 11,458. Investigators continue examining iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico, with officials insisting recalled product is off the market. The illness, cyclosporiasis, has prompted ongoing surveillance as outbreaks peak in warm months.