State in the Southeastern United States
Filming for Sam Mendes’s four-film Beatles biopic is underway near Abbey Road, recreating the iconic crossing with cast members in period attire. Fans and residents have been drawn to the disruption as studios confirm the project’s 2028 release window, with actors adopting the Beatles’ image for promotional sequences.
Scottie Scheffler opens the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a 9-under round, building a lead in Memphis as the playoffs begin. Rory McIlroy and other top players trail with high expectations and uncertain form ahead of the BMW Championship.
Howard University has reinstated roughly 200 of 502 first-year students who were removed from its roster after missing a July 10 payment deadline or failing to meet other enrollment conditions; the school says each case will be reviewed. In the UK, the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent have formed the London and South East University Group (LASE/LASEUG), a four-campus group of more than 50,000 students that will launch on 7 September.
The White House has issued an executive order directing sidewalk signs around the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to warn visitors about alleged inaccuracies in the museum’s portrayal of American history and to point to sources for a corrected narrative. Smithsonian leadership defends its scholarship and fullness of America’s story as Republicans press for hearings and potential changes on Capitol Hill.
A wave of updates across Uber, Waymo, Baidu, and others is redefining autonomous-vehicle deployment in major markets. Partnerships are shifting, apps are expanding beyond rides, and regulators are sharpening standards. The evolving ecosystem is accelerating, with major players preparing for broader rollout in 2028 and beyond.
Cracker Barrel has named David Deno as its new CEO, effective Aug. 10, with Julie Masino remaining through October to aid the transition. The announcement follows a highly public backlash over a 2025 logo change that sparked political controversy and led to a stock decline. The company has faced ongoing scrutiny as it works to balance heritage with modernization.
Tennessee alleges Meta ignored internal research showing Instagram harmed teens, keeping features like autoplay, notifications and infinite scroll to boost ad revenue. Meta counters that it is transparent about risks and has tools to protect young users. The trial in Nashville could force changes or penalties if Meta is found liable.
A federal judge has denied xAI's emergency request to block Minnesota's law banning AI-generated non-consensual nude images, allowing the statute to take effect while xAI's wider constitutional challenge continues. xAI has argued the law is overbroad, exposes platforms to $500,000 fines per image and lacks a safe harbour; Minnesota officials have pledged to defend the statute.
The Energy Department has selected five states—Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah—as potential hosts for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. These campuses would combine waste management, enrichment and advanced reactors, with data centers and manufacturing. The plan aims to attract private investment and create jobs, as part of a broader push to accelerate civilian nuclear energy under the current administration.
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.
The Memphis WTA 250 sees top seed Alexandrova withdraw from a three-hour match against 16-year-old Kristina Liutova in extreme heat, handing Liutova her debut- win while Venus Williams falters elsewhere; other first-round results unfold.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Meta and TikTok cannot appeal early on Section 230 immunity claims, allowing multiple lawsuits over addictive design and youth safety to proceed. Trials for state AG actions and other plaintiffs remain scheduled, with bellwether cases moving forward.
At the National Urban League conference, Kamala Harris has proposed revisiting the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices, and considering statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. She frames these ideas as part of a broader push to engage voters and recalibrate U.S. institutions ahead of midterm battles.
Four US-based rights organisations have filed a federal lawsuit in New York challenging last year’s executive order that authorised US sanctions on International Criminal Court judges, prosecutors and groups that cooperate with the court. The complaint has argued the measures have forced them to curtail work, violated constitutional rights and unlawfully interfered with international justice.
Citizen-enforced actions under the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts are reshaping how pollution is addressed in the United States, with recent cases spotlighting vehicle idling, refinery emissions, and alleged misdemeanors by car manufacturers. The Trump administration argues enforcement should rest with the executive, while plaintiffs and environmental groups say citizen suits remain essential tools for accountability. The developing legal landscape follows several high-profile filings and ongoing litigation.
The government has issued a single-source contract to Burke Law Group to provide legal services for unaccompanied migrant children in shelters as a network of 100 providers previously serving those in care expires. Questions remain about services for children outside shelters and how providers will be paid while the program shifts.
The multistate Salmonella Javiana outbreak has been traced to jalapeño peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors. The outbreak spans 27 states with 345 infections and 36 hospitalizations; Chipotle and Qdoba have removed the peppers from affected restaurants. Health officials say there is no ongoing risk after product removal. The CDC, FDA, and Coast Citrus are coordinating recalls and investigations.
The US has imposed a 15% tariff and set minimum import prices on polysilicon and related products, effective in December, to protect domestic chip and solar supply chains. The order includes anti-stockpiling powers and directs incentives for new US polysilicon production. China has criticised the move and warned it will protect its firms.
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $567 million into an abatement fund and to change product features for young users, adding to a $375 million jury award from March and bringing Meta’s total liability in the case to $942 million. The bulk of the new fund — $420 million — is allocated for youth mental-health treatment; other measures include limits on notifications and enhanced age-assurance steps.
Trump-endorsed Rep. Andy Ogles has lost the Republican primary in Tennessee's 5th district to former agricultural commissioner Charlie Hatcher. The result follows a slate of primary upsets as Trump-backed candidates see mixed outcomes in several states.
A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million in the second phase of a landmark case, expanding penalties for harming children’s mental health. The ruling requires stronger age verification, reduced addictive features, and mandatory safety notices on Facebook and Instagram, with $420 million set for treatment services and the remainder for awareness, prevention and screening. Meta plans to appeal.
A digest of recent car industry moves: Rivian adds captain’s chairs in updated models; Ford explores new sub-$30k entry crossovers and a cheaper four-door pickup; 2026 cancellations signal potential discounts; rear-camera glitches prompt safety concerns; Mazda explores a new EV-based 6e with long range.
AP reports Alabama’s primaries align with newly drawn maps after a Supreme Court decision forced redistricting. Republican and Democratic candidates compete in multiple districts, with Democrats defending incumbents while Republicans seek seats in a reconfigured landscape.
South Carolina's Republican primary has produced a crowded field after the death of Lindsey Graham. Darline Graham advances to a runoff with several rivals, including Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, as Trump endorses multiple candidates. The race shapes the path to November.
Paramount has signalled it may relocate operations if California AG Rob Bonta does not settle his antitrust lawsuit blocking the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Ellison has outlined an October relocation plan, with potential moves to Tennessee, Texas or Georgia. Regulators in the US and UK have been watching closely as litigation and settlements shape the deal.
Muslim public officials face rising anti-Muslim rhetoric from some Republican figures after Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan primary win. CAIR warns that such rhetoric targets Muslim officials nationwide, while other Republicans condemn the tone amid a charged political climate.
Three inmates in Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma are scheduled for lethal injections, marking a surge in U.S. executions. Florida leads in 2025-26 activity, with experts citing political influence and evolving protocols as drivers. The events come after a 2010 triple-execution and concern over IV-line issues during Tennessee’s prior attempt.
Three executions have taken place on Thursday across Tennessee, Oklahoma and Alabama, marking a rare triple hit in the United States as authorities execute inmates for long-ago crimes. The day reflects a trend toward higher annual execution totals in recent years, with Florida and other states previously carrying out multiple executions in a single day.