Public land-grant research university in Westwood, established 1881
House Republicans have advanced a 47-page reconciliation budget resolution that would steer roughly $60 billion toward the Iran war, add funds for intelligence, agriculture and election changes, and package parts of the SAVE America Act. Democrats have opposed the plan and more than 100 House Democrats have recorded votes to withhold military aid to Israel, exposing deep party divisions ahead of the midterms.
Elijah Bieniemy has been arrested in connection with a late-Sunday shooting in Ashburn, Virginia. Mia Bieniemy remains hospitalized after multiple gunshot wounds. Chiefs coach Eric Bieniemy is away from the team as the investigation continues; family privacy is being observed.
A narrative on how people turn to chatbots for emotional support, revealing risks and social shifts. Experts warn that reliance on AI may erode essential relationship skills as technology becomes more entwined with daily life.
A Spokane man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson after investigators traced the Old Trails Fire — the largest of three wildfires — to the spot where a witness saw a man crouched. The fires have destroyed about 700–1,100 structures, forced roughly 65,000–67,000 people to evacuate and have scorched thousands of acres; no deaths have been reported.
Firefighters have established containment lines around Spokane-area blazes, with cooler weather offering limited relief. Thousands remain evacuated as investigations probe arson and natural causes amid a record-breaking Northwest fire season.
The US Justice Department has found that Duke University School of Law used proxies for race in admissions, citing a probe that suggests Black or Hispanic applicants have a higher likelihood of admission than white or Asian applicants with the same credentials. The department seeks a voluntary settlement while Duke reviews the findings.
TBD
A series of reports shows Colorado marmots fattening up for winter as Fat Marmot Week launches to raise funds for long-running marmot research amid federal funding cuts. Last winter’s low snowpack increased marmot deaths and shifting social dynamics are visible in alpine colonies across the region.
The Gibbon Conservation Center in Santa Clarita has cared for about 40 gibbons across five species for five decades. Directors say captive breeding and research on vocalizations offer vital insights for conservation as habitat loss and wildlife trafficking threaten wild populations.
A review of mobility and balance assessments shows they indicate functional health and fall risk, not life expectancy. Tests like sit-to-stand and Timed Up and Go help identify weaknesses and guide care, while researchers note variability across populations.
Government data shows July arrests have risen sharply, continuing a months-long push toward mass deportations. Texas and Florida account for nearly 20,000 of the arrests, with ICE expanding its workforce as part of a multi-year crackdown.
Rains driven by El Niño have intensified at Bright Angel Creek, triggering a deadly flood near the Grand Canyon. The event follows drought and a megafire that scarred the area, with authorities warning debris flows and ongoing risk as crews assess damages.
Regulators have opened an audit into Tesla’s Cybercab self-certification after Austin deployments, as the company expands its steering-wheel-free robotaxi service. NHTSA is examining if the vehicle’s lack of traditional controls complies with FMVSS while Tesla argues it meets applicable standards.
OpenAI has solved the Navier–Stokes existence and smoothness problem, a Millennium Prize Problem, using a yet-unreleased AI model. The company says it has shown theoretical viability, while simulations have not indicated practical breakdowns in fluid dynamics.
The Department of Justice and Education Department have opened a joint investigation into the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, alleging that the admissions process discriminates on race and uses essay prompts to group applicants by identity. Berkeley says it complies with Prop. 209 and federal law, and will provide evidence of compliance. The probe follows a Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions and may impact future diversity policies in higher education.
Scientists have identified a 222‑metre‑wide, up to 43‑metre‑deep crater on the Moon formed in spring 2024 and first spotted in LRO images in 2025. The impact churned material across more than 100 km, produced a roughly 7‑km cold spot and has provided rare data scientists say will inform risk assessments for planned lunar bases.
Scientists have used tooth enamel chemistry to estimate Tyrannosaurus rex’s body temperature at about 36°C, placing it among warm‑blooded animals. The research, based on clumped isotope thermometry, is published in Science Advances and relies on enamel from three teeth from Hell Creek Formation fossils.
A California arbitration has held Uber liable for the actions of its driver, ruling the company is vicariously liable for a passenger-killing incident in Orange County. The arbitrator described Uber as more than a platform, and the award is not binding beyond this case.
A Novig campaign starring Sydney Sweeney has provoked athletes to push back after the actress appears nude or minimally clothed while posing with sports equipment. Competitors including Amy Hunt and Ariarne Titmus have posted training footage and criticised the ad for sexualising women and diverting attention from athletic achievement. Novig and Sweeney have defended the campaign.
Federal investigators have found that several U.S. medical schools discriminate in admissions by race, with Black and Hispanic applicants having higher acceptance odds than white and Asian applicants despite similar credentials. The findings cover UCLA, UC San Diego, and UCSF for classes from 2023–2025, and flag allegedly two-tier admissions that shift based on race. The case could lead to voluntary resolutions or legal action.
Protesters at UCLA mark the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, with SJP describing escalating Palestinian resistance. The event follows related talks at UC Berkeley and Claremont Colleges and ongoing campus tensions over Israel-Hamas coverage and safety.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has recognised Robert Hall and Michael Woodford for developing microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation, enabling policymakers to smooth business cycles. The prize highlights New Keynesian models that connect household and firm decisions to policy tools, with forward guidance becoming a central instrument.