President Donald Trump announced a $22 billion plan to renovate Dulles International Airport. The project will build new terminals and remove the airport’s current shuttle system called the “people mover.”
Key Facts
The renovation budget is $22 billion.
The project will include new airport terminals.
The airport’s “people mover” shuttle system will be removed.
President Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office.
He said the airport is unpleasant for all travelers, regardless of political views.
The announcement was made on a Wednesday.
The plan aims to improve the overall experience at Dulles International Airport.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Indie singer Noah Kahan criticized President Trump for using his song "American Cars" in a White House Instagram post without permission. Kahan said he would not approve his music being used to support the current administration.
Key Facts
Noah Kahan is an indie singer.
The White House used Kahan’s song “American Cars” in an Instagram post.
The post was captioned “Made in America is BACK.”
Kahan commented that he never approved the use of his song.
He expressed disapproval of his music being linked to President Trump’s administration.
The issue highlights artists’ concerns about how their music is used in politics.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump asked lawmakers to change a bill that puts sanctions on Russia and to give him special powers to impose tariffs on Iran. This request may make it harder for the bill to pass in the House of Representatives. Some Democrats support the bill but worry about the broad tariff powers it would give the president.
Key Facts
President Trump wants revisions to a Russia sanctions bill.
He is asking for authority to impose tariffs on Iran.
The bill is moving toward a vote in the House of Representatives.
Democrats mostly support the sanctions bill.
Some Democrats are concerned about the wide tariff powers in the bill.
The bill is named after Senator Lindsey Graham.
The new demands could delay or complicate the bill’s passage.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge is reviewing a request to stop the transfer of transgender women inmates into a separate prison unit after a court order required they be housed in women’s facilities. The inmates’ lawyer says this transfer violates their rights and harms their health, while government lawyers argue the transfers follow the judge’s order.
Key Facts
A judge issued an order saying transgender women inmates must be housed in women’s prisons or halfway houses.
The Trump administration signed an executive order requiring inmates to be housed by biological sex and halting gender-affirming care.
Several transgender women were transferred to a segregated unit in a Texas prison instead of women’s facilities.
The inmates’ lawyer says this segregation violates their constitutional rights and worsens gender dysphoria, a distress caused by a mismatch between gender identity and assigned sex.
The judge has not yet decided whether to block the transfers or return inmates to the general women’s population.
Government lawyers say the transfers don’t break the court order because inmates don’t have to be housed with other women or share common areas.
They also argue the inmates must first use prison complaint procedures before going to court.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump announced plans to expand and improve Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. The project will renovate existing facilities, add new spaces, replace old transportation systems, and include more shops and services. The government and airlines will finance the $22.5 billion project, which still requires some approvals.
Key Facts
President Trump revealed plans to overhaul and expand Dulles International Airport outside Washington.
The airport will add or renovate more than 5 million square feet of space.
The current "C" and "D" concourses will be replaced.
A new 32,000-space parking garage will be built closer to the airport.
The airport will replace the "people movers" system with an air train.
New restaurants, shops, and a large United Polaris lounge will be added.
The project will cost about $22.5 billion, funded by bonds and airlines like United.
The plan still needs some approvals from Congress before moving forward.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Todd Blanche’s chance to become the permanent US attorney general is uncertain because a key Republican senator wants written proof that a $1.8 billion fund connected to a legal settlement is no longer active. The Senate judiciary committee will vote soon on Blanche’s nomination, but some senators have concerns about parts of the agreement involving President Trump and his family.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is currently acting US attorney general and was President Trump’s personal lawyer.
The Senate judiciary committee will vote on whether to confirm Blanche permanently.
Senator John Cornyn, a key Republican swing vote, wants written assurance that a $1.8 billion fund is canceled before supporting Blanche.
The fund was part of a deal to resolve a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS over leaked tax returns.
The agreement included immunity from tax audits for Trump, his family, and businesses for documents filed before the deal.
The fund and the immunity clause have caused bipartisan criticism and concerns about fairness.
Blanche said the department is ending the fund but has not provided written proof.
Cornyn also wants clarity that the tax audit immunity does not apply to future cases or people outside the settlement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A key Republican senator, John Cornyn, is delaying the vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. Cornyn wants more written assurances from the Justice Department about a settlement that protects President Donald Trump and his family from certain tax audits. This delay could block the Senate Judiciary Committee from moving Blanche's nomination forward.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is nominated for attorney general and is currently acting in that role.
Senator John Cornyn is a significant Republican vote who has paused his support due to concerns about a Trump-related IRS settlement.
The settlement protects President Trump and his family from some tax audits.
Cornyn canceled a scheduled meeting with Blanche over these concerns.
Another Republican senator, Thom Tillis, supports Cornyn’s position.
The Senate Judiciary Committee planned to vote on Blanche’s nomination on Thursday.
If even one Republican opposes, the nomination could fail to advance.
Blanche replaced Pam Bondi, who was fired in April.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump answered questions from reporters at the White House on topics including the conflict in Iran, Dr. Anthony Fauci’s use of the Fifth Amendment at a recent hearing, and artificial intelligence. After the president’s remarks, a CBS News correspondent discussed Mr. Trump’s plans to change Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to reporters at the White House.
He addressed questions about the situation in Iran.
He discussed Dr. Anthony Fauci invoking the Fifth Amendment during a Capitol Hill hearing.
The president also talked about artificial intelligence (AI).
A CBS News transportation correspondent discussed Trump’s proposed changes to Dulles International Airport.
The airport is located outside Washington, D.C.
The event and discussion were covered by CBS News.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Todd Blanche, the interim U.S. Attorney General, is facing doubts from Republican Senator John Cornyn about his confirmation to lead the Department of Justice. Concerns focus on Blanche’s handling of a controversial IRS settlement and the creation of a fund seen as favoring President Trump’s allies.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche has been acting Attorney General since April and was previously deputy attorney general.
Senator John Cornyn expressed he is not ready to support Blanche’s confirmation.
Blanche brokered a May settlement protecting President Trump and his family from future IRS audits.
The settlement also included an “anti-weaponisation fund” for individuals claiming political persecution, which faced bipartisan criticism.
Blanche has since backed away from the fund after a federal judge ruled the settlement illegal.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plans a vote on Blanche’s nomination, needing Republican support to advance.
Cornyn, a critic of Trump recently, will leave the Senate in January and lost Trump’s endorsement in a primary last May.
President Trump defended Blanche and questioned Cornyn’s motives in opposing the nomination.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical adviser to the White House, attended a Senate hearing where Republican members criticized his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci declined to answer some questions during the several-hour-long session, which included discussions about possible contempt charges against him.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci served as chief medical adviser to the White House and led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years.
A Senate hearing focused on Fauci’s role in the government’s COVID-19 response.
Republican senators used the hearing to express strong criticism and question Fauci’s actions during the pandemic.
Fauci refused to answer some questions during the hearing.
Some senators threatened to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.
The hearing lasted for several hours with intense discussions.
The event reflects ongoing political debates about how the government managed the COVID-19 crisis.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import of many foreign-made mobile robots, including humanoid and four-legged robots, due to national security risks. The ban mainly targets new models of robots that have advanced sensors, network connectivity, and AI, especially those made in China, but also applies to some robots from allied countries.
Key Facts
The FCC added "foreign-produced advanced robotic devices" to the list of technologies banned for import.
The ban targets mobile robots that can move on the ground autonomously or via remote control.
Robots must have sensors, network connections, and AI software to be included in the ban.
The ban covers robots mainly produced by Chinese companies but also affects some robots from Japan, South Korea, and Germany.
Robots weighing less than 4.4 pounds, like robotic toys, are exempt.
Existing robots already approved or owned in the U.S. can still be used, but new models after the ban are blocked.
Medical robots, drones, trains, and fixed industrial robots are not included in the ban.
The U.S. Department of Defense can exempt certain foreign robots if deemed safe for national security.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared at a US Senate hearing led by Republican Senator Rand Paul to discuss the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fauci declined to answer questions by invoking his Fifth Amendment rights, which protect against self-incrimination, leading to strong disagreements and threats of legal action from the senators.
Key Facts
The hearing focused on whether Covid-19 began as a “lab leak” from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Senator Rand Paul accused Fauci of being possibly responsible for the pandemic due to NIH funding linked to the institute.
Fauci, who advised both President Trump and President Biden during the pandemic, refused to answer questions citing his Fifth Amendment rights.
Fauci has testified at Senate hearings many times before but chose not to answer this time on his lawyers’ advice.
A group of 155 scientists defended Fauci, calling the accusations against him baseless and unsupported by evidence.
The hearing included debate over whether Fauci can use the Fifth Amendment after receiving a presidential pardon.
Senator Paul said he plans to push for a vote to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify.
Another senator, Josh Hawley, said Fauci has no Fifth Amendment rights in this context because it is a congressional investigation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Lawyers for James Comey, former FBI director, say U.S. prosecutors left out important information and included false details in a case against him. The case involves an Instagram post Comey made showing seashells arranged as “86 47,” which prosecutors say is a coded threat against President Donald Trump; Comey denies this.
Key Facts
James Comey was charged in April for sharing a seashell photo on Instagram that showed “86 47.”
Prosecutors claim “86 47” is a coded message suggesting harm to President Trump, the 47th president.
“86” is slang meaning “get rid of” or “throw out.”
Comey’s lawyers say the government ignored key evidence that did not support their case.
The defense argues the case is politically motivated retaliation by the Trump administration.
Comey faces charges of threatening the president and sending a threat across state lines.
If convicted, Comey could face up to 10 years in prison.
There have been other legal cases targeting Trump critics, such as New York Attorney General Letitia James and former National Security Advisor John Bolton.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Polls from July 2026 show that most Americans think the U.S. economy is doing badly and are worried about rising prices. Many expect the economy to get worse over the next year, especially with higher costs for things like gas, food, and housing.
Key Facts
Only 23% of Americans said the economy is good, while 77% said it is poor or bad.
Inflation grew by 3.5% in June compared to last year, slightly lower than 4.2% the month before.
Majorities are very concerned about costs for healthcare (69%), food and goods (66%), housing (64%), gasoline (56%), and electricity (54%).
Concern about gasoline prices rose from 34% in January to 56% in July.
Democrats show more worry about costs than Republicans, especially about healthcare and housing.
Two-thirds of Americans say groceries are unaffordable, up from 45% before the conflict in Iran started.
Most Americans expect the economy to get worse: 48% said it will decline, while only 20% think it will improve.
Many voters say inflation causes financial hardship, with about one-third calling it severe.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll shows that President Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 32 percent among all registered voters. The poll also indicates that President Trump is losing support from some Republican voters amid ongoing concerns about the Iran war and challenges to the U.S. economy.
Key Facts
President Trump’s overall approval rating is now 32 percent.
The poll was conducted by Quinnipiac University.
Support for President Trump is dropping among Republican voters.
The decline in approval is linked to the months-long conflict with Iran.
Economic difficulties in the U.S. may be affecting voter opinions.
The poll reflects the views of registered voters nationwide.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Pentagon created a new way to count U.S. military deaths and injuries related to recent fighting with Iran. This change is connected to the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury, and it involves removing some service members who died or were hurt from previous official counts.
Key Facts
The Pentagon announced a new category for tallying U.S. military casualties in conflicts involving Iran.
This change is linked to the end of a military effort called Operation Epic Fury.
Four U.S. service members died in recent fighting against Iran.
Dozens of service members were injured in the same conflict.
These deaths and injuries were removed from the Pentagon's previous casualty counts.
The new system clarifies how the Department of Defense reports casualties from renewed fighting.
The Pentagon aims for clearer tracking of military harms in conflicts with Iran.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Wyoming is facing a shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYNs), particularly in Casper, the state’s second-largest city. The number of OB-GYNs there has dropped from six to two, making work schedules very demanding and causing delays in non-urgent care like annual exams. This shortage reflects wider problems in Wyoming’s maternity care system, worsened by hospital closures and workforce challenges.
Key Facts
Casper, Wyoming, had six OB-GYNs but now only has two serving around 80,000 people.
The two remaining OB-GYNs cover emergency room calls nearly every other day.
Non-urgent services such as annual exams are often delayed due to emergency care demands.
Four Wyoming hospitals have closed labor and delivery units since 2022, leaving 16 birthing hospitals statewide.
Wyoming’s rural setting makes it harder to recruit OB-GYNs and maintain delivery services.
Nearly 150 rural U.S. labor and delivery units have closed or plan to close since 2020.
More than 35% of U.S. counties are considered “maternity care deserts,” areas with little or no access to maternity care.
Despite legislative attention, Wyoming’s maternity care shortages remain a serious concern.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Wisconsin judge ruled that voters who have already sent in their absentee ballots for the state primary cannot cancel those ballots and ask for a new one. This decision affects the ongoing governor’s primary and was made after Democrats asked for voters to have the chance to change their ballots due to changes in the race.
Key Facts
The judge ruled that Wisconsin law does not allow voters to “spoil” (cancel) an absentee ballot once it has been returned.
Democrats had filed a lawsuit seeking to let voters change their ballots because some candidates had dropped out after ballots were sent.
Over 117,000 absentee ballots had already been returned by the time of the ruling.
The ruling is expected to be appealed as voting continues in the state’s governor primary.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission had told local clerks that absentee ballots cannot be changed once returned.
The ruling follows past legal battles over ballot spoiling in Wisconsin, including a 2022 lawsuit from a Republican group.
The winner of the Democratic primary will likely face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in the November general election.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers is not running for a third term.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer asked Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to stay in the Senate Democratic caucus. Schumer praised Fetterman as a good congress member, despite some disagreements between Fetterman and progressive Democrats.
Key Facts
Chuck Schumer is the Senate Democratic Leader from New York.
Senator John Fetterman represents Pennsylvania.
Schumer wants Fetterman to remain part of the Senate Democratic caucus.
There are tensions between Fetterman and progressive members of the Democratic Party.
Schumer described Fetterman as a “very good” member of Congress.
The request to stay came during a public statement on Wednesday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Harvey Levin, founder of TMZ, defended Dr. Anthony Fauci after Republicans criticized him during a Senate hearing. Levin expressed his support for Fauci publicly, highlighting Fauci’s service in public health.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci is a top infectious disease expert in the U.S.
Fauci faced attacks from Republican senators during a Senate hearing.
Harvey Levin, who started TMZ, spoke out in favor of Fauci.
Levin shared his support on TMZ’s YouTube channel.
This defense was notable because Levin rarely shares personal opinions on that platform.
The hearing was described as tense and contentious.
Fauci has been a prominent figure during health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
