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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
New York City officials have made public thousands of documents about air quality at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks. These files show that toxic air concerns lasted for months, even though officials told the public the air was safe.
Key Facts
The city launched an online portal with over 170,000 documents from government agencies about post-9/11 air quality and health risks.
The records include 68 boxes of documents, the Harding Memo, and files about World Trade Center 7.
Asbestos was still found around Ground Zero at least 10 months after the attacks.
Officials previously assured the public the air was safe, despite evidence to the contrary.
The Harding Memo, written weeks after 9/11, warned about possible lawsuits from toxic air exposure.
Lawsuits by 9/11 Health Watch over access to information were recently settled.
Some reports showed asbestos levels below safety limits; others showed higher levels but lacked full explanations.
The city will add more documents over time and hire staff to help people prove their exposure to get compensation.
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A recent poll shows that Democratic candidates have increased their support among Latino voters in key House districts. This change could influence which party controls Congress after the 2024 elections.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by Hart Research and TelevisaUnivision.
It focused on Latino voters in competitive, or battleground, House districts.
Democrats now have a 58% lead on the generic congressional ballot in these areas.
Latino voters are one of the fastest-growing groups in these districts.
The poll results suggest Latino voters could be a decisive factor in the 2024 congressional elections.
Control of Congress depends partly on voter support in these swing districts.
The poll was shared with the news outlet Axios.
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Lonnie Bunch, the leader of the Smithsonian Institution, said he will retire later this year. His decision follows several months of disagreements with the White House under President Donald Trump's administration about how American history is shown at the Smithsonian.
Key Facts
Lonnie Bunch is the Secretary (head) of the Smithsonian Institution.
He plans to retire later in 2024.
Bunch had clashes with the White House led by President Donald Trump.
The disagreements were about how American history should be presented at the Smithsonian.
The Smithsonian will face a leadership change because of his retirement.
The Trump administration has been pushing to change the way the Smithsonian tells America's story.
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President Donald Trump promised to lower mortgage rates to around 2 percent if elected in 2024. However, mortgage rates have generally remained high, rising to 6.71 percent by September 2025, partly due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and inflation. These higher rates make it harder for homeowners to move or refinance their homes.
Key Facts
President Trump promised to reduce mortgage rates to pandemic-era lows near 2 percent during his 2024 presidential campaign.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.09 percent when Trump made this pledge in September 2024.
When Trump returned to office in January 2025, mortgage rates were about 6.96 percent.
Rates peaked at 7.79 percent in October 2023 after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to control inflation.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times in 2025, which helped lower mortgage rates temporarily.
By September 2025, mortgage rates rose back to 6.71 percent, the highest since July 2025.
The war with Iran and higher oil prices contributed to inflation and pushed mortgage rates up again.
Higher mortgage rates discourage homeowners from selling or refinancing, lowering the number of homes available for sale.
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Lonnie Bunch III, the leader of the Smithsonian Institution, said he will retire. His decision comes as President Trump’s administration has disagreed with how the Smithsonian shows American history.
Key Facts
Lonnie Bunch III is the Smithsonian Institution’s first Black leader.
He is also the founder of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Bunch is 73 years old.
He announced his retirement on Tuesday.
The Trump administration has had disputes with the Smithsonian about how it presents American history.
The Smithsonian is a major group of museums and research centers.
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President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to limit the use of mail-in ballots in elections. An election law expert, David Becker, explained that the President’s legal authority to change mail voting rules is limited by current laws.
Key Facts
President Trump requested the Supreme Court to restrict mail-in voting.
The request is part of his ongoing legal battles about election rules.
David Becker, an election law expert, provided analysis on the case.
Becker said the President does not have broad power to change mail voting rules on his own.
Mail-in voting allows people to vote by mail instead of going to polling places.
Election laws set the rules for how voting, including mail-in ballots, is handled.
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Fox News updated its forecast for the 2024 midterm elections, showing Democrats with a slight edge in the race to control the House of Representatives. Democrats are favored in 212 districts, Republicans in 206, and 17 races are still too close to call. The election results will decide which party controls the House and Senate during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Key Facts
Democrats currently lead in 212 House districts; Republicans lead in 206; 17 districts are toss-ups.
A party needs 218 seats to control the House of Representatives.
Midterm elections usually lead to losses for the party holding the presidency.
President Trump is actively campaigning to help Republicans win key races.
The Senate race is very close, with Democrats holding 53 seats and Republicans 47.
Fox News moved Ohio’s 7th District from likely Republican to toss-up after allegations were made against Republican Max Miller.
Miller denies the allegations and remains in the race despite calls to resign.
The outcome of these elections will reflect the political climate in President Trump’s current term.
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Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is running for a second full term but faces a strong challenge in the Democratic primary from Helena Buonanno Foulkes. Voters in Rhode Island are also selecting candidates for many other federal, state, and local offices.
Key Facts
Dan McKee became governor in March 2021 after Gina Raimondo left to join the U.S. government.
McKee won a wide victory in the 2022 election for governor.
He is now at risk of losing his party’s nomination, which has not happened to an elected governor since 2014 in the US and since 1994 in Rhode Island.
His main challenger is Helena Buonanno Foulkes, a former top executive at CVS, a Rhode Island-based company.
In the 2022 Democratic primary, Foulkes came in a close second to McKee in a race with five candidates.
Foulkes is related to Chris Dodd, a former Democratic senator from Connecticut.
Rhode Island voters are also choosing nominees for many other government positions this election cycle.
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A trial for Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children in Massachusetts, ended with a deadlocked jury and a mistrial. Clancy’s lawyer asked President Donald Trump to consider giving her a pardon, though the case is under state law where the president does not have direct pardon power.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy was charged with killing her three young children in January 2023.
The trial ended in a mistrial because the jury could not agree on a verdict.
Clancy’s lawyer asked President Trump to consider pardoning her.
President Trump described the case as a “tragedy” and “a shame.”
Clancy’s defense said she suffered from postpartum psychosis, a severe mental illness after childbirth.
A forensic psychiatrist testified that Clancy was psychotic at the time of the killings.
Jurors were mostly in favor of a not guilty verdict, but couldn’t reach a unanimous decision.
The judge’s mistrial ruling means Clancy could face another trial.
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Amy Acton, who is running for governor in Ohio as a Democrat, thanked first responders after a man tried to attack her. The attack also injured several other people.
Key Facts
Amy Acton is a Democratic candidate for Ohio governor.
A man attempted to attack Amy Acton during a public event.
Several other people were hurt in the attack.
Acton publicly thanked first responders who helped after the incident.
The event was reported by CBS News journalist Ash-har Quraishi.
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Vice President JD Vance has said that the Iran War is not a war. This statement has caused reactions because it differs from common understanding about wars.
Key Facts
JD Vance is the current Vice President of the United States.
He stated that the Iran War should not be called a war.
The Iran War generally refers to military actions involving the U.S. and Iran.
Wars are usually defined as armed conflicts between nations or groups.
Some people disagree with Vance’s statement about the Iran War.
The statement has led to debate among veterans and officials.
Vance served as a Marine before becoming Vice President.
The article suggests Vance’s claim affects his relationship with fellow Marines.
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The trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children, ended in a mistrial because the jury could not agree on a verdict. Her lawyer hopes to reach a deal with prosecutors and has asked President Donald Trump to consider pardoning her.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is accused of murdering her three children: Cora, Dawson, and Callan.
The jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a mistrial.
One juror believed Clancy was guilty despite having some doubt.
The jury considered charges ranging from not guilty by reason of insanity to first-degree murder.
The defense lawyer wants to negotiate a resolution with the prosecutors.
The lawyer has publicly requested President Donald Trump to consider granting Clancy a pardon.
The case is taking place in Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
The judge asked the jury multiple times to try to reach an agreement before declaring the mistrial.
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Millions of Social Security recipients may get about $75 more per month in 2027 if the forecasted cost-of-living increase happens. This increase is meant to help benefits keep up with rising prices for everyday needs like food and housing.
Key Facts
The projected increase, called the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), could be between 3.5% and 3.6% for 2027.
Last year’s COLA was 2.8%, so this would be a bigger increase.
The average monthly benefit might go up from about $2,086 to around $2,161.
The exact increase depends on each person’s current payment amount.
Inflation and global factors, like conflicts and climate issues, are pushing prices higher.
The final COLA will be officially announced by the Social Security Administration in October 2026.
Social Security benefits make up the main income for many retirees.
Experts say retirees should consider their own costs for things like health care and housing, which may rise faster than general inflation.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche will speak at a memorial event at the Department of Justice on September 11, 2024. The event honors the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in 2001, as the accused mastermind of the attacks faces legal proceedings.
Key Facts
Attorney General Todd Blanche is leading a 9/11 memorial event at the DOJ headquarters.
The event marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who claims to be behind the attacks, has been ordered to stand trial.
The attacks targeted the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C.
The DOJ is highlighting the anniversary with this official ceremony.
This event reflects ongoing legal and memorial activities related to 9/11.
The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, shortly before the anniversary date.
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Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, survivors and first responders continue to face health problems. Many struggle with ongoing physical illnesses and mental health issues related to the events of that day.
Key Facts
The 9/11 terror attacks occurred on September 11, 2001.
Survivors and first responders were exposed to harmful dust and trauma during the attacks.
Many have long-term physical health problems, such as respiratory diseases.
Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and PTSD affect many survivors and responders.
Health struggles continue even 25 years after the attacks.
Programs exist to provide medical care and support for these individuals.
The health effects are a lasting consequence of the 9/11 tragedy.
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The article compares the behavior and conflicts in President Donald Trump’s Republican Party to the drama seen in the Reality TV show "The Real Housewives." It shows how loyalty, public feuds, and social status in Trump’s GOP resemble the personal and public disputes played out on the TV series.
Key Facts
"The Real Housewives of New York City" TV show returned to Bravo with Carole Radziwill rejoining the cast.
The show focuses on loyalty, betrayal, and social rank among its cast members, which the article compares to politics in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump, a former reality TV star, is said to understand these personal and public conflicts well.
GOP members’ loyalty and status shifts can be public and intense, similar to the show’s drama.
Examples include politicians like Liz Cheney losing her leadership role after opposing Trump, and Marjorie Taylor Greene losing Trump’s support after disagreeing with him.
Social media and “receipts” (proof like texts and screenshots) play a big role in both Housewives drama and GOP disputes.
Politicians can be exiled, return, or switch sides just like reality TV cast members.
While the comparison is not perfect, the article suggests reality TV offers a useful lens to understand political conflicts today.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is using polygraph tests to find military and civilian leakers at the Pentagon amid reports of weapon shortages and poor conditions in the U.S. war effort. President Trump supports this crackdown on leaks, while media outlets continue to report on problems related to the war and Pentagon secrecy.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is giving polygraph tests to about 50 people at the Pentagon to find leakers.
This is an unusual and large-scale use of polygraph tests in the Pentagon.
President Trump publicly supports hunting down leakers and threatens long jail terms.
Reports have highlighted shortages of U.S. weapons and poor conditions on an aircraft carrier.
Hegseth has limited reporters’ access to the Pentagon and stopped holding news briefings on the war.
Some Pentagon journalists have been fired, and “influencers” promoting pro-Trump messages have been brought in.
The war's unpopularity has lowered President Trump’s approval ratings ahead of the midterm elections.
Media and freedom of the press groups emphasize that leaks can reveal important information and serve the public interest.
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Patrick Clancy’s lawyer has publicly asked people to stop spreading false claims against him related to the death of his three children. Lindsay Clancy, his ex-wife, was on trial accused of killing their children but the trial ended in a mistrial because the jury couldn’t decide.
Key Facts
Patrick Clancy is the father of three children who died, and his ex-wife Lindsay Clancy is accused of killing them.
Lindsay Clancy was charged with first-degree murder and pleaded not guilty.
Her lawyer said she had postpartum psychosis, a rare mental illness, when the children died.
The trial lasted about six weeks in Plymouth Superior Court, Massachusetts.
The jury could not agree on a verdict, so the judge declared a mistrial.
Patrick Clancy’s attorney says he and his family are victims of widespread false accusations on social media.
The attorney warned that those spreading these false claims may face legal actions.
The case has brought attention to postpartum mental health and its serious effects.
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President Donald Trump’s administration has asked the Supreme Court to review rules about mail-in voting. Election law expert David Becker provided an update on the legal situation.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to decide on mail-in voting restrictions.
The case involves rules that affect how people can vote by mail.
David Becker, an expert in election law, explained the status of the legal fight.
The request to the Supreme Court means the issue is still active in the courts.
This is part of ongoing debates about voting methods in U.S. elections.
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President Donald Trump posthumously gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, who died saving lives during the 9/11 attacks. The award was presented to Crowther’s family at an event marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Key Facts
Welles Crowther was an equities trader and volunteer firefighter.
He died during the 9/11 attacks while saving others.
President Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom after his death.
The award ceremony took place ahead of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Crowther’s mother and sister received the Medal of Freedom on his behalf.
The event was called Steel Across America, which remembers the 9/11 anniversary.
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