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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The U.S. government has released a new $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump’s image, marking 250 years of American heritage. Although there are laws from the 1800s that generally ban living people from appearing on U.S. currency, this coin has been approved and is now available for purchase.
Key Facts
The new $1 coin shows President Donald Trump’s face and commemorates 250 years of American history.
The U.S. has had a rule since 1866 that living people cannot appear on paper money, but this rule is less clear for coins.
The coin is made of zinc, manganese, nickel, and copper, and looks gold but is not.
About 9 million coins are being produced, sold at about $2.44 each in packs of 25.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent compared the coin to one with President Calvin Coolidge’s image made for America’s 150th birthday.
Some experts and lawmakers say the coin may break the law or norms about living people on currency.
A court case trying to stop the coin was rejected because the plaintiff did not show personal harm, so the coin’s legality remains uncertain.
A group of Democrats asked the Treasury to stop the coin’s release, citing a 2005 law about presidents on coins.
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A study from Columbia University found that children of 9/11 responders with PTSD are more likely to have mental health problems like anxiety and depression. The study shows that trauma experienced by parents at the World Trade Center site may affect their children’s mental health even years later.
Key Facts
The study involved 270 adult children from 176 families, all under 18 during 9/11.
Children whose parents had PTSD after 9/11 reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, panic, and some showed PTSD symptoms.
Parental exposure to the disaster, such as working earlier or longer at the site and exposure to human remains, increased the children’s risk of mental health issues.
Children of rescue or cleanup workers had more struggles than children of police officers.
Police officers often have more training and community support to handle trauma, unlike many rescue and cleanup workers.
Trauma may affect children through changes in the home environment, parenting, and communication, as well as worries about the parent’s health.
Experts say trauma can pass across generations through family relationships and parents’ ability to manage emotions.
This study is unique because it focuses only on 9/11 responders and their families.
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House Democratic leaders are upset with two Democratic members, Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who voted with Republicans on a procedural rule. This rule allowed Republican-backed bills to move forward, including one related to voting laws and another protecting Maine’s lobster industry.
Key Facts
Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez voted with Republicans on a House procedural rule.
The vote was very close, 210 to 208, and their support was crucial for the rule to pass.
House Democratic leaders say this broke trust because the two did not warn the party beforehand.
The rule lets the House bring certain Republican-backed bills to the floor for discussion.
One bill condemns socialism and supports a voting law linked to President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Another bill, supported by Golden, protects Maine’s lobster industry from federal regulations.
Democratic leaders had recently been focused on fighting criticism from the party’s left wing.
This incident shows tension within the Democratic Party between different members' positions.
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The Justice Department supports the Pentagon's decision to fire three Stars and Stripes employees who are accused of disobeying orders. The DOJ denies allegations that these firings are retaliation for critical news reports about the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Key Facts
The Pentagon plans to dismiss three staff members from Stars and Stripes, a news outlet for the military.
The employees face allegations of insubordination, meaning they did not follow orders.
There are claims that the firings are a response to the outlet's reporting on problems aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The Justice Department defends the Pentagon's actions and rejects the idea that the firings are about punishing news coverage.
The staffers involved include publisher Max Lederer, Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin, and reporter Lara (last name not provided).
Stars and Stripes provides news to military personnel and often reports on military issues.
The controversy centers around balancing military discipline and the press's role in reporting information.
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Democrat James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton are tied at 50% each in a Texas U.S. Senate race, according to a recent poll. This race is one of the closest and most important for the 2026 midterm elections as Democrats aim to win a seat Texas has not given them since 1988.
Key Facts
James Talarico (Democrat) and Ken Paxton (Republican) are tied at 50% in a new poll by Overton Strategies.
Texas has been a Republican stronghold, and no Democrat has won a Senate seat there since 1988.
Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary.
Recent polls mostly show Talarico with a slight lead or a close race.
Control of the U.S. Senate could be affected by this race in the 2026 midterms.
The same poll shows a close race for Texas governor between Republican Greg Abbott (51%) and Democrat Gina Hinojosa (49%).
Both Democratic and Republican parties are expected to invest heavily in these Texas races before Election Day.
Political analysts rate the Senate race as a tossup, while the governor race is considered likely Republican.
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Police responded to an emergency at Westwood Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia, on the morning of September 2, 2026. All students, teachers, and staff were safely evacuated, and families were reunited at a nearby church. Authorities have not shared details about the emergency.
Key Facts
The emergency occurred at Westwood Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia.
Students, teachers, and staff were evacuated safely.
The exact nature of the emergency was not disclosed by the police.
Emergency vehicles were seen outside the school during the incident.
Families and students were reunited at a local church.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger was monitoring the situation.
Waynesboro is located about 96 miles northwest of Richmond.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office provided official information on the event.
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The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a father can decide if his daughter can attend a specific evangelical church after a dispute with the mother. The court supported the lower court’s decision, which said the church’s teachings were harming the child’s mental health.
Key Facts
A court in Maine gave a father the right to restrict his daughter’s attendance at Calvary Chapel Greater Portland, an evangelical church.
The dispute involved the religious upbringing of the daughter, who was 11 years old in 2024.
The father claimed the church’s teachings caused his daughter anxiety and a panic attack, especially over the idea of “the rapture.”
The lower court ruled that some church language was psychologically harmful to the child, and this was upheld by the state’s highest court.
The father can decide if the daughter attends services or interacts with church members, except for the mother’s influence.
Both parents must share responsibility for other religious exposure, but if they disagree, the father’s choice prevails.
The mother’s lawyer plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying the ruling violates First Amendment religious freedom rights.
The father’s lawyer supports the decision and expects the case may reach the U.S. Supreme Court for its wider impact on religious freedom laws.
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Dan Driscoll is leaving his job as U.S. Army secretary after about 18 months. He did not say why he is stepping down but praised the Army and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his farewell message.
Key Facts
Dan Driscoll announced Wednesday will be his last day as U.S. Army secretary.
He did not explain the reason for his resignation.
Driscoll has connections with Vice President JD Vance and has worked well with members of both political parties.
There have been reports of tensions between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Some of Driscoll’s Army allies were removed from their positions by President Trump’s Pentagon leadership.
Driscoll helped push for faster development of drones and counter-drone systems.
He also worked as a negotiator aiming to help end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Driscoll’s exit leaves the Army without Senate-confirmed top civilian or military leaders during ongoing U.S. military actions.
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Apple has changed the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" for users of its Maps app in the United States, following a similar change by Google. This change happened after President Donald Trump ordered the renaming as part of his ongoing trade dispute with Canada.
Key Facts
Apple Maps shows "Lake America" for U.S. users, but people outside the U.S. still see "Lake Ontario."
President Trump issued an executive order directing the U.S. Interior Department to rename Lake Ontario.
Google Maps also updated the lake's name in the U.S. to "Lake America" following Trump’s order.
The original name, Lake Ontario, comes from a Huron Indigenous word meaning "lake of shining waters."
Canadian leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney, have rejected the name change.
Canada and the rest of the world will continue using "Lake Ontario" because the U.S. cannot force a name change there.
Last year, President Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the Gulf of America in U.S. maps.
Some map providers like MapQuest have not changed the name and allow users to keep or customize the lake’s name.
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A woman named Dawn Light was charged with intimidating jurors after she took photos of jury members outside the Plymouth courthouse during the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. Light, who says it was a misunderstanding, pleaded not guilty and was ordered to stay away from the courthouse and the trial participants.
Key Facts
Dawn Light, 56, was arrested for photographing jurors outside the Plymouth courthouse.
She was charged with aggravated intimidation of a juror.
Light’s lawyer said she was trying to take a picture of Lindsay Clancy, not the jurors.
The judge ordered Light to avoid the courthouse and anyone linked to the trial.
Prosecutors found juror photos on Light’s phone, including deleted images.
The judge has a strict ban on photographing or filming jurors during the trial.
Lindsay Clancy is charged with first-degree murder of her three children and denies the charges.
The jury has been deliberating since Thursday in the high-profile case.
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Senator Ed Markey won the Democratic primary in Massachusetts, beating Representative Seth Moulton to secure a chance for a third term. The race focused on differences in age, political views, and especially transgender rights.
Key Facts
Ed Markey is 80 years old and seeks his third term as U.S. Senator.
Seth Moulton, 47, challenged Markey, promoting the idea of generational change.
Markey argued that Moulton’s moderate views were less popular with voters than his own.
Transgender rights were a key issue in the race.
Markey criticized Moulton for saying he would not want his daughters to compete against transgender athletes.
Markey won the Democratic nomination in the Massachusetts Senate primary.
This victory allows Markey to run in the general election for his Senate seat.
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State authorities in Georgia are investigating after a police officer allegedly shot and killed a pet donkey named HeeHaw on a farm near Rockmart. The officer was searching for a missing person when the shooting happened, and the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
Key Facts
The incident occurred on August 30 around 12:45 a.m. at a farm near Rockmart, Georgia.
Police officers entered the pasture without notifying or getting permission from the donkey’s owner, Hannah Israel.
HeeHaw, the donkey, approached officers and was reportedly first targeted with a Taser before being shot.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting.
The Cedartown Police Chief confirmed the officer involved is on administrative leave during the investigation.
Officers were searching for a missing child at the time, who has since been found safe.
The farm owner has started a GoFundMe that has raised nearly $120,000 to cover legal fees and animal care.
The shooting has drawn large social media attention, with many people questioning the necessity of shooting the donkey.
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Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy said President Donald Trump chose her husband, Sean Duffy, as Transportation secretary because "that was all that’s left." This statement was made during an interview on a podcast hosted by Katie Miller.
Key Facts
Rachel Campos-Duffy is a Fox News host.
Sean Duffy, her husband, was appointed Transportation secretary by President Trump.
Campos-Duffy said the appointment happened because it was the remaining available position.
The interview took place on “The Katie Miller Podcast.”
Katie Miller is the wife of Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff.
The podcast discussion included questions about the conversation between the Duffys and President Trump.
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Rep. Troy Downing criticized President Donald Trump’s plan to pause tariffs on imported beef, saying the market has already been harmed. He suggested that reversing the decision may be difficult because the damage to the beef market is already done.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a plan to pause tariffs on beef imports.
Rep. Troy Downing, a Republican from Montana, spoke about this on NewsNation.
Downing said the market has already been affected by the tariff pause.
He indicated that GOP lawmakers might want the decision reversed.
The issue centers on the impact of tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods.
The pause aims to adjust trade rules around beef imports.
The comment reflects concerns about the beef industry's economic health.
The interview took place shortly after the tariff pause announcement.
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U.S. Representative Keith Self says the United States should focus on strengthening NATO and rebuilding its defense industry to stop Russian attacks in Europe. He believes that dealing with Russia is more urgent than concentrating only on possible conflicts with China.
Key Facts
Rep. Keith Self is a member of the U.S. Congress.
He suggests the U.S. should give priority to NATO, a military alliance in Europe and North America.
Self wants to rebuild the U.S. defense industry, which makes weapons and military equipment.
The goal is to prevent or stop Russia from being aggressive in Europe.
He thinks this is more important than focusing only on China.
This reflects current U.S. concerns about global security and military planning.
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Tiger Woods admitted to reckless driving after a crash. He said the accident happened because he was looking at his phone and changing the radio. As a result, his driver's license was suspended for five years.
Key Facts
Tiger Woods was involved in a car crash.
He admitted to reckless driving by pleading no contest.
Woods told police he was distracted by his phone and the radio.
The court suspended his driver's license for five years.
The charge he faced was reckless driving.
Pleading no contest means he accepted the punishment without admitting guilt.
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A federal appeals court ruled that a judge did not have the authority to overturn former soldier Bowe Bergdahl’s military conviction for desertion. This decision means Bergdahl’s court-martial conviction and sentence are now reinstated.
Key Facts
Bowe Bergdahl was convicted by a military court for leaving his post in Afghanistan in 2009.
He was captured by Taliban-linked forces and held for nearly five years.
Bergdahl’s conviction was vacated by a judge in 2023 due to a potential conflict of interest involving the military judge.
The appeals court said only military appellate courts can overturn court-martial convictions, not civilian district courts.
Bergdahl’s legal team argued his Fifth Amendment due-process rights were violated.
He pleaded guilty in 2017 to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy and was dishonorably discharged.
Bergdahl was released in a 2014 prisoner swap that exchanged him for five Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay.
President Donald Trump criticized the prisoner swap and had called for the death penalty for Bergdahl during his 2015 campaign.
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The U.S. Mint is selling a new $1 coin that features President Donald Trump’s face on one side and the Great Seal of the United States on the other. The coin was made to honor America’s 250th birthday and has sparked discussion because showing a living president on currency is usually not allowed.
Key Facts
The new $1 coin shows President Trump’s face on the “heads” side and the Great Seal of the United States on the “tails” side.
The design was approved by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by President Trump.
The coin honors 250 years of American history, from 1776 to 2026.
The coin includes the word “LIBERTY” above Trump’s face and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on the Great Seal side, a Latin phrase meaning “out of many, one.”
A roll of 25 coins costs $61, and a bag of 100 coins costs $154.50.
Some coins made on July 4th are marked specially to honor Independence Day.
Federal law normally does not allow living presidents to appear on U.S. currency, but special exceptions can be made by the treasury secretary.
Buyers can order up to two rolls or bags at first; this limit will increase after the first day of sales.
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Tarrant County, Texas, will have 92 fewer polling places in the November midterm elections compared to 2022, approved by a 3-2 Republican-limited vote. Supporters say the new plan focuses on better locations and accessibility, while opponents warn it may make voting harder for some people.
Key Facts
Tarrant County reduced polling places from 316 in 2022 to 224 for the 2024 midterms.
The decision was made by a 3-2 vote along party lines—Republicans approved, Democrats opposed.
Early voting locations will also drop slightly, from 50 to 47 sites.
Texas law lets counties decide how many polling sites to provide.
Officials say the new sites better meet accessibility and security standards.
The county uses a vote center system where any registered voter can vote at any location.
Critics say cutting sites harms convenience and disproportionately affects Black voters and other communities of color.
Over 100 people spoke against the cuts during an eight-hour public meeting, urging more polling places due to population growth.
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