Congress approved a $9 billion rescissions request eliminating $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), impacting NPR, PBS, and hundreds of local stations. This cuts federal support, leaving stations like KSUT in Colorado facing significant budget shortfalls (20%). The cuts disproportionately affect rural and...
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent anticipates extending the trade deadline with China beyond August 12th. Discussions in Stockholm next week will focus on extending a 90-day tariff suspension and broader issues. These include encouraging China to shift from manufacturing-heavy growth to a consumer economy, reducing reliance on sanctioned...
The United States Postal Service (USPS) celebrates its 250th anniversary this week with a new commemorative stamp designed by Chicago-based cartoonist Chris Ware. The sheet of 20 "Forever" stamps depicts a mail carrier's year, showcasing Ware's signature detailed style. The stamps, costing $15.60, will be available online and...
An extreme heat dome, caused by a bulge in the jet stream, will bring triple-digit temperatures to much of the US this week. Nearly 85 million Americans are already under heat warnings. Cities like Dallas and Kansas City will see heat indices exceeding 100°F, worsening existing droughts. ...
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes threatened to immediately imprison former President Jair Bolsonaro for violating a social media ban. Bolsonaro is on trial for allegedly plotting a coup. Moraes issued new restrictions, including a curfew, electronic monitoring, and communication bans, after Bolsonaro appeared in a video...
Award-winning gospel artist and New Orleans high school choir teacher Joshua Kagler, 38, was arrested on multiple felony charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. Charges include trafficking of children, indecent behavior with juveniles, rape, and sexual battery. The investigation stemmed from a complaint about sexually explicit...
Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., called for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files after the White House released 230,000 documents related to her father's assassination. This followed a statement from Bernice and her brother expressing grief and requesting respectful engagement with the released files. The...
A Venezuelan migrant, Cristian, deported to El Salvador against a court order, was unexpectedly exchanged to Venezuela in a prisoner swap deal. His lawyers are unable to locate him. The deal involved the release of 252 Venezuelan migrants from a Salvadoran prison in exchange for 10 US citizens...
Columbia University has disciplined over 70 students for participating in two pro-Palestinian protests. The university confirmed sanctions including probation, suspensions (one to three years), degree revocations, and expulsions. The disciplinary action follows the Trump administration's funding cuts and subsequent policy changes at Columbia, including adjustments to its disciplinary...
The U.S. and Indonesia agreed to a framework for a reciprocal trade agreement, aiming to significantly boost bilateral economic ties. Indonesia will eliminate nearly all tariffs on U.S. goods, while the U.S. will reciprocally reduce tariffs on Indonesian products. The agreement also tackles non-tariff barriers, addressing issues like...
