united states news

Covered California officials announced a 10.3% average increase in health insurance premiums for 2024, the first double-digit hike since 2018. This increase stems from multiple factors, including annual healthcare cost growth (about 8%), the impending expiration of enhanced federal subsidies implemented during COVID-19, and market uncertainty. If Congress doesn't renew these subsidies by September, California will lose approximately $2.1 billion in tax credits that currently benefit over 90% of Affordable Care Act enrollees. While California has allocated $190 million to maintain subsidies for the lowest-income members, officials estimate that 600,000 people could drop coverage due to affordability concerns, potentially driving future costs even higher.

On the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Senator Alex Padilla introduced two bills to expand voting access: the Sustaining Our Democracy Act and the Expanding the VOTE Act. The Sustaining Our Democracy Act aims to fund improvements in election administration, secure voting systems, recruit poll workers, and increase voter access for underserved communities. Meanwhile, the Expanding the VOTE Act, co-led by Representative Nikema Williams, would ensure translated voting materials for the nearly 68 million U.S. residents who speak languages other than English. Both lawmakers emphasized these bills as necessary responses to what they describe as an "alarming surge of attacks on voting rights" across the country.

"Deceived," a psychological thriller based on the classic film "Gaslight," has premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego with a modernized script by co-adapters Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson. Set in 1901 London, the play follows newlywed Bella, whose husband Jack manipulates her into doubting her sanity through gaslighting tactics like suggesting she misplaces objects and experiences delusions. Director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg has created an intimate in-the-round staging with a talented diverse cast, featuring standout performances by Brittany Bellizeare as Bella and Travis Van Winkle as Jack, with comic relief provided by the housemaids portrayed by Maggie Carney and Kennedy Tolson. The production, running through September 7, features a contemporary feminist perspective on the classic story, transforming the protagonist from passive victim to empowered survivor.

The 2025 Game Changer Classic, a fundraising event benefiting First Tee - Greater Detroit (FTGD), will be held on August 25, 2025, at Wabeek Country Club in Oakland County. FTGD is a nonprofit organization that utilizes golf to teach essential life skills to young people, including leadership, communication, and resilience. The event will feature a full day of activities beginning with check-in at 8 a.m., followed by golf, an awards ceremony, and a dinner reception. Wabeek Country Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye, represents a strategic new venue for the fundraiser which serves as one of FTGD's primary fundraising events.

Walmart has recalled specific frozen shrimp products from its Great Value label in 13 U.S. states after the FDA detected radioactive Caesium-137 in a shipping container from an Indonesian supplier. Although one breaded shrimp sample tested positive for the radioactive isotope, the FDA confirmed this particular sample never entered U.S. commerce. Walmart has removed the affected products from store shelves and is offering full refunds to customers who purchased shrimp from three identified batches. While the FDA stated the amount detected wouldn't cause acute harm, long-term exposure to Caesium-137 could potentially increase cancer risk by damaging cells in the body.

The US has established bilateral deportation agreements with Honduras and Uganda, allowing them to accept migrants from other countries seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. These arrangements are part of the Trump administration's broader effort to increase deportations of undocumented migrants by partnering with at least a dozen nations worldwide, including those with controversial human rights records. Similar agreements have been reached with countries such as Rwanda, Panama, Costa Rica, and Paraguay, with each nation accepting specific numbers of deported migrants under varying conditions. The US Supreme Court recently supported these deportation practices despite opposition from three justices and concerns from human rights organizations that the policy could violate international law.

The newly signed "One Big Beautiful Bill" (also called the "Big Ugly Bill") is projected to cause health insurance premiums to rise significantly by 2026, with a median increase of 15% nationwide in ACA marketplaces. The legislation eliminates enhanced premium tax credits that have helped over 24 million Americans afford health coverage, resulting in individual premium payments increasing by more than 75% on average for subsidy recipients. Additionally, tariffs on imported goods including pharmaceuticals are compelling insurers to raise premiums beyond medical inflation rates. The changes will disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including low-income Americans, Black and Hispanic adults, and those with existing health conditions.

As Washington D.C. students prepare for the new school year, they face heightened concerns about interactions with law enforcement following the arrival of hundreds of federal agents and National Guard troops from Republican-led states. D.C. State Board of Education Representative LaJoy Johnson-Law emphasizes the critical need for youth to exercise caution in what she describes as a "life-or-death situation" and "state of emergency." The situation has intensified after President Trump's administration attempted to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department, though a federal judge ruled against this takeover. Amid these tensions, community activists like Arianna Afeni Evans of Harriet's Wildest Dreams have been working to protect young people from potential law enforcement overreach, with Evans herself being arrested while advocating for youth at Navy Yard.

Residents of four Hunters Point housing complexes managed by Related Companies are returning to their units after renovations only to discover numerous issues including faulty installations, missing belongings, and poor-quality work. Problems range from malfunctioning locks that trapped a pregnant resident to missing furniture, destroyed personal improvements, and substandard finishes in the renovated units. In response, tenant organizers led Mayor Daniel Lurie and Chief of Community Affairs EJ Jones on a tour of the affected complexes to demonstrate the conditions residents are facing. The renovations of these federally subsidized housing units, which provide homes for over 800 people across approximately 600 units, reportedly generate millions in tax credits for Related Companies.

President Donald Trump is planning an executive order to eliminate mail-in ballots before the 2026 congressional elections, claiming they are "corrupt" despite using them to help secure his own 2024 victory. Trump has consistently alleged without evidence that mail-in voting enabled fraud in the 2020 election, despite the practice being common in many states with varying political leanings. Constitutional experts argue the president lacks authority to dictate how states conduct elections, with UCLA election law professor Rick Hasen calling Trump's assertion of presidential control over federal elections "wrong and dangerous." Contrary to Trump's claims, approximately 34 countries worldwide permit some form of mail-in voting.

The D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has launched the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) Amnesty Program, a temporary initiative running from August 11 to September 19, 2023, designed to help parents who are behind on child support payments. The program offers various relief options including halting enforcement actions like driver's license suspensions and bench warrants, while also providing opportunities for debt reduction through the Fresh Start Program and employment assistance through the Alternative Solutions Center. Announced during National Child Support Awareness Month, this initiative aims to remove barriers that prevent non-custodial parents from maintaining consistent financial support for their children while strengthening family relationships. District residents interested in participating can contact CSSD directly to inquire about eligibility and program details.

President Donald Trump has pledged to eliminate mail voting and voting machines in U.S. elections, despite constitutional limitations on his authority to make such changes. In a social media post containing multiple false claims about voting systems, Trump promised an executive order to "bring HONESTY" to the 2026 midterm elections. Election experts note that states, not the president, have constitutional authority over elections, with Congress having power to alter federal election rules but not state elections. This follows earlier controversial election-related executive actions by Trump that were blocked by courts.

The Trump administration is facing increasing pressure regarding documents from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes. The Justice Department plans to provide Congress with subpoenaed materials starting Friday, following demands from the House Oversight Committee chaired by Republican James Comer. Reports indicate Trump was informed in May that his name appears in Epstein-related files, though this doesn't imply wrongdoing. Trump, who was friends with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, initially supported transparency but recently changed his position, stating the case is closed.

The Restful Resistance series is launching with a virtual kickoff event titled "We Are Not Machines – We Are the Movement" on Monday, August 18 at 6:30 PM PT via Zoom. This inaugural session will focus on "The State of Us: Where Black Women Stand Politically in CA," exploring Black women's political engagement, barriers they face, and pathways from civic fatigue to civic power with an eye toward 2026. The series aims to create a space for healing, grounding, and political empowerment while recognizing that rest itself can be a form of resistance against systems demanding overextension.

The Detroit City Council race in District 6 pits State Rep. Tyrone Carter, a former law enforcement official with decades of legislative experience, against incumbent Gabriela Santiago-Romero, a Democratic Socialist and the council's only Hispanic member. The contest highlights Democratic Party divisions, with Carter drawing support from older, moderate Black residents while Santiago-Romero appeals to Hispanic voters and is backed by grassroots and labor groups. Their most significant policy difference involves campaign financing, with Santiago-Romero refusing corporate PAC money while Carter has accepted funds from corporations like DTE Energy and Marathon Petroleum. Southwest Detroit's District 6 has a majority Latino population (57.2%), followed by African Americans (23.6%) and whites (16.9%).

GODRadio1.com has won the 2025 Stellar Award for Internet Radio Station of the Year for the second consecutive time at gospel music's premier awards ceremony. The Stellar Awards, referred to as the "Grammys of Gospel," recognize excellence in gospel music and media, with GODRadio1.com's repeat victory highlighting its dedication to faith-based programming and supporting gospel artists globally. This achievement coincides with the 30th anniversary of its parent company, M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records Inc., which has focused on promoting independent artists, producing events, and sharing messages of faith and hope throughout its history.

According to a recent Economist/YouGov poll, only 31 percent of Americans view Donald Trump as "honest and trustworthy," the lowest rating since his second term began, with 53 percent considering him dishonest. The poll reveals widespread suspicion about Trump's knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, with 71 percent of Americans believing he knew "a lot" or "some" before they became public, and Trump's handling of Epstein investigations receiving a negative approval rating of -39. Trump's overall job approval stands at 42 percent with 54 percent disapproving, slightly better than at the equivalent point in his first term but still negative. The poll also highlights Trump's continued challenges with Black voters, with just 12 percent of Black Americans approving his performance in a July survey, although he showed some improvement in the 2024 election compared to 2020.

Dr. Danielle Spencer-David, best known for her role as Dee Thomas in the 1970s sitcom "What's Happening!!", passed away in Richmond on Tuesday after battling breast cancer for a year. After her successful acting career, Spencer-David transitioned to veterinary medicine, graduating from Tuskegee University Veterinary School in 1996 and eventually settling in Richmond, Virginia in 2014. She received notable recognition as the only former child actor honored with a permanent exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Family members, colleagues, and public officials have expressed their grief, recognizing her contributions not only as a television icon but also as a veterinarian, author, and community activist.

This opinion piece by Craig J. DeLuz praises President Trump's decision to assert federal control over Washington D.C.'s police force through the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. The author argues this intervention is necessary due to D.C.'s rising crime rates, including 200 homicides in 2023, doubled car thefts, and tripled carjackings over five years. DeLuz claims local officials have downplayed these issues while the D.C. Police Union supports federal intervention, and he suggests Trump's "tough-on-crime" approach based on the "Broken Windows Theory" will effectively reduce crime. The author dismisses criticism that these measures are racially motivated, arguing instead that people of color are disproportionately affected by violent crime in D.C.

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) is pressing for the passage of their 16-bill Road to Repair 2025 Priority Bill Package as the legislative session nears its end. Based on recommendations from the California Reparations Task Force's report, the package aims to address historical injustices affecting Black Californians through measures like creating a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery and reserving 10% of the state's Home Purchase Assistance Program for descendants of enslaved people. Many of these bills are currently in the Appropriations process where their fiscal impacts are being evaluated, with several placed in the "suspense file" for bills with significant costs. With only two weeks remaining for legislative action, these bills face a critical period that will determine whether they become law.

Maryland Democratic leaders are strongly opposing President Trump's takeover of Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department, introducing legislation to restore local authority. Senator Angela Alsobrooks criticized the action as executive overreach and an attack on democracy, while Senator Chris Van Hollen plans to introduce a joint resolution to return control of MPD to local authorities when Congress reconvenes. Representative Jamie Raskin has already introduced a House resolution alongside other Democrats to end the federalization of D.C. police. Despite Trump's claims about addressing crime, Democratic officials note that D.C. was experiencing its lowest violent crime rates in 30 years before the takeover and argue this action has negatively impacted local businesses and restricted D.C.'s access to its own funds.

The annual Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference in Ocean City brought together politicians, business executives, civic leaders, and celebrities to discuss challenges and opportunities across Maryland. Governor Wes Moore warned about potential federal government actions affecting healthcare and local governments, emphasizing Maryland's commitment to supporting its people. The conference featured discussions on economic issues, student opportunities, and immigration concerns, with a notable panel including Baltimore ICE field director Nikita Baker that drew criticism regarding enforcement practices. Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy hosted a reception highlighting an AI literacy initiative called Lumi, which featured activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a partner in the educational program.

Texas police are searching for 36-year-old Tory Dugas who was mistakenly released from Harris County jail despite being sentenced to seven years in prison for assaulting a family member and evading arrest. Dugas, who had been in jail since Thursday on other charges that were dismissed, was erroneously released early Sunday morning because jail staff allegedly failed to properly document his state prison sentence. The Harris County Sheriff's Office discovered Dugas was missing on Monday morning during a routine check of inmates scheduled for transfer to state custody and has launched a thorough investigation into the incident, which is not the first mistaken release from this facility.

The article explores the experiences of Black Americans who have shown solidarity with Palestinians, highlighting their mistreatment by Israeli authorities. It details how Zoharah Simmons, a former SNCC organizer, faced extensive interrogation at Tel Aviv airport in 1994 due to her race and name, requiring intervention from an Israeli legislator to be released. The piece then connects this historical incident to recent events involving Christian Smalls, co-founder of the Amazon Labor Union, who was singled out and physically assaulted when Israeli forces intercepted an aid ship bound for Gaza. Through these accounts, the article illustrates a pattern of harsh treatment toward Black solidarity activists supporting Palestinians against what they perceive as settler colonialism.