united states news

A new Prison Policy Initiative report reveals how the Trump administration is using local jails to facilitate mass deportation, even in sanctuary cities and counties. The report, "Hiding in Plain Sight," explains that the administration circumvents sanctuary policies through a loophole that allows federal agencies to refer immigrants for criminal prosecution, enabling detention in local jails that have contracts with the U.S. Marshals Service. This strategy has resulted in ICE's actual detention numbers being approximately 45 percent higher than officially reported, with an estimated 83,400 immigrants in detention compared to the reported 57,200. Since Trump's return to office in January, 45 percent of all ICE arrests have occurred in jails, often targeting immigrants arrested for minor offenses that wouldn't result in jail time for U.S. citizens.

Sixty years after the signing of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), Black Americans are fighting renewed battles for voting rights amid increasing restrictions. Civil rights advocates, including former NAACP president Cornell William Brooks and current president Derrick Johnson, note that previously settled legal protections are being re-litigated and weakened. Since the Supreme Court gutted a key VRA provision in 2013, states have passed numerous restrictive voting laws, with 19 enacted in 2024 alone according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Despite these challenges, former staffers of Representative John Lewis maintain his optimistic perspective that progress, though slow and difficult, will continue through persistence.

The article reflects on the significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which President Lyndon Johnson signed after decades of civil rights struggle and resistance. It specifically highlights the role of the late Representative John Lewis, who suffered brutal beatings during protests in Selma, Alabama, that helped push the legislation forward. Journalist Allison Davis interviewed three former staffers of Lewis to discuss his civil rights legacy, and also spoke with Cornell William Brooks, a former NAACP leader who now teaches at Harvard's Kennedy School, about current social justice challenges.

California has lost over 5,600 AmeriCorps public service workers and $60 million in funding following orders from President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in April. This cut affects programs like Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), which helps young men of color access college education by providing mentors in schools. Though AmeriCorps received a temporary court reprieve in June to continue operating for another year, the $557 million in undistributed grants leaves the program's future uncertain. California officials, including Josh Fryday of the Office of Service and Community Engagement, express frustration over the cuts, which impact education, disaster preparedness, and environmental initiatives across the state.

Governor Gavin Newsom is considering dismantling California's independent redistricting commission, potentially returning map-drawing power to the Legislature through a 2026 ballot measure. Newsom argues California shouldn't maintain different rules while Republican states like Texas manipulate congressional maps to entrench power, calling the situation a "five-alarm fire for democracy." The proposal has sparked backlash from California Republicans who claim it would undermine a fair system and destroy voter trust. Critics from both parties remain skeptical that California voters, who overwhelmingly approved the independent commission in 2008, would support returning to lawmaker-controlled redistricting.

The inaugural Lomas Brown Jr. Golf Classic at the Country Club of Detroit raised $268,700 for The Children's Foundation and the Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation, attracting NFL legends and community supporters. The sold-out event, presented by WJR AM 760 and sponsored by Ford Motor Company, continues the fundraising legacy of the Paul W. Smith Golf Classic that supported Detroit-area youth programs for over two decades. Notable attendees included NFL Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, alongside numerous Detroit Lions alumni, participating in golf, a reception, and a fundraising auction featuring custom golf carts. The funds will support children's health, education, and enrichment programs throughout Southeast Michigan, with a second annual event already scheduled for July 13, 2026.

Liuba Grechen Shirley, who successfully advocated for allowing campaign funds for child care after experiencing harassment during her 2018 congressional run, is now expanding her efforts to include security expenses through her organization Vote Mama. A new report by Vote Mama Foundation reveals federal candidates spent over $41 million on security measures between 2014-2024, with spending dramatically increasing in recent years. While federal regulations allow campaign funds for security, only 10 states have similar policies, creating barriers for parent candidates who face safety concerns. The report highlights a concerning trend: women of color comprise 63 percent of women's security spending, reflecting disproportionate safety threats that discourage parental participation in politics.

Detroit faces a significant political transition in 2025 with its first mayoral election in over a decade, alongside every City Council seat, city clerk, and Board of Police Commissioners position being contested. The election comes at a critical time as remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds—less than $100 million of Detroit's original $826 million allocation—must be allocated before they expire next year. Despite the importance of these races, voter turnout has been concerningly low in recent elections, with just 24% participation in 2021's mayoral race and only 18% in 2023's citywide races. Detroiters have multiple voting options available, including early voting from July 26 to August 4 for the primary and October 25 to November 3 for the general election, with the primary scheduled for August 5 and the general election for November 4.

The Kremlin has downplayed President Trump's recent orders to move two nuclear submarines closer to Russia, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing claims of escalation while cautioning about nuclear rhetoric. This development follows Trump's response to provocative comments by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev after Trump set an August 8 deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. Despite tensions, diplomatic channels remain open with US envoy Steve Witkoff scheduled to visit Russia on Wednesday, potentially meeting with President Putin. Trump has threatened severe tariffs on Russian exports if a ceasefire isn't reached by the deadline, though peace remains elusive as Moscow maintains demands unacceptable to Ukraine and Western allies.

In Texas, 51 Democratic state lawmakers have fled to Illinois to prevent a vote on a controversial redistricting plan proposed by the Republican majority that would create five new Republican-leaning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott has convened a special legislative session that requires a two-thirds quorum to approve the new congressional map, along with disaster relief and a THC ban. Republican officials, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, have threatened to fine, arrest, and remove from office the absent Democrats, who plan to stay away for two weeks until the special session ends. The redistricting could help Republicans expand their slim majority in the House, as they currently hold 219 of 435 seats compared to Democrats' 212.

Detroit faces a pivotal election year in 2025 with every major city leadership position on the ballot, including a new mayor for the first time in over a decade, all City Council seats, city clerk, and seven Board of Police Commissioners positions. The election coincides with the final allocation of Detroit's remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with less than $100 million left of the original $826 million received. Despite the significance of these elections that directly impact housing, public safety, education, and infrastructure, Detroit has struggled with low voter turnout—just 24% in the 2021 mayoral election and 18% in 2023 citywide races. Multiple voting options are available to residents including early voting from July 26 to August 4 for the primary and October 25 to November 3 for the general election, along with absentee voting and same-day registration.

Police have identified the victims of a Montana bar shooting as barmaid Nancy Lauretta Kelley and customers Daniel Edwin Baillie, David Allen Leach, and Tony Wayne Palm, who were killed when an assailant opened fire at The Owl Bar in Anaconda on Friday morning. A massive manhunt involving approximately 250 law enforcement officers is currently underway for suspect Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old army veteran who authorities believe fled to the nearby mountainous foothills after the attack. Officials have offered a $7,500 reward for information leading to the capture of Brown, whom Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen described as "an unstable individual who walked in and murdered four people in cold blood for no reason whatsoever." The search area has been expanded to include national forest land surrounding Anaconda, as authorities believe Brown is still armed and dangerous despite finding his abandoned pick-up truck.

South Korean beauty products (K-beauty) have gained tremendous popularity in the United States due to their quality, value, and unique ingredients, with Americans spending approximately $1.7 billion on these products in 2024, a 50% increase from the previous year. Following President Donald Trump's recent implementation of a 15% import tax on South Korean goods, many U.S. consumers are stocking up on K-beauty items in anticipation of price increases. While larger K-beauty brands may be able to absorb some of the tariff costs, smaller companies will likely struggle, though industry experts believe dedicated consumers will continue purchasing these products despite higher prices. The tariffs align with Trump's broader trade policy aimed at encouraging American manufacturing, though consumers like Pearl Mak indicate they haven't found effective American-made alternatives to their preferred K-beauty products.

The Office of the Special Counsel (OSC) has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, who previously led two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump before resigning earlier this year. The investigation reportedly focuses on potential Hatch Act violations, which prohibit political activities by government officials, following Republican Senator Tom Cotton's allegation that Smith engaged in "unprecedented interference in the 2024 election." Smith was appointed by former Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to investigate Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents and election interference, both cases eventually being closed after Trump's 2024 presidential election victory. While the OSC cannot file criminal charges against Smith, it can initiate disciplinary action or refer findings to the Department of Justice.

President Donald Trump has fired Erika McEntarfer, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), after the agency reported weaker-than-expected July job figures and significant downward revisions to previous months' data. Trump claimed without evidence that McEntarfer had "RIGGED" the numbers to make Republicans look bad, triggering widespread criticism that he was politicizing an independent economic agency. The firing came amid growing concerns about Trump's expanded tariff policies, which economists are connecting to the labor market's deterioration. Critics, including former officials and economic experts, condemned the move as undermining public trust in government statistics and resembling actions typically seen in authoritarian regimes.

Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, has been transferred from a Florida prison to FPC Bryan, a minimum-security facility in Texas. While seeking to overturn her conviction through the Supreme Court and pursuing a presidential pardon, Maxwell recently held two meetings with Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche. The family of Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre has condemned the transfer as preferential treatment, claiming victims weren't notified. Maxwell had agreed to testify before Congress about the Epstein case with legal protections, but her August 11 deposition has been indefinitely postponed after negotiations broke down.

A manhunt is underway for suspect Michael Paul Brown following a shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana that left four people dead. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including local police, the ATF, and FBI, are responding to the incident that occurred around 10:30 local time. Authorities have warned residents to stay home with doors locked as they search for Brown, who is described as armed and dangerous, wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana. SWAT teams have already searched and cleared Brown's home in Anaconda, while Montana officials, including Governor Greg Gianforte, are monitoring the situation.

A Florida jury has found Tesla partially liable for a 2019 crash where a Model S using Autopilot killed pedestrian Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injured Dillon Angulo, resulting in potential damages of up to $243 million. Tesla argued that driver George McGee was solely at fault for looking away from the road when he dropped his phone, while the plaintiffs contended that Autopilot should have detected the pedestrians and braked automatically. This represents Tesla's first Autopilot lawsuit to reach a jury verdict rather than being settled, with the company vowing to appeal what it calls a "wrong" decision that jeopardizes automotive safety innovation. The verdict represents a setback for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has promoted self-driving technology as fundamental to the company's future success.

President Donald Trump has escalated his trade war strategy with new tariffs targeting multiple Asian economies, not just China as in his first term. These measures aim to reduce trade deficits and bring manufacturing jobs back to America but have sparked market sell-offs in Taiwan and South Korea, both crucial to electronics production. U.S. companies like Apple and Nvidia now face higher costs for their global supply chains, with tariffs hitting components from across Asia and eliminating the "de minimis" rule that exempted parcels under $800 from customs duties. Despite Trump's claim of protecting American interests, these tariffs in a globalized economy may significantly impact U.S. businesses and consumers.

President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to threatening comments made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The deployment comes amid escalating tensions between Trump and Medvedev, with Trump setting an August 8 deadline for Putin to end the war in Ukraine while threatening sanctions. Medvedev has characterized Trump's ultimatums as steps toward war, prompting Trump to position the submarines as a precautionary measure. The exchange marks a significant escalation in rhetoric between the United States and Russia, with Trump expressing concern about potential "unintended consequences" from such provocative statements. # Who is affected - The United States and Russia (countries with the most nuclear arms) - Ukrainian people (as the conflict in Ukraine is central to the tensions) - Global financial markets (Moscow's stock market fell sharply after Trump's announcement) - Citizens of both countries who would face consequences of escalating nuclear tensions # What action is being taken - President Trump is deploying two nuclear submarines to "appropriate regions" - Trump is issuing ultimatums to Russia to end the war in Ukraine by August 8 - Trump and Medvedev are engaging in an ongoing exchange of threats and personal attacks on social media - Trump is threatening Russia with severe tariffs on oil and exports if Putin doesn't end the war # Why it matters - The situation involves two nations with the world's largest nuclear arsenals - It represents an escalation in tensions between major nuclear powers - Medvedev's reference to Russia's "dead hand" nuclear strike control system raises the specter of nuclear conflict - The exchange demonstrates how quickly diplomatic disputes can escalate to military positioning - The conflict affects global financial markets, as evidenced by the drop in Moscow's stock market # What's next No explicit next steps stated in the article.

The National African American Child and Family Research Center (NAACFRC) at Morehouse School of Medicine leads community-engaged research to better serve African American families in programs like Head Start, which has a 30% Black or African American service population. Dr. Azaliah Israel, co-lead for dissemination and communication, explains that the Center aims to change narratives about Black families by conducting research that acknowledges their unique experiences and existing social inequalities rather than using white Americans as the standard. NAACFRC partners directly with parents, teachers, and administrators to understand the needs of African American children and families, with special focus on those in rural areas, families involved with the criminal justice system, and those with health or disability issues. The Center's approach prioritizes elevating the voices of Black families and shifting research frameworks to change societal perceptions.

Canada and the United States remain locked in a six-month tariff dispute with no immediate resolution in sight, despite earlier optimism following their summer deadline agreement at the G7 meeting. Prime Minister Mark Carney has maintained that Canada won't accept just "any deal," prioritizing quality over speed, while President Trump's criticism of Canada's recognition of a Palestinian state has further complicated negotiations. Although Canada faces a nominal 35% tariff rate, approximately 90% of Canadian exports can still enter the U.S. duty-free under the existing CUSMA/USMCA agreement if proper paperwork is filed. The ongoing trade tensions have prompted Canada to implement countermeasures totaling C$60 billion ($43.3 billion) against American goods, while also working to diversify its trade relationships beyond the United States.

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visited a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) site in southern Gaza, accompanied by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and the Israel Defense Forces. The visit aimed to assess the humanitarian situation in Gaza amid controversy over the GHF distribution sites, where the UN reports at least 859 Palestinians have been killed, though the GHF rejects this figure. Critics, including Gaza residents and human rights organizations, condemned the visit as a "media stunt" that fails to address the root causes of suffering in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel and the US are reportedly discussing a reformulated ceasefire proposal while Hamas demands increased aid to Gaza before returning to negotiations.

A major clinical trial published in JAMA found that structured lifestyle changes led to greater cognitive improvements than self-guided approaches for older adults at risk of cognitive decline. The study involved 2,111 participants aged 60-79 who were randomly assigned to either a structured program with 38 facilitated meetings or a self-guided program with just six meetings, both focusing on physical activity, nutrition, cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and cardiovascular health. While both groups showed improved brain function over the two-year study period, the structured group demonstrated statistically significant greater improvement in global cognition (0.243 vs 0.213 points per year) and executive function. The diverse participant group included 68.9% women and 30.8% racial or ethnic minorities, with high retention rates of 89% completing the final assessment.

The Washington Post is experiencing a significant exodus of Black journalists, despite its location in Washington D.C. with a 43% Black population. This departure trend coincides with President Trump's recent executive order targeting diversity initiatives, which was signed within 48 hours of his second term. Many prominent Black journalists with decades of experience and Pulitzer Prizes have left the organization, including Jonathan Capehart, Karen Attiah, Toluse Olorunnipa, Eugene Robinson, and Krissah Thompson. The National Association of Black Journalists has expressed concern about these departures, noting the implications for newsroom diversity and representation in an industry already struggling with inclusion.

The United States is experiencing a national crisis of worsening traffic congestion, deteriorating road conditions, and increased aggressive driving behaviors. According to recent reports, Washington D.C. has overtaken Los Angeles as the city with the worst traffic, with residents spending an average of 71 days annually in traffic. Beyond congestion, states like Louisiana, New Mexico, and Colorado have become hotspots for road rage, with a significant percentage of traffic fatalities linked to aggressive driving. The situation has reached such severity that 63% of Americans now consider aggressive driving a major problem in their communities, while residents across high-impact areas report that conditions are worse than ever before.

The U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, marking the third consecutive month of sluggish growth and the weakest three-month period since 2010 outside of the COVID pandemic. While the national unemployment rate remained at 4.2%, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area saw its unemployment rate climb to 5% despite adding 4,300 jobs overall. Significant disparities persist among demographic groups, with Black workers facing a 7.2% unemployment rate compared to 3.7% for white workers. The health care sector led job growth with 55,000 new positions, while the federal government continued to lose jobs, shedding 12,000 positions in July and 84,000 since January.

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that the CA-125 blood test commonly used to detect ovarian cancer may miss cases in Black and Native American patients, potentially contributing to treatment delays and health disparities. The research found that Black and Native American patients were 23% less likely to have elevated CA-125 levels at diagnosis compared to white patients, suggesting current thresholds may be set too high for these populations. Patients with false negative results started chemotherapy an average of nine days later than those with elevated levels. Researchers have proposed new lower thresholds that would work better across all populations, which could lead to guideline changes to ensure equitable cancer detection.

Food insecurity in Africa has reached alarming levels, with over 1 billion people—approximately two-thirds of the continent's population—unable to afford a healthy diet in 2024, according to a recent United Nations report. While global hunger rates have slightly decreased since 2022, Africa has experienced a steady rise in food insecurity, with undernourishment exceeding 20% across the continent. The report, compiled by five UN agencies including the WHO, FAO, and WFP, projects that by 2030, nearly 60% of the world's chronically undernourished people will be in Africa. Factors driving this crisis include insufficient agricultural production relative to population growth, violent conflicts, and climate change impacts that weaken already fragile food systems.

President Donald Trump has increased tariffs on Canadian imports while maintaining existing tariffs on Mexico and China, citing their alleged failure to stop fentanyl trafficking into the United States. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid originally approved for medical use in the 1960s, has become the primary drug responsible for over 48,000 American overdose deaths in 2024 according to the CDC. The global fentanyl supply chain involves Chinese corporations supplying chemicals to criminal organizations, with Mexican cartels producing the finished product and smuggling it across the southern border. Despite Canada facing accusations, data shows only about 0.8% of all U.S. fentanyl seizures occur at the Canadian border, compared to 96% at the Mexican border.