US News Live: Some Jewish groups dispute Trump administration's claim of support for a controversial nominee

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has initiated a new policy of sharing sensitive taxpayer data with immigration authorities to aid in the identification of undocumented migrants, according to a report in CNN. This inter-agency cooperation utilizes tax information to locate individuals without legal status in the USA. The development marks a significant shift from the IRS's traditional role, which has historically maintained strict taxpayer confidentiality, and expands its function into immigration enforcement support.

The Trump administration's assertion that "many Jewish groups" endorse a controversial nominee is being challenged, as some Jewish organizations have stated they are unfamiliar with the nominee, according to a report in CNN. The claim, made to bolster support for the appointment, has prompted scrutiny and highlighted divisions within the American Jewish community regarding the administration. The controversy centers on the veracity of the administration's statement and the potential misrepresentation of support for the unnamed nominee.

Amid growing pressure on aging Democratic officeholders to step aside, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden has stated he plans to seek another term in 2028, according to a report in AP. Wyden, who will be 79 years old at the time of the election and is in his fifth decade in Congress, expressed his intent to continue resisting President Donald Trump's administration. He also reaffirmed his commitment to visiting all 36 Oregon counties every year, a practice he has maintained throughout his Senate career.

Republicans are pursuing a widespread campaign against abortion shield laws in 18 Democratic-led states, with the goal of compelling the federal government to intervene in the escalating state-level disputes over abortion access, according to a report in The Hill. These state laws are designed to legally protect abortion providers and patients from civil and criminal actions initiated by states where the procedure is banned. The Republican effort, which follows the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade that returned abortion regulation to the states, is considered a difficult challenge by legal experts.

Three people were injured in a shooting at New York City’s Times Square early on Saturday morning, the New York police department has said, according to a report in The Guardian. Police confirmed one person is being held in custody for questioning, but no charges have been pressed yet.

Arts patron Matthew Christopher Pietras was found dead shortly after a $10 million donation he pledged to the Metropolitan Opera failed to clear, according to a report in The New York Times. Just before Pietras's body was discovered, the opera had been notified that the funds for the large donation did not actually belong to him.

A federal court in West Virginia has ruled that a lawsuit challenging the state bar's policy of reserving a board of governors seat for an African-American lawyer can proceed, Reason says in a report. The opinion was issued by Chief Judge Thomas Kleeh of the Northern District of West Virginia in a case brought by the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism, Inc. This procedural decision allows the case to move forward into the discovery phase and does not represent a final ruling on the merits of the Fifteenth Amendment claim against the policy.

A federal court has rejected a bid by President Donald Trump to have the U.S. government replace him as the defendant in the long-running E. Jean Carroll libel lawsuit, Reason Magazine said in a report. This ruling means Trump remains personally liable in the case, which stems from statements he made in 2019 during his first presidential term. The court determined that Trump's statements denying Carroll's allegations were not made within the scope of his official duties at the time, a necessary condition for the government to be substituted as the defendant under the Westfall Act.

A libel lawsuit initiated by businessman Greg Lindberg against Bloomberg Businessweek has been dismissed, according to a report in Reason Magazine. The suit was filed in response to a Bloomberg article that alleged Lindberg, described as a "disgraced tycoon," built a network of egg donors and surrogates and that several participants claimed he had conned them with assistance from US fertility clinics. Lindberg's status as a public figure, stemming from a prior conviction for wire fraud and bribery, establishes a high legal standard for proving libel in the USA.

A federal judge in the Northern District of Texas has rejected a plaintiff's request for a temporary restraining order against X Corp. and Donald Trump, as per a report in Reason Magazine. The lawsuit, Richards v. X Corp. & Trump, argued that the social media platform had become a government forum, subject to First Amendment constraints, because of owner Elon Musk's advisory roles and interactions with government officials. Judge Brantley Starr's decision denied the immediate injunction, rejecting the legal theory that such connections transform a private company into a state actor.

The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's ruling that upheld Indiana's alcohol laws, but did so without issuing a majority opinion, according to a report in Reason Magazine. The procedural affirmation occurred because, following the death of one judge on the three-judge panel, the two remaining judges could not agree on the legal reasoning for why the state should prevail. This 1-1 split results in the lower court's decision being upheld by default but does not create a binding legal precedent on the matter within the circuit, which covers Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns for the Cleveland Browns in his NFL preseason debut on Friday, leading the team to a 30-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers, according to a report in The Guardian. Sanders, a fifth-round draft pick, completed 14 of 23 passes in the first half, and his performance drew praise on social media from basketball star LeBron James.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that places the evaluation process for federal grants under the control of political appointees, as per a report in HuffPost. The new directive mandates that federal financial assistance awards will now undergo an evaluation by officials appointed by the current administration. This marks a shift from the traditional process where grants are typically administered by career civil servants based on established regulations and merit-based criteria.

The annual World's Ugliest Dog contest has been held at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California, as per a report in BBC. The event, which crowns a new winner, is designed to be a fun celebration of unique canines while promoting an important message: encouraging the adoption of dogs of all ages and physical appearances from shelters.

The Trump administration has directed federal agencies to permanently delete all COVID-19 vaccination records and exemption requests for their employees, as per a report in Fox News. Implemented through a directive from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the new policy reverses the practice of retaining data that was collected under a vaccine mandate from the previous Biden administration. The records slated for deletion include employee vaccination status and documentation submitted for medical or religious exemption requests.

A man in Georgia has allegedly made a specific threat to shoot and kill President Donald Trump, stating, "I'm gonna watch him bleed out," as per a report in The Blaze. The accusation involves a direct and violent threat against the current U.S. President. This incident is subject to investigation by law enforcement due to the specific nature of the alleged comments.

A recent boxing showcase in Brooklyn has drawn scrutiny after videos appeared on social media showing a dangerous encounter between two fighters, according to a report in The Guardian. Club fighter Jacob Solis entered the ring under the impression he was participating in a sparring session while wearing headgear. However, his opponent, world-class fighter Marquis Taylor, had reportedly been incentivized to treat the bout with greater intensity, exposing Solis to what the report describes as unnecessary risk in front of an audience.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said that plans are moving forward to hold a special election this November, The Hill said in a report. The purpose of the election is for voters to approve a ballot measure that would ultimately allow the Democratic party to pass a new U.S. House of Representatives map for the state ahead of the 2026 elections. This move would be a departure from California's current process, where an independent commission is responsible for redistricting. Newsom noted an August 22 deadline for getting the initiative finalized for the ballot.

The Detroit Lions' preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night was halted and ultimately concluded with 6:31 left on the clock after safety Morice Norris suffered a serious injury, as per a report in The Guardian. Norris was injured while attempting to tackle Nathan Carter and was attended to by medical staff for about 20 minutes before being transported off the field in an ambulance. Following the lengthy delay, the game was officially ended by letting the clock run out.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday for urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, The Hill said in a report. In a social media post, Huckabee, who holds no official U.S. government role, questioned if Israel is "expected to surrender to Hamas" and drew a comparison to the UK's historical stance against the Nazis. The original article incorrectly identified Huckabee as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

The Trump administration has intensified its actions against Harvard University, asserting that an increase in violent crime on campus makes the school an unsuitable host for international students, as per a report in The New York Times. In addition to this measure, the administration has also initiated a new investigation to review the university's patents. These moves represent a significant escalation in the administration's scrutiny of the institution.

Local officials in Atlanta said a shooting on Friday that left one police officer dead appeared to have targeted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as per a report in The Hill. Authorities stated that multiple rounds were fired, believed to be aimed at both law enforcement and potentially the CDC building. However, officials noted they could not definitively confirm that the federal agency was a purposeful target as the investigation is ongoing.

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding a medical incident at a U.S. immigration detention facility, as per a report in The New York Times. The Department of Homeland Security officially stated that a detainee fainted. However, this account is contradicted by witnesses who claim the man was unconscious. One witness further alleged that the responding guards did not appear to know how to check the individual's pulse, raising questions about the handling of the emergency.

William H. Webster, who was the only person to lead both the FBI and the CIA, has died at the age of 101, his family announced Friday, according to a report in AP. He was known for his efforts to restore public confidence in the federal agencies he led, drawing on his integrity and troubleshooting skills. Webster served as the director of the FBI from 1978 to 1987 and subsequently guided the CIA from 1987 to 1991. Before his appointments in Washington, he had practiced law for nearly two decades.

Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera took the lead at the U.S. gymnastics championships in New Orleans on Friday, positioning herself to win her first national title, according to a report in AP. Rivera, a member of the U.S. team that won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, scored a total of 55.600 after four routines. Her performance included the top score on the balance beam (14.350), rebounding from a less consistent showing at the U.S. Classic last month.

Tonia Haddix, who was featured in the documentary ‘Chimp Crazy’, has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for perjury, according to a report in The New York Times. Prosecutors stated that Haddix lied under oath to avoid relinquishing custody of a chimpanzee named Tonka. The chimpanzee had previously appeared in films such as 'George of the Jungle' and 'Buddy'. The conviction stems from Haddix's false statements made during legal proceedings concerning the animal's welfare and whereabouts.

Robert Pursley, a former Pentagon aide who later became a critic of the Vietnam War, has died at age 97, The New York Times said in a report. During a past assignment, then-Defense Secretary Robert McNamara tasked Pursley with creating an encyclopedic history of the war. This top-secret study became the Pentagon Papers, which, after being leaked to the press, revealed that the U.S. government had misled the public about its involvement in Vietnam.

A Texas judge granted a temporary restraining order to Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in a lawsuit targeting former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) and his political group, Powered by People, as per a report in The Hill. The order stems from Paxton's suit, which claims the group conducted unlawful fundraising activities. The lawsuit alleges these funds were used to support Democratic state House members who left Texas in 2021 to break quorum and stall the passage of a Republican-led voting bill.

Louisiana authorities have agreed to pay a $9 million settlement to Clifton “Scotty” Dilley, who was partially paralyzed from the waist down after a state trooper shot him in the back during a 2018 traffic stop in Baton Rouge, according to a report in AP. The trooper involved initially reported the shooting as a Taser discharge. The settlement, which is among the largest of its kind in state history, resolves a federal lawsuit filed by Dilley, who was 19 at the time of the incident and has been confined to a wheelchair since.

More than 90 Muslim scholars, community leaders, and institutions in the U.S. have issued a public call urging Muslim-majority nations to leverage their influence to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as per a report in NPR. The group described the actions by Israeli forces in the region as an "escalating genocide" and is calling for international action to address the crisis.

Media personality Pete Hegseth reposted a CNN segment on the social media platform X about a pastor who believes women should not have the right to vote, according to a report in The Hill. The segment focused on Pastor Doug Wilson, identified as a Christian nationalist and co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) in Idaho. The report showed Wilson advocating for a Christian-based nation and discussing his views on women's suffrage.

The Department of Transportation's Inspector General will conduct a review of the Federal Aviation Administration's management of the sensitive airspace over Washington D.C. following a recent crash, according to a report in The New York Times. The decision for the review was announced approximately one week after the National Transportation Safety Board questioned aviation officials about identified safety gaps in the airspace surrounding the nation's capital.

In Brooklyn, New York, Black church choirs are persisting with their musical traditions even as church attendance has declined and neighborhoods have undergone gentrification, as per a report in AP. Despite a decrease in the number of people in the pews and fewer singers in the choirs compared to past years, the sounds of these choirs remain a feature of the borough's communities amid a broader national trend of decreasing organized religious affiliation.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unilaterally dissolved a collective bargaining agreement with the union representing its employees, The Hill said in a report. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) announced on Friday that the Trump administration's action strips EPA workers of their workplace rights. The union described the move as an "unlawful and authoritarian" assault on its members.

The suspect in a Montana bar shooting that left four people dead has been captured, according to a report in The Hill. Michael Paul Brown was taken into custody on Friday afternoon near Anaconda, where the search had been focused by authorities. The arrest follows the shooting incident that occurred on August 1 at The Owl Bar.

A new video has emerged that reportedly shows an individual identified as a Justice Department official urging rioters to 'kill' police officers during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to a report in MSNBC. The release of the footage is a development in the continued legal fallout from the Capitol riot, which includes ongoing prosecutions by the Department of Justice. The content of the video has prompted renewed scrutiny regarding the conduct and accountability of government officials connected to the events of that day.

Several protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct outside New York City’s 26 Federal Plaza government building on Friday, according to a report in The Guardian. Demonstrators accused US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of operating a covert detention facility within the federal immigration courthouse. According to a press coordinator for the protest movement 50501, demonstrators marched, chanted, and demanded access to the site, which was denied, leading them to hold a sit-in outside the courthouse.

The Trump administration is seeking a $1 billion settlement from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a White House official stated Friday, AP said in a report. This action comes weeks after the Department of Justice accused the university of antisemitism and other civil rights violations. UCLA is noted as the first public university to be targeted under a widespread funding freeze initiative related to allegations concerning both antisemitism and affirmative action.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied reports alleging a shouting match occurred with US President Donald Trump over the Gaza humanitarian crisis, according to a report in The Hill. In a statement issued Friday, Netanyahu's office labeled an NBC report—which claimed President Trump had berated the Israeli leader for denying a starvation crisis in Gaza—as "total fake news."

Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer (R) announced on Friday he is suspending his campaign to challenge Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in the Republican primary, according to a report in The Hill. In a post on the social media platform X, Bauer stated he did not want to contribute to further division in the country and that the decision was not made lightly.

Elon Musk's AI platform has been accused of generating explicit, non-consensual videos of Taylor Swift, as per a report in BBC. The accusations, highlighted by media outlets The Verge and Gizmodo, claim that the image generation feature, Grok Imagine, created the content when operating in its advertised "spicy" mode. The incident has intensified ongoing debates within the USA concerning AI safety, content moderation, and the urgent need for legislation to address the creation and spread of harmful deepfakes.

Meta Platforms has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who claimed the company's artificial intelligence chatbot falsely accused him of participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, according to a report in The Hill. While the specific details of the settlement have not been made public, it has been reported that Starbuck will work with Meta as part of the agreement. The lawsuit stemmed from claims that the AI-generated content was defamatory.

Astronomers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have found strong evidence of a potential Jupiter-sized planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, one of the stars in the closest stellar system to our own, according to a report in The New York Times. The potential exoplanet is described as a gassy world, but the finding is not yet a definitive confirmation and requires further observation for verification. The James Webb Space Telescope project, while led and primarily funded by the U.S. agency NASA, is a major international collaboration with the European and Canadian space agencies.

Republican candidate Andy Nilsson announced Friday he is ending his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, AP said in a report. Nilsson's withdrawal comes after President Donald Trump endorsed fellow Republican candidate Michael Whatley, who is also the Republican National Committee Chairman and entered the race last week. The open seat became available after the incumbent, Sen. Thom Tillis, announced in late June he would not seek re-election following past clashes with Trump. Nilsson had launched his own campaign for the GOP nomination several months ago.

William H. Webster, a former director of both the FBI and the CIA, has died at age 101, his family announced Friday, AP said in a report. Webster was the only person to have led both of the nation's premier law enforcement and intelligence agencies, heading the FBI from 1978 to 1987 and the CIA from 1987 to 1991. He was widely credited with using his integrity and troubleshooting skills to help restore public confidence in the federal agencies during his tenure.

An active shooter was reported at Emory University in Atlanta on Friday, The Hill said in a report. The alert was issued by the university's Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response for the campus, which is located near the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A new report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has designated only nine US states as 'leading' in combating antisemitism, according to a report in Axios. The ADL's 'Jewish Policy Index' identified California, Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and New York as states showing high alignment with its policy recommendations. The report, which comes as FBI data shows hate crimes remain at near-record levels, classified 29 states as 'progressing' and 12 as having taken 'limited action.' The ADL noted the index is a policy tool and not a safety ranking, while some critics argue the group's recommendations could potentially stifle criticism of Israel.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday that a multi-year shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% injection products, a common type of sterile intravenous saline, is now over, according to a report in The Hill. The shortage had been ongoing since 2018. It was significantly worsened last fall after Hurricane Helene caused flooding at a key Baxter manufacturing facility in Marion, North Carolina.

Residents and officials in Juneau, Alaska, are on alert for potential glacial outburst flooding from the nearby Mendenhall Glacier, AP says in a report. On Friday, a joint command center comprising state, federal, city, and tribal officials held a public briefing to outline preparedness measures. This preparation follows incidents in past years where similar glacial flooding has destroyed houses, inundated hundreds of homes, and caused significant erosion to the banks of the Mendenhall River.

Prosecutors said Friday they may appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to try and restore the murder conviction in the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz, AP says in a report. The potential appeal follows a recent federal appeals court decision that overturned the conviction of Pedro Hernandez, a former convenience store clerk who was arrested decades after the boy vanished in New York City. The appeals court ordered Hernandez to be freed unless he is retried within a reasonable period.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has altered a display concerning President Donald Trump's two past impeachments by removing specific details about the charges he faced, The New York Times said in a report. The change was made to the part of the exhibit detailing his second impeachment for incitement of insurrection related to the events of January 6, 2021. The updated display no longer includes some of the previously presented details of the charges from the articles of impeachment.

Federal judges ordered Alabama on Thursday to use a court-selected congressional map for the rest of the decade, AP said in a report. The ruling ensures the current districts, which include two where Black voters have a majority or near-majority, will remain for the next several elections. The court, however, declined a request to place the state back under the federal preclearance requirements of the Voting Rights Act, meaning the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature will be able to draw a new map after 2030 without prior court approval.

Fifty-one attorneys general have launched a new multistate initiative, 'Operation Robocall Roundup', to crack down on illegal robocalls, according to a report in The Hill. The effort is being led by the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force, which aims to take legal action against telecommunication companies that facilitate these automated calls. The initiative addresses the increasing frequency of robocalls, which deliver pre-recorded messages and have become a major source of consumer complaints, particularly in smaller cities.

Two sweetener products are being recalled across the United States due to a labeling error, according to a report in The Hill. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the label mix-up, which prompted the nationwide recall.

Officials in Juneau, Alaska, are preparing for potential glacial outburst flooding from the Mendenhall Glacier, which has caused significant damage in past years, according to a report in AP. A coalition of state, federal, city, and tribal officials held a briefing to outline preparedness steps and urge the public to be ready for an emergency. The threat stems from the popular Mendenhall Glacier, where past outburst floods have swept away houses, inundated several hundred homes, and eroded the riverbank.

New York prosecutors announced they might appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to try and preserve the murder conviction in the decades-old case of Etan Patz, who disappeared in 1979 at age six, according to a report in AP. The potential appeal follows a recent decision by a federal appeals court that overturned the conviction of Pedro Hernandez, a former convenience store clerk. The appeals court has ordered that Hernandez be released from custody unless the state retries him within a reasonable period.

The U.S. Department of Education has opened the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-27 school year to a limited number of students and families as part of a beta test, according to a report in AP. The department plans to conduct two beta testing phases to ensure the system is working correctly before the application becomes fully available to everyone in October. This initial phase is restricted to a small group of users to gather feedback and identify potential issues.

President Donald Trump has removed former U.S. Rep. Billy Long as IRS commissioner less than two months after the Senate confirmed him to the position, AP said in a report. A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the dismissal on Friday but did not provide a reason for the removal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will now serve as acting commissioner. Long's confirmation was on a 53-44 vote, which had followed concerns raised by Democrats regarding the Republican’s past.

Former top-10 player Paula Badosa pulled out of the US Open on Friday, citing a back injury that has sidelined her since her first-round loss at Wimbledon, as per a report in AP. The U.S. Tennis Association confirmed the withdrawal and announced that Jil Teichmann will replace Badosa in the main draw. Alizé Cornet is next in line to enter the tournament if another player withdraws.

James Lovell, the US astronaut who commanded the historic Apollo 13 mission, has died at the age of 97, AP said in a report. His death on Thursday in Lake Forest, Illinois, was announced by NASA on Friday. The space agency praised Lovell for his character and courage, highlighting his leadership in turning the failed moon mission into a celebrated triumph of engineering that ensured the crew's safe return to Earth.

An attorney for Sean 'Diddy' Combs stated that the music producer is considering a comeback, according to a report in The Hill. This consideration comes as Combs remains under a federal investigation related to sex trafficking allegations and faces multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and other misconduct. Contrary to the article's original description, Combs has not been convicted of or served time for any charges related to the current legal issues he is facing.

Michael Reese has been sentenced to 50 years in prison without the possibility of early release or parole after pleading guilty to the murder of visiting nurse Joyce Grayson in Connecticut, according to a report in AP. Reese admitted to killing Grayson on October 28, 2023, at a halfway house where he was living under electronic monitoring. At the time, he was on probation for a 2006 stabbing and sexual assault. The case has reportedly spurred safety changes for home health care workers across the country.

India has refuted a report suggesting it might halt the acquisition of US weaponry in response to tariffs from the Trump administration, Al Jazeera says in a report. The Indian government labeled the claims "false and fabricated," asserting that the procurement process for military hardware, such as Javelin antitank missiles, is proceeding as planned. The initial report indicated a potential pause in arms deals due to the economic impact of US tariffs, which were first implemented during a previous Trump administration term.

During a visit to Illinois, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem accused Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson of being "obstructionist" in their handling of immigrants who have committed crimes, according to a report in Fox News. Noem's criticism focused on the leaders' policies regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which she stated hinders the removal of criminals from their jurisdictions.

Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer has suspended his GOP primary challenge against four-term incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham after just over a month, according to a report in AP. Bauer announced the decision on Friday in social media posts, stating that "after deep prayer and reflection" he was leaving a “political climate that rewards deception over honesty, or ambition over unity.” He added that he believed people "must stop tearing one another down with lies and division."

A recall has been issued for cookies sold at Target stores in 20 US states due to potential contamination with 'foreign material', The Hill said in a report. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the recall affects more than 12,000 packages of the product. The specific details of the contaminating material were not immediately provided.

A study by researchers in Connecticut has identified seven nonnative ticks from Europe, Latin America, and Eastern Africa within the state, as per a report in The New York Times. The findings show the species reached the United States by attaching to international travelers. This research provides new information on how ticks and the diseases they may carry can spread globally, offering clues about their movement in a warming world.

Americans obtained more than half of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods between 2021 and 2023, according to a report in Axios. New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows these foods accounted for an average of 62% of calories for children and 53% for adults, despite a slight decline in consumption since 2017. Youths aged 6 to 11 had the highest intake at nearly 65%. While consumption did not vary significantly by income, higher-income adults consumed about 5% fewer calories from these sources. The top contributors to ultra-processed calorie intake for both adults and children were sandwiches and burgers. In response, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture are working to establish a standard definition for ultra-processed foods.

A group of burglars broke into a Los Angeles store and stole thousands of dollars worth of Labubu dolls, which have recently surged in popularity, The Guardian says in a report. The thieves reportedly entered the store after hours and took boxes of the trendy dolls.

Florida State Representative Randy Fine has introduced legislation titled the 'Correct the Count Act,' which proposes a snap census to count only American citizens, The Hill said in a report. The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to conduct a new population tally that would explicitly exclude non-citizens from the count used for tabulation.

The Florida Department of Corrections and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) signed an updated agreement this week to manage federal immigration detainees at non-correctional state facilities, according to a report in AP. The addendum was created more than a month after Florida opened a new detention facility in the Everglades. This update was necessary because a previous 2020 agreement between the state and ICE only provided guidelines for handling detainees within traditional correctional facilities, not at specialized non-correctional sites like the new center.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins was arrested Friday on federal extortion charges for allegedly pressuring a Boston-based cannabis firm to sell him stock, AP said in a report. Tompkins, who oversees the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, was taken into custody in Florida and faces two counts of extortion. He is expected to appear in Boston federal court at a later date.

U.S. Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas) is reportedly considering a run for Texas attorney general, according to a report in The Hill. Two sources familiar with the matter stated that the Republican lawmaker, who has served in the U.S. House since 2019, has discussed a potential campaign for the state-level post, which would mark a shift from his role in Washington D.C. back to Texas politics.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia announced on Thursday it is weighing whether to seek the death penalty for Elias Rodriguez, the man accused of killing Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, according to a report in The Daily Wire. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves stated that this begins the statutory process for the Department of Justice to make a final decision on pursuing capital punishment in the case.

Authorities in New York City have identified three more victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks using advanced DNA testing, according to a report in The Guardian. The newly identified victims are Barbara Keating, Ryan Fitzgerald, and one unnamed woman. This development, confirmed by officials in Manhattan, brings the total number of identified individuals to 1,653 out of the 2,753 people who died when al-Qaida terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center's twin towers.

A plan by the Trump administration to cut funding for the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE) is creating uncertainty for its journalists in Latvia, according to a report in NPR. The organization, which employs Russian journalists in exile, plays a key role in fighting Russian propaganda from its base in the Baltic nation. The proposed funding cuts by the current U.S. administration now place the future of these operations and the journalists themselves in doubt.

U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) accused a reporter of being a "raging Democrat" following a town hall event for her gubernatorial race on Thursday, according to a report in The Hill. The confrontation occurred after the reporter asked about her vote against the Inflation Reduction Act, a bill passed under the administration of former President Joe Biden. Prior to the exchange, Mace had been promoting the construction of a new highway interchange for South Carolina.

President Donald Trump is still facing several legal challenges at the state level in New York and Georgia, according to a report in The Washington Times. While federal prosecutions related to election interference and classified documents have been complicated by his return to the White House, these cases remain active. The ongoing state-level cases ensure that legal issues continue to be a factor during his current term in office.

A fire has destroyed the more than 100-year-old Congregation Beth El synagogue in Rutherford, New Jersey, The New York Times said in a report. The rabbi and their family were able to escape the blaze. The mayor of Rutherford stated that there is currently no indication of arson, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Justice Department has declined to indict Florida Republican lawmaker Carolina Amesty following a criminal complaint related to alleged "Covid theft," according to a report in MSNBC. Amesty, who was under investigation, will not face federal charges. The report noted that during the proceedings, she was represented by attorney John Bondi, the brother of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that U.S. forces are not welcome on Mexican soil, a declaration that asserts national sovereignty and could alter security cooperation with the United States, according to a report in The New York Times. The statement comes amid ongoing efforts by the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump to combat drug cartels responsible for the fentanyl crisis. This new position marks a shift from the previous Mexican administration's policy of closer security cooperation with the U.S.

The legal organization Democracy Forward filed a new lawsuit on Friday against the Justice Department and the FBI, seeking the release of government records, according to a report in AP. Filed in federal court in Washington, the lawsuit aims to obtain communications from senior administration officials regarding the handling of the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The suit specifically requests documents related to the case and any correspondence between Epstein and President Donald Trump.

A federal appeals court in Washington D.C. on Friday overturned a district judge's finding of probable cause for criminal contempt against the administration of President Donald Trump, AP says in a report. The case revolves around deportations to a prison in El Salvador. The decision came from a divided three-judge panel, which included Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, both of whom were nominated by President Trump. The ruling vacates an April finding by U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg that there was probable cause to hold the administration in criminal contempt.

Representative Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) reintroduced a bill on Friday aimed at asserting congressional control over Washington D.C.'s criminal sentencing policies, as per a report in The Hill. The legislation, named the D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (CRIMES) Act, seeks to prohibit the District's local officials from altering sentencing laws and restrict local authority. The action comes amid calls from President Donald Trump for increased federal intervention in the city's governance.

Two Atlanta transit police officers were shot and injured after they attempted to confront a man for urinating in a train station, according to a report in AP. The incident occurred just before midnight on Thursday at MARTA's Five Points station, the system's downtown transfer hub. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Chief M. Scott Kreher stated that the officers were shot as they tried to arrest the man, who subsequently escaped. Authorities are now searching for the suspect.

Boar's Head intends to reopen its deli meat plant in Jarratt, Virginia, in the coming months after it was previously shut down by the U.S. Agriculture Department, according to a report in AP. The closure last year followed a listeria contamination that resulted in 10 deaths and numerous illnesses. Despite the planned reopening, recent inspections at other Boar’s Head facilities in three different states have documented sanitation problems similar to those that led to the initial deadly outbreak.

A new report based on insurance data has identified the most-stolen vehicles in the USA, as per a report in The Hill. The list prominently features sports cars and SUVs, with models manufactured by Chevrolet, Acura, and GMC being among the most frequently targeted by thieves across the country.

New York utility Con Edison disconnected over 88,000 households in the first half of 2025 while seeking an 11% price increase, according to a report in The Guardian. The number of disconnections by the utility, which serves 3.6 million customers in New York City and Westchester county, is triple the total for all of 2024. The disconnections affected nearly 2.5% of all customers, with one in five of those homes remaining without power for at least one week.

A man in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, shot and killed his female neighbor on Thursday before ambushing responding law enforcement, according to a report in The Guardian. State police Col. Christopher Paris stated the attacker, identified as Carmine Faino, fired dozens of rounds from a semiautomatic weapon at troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins, wounding them both. Faino also shot down a police drone during the incident before being killed by police.

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to use the U.S. military to target foreign drug cartels, representing a significant shift in U.S. policy, according to a report in The New York Times. The directive instructs the armed forces to carry out operations that were previously considered the responsibility of civilian law enforcement agencies. This move escalates the U.S. approach to combating international drug trafficking organizations by authorizing direct military action.

Advertising group WPP's pre-tax profits fell by 71% to £98m in the first half of its financial year, prompting the company to halve its interim dividend, according to a report in The Guardian. The company attributed the decline to clients, including carmakers and consumer goods companies, cutting advertising budgets as new US tariffs under President Donald Trump come into effect. In response to weaker spending and the rise of artificial intelligence, WPP also reduced its global workforce from 111,000 to 104,000 as of the end of June.

An Ohio affiliate of Planned Parenthood has announced it will no longer accept Medicaid insurance, citing uncertainty surrounding a court ruling that currently mandates the Trump administration continue its reimbursements, according to a report in The Guardian. The organization, which operates four clinics, expressed concern that the administration could attempt to retroactively reclaim the funds if the judge's ruling is overturned on appeal. As a result of similar concerns, a separate group of twelve health centers is also suspending the provision of long-acting contraceptive devices to patients covered by Medicaid.

US stocks edged higher in early trading on Friday, keeping the market on track for its third weekly gain in the last four, as per a report in AP. The S&P 500 was up 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 143 points (0.3%), and the Nasdaq composite increased by 0.4% to a new all-time high. The gains were supported by strong corporate earnings, with both Expedia and Gilead Sciences rising sharply after reporting results that surpassed analyst forecasts and raising their future outlooks.

Following an agreement with the Trump administration's Department of Justice, Oklahoma will move to cancel its state law that grants in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants, The Washington Times said in a report. The deal was reached after the DOJ prompted the state to align its policy with federal law, specifically 8 U.S.C. § 1621, which restricts states from providing such post-secondary education benefits. This action reverses Oklahoma's previous policy, which will make undocumented students ineligible for the lower tuition fees offered to state residents.