The Senate finished their work by confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney General and passing a temporary funding bill. After that, they started their August break. Blanche, who worked for President Trump before, was confirmed by a close vote.
Key Facts
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General.
Blanche was President Trump’s former personal lawyer.
He had been acting attorney general since April.
The confirmation vote was very close, 50-49.
Senators also passed a stopgap funding bill.
The Senate began its August recess after these actions.
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A mother from Joshua, Texas, shares the story of how her 2-year-old son nearly drowned in their backyard pool after a ladder was left in. She describes the frightening moments before emergency help arrived and how family and neighbors helped perform CPR, ultimately saving her son's life.
Key Facts
The incident happened on July 2, 2020, in Joshua, Texas.
The family's backyard had an above-ground pool with a removable ladder.
The ladder was accidentally placed back into the pool without the mother knowing.
Her son, Ezra, who was learning to swim but still inexperienced, got into the pool and nearly drowned.
The mother saw her son float limp at the bottom of the pool and immediately rescued him.
Neighbors and family helped perform CPR until emergency medical services arrived.
Ezra was taken to the ER, where doctors stabilized him with life support measures.
The mother describes the emotional shock and hope she experienced during the crisis.
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President Donald Trump shared AI-generated images showing military drones and vehicles on top of a new White House ballroom. A U.S. appeals court blocked the ballroom’s aboveground construction, saying Trump needed Congress’s approval for the $400 million project.
Key Facts
President Trump posted images of a proposed drone port on the White House ballroom roof.
The images show drones, armed soldiers, fuel trucks, and military vehicles labeled "DronePort."
The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 to stop aboveground construction without Congressional approval.
The ballroom would replace the demolished East Wing and covers about 90,000 square feet.
The court said presidents are temporary tenants and do not own the White House property.
Congress controls federal property, and no new structures may be built without its permission.
Underground work on security facilities can continue despite the ruling.
The court blocked construction to protect the historical and architectural nature of the White House.
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The US Senate approved Todd Blanche, who was President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, as the new Attorney General. Some Democrats opposed the decision, saying it showed the President was using the Justice Department for political reasons.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche worked as President Trump’s private lawyer in several criminal cases.
The Senate confirmed Blanche as Attorney General, the top lawyer for the US government.
Democrats opposed the confirmation, citing concerns about politicizing the Justice Department.
Blanche will now lead the Department of Justice under President Trump’s administration.
The confirmation vote took place on August 8, 2026.
Blanche’s role includes overseeing federal law enforcement and legal affairs.
The appointment follows President Trump’s practice of choosing allies for key government positions.
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Right-leaning groups, including President Trump’s administration and Elon Musk’s AI company, are challenging the ability of private citizens and groups to sue over violations of major U.S. laws. They argue that enforcing these laws should be controlled by the president and federal agencies, not private parties. Environmentalists warn that removing this right could weaken efforts to hold polluters and others accountable.
Key Facts
The challenge targets "citizen suits," which allow private people, groups, and local governments to sue over law violations.
President Trump’s administration supports the idea that enforcement power belongs mainly to the executive branch and federal agencies.
Citizen suits are used to enforce environmental laws, like the Clean Water Act, and have helped stop pollution and fix problems such as lead pipes in Flint, Michigan.
Four federal cases challenging citizen suits are currently underway, with one just filed recently.
The conservative majority on the Supreme Court increases the chances that these suits may be limited or ended.
The issue has been debated since at least 2000, with justices expressing concerns about citizen suits interfering with executive power.
If citizen suits are restricted, the government would have more control over enforcement and fines.
Private parties must notify the government before filing a citizen suit, and the government can try to stop it by acting first.
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Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger from northern Maine, became the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate after years of working as a logger and engaging in protests. He now challenges Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a key race that may affect control of the Senate.
Key Facts
In the late 1990s, Troy Jackson helped organize a blockade against Canadian loggers crossing the border to work for lower wages.
The blockade did not solve the problem, inspiring Jackson to enter politics to create change from within.
Jackson is 58 years old and from Aroostook County, a large and rural area in northern Maine with many working-class residents.
He was chosen as a late replacement nominee after the previous Democratic candidate, Graham Platner, left the race following a sexual assault allegation.
Jackson criticizes Sen. Collins for prioritizing her own interests and for supporting the Supreme Court decision that ended the national right to abortion.
Collins, 73, is also from Aroostook County and labels Jackson as too liberal for Maine voters.
This election is seen as important because it could influence control of the U.S. Senate.
Jackson emphasizes his background as a logger and his connection to working-class people as central to his campaign message.
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Hundreds of students at Howard University were unenrolled for missing a tuition payment deadline but some have now been allowed to re-enroll and move into campus dorms. The situation caused distress among students like Nikiyah Clark, who feared losing the opportunity to attend the historic university.
Key Facts
Over 500 first-year students at Howard University were unenrolled for missing a July tuition payment deadline.
About 200 students had their enrollment restored by the university after initially being cut from the school.
Nikiyah Clark, a 17-year-old student, traveled from Cleveland to Howard University to ask officials to let her enroll again.
Howard University had offered early retirement buyouts to 600 employees around the same time but said this was unrelated to the student unenrollments.
Some students feel less positive about attending Howard University after the unenrollment event.
The university community remains focused on the new academic year despite the recent enrollment issues.
Howard is a well-known historically Black college or university (HBCU) with a significant legacy and reputation.
Families and students have expressed concerns and upset about the administration's handling of enrollment and tuition deadlines.
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Several former U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton, contributed essays about past presidents and first ladies for a 250th-anniversary project called In Pursuit. Though the project avoided mentioning President Donald Trump directly, some essays reflect current concerns about presidential power, democracy, and the presidency’s future.
Key Facts
The In Pursuit project marks 250 years of American history, focusing on presidents and first ladies.
Former presidents Bush, Obama, and Clinton wrote essays but did not mention President Trump by name.
The project is curated by Colleen Shogan, the U.S. archivist dismissed by President Trump in 2023.
Contributors were asked to avoid partisan or ideological views to make the essays accessible to all Americans.
The essays cover 43 presidents and 30 first ladies, excluding current President Biden and President Trump.
Bush’s essay praised George Washington’s humility in giving up power and setting the two-term precedent.
The project publishes essays weekly in chronological order through December.
The essays include lessons on the limits of presidential power and the importance of democracy.
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The Senate passed a short-term funding bill by a vote of 90-6 to keep the federal government running until December 11, avoiding a shutdown before the November elections. The House passed a different funding bill that funds the government until December 4, so lawmakers must agree on one version before President Trump can sign it.
Key Facts
The Senate bill temporarily extends government funding at current levels through December 11.
The House passed a separate bill funding the government through December 4.
Both chambers need to reconcile their bills before sending the final version to President Trump.
The bill includes a provision to stop funds from being moved to the Border Patrol, supported by Democrats.
It delays a national ban on most intoxicating hemp products by one month.
The bill blocks a White House rule that would give political appointees more control over federal grant distribution.
Six senators voted against the bill: three Democrats (Tim Kaine, Ed Markey), one Independent, and two Republicans (Bill Cassidy, Rand Paul).
The funding bill helps buy more time for Congress to complete detailed budget work for the full fiscal year 2027.
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The US Senate passed a bill to keep the government funded through December 11, avoiding a shutdown before the November midterm elections. The bill must still be approved by the House of Representatives, which had passed a different version extending funding until December 4.
Key Facts
The Senate approved the funding bill by a 90-6 vote.
The bill continues funding at current levels until December 11, past the midterm elections on November 3.
If no funding is approved by September 30, a government shutdown will occur.
Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed to avoid a shutdown before the elections.
The Senate bill blocks a new White House rule that would allow the canceling of grants at any time.
The bill closes a loophole that could have let the White House redirect funds to the border patrol.
The House had approved a similar funding bill lasting until December 4 but is on break until the end of the month.
Past government shutdowns involved disputes over health care subsidies and immigration enforcement funding.
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Police released bodycam and security camera videos showing a shooting at a Twin Falls, Idaho mall. Three people died, several were hurt, and the shooter died by shooting himself.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at a shopping center in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Police body cameras and mall CCTV recorded the event as it happened.
Three people were killed during the shooting.
Several other people were injured.
The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police responded to the scene during the shooting.
The incident is under investigation.
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New York City has started a new tax called the pied-à-terre tax, which targets owners of expensive homes that they do not live in full-time. The tax aims to bring in money for the city budget and address housing affordability by taxing wealthy people who own second homes. Some people criticize the tax and see it as an attack on the rich, while experts support it as a fair way to raise city revenue.
Key Facts
The pied-à-terre tax applies to homes worth over $5 million or condos/co-ops worth at least $1 million that are not full-time residences.
About 17,000 addresses suspected to be second homes have been notified, and a public list of potentially taxable owners was published.
Some owners complained about receiving tax notices even though their property is their main home, and others raised privacy concerns.
Experts say the tax fairly targets wealthy property owners and could help fund affordable housing without hurting the real estate market.
New York City has a high poverty rate (over 25%) and a low homeownership rate (33%), highlighting housing challenges.
Other cities like Paris, Singapore, and Vancouver already have similar pied-à-terre taxes.
The tax is expected to raise $500 million annually for New York City.
Billionaire Ken Griffin, owner of a $238 million penthouse, criticized the tax and suggested moving his business to Miami in response.
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Dr. Erica Schwartz was confirmed as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), becoming the first Black woman to hold the position. During her confirmation, she emphasized the importance of abortion data collection as part of CDC work, which sparked concern about increased abortion surveillance amid ongoing political debates.
Key Facts
Dr. Erica Schwartz is the first Black woman to be CDC director.
The CDC had been without a permanent leader for almost a year before her confirmation.
Schwartz has experience as deputy surgeon general during President Trump’s first term.
She promised to "never betray the science" regarding vaccines during her hearing.
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley questioned Schwartz about improving abortion data collection.
Schwartz said abortion surveillance is a critical part of CDC activities.
There is a current voluntary system for states to report abortion data called the Abortion Reporting System.
44 states plus Washington DC have some form of required abortion reporting; some states have privacy-focused policies, such as New York.
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Todd Meiklejohn, a healthy and active adult education teacher, suffered a massive stroke caused by a rare heart defect called patent foramen ovale (PFO). Thanks to quick medical action, including surgery to remove a blood clot, he recovered quickly with little lasting damage.
Key Facts
On August 8, 2025, Todd Meiklejohn experienced sudden stroke symptoms including paralysis on his right side and blurry vision.
His wife found him on the floor about 45 minutes later and called 911.
He was rushed to a hospital where doctors performed a mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure to remove a blood clot from his brain.
The surgery took place just 38 minutes after the emergency call, minimizing brain damage.
Meiklejohn regained movement and speech shortly after surgery and left the hospital within 48 hours.
Doctors discovered Meiklejohn had a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small opening between heart chambers that did not close after birth.
PFO is common and usually harmless, but in rare cases can allow blood clots to bypass the lungs and cause strokes.
Meiklejohn’s stroke was caused by a clot traveling through his PFO to his brain, which is an unusual cause of stroke.
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Todd Blanche was confirmed as the U.S. attorney general in a 50-49 Senate vote after serving as acting attorney general since April. Most Democrats and independent senators voted against him, along with two Republican senators who had concerns about his record and decisions.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche had been acting attorney general since April after Pam Bondi was removed.
President Donald Trump supported Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general.
The Senate vote was very close: 50 in favor, 49 against.
All Democratic and independent senators voted against Blanche.
Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski also voted against him.
Other Republican senators, including Bill Cassidy and Thom Tillis, voted for him after assurances about a withdrawn $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.
The anti-weaponization fund was part of a disputed settlement related to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS.
Concerns against Blanche included his past as President Trump’s personal lawyer and his handling of controversial issues as acting attorney general.
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Police in London are urging more victims of Simon Levy, who was found guilty of multiple sexual assaults and two murders, to come forward. Authorities have admitted failures in monitoring Levy, and two officers are under investigation for their handling of the case.
Key Facts
Simon Levy was convicted of sexually assaulting at least 10 women on London public transport and one more in prison.
He was found guilty of murdering two women, Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins, in 2025.
Levy was on bail and under police monitoring when he committed a violent rape in January 2025.
Police said they have investigated whether Levy had other victims but have not identified more yet.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct is investigating two officers for possible misconduct in handling cases involving Levy.
Police and prosecutors admitted to failing to properly monitor Levy between his 2021 conviction and 2025 arrest for murder.
Victims’ commissioner Andrea Simons called for a review into the failures and better monitoring of offenders.
Some officers involved in the investigations have been moved to other roles due to incompetence.
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Hunter Biden spoke emotionally about his father, President Joe Biden’s stage 4 prostate cancer, describing it as very painful and hard to watch. Despite the cancer spreading to his bones, President Biden continues treatment and remains active, supported by frequent medical monitoring.
Key Facts
President Joe Biden was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
He has received radiation and hormone therapy at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jill Biden, the First Lady, said the cancer cannot be cured but is managed with ongoing treatment.
President Biden needs tests every three months to monitor his condition.
Hunter Biden expressed that his father is the center and support of their family.
Hunter Biden was pardoned by President Biden in December 2024 for federal offenses, including a gun conviction.
Hunter said the pardon was controversial but done out of love and to protect him from political attacks.
Jill Biden denied claims that President Biden hid his illness while in office, saying symptoms appeared slowly.
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Arron Banks, a member of Reform UK and Brexit supporter, is reported to have hired private investigators to investigate Gabriel Pogrund, a journalist who wrote stories about Nigel Farage and Reform UK. The Sunday Times denies that its reporting was based on illegal information and calls the surveillance of its journalist unacceptable.
Key Facts
Arron Banks allegedly hired private investigators from a firm he once owned to look into journalist Gabriel Pogrund.
Pogrund wrote investigations about Nigel Farage and financial support from donors to Reform UK.
One story revealed Farage received backing from George Cottrell, a convicted criminal.
Banks suggested the Sunday Times used hacked information but did not directly admit hiring investigators.
The Sunday Times said its reporting was based on professional journalism, not illegal sources.
Nigel Farage received significant donations before becoming an MP, including £5 million from billionaire Christopher Harborne.
George and Fiona Cottrell, linked to donations, are under police investigation but have not been arrested.
Reform UK has not commented on whether it knew about the surveillance or if other journalists were targeted.
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Hawaii voters are holding primary elections on Saturday, mainly deciding races in the heavily Democratic state. In the 1st District, Representative Ed Case is competing against state Senator Jarrett Keohokalole for the Democratic nomination. Other races include Governor Josh Green facing challengers, and several uncontested Republican candidates.
Key Facts
Hawaii holds primary elections on Saturday for various political offices.
Rep. Ed Case, 73, currently serves the 1st District, including Honolulu, since 2019 and faces a challenge from state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, 42.
Keohokalole wants change in the district and criticized Case’s vote for the SAVE America Act.
Case supports seniority in Congress, saying experience helps him handle crises.
Hawaii is heavily Democratic, so primary winners are likely to win the November general election.
Democratic Governor Josh Green faces three challengers who have not reported campaign spending.
Republican candidates Adriel Lam and Brenton Awa are running unopposed in their primaries.
In the 2nd District, Rep. Jill Tokuda faces three challengers but is expected to win easily.
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Stephen Amell, actor from the upcoming Baywatch reboot, gave a red lifeguard jacket to 16-year-old Ryder Williams, who rescued a boy from drowning at a California beach. The rescue happened during dangerous ocean conditions and was captured on video, gaining widespread attention including praise from President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old lifeguard, saved a 10-year-old boy named Nathaniel Rai from drowning at Seabright beach, California.
The rescue was recorded on video and shared widely on social media.
Stephen Amell, star of the upcoming Baywatch reboot, personally presented Williams with a lifeguard jacket from the show.
Williams used a flotation device called a rescue tube to perform the rescue amid large waves.
Another lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, assisted in bringing the boy safely to shore.
President Donald Trump praised Williams on social media, saying he deserved a “high civilian honor.”
Williams has trained for lifeguarding most of his life, starting with swimming lessons as a toddler and continuing with junior lifeguard training and water polo.
The National Weather Service had issued warnings about dangerous waves and rip currents on the day of the rescue.
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